THE HEIRESS VOW - Chapter 16

Chapter 16: Dangerous Liaison
“Liam,” she started, her voice barely above a whisper. “What if this doesn’t work? What if Henry…?”

Liam turned to her, his gaze softening for just a moment. “We have to try, Ava. We can’t let him keep controlling us. We’ll find a way.”

They reached the entrance of the old warehouse where Henry had arranged to meet. The building was dilapidated, windows broken and walls covered in graffiti. It looked abandoned, but Ava knew better. Danger lurked inside.

As they stepped through the door, the dim light revealed Henry standing at the far end, flanked by two burly men. His smirk was enough to make Ava’s blood boil.

“Welcome,” Henry drawled, his voice dripping with mockery. “I was beginning to think you wouldn’t show.”

“We’re here, Henry. Let Max go,” Liam demanded, his voice steady despite the palpable tension.

Henry laughed, a cold, menacing sound. “Oh, Max is fine. For now. But you know the drill, Liam. You don’t get something for nothing.”

Ava’s fists clenched at her sides. “What do you want, Henry?”

He sauntered closer, his eyes gleaming with malice. “I want you to back off. Stop digging into things that don’t concern you. Or else…”

Before he could finish, a loud crash echoed through the warehouse. One of Henry’s men had kicked over a stack of crates, sending debris flying. In the chaos, Liam lunged at Henry, tackling him to the ground. The other guard moved to intervene, but Ava was quicker. She grabbed a metal pipe from the floor and swung it with all her might, hitting the man squarely in the knee.

Henry’s laughter turned into a grunt of pain as Liam pinned him down. “Where is Max?” Liam hissed, his face inches from Henry’s.

Henry’s smile faltered, but he managed to chuckle. “You’ll never find him in time.”

Ava’s heart sank. She could feel the walls closing in, the weight of their predicament crushing her. Desperation fueled her next move. She knelt beside Henry, her voice low and dangerous. “If you hurt him, I swear—”

A sudden movement from behind cut her off. The second guard, recovering from her blow, grabbed Ava and pulled her away from Henry. She struggled, but his grip was ironclad.

“Liam!” she screamed, but her voice was drowned out by the sounds of the struggle.

In the chaos, Henry slipped free from Liam’s grasp and stood, adjusting his suit with an infuriatingly calm demeanor. “Enough,” he commanded, and his men obeyed, releasing Ava and stepping back.

Breathing heavily, Liam rose to his feet. “This isn’t over, Henry.”

Henry smirked. “Oh, but it is. For now. Until you learn your place.”

With that, he turned and walked out, his guards following. The warehouse fell silent, the echoes of their confrontation lingering in the air.

Ava and Liam exchanged a glance, the unspoken bond between them stronger than ever. They had survived, but the cost was high. Max was still out there, and Henry held all the cards.

As they made their way back to their hideout, Ava wrestled with her emotions. Anger, fear, and a deep sense of helplessness churned within her. But beneath it all, there was something else—something she wasn’t ready to confront.

Liam’s hand brushed against hers as they walked, a small gesture that sent a jolt through her. She looked up at him, his face bruised but determined. He caught her gaze and held it, a silent promise in his eyes.

They reached their apartment, the familiar surroundings offering a small comfort. Ava collapsed onto the couch, burying her face in her hands. “What are we going to do, Liam?”

He sat beside her, his arm wrapping around her shoulders. “We’ll find Max, Ava. I promise.”

She lifted her head, her eyes meeting his. “And what about us? What if Henry never lets us go?”

Liam’s expression softened, a rare vulnerability showing through his tough exterior. “We’ll deal with that when the time comes. Right now, we need to focus on finding Max and keeping each other safe.”

Ava nodded, but doubt gnawed at her. She couldn’t shake the feeling that their fight with Henry was far from over. And amidst the chaos, her feelings for Liam grew more complicated by the day.

Ava phone buzzing. She reached for it, her heart skipping a beat when she saw the message.

“Meet me at the old pier. Come alone. – H.”

Fear and determination warred within her. She knew it was a trap, but she couldn’t ignore the chance to save Max. She glanced at Liam, still asleep, his face peaceful despite the bruises.

She scribbled a note and left it on the table, then quietly slipped out the door.

The old pier was deserted, the water lapping quietly against the wooden posts. Ava’s footsteps echoed in the stillness as she approached the designated meeting spot.

Henry emerged from the shadows, a sinister smile on his face. “You came alone. Brave, or foolish?”

“Where is Max?” Ava demanded, her voice steady despite the fear coursing through her veins.

Henry gestured behind him, and Max appeared, bound and gagged but seemingly unharmed. Ava’s relief was short-lived as Henry stepped closer, his eyes cold.

“Now, Ava. Here’s the deal. You and Liam back off, or Max pays the price.”

Ava’s mind raced. She had to think fast. She couldn’t let Henry win, but she couldn’t risk Max’s life either.

“I need proof that he’s safe,” she said, stalling for time.

Henry’s smile widened. “Smart girl. Very well.”

He pulled out his phone, but before he could make the call, a loud shout broke the silence.

“Ava, duck!”

She dropped to the ground as a shot rang out, narrowly missing her. Liam charged forward, tackling Henry to the ground. The gun skidded across the pier, and Max struggled against his bonds, trying to get free.

Ava scrambled to her feet, grabbing the gun and pointing it at Henry. “It’s over, Henry!”

Henry laughed, a chilling sound that sent shivers down her spine. “You really think this ends with me?”

Liam punched Henry, knocking him out cold. He turned to Ava, his face a mix of relief and concern. “Are you okay?”

She nodded, her hands shaking as she lowered the gun. “We need to get Max out of here.”

They quickly untied Max, who hugged Ava tightly. “I knew you’d come.”

As they made their way back to safety, Ava’s mind was a whirlwind of thoughts. Henry was right—this wasn’t over. But for now, they had won a small victory.

“We’ll get through this,” Max whispered, his voice a comforting presence in the darkness.

Ava nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips. “Together.”