Lost Me, Gained Regret (Jane and Bryant Ferguson)

I caught myself glancing at Mark, the question slipping out before I could think better of it.

This Kane, a new player in the game, clearly wasn't aligned with Jarrod's crew, judging by his henchmen.

Mark's brows furrowed slightly, just as he was about to reply, Kane's smirk deepened, sending a shiver down my spine. "The famous Mr. Larson, who hasn't heard of you? Besides, if I'm going after you, I'd naturally need to know who's in your circle."

Mark, usually the picture of calm, now looked menacing, his voice ice cold, "Let her go."

"Let her go?" Kane wiped his bloody lip, casually sauntering back to his seat with an eyebrow cocked at Mark. "Mr. Larson, how about a deal instead?"

Mark's voice was steady, "What kind of deal?"

"Let's join forces. You help me take down the Myers family."

Kane glanced at me, his tone loaded with implication. "I can deliver Ms. Webster to your doorstep right now, erase all traces so seamlessly that neither the Fords nor the Fergusons would find her. How about it?"

"As far as I know, you've had a thing for her for years, haven't you?"

"Guarding someone in silence only ends up moving yourself."

Kane's smirk turned sinister. "Why not claim her sooner rather than later, what do you say?"

A jolt of fear struck me.

If Mark agreed, I had no doubt Kane could make it happen.

My grandmother's mysterious disappearance from the hospital, with not even the surveillance footage left behind...

I masked my panic, turning to see Mark shielding me further behind him, his expression icy as he refused without a second thought, "I'm not about to collaborate with someone like you. Now, are you going to let her go or not?"

Relief washed over me. How sensitive I had become.

Time and again, it was Mark who stood by me, yet here I was, doubting him.

"Let her go? Of course," Kane said with a bizarre smile, suddenly grabbing a syringe filled with a clear liquid from one of his men. "But, Ms. Webster, I do expect a prompt response regarding that will." I stared at the syringe, eyes wide, "What are you planning?!"

"Simply..."

Kane drew out the moment before suddenly jabbing the needle towards my grandmother's arm.

I knew instinctively it wasn't any ordinary medication and dashed forward, "Stop!"

"Bang-"

The foreigner who had led us here suddenly fired at me, but in the nick of time, a strong hand pulled me back, shielding me.

The sound of a bullet entering flesh echoed.

My mind went blank, "Mark..."

"I'm okay." Mark scanned me quickly, ensuring I was unharmed before offering a reassuring smile. "Don't be afraid."

But blood was already seeping through his white shirt from his arm.

I gasped. "You've been shot!"

"It's nothing."

Mark shook his head gently,

comforti

me before quickly

seizing the moment to coldly annet

preloaded gun at the shooter and

his

pull the trigger.

]His gun was fitted with a silencer.

Louder than the shot was the thud of Kane's man hitting the floor.

The next second, Mark's aim was steady and precise on a new target-Kane.

The gun pointed right between Kane's brows, ready to end it with a single pull.

Kane, fearless, watched Mark with amusement. "Do you think Ramona would fare well if I died? Or that you could leave here alive? My men are all over the place!"

His words barely finished when familiar, urgent footsteps

approached. Gregory burst in,.

storm of fury, and pulled me into his embrace, "Jane!"

My heart raced, my voice trembled.

Before I could say anything, he stepped back, checking me over for any injuries. Finding none, he finally managed to steady his shaking fingers.