Raven POV
ICE 1.0 took me 1 hour to activate. I created ICE about 3 years ago when I was bored. ICE is like a virus - all you have to do is send it to the person's phone. It is like a message; once they open it, their phone will black out and all the information on the phone will be sent to my laptop. The phone also becomes useless because it can never be repaired and it will never switch on again.
So I programmed the message I want him to see before the phone goes off, just a little warning in case he hurts Alex. I sent it to him and immediately he opened it, I knew the location of the phone. I shared it with Shantel and told them to go there ASAP. All the information on the phone was transferred to my computer.
The phone location started to move. It got to a point and it waited there for like 30 minutes, then it returned back to the initial location it started. Shantel told me they already surrounded the building. I told them to proceed and bring back anything that is a reasonable piece of information - and they must return with Alex.
I started pacing when I got no response from them after 30 minutes. I was exhausted and I know I looked like a homeless person right now. I had been running my hands through my hair and I'm sure it looked like a bird's nest. After a good 45 minutes he told me he was in the abandoned warehouse. I asked them to put him, low and behold, when I pulled up the CCTV footage of the building he was there.
I surveyed the surroundings and made sure Shantel wasn't gonna play a dirty game and try to know my identity. It's simple: if they are caught snooping after completing a business deal, there is no mercy. Either they are reduced to nothing - or death.
I grabbed my keys and rushed to the door. I locked it and entered my car and I drove to the location. It was the wildest drive of my life.
Alex was looking around; apparently they tied him up to the wall. I rushed to him and untied him. I hugged him tight.
"I'm so sorry... I'm sorry you had to go through all this," I said, sobbing, all the pent-up emotions pouring out in waves.
He hugged me and wiped my tears. "At least you found me, that's all that matters."
I nodded. Once I calmed down a bit, Alex drove us to the police station. They collected his statement and from there he called Mia. She rushed to the police station with a woman I assumed to be her mother. Mia hugged him and examined his body for any injuries but there were none.
He narrated what happened and during that time my head started pounding and my eyes became blurry. As I stood up I told Alex, "I'm gonna go home, I don't feel too well."
I didn't make it to the door before my vision darkened and I fell to the ground. I could faintly hear everyone panicking before I blacked out.
---
I opened my eyes and looked around. It looked like a hospital room. I tried to sit up but my hand got stuck. I checked and was hooked to a drip.
"Jeez..." I groaned. "Wtf happened?"
Matt entered and raced to my side. "You're awake!"
"Yes," I said. "How long have I been out for?"
"A whole 24 hours," he replied.
"What?!" I almost screamed. "A freaking 24 hours?"
He nodded. "So you've been here a whole 24 hours?"
He nodded again, looking away. "Sorta. I'm still your security, remember?"
I smiled. "Yeah, right."
Over the past few days of looking for Alex, me and Matt got a lot closer. Anytime he got any information he made sure to ask how I was and always offered to stay with me - but I always declined.
The door opened again and this time I saw Alex and Jayden. My eyes rounded at the sight of Jayden and I immediately glared at Alex.
"Why is he here?" I demanded.
He rubbed his hands together sheepishly. "He called me and said he was at your door and you weren't answering, and I sorta told him you were here and he came."
"Jeez."
Jayden was already by my side grabbing my hands. "Aren't you happy to see me, uh big sister?"
I rolled my eyes. "I know you're here to ask for more money, isn't that right?"
He grumbled and said, "It was one of the reasons, but I still miss you."
Alex and Matt chuckled.
Alex asked to be alone with me so everyone left. I finally ditched the drip on my hand and sat up.
"What did the doctor say?" I asked.
He looked solemn and said, "The doctor said you're pregnant."
I facepalmed and rolled my eyes. "Baka. Can you ever be serious? Unless I somehow became holy Mary that doesn't need D to get pregnant."
He burst out laughing and said, "No. The doctor said you needed rest and you fainted due to lack of rest and not eating."
He pulled me closer. "I know you were worried sick about me and you did your best to find me - and you did. But you need to take care of yourself. And I also have something important to tell you about the stalker. I saw his face."
I jolted. "Really?"
He nodded. "And I also think you should quit your job."
I pulled back from him and looked at him, confused. "Why would you say that?"
He continued, "While I was there, the owner of Vortex Systems, Luca Ackerman, came together with your stalker to check on me."
I furrowed my brows. "My boss knows my stalker?"
He said, "It is not safe for you there. I think it's best if you quit. I'm very sure your boss gave him access to watch you while you are at work."
I nodded. "I'll think about it."
He looked me in the eyes and said, "He told me he is coming for you next, and once he gets hold of you he will never let you go. You will be his mind, body and soul. Rav, he is obsessed with you so much and he is dangerous. He didn't hurt me just because he doesn't want you to be angry at him."
I scoffed. "Is he stupid? I'm already mad at him. In fact-hand me my phone."
I collected my phone from him and connected to the laptop at home. After 5 minutes I smiled.
Alex rolled his eyes. "What did you do now?"
I smiled. "There were 5 offshore accounts on his phone and I completely emptied them. I used it as an anonymous donation to this hospital and orphanage homes."
Alex burst out laughing. "You are crazy."
I gave a cheeky smile. "But on a serious note, can you describe the stalker - how he looks - maybe we can catch him."
Alex nodded. "He has green eyes, jet-black hair, he has tattoos, and he is more than 6 feet tall. And he is very handsome. I assure you that if he had acted like a normal human and asked you out, I know you would accept him."
I rolled my eyes. "I won't, stupid."
But there was one thing that was bugging me. There was only one person I know with green eyes - and it's Dante. Not only that, he has been popping up in my mind lately. I needed to investigate him.
What if he is my stalker?
I shook my head. I don't want to jump to conclusions yet, but I need to investigate. Who is Dante?
---
I was released to go home later that day but I didn't see Mia. I asked Alex about it. He said she is fine, but I know there might be a problem between them - and I don't wanna pry.
Jayden is currently annoying Matt. I think they are around the same age. While Alex just went to the grocery store, I'm left with the two of them.
"Jayden, when are you going back? You've done enough already."
"In a few days," he chirped.
"Why?" I asked, already knowing I'm gonna develop a headache through his stay.
"Have you forgotten? Momma's birthday is in two days."
My eyes widened. "Oh shit. I totally forgot. What are your plans?"
He shot me a mocking look. "Aren't you the big sister? It's your call. I already bought my gift, so the rest is up to you."
I facepalmed. "Sometimes I just wanna knock you off the high horse you're riding of being the last born. But don't worry, we'll come up with something. Get your bags ready, we are flying home in two days."
Jayden chirped, "Okay."
Matt was sitting there looking like a lost child. "You can go back to work. I'll be fine at mom's house. The stalker can't fly all the way from L.A. to New York just to stalk someone."
Alex returned at that time and stepped inside. "He can. In fact, I'm sure he will. He is after you, he already said he is coming for you."
Matt looked confused. "Is there something I'm not being told?"
Alex narrated what the stalker told him to Matt, and Matt looked super concerned. "I'm moving in with you," he said.
Me and Alex shared a look, dumbfounded.
"What?" I said, surprised. "You can't move in."
"I will. For your security. What if he enters your house while you're all alone and kidnaps you? That will be game over. There will be no one to save you. Even if the police try, that guy is totally off the hook. And I still don't believe your story about how Alex was miraculously released and called you to come get him. It's all bullshit. Don't pretend you are strong. Don't lie about being okay when you're not - at least not to me. Let me protect you. Let me be there for you, Raven. Let me be your knight in shining armour, please."
The desperation was written all over his face.
This time there were three of us dumbstruck: me, Alex, and Jayden.
Jay was the first to burst out laughing. "That was cheesy asf! I should have recorded that!" He doubled over with laughter.
Honestly, I didn't know what to say. I looked at him.
Alex shook Matt's hand. "That makes two of us. You're welcome to the Raven's fan club."
"Alex, are you seriously agreeing with him?"
He shrugged. "What can I say? He has a point. And it's only until you get rid of the bastard, so I agree."
I looked at Jayden too and he nodded. "I agree with him. You need all the protection you can get, sis."
I took a deep breath. "Alright, fine. You can move in."
Matt smiled. "Sure thing. My stuff is already outside the door."
"Really?" I burst out laughing. "You already planned to stay here even before asking me. You're one crazy kid."
He grumbled, "I'm not a kid, I'm 20."
"Still the same. I'm older," I said, crossing my arms. "Nothing can change that, kiddo."
He just grumbled and went to the door to get his stuff. Jayden followed him and I'm pretty sure he's going to be at his throat.
Alex already told Jayden about the stalker situation - on one condition: he will never mention anything to mom.
Me and Alex discussed plans for mom's birthday. He also wanted to go to New York with us to visit her, and said he wanted to bring Mia along, which was okay with me.
By 9 pm Alex left for Mia's place, and Matt settled into the room in the basement. Don't judge me, I'm not cruel. If the basement wasn't good I wouldn't give it to him. It had a bed, a bathroom, a wardrobe, a sofa, a television, and it was always clean - so it's a decent room.
Jayden and Matt are there, while I'm lying in my bed with one question lingering in my head:
Is Dante the stalker? Or how is he related to this stalker?
Author's note:
Guys this is the longest chapter I ever wrote . Just a little thing to note The story plot takes place in Ashford city which is located in L.A 🥹. I know there is no Ashford city in LA it just a city I came up with.
Thank you for reading Biker's claim you guys are the best .
It's Ur pookie .
B.K