10.

Sanchez's Pov

Thelma stood before me, her eyes filled with a mixture of fear and determination. "You have to promise me, Marquez," she pleaded, her voice trembling with urgency. "Promise me that you'll protect my family, no matter what."

I could see the desperation in her eyes, could feel the weight of her words pressing down on me like a heavy burden. Thelma had always been fiercely protective of her loved ones, and now, faced with an unknown threat, she was depending on me for help.

"I promise, Thelma," I vowed, my voice solemn as I reached out to grasp her trembling hand. "I'll do whatever it takes to keep you and your family safe, I swear it."

But even as I made that promise, a sense of unease gnawed at the pit of my stomach. I knew all too well the dangers that lurked in the shadows, the ruthless Jamaican don who would stop at nothing to get what he wanted.

Jolting awake, drenched in a cold sweat. Thelma's words echoed in my mind, a haunting reminder of the vow I had made all those years ago.

I had to reach out to Chelsea, to make her understand the truth about her mother and the dangers that surrounded us.

Without hesitation, I grabbed my phone and dialed Chelsea's number. After a few rings, she answered, her voice heavy with sleep.

"Chelsea, it's me," I began, my tone urgent. "We need to talk. It's important."

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the line before Chelsea responded, her voice groggy but attentive. "Okay, Dad," she murmured. "I'll be home soon."

As Chelsea hung up the phone, a sense of determination settled over me. I knew that it was time to reveal the truth, to lay bare the secrets that had plagued us for so long.

I made my way to the kitchen, my thoughts consumed by the weight of what I was about to reveal. Thelma's past, our connection to the Jamaican underworld, it was all a part of a tangled web of lies and deception.

But Chelsea deserved to know the truth. She deserved to understand the sacrifices her mother had made, and the dangers that still lurked in the shadows.

As I waited for Chelsea to return home, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease gnawing at the pit of my stomach. Would she be able to handle the truth? Would she still see me as the father she knew and loved, or would she recoil in horror at the darkness that dwelled within our family's history?

Only time would tell. But one thing was certain: I was prepared to face whatever consequences came my way, as long as it meant protecting Chelsea and keeping our family safe.

Daniel's Pov

I opened the door to my apartment, I was taken aback to find Derek standing on the other side. His presence was unexpected, and I couldn't help but feel a surge of unease at the sight of him. I had been trying to avoid him for weeks now, and having him show up unannounced was the last thing I needed.

"Derek, what are you doing here?" I asked, trying to keep my tone steady despite the rush of anxiety coursing through me.

Derek's expression was grim as he stepped forward, his eyes narrowed with suspicion. "I've been trying to reach you for days, Daniel," he replied, his voice tense. "You've been avoiding me."

I shifted uncomfortably, feeling the weight of Derek's gaze bearing down on me. "I've been busy," I muttered, searching for an excuse to get him to leave.

But Derek wasn't having it. He shook his head, a dark chuckle escaping his lips. "Busy with what, Daniel?" he demanded, his tone incredulous as he stepped inside.

I bristled at his words and movement, feeling a surge of frustration rising within me. "I have responsibilities," I snapped, my patience wearing thin. "I can't drop everything to cater to your whims."

Derek's expression hardened, his jaw clenched in anger. "You think this is a game, Daniel?" he growled, taking a menacing step forward. "You think you can just ignore me and pretend like nothing happened?"

I took a step back, my heart pounding in my chest as I tried to keep my emotions in check. "I don't have time for this, Derek," I replied, my voice strained. "Just leave."

But Derek wasn't backing down. He squared his shoulders, his gaze unwavering as he stared me down. "We need to talk, Daniel," he insisted, his voice low and dangerous. "And we're not leaving until we do."

Chelsea descended the stairs and caught sight of Derek, her whole body froze in fear. The devilish grin on his face sent a shiver down her spine, and she couldn't shake the feeling of dread that washed over her.

Derek's gaze turned sinister as he looked at her, his eyes gleaming with malice. It was as if he took pride in instilling fear in her, relishing in the power he held over her.

Turning to me with a clenched jaw, Derek's expression darkened even further. "So this is what you've been busy doing," he spat, his voice dripping with contempt.

Chelsea tried to back away, her eyes wide with terror. But Derek was quick to react, pulling out a gun and pointing it directly at her.

"Stay right there, little girl," he growled, his voice cold and menacing. "Don't even think about moving."

Her whole body trembling with fear. She knew she was completely at Derek's mercy, and the realization filled her with a sense of helplessness unlike anything she had ever experienced before.

Claire burst into the scene, her demeanor exuded an aura of fearlessness that Chelsea found both reassuring and awe-inspiring. Without hesitation, Claire grabbed Chelsea and pulled her away from Derek, her protective instincts kicking into high gear.

Meanwhile, I saw an opportunity to strike at Derek, hoping to protect Claire and Chelsea from any further harm. But Derek was quicker than I anticipated. With a swift movement, he lashed out with his weapon, catching me off guard and delivering a blow that sent me staggering backward.

Pain shot through my body as I stumbled, my vision swimming with stars. I fought to stay upright, but the force of Derek's attack was too much to bear. I collapsed to the ground, the world spinning around me as darkness threatened to engulf my senses.

Through the haze of pain and confusion, I heard the sounds of chaos erupting around me. Chelsea and Claire's screams filled the air, mingling with the sound of Derek's footsteps as he made his escape.

As everything faded to black, a sense of helplessness washed over me. I had failed to protect Chelsea and Claire, and now they were in even greater danger than before. With the last of my strength, I prayed that they would find a way to escape Derek's clutches and make it out of this nightmare alive.

Claire's Pov

By the time Derek fired the first shot Chelsea and I ran into my room. I don't know if Daniel is okay and I wanted badly to find out but I know Derek would end us so I decided to call our biological father instead. "Are you calling the police?" Chelsea asked with teary eyes and I shook my head. "Why?!"

"Oh, there you two are!" Derek said from behind the door then fiddled with the knob. Chelsea breath hitched and she started crying. "Why so quiet girls I just want to talk and take your stupid little lives."

Still we stayed quiet and I remembered I haven't pressed the call button to call our dad.

"Please pick up dad." I plead and Chelsea looks at me with raised eyebrow as it rang. "Your sex offender father can't safe you so don't bother to call him." I hear Derek gun click and I get up on my feet.

"I wasn't calling him," I say smirking. "I was actually calling Eugene Ivanovich. Sounds familiar?" I look at Chelsea already knowing that she has heard some things about him.

"You're a liar just like your step father." He chuckles and my dad picked up. I put him on speaker. "Dad, tell Derek that you're alive and well. He doesn't believe me." I say cheesing.

"Jesus Christ." Derek says in a whisper tone but I heard anyways. Suddenly we hear police sirens and Derek the undercover pussy running off. I opened the door and reach out to grab Chelsea's hand

"Dad, the cops are here, we're at Daniel's house." I said and didn't feel Chelsea's hand. Instead she pushes pass me and runs down the steps.

"Okay see you two there. I can't wait to see Chelsea." I could hear the excitement in his voice but after seeing how disappointed Chelsea looked when I mentioned his name gave me second thoughts on having them finally meet but it was too late.

"Yes see you too dad. Love you." I hang up. "Claire!!!" I hear my sister shout and I dash the stairs seeing Daniel in her arms with a gunshot wound to his chest missing his chest by a inch.

I drop my phone and ran to him. Chelsea moved away giving us some room. "What should we do?" She cried and I was too focused on keeping him alive since he's breathing slow.

"I'm so sorry Daniel I didn't mean to bring you into my family mess." I say kissing his forehead. "Claire," he whispered and there was a knock on the door.

Chelsea went without questioning on if she should go or not because she knew it was the police and ambulance. "I was already involved." He said and his eyes closed. I didn't know what he meant and I look at him with shocked and confused eyes as I saw the ambulance put him in the stretcher.

Chelsea held on to me as we watched them carrying him away. "Someone has to come with him." The paramedic said as he stood at the frame of the door.

"Go I'll meet you there in a few." I say and she looks at me. "Why?"

"We're running out of time." Chelsea scoffed at me and walked away as the paramedic grew impatient.

They were gone and I took opportunity to search Daniel's phone. He doesn't have a password on his phone for some reason so I went to Whatsapp to his message. So he wasn't lying when he said he was affiliated with Derek but why?

I read the previous texts and saw that he and Daniel were planning to kill Marquez in order to save me. Daniel isn't a traitor he just wanted to save my sister and I.

In the middle of me coming to a realization I hear the first door open. It was my biological father all by himself. He came in with a smile but dropped it when he saw me. "What happened? Where's Chelsea?!"

"She's okay, Derek shot Daniel and I know why." I made him read through the messages and when he was done he pulled me into a hug. "If I were Daniel I'd do the same to save your mother. Derek needs to be put down. Today."

He said, his voice dripping with cold resolve.

His words sent a shiver down my spine, but I knew he was right. Derek was a dangerous man, and he needed to be stopped before he could hurt anyone else.

Without hesitation, my father dialed a number on his phone, his jaw clenched with determination. "It's time," he said, his voice firm as he spoke into the receiver.

I watched in silence as he spoke with whoever was on the other end of the line, his words terse and to the point. There was no room for negotiation, no time for hesitation. Derek had to be taken down, and my father was determined to see it through.

As he ended the call, he turned to me with a steely gaze. "Get ready," he said, his voice brimming with intensity.

I nodded, my heart pounding in my chest as adrenaline coursed through my veins. This was it, the moment we had been waiting for. Derek's reign of terror was about to come to an end, and I was ready to do whatever it took to ensure that justice was served.

Together, my father and I made our way out of Daniel's apartment, our minds focused on the task at hand.

Chelsea's Pov

As I sat in the waiting room of the ER, my mind was a whirlwind of chaos. Questions bombarded me from all sides, each one demanding answers that I didn't have. All I could think about was Daniel, lying in that hospital bed, fighting for his life.

But the people around me wouldn't let up, their voices blending together into a cacophony of noise. They asked me what happened to Daniel, who shot him, why it happened... But I couldn't focus on their words. All I could focus on was the image of Daniel, pale and motionless, his life hanging in the balance.

I tried to answer their questions as best as I could, but my mind was clouded with fear and worry. I wanted to scream at them to leave me alone, to let me be with Daniel, but the words caught in my throat.

It felt like an eternity passed before my father finally arrived, his presence a beacon of calm in the chaos. As soon as he stepped into the room, the questions stopped, and a sense of relief washed over me.

He wasted no time in taking charge, his authoritative demeanor silencing the others as he approached me. "Chelsea, what happened?" he asked, his voice gentle but firm.

Tears welled up in my eyes as I recounted the events that led to Daniel's shooting, each word a painful reminder of the horrors we had endured. He listened intently, his expression grave as he absorbed the details of my story.

When I finally finished, Marquez placed a comforting hand on my shoulder, his touch offering a sense of reassurance.

Feeling a weight lift off my shoulders now that he was here. With him by my side, I knew that he would find a way to bring Derek to justice and ensure that Daniel got the care he needed to recover.

I glanced over at the door leading to the ER, a sense of unease washed over me. Daniel's fate hung in the balance, and I couldn't shake the feeling of dread that gnawed at the pit of my stomach.

All I could do now was wait and pray that Daniel would pull through, that he would survive this ordeal and emerge stronger than ever. And as the minutes ticked by, I held onto that hope with all the strength I had left.

As the hospital door swung open, revealing Claire and a man who looked oddly familiar to me, my heart skipped a beat. It was Eugene Ivanovich, the man my sister had mentioned earlier, holding Claire's hand. I couldn't believe my eyes.

But before I could process the sight before me, my father leaned in close, his voice barely above a whisper as he spoke to me. "Chelsea, Daniel deserves what happened to him," he said, his words cutting through me like a knife.

I recoiled in shock, my eyes widening in disbelief at his callous words. How could he say such a thing? Daniel was lying in that hospital bed because of a senseless act of violence, and here was someone I thought would be sympathetic, suggesting that he deserved it.

I opened my mouth to protest, to defend Daniel and his innocence, but before I could utter a word, Claire and Eugene approached us. Their presence brought a sense of calm to the room, a welcome distraction from the tension that hung in the air.

"Chelsea, are you okay?" Claire asked, her voice filled with concern as she took in the sight of me sitting there, shaken and distraught.

I nodded, unable to find the words to express the turmoil raging inside me.

Eugene smiled upon seeing me, a wave of fear washed over me, causing me to instinctively back away. Sensing my discomfort,

My dad stepped forward, positioning himself between Eugene and me, as if to shield me from any potential threat.

"Who are you?" Marquez demanded, his voice firm and authoritative.

Eugene's smile faded slightly as he regarded Marquez. "Come on, Marquez, you know who I am," he replied, his tone calm and collected.

I couldn't help but recall the rumors I had heard from my friends, suggesting that Eugene could be my real father. The thought sent a shiver down my spine, and I glanced over at Claire, who wore a smug smirk as she observed the tension between our father and Eugene. He fists were clenched at his sides, his anger palpable.

"Get him out of here, Claire," he ordered, his voice low and dangerous.

But Claire stood her ground, her eyes blazing with defiance. "No, Marquez," she retorted, her tone defiant. "You need to tell Chelsea the truth."

Before he could respond, a nurse intervened, her strong Brooklyn accent cutting through the tension in the room. "Take it outside, gentlemen," she commanded, gesturing toward the door.

Reluctantly, they complied, their voices still filled with anger as they exchanged muttered insults. I watched them go, a knot forming in the pit of my stomach as I turned to Claire, my eyes pleading for answers.

"What is going on, Claire?" I demanded, my voice trembling with emotion.

But Claire's gaze remained fixed on the door, her expression unreadable. "We'll talk about it later, Chelsea," she replied, her voice distant. "Right now, we need to find out if Daniel is okay."

I felt a surge of frustration welling up inside me, but I knew that Claire was right. Daniel's condition was the priority, and we needed to focus on getting him the help he needed.

As I followed Claire, leaving behind the two angry men, I couldn't shake the feeling of unease that lingered in the air.