I Married My Ex's Billionaire Father
Chapter 63: Thunderstorms

Chapter 63: Thunderstorms

Damien stood before Bret, "Levi led the rescue operation," he reported. "He found her in the nick of time, the kidnapper got killed."

Bret chuckled, a dark, sinister sound. "The hero, huh? It is very interesting to see my brother as the protector." He said.

"Can’t we pin the kidnapper’s death to him? That would get him into trouble." Damien said excitedly.

"That will not stick, I am sure he will find a way to get out of that." Bret waved the idea away. "However, I am glad to see that Lyse has survived and buying that debt was not a waste of my time."

Damien grinned, his mind racing. "You are so brilliant boss, you predicted it correctly. So are we going to immediately strike?"

Bret considered this. "No, that is too risky and too soon. It could backfire. We need a more subtle approach. We need to make Levi think that he is winning, only to snatch victory from his grasp."

He paused, a cunning glint in his eye. "I am going to turn my attention to Jeff. He is vulnerable, desperate. I will prepare him until he is ready for me."

Damien’s face lit up. "I see what you are doing. We’ll apply pressure to Jeff, make him squirm. We will make him realize that his only hope lies with us."

"Exactly," Bret replied. "We offer him a lifeline, a way out of his predicament. But it will come at a price. A very high price."

Damien nodded, eager to carry out Bret’s plan. "I’ll go see Jeff right away. I’ll let him know that his time is running out."

As Damien left the room, Bret leaned back in his chair, a satisfied smile playing on his lips. He had weathered the storm of being a bastard, emerged stronger than ever. it would soon be time to strike, to reclaim what was rightfully his.

Meanwhile, Damien arrived at Jeff’s usual haunt and waited patiently at the parking lot of the club for Jeff to emerge and he did not have to wait too long.

"Hello Jeff," Damien said, startling Jeff who immediately turned white like sheet to see Bret’s lackey waiting for him.

Jeff, his heart pounding, glanced around to be sure that no one was around to see them. It would be bad for him to be seen with someone of such ill repute.

He came close to him and whispered, "what are you doing here?" and when Damien’s face hardened he faltered.

"You dare complain?" He growled.

"I’m sorry, I’m sorry." Jeff said hurriedly, his fear of Bret’s retaliation was more than being embarrassed at being seen with a thug.

"Bret is not happy very," Damien said, his voice dripping with menace. "He has given you a week to pay the debt. One week. And if you fail, well, let’s just say the consequences will be dire."

Jeff’s face paled. He knew that Bret was capable of anything. He had seen the man’s ruthlessness firsthand. "I’ll do whatever it takes," he pleaded. "Just give me more time."

Damien shook his head. "Time is a luxury you can’t afford, Jeff. You need to think fast, act decisively or else."

Jeff’s eyes widened. "Please help me, how am I supposed to get that kind of money in such a short time?"

Damien smirked. "That’s for you to figure out, Jeff. But I suggest you do it quickly. Your future, and your family’s future, depends on it."

With that, Damien left, leaving Jeff to grapple with the grim reality of his situation. He knew that he had to find a way to save himself, to protect his family. But how? The answer, he realized, lay with Lyse. She was his only hope, his last chance at redemption.

Unfortunately for him, Lyse had been unavailable. All his calls went to voicemail and he had been unable to see her at her office, instead he had been turned away after being told that she had gone on a trip.

He realized that if Lyse did not help him then he was going to be in big trouble.

*

The sky darkened, the wind howled, and thunder roared. Lyse, who had always been terrified of thunderstorms, felt a surge of anxiety at the sounds.

Usually, she would call on James, for comfort. He would calm her fears with his soothing voice and reassuring presence. But unfortunately, cuddling with James was not an option.

Feeling desperate, Lyse crept out of her room and tiptoed down the hallway. She knocked softly on Levi’s door, her heart pounding.

"Levi?" she whispered, her voice trembling.

The door creaked open, and Levi appeared, his expression softened by concern. "Lyse, what is wrong?" he asked, his voice gentle.

He had stopped sleeping on the couch in her room two days ago since she was back to full health so he was surprised to see her at his door.

"It’s the storm," she confessed, her eyes wide with fear. "I’m scared."

Levi understood. Even though he had never been of thunderstorms, he knew how terrifying they could be. He reached out and took her hand, guiding her into his room.

"It’s okay," he reassured her. "You are safe here."

Lyse nodded, her fear subsiding slightly. She looked around the room, her gaze settling on the large, inviting bed.

"Can I... can I sleep with you?" she asked, her voice barely audible.

"Why don’t you sleep on the bed? I’ll take the couch." He suggested.

Lyse shook her head, her voice firm. "No, Levi. I want to sleep with you. Please."

Levi hesitated for a moment. He knew that sharing a bed with Lyse could be risky, that could heat up the feelings he was trying to hide. But he could not deny her request. He couldn’t let her face her fears alone.

"Of course," he said, his voice warm. "Come on, let’s get you into bed."

As they settled into the bed, Lyse snuggled closer to Levi, seeking warmth and comfort. He wrapped his arm around her, pulling her close. The storm raged outside, but inside, Lyse felt safe, protected in the cocoon of his arms.

As they drifted off to sleep, Lyse felt a sense of peace and security. She knew that she was protected. He had gone through hell to save her even when he had not needed to and that gave her a sense that she was safe in his arms.