The Contract With Her Father's Billionaire Rival-Chapter 26. His Biggest Mistake Yet.

"Oh thank goodness," Suzie said, her voice filled with relief. "You can get her, right?"

Alaric ignored the stiffness in his chest. "Yes, I can."

The lie stayed heavy on his tongue, but what else could he say?

He couldn’t tell Suzie the truth—that he had no idea how to get Nicolette back—especially not when there was a dash of hope in her tone.

"Oh, thank you, Mr Allens. Thank you!" The relief deepened in Suzie’s tone, tightening Alaric’s chest.

"You’re welcome," he said, his lie hitting harder than he expected. "I’ll call you soon when everything is fixed."

"Alright, sir. Thank you!" Suzie said, her voice laced with excitement.

Alaric ended the call and let out a big sigh.

"What happened?" Richard asked, his voice sharpened with curiosity.

Alaric faced Richard.

Here goes nothing.

"Nicolette was seen at home by her neighbor before she was carried away by Craig Walsh’s men."

"Craig Walsh?" Richard asked, the panic in his voice unmistakable. "What business does she have with him?"

Alaric shrugged. "I have no idea."

Craig Walsh was a loan shark, known for his generous lending and even stricter retrieval. Seven years ago, before Alaric left home, he had heard rumors that Craig Walsh had chopped off all ten fingers of a young detective, leading to his death.

It had been a serious case, yet nobody was sure it was true. And Craig Walsh had continued his business like nothing happened.

Alaric had his history with Craig—a history he hated being reminded of. But now, as he did, it filled him with anger and dread.

If Craig had Nicolette, it could only mean whatever business they had together had gone sour.

What business did Nicolette have with Craig?

He racked his brain, trying to recall the list of her debts. He remembered them being odd but nothing surprising.

"What are we going to do now?" Richard asked, his eyes narrowed.

Alaric stroked his chin, trying to think. If Craig hadn’t already chopped off Nicolette’s hand, he had to save her.

He stood up, determination coursing through him. "I’m going to meet Craig."

Richard shook his head in disapproval, standing up as well. "I don’t support that, Alaric. It’s too dangerous."

His jaw locked as he nodded. "I know, but what can I do? Wait until she comes back?"

Everyone knew that nobody returned unscathed after visiting Craig Walsh.

Richard stiffened, his eyes glinting with fear. He ran a hand through his dark hair and began to pace around the office. "I don’t know how this is taking such a different turn. One minute it was about signing a contract marriage with Nicolette, the next minute, you have to save her from Craig fucking Walsh."

That was Richard’s second cuss of the day.

Alaric knew this was a serious issue, and his stomach churned at Richard’s tone.

"Isn’t there anything else to do?" Richard asked, slumping into the chair.

The day had been hell, and he was ready to be done with it. Alaric clenched his fist, his head spinning with ideas.

He had to save Nicolette.

He had to try.

"I have to see Craig," he said, his mouth turning dry.

Richard turned to him, his mouth parted open before he closed it. He then nodded. "Let’s go then."

"No," Alaric replied, his jaw clenching. "I’m going there alone."

Richard’s mouth twisted into a frown. "But Alaric—"

"It’s too dangerous," he interrupted, shaking his head. "The last thing I want is both of us heading blindly to Craig’s place. We can’t give him that pleasure."

His words seemed to have worked as he watched Richard’s shoulders slump.

"Fine. Alright then. Do you have any plans? Any strategy?"

"No," Alaric painfully admitted. "I need to know what I’m up against first."

As soon as he said that, his stomach knotted with fear. Craig Walsh was a very dangerous man, and right now, all Alaric could do was hope Craig hadn’t gone beyond two fingers.

He straightened up, his expression shifting. "I have to go."

Richard stood up, his face filled with concern. "Are you driving yourself?"

"No, I’ll ask one of the guards to take me."

"Alright then," Richard said and then swallowed hard. "Good luck."

Alaric nodded and stepped out of his office. Downstairs, he asked one of the security guards to drive him to Craig’s house.

As the journey started, Alaric clenched his fist as memories flooded his mind. He stirred in his chair as repressed memories threatened to overwhelm him.

He exhaled deeply, trying to control his nerves as he embraced those painful memories of seven years ago.

A young detective named Steve had found himself in a dire financial situation. Even though he had two friends who could have helped, he went to Craig Walsh for a loan instead.

And Craig Walsh did help. Except his help came at a deadly price. Barely earning enough, Steve couldn’t pay, and so went his fingers... and then his life.

"We’re here, sir," the security guard announced, pulling Alaric from his thoughts.

"Thank you," Alaric replied. "Stay here, I will be back soon." He then stepped out of the car.

As deadly as Craig was, he lived by his code.

Like all criminals do.

That was the only reason Alaric was willing to go in alone. He knew storming Craig’s space with his own security was a subtle act of war. And he wasn’t ready for that.

He stepped into Craig’s space, his senses on high alert. Two men in black suits stood at the gate, and they nodded as he entered.

"I’m here to see Craig Walsh," he said, keeping his anticipation under control.

"Down the house, up the stairs, and turn to the right," one of the men replied.

Alaric nodded, following the directions until he reached a large black door. He knocked and, without waiting for a reply, entered.

Craig was behind his desk, writing. When he lifted his head, his mouth twisted into a frown. "Who the fuck is that?"

Alaric stepped forward, fighting the urge to run and check every nook and cranny until he found Nicolette.

"Craig," he said flatly.

Craig’s eyes widened with surprise as his frown disappeared. "Alaric Allens? To what do I owe this surprise?"

Alaric didn’t answer immediately. He allowed the silence to stretch, nursing the fresh pain and anger in his chest. The last time he had seen Craig, he and Richard had been begging Craig to confess to killing their friend, Steve.

Alaric pulled out a chair and sat, his eyes on Craig, watching to see any sudden change of expression.

There was none—only surprise.

"It’s been what? Seven years?"

"Seven years and two months," Craig replied with a smirk. "But who’s counting?"

Alaric clenched his jaw. "Yeah."

Craig leaned forward. "What do you want, Alaric Allens? I don’t think you’re here for my financial assistance."

Alaric let the silence stretch until he spoke again. "You have something of mine."

Craig’s brow lifted as he straightened up. "Something of yours?"

"Yes," Alaric said, leaning forward. "I heard you brought in my wife today."

Craig’s mouth immediately curved into annoyance.

Ah, there it was, the first change of expression.

Craig’s brow furrowed in thick lines, and his mouth twitched at the corners as he spoke. "I don’t remember seeing a ring on her finger."

So Nicolette was here, and Craig had noticed her fingers.

The discovery stirred Alaric’s stomach, but he controlled it.

"Maybe you didn’t, but she definitely had it on," Alaric said.

Craig’s jaw locked. "She didn’t."

Alaric saw the determination in Craig’s eyes and realized he didn’t want to keep arguing with him.

"You know what? How much does she owe you? I will throw in an extra million for the trouble."

Craig’s eyes sharpened at the sound of the extra money, but instead of being excited, as Alaric had hoped, he asked, "Is she so important that you’re willing to come into my lair yourself and even throw an extra million?"

Craig’s tone hardened, and behind him, Alaric heard a gun cock.

Don’t panic.

Don’t panic.

He knew he had messed up by showing how important Nicolette was to him. And knowing Craig, he was going to use that against him.

Flip the script.

Think!

And a thought crossed his mind.

"Well, she’s not that important," Alaric said, keeping his voice steady. "But my reputation is."

That seemed to pique Craig’s curiosity. "How so?"

"Well," Alaric faked a bored sigh, "let’s just say I’m paying a lot of money to keep my reputation intact, and she plays an important role."

Keep it vague.

Make him wonder.

Make him think Nicolette is just a pawn—disposable.

Even though the thought made his stomach churn.

Craig cocked his head in thought before finally nodding. "I understand you."

Relief washed over Alaric. "Good," he said dully.

Craig signaled to his men, and Alaric stood up. Some moments later, Nicolette was brought in, her eyes widening with surprise and gratitude when she saw him.

Alaric glanced over her body, trying to see if she was in any pain. When he figured she wasn’t, his relief doubled.

"I will send the payment today," Alaric said.

"I hope I get my turn with your wife," Craig said, amusement dancing in his eyes.

Nicolette gasped at the statement. Craig’s eyes pierced Alaric, waiting for a response.

He couldn’t possibly mess it up. Not now.

His stomach churned, but he kept a hard smile as he faced Craig.

He was going to regret this.

"Sure, Craig, once this bitch works for her money, she’s all yours."

Craig chuckled with delight.

Nicolette froze.

And Alaric knew, without a doubt, that he’d just made his biggest mistake yet.