Mason froze momentarily before ring at Gabriel. No wonder his mother didn''t like this fellow. He didn''t like him either.


    The two stared each other down in tense silence until Gabriel''s phone rang. He nced at the caller ID, squinting slightly before answering.


    "Mr. Hackett, the ne is ready to go. You can take off anytime. When will you be here?" a voice on the other end asked.


    Gabriel checked the time. "Around 8:00 p.m."


    "Got it," the caller replied before hanging up.


    Gabriel lowered the phone and turned his gaze back to Mason, his expression unreadable.


    He hesitated, debating whether to send the boy away first. It would be safer. As long as N couldn''t see Mason, she''d agree to his terms and leave with him.


    "I need to pee!" Mason''s loud deration cut through Gabriel''s thoughts, his face darkening instantly.


    Gabriel growled, "I already told you if you need to pee, just do it in your pants."


    Mason crossed his arms, defiant. "Are you scared I''ll run away? A grown man, afraid of a little kid running off. You''re such a coward!"


    Gabriel scoffed. "Scared of you? Don''t tter yourself—I just don''t want the hassle!"


    "Yeah, right! If you weren''t scared, you''d let me go. If I escaped, it''d just prove how useless you are. Can''t even keep a kid under control!" Mason taunted.


    Mason had already figured out Gabriel''s n.


    The man wouldn''t hurt him—he was just bait to lure his mother. If his smartwatch hadn''t been smashed, he''d have already warned her to stay away.


    "You—" Gabriel gnashed his teeth but stopped, remembering they were on the fifth floor. Even if Mason tried to run, he wouldn''t get far.


    Gabriel scoffed, grabbed Mason


    Offed, grabbed Mason


    roughly, and yanked him to his feet. see what you''re capable


    of right under my nose."


    He dragged Mason to the bathroom and barked, "Go!"


    "You tied me up. How am I supposed to do anything?" Mason shot back.


    Gabriel weighed his options. He could untie Mason or... help him.


    Grimacing at the second thought, he chose the first and untied the boy but kept hold of the rope, his eyes never leaving him.


    "Hey! Stop staring at me! I can''t go with you watching!" Mason whined.


    Gabriel''s patience was wearing thin. "Then hold it. I don''t have all day."


    Seeing Gabriel reaching to tie him up again, Mason quickly blurted, "Wait! I think I can go now."


    Gabriel rolled his eyes, visibly annoyed. If he didn''t need Mason to force N to stay with him, the boy


    would''ve been gone boy


    ago


    OUMS


    Once Mason was finished, Gabriel tied him up again and dumped him on the


    floor.


    This time, Mason didn''t resist. His sharp eyes darted around, already plotting another escape.


    Initially, he''d thought about untying


    himself and climbing out the bathroom window, but Gabriel had


    stuck to him like glue, leaving b opportunity. He''d have toe up with something else.


    Suddenly, a knock at the door broke the silence.


    Gabriel froze, his body tensing.


    Without a word, he stuffed a cloth into Mason''s mouth to silence him before


    moving cautiously toward the door.