Sweet Hatred-Chapter 461: PLAN

SARAH

The rundown apartment had been my prison for days.

Two days, specifically.

Two days watching the snow fall outside the grimy window, blanketing the city in white while I sat on this stained mattress, my laptop burning hot against my thighs.

Two days planning.

The Grandeur Hotel.

I’d known where they were staying before the storm even started. Had seen the news coverage after the will reading... Kael emerging from that law office with Aria tucked protectively against his side, reporters swarming them as they climbed into his car.

And in the background of one news blog shot, clear as day: The Grandeur’s distinctive gold awning as they drove past it.

Idiots.

Kael might have billions and an army of security, but he’d gotten sloppy. Comfortable.

That comfort was going to cost him everything.

I’d spent the first day researching.

The Grandeur Hotel’s website had a virtual tour, meant to entice wealthy guests, but it gave me exactly what I needed. Lobby layout. Hallway configurations. The location of service elevators tucked discreetly behind staff-only doors.

I’d found employee reviews on job sites, complaints about shift schedules and management. That room service ran like clockwork. That the loading dock was accessible from the back alley with minimal camera coverage.

I’d even found the architectural plans filed with the city... public record, available to anyone who knew where to look.

Floor by floor. Room by room.

I studied them until I could walk through that hotel in my sleep.

But I couldn’t do this alone.

I needed muscle. Someone expendable. Someone who wouldn’t ask too many questions.

On the second day, I’d posted an ad on an underground forum I’d found by luck.

"Discrete work. One night job. Cash payment. Must be available immediately after storm clears."

The responses came quickly.

Too quickly.

Most were clearly cops or scammers. Their language too formal, their questions too specific.

But one stood out.

"Available. Experienced with extractions. 15k minimum. Half upfront."

Extractions.

Professional terminology.

I’d messaged back immediately.

"Not kidnapping. Retrieval of someone who belongs to me. One night. In and out. Can you handle discrete entry into high-security building?"

His response took twenty minutes.

"Yeah. Done it before. What’s the target?"

"Hotel. 40th floor suite. Heavy security but manageable with proper planning."

"Security details?"

"Armed guard outside suite. Building security on rotation. Camera coverage standard but service areas less monitored."

Another pause. Longer this time.

"Doable. But 20k. Half upfront, half after. Non-negotiable."

I’d stared at my bank balance. Nine thousand dollars.

Not enough.

But I had the card. The one tied to the account my parents had set up for me back when they thought throwing money at me would make me go away.

I could give him that as down payment.

"I have $9000 cash equivalent available immediately via debit card. PIN included. You can verify funds. Remaining balance paid in cash after job complete. Deal?"

"How you getting the rest?"

"Not your concern. Do we have a deal or not?"

Ten minutes of silence.

Then:

"Deal. Meet me day after tomorrow, 9 AM. Corner of Fifth and 52nd. Two blocks from target location. Come alone."

"How will I recognize you?"

"You won’t. I’ll recognize you. Bring the card."

And that was it.

No names exchanged. No unnecessary details.

Professional.

Good.

I’d spent the rest of that second day refining the plan, thinking through every possible contingency.

He would infiltrate during the day. Blend in with staff or maintenance. Scout the interior while I tracked Kael and Aria’s movements from outside.

I would follow them all day. Learn their patterns. Wait for them to return to the hotel.

Then, once they were inside and settled, we’d extract Aria.

I’d need a uniform. Staff credentials. Something to get me past the initial checkpoints.

He could handle that. Find someone to threaten. Someone to... remove.

I didn’t care how.

I just needed access.

The rest would be easy.

By the time anyone realized she was missing, we’d be long gone.

I’d closed my laptop on that second night, my hands shaking with anticipation.

Tomorrow.

Tomorrow the storm would clear.

Tomorrow I’d meet my hired muscle.

Tomorrow I’d start tracking them.

And tomorrow night?

Tomorrow night, I’d take back what was mine.

Now, sitting in this rental car... cheap, forgettable, paid for with the last of my cash, I watched the entrance of The Grandeur Hotel and waited.

9 AM had come and gone.

I’d met him exactly as planned. Corner of Fifth and 52nd.

He’d been exactly what I’d expected: tall, built, covered in tattoos that crept up his neck. The kind of man who’d done time and wasn’t afraid of going back.

He’d gotten into my car without preamble.

"You Sarah?"

"That’s me."

"The name’s Chase. Show me the card."

I’d handed it over. Watched him pull out his phone and check the balance with some banking app I didn’t recognize.

"Nine thousand."

"Down payment. You get the card now. PIN is 7639. The rest comes after the job."

He’d studied me for a long moment, his expression unreadable.

Then he’d pocketed the card.

"What’s the plan?"

I’d explained everything. Every detail I’d mapped out over two days of planning.

He’d listened without interrupting, occasionally nodding.

When I finished, he’d said: "I’ll need three hours to get inside and scout. You track the targets. Text me updates on their location. When they return to the hotel, I’ll text you when I’m in position."

"What about the uniform? The access?"

"I’ll handle it. You just make sure you’re ready when I signal."

And then he’d left.

That was six hours ago.

I’d been following Kael and Aria ever since.

Watched them leave the hotel mid-morning, Kael’s hand protective on her lower back as they climbed into his car.

Followed them to some expensive medical building, her prenatal appointment, probably.

Then to the hospital where his father was rotting in a coma.

After the hospital, they’d gone to look at a house.

Houses.

Plural.

I’d followed them to an obnoxiously expensive property, watching through binoculars as they entered the building with a real estate agents, Aria’s face bright with excitement.

Playing house.

Building their perfect little future.

It made me sick.

After the house came shopping. High-end boutiques where Kael bought her clothes and jewelry and shoes like he was trying to bury her in luxury.

My hands had clenched on the steering wheel, watching him carry her bags, kiss her temple, make her laugh.

That should have been us.

All of it should have been us.

But he’d stolen it. Stolen her. Stolen everything.

Well, not for much longer.

Late afternoon, they’d driven to a different part of the city. To an apartment building I recognized immediately.

Aria’s apartment.

I’d watched them go inside, watched lights turn on in her windows.

Hours later I saw Ash and Sylas leave.

Then it clicked

A party.

They were throwing her a fucking birthday party.

I’d sat in that car, watching through the windows as Aria and Kael stepped out, Niko following.

I watched as Aria smile like she didn’t have a care in the world.

Like she hadn’t destroyed what we had.

My phone buzzed.

A text from the number I’d been waiting for.

"In position. Service elevator accessible. Uniform acquired. Waiting for your signal."

I looked back up at the Jeep they entered.

Any second now, Kael would take her back to the hotel.

Back to their suite.

Back to where I’d be waiting.

I typed back quickly.

"Targets leaving now. Estimate 30 minutes until they return to hotel. Confirm you’re ready."

"Ready. Service entrance code is 4782. Meet me second floor storage room when you arrive."

"Understood."

I started the car and pulled away from the curb, heading back toward The Grandeur.

My heart was racing now. Adrenaline making everything feel sharp and surreal.

This was it.

No more planning. No more waiting.

Tonight, I’d take her back.

Tonight, Kael would learn exactly how it felt to lose everything.

And tomorrow?

Tomorrow, Aria would finally understand that she belonged to me.

Always had.

Always would.