The Billionaire's Intern (Maya Thompson) novel Chapter 45

<Chapter 27: Broken and Breathing-2

Chapter 27: Broken and Breathing-2

Beckett slumped, barely conscious.

Blood dripped.

Silence followed.

Then Damien turned to Ashcroft’s man, the bone saw still in his grip.

“Continue.”

Ashcroft stepped forward now, slow and deliberate. His voice was low, deliberate.

Ashcroft stepped forward, the flick of his lighter echoing like a gunshot in the silence.

+25 Points

The flame flared to life, dancing between bloodstained fingers as he lit his cigarette-calm as

death itself.

“I want one piece of him taken every single day,” he said, voice low, deliberate. “Something he has two of. An eye. An ear. A hand. A kidney. A leg. Doesn’t matter.”

He took a slow drag, exhaled smoke through his nose.

“Oh.. and start with his tongue,” Ashcroft muttered, flicking ash to the floor. “He talks too damn much.”

He paced a step, watching Beckett like one might study an animal before dissection.

“I want twelve parts when this is done. And I want him alive. But broken. Incomplete.”

A beat.

“Let him spend the rest of his pathetic life remembering exactly what he lost… and who took

it.”

The man across the room nodded.

“Yes, boss.”

Damien turned without another word. Ashcroft followed.

As the heavy steel door creaked shut behind them…

Beckett’s screams began again.

And this time, they didn’t stop.

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<Chapter 27: Broken and Breathing-2

+25 Points

Ashcroft Family Medical Pavilion

The elevator doors opened with a quiet chime.

Monroe stepped out first, face unreadable.

Behind him – Jamie.

The fifteen-year-old looked like he hadn’t slept in days. His clothes were wrinkled, his eyes shadowed with exhaustion and panic. His hair stuck out in messy clumps. He was paler than usual. But his posture – rigid, alert – spoke of quiet determination.

He was holding it together.

For her.

Ms. Janice followed close behind. She looked equally shaken, her eyes wide with worry they softened the moment she saw James waiting by the nurses’ station – a quiet reassurance that Maya was finally safe.

“She’s alright?” she asked, voice barely above a whisper.

James nodded. “She’s safe. Still asleep. But stable.”

Jamie let out a breath like he’d been holding it for hours. “Can I see her?”

“In a few minutes,” James said gently. “She’s in recovery. Let me clear a few things first.”

Jamie nodded tightly, jaw clenched, his fists at his sides.

James gave Monroe a subtle tilt of his head, leading him aside.

“We stick to the story,” James murmured. “You conducted a welfare check after she failed to report in. Standard protocol. Neighbor confirmed she left with someone, CCTV footage supports it.”

Monroe gave a short nod. “Paperwork’s filed. Security’s aligned. Everything’s clean.”

“No slips,” James said firmly. “No gossip. No leaks. Beckett’s connection is personal, nothing to do with the company. No ties to Blackwood Enterprises. Motive – obsession with Ms. Thompson. We’ll collect statements from the hospital staff to back it all up.”

“And the location?”

“Wiped. Mr. Ashcroft handled it. Official line is he fled when your vehicle approached. Got

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Chapter 27: Broken and Breathing-2

+25 Points

scared. Took off. As far as the public’s concerned, he’s still at large. If he surfaces, the police

will handle it.”

Monroe’s jaw ticked. “Not that anyone will recognize him when they’re done.”

James gave a grim nod, then pulled out his phone.

Trina answered on the second ring.

The soft beeping of monitors echoed in the sterile silence, each sound amplifying the fear rising in her chest.

Her gaze swept frantically across the unfamiliar room-cool white walls, IV lines, a heart monitor, no windows.

No Jamie.

Her chest heaved. Her hand gripped the blanket.

Tears welled in her eyes, unspoken dread twisting inside her.

Where was he?

She pushed the blanket off with shaking hands, her legs tangling over the edge of the bed.

Wires tugged at her skin. Her knees buckled the second her feet hit the cold floor.

“Maya-wait.”

A firm voice cut through the panic.

James.

He crossed the room in two strides, steadying her before she collapsed. Her hands clutched at his shirt, the world spinning, heart thundering in her ears.

“Jamie,” she gasped, wild eyes locking onto his. “Please-I need-”

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< Chapter 27: Broken and Breathing-2

James nodded once.

No hesitation. No questions.

+25 Points

He turned to the nurse hovering near the monitors. She understood without a word, gave a tight nod, and slipped out the door.

Less than thirty seconds later, it opened again.

Jamie ran in.

Disheveled, pale, eyes wide and brimming with unshed tears. The moment he saw her, his shoulders broke-like all the strength he’d been holding in finally cracked.

“Maya!”

Her name cracked from his throat like a prayer and a scream all at once.

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