Into the Lion's Den

As Pip walked away from the scene, his mind raced with a mix of anger, fear, and determination. He couldn't stay with El and her friends, not when his presence was clearly putting them in danger. He had to do something, anything, to stop this before it escalated further.

He moved quickly, almost running, as he headed toward the one place he swore he'd never return to: the Carter mansion.

Pip slipped through the side entrance, avoiding the main gates where the guards might spot him. The mansion was eerily quiet, its cold stone walls reflecting the dread that had settled in Pip's heart, the only sound his soft footsteps on the polished floors. Memories of his last escape flooded his mind. The fear, the adrenaline, the desperation to get out and away from his father's control. But now he was walking back into the lion's den, knowingly and willingly. The thought made his stomach churn, but he forced himself to keep moving.

He made his way to his father's study, the place where all the decisions were made, where his father controlled everything and everyone. Pip's heart pounded in his chest as he approached the door. He knew what he was about to do was dangerous, but he had no choice. He couldn't let anyone else get hurt because of him.

Without knocking, Pip pushed the door open and stepped inside. His father's assistant, a tall and broad-shouldered man with a cold, calculating gaze, was already there. He stepped aside to allow Pip in, closing the door behind him.

Mr. Carter was sitting behind his massive oak desk, a glass of whiskey in his hand. He didn't look surprised to see Pip. In fact, it seemed as though he had been expecting him.

"Philip," his father said coolly, taking a sip from his glass. "I was wondering when you'd come back."

Pip clenched his fists, his anger barely contained. "What the hell are you doing? Why are you going after my friends?"

Mr. Carter raised an eyebrow, feigning innocence. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Don't play games with me!" Pip snapped, stepping closer to the desk. "I know that car was from here. I know you're behind it. Why? Why are you doing this?"

Mr. Carter set his glass down and stood up, towering over Pip. "You've always been so emotional, Philip. So easily swayed by your feelings. It's a weakness, one that I've tried to cure you of, but clearly, I failed."

Pip glared at him, his body trembling with rage. "Answer me!"

His father's expression hardened, his cold eyes locking onto Pip's as he got up from his chair. "I'm doing what needs to be done. You ran away, Philip. You betrayed this family, and you made us look weak. I can't let that stand."

"You're insane," Pip whispered, the full weight of his father's words hitting him. "You're putting innocent people at risk because of your twisted idea of loyalty? This isn't about family. It's about your ego."

Mr. Carter moved closer, his face inches from Pip's. "This is about power, Philip. Power and control. You're either with us, or you're against us. And if you're against us… you know what happens."

Pip's heart pounded as his father's words sunk in. He realized there was no reasoning with him. His father was too far gone, too consumed by his own delusions of grandeur.

Mr. Carter smiled, a cold, calculating smile that sent a chill down Pip's spine. "You think you can just walk away? You're my son. You'll never be free of this family. Now, if you don't want any more accidents to happen, I suggest you come home where you belong. Stop pretending you can be something you're not."

Pip took a step back, his mind racing. He couldn't stay here, but leaving meant putting El, and everyone else he cared about in even more danger. His father had made it clear that he was willing to go to any lengths to control him, and Pip knew that the only way to stop him was to play his game.

As Pip met his father's cold, calculating gaze, he knew one thing for certain.

"I'll consider it, but only on one condition," Pip finally said, his voice steady despite the turmoil inside him.

Mr. Carter studied him for a moment, then nodded. "I didn't know you were capable of negotiation. Go on."

"I need complete freedom, both inside and outside this house. No restrictions. I can't stay here if I feel trapped. If this is about protecting me, you can have your men guard me when I go to college."

"Agreed," Mr. Carter responded quickly, not expecting Pip to accept staying, even with conditions.

Pip didn't linger for a second longer; he turned and left immediately.

As he walked his way out of the mansion, Pip took out his phone, his fingers trembling slightly as he typed a message to a contact he hadn't reached out to in years. "I need to see you. It's urgent." He hesitated for a moment before hitting send, hoping that the person on the other end would respond quickly.

He didn't have to wait long. The reply came within minutes. "Meet me at the old warehouse. Come alone."

The old warehouse. Pip hadn't been there since he was a teenager, but it was a place he knew well—a forgotten part of the city where secrets were kept and deals were made in the shadows. It was the perfect place for the kind of meeting he had in mind.

Pip set off immediately, his resolve hardening with each step. He often watched his steps and carefully planned his journey to make sure he was not followed. He knew this was dangerous, but he also knew it was necessary. If he was going to protect the people he cared about, he needed to confront the darkness of his past head-on.

The warehouse loomed in the distance, a hulking, decrepit building that had once been part of the city's industrial sector. Now, it was a place where few dared to go—a perfect hiding spot for someone who didn't want to be found.

Pip approached cautiously, his senses on high alert. The area was deserted, the only sounds being the distant hum of traffic and the occasional creak of the building as the wind moved through its empty corridors.

He slipped inside through a side entrance, his eyes adjusting to the dim light. The air was thick with dust and the smell of rusted metal. He could hear the faint sound of footsteps echoing through the space, and he followed the sound until he reached a large open area in the centre of the warehouse.

A figure stood in the shadows, their features obscured by the darkness. Pip recognized the silhouette immediately—it was someone from his past.

"Pip," the figure said, stepping forward into the light. It was a man, older now but still sharp, with a look in his eyes that spoke of a life spent dealing with underworld. "It's been a long time."

"Too long," Pip replied, his voice steady. "I need your help."

The man raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "I figured as much. You wouldn't have come here otherwise. What's going on?"

Pip hesitated, then took a deep breath. "I will help you."

The man nodded slowly, understanding the gravity of the situation. "Your father always did play dirty. It won't be easy, though. You're going to have to get your hands dirty, too."

Pip clenched his fists, the weight of the situation pressing down on him. "I'm ready. Just tell me what I need to do."

The man, who Pip now recalled as Victor, moved closer, his voice low and serious. "Your father will expect you to fall in line now that you've agreed to return. But you and I both know that the moment you show any sign of rebellion, he'll tighten the leash. You need to prepare for that."

Pip nodded. "That's why I'm here. I need to know everything that's going on in the Carter family, especially who's behind the recent attacks. If I'm going to stay there, I need leverage."

Victor's eyes narrowed as he considered Pip's request. "Your father's network is vast, and his reach extends far beyond what you might expect. But there are weak points—people who are loyal to the Carter name out of fear, not respect. They might talk if given the right incentive."

Pip leaned in, his voice urgent. "Can you get me in touch with these people? I need information, and I need it fast."

Victor smirked, a hint of admiration in his eyes. "You've changed, Pip. You're not the scared boy who ran away anymore. I can make the arrangements, but it will take time. In the meantime, you need to be careful. Don't underestimate your father. He didn't get where he is by being careless."

Pip swallowed, the weight of the situation pressing down on him. "I won't. But I can't just stand by and watch while he hurts the people I care about."

Victor nodded, understanding the determination in Pip's voice. "Then we'll work together. I'll reach out to my contacts and see what I can dig up. But you need to play your part—keep your father convinced that you're coming around, that you're willing to be his obedient son again. It's the only way we'll have the time to gather what we need."

Pip's jaw tightened, but he nodded. "I'll do what I have to."

Victor clapped him on the shoulder, a rare gesture of solidarity. "Good. I'll be in touch soon. And Pip—don't get yourself killed. This game is more dangerous than you realize."

Pip forced a small smile, though it didn't reach his eyes. "I've made it this far. I'm not backing down now."

As Pip left the warehouse, his mind was already racing with thoughts of what lay ahead. Returning to the Carter mansion was a risk, but it was one he had to take.

***

Back at the Carter mansion, Pip entered through the side entrance once again, careful to avoid any unnecessary attention. He could feel the eyes of the household staff on him, but he kept his head down, moving quickly through the corridors until he reached his room.

He locked the door behind him and leaned against it, closing his eyes for a moment as he let out a shaky breath. The events of the day had taken their toll on him, but he knew he couldn't afford to show any weakness. Not now.

Pip's phone buzzed in his pocket, pulling him out of his thoughts. He glanced at the screen—a message from El.

_"Are you okay? Where did you go?"_

Pip hesitated, his fingers hovering over the keyboard as he considered what to say. He wanted to tell her everything, to explain the danger they were in and the steps he was taking to protect them. But he knew that would only put her in more danger. For now, she was safer not knowing the full extent of what was happening.

_"I'm fine. Had to take care of something. Don't worry about me."_

He hit send, hoping that would be enough to reassure her. But even as he tried to push the thought of her from his mind, he couldn't shake the feeling that he was drawing her deeper into a world she had no place in.

Pip turned his attention to the task at hand. He needed to gather information, to find out who was loyal to his father and who could be persuaded to help him. It was a dangerous game, one that required patience and subtlety—traits that Pip wasn't sure he possessed. But he had no choice.

As night fell over the mansion, Pip sat by the window, staring out into the darkness. He knew that the days ahead would test him in ways he hadn't imagined. But he was ready—or at least, he hoped he was.

*****