Chapter 66

As I steeled myself to confront Kunle Peterson, I couldn't help but feel a lingering sense of unease. The trauma he had inflicted upon me as a child still haunted me, despite the progress I had made in my sessions with Simbi. But I knew that I had to face him, not just for the sake of our mission, but for my own personal healing.

When the day of our meeting arrived, I arrived at the designated location, my heart pounding in my chest. Kunle was already there, his imposing figure casting a shadow over the dimly lit room.

"Well, well, if it isn't Mr. Williams," Kunle said, his voice dripping with disdain. "I must say, I'm surprised to see you here. After all these years, I didn't think you'd have the guts to show your face."

I took a deep breath, steeling my nerves. "Things have changed, Kunle. I'm not the scared little boy you used to terrorize. I'm here to put an end to your reign of terror, once and for all."

Kunle let out a low chuckle, his eyes narrowing. "Is that so? And what makes you think you have the power to do that, hmm? Last I checked, I was the one in control."

"That's where you're wrong, Kunle," I said, my voice steady and unwavering. "You may have had power over me in the past, but not anymore. I've reclaimed my strength, my agency - and I'm going to use it to take you and Lady G down."

Kunle's expression darkened, and for a moment, I thought he might lash out. But then, to my surprise, he let out a resigned sigh.

"Well, well, look at you, all grown up and full of fire. I have to admit, I'm impressed. But you have to know that this isn't going to be easy. Lady G has eyes and ears everywhere, and she won't take kindly to anyone trying to interfere with her plans."

I nodded, my gaze unflinching. "I'm well aware of the risks, Kunle. But I'm not backing down. Not this time."

Kunle stared at me for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Then, suddenly, the door behind me burst open, and a figure emerged from the shadows.

"Well, well, if it isn't my dear husband, trying to play the hero," a familiar voice rang out.

I whirled around, my eyes widening as I recognized the woman standing before me. "Josephine?"

Josephine's lips curled into a cold, cruel smile. "That's right, Mr. Williams. And I'm here to make sure you don't interfere with my husband's... business dealings."

Before I could react, Josephine's men were upon me, their hands gripping my arms with bruising force. I struggled against their hold, but it was no use - they were too strong, and I was outmatched.

"What is the meaning of this?" I demanded, my voice laced with panic.

Kunle stepped forward, his expression unreadable. "I'm afraid I can't let you continue with your little crusade, Mr. Williams. Lady G has too much at stake, and she can't afford any... loose ends."

I felt a chill run down my spine as the realization dawned on me. "You're going to kill me, aren't you?"

Kunle shook his head, a twisted smile playing on his lips. "Oh no, Mr. Williams. I have something much worse in mind for you."

With a nod from Kunle, the men began to drag me towards the exit, Josephine following close behind. I struggled against their grip, my mind racing with a desperate search for a way out.

"Kunle, please!" I pleaded, my voice tinged with fear. "Don't do this. Think of what it will do to Amara, to your family!"

Kunle's expression hardened, and for a moment, I thought I saw a flicker of regret in his eyes. "I'm sorry, Mr. Williams. But Amara and the rest of my family will just have to understand. This is bigger than all of us."

As I was dragged out of the building, my heart pounding in my chest, I couldn't help but feel a sense of dread and despair. I had come so far, only to be thwarted by the very man I had hoped to confront. And now, it seemed, my fate was in the hands of Kunle and Josephine - a fate that could be far worse than death itself.

As Josephine's men dragged me through the dimly lit corridors, my mind raced with a desperate search for a way to escape. I couldn't let Kunle and his wife win, not when so much was at stake.

"Kunle, please!" I pleaded, my voice laced with fear and desperation. "Think about what you're doing. This isn't just about me - it's about your family, your community. Don't let Lady G's corruption destroy everything you hold dear."

Kunle's expression remained hardened, his gaze unwavering. "I'm sorry, Mr. Williams, but you've left me no choice. Lady G's plans are too important, and I can't let you interfere, no matter the cost."

I struggled against the iron grip of Josephine's men, but it was no use. They were too strong, and I was completely outmatched.

"Kunle, you have to understand - Lady G is using you, manipulating you. She doesn't care about you or your family. She's only interested in her own power and wealth. Don't you see that?"

For a moment, I thought I saw a flicker of doubt in Kunle's eyes, but it was quickly extinguished. "I've made my choice, Mr. Williams. And now, you're going to have to live with the consequences."

As we reached the exit, I felt a surge of panic. I couldn't let it end like this, not when I had come so far. Desperately, I turned to Josephine, hoping to appeal to her sense of reason.

"Josephine, please," I pleaded, "think about what you're doing. Kunle may be your husband, but you have to know that this is wrong. Lady G's plans will only bring more pain and suffering to our community. Don't be a part of that."

Josephine's expression remained cold and impassive. "I'm sorry, Mr. Williams, but my loyalty is to my husband. And if that means helping him take you out of the picture, then so be it."

I felt my heart sink as the realization dawned on me. Josephine was just as complicit in this as Kunle, and there was no reasoning with her. I was running out of options, and the fear of what might happen to me next was overwhelming.

As we stepped outside, I caught a glimpse of the night sky, the stars twinkling in the distance. In that moment, I couldn't help but think of Simbi, and the progress we had made in confronting my past. I had come so far, only to be betrayed by the very people I had hoped to stop.

But even in the face of this overwhelming adversity, a glimmer of hope remained. I knew that Simbi and Amara were out there, fighting to bring down Lady G's empire. And I couldn't give up, not now, not when so much was at stake.

With a renewed sense of determination, I turned to Kunle and Josephine, my gaze unwavering.

"You may have won this round, but I promise you, this isn't over. Lady G's reign of terror will come to an end, and I'll be there to see it happen. No matter what you do to me, I won't stop until justice is served."

Kunle's expression darkened, and for a moment, I thought he might lash out. But then, to my surprise, he simply nodded, a resigned look on his face.

"We'll see about that, Mr. Williams. But for now, you're coming with us."

As I was shoved into the waiting car, my heart pounded with a mixture of fear and resolve. I knew that the road ahead would be treacherous, but I was more determined than ever to see this through. Somehow, someway, I would find a way to escape and continue the fight against Lady G and her associates.

And with Simbi's guidance and Amara's unwavering support, I knew that I had the strength to endure whatever challenges lay ahead. This was far from over, and I was ready to face whatever came next, no matter the cost.