Kiera’s POV
My eyes grew wide like saucers,
“You’re the homeless guy from the grocery store!”
My mind instantly swallowed itself, struggling to understand how that could be possible.
I rapidly blinked my eyes and shook my head, wondering if I was hallucinating due to the immense stress that I'd been through today.
He took a few steps closer but I retreated.
“I know it all seems impossible to you right now, I know you have lots of questions but I need you to calm down. I’ll explain everything to you once you’re settled and in a good frame of mind,” he said.
“No, I need an explanation now,” I insisted.
The ringing tone from his phone interrupted, and he excused himself to answer it.
A couple of minutes went by and there was no sign of him. I tried opening the door only to realize that it was locked.
“F*ck!”
I cussed, kicking the bedside drawer, causing the lamp to fall and shatter. However, something caught my attention. There was a small booth picture lying on the drawer, it was beneath the lamp.
Taking the picture, my eyes swelled in their sockets when I saw Elise and the man together in the photograph. Suddenly I threw the picture on the floor.
“No… I’m imagining things. How are they connected? Is Elise behind all these? Has she not tortured me enough? What else does she want from me?”
My heart pulsated with fear as I hastily searched for a way to escape.
As I peered through the window, I didn’t miss the chance to catch a glimpse of Gabriel hastily entering his car and exiting the mansion. If I had any chance of escaping, this seemed like the best moment. I noticed that the mansion was heavily guarded as I spent 30 minutes at the window, closely watching the guards, and observing that they swapped positions every 10 minutes—a pattern I was able to track using the wall clock in the room.
Without wasting a split second, I grabbed every piece of material I could find. Bedspreads, pillowcases, towels, I even had to take off my dress to incorporate into a rope, leaving me with just the lingerie on. Once I had assembled a long enough rope, I waited until about five minutes before the guards were set to swap positions, then I secured the end of the rope to the window rail and cautiously began climbing down, taking care to avoid being seen by anyone.
As my feet met the ground, the wound on my thigh caused a sharp, painful sensation, and I couldn't help but whimper.
Hiding behind the grass, I waited until the guards were about to swap places. Seizing the opportunity, I made a run for it without thinking twice. As I was heading towards the gate, a guard spotted me and triggered the siren.
All too sudden, he and one other guard came after me. Hindered by the pain from my injury, sprinting proved challenging, and it wasn't long before they caught up with me.
“LET GO OF ME, YOU MORONS!” I shouted as they gripped my hands, hoisting me off the floor.
Suddenly, I saw another man walking towards us, his expression all too scary.
“We caught her trying to escape, Sir,” one of the guards said.
He nodded, and without uttering a word, he took out his phone and placed a call.
“We have a situation. You need to come home now,” he said, ending the call.
*****
Gabriel’s POV
As I answered the call, my informant’s voice came through.
“I have news on Miguel. Meet me in an hour at our base.”
Immediately, I stormed out of the room heading straight to my quarters. Swiftly, I changed into another outfit before heading out.
“Start the car, Marco. We have no time to waste.”
As I settled in the car, all my thoughts were consumed by Kiera. I knew she needed answers to her questions, but I couldn’t risk providing her with answers if she’s not in a good state of mind, because there’s a huge possibility she would not trust me, given the traumatic experiences she had endured.
My phone suddenly chimed, disrupting my thoughts.
Retrieving it from my pocket, I read the message from a secure number.
[Time’s running out]
[I'll be there in 20 mins] I typed and sent it quickly, deleting the message at once.
My contact with my informant was limited for security precautions. He would never call, unless it was a matter of utmost urgency, and all our messages are deleted immediately after sending or receiving.
“Drive faster Marco, and stop being a f*cking girl!” I yelled at him.
I kept looking at my watch to keep track of the time, and my jaw ticked as I shoved the phone back into my pocket tapping my feet anxiously.
A few moments after, my phone started ringing, and I abruptly reached for it, hoping that it would be my informant. However, when I checked the caller ID, it was from Lewis, my right-hand man.
“We have a situation. You need to come home now,” he said, ending the call.
I knew immediately it had to do with Kiera.
“Turn the car around now! We are going back home,” I instructed Marco.
***
In less than 30 minutes we were back at the mansion.
I had texted my informant that something came up and I wouldn’t be able to make it and requested for a reschedule.
As I stepped into the mansion, I saw two of my guards, forcibly holding Kiera by the elbows, and I couldn’t determine what was more upsetting—whether it was the fact that I had canceled on my informant or that these two nincompoops had the audacity to lay their hands on her. And what the f*ck happened to her dress? Why was she in the lingerie she wore back at Lair of Pleasure?
“Take your bloody hands off her,” my voice rained thunder, as I walked towards them, and they suddenly freed her.
Suddenly, Kiera clung to herself, the shame in her eyes was crawling at me, and I instantly took off my jacket to shield her.
Did these bastards have no regard for a woman?
“But she tried to escape, Boss,” one of them countered.
The intense gaze in my eyes was enough to zip his mouth shut, and he instinctively swallowed hard.
“They're telling the truth Gabe, the young lady was caught escaping,” Lewis defended.
“I didn’t remember asking for your input Lewis,” I snarled.
“Why did you try to escape?” I questioned, curiosity lingering in my voice.
She was quiet for a while and without warning, she burst into laughter. My gaze narrowed at her, as I tried to place my finger on what was going on in her head.
“Why did I try to esc…. escape?” She said in between her fits of laughter.
“Did you really expect me to stay under the same roof with you, a con artist, a liar? I don’t even know who you are…Who the heck are you? I am no guest of yours, I'm here as your plaything, your prisoner. You even went as far as locking me inside the room, and let me ask, don’t prisoners try to escape?” She asked, maintaining a serious tone.
I scoffed, admiring her fiery spirit, yet I didn’t have the zeal to speak to her in the presence of anyone.
In a flash, I lifted her off the floor and placed her on my shoulders.
“Drop me down…. Drop me down,” she shrieked, throwing her fists at my back.
I didn’t care as much to listen to her. Carrying her upstairs, I headed for her room, and when I got to the door, I dismissed the guard stationed there.
She persisted in her screams as I entered the room, but her voice faltered in her throat when I tossed her onto the bed and positioned myself over her.
"What happened to your voice?" I asked tauntingly, yet she remained silent, her eyes shifting trying to avoid my gaze.I moved myself closer to her, our lips almost touching. I felt her breath hitch, and her shifting eyes finally fluttered shut.
“You should count yourself lucky that I have a soft spot for you. If you so much as contemplate escaping again, I won't just barricade every exit in this room. I will shutdown every source of oxygen, and even Rapunzel would be a more privileged princess than you,” I said, lifting myself.
I noticed her cautiously opening one eye, and quickly shutting it again.
“I've dismissed the guard at your door, so you're free to do whatever you wish but do not force my hand,” I added, walking towards the exit.
“How do you know Elise?” Her voice suddenly pierced through the silence.
My jaw clenched at the mention of that name. I was silent for a few seconds before speaking,
“Get some rest. Tomorrow's gonna be a really long day,” I walked away, without casting another look at her.
KIERA’S POVThere’s no way I’m gonna just stay put and watch anyone take advantage of me again.Lifting myself from the bed, I walked to the door and opened it gently, glancing around and making sure there were no guards around.I tiptoed to the opposite side of the first floor, only to find a door moderately opened. My curiosity shamelessly dropped its pants, and I intentionally peeped into the room.What I saw, triggered a surge of goosebumps all over my skin, causing my heart to go offbeat.My eyes got stuck on a strange man’s shirtless body as he stood in front of the mirror, examining his features.Goodness me!My lips unconsciously folded in, as my fingers trailed around my chest.Who is he? I wondered.Like a runaway train, my heart hurtled forward, unstoppable and untamed as his hands tugged into his pants, in an attempt to take them off, and my eyes didn’t even twitch.At that moment, my body made contact with the door, causing it to emit a squeaking sound that sent a jolt of
KIERA’S POVThe rays of sunlight pierced through my eyelids, and I instinctively shielded my eyes with my hand. I let out a big yawn and rolled to the other side of the bed.“Do you always sleep so deeply?” A voice sounded behind me, instantly throwing me out of dreamland.“Jesus Christ!” I screamed, instantly grabbing the covers and wrapping them around me. I was fully clothed, so why was I being dramatic?Gabriel stood at the window, his body blocking the harsh rays from hitting me, and I propped myself up, squinting as I stared at his shadowy figure.“I’ll have one of the house staff get you a T-shirt and a pair of jeans. Get dressed and meet me outside in 15 minutes,” he said, taking his leave before I could even open my mouth.I was ready and out in 15 minutes.“Get into the car,” he commanded.“Where are we going?” I asked, but he remained silent, striding over to open the front door for me.“Please get in,” he said politely.As I sat in the car, my eyes traveled to Damien’s wi
KIERA’S POVLike a flurry of arrows, his words pierced my heart, hitting every nerve connected to it. If there’s anything I dreaded more than my life back home, it was the haunting memories of the horrors I endured in that hellhole. It was a nightmare.He released a heavy sigh before entering the car and waited as I walked cautiously to the car, my legs trembling.As I settled into the car, beads of tears formed in my eyes, however, the deep measured breath he took was enough to relay the magnitude of his simmering anger.After a few seconds of regaining his composure, he started the engine and drove off. The oppressive silence and tension in the car were almost unbearable, and I silently prayed we’d arrive at our destination quickly.At last, we pulled up at an estate, and he swiftly hopped out of the car and opened the door for me. He stretched out his hand and I placed mine in his, my gaze pinned on the floor.“Hey,” he said gently, lifting my chin with his finger.“I’m sorry I la
MIGUEL’S POVI sat in the dimly lit room, smoke curling around me as I took a long drag from my cigarette. I gulped down a glass of whiskey relishing the fiery sensation as it coursed down my throat. Just as I flicked the ash from my cigarette, the door swung open, and Joe walked in. The look on his face was evident enough for me to know that he had something to say.“Speak up, before I lose my patience,” I said.Clearing his throat, his voice came forth, “Kiera showed up at the wedding venue.”Her name pulled a string in my heart, and I simply nodded and poured myself another round of whiskey.If I’ve ever felt any form of affection towards any woman, it would be Kiera. Cold as my heart may be, she fascinated me. Her beauty, innocence, her perception of the world, and everything about her made her special. But the affection I had for her was no match compared to the hatred I have for Gabriel. Despite the fact that our families have been sworn rivals for ages, the bastard was also res
GABRIEL’S POV“What?”She withdrew from my grasp, her eyes blazing with disbelief.I had certainly taken her by surprise. I realized that she would never feel comfortable unless I opened up to her. I needed her for so many reasons, and I didn’t want her escaping again—she had a knack for that. So, what better way to keep her than to ask her to marry me?“Are you out of your mind? I just told you I don’t want any part in this, and you’re asking me to marry you?” Her gaze narrowed, disbelief etched on her face.I let out a deep breath, trying to maintain my composure. “I need you to be calm.”“How can I be calm? You just dropped a bomb on me!” She protested, her feet tapping anxiously against the floor.“Do you find me so unattractive? Don’t I possess the qualities you seek in a man?”She shot me a glare, her voice sharp.“It has nothing to do with that. I don’t know anything about you. I don’t trust you, let alone love you.”“No one’s talking about love here,” I replied, frustration bu
GABRIEL’S POVMy gun was still pointed at him as he took a step forward.“One more step, and I’ll put a bullet between your f*cking eyes.”Staring narrowly, I read every twitch his body made.“Who the hell are you?” I roared, my voice echoing in the building.He hesitated. Next, I saw his hand creeping towards his pocket and I clicked the gun as a warning, my gaze unwavering on him.All at once, he pulled out a small pouch and flung it towards me, and it landed at my feet.“That’s just a fraction of Miguel’s diamonds,” he said, his voice trembling slightly.What? How did he get his hands on Miguel’s diamonds? Unless he…I exchanged glances with my informant, skepticism etched across his face as his brows knitted together.I lowered myself to pick up the pouch, the gun still trained on the stranger. With a flick of my wrist, I opened it, and I couldn’t suppress my shock as I caught a glimmer of the diamonds.I raised my eyes to meet his gaze, “How did you find me?” I questioned eagerly
KIERA’S POV“Wow… I didn’t realize it was free-the-body day!!”He said, sarcasm dripping in his tone.I froze, my heart doing dangerous flip-backs in my chest. Why the heck was he still staring?Frantically, I reached for the bed covers, wrapping them around my body, as embarrassment gnawed at my insides.“Have some decency and look away!” I shouted, my cheeks burning.“Decency? From someone who sneaks into my room uninvited?” He shot back.“This is my space. You can’t just barge in without knocking.”“Please, don’t flatter yourself because I'm not moved by you at all. You’re more like a piece of log to me,” he said, his casual arrogance igniting a fire in my chest.“I hate to break it to you, but the feeling is mutual,” I served him, crossing my arms defiantly.He scoffed, shaking his head in a manner that made me want to smack him in the head.“What do you want?” I queried, my tone icy.“Gabriel asked me to take you shopping.”My face twisted into a frown, “Why would he ask you when
My heart pounded frantically as the car screeched to an abrupt halt.“What happened?” I asked, gripping the seatbelt tightly as if it was my lifeline.“Checking the tire pressure,” Damien muttered, his brow furrowed. “Looks like we’ve got a flat tire.”Before I could respond, he flung open the door and hopped out. I watched him inspect the rear tire, his hands moving with anxious precision.When he finally returned, his expression was grave. He pulled out his phone and dialed. “Lewis, we’ve got a flat tire on Oak Street. We need another car, ASAP.”He ended the call abruptly and dialed again.“We’ve got a problem!”He said, glancing at me, and from his tone, I could tell it was Gabriel on the line. “We’ll be on our way once Lewis brings another car. I just wanted to keep you in the loop about the setback.”Their conversation dragged on for a while with bantering in between, and he finally ended the call.I leaned back against my seat, letting out a long, exasperated sigh.“This day j