Brandon's POVThe sound of rattling chains and someone hammering a piece of metal, suddenly made my eyes flutter open.I squinted my eyes to get a proper view of my poorly lit surrounding, which also had a horrible stench. I realized that my legs were tied up, and I was hanging upside down from the ceiling. I let out a frustrated groan.This seemed to be in an old, abandoned building. However, the presence of a rocking chair on a rug, near a fireplace, was an indication that there were indeed occupants. I mean, the faceless bastards who ambushed me.I lifted up my head to look at knot around my ankle. For some reason, these people decided to use ordinary ropes, rather than chains. I reached for the pocket knife I had stashed away in my pants.Since I was in a really uncomfortable, upside down position, it was quite difficult for me to reach the knots, and I was also a few metres away from hitting the floor. However, I shoved the discomfort aside, sawing at the ropes, till they loosene
Danielle's POV"Here!" The grumpy, old woman muttered, as she dropped a key into my hand.I was quite worried about the fact that she was going to be my landlady from now on, but I decided not to think much about it. Maybe she'll warm up to me later on."Thanks." I said, smiling at her, before stepping into the small, dusty apartment.It wasn't very big, neither was it luxurious but this would be my home from now on. I had to make do with this space, till I would be able to afford luxury later."There's water and electricity, if you just switch that over." My old landlady said, pointing towards some change-over switch, high up on the wall.I turned back to appreciate her for the little piece of information, but she was already walking away. I let out a sigh, deciding that it would be best if I just take a small tour of the apartment, know exactly what I had to put up with.The dust and cobwebs were indications that no one had been here for a while. Other than that, the place was somew
Brandon's POV"You're her bestfriend. She's been staying at your place for months." I spat in contempt at the male before me."Do you really expect me to believe that you don't know where she is?" I asked, leaning forward to look at Sam in the eyes.He slowly looked away from me, frowning and shaking his head."I really don't. I just came back to meet her absence, I swear." He said, making me pinch the bridge of my nose in frustration.I had been interrogating him for about 45 minutes, invited him over to my place, as soon as I came back from Ohio.Initially, I thought Danielle must have gone to stay with her aunt, so I went there to confirm, only to find out that I was wrong. Where the fuck could she be?"So, she didn't mention where she would be going?" I asked Sam again.I had a feeling that he sincerely didn't know, for some reason. I had my men go through his call logs."She did always say something about saving for an apartment of her own. Dee was never really comfortable stayi
Danielle's POVGetting a job here in this town was harder than I had initially anticipated. I had been to almost all the local diners and supermarket I came across, within the past few weeks.The money I had saved up was already starting to reduce, and if I don't do something about it, I might be out on the cold streets.There were few big factories, which were already loaded with enough staffs, so they didn't need me. I was almost blaming myself for leaving Vegas to live in this shitty town, until luck finally shone down on me.I was currently working as a waitress in some sort of pub. Although the environment wasn't really my ideal choice, neither was the pay enough for me to get by, I was glad to have found something doing for the meantime.Just like a typical drinking place for men, "Denver's pub" was a noisy, filthy and mostly violent place. In only a space of one week, I've experienced over three bar fights, and two people being stabbed, sustaining serious injuries. My employer
Danielle's POVGod, I was beginning to hate this town! I mean, I've spent barely a month here, and I was already beginning to question all the decisions that brought me here.Winter was almost over now, the snowfall not as heavy as before. I began to dread the idea of coming out during the day, because of the constant odd looks I'd get from the locals. Somehow, they were instantly able to tell that I wasn't from around here, and it made me so self-conscious.I had already gotten yet another job, as a sales rep in a small supermarket. Again, the pay wasn't very good, but I took it to be better than nothing. I didn't really know who my employer was, as he was never around. I just saw a notice somewhere, asking for someone to come apply for a sales rep, and I did. I met an older lady there, who handed me a pile of record keeping books. I assumed she was the former sales rep, and she was quitting the job, handing over everything to me. This was by far, the easiest job I've ever gotten, s
Danielle's POVGosh! I lost track of time again tonight, and now it was almost midnight. I should totally stay back and pass the night here, but I remembered I still had things to do at home."Ugh, fuck it!" I groaned, as I finally made the decision to close down the store and go home.I hurriedly untied my apron, walking out of the counter and picking up my phone and bag. I turned the tag at the door, to indicate that the store was closed for the day, and only them was I ready to take my leave.Going home by this time was already starting to become a regular occurrence for me, as I usually got carried away these days. I'd sit back behind the counter, and wouldn't bother checking the time until it was too late. I wasn't too bothered about the walk home though. I mean, most people were already retired to bed, with an exception to a few security guards and clubbers. What was there to be wary about?Usually, I avoid alleys and dark corners, due to the cliche horror stories they've been a
Danielle's POV"Ow! You're hurting me." I complained, as Lady Misaki massaged my bruised face with a towel. That was one hell of a slap, earlier tonight."Quit being so dramatic. I'm helping." She shushed me, making me pout like a child.I continued to sulk in silence, as she went on with the massage on my face. After a few more minutes, she was done, and was heading towards her kitchen in a see-through nightgown.Diverting my attention to the interior decoration of her apartment, and I had to admit to myself how nice it was. It was obvious to me that Lady Misaki was wealthy, but I was still too curious about what she does for a living. Maybe I was also wary about that subject too, seeing as she just murdered two men before my eyes, some minutes ago.She came out of the kitchen, holding two cup of some nice scenting, steaming liquid in her hands. My eyes instantly zeroed in on the cup she was holding out to me, as I contemplated wether to accept it from her or not."It's herbal tea."
Danielle's POVI spent the next couple days in Lady Misaki's apartment, where she had allocated a room to me, and some clothes to keep me warm.It was past ten tonight, and we were both seated in her car. She was taking me somewhere she claimed would "blow my mind"."Seriously, where are you taking me?" I groaned out for the umpteenth time tonight, eliciting a chuckle from her."To an auction house. You'll fetch me a good price." She replied sarcastically, keeping her eyes on the road.I turned to glare at her, but she just rolled her eyes in response."Relax! We'll soon be there." She said.After about thirty more minutes of driving through dark and virtually empty roads, we finally arrived at a part of the town that seemed to be much livelier. A couple powered bikes raved their engines, as they drove past us, and my eyes widened at the vibrant, night scenery before me. It was just like the streets of Vegas, and in that moment, I found myself smiling."You've still got that city lif
Danielle's POVHe came back to me! Brandon came back to me, after six months in a coma, after six months of helplessly waiting for a miracle. He made my nightmares disappear with just his presence."Momma!" My four years old son exclaimed, right before hugging my legs. From the looks of it, he went fishing again with his father.He looked up at me with his big, hazel eyes, and that was all I needed to confirm my suspicion. "Did you go fishing with your father again?" I asked, raising an eyebrow at him."Um...Aurora also came with us?" He confessed, making me roll my eyes, before bending down to meet his height."I wasn't going to punish you, Austin!" I said, making him sigh visibly in relief."Come on! Go ahead and call your sister. Dinner is almost ready." I told him, ruffling his hair fondly.My son's eyes grew even wider, and his face went a bit pale. It was like he suddenly remembered something that scared the hell out of him."What is it, Austin?" I asked, as he suddenly held o
A/N: Alright, readers! Since we're coming to the end of this book, allow me to present y'all with a happy chapter, lol! I promise you won't be mad this time.]Danielle's POVThe beeping of different monitors and his steady breathing, were the only sounds that kept me company. It's been what? Six months since I last looked into his vibrant, blue eyes.My stomach was now bigger, as I was slowly nearing my delivery date. However, I didn't think I could do any of that without him, without Brandon.I let out a sniffle, like I had been doing for over a million times, taking his large hand in my smaller ones, and squeezing lightly."There you are, Danny! Come on and have your bath now!" Aunt Mallory called out from the doorway. Her and Oliver had come all the way from Ohio, as soon as they heard of Brandon's... incident. They've been keeping me company ever since."I don't want to!" I answered her stubbornly, not wanting to take my eyes off Brandon's unconscious body, even for a moment. He w
Danielle's POV:I didn't realize I'd stopped running, until someone grabbed me by my wrist, and my eyes widened in terror. It was that Calaveros man from earlier; Diaz."Where do you think you're going?" He grinned sinisterly at me, before attempting to drag me off to the direction of their minivan.I started yelling, punching, kicking and scratching as much as I could, but it only seemed to anger him, as he kept tugging at my wrist. I let out a gasp, as a bullet suddenly went through his head, splattering blood all over my face. I watched him fall to the ground with a thud, and I turned around to look for who fired the shot. It was Micheal, and he kept gesturing for me to keep running towards the car.Looking down at the corpse before me again, I suppressed the urge to gag. He had a gun on him, and I bent down to take it from his lifeless hand. I'd seen men using guns before, so it shouldn't be too hard for me, right?Brandon was now clearly winning, as he stood over Sam, who was br
Danielle's POVA fight to the death? What the hell was he thinking? What sort of barbaric, mafia tradition is that? Why is it even a thing?I was suddenly dragged down from the vehicle I'd been boarding, and my eyes immediately started searching for Brandon. We were now on some sort of old, abandoned bridge, and armed Calaveros men were everywhere. I was yet to spot Brandon, even as Sam slowly emerged from behind me. He was shirtless, giving me a much clearer view of his tattoo adorned body. I glared at him."What's the matter, Dee? Nervous?" He smirked at me.I made a move to lunge at him with an attack, but one of his men was quick enough to hold me back, making me groan out in frustration."You won't get away with any of this. I promise you!" I threatened. In that moment, I had finally realized what Sam truly is, who he truly is; an enemy!A minivan finally arrived at the bridge, and all attention were on it. Immediately it stopped, Brandon came out from the back, wincing slightly
Danielle's POVWith one arm around my neck, Sam forcefully dragged me along, towards the noise of the ongoing gun battle. He had a gun pointed to my head, which he used to threaten me to move. I struggled as much as I could, while he just kept laughing like some evil villain."No matter.... what...you do.." I managed to say, as his arms were literally choking me.He loosened up, when he realized I was saying something, and I took that opportunity to gasp for breath, before speaking."No matter what you do, Sam. I'll never love you." I spat at him.For a moment, I thought I saw the old Sam, the one I'd always trusted. His eyes widened in an emotion that resembled... regret? He was however quick to get rid of the look, as soon as it came."This isn't about you, anymore." He seethed, tightening his hold on my neck again and dragging me along.I continued to struggle against his hold, as I we moved closer to the direction of the gunfight.Soon, we were in some sort of courtyard, which w
Brandon's POV"I'm sorry Brandon, I should have told you earlier." Those were her last words, before Sam snatched the phone from her. He wasn't lying about her carrying my child. How could I be so careless and stupid?"Boss...it's a trap. You can't just go like that?" Micheal said to me, suddenly coming to stand in my way, as I had been moving towards my car."Move!" I growled at him, but he wouldn't budge. The rest of my men just stood, watching us in silence."You're not thinking straight, right now." Micheal complained."Of course I'm not. Didn't you hear that bastard? He has my family and he's threatened to harm them if I don't show up!" I yelled right into Micheal's face."He's trying to goad you!" Micheal argued."What will you have me do, then?" I yelled even louder."Will you prefer that I let them die?" "That's not what I said." Michael said, his voice cracking. I knew my words struck a nerve. His own family had been murdered in front of him, a long time ago. It was a very
Brandon's POVI was looking right at the scene before me, but I was too afraid to accept what might have happened. There was need for a closer inspection.This was obviously one of my cars, and it was destroyed almost beyond recognition. My legs moved me faster towards the scene, as I feared the worst. Anissa and Danielle aren't in there, right?"This is bad!" One of my men said, as he approached me, Micheal following right behind me.My men had found this scene first, in their search for Anissa and Danielle, who were supposed to be on their way to join me for tonight's date. They contacted me, and I had begun running here, as fast as I could."We found two bodies, boss. They are badly burnt, but we were still able to save what we can." Micheal announced, making me hold my breath for a second. He just said "two bodies"!"Let me see them." I grunted, shoving Micheal out of my way, as I advanced towards the scenery. It wouldn't be long before the cops show up, so we needed to be quick h
Danielle's POVPanic coursed through me, as Sam finally closed the gap between us. I found myself backing away from him and turning around to make a run for it. All my warning bells were ringing like crazy, and I knew something unpleasant was about to happen.I instinctively ran towards Anissa, who had been standing there all along. I tried to drag her along with me, but she suddenly pushed me to the ground with one swift motion, leaving me more stunned than terrified.I now had beach sand all over my face, as I raised up my head to look at her. I searched her eyes, and I was taken aback by the look of indifference in them. She looked down at me with so much coldness, I couldn't recognize her anymore. That was when I started making sense of what was happening."I've done what you asked." She said, finally facing Sam, who had a gleeful look in his eyes."You wanted her, she's here." Anissa said again, pointing at me, as I remained in my spot, too stunned to move."I can see that!" Sam
Danielle's POVTonight I was finally going to let Brandon know. I was going to let him know that I was carrying his child; our child.I already had a whole week to think about it and now I was convinced that telling him might not be such a bad idea, afterall. The possibility of starting a family with him, got me so excited and I just couldn't wait.I looked at my reflection in the mirror with so much joy, thinking about the many things that had happened in my life to bring me right to this very moment. My hands instinctively reached out to touch my stomach, rubbing it soothingly, as my smile widened.I still couldn't believe that there was a new life forming inside me. It made me look at life in a whole new perspective and I just wished Brandon would see things the same way too."Now that's one hell of a dress." Anissa said softly, as she emerged from behind me.She had been the one taking care of me more closely than any other member of Brandon's staff. She was very protective of me