After receiving a call from Tayler, Chelsea's worry weighed on Dave like a ton of bricks, a weight that had only grown in the hours since he'd recounted what he'd seen on the CCTV. The exact thing he'd dreaded, the error he'd made in not ensuring he'd finished the job, was about to come home to roost. He was certain of it.Unfortunately, Tayler wasn't sure if he'd seen Hermano in the last few hours or not.It didn't matter. The bitch's son had survived the explosion that should have killed him. Dave's goal had failed because Hermano was still alive. He could only hope that he hadn't let Chelsea down.And in order to assure their safety, he was doing the only thing he could think of."Is everyone prepared to go, babe?"She nodded as she marched from the back bedroom toward him. "Christie will be right behind me. She's having some issues with Peter. The poor thing has been having nightmares all night.""Understandable," Dave responded. "The child has been through a lot. "You all have,"
The screams of the terrified folks that were carried down into the town square from the upper ground only seemed to get louder in the few minutes that passed after Dave and Sebastian had left.Those shrieks laced with horror, many of which were tortured and final cries, caused Chelsea to shudder and her heart to break. She was shaken to the bone with fear."We're going to be alright," she reassured Christie and her terrified son, hoping that her own anxiety wouldn't be visible in Christie's eyes as she spoke those words. Even while she had faith that Dave was a skilled fighter and that Sebastian was as well, the fact remained that the two of them were outnumbered by Hermanos' forces by a factor that was easily three times greater.If Dave were to suffer any kind of harm..."You love him, don't you?" The tone of Christie's voice was kind and understanding."My love for him surpasses anything else, Christie." She moved her hand absently to the side of her neck, where she could still fee
Instead of complying, Hermano raised Peter higher, until the child’s rib cage was level with his open maw. Saliva and drop dripped from the tips of his teeth. “Put down your weapon, Brown or I swear I'm going to end his life.” Dave didn’t move. He didn't blink as much as blink. Holding his gun steady, he only hoped Hermano would believe his bluff. “Chelsea,” he said calmly. “Move out of the way, baby.” Hermano growled. “Don’t you take even one fucking step, Chelsea, or the next thing you’ll hear is this brat’s screams as I punch a hole through his sternum with my fist.” Christie sobbed. Chelsea looked equally miserable, but she held herself together. She stared at Dave, shaking her head as if to warn him away from doing anything rash. Well, fuck that. He would do anything to get her out of this, but damn if he wanted to forfeit an innocent child’s life to accomplish it. He saw little choice but to try to catch Hermano off guard. In a split-second move, Dave took his shot, hittin
One year later.Chelsea’s Diary.*****Dear Diary,The beautiful grasslands, bright sunshine, and enormous acres of undeveloped land never cease to astonish me. Every morning, I wake up just before dawn to hear the first tweets of native birds and the delicate rustle of towering trees kissing the sky outside my window.But it's the huge gray elephants with their gorgeous ivory tusks and lengthy, wrinkled trunks that I appreciate the most about my home. They are quite kind with the locals, especially the youngsters, who regard them as pets as well as companions. The contact between animal and man in this scene is organic and spontaneous; none is afraid of the other. Kenya's breathtaking beauty has been my home for the past one year.However, the adjective "beautiful" is not restricted to merely the land. I have an unfathomable bond to the people here as well, and my heart hurts a little as I look down at the wild smiles of the children playing football on their lunch break.I am alone
I make my way through the busy airport with my luggage. It takes me a few minutes to adjust to the modern, big city kind of flow to things again. When I finally make it outside to the "pick-up" area, I spot my sister and Peter. She comes barging towards me and embraces me in an enormous hug. I drop my bags instantly and bury my face in her neck. I inhale the familiar scent of her perfume while tears fill my eyes.I tighten my grip on her as we both sob; motionless in the middle of the busy walkway.My sister, Christie, and Peter finally pull away, and I stare into their watery eyes."Oh, Chelsea dear... I missed you so much, sweetheart," she mumbles, a big smile carved on her face. "And look at you…you’re so tanned!""I told you it was scorching hot out over there," I chuckle, wiping my eyes. "But now that I’m back, I definitely don’t mind being a few shades darker. Beats going to the salon anytime soon!""You look so beautiful too. I am so proud of you, honey."I take a step back, tr
Dear DiaryYes, everything is surprising, a mess and I don't like it. I miss the children, I miss Kenya.My life is changing again and I don't need it.I take a deep breath in and exhale, nice and slow.This reality is going to take a hell of a lot to get used to.Not only am I no longer in Kenya, but my step-sister lives in a mansion with a billionaire? With Sebastian? A friend of Dave? This is not happening. Fuck it! But can I do something about it?NO!I'm not sure how quickly Christie expects me to adjust to having servants who will make me sandwiches in the middle of the night. Not that I'm not accustomed to wealth, but I'm a self-sufficient woman. I don't need a servant to do anything for me.Surely she recognizes that this drastic adjustment will take some time to sink in?This 180-degree turn in my lifestyle is nearly too much to bear: the change in climate; the contrasting culture; the transition from third to first world; Sebastian's home; the engagement; the luxury automobi
When Chelsea reached the bottom step, she spotted Sebastian out of the corner of her eye, laughing animatedly with her sister, and Peter. His left hand was planted firmly on her sister’s lower back. The sight made her cringe with discomfort, but could she do something about it? No! Definitely not. She sized him up before they noticed her. Unlike before, when the man was brooding, today he was dressed in a designer pinstripe suit, which was appropriate attire for a man of his caliber. He towered over her sister with the same dark hair she remembered one year ago, that faded almost all the way to the middle of his head. However, his face bore the signs of his age, as unwrinkled lines dotted his forehead and eyes. Despite being obviously a lot older than her sister, his attitude was somewhat authoritative over here, and that immediately annoyed her. "Oh! Hi, Chelsea. We’ve been waiting for you," Christie said, gazing at her. Sebastian smiled and nodded his head towards him. "Hi, aunt
"There you are, Chelsea. Have a seat. Remember, Dave?" Christie suddenly said and smiled at Dave, looking over to where she was still standing in the doorway. Oh my God. How the hell was he here? Chelsea thought to herself as her heart hammered.She remained motionless as Dave rose from his seat, approached her, and extended his hand to greet her. "Hi, Chelsea. It’s nice to see you again," he said, flashing an attractive smile that left her breathless. Dave looked at her like she was the only person in the room, his eyes wreaking havoc on her already confused mind. Chelsea couldn't believe her eyes.Dave and Sebastian shared the same towering and slender frame, but that was where their similarities end. Where Sebastian wore an expensive suit, Dave wore a pair of jeans and a leather jacket in a bad boy way that melted her heart. Dave’s piercing blue eyes make her knees quiver as she becomes lost in their intense gaze. Oh God, how she missed him so much. What the hell happened to them
Another rising moan. Chelsea chanted his name. Soft. A whimper. She threw her head back again, her soft hair sliding over his arms, her face flushed with arousal. Dave loved her like that. That perfect moment before her body clamped down like a vise on his, drawing out his hot release. Her unknowing song, her heat. The look on her face. It all combined to give him a fierce, primitive satisfaction and added to the wicked pleasure swamping his own body. The first wave hit her hard, consuming her. He drove deep, his shaft stretching her tight channel. A ripple went through her, from her womb to her belly and up to her breasts. He actually felt it. Another loud moan and her entire body locked around him, a vise that clamped down so hard for a moment that he couldn’t separate pain from pleasure. She shuddered again as another wave built. He felt the contraction move through her, through him, swelling like the tide, a shock wave jolting outward from her feminine sheath, surrounding him, vib
Over the next few weeks, I take Jane and Catherine’s advice and try to turn off my brain. Dave and I started going out together as a couple. Nothing explicit is said. We don’t wear little badges, but our interactions make it obvious. Jane and I were planning to finish the design of her gown, and I started going out with them. While Dave had started his own business, Christie and her son occupied our old apartment while I went to Dave's apartment in the city.When we’re out, Dave always touches me, but not in a way that makes me feel like he’s trying to mark his territory or show off. He’s just super physical. If I’m near him, his hand is somewhere on my body. Usually his palm is glued to the top of my ass, but sometimes he brushes my hair back or dangles his fingers over my shoulder. He kisses my temples and cheeks. Not once do I feel like he’s holding me back.The most important thing is that we’re happy—way happier than I’ve felt in a long time. Which is fucking mind-boggling. If so
40The trailer is damp and dark. Two solemn-looking officers sat on a table piled high with walkie-talkies, badges, and cold cups of coffee, facing a giant monitor. The fan in the corner does little to cool things down, and the whole place is wired shut like a prison cell, with no windows and thus no connection to the outside world. It's much smaller than I expected from the outside, and I find myself frozen in place for a few moments after entering."Chelsea," Christie says behind me, placing an arm around my shoulders. "Everything will be okay, sweetheart. The orphanage will not suffer, and Dave will be alright." She appears nervous but still manages to calm me down. That is my sister, brave as ever."They’re in!" shouts one of the agents. Christie and I shuffled our way around the table. We stare earnestly at the big screen, focusing on each movement while holding our breath. Inside the building, the two actors pretending to be investors are dressed to look the part perfectly. Thei
Dave encourages me not to worry on the way back to the flat, but it is difficult. No matter how many times he assures me that we will stop Sebastian, I have my doubts. I knew Sebastian was a horrible person, but I never dreamed he was capable of such atrocities, especially after Dave showed him the photographs of the community and the orphans. What will become of my darling children?! I push back the tears that threaten to spill from my eyes. As we carefully ascend the stairs to the apartment, my fingers begin to tremble.Dave walks quietly beside me and grips my hand tightly, silently reassuring me that everything will be okay."Chelsea," he whispers as we stand face-to-face at my door. "Chelsea, look at me..." He slips a finger under my chin and lifts my head to gaze into his eyes. I finally let the tears flow, the gravity of the situation too strong to overcome.Chelsea, we're going to fight this. Trust me..." I sniffle and gaze into his piercing blue eyes that offer some comfort.
"Yes but not tonight, maybe tomorrow," Dave said, shifting in his heels.The thought of him leaving without any intimate contact is driving Chelsea crazy. And I may just find myself running after him. I wait with bated breath for him to continue."Actually. I booked a room for a few days at a nearby hotel. I'd really like to see you tomorrow, Chelsea. Is that’s okay? I want to talk more about us." I stare at him like a young child opening presents on Christmas morning."Sure, I would like that," I say, releasing the smile I can no longer contain. "There's a great place just down the street where we can go for lunch." He grins. "Sounds great. I'll pick you up around 11? ""Sounds good.""Okay, well, have a good night's sleep, Chelsea.""Goodnight, Dave." I closed the door behind him and leaned back against it. My heart is giddy and my hands are shaky. He wants to talk about us? As in our relationship? Now that I am face-to-face with the reality of how much I want and miss him, it scar
Christie welcomes us to the living room. As we sit on the sofa, Dave takes another long breath before speaking. "I feel like we left a lot of things unanswered the last time we saw each other. I don't think anything was cleared up in the midst of all the yelling and screaming. But first and foremost, Christie, I need to apologise for Sebastian's harsh tone toward you. I can't claim to know what he was thinking at the time, but he had no right to speak to you in that manner.""He is an asshole, Dave, and the way he treated Christie is the same way he will treat those workers in Kenya." The animosity in my voice is clear. "Listen, Chelsea, I know you’re angry." He turns away from Christie and looks back at me. "But I need you to understand that I still care about you deeply and that everything we had was real. The truth is I know all about my partner’s activities in Kenya. But I'm not as involved in it as you think. I take care of the paperwork. But it doesn’t have much to do with me.
The space is considerably more apparent now that I am alone. Christie and I don't have any furniture, food, or money. And neither of us is employed. It will take months to restore this property to its previous glitzy splendour. I have no idea how to get us back on our feet, and I am quite frightened about starting the process. Christie, I'm sure, is as well. In that case, where are they?I get up from the floor mattress and walk to the bathroom. I let the water run over my fair skin and blond hair.Despite the heat, I find the water really calming.As it rushes over my body, the water represents my freedom. It envelops me, drop by drop, freeing my confined senses and conflicting emotions. It reminds me that I have returned home and am no longer burdened by the dreadful life I had at the mansion.I hurriedly exit the shower and grab my towel. I walk on tiptoe across the white tiles, around the empty flat, to my bag in the corner. I pull on a pair of jeans, a plain white t-shirt, and my
"Chelsea, don’t do this. You don’t know what you’re saying." I feel Dave’s strong hands around my right arm tighten. I glare up into his blue eyes. Our eyes interlock, and for a brief second, I am contained by lust. But the moment ends swiftly, and I pull my hand away, pushing him violently against the wall."Don’t you touch me!" I hurl at him. I take a large step away from him and turn back to Christie. "Come on, sister. Let’s get out of here!""I can’t, Chelsea, Sebastian is my fiancée.""So you’re choosing a man over your own sister?" I stared at her in shock."Chelsea, please don’t do this," Christie cries, her tears running wild down her face.Now is the time for me to make a quick exit. My suitcases thud on each step as I hurl them down the stairs. My sister trails behind me, upset as ever."Chelsea, wait! Please do not leave! "Just as I reach the large white double doors, I drop my suitcases and turn to face her again."Why don’t you just ask Sebastian Christie? Ask him if he’
I do not recognise my voice. It is thick with animosity. My hands are shaky and tears are threatening to spill from my eyes. Appearing to realise the seriousness of the situation, Dave turns to his colleagues. "Gentleman, please excuse me for a moment?"He gets up and strides over to me, gripping my forearm as he gently pulls me out of the room. We walk down a short corridor and into an empty office. Dave shuts the door and glares at me, anger fueling his eyes. "What the hell was that, Chelsea?!" he states, his tone biting."Explain this to me!" I half-shout, flinging the documents into his hands. "You lied about what the company is doing in Kenya. You have plans to use children? and exploit the people in an area that is too damn close to the orphanage I volunteered at. And you plan to pay the workers practically nothing!"He begins to scan the papers, his eyes darting back and forth hastily."How did you get this?!" he asks, puzzled yet still furious."What does it matter? It’s out i