~ COLTON ~- - - - - ONE WEEK LATER - - - - -Over the past few weeks, Colton was put through hell and back. The bullet wound was severe and he was losing a lot of blood. If they waited for the ambulance to come, he wouldn’t have made it. Luckily, Pierre was able to perform an emergency surgery on the spot. Pierre used to belong to the COS, a special operations command for the French special forces. Though he was limping and hurt himself, he managed to get a clean knife and alcohol, pluck the bullets out of Colton’s body, and stitch him back up.Minutes later, Jackson and Levi returned to the house. They were waiting for Colton to join them in Paris, but they realized something was wrong when they got to Henri’s hotel and it was surrounded by the city police and bodyguards. The police and the guards weren’t scouring the city looking for Sierra. That meant that their plan was wrong. Henri wasn’t there to search for Sierra, he was there waiting for Sierra to come to him. When Jackson a
X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X ~ SIERRA ~- - - - - TWO WEEKS LATER - - - - -Sierra sat by the window, holding onto the ultrasound photo she received this morning. She was three months along in her pregnancy and the doctor was finally able to tell her the gender. Sierra smiled as her finger brushed over the writing: A Boy. Sierra pressed the photograph to her chest and felt her heart fluttering. After weeks of torture she endured under Raphael, seeing the doctor this morning and hearing about her baby’s progress gave her hope. To the outside world, it seemed like Sierra was living a great life. She’d go to campus on the weekday and visit her dad and Rosie on the weekend. She always looked put together and she had on a brave smile in front of everyone. But what nobody knew was what would happen to her in the nighttime. Raphael was a hardworking man. He went to work every day, including weekends. He only came home around eight or nine, and th
~ COLTON ~- - - - - ONE WEEK LATER - - - - -Colton leaned his crutch against the desk at the study. Walking slowly and limping a little bit, he went around the desk and sat on his chair. Though it may not look like it, his legs were getting stronger and so was his spine. He made such great progress in physical therapy, even the doctors were impressed. At this rate, Colton should be back to his normal in a matter of weeks. While his body was still recovering, Colton’s mind never stopped working. Every day, he’d spent hours locked up in that study. He was studying and expanding Henri’s file, and he dug deeper into Raphael and his family. With Jackson and Levi’s help, he committed all of his family’s resources to this cause, and the results were extraordinary. For instance, a couple of days ago, Jackson found dirt on all of the Rothschild brothers. To the naked eye, the brothers may look like normal, upstanding, billionaire heirs, but in actuality, they were all riddled with problems
~ COLTON ~- - - - - THREE DAYS LATER - - - - -Colton stood in front of a wall of photographs and notes in his study. His face was serious, his eyes were zeroed in on the newspaper clipping of Sierra and Raphael’s wedding. For the past several days, he didn’t sleep or rest, putting together this next mission. On the wall, all the clippings about Henri’s wife’s accident, Colton’s dad’s accident, Sierra’s wedding, Raphael’s businesses in Europe, and everything he could find on the Rothschild family were displayed. He also put notes next to the photos and clippings, proving that the Rothschild family was responsible for all of this.“I think we’ve got ourselves a pretty solid case,” Levi said as he stood next to Colton. The two of them were staring at the wall knowingly.“Yeah, but what are we doing with all this information?” Jackson stood on Colton’s other side, cocking his head to the side, watching the wall in confusion.Jackson and Levi exchanged a look, meanwhile, Colton kept his
~ COLTON ~“Colton?” she breathed. Hearing her say his name felt like music to his ears. Seeing her in the flesh made his heart jump into somersaults. Colton let out a smile and gestured for the lock on the door. Shakily, Sierra’s hand went to unlock the window. Once she did, he slid the window open and stepped inside.“Hey, princess,” he beamed. “It’s been a while,”Sierra took a step back, looking at Colton in confusion and bewilderment. Colton took a step closer, but Sierra didn’t move an inch. She was frozen. It was like she just saw a ghost. “H-how is this… possible?” she croaked. “You’re not real…”“Oh, trust me, I’m real,” Colton said as he reached for her hand and kissed the top of it. Sierra’s eyes went wide as saucers when she felt his lips on her skin.“But… I thought you were dead? They wrote about you in the papers–”“Well, if it’s in the papers, then it must be true,” he smirked.“Colton, I’m being serious!” Sierra pulled her hand away angrily.“I know. Me too,” Colton
~ SIERRA ~Sierra saw that the door to the closet was slightly ajar, and Colton was right behind it. She was lying helplessly on the bed and Raphael stood behind her. This was a routine she’d known so well. Just a few minutes of torture and it would be over. So when she saw Colton’s face and that look in his eyes, she knew she had to restrain him. Colton was about to do something and reveal himself. She couldn’t let it happen. That would be too dangerous, both for him and for her.“Don't,” she said with her eyes. Colton gripped the door as his hands curled into fists. “Don’t do anything, please!” Sierra kept saying with her eyes. Colton was taken aback. He didn’t know what to do. And suddenly—* RING! RING! RING *The loud ringing of the phone pierced the air. Raphael stopped whatever he was doing and turned to the phone on the bedside table. Sierra let out a sigh of relief and kept her eyes on Colton. “Don’t make a move!” she said with her eyes.“Hello?” Raphael said into the phone.
~ SIERRA ~Sierra stared into Colton’s eyes for what felt like an eternity. It was only for a minute or two, but it felt like forever. Sierra wished it was forever. She wished they could stay like this until the end of time. It wouldn’t be a bad way to go, that’s for sure.“Hi,” Colton said with a slight smile. “Hi,” she breathed back.There was something so magical about this moment that Sierra couldn’t explain. Though they weren’t saying anything of importance, just from the look in his eyes, she understood everything. She understood how much he loves her. She could see right into his soul. How was it possible that looking into another person’s eyes can feel so special? “...How are you feeling?” he asked.I feel like I’m going insane. I feel so alive when I’m with you that everything else pales in comparison. It’s like my life hadn’t started until you came along. I feel happy. I feel loved. I’m overwhelmed by a supernatural joy that I can’t even explain.“I feel… great,” Sierra sa
~ SIERRA ~* KNOCK * KNOCK *Sierra turned her head around and saw the door opening slowly. She quickly closed the window and walked to the door. One of the guards appeared with Rosie behind him.“Miss Sierra, your cousin is here,” he announced.“Thank you, I got it from here,” Sierra tried her best to act natural though her heart was racing like a speed car.The guard kept a straight face as he nodded his head and exited the room. Rosie stepped further inside the room and waited until the guard closed the door. “Hey,” she greeted.“Rose!” Sierra leaped to hug Rosie. “What a surprise!”“I know, I have some news and I can’t wait to share it with you,” Rosie said as she hugged her back. “Don’t worry, I called earlier and got Raphael’s approval. He’s letting me stay until dinner,”“Okay, cool,” Sierra said as she stepped back. “What’s your news?”“Here. Open it,” Rosie handed her a small shopping bag.Sierra took the bag with a suspicious look. This must be big news, she thought. Otherw
~ SIERRA ~- - - - - THREE YEARS LATER - - - - -The grand hall of Columbia University buzzed with excitement and anticipation as the graduating class of 2020 gathered in a sea of caps and gowns. Sierra found herself among them, surrounded by the familiar faces of friends and classmates. The air was charged with a mix of emotions, and Sierra can't help but feel a surge of sentimentality as she reflected on the journey that brought her to this moment.Wow. I can’t believe I’m really here, she thinks to herself.The journey has been nothing short of a rollercoaster. Sierra thought back to the late-night study sessions, the sacrifices made to balance parenthood and academia, and the unwavering support of her amazing husband. As she sat, waiting for the commencement ceremony to begin, her mind replayed the moments that defined the past few years.It’s nothing short of a miracle, really. From the first time she met Colton at her birthday party, to the time he took her on “magic carpet ride
~ COLTON ~Colton had already decided that one of the best things about being married to Sierra was watching her walk around in just her underwear.It was early evening on the last day of their honeymoon. They had spent most of the day at the beach and, after they had both showered, they had set about starting to pack their suitcases ready for the journey home. Colton was lying on the bed, having sorted and packed most of his clothes. Sierra had showered after him but had only partially dressed. She was padding around their bedroom ferrying clothes back and forth to the suitcase wearing only a rather cute set of matching light pink bra and panties.With that job done, Sierra went to put on a dress ready for dinner."Damn,” Colton muttered.“What?” she asked.“You’re just so gorgeous, princess," Colton said, shaking his head from side to side. “Oh, stop,” Sierra blushed and rolled her eyes."I’m telling you, all the guys in the restaurant -- when you wore that dress the other day, the
~ SIERRA ~The wedding was one crazy blur of a moment. It was something like a movie. Or a dream. Sierra felt like she was being whisked away from one place to the next. There was no time to stop, the momentum just kept going. Right after the ceremony was over, Colton had a helicopter prepared on the rooftop of the Plaza Hotel. Still wearing her wedding dress, Sierra got into the helicopter and they flew to the bright, blue sky.“It’s only for the weekend,” Colton said to her. “Just you and me,”Sierra had no idea where they were going, and she didn’t bother asking. Maybe it was the champagne in her veins or just the complete reckless abandon she felt whenever she was with Colton, but she was down for any kind of surprise with him.The next thing she remembered, Sierra woke up, unclear at first about where she was. But then she remembered...the huge bed, the smart room, it felt like a holiday resort, and it must be... The Hamptons. Yes. She was the brand new Mrs. Rhodes on her honeym
~ SIERRA ~- - - - - THREE MONTHS LATER - - - - -Summer was coming to an end and the weather was getting cooler in New York City. Sierra walked out of the Columbia campus library with her two friends, Anna and Jess, from the American Lit class. They had books piled up in their hands, making it hard for them to walk down the steps.“Thank God it’s finally Friday! I’m so done with writing for now,” Anna said.“I know. I can’t wait to put these down and go to McSorley's for drinks,” Jess replied.“Are you coming with us, Sierra?” Anna asked.“Oh, I’d love to, but I gotta go check on my baby,” Sierra flashed them a sorry smile. “Dang,” Jess muttered. “She’s the best writer in our class and she’s a mom. What can’t she do?”Sierra let out a laugh and shook her head.“I’ll join the next one. Enjoy your night, you guys,”Sierra waved one hand goodbye while using the other hand to keep all her books together. The school session was in full swing and work was starting to pile up. Luckily for
~ COLTON ~Colton was smiling from ear to ear. How could he not? He was looking at his beautiful fiancee and the healthy baby boy they have. Sierra was holding baby Seb in her arms, rocking him back and forth to get him to calm down. Baby Seb had stopped crying and he was now giggling at the funny faces Sierra was making. Colton couldn’t drop his smile as he leaned his head against the doorway to the nursery. Nothing in the world could bring him this much joy and feelings. He was the luckiest man in the world, and he never wanted to take this moment for granted.“I think he’s bored, he just wants to play,” Sierra commented, studying the look on her baby’s face.Colton could stand here and watch her play with baby Seb all day. Sierra made such a great mother. She had that motherly instinct. She knew exactly just what the baby wanted by looking at it. “Maybe we can take him to the beach?” Colton suggested.“That sounds fun,” Sierra nodded her head eagerly. “Wouldn’t that be fun, Seb?”
~ SIERRA ~- - - - - ONE MONTH LATER - - - - -“Attention everyone!” Colton said as he clinked his champagne glass with the knife. He was standing in the middle of the long table and Sierra was seated next to him. All around them were beautiful flower arrangements, candles, and a gorgeous feast. They were enjoying a wonderful birthday lunch for Sierra in Colton’s summer home in the Hamptons. All of their closest friends and family were in attendance, including Henri, baby Sebastian, Rosie, Ethan, Levi, Jackson, and of course, Winnie.“I just wanna raise a toast to my beautiful fiancee on her birthday today,” Colton said as he turned to Sierra. Everyone’s eyes were on them and they were ooh-ing and aah-ing. “Baby girl, you’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me. I don’t know if any of you know this, but Sierra and I first met on her birthday two years ago. Thank you for falling out of that window and letting me catch you,” Sierra let out a laugh and everyone else did too. “I lo
~ SIERRA ~- - - - - TWO WEEKS LATER - - - - -“Breaking news! Last night, in a surprising turn of events, members of the Rothschild family, Raphael Rothschild and his father, Nathanael Rothschild, one of the wealthiest and most prominent families in New York City, were arrested by the CIA in relation to a shooting incident in France…”Sierra was sitting on the couch in Colton’s penthouse apartment when she saw the news on the TV. Baby Sebastian was asleep in her arms and she was rocking him back and forth slowly. She reached for the remote and raised the volume up, but not too much because she didn’t want to wake the baby up.“The CIA was first tipped off by the French National Police when a shooting occurred in the outskirts of Paris several weeks ago. In the shooting, Raphael Rothschild, the youngest son of the Rothschild family was injured, along with twenty other men of Russian origin. At first, the French police arrested Henri Ascott, another prominent man of New York City’s eli
~ SIERRA ~Dark. There was nothing but darkness for miles. Sierra couldn’t see anything in front of her. The last thing she remembered was seeing Raphael holding a gun to Colton's back and she jumped as fast as she could. The loud piercing sound of the gun cut through the air and that was it. Everything turned dark after that. Sierra didn’t know how long she was out for. Sometimes she’d see flashes of light. She could also see the faces of people leaning in front of her. First, it was Colton, but then there were people that she didn’t know. Seeing that they were wearing masks and uniforms, maybe they were nurses or doctors. They were also speaking in French. She didn't know what they were saying, but they looked worried, so she got worried too."Colton..." she kept calling for him. "The baby..."Colton and the baby were the only things in her mind. Sierra didn't even care that she was bleeding out, lying on an operating table. She kept calling for his name over and over, until the nu
~ COLTON ~The police siren rang loudly in the background as Colton speeded away. Sitting in the passenger seat, Sierra was groaning and writhing in pain, and blood kept dripping from the side of her stomach. Damon glanced at her every chance he could, and every time he saw the blood pooling on the seat and dripping to the floor, he felt sick to his stomach.“Col…” Sierra tried to speak, but she was too weak.“Yes, princess, I’m right here,” he shakily put a hand on her, while still trying to focus on the road. “Co…”“Ssh, don’t speak, it’s okay,” he cooed. “You’ll be alright, I promise,”Colton’s eyes were welling up with tears. His voice cracked as he spoke. He couldn’t bear looking at her like this, writhing in blood and pain. And not just that, he didn’t even want to think about the baby. If something happened to her or to the baby, he wouldn’t know how to live with himself.Luckily for Colton, after a short drive down the hill, he saw a small hospital with an ER sign. Using all