**Valerie**I walked into the knitting club, scanning the room for the familiar faces. Then I spotted Frances and Grandma, chatting and clicking their knitting needles. A bright smile plastered on my face, and my heart swelled with emotion as I made my way over to them."Hey, girl!" Frances exclaimed, tapping on the seat beside her and gesturing for me to sit. "We were just talking about you; it's been a while.”“Yeah,” I smiled again, taking a seat beside them.Frances leaned towards me. “The getaway dick got you real good, didn't it?” She whispered into my ear.I sputtered a cough, almost choking on my own spit.My cheeks turned red with embarrassment, and my lips spread into a small cheesy smile as I recalled my conversation with her at the bar. I cleared my throat and then looked up to meet her expectant eyes. Ah... Guess that wasn't a rhetorical question.Then I equally leaned towards her. “Wasn't quite what I was expecting,” I confessed in a whisper.She gasped softly. “Wait… D
**Third person**I sipped my coffee, my eyes locked onto Matthew's. “When I'm done with Karen, my parents are next.”Then my gaze shifted from him to somewhere beside his chair. “I need to know how my mom felt conspiring against her own daughter.” I sucked my teeth and wiped my face as a stray tear escaped from the side of my eye.“I wonder what it was like for her. Was it easy? Did she hesitate?” My chest tightened, and my voice came out in broken pieces. “Who knows, maybe she probably even brought up the idea. But still, I'd never understand why.”“Valerie,” Matt called out, placing a comforting palm on my shoulder. And from my tear-blurred eyes, I could see his jaw clench. “What good is having a family anyway? when all they do is betray and abandon you?”I shrugged, trying to seem unaffected even though it still hurt like yesterday. “Well, I'm fine now. That's all in the past. I don't have a family anymore.” I said, trying to keep my voice firm. He nodded and then gave my shoulder
**Valerie**Lucas placed his hand behind my neck, pulling me towards him as his lips crashed on mine, making me forget my question.The kiss was brief, and without warning, he lifted me like I weighed nothing and placed me in a sitting position on the bed. His knees dropped to the ground in front of me. “My mother said I've kept you waiting for too long.” His dark eyes filled with desire stared up at me.I swallowed, my mouth opening to respond, but before my words could come out, he ripped open the buttons of my nightgown. My bare body was exposed, open, and vulnerable to him as my nipples stared right at him. The way his eyes flickered through my body increased the hot throbbing sensation in my pussy. “Beautiful tits,” he muttered with a lust-filled gaze. More than anything, I wanted his lips on them, to feel how truly beautiful they were. To possess them and show me how much he appreciated them. But instead, his head found its way to between my legs. Starting from my inner thigh
**Lucas**A wave of frustration washed over me as I saw the fear etched into her eyes. Those beautiful eyes, unchanged."I'll come with you," she offered, but I shook my head, dismissing her suggestion."Take her home," I ordered Calvin, who now stood before me. "And then come pick me up.”Valerie's eyes seemed to widen with amusement at my statement. Maybe she was surprised that I won't be staying long at the station.I was only there for questioning after all. I didn't kill Layla.After a few tense minutes of watching her leave with Calvin, I climbed into the police van and headed to the station.At the station, the air was thick with the smell of stale coffee and worn leather. A row of wooden chairs lined one wall, occupied by a handful of people who looked like they'd been up all night.The officer led me to an interrogation room, its walls adorned with faded crime prevention posters. Two detectives sat at the table, their faces etched with stern expressions."Mr. Stone, thank you
**Valerie**"At least it's good that she's dead now," Matthew said to me, his eyes glinting with a hint of satisfaction.I raised a surprised brow as I peered at him. "What do you mean?" I asked.His expression turned serious, his eyes clouding over. "I mean... it means your secret is safe," he muttered, his voice low and husky. “She was blackmailing you, and she wouldn't have been satisfied no matter how much you gave her.”Yeah, there's that part of not having to worry about my secret and all, but there was something about the way Matthew said it that sent shivers down my spine. Does he have a hand in her death?"Tell me you have nothing to do with it," I asked, my eyes locking onto his. I held my breath, anticipating his response, hoping he didn't do something as crazy as killing Layla just to protect my secret.His expression remained calm and composed, the sides of his lips curling into an amused smile.Then his features suddenly turned fierce, his eyes blazing with intensity as
Chapter 76**Valerie**I sat on my couch, still feeling a bit shaken after the recent events. Matthew had called to let me know that he had a strong alibi at the time of death, and so it's all sorted out. But Lucas... What about him? Did he really have a hand in what happened to Layla? I shook my head, waving off the thought. And even though I've not known him for very long, he didn't strike me as someone who'd do that.Then again, he didn't strike me as someone who'd propose to a woman with his cock buried deep inside her. I pressed my palm against my warm cheeks as more thoughts about last night flooded my mind. *Should I put a ring on your finger?* That definitely wasn't a real proposal, right? People just don't propose so casually or... Do they? Standing to my feet, I paced the length of the room, my hands on my waist.Adam had proposed on a dinner date, though nothing too fancy. Friends on the table with Karen beckoning me to say yes.I rolled my eyes and gritted my teeth at
**Valerie**I opened the door and Lucas walked in. “You didn't really kill her, right?” I asked immediately, a little scared about what his answer would be. He just shrugged. “I didn't.” “So why did…” The words died in my mouth when I looked outside to see a sleek black Rolls Royce stop in front of my apartment, and Calvin stepped out of it. Then he walked over to where we were standing, and after exchanging brief pleasantries with me, he turned to Lucas and handed him a key.And in a moment, Calvin was gone as quickly as he came and without the car he'd come in.Lucas shifted his gaze to me before he winked. “Seems like you have two cars now,” he muttered, handing me the set of keys Calvin had just given him. “And this one would keep you safe should your enemies decide that a shootout is a better option this time.”What? This is about the attack? My mind reeled, a thousand thoughts trooping in. But damn!! "You bought me a Rolls Royce!?" He frowned a little, somewhat surprised at m
**Valerie**His brows furrowed, his forehead wrinkling, but he didn't say a word about it. “Good night, Val, I'll see you tomorrow." He planted a brief kiss on my forehead before getting into his car and driving off.***************************The sound of my phone ringing woke me up the next morning.“Still asleep?” I yawned, wiping my heavy eyelid with the back of my palm. “I'm awake now.”“Okay, I'm waiting,” Lucas's voice came out clearer this time.Waiting? I immediately sat up and jumped off my bed, my feet taking long strides towards the window.I got there just in time to see Lucas step out of his car and Calvin drive away with it. He leaned against my new car, his eyes shifting to my now-open window, and I blushed.“It'll take a while for me to get ready,” I pointed out.He did a small bow, making me chuckle. “At your service, milady.”I grinned, feeling the butterflies in my stomach churn. “Are you going to keep standing like that till I'm done?” “Don't worry, that's what
**Third person** Valerie dragged her heavy eyes open. She blinked a couple of times to clear her vision. The smell of drugs and antiseptic and hospital filled her nose. Beside her, Lucas sat with his eyes closed. Almost immediately she jumped up on the bed. “Let me go,” she shouted, startling Lucas. He climbed the bed and pulled her into his arms. “It's okay, you're safe now,” he whispered softly, planting kiss after kiss on her hair and forehead. Valerie relaxed into his embrace, her racing heart finally calm. A tear slipped from his eyes and he wiped it. He'd thought he'd lost her. “I'm sorry I couldn't keep you safe. I should have anticipated it, I should—” “It's not your fault,” she cut him off gently. “It's not.” Tears trailed down her own cheeks and she sniffed. “What happened to Matthew?” A muscle ticked in Lucas's jaw, he felt Matt had an easy fate after everything he did. "Dead." Valerie let out a breath she didn't know she was holding, her body shaking with relieve
**Third person**“Let's move, slowly,” Matt murmured in Valerie's ears, his hot breath fanning against her skin. His eyes were still locked onto Lucas—who was practically shooting daggers at Matt with his eyes."Matthew, please," Valerie whispered back, her voice trembling. "You don't have to do this. You can still let me go."Matt's jaw tightened, his chest heaving with desperation and anger. "Do you really think I'm stupid?" he hissed. "You want me to let you go? I should just allow you to run into his arms?" He questioned in a mocking tone.“Drop your weapon and surrender,” the police announced again but neither Valerie nor Matt paid any attention. “Best believe that if I do that, then I'll shoot you from behind before you get to him,” Matt added. The chilling sensation in his voice sent a shiver down Valerie's spine.“Man to man,” Lucas began, his voice almost a growl. “What would it take for you to let her go? Anything at all… name it. Even if you don't want to spend a single da
**Third person**It took Matthew half the time it would normally take to get to the bunker. He parked his car at a safe distance before running over to the location. And with each step he took, his mind raced, his heart pounded with anxiety. He couldn't afford to lose her now that he was so close. They'd literally be leaving the country today. Valerie please be there, please be there, Matt murmured, his legs moving faster.A half-relieved sigh left his lips when he reached the entrance and saw that the door was still locked—She was still here. His trembling fingers sifted through his bunch of keys, his breath gaspy and he wiped the sweat on his forehead with the back of his palm.Matt unlocked the door and then pushed it open forcefully. His eyes blazing with anger and anxiety found Valerie immediately. She was curled up at a corner, her cheeks stained with tears and her hands and feet shaking."What have you done??!" he growled, his voice venomous.She frowned in confusion, even th
**Third person**Matt seemed to ponder for a moment before he exhaled deeply. Then he moved over to the table and picked up a small knife. He began cutting the ropes. His jaw clenched at the red mark the ropes left on her skin, a pang of guilt coursing through him. He'd done this to her, he thought. “Do you need me to get you anything from the store?”Finally untied, Valerie examined her free hands and legs, a sense of relief and determination washing over her. “No, thanks.”“I'll be back soon.” He gave her a warning look. “Don't try anything stupid.”She nodded vigorously. “I wouldn't dare.”Satisfied, Matthew turned around and headed out. Valerie had her timid and innocent mask on, until the moment Matthew was out of view.She squeezed her eyes shut and then began counting from one to fifty in her head, giving Matthew enough time to leave the premises. Even with her eyes closed, she could hear the locks click behind him.When she was done, she sprang to her feet, her eyes desperat
**Third person**Eighteen hours had passed since Valerie's disappearance.Lucas stood in the center of his living room, surrounded by computers and anxious faces. His team of experts, handpicked from the best in the business, worked tirelessly to track down any lead on his woman.But so far, neither his team nor the police have been able to come up with anything tangible. There was also no signal from the tracker in Valerie's necklace. Either her kidnapper knew that the necklace was bugged and got rid of it, or they were under water, in a bunker, or somewhere that'll block the signal.One thing for sure; he'd find Valerie and he'd find her soon. Even if it meant turning the planet upside down. She'd be found.News about her and disappearance was all over the media and there was a huge cash prize for whoever brought relevant information on her whereabouts. Lucas ran a palm across his exhausted face. Deep lines creased his forehead, and his jaw was set in a rigid clench. "Broaden the
**Third person** It was almost as if Valerie disappeared just when Elliot blinked. After dismissing the woman who'd come to talk to him, he looked up but he didn't find his boss. Damnit! He'd clenched his jaw and quickened his pace, his hand instinctively resting on the gun holstered at his hip as he rushed outside. Eyes scanned everywhere around but there was no trace of her. "Miss Thorne?" he called out, his mind racing. “Ashley?” He called louder. “Valerie?” There was no response. Immediately, he dialed her number… once, twice, thrice… until it was unreachable. He'd rushed over to some passersby to ask if they'd seen her… There was nothing. Shit! Just then, his phone started ringing. Elliot pulled the device out and stared at the screen, his throat suddenly feeling dry as he registered the caller ID—Mr. Stone. He took a deep breath and then pressed the answer button. ***************************** Valerie's eyes fluttered open, her gaze was blurry and unfocused. She tri
**Third person**Valerie's blood ran cold as she stared at the picture attached to the message. It was a picture of a small boy, no more than two years old. The fact that he was a spitting image of Lucas Stone had goosebumps erupting all over her skin—same blue eyes, jet-black hair, nose, lips, jawline…Val's heart rate increased. Her son was truly alive?“We’re heading to the hospital; Mr. Stone said we're meeting him there?” Elliot asked, his hands already on the ignition.Valerie nodded absent mindedly and he started the car.She felt a surge of adrenaline coursing through her veins as she stuck her head outside the window. Breeze hit her face but it did nothing to calm her. She knew that she had to lose Elliot, and fast. As the car moved through the city, she spotted a convenience store up ahead and made a split-second decision. "I need to stop and get some water," she said suddenly.Elliot frowned and glanced at the bottle of water sitting in the middle of the car compartment.
**Third person**Valerie's smile broadened into a full-blown grin. "Oh, don't think it's unfair if justice isn't served for your lover's sister."Karen frowned, her eyes narrowing. "My lover? What do you mean?" What did this have to do with Victor, she hasn't even heard from him, Karen wondered.Valerie locked her eyes onto Karen's. "Victor, your bodyguard... the one you've been fucking.” She paused to study Karen's face—she didn't look so confident anymore. “But you killed his sister."Karen's face drained of blood, her eyes wide and her lips parting with shock. Valerie continued, "The young lady who took care of Nathaniel Scott."Dread coursed through Karen, her mind shifting back to the night Nathaniel was killed. He'd been with a woman, and when Adam killed Mr. Scott, the woman witnessed it. Karen had to silence her.A small smile found its way to Valerie's lips as she studied the horrified look on Karen's face. "So now, does it finally ring a bell?"Karen's eyes stung with tears
**Third person**Valerie woke up to a wet sensation on her clit. A shiver coursed through her spine, her nipples hardening.The sensation continued, and she was forced to open her eyes. She wiped her heavy eyes with the back of her palm and then looked down between her legs, where the source of the heat she was feeling came from. Lucas, with his head between her thighs, looked up, his tongue still whipping her sensitive clit. “Morning, babe,” he murmured. Valerie blinked a couple of times to clear her eyes. She arched her back and she cried out in pleasure when he slipped a finger inside her. “W-what are you doing?” She managed to ask between moans.He smiled and looked up at her again, with those dark, desire-filled eyes. Her cheeks flushed as she noticed her pussy juice rubbed all over his mouth and its surroundings. “I've always dreamed of waking you up like this,” she murmured, his voice rough.Lucas slipped another finger in her and began pumping, his tongue returning to her c