The heel of his boots pounding in her stomach sent her to the floor, retching and wheezing with her heart in her throat threatening to explode. A crushing pain seared through her chest. She sprawled on the ground, with her eyes shut tight, gasping for air desperately. The blindfold was restricting her vision so she couldn't see who it was but she could feel the extreme coldness exuding from his presence. "Let's try again shall we darling. And this time I won't go easy on you. I suggest you answer my questions if you want to leave here in one piece and see your asshole of a father!" the menacing raspy voice roared across the empty room. The man cocked his head to the two huge guys in black and at once they heaved her roughly to the chair and tied her hands and legs to the chair. The sound of the cocked gun jolted a shiver down her spine. He took long strides towards her and trailed the gun around her exposed chest, her buttons have come undone. She winced as the cold object came in
CHAPTER ONE Unforgotten Janice gazed through the window of the tinted glass of the land rover as it sped past the busy London street. It was a wet evening in London; the streetlights decorated the street like satellites dotted across the galaxy. The lights from the apartment's windows made it even better- the view was simply breathtaking! This is one of the many things Janice loved about London; aside from the weather, the tea and cake, especially St. Lauren's tea shop is the absolute best! And...Him perhaps? Not a chance! Janice thought angrily. Not that loser! But Janice knew better. Her lips quivered as memories of their lovemaking washed down on her. She touched her lips with the tip of her finger as she recalled how Drake captured them aggressively into his. Her heart began throbbing so badly that she felt wet between her thighs. She gasped softly as her fingers went in between her thighs. She thrust upwards as her fingers worked. She resisted the urge to moan loudly as she
CHAPTER 2It's all coming back to meThe night she got word that he left wrenched her heart. The memory of that stormy night is still etched in the resides of her head. It was as though the menacingly looking clouds signalled his departure.She remembered how broken he left her without a word...not even a"Goodbye"she wandered in the heavy rain with hopes that she can at least spot him leave, even take one last glimpse at his broad shoulders! Even!!! She had never cried like that for a long time at least not after her mother died when she was barely twelve-that convulsive crying with hyperventilating breaths.For months she was not herself. Her bestie, Hannah tried her possible best to bring back the chirpy Janice but to no avail. She had never in all of her life missed someone so terribly-the feelings he aroused in her were inconceivable. Yep, that was about the right word to describe it only that it cannot be fully described!This man called Drake Heughan is sent to turn the tables
CHAPTER THREE Daddy's girl! The morning birds chirped softly at the window as the first rays of sunlight seeped into the room, lightening up the bedroom. Janice yawned and stretched as she lazily got up from the bed. She rubbed her bleary eyes and walked to the window. Clean morning fresh air hits differently! The fresh flowers in the vast dampened with humidity and she sniffed. She washed her face and brushed her teeth languidly as she gazed at her reflection in the mirror: Her hair was dishevelled, sleep bags underneath her eyes, and sleep marks decorated her cheeks. She heaved a long deep sigh as she continued to stare at her reflection. How does it feel to be the only child? This question constantly wounds her whenever she ponders on it. After losing her mother and supposedly younger brother that didn't even have the chance to catch a glimpse of this world, she was left with only her father. He'd give her everything she could ever ask for-the world becomes boring to her. No
CHAPTER FOURThe past isn't far off from the presentThe Vroom of a motorbike suddenly jarred her from her daydream as she slouched on the rocking armchair beside the fireplace in the living room.She gently rubbed her eyes and peered through the window. Drake parked his bike in the garage, raking his fingers through his wind-blown sandy hair as he walked up to the front door.At once, the doorbell rang. Abigail appeared from the bedroom, she squinted through the peephole and announced that she had a visitor. Only that he is no visitor. She needs to change into something more befitting than her nightgown. She signalled for her to let him in and that she would join him in a bit as she scurried across the living room to the stairs.Abigail nodded. The doorbell rang again. The door clicked open. He heaved a sigh and then stepped in.The living room was massive with a touch of Victorian decor which gave off an austere elegance. The tall ceilings were decorated with traditional crystal ch
CHAPTER FIVEThe horse keeperThe fiery ball in the sky shone relentlessly as they trudged to where the stables were stationed. their boots sank into the soft mound of dirt as they went. Drake paused and cocked his head toward her, his wary eyes softened with worry. It was about five miles from the main compound. The wasteland was very massive about forty-six centimetres acres. A steady rhythm pounded his temples."You okay?" He inquired in between pants.She simply nodded, gasping for breath. Phew! It's been ages since she was at the stables.She placed her hand on her chest. She could feel the rapid thudding. She has to continue. She doesn't want to leave the impression that she's some spoilt twerp who can't even go for a walk."If you need some time to rest just say so. But we will be there in no time. Say about five minutes more" He glanced at his wristwatch and then back at her through squinted eyes."N-No! I'm good. Let's continue" She shook her head frantically.What's she tr
CHAPTER SIX*Where is my daughter?!*"What?! How did that happen?" Mr Jordan's desperate voice boomed across the show glass of his well-polished office. His PA stood concerned by his side. His temples crinkled with alarm."Okay. I will be coming over immediately!"In a minute, He slammed the phone on the desk and ran out of the office without glancing back. The sleek black luxurious Benz was already waiting for him in the parking lot. The bodyguard dressed in a black suit held the door open for him as Mr Jordan rushed in. The pA was already on his tail and all he did was signal for him to wait for his commands as the tinted window of the car wound back up and the car zoomed out of the compound with urgency. *************Drake was pacing to and fro the waiting room in the hospital corridor, his hands raking through his dishevelled wind-blown hair, beads of sweat greased his temples. How did this happen?When he found her she was lying motionless behind the rock, downhill.She must
CHAPTER SEVEN*I'm so sorry*The funeral was very private-it was held in a small town in Glasgow, away from the prying eyes of the media. The last glimpse of her mother's stiff whitish body was at the hospital, just before the doctor zipped the leather corpse bag over her lifeless face. "Time of death 8:45 pm, 10th of August, 2009". The doctor had announced.Her eyes had brimmed with unshed tears, blurring her vision and before she realized what was happening, she was rushed to the emergency ward right there in the hospital. It was a tragic moment for the Jordans. Her father was barely getting by and her condition made things even worse as he had to nurse the death of his significant other and his daughter collapsing in the hospital at the same time. She had felt really bad for him, adding to his headache like that. But it can't be helped-she couldn't control the mixed emotions welling up inside of her, threatening to explode any second so her body did the natural thing by shutting do
*To forever and beyond…*The day of the trial had arrived, and it felt as though the world held its breath. The courtroom was filled with journalists, spectators, and photographers positioned on all corners of the courtroom doors waiting. They were all here for the same purpose: the moment the world would witness as justice decided the fate of Mr. Jordan. In other words, the downfall of the Jordans.The courtroom was so unnervingly quiet that you could hear a pin drop as every creak of a bench and every rustle of paper lingered in the tense air.Janice Jordan sat at the front with Finn beside her. Her uncle came with some family members and they sat behind the pew. Janice’s hands trembled in her lap, fingers clasped so tightly together that her knuckles turned white. She glanced at Finn beside her, his jaw set, gaze fixed on the judge as if nothing else existed. This was heavy for him especially but at last he would witness the final judgment and hopefully get the justice his late f
*He had to bear the consequences of his actions.*Janice sat in an uneasy silence, staring out the window as the news sank in, each word settling into her mind like stones dropped into water.She could hardly believe her ears. Her father has been arrested?! This was the first time such news would reach her ears. The mighty Jordan was arrested?!"Janice? This isn't the time to space out!" Finn's voice yanked her out of her reverie. She blinked repeatedly as her brain was still processing this whole unexpected turn out of events. She gulped. "What's going to happen to him, I-I don't even know what to say. He's the only family I've got, Finn," her words barely squeak out of her lips."Unfortunately, it may be nothing good, Janice. This is the moment of truth, and justice must not only be done but it must be seen to be done." A cold shiver pricked against her skin like goosebumps. As much as she tried to ignore it, it was the hard truth. Her father had done horrible things in the pa
*Was this the end of the line for the mighty Jordan family?* "Janice, I'm so sorry you had to go through this alone, " Finn said, pulling her towards him for a long hug as he stroked her hair. Janice broke into tears, sobbing as her body shook with the weight of losing a child, a part of her that she wasn't fortunate to bring into the world. She sniffed and muffled against his chest, "I didn't mean to hide this from you, Finn. This is shocking news to me as well." "It's alright, sweetheart." He said gently as he continued to stroke her hair. Then he broke the embrace and cradled her wet face in his hand, forcing her to look at him. "Look at me, Janice," he wiped her tears with his thumb. His heart tightened seeing her like this. "I promise I will wipe the tears off your face. We can always make another one." She momentarily stopped crying and looked at him wide-eyed. "You didn't even ask if that child is yours, Finn." He chuckled and shook his head. "I didn't
Chapter Three Hundred and Thirty*The unexpected and Sad Revelation*Finn's (once Drake but will be called his real name henceforth)hammered as he paced the narrow room with the burner phone clutched tightly in his right hand and his left hand frantically raking through his sandy brown hair.Every creak of the floor, every rustle outside the window, seemed like it could be Fergus’s men clawing closer.They were running out of time.With the government closing in and Fergus’s rage nearly tangible, Finn knew their only chance was to reach out to someone who could help them disappear. His father’s old friend, Yamato—a man, both feared and revered, a former militant from Japan who had once pledged his loyalty to the family.Yamato listened in silence, his deep breaths echoing through the line. Then, without a word of question or reprimand, he simply said, “Be ready. I will take care of the arrangements.”A wave of relief coursed through Finn's body at once. His father had been right af
Chapter Three Hundred Twenty-Nine*My real name is Finn Orwells and not Drake Hughen.*He knew of one place Fergus wouldn't dare to look.The drive to his special hideout was unbearable, long, and tedious. It was a rocky path in the thick of the forest but close to a river bank. He usually came here when he needed some privacy from the Jordans and planned his next revenge move. But right now, the reverse was the case. How ironic did things turn out to be? He was literally bringing his arch enemy's daughter to his secret hideout, away from the hawk eyes of his evil brother-the person he was supposed to be working alongside.Well, things had changed. Maybe he had changed, too.But right now... he had a purpose.He glanced at the passenger's seat, where Janice was sitting quietly. Apparently, she was still shaken by everything that had unfolded. Poor woman... He had to protect her even from his own family.I'm so sorry, Mother....but I think I broke the rule.He gulped. I had fallen
*At any rate, he must save Janice.*The heel of his boots pounding in her stomach sent her to the floor, retching and wheezing with her heart in her throat, threatening to explode. A crushing pain seared through her chest. She sprawled on the ground, with her eyes shut tight, gasping for air desperately. The blindfold was restricting her vision, so she couldn't see who it was, but she could feel the extreme coldness exuding from his presence. "Let's try again, shall we, darling. And this time I won't go easy on you. I suggest you answer my questions if you want to leave here in one piece and see your asshole of a father!" the menacing raspy voice roared across the empty room. The man cocked his head to the two huge guys in black and at once they heaved her roughly to the chair and tied her hands and legs to the chair. The sound of the cocked gun jolted a shiver down her spine. He took long strides towards her and trailed the gun around her exposed chest, her buttons had come undon
*He must save Janice no matter what!*"What do you mean you haven't seen her?!" Mr Jordan bellowed through the phone, his hands trembling badly."You need to calm down, Mr Jordan. Remember, this is bad for your health. I will be at the shortly. " Matt spoke as calmly as possible through the phone."Calm down? What if something happened to her, Matt?! You were supposed to take care of her and now..." He paused, taking a sharp breath as he rubbed his temples frantically to ease the tension building up inside of me.Where on earth was his precious daughter? What could have happened to her?"Please, exercise some patience, Mr Jordan, while I wait for the construction team to help me remove my door. As I explained to you, Janice just stormed out of the house and locked me inside because she took the remote with her. She must have been in a hurry or something. I think maybe she's at her best friend's house, Hannah."Mr Jordan's eyes lit up.That may be true....who else will Janice be wi
She was super excited and relieved to see Drake coming to her rescue. Tears of relief etched at the corner of her eyes. He came for her! He must have sensed that I was in danger! But how did he know where to find me....? She pondered silently as she arched a brow at him curiously. "Drake! How did you know that I'm here?" She quizzed.He shrugged, winking at her."I just know, Janice. Now come one before Matt comes out!" He urged, waving her over.Her heart jumped at the mention of Matt. That monster! She never wants to be around him ever again! For now, she has been rescued, and she can safely go home and put this whole marriage behind her.Luckily, she has the videotape as evidence to nail Matt on the cross and call off the engagement. She rushed to the car and opened the passenger's door in the front seat and settled on it, jamming the shut quickly.For now, she will have to ask questions later."You good, Janice? I hope he didn't hurt you in there?" Drake asked, although his
*...if it wasn't Drake, then I would rather not love at all.* Damn it! Matt found out already? How did he even know about this? I thought he wasn't aware of it. What do you mean, Janice? Of course, Matt had been watching you non-stop! Only a fool wouldn't be aware of the deep connection that exists between you and Drake. At this point, I wouldn't even be surprised if the maids knew as well. The voice in her head taunted her. She bit her bottom lip frantically, trying to rein in the turbulent thoughts writhing inside of her head. She had to act cool and unbothered. Pretend as if you didn't know what he was saying, Janice. Act cool and get the hell out of here! The voice rang inside my head again like a Belfry. She sucked in several deep breaths and looked up at Matt intently, a smirk curling up her lips. "I have no idea what's you babbling about, Matt," she snapped, feigning ignorance. Matt scoffed, shaking his head. "Stop lying, Janice. It's too obvious! I'm not a