XAVIER'S POV I stepped into the room with my heart tightly grasped in my chest. The door to the room snapped open, as my eyes wandering in a effort driven search for her. Ella wasn't there— she wasn’t on the bed where I'd left her.The room's hollow silence was chilling enough to drive concern in my veins and it did, but instead of just concern, dread loomed alongside.My eyes searched for Ella everywhere, my gaze surveying everything in the room. I balled up my fists, my face contorted in a frown. Hot, incredibly hot air surged out of my nostrils. Where had she gone? “Ella,” I called out, my voice softly echoing against the walls of the room.I expected a response to somehow erupt from somewhere in the room but all I received was a cold haunting silence. I waited a second before walking out of the room, taking my time to ensure there wasn't a living chance that Ella was inside the room.I was worried, my palms were clogged wet and I felt uncomfortable knowing anything could have
XAVIER'S POV The next morning came swiftly, like a curse reaching its expiry date. I woke up on the bed, my arms wrapped around Ella's body. I placed a kiss on her forehead as I courteously slipped out of bed. I didn't want to wake her up quickly since she'd spent weeks planning the event and now that she had succeeded at it, I believed she deserved each and every moment of rest she got. The cold from the tiles braced my feet as I took slow purposeful steps towards the mirror in the dressing room.The glass reflected the worry glistening in my eyes but I masked it quickly before walking into the balcony. My uncle was coming today and if anything, I would allow neither him nor Madame Browne sense my worry.I had to prepare for their presence, I would try all my best to get as much information on Madame Browne and Uncle Luke as I could. I heard he'd left for Russia and had built his wealth on some shady businesses. I'd shrugged the information off the last time I heard about it, but n
XAVIER'S POVI arrived at the tall skyscraping building of the McKinney pharmaceuticals for a board meeting that I had scheduled. It was with the brand that had offered to be our sponsors in taking our branches to other remote continents like Africa and Asia.I walked out of the car and made my way into the building. My bodyguards of course were hovering close, leading the way. I waved through the crowd of people, the cameras flashing as I stepped into the building.Red stop lines lined the buildings, the news of the partnership had spreaded and the media being here wasn't a source of shock. I was used to it, it was obvious they'd received a heads up from an in house staff or from the sponsor's company.But either way, it was good.This was another one out of the countless list of partnership deals I'd bagged for the McKinney pharmaceuticals and I knew Madame Browne was watching me clearly from a tv screen. I arrived into the reception of the office, walking past workers who all part
LU KE'S P O VThe instant I stepped foot into the McKinney pharmaceuticals office, the air changed. Well, if you'd like to place it in my words, the reception room erupted stunned gasps and gawks of bewilderment. That was something I was used to.You could as well call me a show stopper, the one with the power to instil fear and shock into your mind at the same time. My struts demanded attention causing several heads to turn in my direction. They had a reason to be shocked though. Lucas McKinney was finally back! I bet it rang in their minds like bells jungling and sent cold shivers into their spines.You see, my coming back to the McKinney office was like when the prodigal son finally strutted back into father's yard after losing all of his wealth. But in my case, there wasn't any losses infact, I was here to reap one thing— the president seat that was rightfully mine.The thirst for power burned hard in my veins, rocking alongside the heartbeats in my chest. I wasn't expecting to f
XAVIER'S POVMy heart quivered in my chest as my eyes met his. He was back. The sensation I felt in my veins couldn't be described by how much shock I had reeling in my veins, rather, it could be measured by the amount of uncertainty and dread that evaded my senses.The pointer in my hands falters to the floor but I was too stunned to pick it up. Everyone including the business partners all turned their gazes over to him.Lucas stood there, like darkness etched against a little glimmer of light. My breaths seeped out in hushed puffs as he stepped further, each step bringing him further to the table.The media flashed their cameras at him and then, as if I was expecting it, he smirked. They all cower back in fear as he walks over to the table, his steps edged further from the regular chairs to the high neck swivel one at the other end of the table.The president's chair.It glistened on the other end like strawberries on a mojito. Uncle Lucas's steps were charged at it and with the loo
LUCAS'S POVThe room fell in total silence, just the way I liked it. Xavier's gaze held mine, I tried to look for cracks in this seemingly firm young man the president had raised but all I saw were bright green balls of rage.I must say Xavier was probably one of the most expeditious business men I've ever come across and he was definitely going to be the last. When I take over the role of the president's office, I would dabble in all the power that there was.I swiveled on the chair, watching the anger burn in his eyes. He didn't seem worried, rather, he seemed relaxed. Xavier's gaze flickered away from mine as he turned to the presentation board and flickered a pointer to it.“Gentlemen that will be all. The meeting will continue on the next initial meeting date.” I had to admit that Xavier had run the company very well all these years but that didn't mean I wasn't going to get the position.The president’s office was mine— rightfully mine!The president had tried to take it away fr
LUCAS'S POVPhew.I brushed off the remnants of broken glass from the paper before picking it up. Just as I picked up the picture, I felt a prick of glass and before I knew it, blood began seeping from the cut.I sucked in a breath before applying friction on the thumb. Blood pumped out and amidst the cascade, my gaze caught the figure of a little glint of a broken glance. A dark grin caught hold over my expression and I chuckled darkly.The pain from the glass's prick was soft, enjoyable. Comparing it to the other injuries I've faced in my years as a Russian mob boss would be extremely unfair. I'd seen and endured it all, daggers, swords and even bullets.My journey to Russia was one I wasn't ready to account for yet. I left New York out of anger, rage making a promise to myself that the next time I'd step foot into New York was when I was going to take the position.I crumpled the paper and tossed it in a nearby trash can. After doing that, I swiveled and immediately headed out of t
LUCAS'S POV I followed the police officer out of the office. The doors slid open and the bright sun beamed into my eyes. My securities hovered towards the police me but I signaled them not to make a scene.The media being here was already enough drama to hold by so I instructed them to not interrupt the police men. I smirked as the cameras flickered, giving a proud smile for the camera shots.I just hope they did get the right camera angle for me. I didn't want to find myself in the headline of a magazine with a poorly taken picture of me being ushered by the police. Just as I approached their vehicle, I caught the sight of the emergency bus and smirked.I still had some unfinished business with that pimp. I strutted casually over to their parked car and turned authoritatively to the police officer. He hesitated before opening the door for me and I entered the car.The ride down to the police department was slow, safe for the blaring sound of the siren. At one point, I turned my gaze
MADAME BROWNE'S POVWhile in my unconscious state, I felt darkness wrap around me. I saw, felt and even heard nothing. Nothing other than that ding. With each time it came, I writhed, twisted and strived to get it to stop. I was sick and tired of it and to make matters worse, I was beginning to get scared to my wits as questions pulsed through my mind. Did I die? Was this all another version of hell? I was expecting an erupting volcano, heat and a little bit of fire but all I saw was darkness. Thick, dark darkness. I was about to ponder on a question when I heard a ding. I tried to move but my body wouldn't budge.I tried again and then again but with each trial, I drew closer to the realization that maybe I had died. I mean my body wasn't going to move anymore and the signs were beginning to police together.I was about to accept the finalisation of my current dilemma when all of a sudden, I felt the elevator shake. Panic surged through me and in a fit of fear and confusion, I trie
MR MCKINNEY'S POV If you are reading this now, you must've thought Madame Browne had died. Well, I wished she was dead too but not all of our wishes came true and the acceptance of the fact was the beginning of maturity.Don't be discouraged yet. There was still a lot of things coming for her that she just didn't know yet. You see, when I planned on getting someone to do something, I made sure to leave no stones untouched. Right now, I was seated on my chair with my arm crossed and my eyes fixed on the tablet in front of me. Right there on the screen was Madame Browne, fallen and weak with sharp fearful gasps rolling out of her lips.She was afraid.Don't get me wrong this was the only time I'd seen her this shaken to fear. Her hair which you'd expect tostull be tied up in some fancy bun was now let down in rough, messy strands that draped down to her back. She was currently trying to block the dings I was letting off stop but little did she know that I, Mr McKinney, was the one beh
MADAME BROWNE'S POVThe entire walk from my room down to the elevator was long because most of the minutes were spent pondering on the invite. I bit my fingers slowly as fear pulsed throughout me in sharp jolts. The guard who was sent to call me over there led the way since I was too shaken with suspicion and fear to go alone. As I followed his lead, I still couldn't let out the gleams of suspicion that clawed at my chest.Something was in the hallway. Something was watching over me, judging maybe even cackling as I made my way to the elevator with my steps as soft as feathers. The guards' back figure filled me with relief as I rubbed my chest and sighed.Several droplets of sweat trickled down my forehead as I paused and watched as he jabbed his fingers against the controls. The buttons by the elevator beeped countlessly for a long period of seconds but the doors didn't open.It was as if someone was in it but if that were to be the case at hand, the indicator had to be flashing red
MADAME BROWNE'S POV As I stepped out of the car, the cold wind justled several strands of my hair into the air as I struggled to keep my strands down. My fingers brushed off some blocking strands as I paced towards the door leading into the mansion. Two guards stood by it with firm frowns on their faces. “Thank you.” I muttered out loud to the driver who was probably engulfed in something else to respond. I made my way to the door and as I approached it, the drivers standing by it, pulled it open as I stepped into the mansion. I walked into the mansion and walked directly to the staircase. I made sure no one was watching before I placed silent steps up the stairs. The overhead lights in the room flickered brightly as I traced my steps up it. It didn't take long for me to arrive at the hallway leading into the elevator. I tapped on the buttons and as the door chimed open, I locked my arms and inhaled deeply as I waited for the ride to come to an end. My body was aching so much I n
MR MCKINNEY'S POV I stayed at alert all through the time the guards informed me she had stepped out of the mansion down till the car that drove her out veered into the mansion. My eyes widened almost immediately as my fingers roved over to the window panes as I adjusted to me to get a clearer view of the car.Just as it parked safely in the parking lot, the door to the room pulled open and as the cracks it made slashed through the silence in the air, I paused then flashed my gaze in the direction. I tilted my head and I met the blank faces of the two security guards I gave the task of relaying every update on Madame Browne's movements to me. The golden brown lighting in the room buzzed over their cold features as one of them stepped forward. “She's here, sir.” he mumbled coldly and just then, I heard a sound. It wasn't from the room but from the parking lot.If I heard it correctly, it was the sound of her driver's voice. I wasn't able to catch the exact line of words he used but I
LUCAS'S POV The moment Madame Browne stepped foot out into the restaurant, I felt my heart thump heavily in my chest. A cold shiver trudged down my spine as a sensation sprouted within me. I didn't know how to explain it but it was there. Blossoming. Growing. With my gaze fixed on her figure, I carelessly grabbed a bottle of wine and raised it to my lips. The sour taste of grapes washed down my throat as I stared back at her. She was pacing towards the table in a black dinner gown that wasn't too flashy but still blended in with the people in the bar.They all seemed discreet enough to not even flash a glance at us. Everyone had their attention fixed on the people they came to meet and nothing else. No stolen glances, no glaring eyes… nothing. It felt like we were all alone.I had to give accolades to my assistant. She really did know what her job entailed and delivered effortlessly. My fingers curled around the wine glass as I placed it back on the table and for a split second, sho
MADAME BROWNE'S POV AN HOUR EARLIERAfter the call with Lucas, he passed the phone over to his assistant who I surprisingly caught up well with and as he did, her voice blared out. “You can come over. I've fixed a dinner reservation for you and him to talk it all out and figure out the next step to take.”I nodded softly as I asked, “What time is that going to be in?”Her reply came in quicker than I was expecting. “In about twenty minutes from now, I'll send you the address.”Just as she said that, my phone buzzed in my grip and as I paused talking just to glance at my screen, a pop-up message from her number came up. I read the letters on the card slowly and after reading it, I replied her softly. “Okay. I'll be out in a bit, it actually isn't that far from the mansion.” I uttered the words and as I finished, I ended the call and raced over to my wardrobe where I picked the first dress I saw and zipped it down as I stepped into it. Pulling the gown back up, I ran my fingers over t
MR MCKINNEY'S POVI shouldn't have chased him away. He wasn't wrong but I just couldn't stand seeing him like that. For the first time in the entire decades I'd spent raising him, my little boy was making his stand and as much as I wanted to let him flap his wings I couldn't let him go out there and lose his life to Lucas.I knew who he really was and how dangerous he was and having him contend with Xavier would crush me. Lucas could have him killed within the blink of an eye and I'd lose the one thing I promised myself I'd watch over. Just if you weren't aware, I made a promise to myself after the death of his parents to take care of him and shield him from any form of harm and now…I guess he'd outgrown my tactics buti just couldn't let him out of my grasp. At least not now. Not when everything was a standstill and each and every move we made was being closely watched by him. Lucas.My heart palpited in my chest as I watched him turn his back and leave. A part of me wanted to hold h
XAVIER'S POV As the words rolled off my tongue, the look on the president's face changed almost immediately. His eyes darkened and his expression turned cold as he tilted his head downwards. Confusion washed into my veins as I arched a brow and paced towards his chair.Did I say something wrong?If there was anything wrong with all that was happening now, it was his reaction. Why was he acting like that? Did I offend him? I inspected him with a steady gaze as my heart thumped ruthlessly against its ribcage. With each step I took towards him, fear growled at the pit of my chest “Grandpa?” I stuttered as I stretched my fingers to reach for his shoulders but before I could do that, his head snapped up and his gaze snapped in my direction. Cold droplets of sweat clung to my forehand as his head jolted up and his gaze raked mine. My breath hitched almost immediately. My fingers quivered as I clutched them tightly into a head fists. Several lumps of fear logged in my chest and as they l