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
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Dear readers, I apologize for the repetition of the previous chapters. I'm working with my editor to get it deleted. I apologize to the affected readers. I promise to make it up to you all. Updates will resume from today.ELLA'S POV Fear gripped my chest as I stayed there. Tied, bound and helplessly vulnerable. The air in the room was filled with tension. Tension from them— the two guards standing by the door. My heart raced in my chest as I had a pulsing headache bracef my scalp.I fiddled almost immediately as a low groan tore through my lips. I tried to move my hands but for a second, it seemed I forgot they were chained and pinned to the back of the chair. As I tried the yank then, a sharp jolt of pain lashed around my wrists as I winced.The tight ropes used to tie my hands were strong and it seemed the more I tried, the tighter they got. Scream after scream, groan after groan, I tried. The knots binding my arms to the back of the chair only grew tighter as the me
The silence in Lucas’s house always got under my skin, but today it felt like a blade. I moved from room to room, lookingnfor nothing, my heels clicking against marble floors, and the whisper of my own breathing sounded too loud.I was trying to escape that stupid bitch words, but they still didn't leave me. They followed me step by step, room to room.“You hated me because I got everything you wanted so easily. I didn't have to lie or sell myself —” Her voice echoing in my mind as if she was right next to me.That bitch had seen right through me. Right through the skirts and the tailored jackets and the flawless smile. I’d laughed it off at first—of course I’d brush it aside—until I realized how deep that knife had sunk.Deeper than anything had ever stuck me.I still walked aimlessly along the halls, and to my anger and surprise, I felt tears stung my eyes. Furiously, I wiped them off with the back of my hand. What did that birch know about my story. I hadn’t always been this wicke
The silence in Lucas’s house always got under my skin, but today it felt like a blade. I moved from room to room, lookingnfor nothing, my heels clicking against marble floors, and the whisper of my own breathing sounded too loud.I was trying to escape that stupid bitch words, but they still didn't leave me. They followed me step by step, room to room.“You hated me because I got everything you wanted so easily. I didn't have to lie or sell myself —” Her voice echoing in my mind as if she was right next to me.That bitch had seen right through me. Right through the skirts and the tailored jackets and the flawless smile. I’d laughed it off at first—of course I’d brush it aside—until I realized how deep that knife had sunk.Deeper than anything had ever stuck me.I still walked aimlessly along the halls, and to my anger and surprise, I felt tears stung my eyes. Furiously, I wiped them off with the back of my hand. What did that birch know about my story. I hadn’t always been this wicke
Ella’s POVI didn’t know how long we had been driving and I really didn't care. Minutes, hours—it could’ve been an entire day for all I knew.Time had lost meaning to me. Everything outside the window blurred together—trees, signs, shadows, but none of it mattered.I sat in the back seat, my hands tied, feet numb, lips dry. My head rested against the cold glass, and I stared blankly at the road passing by, trying not to let the panic consume me.Ivy.The thought of my daughter's name alone made my chest tighten.Her name was both a comfort and a curse right now.Tears welled in my eyes, but I blinked them away. I couldn’t break down now. I needed to stay awake. Alert. I needed to watch everything, remember every detail.Anything. Just in case I got the chance to escape. Just in case someone asked me later, “What did you see?”The man driving hadn’t said a word since they threw me into the back seat. Lucas was fitted beside me, the filthy smell of him pervading my nose.In the front s
Xavier’s povThere was a smile on my face as I drove into my street. I could see my home already, and the thoughts of my family waiting made my smile a little bigger.I pictured Ivy clinging to her inseparable teddy bear, her tiny feet racing toward me as soon as she heard my voice. I imagined Ella standing at the doorway, that sparkle in her eyes lighting up the second she saw me. That sparkle—God, it was everything to me. It made every long day worth it. They were my world. The reason behind every sacrifice, every late night, every early morning.They were why I did everything, my reasons for living.They were my world and I would always do everything I could for them.I doubted if I would go on living if they weren't here anymore.“Bad thoughts, Xavier,” I said to myself, shaking my head. “Snap out of it.”The smile stayed on my face as I continued driving, but when I turned into the compound, my smile quickly died from what I saw.I barely parked my car before I stepped out from i
Xavier’s povThere was a smile on my face as I drove into my street. I could see my home already, and the thoughts of my family waiting made my smile a little bigger.I pictured Ivy clinging to her inseparable teddy bear, her tiny feet racing toward me as soon as she heard my voice. I imagined Ella standing at the doorway, that sparkle in her eyes lighting up the second she saw me. That sparkle—God, it was everything to me. It made every long day worth it. They were my world. The reason behind every sacrifice, every late night, every early morning.They were why I did everything, my reasons for living.They were my world and I would always do everything I could for them.I doubted if I would go on living if they weren't here anymore.“Bad thoughts, Xavier,” I said to myself, shaking my head. “Snap out of it.”The smile stayed on my face as I continued driving, but when I turned into the compound, my smile quickly died from what I saw.I barely parked my car before I stepped out from i
ELLA'S POV.The silence hit me the moment I stepped my foot into the house. It was too quiet and immediately, I knew something was wrong."Ivy?" I called out, my voice uncertain as I held my breathed and waited for a reply. “Baby, Mommy's home.”Nothing. Usually, she would come running into my arms the moment she held my voice, but....I dropped my bag onto the floor, not caring where it landed, and bolted up the stairs towards her room. Her bedroom door was slightly opened, and I pushed it open fully, my heart pounding.It was empty.Everything was the same way I had left in in the morning. The bed was made, the curtains drawn, her favorite stuffed bunny sat untouched on the pillow. My throat closed in panic.I dashed to the bathroom, too, but she was nowhere to be found.She wasn’t here.Where could she have gone? She never left the house on her own and I’d made sure she knew never to open the door for anyone unless it was me or her father. Where could she be?My legs started to
MADAME BROWNE'S POV The moment the words left my mouth, a weight slammed into my chest, and my legs nearly gave out beneath me. My knees wobbled as I clutched the counter for support as I drew in a heavy whiff of air.The world, as I knew it, stopped as I watched shock flash through Lucas's eyes. They darkened almost immediately as I clenched my fingers tight. My nails dug into my nails as I let out a heavy breath before gripping my forehead with my fingers. I tapped my index finger over it as I felt set strands of my hair stick close to my hand and I felt a scalding heat zapping into my chest and I immediately knew who it was.It was his gaze.Lucas's jaw dropped as he got up from the chair and pushed away the two prostitutes sitting by his side. “Get away from me!” He thundered as his gaze lashed in my direction.It lingered on my body as I nearly froze on the spot. Fractured puffs of air rolled out of my nostrils as his gaze roved over my features. I lowered my head and swallowed
LUCAS'S POV I was at the bar when the door slammed open all of a sudden and I heard the heavy thudding sound of footsteps. I was halfway through taking a sip of my drink when all of a sudden, I heard her voice.My blood ran cold almost immediately as I whipped my head in her direction. “W-why are you here?” I questioned slowly with my fingers tightly clutching the glass cup in my hands as I placed it back on the counter. As I uttered the words, two arms snaked around my neck as the soft smell of roses washed into my nostrils. I turned my head in the direction of one of the ladies who was standing close to me as I whispered into her ears. “Stop that.”The arms slithering around my neck uncoiled almost immediately as the girls pulled back. The soft jazz music blurring into the air stopped playing as Madame Browne walked towards me. Her shoes clapped against the floor and the sound echoed repeatedly against the four walls of my room as I held in breath.Iit was obvious she was here wit