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
LUCAS’S POVAccording to a quick search I made with my assistant, Darwin, I found out the duffus’s name was Timothy. I chuckled darkly feeling the weight of the gun in my pockets. My bloodstreams tighten as I stepped out of the elevator. In case you're curious, I was on my way to his ward in the huge New York hospital and with the mention of the gun I bet you already found out the main purpose of my visit.Behind me were my right and left hand men, they were all dressed in black clothes hovering behind me as we walked down the hallway. I stretched my gaze over to the long hallway, the highlights had been turned off since it was already evening but the secluded golden light did just right to set the mood.As I walked past the rooms, I heard noises— annoying noises, either a groan from patients or snores. The calmness in the air irritated me as I released a low smirk.I didn't have to worry though, with a silenced gun, I'd wish Timothy an eternal goodnight. My mind was still reeling wi
LUCAS'S POVI stiffened, dread pooling into my veins. The door had just clicked open and I knew it wasn't going to be good. My fingers tightened against the gun in my hands, the urge to shoot Timothy rising in my veins.Fuck.I turn slowly, rage burning in my breath. My gaze flickered over to the door, it creaked open slowly and low and behold, it was a nurse. She looked dainty, dressed in a nurse uniform and a face striped with fear and shock.My fists clenched as I tried to hold it back, the rage in my was rising with each passing second. That idiot, Timothy, stayed there, eyes wide with fear and shivering.He had nearly escaped death but that doesn't mean I wouldn't still come back to kill him. He was lucky, my victims don't actually last this long and there he was, spending extra seconds out of the time I'd picked to kill him.I flickered my gaze to my wrist watch and grunted lowly. Fuck. The time was almost eight and seeing Timothy pant fueled my rage. The fear in his eyes tell m
LUCA'S POV.My assistant's voice caused me to freeze. The stripper was already seated on my laps, grinding seductively. I tried to hold back the urge rising in my veins but it raged harder effortlessly. Seeing her grind her ass on my crotch really did strike something in me— something dark and violent.A visit with the president sure could wait. Besides I had to prepare to face my old man after all these years and it's best to let off some tension. I gripped her waists causing her to pause in her movement, my fingers traveled up her spine until I had them tangled in her shimmering blonde hair.I pulled it sharply causing her to release a a gasp. Fuck. The soft smell of her shampoo in my nostrils drove need through my veins. I tugged harder at her hair watching as she moaned loudly, leaning relentlessly with her back arched on my chest. “Umm.” Her moans trudged through the room, filling me with more interest. I gripped her chin, rubbing my thumb on her lips.I watched her bite back a
XAVIER'S POV I obeyed the president's words and took my seat. As I did that, I still couldn't get a grip over the waves of emotions soaring in my chest. I flashed him a glance and I noticed the plain glint of remorse in his eyes.For quite a long time now, the president had been hiding something. I knew that for sure but what didn't know was why. Anytime he tried to talk to me, either Madame Browne or Lucas comes in and intrudes but this time around, there's no rooms for games.My heart thumped wildly in my chest as I took my seat and my chest heaved. I stared back at the president expecting him to start an explanation but instead, he stood up and walked over to the door which he locked before walking back to where I was.I wasn't sure what it was but I could tell for a fact that something was about to go down. Something dark. Something ground shattering.I steadied the uneven gasps rippling through my lips and turned back to him. The president's eyes turned dark almost immediately a
XAVIER'S POV.I strolled into the hallway slowly with the weight of Ella's gaze still pressing against my back. Ignoring it, I continued and walked over to the elevator where I tapped the button leading in. As the doors chimed open, I stepped into it and locked my arms.I watched the doors close and yet I could feel her gaze on me. It layered over my skin, tracing delicate patterns that made it nearly impossible to keep a steady heartbeat. A cloud of sweats loomed over my forehead and upon several intervals, I'd wipe them off swiftly.The cold droplets of sweat trickled down the side of my face as I clenched my fists. My mind wasn't at ease. I had a lot of unanswered questions. First was why did the president acknowledge dying soon?What did he mean?I was just about to ponder on the questions when the thought of his mention of Madame Browne and Lucas punched through my mind. My heart palpitated but I stayed still, feeling a surge of dread in me as I thought of them.I shook my head s
ELLA'S POV I couldn't wait to get home.I had to tell him.Xavier deserved to know everything. He deserved to know that Rochelle wasn't really pregnant. He deserved to know that Cassandra worked for Madame Browne and is probably trying to kill the president and most of all, he deserved to know one thing, the one news I hadn't really told anyone else.I'm pregnant.The main reason my eyes watered in tears back there when we were walking out of the building was when I thought of the chances of losing him and the thought of Madame Browne winning over us.We couldn't allow that, at least not when we have a lot at risk. The wind from the side glasses in the helicopter jostled sharply at me as I pulled closer to Xavier and locked my arms tighter with his.As I did that, I caught the soft whiffs of his cologne in the air. I waited patiently until we finally arrived at the tall towering figure of the mansion. From the top view, I caught the sight of the maids going about doing their respecti
XAVIER'S POV.I could feel their gazes on me.It loomed over me as I strutted into the room with rage boiling in my veins. Despite the fact that I hadn't fully recovered, I had to be there. Ella had done enough for me. All through the weeks of my Coma, she stepped up into a role as demanding as the acting CEO just to secure my spot in all the meeting needed in the meeting. I balled my fists as the rippling sound of gasps braced my ears in an unsolicited welcome.I pushed forward, my feet moving gently as I traced my step into the room with my wife or should I now say, my assistant, strutting beside me. Her arms locked against mine, the soft whiffs of her perfume surging into my nostrils.I brushed off some unseen dusts on my suit as I stared back at the figure of my shocked nemesis. His electrifying green eyes stared back at me as my lips curled into a smile. I dusted off my suit again, giving him the hint that it was the exact one I wore before getting involved in the accident they
XAVIER'S POV Dear reader, I'm just as shocked as you. I couldn't believe I made it. I thought I died but when my eyes fluttered open, it was to the sight of a doctor staring back at me with a shocked look on his face. A gasp rippled through his lips as he stared at me.I stretched my hands to yawn and as I did that, I was repelled by the casts placed over my hands. I look up at the ceiling as I wondered where in god's green earth I was.Most importantly, where was he?Where was the man who was hired by Madame Browne to kill me?The doctor in front of me ran out of the room and raced out like he had seen a demon. I yawned and raced my back a little. I searched the entire room with my gaze and I immediately remembered where I was.This was an hospital.It was obvious.The ridiculously big machines surrounding me and the wires fixed to me. I arched my brow as I tugged off the wires and stepped out of the bed. As my feet touched the base of the floor, I was about to crash into it when I
ELLA'S POV The next few weeks blurred by and I had to go to over many meetings. It was stressful but I did it anyways. I didn't have a choice. I had to hold down the position for Xavier.Speaking of Xavier, I'm sure you're curious as to what happened to him. I'll be your host. After the surgery which he survived, he was placed on a cast and was in a comma for a few days.My heart still shook in my chest whenever I thought of him. I shook my head as I tried to take it off my mind. That particular morning, I had to go drop off Ivy at her school when Alex, Jason's assistant called me.“Mrs Ella… we need you at the office immediately. There is another meeting.” His voice beamed and I threw my fists in the air out of frustration. A cloud of sweats formed on my forehead and I wiped them off with some rolling down my face.“Here’s your backpack Ivy.” I said and gave Ivy her backpack. “Madeline, we will be going now. Thanks for breakfast it was delicious as always.” I remarked and even befo
ELLA'S POV “We're here, Ma'am!” The hushed voice of the driver pulled me out of my train of thoughts and as I pulled out of thoughts, I flashed my gaze at the figure beside me. Penny's eyes loomed brightly with concern as she gripped my hands and asked, “Do you want me to come in with you?”A weary smile tugged at my lips as my voice creaked out, “No… I'll do just fine Madame Browne has nothing on me.”I saw her lips pull open as if aiming at saying something else but before she could even muster up enough words, I interrupted, “Driver, you can take Penny back to her apartment.” The driver nodded and I pulled my hands from Penny's loosening grip as I stared back into her sad eyes. “Ella, are you sure?” She slurred her words and they shook several waves of fear down my spine. As her words loomed into the air, I felt a stifling wave of fear log into my chest as I pressed my lips into a tight smile. I nodded slowly, clenching my jaw as I assured her. After our little conversation, I
ELLA'S POV When my eyelids fluttered open, it was to a sight I would forever loathe. He was there. Right there. Lifeless and clinging to the frayed edges of life.He was laid lifelessly on the bed with a wave of wires fixed into his body. I still couldn't believe this was the same mine who made love to me earlier today. Xavier. I remembered the soft, pleasing sound of his voice and the sweet promises he made to me. I remembered how he chuckled at the mention of revealing who Madame Browne and Lucas really were to the media.A stinging sensation prickled my vision as tears filled my eyes. I wiped it off immediately, forcing my eyes to blink quickly to hold back the tears. I had to be strong… at least for him and for my daughter, Ivy.It would break him to see me cry if he was conscious but sadly, he was on the edge of something I hoped wasn’t death.He was still in that hospital gown, his eyes closed, his gaze nowhere to be found. A plunging pain wrecked through me as I heard the un
ELLA'S POV The doctor's words echoed repeatedly against the inner walls of my ears as I clutched them hoping the haunting melody in my ears would stop. Like a shadow, it clung to me, playing repeatedly as tears stung my eyes.I blinked, batting my lashes as I held back the tears gathering in my eyes. When the elevator door chimed open, I leapt forward on jelly legs. The strength in my legs vanished, fading rapidly by seismic waves of shock rolling through my veins.I still couldn't believe it. Xavier was in the hospital fighting for his life.I talked to him this morning. We made love today. No. My eyes watered as I trailed towards the staircase with staggering strides. I dragged my foot into the hallway, my heart pounding heavily in my chest.The dim lighting in the room darkened as I blinked off another wad of tears, leaving the drops to trace a burning line against my cheeks. I felt numb, my body was weak and with each staggering stride I took, I could feel the life in my vein d