D.P.O’S POV“Why did it take you so long to call, Lucas?!” The instant my finger tapped on the accept buttons displayed on my phone, I lashed out as my voice echoed against the walls of the elevator. The cold beams of my yell rolled back, slithering into my ears as rage spiked my veins. I clenched my fists slowly and pressed it to my side as I grabbed the phone with my right hand while the other was tightly clenched to my sides.The air in the room intensified as tension oozed in followed by nothing but the heavy puffs of heated air rolling out of my nostrils. My heart raced in my chest as I waited patiently, listening closely for a sound to confirm he was listening to me. After waiting for a few seconds, my voice roved out in a rough beam, “Lucas?!” This time around, I made sure my voice was louder and more authoritative than the last time and just before I gave up, I heard it. His voice. It was as rough as sandpaper and rocks yet it held an edge. A dangerous edge.“Stop.” One wo
XAVIER'S POV.When the D.P.O stepped foot into the mansion, I was called aside by one of the president's private assistants. “Mr Xavier.” She called out softly as I turned my gaze in her direction. “Yes,” I responded slowly in anticipation for her next words but she didn't speak.Instead, she tilted her head in the direction of the door and signaled for me to walk to the other side of the room. Before I followed her, I made sure to glance at Madame Browne and the president first.The atmosphere surrounding them carried a heavy tent of tension. I could sense the president's doubts from where he was. I could tell that he was having double doubts about doing any of this but there was no time left to think now.We didn't have any more time left. If Lucas found out we were about to contact the police he could fi something bad and that was what I was afraid of. I couldn't have him going around free when we all knew he was a threat to not only my life but that of the entire McKinney family
MADAME BROWNE'S If you thought I wouldn't get this plan through successfully, blink twice. I was almost done hatching this plan. Xavier had fallen. Ella had done the same and even the president that I thought would be a hard nut in the way had already given into my plan leaving me with nothing but full control over their minds.I could now control each and every one of their thoughts. They were all in my firm grip and I wasn't going to let go. At least not now. Not when my plan was reaching its climax and I was about to have the final say— well, Lucas was the one with the final say but still, I was the one who brought the plan to life.I was always the one who brought each and every one of our plans. I mean I was the brain behind each and every one of our plans but this particular was double crossing. Lucas didn't tell me the full details of the other end of the plan and I couldn't help but wonder what that bastard was up to.After he got out of jail, we lost communication and lack o
ELLA'S POV The pulsating beats coming in from the speakers make me go wild as I tuned my body's sleek movements in sync with the music. With my hair messed up in what was supposed to be a ponytail, my body covered in a see through gown, I could probably say I had had a pretty great night. I loved the club, the buzz, it's ever pungent smell of sex and alcohol, the drinks. But everything was typical, just like yesterday and the day before. Scrambling my gaze across the usual crowd of clubbers, the series of flashing lights. I noticed something— someone, a man's intriguing figure, sitting at the mini bar. "I see you got your eyes on someone," A voice called out to me as I turned my gaze to the tall redhead lady I knew as my best friend, Maggie. Margaret flashed a weird wink of her eyes, a grin spreaded on her cheeks. "Shut up," I admitted, feeling guilty as we both laughed at each other. "Why not go talk to him," Maggie hollers, her voice calm and cool. My face twisted into a frow
ELLA'S POV "Thank you for dropping her," I murmured drenched in thoughts as I raised my head to see the stranger my daughter had brought home this time. Pulling my gaze past his body, I paused, recognition flashing past my shocked eyes. This was Xavier McKinney, my one night stand, Ivy's father. I couldn't believe my eyes, my jaw falls slightly as the memories of our one night stand rushes into my mind. I couldn't help but feel a flash of emotions from the past years I've been left alone to bear and train Ivy ever since day one. The first was dropping out of school, then loosing matt, my boyfriend at that time to the pregnancy I had with an unknown stranger. I remembered the sleepless night I've spent, cradling my pregnancy wondering how I'd singlehandedly mother a child. Anger kicked in my veins as the memories sank deep. The loneliness I felt when my belly bump began showing while in college and being teased and made fun of. The loneliness still crept deep, the night I'd del
XAVIER'S POV "Thank goodness you're here sir," I heard a call as I alighted the car closing the door gently behind me. Turning to face Alex, I rushed past him into the hospital where my father was being taken care of.Running past the security men at the hospital, I hurried for the counter. Arriving there, I turned to the nurse at the counter and blurted, "Excuse me nurse, which room was my father kept?""Oh, Mr Xavier, good to see you again..." She bickered licking her lips seductively while staring hungrily at me. "Can you shut the fu*k up and tell me what room my father is in."Shaken by my sudden yell and the stares she got, I watched as the nurse hurried with the files on the counter. "He is in the platinum vip treatment room at the top floor."Hearing her words, I walked over to the elevator, waiting as it's doors finally chimed open and I entered. Tapping the numbers of the floor I was headed, I waited patiently as the elevator, paused, the doors opening as someone else got in
ELLA'S POV "I have to leave," I uttered, wiping some strands of my hair to a side as I made my way out of the elevator. In a fit of rush, my bag fell and all my documents were all littered to the elevator floor. Bending to pick it up, I hurriedly packed up the few documents my hands could reach and immediately dashed out of the elevator before Xavier could call me. Just as I stepped out, I heard the soft chim of the elevator as I heaved out. Wiping off the beads of sweats clouding my forehead, I stood, trying to calm my heart's erratic beating. I was shocked to meet him here again. Was he stalking me? It was now beginning to look mysterious, they way he keeps popping up wherever I go. First was with Ivy, now at my workplace, what next? Was he going to pop back into my life and take over?I felt a whirlwind of emotions as I touched my lips, the memory of our kiss creeping back to me.Shit. How could I be so foolish, to allow him kiss me. Xavier was a flirt, he surely had a way of k
ELLA'S POV "Be a good girl for mommy, okay?" I smiled softly, patting my daughter Ivy's head as we walked next door to the Thompsons'. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson, old and retired, had been absolute lifesavers since Ivy was born. They didn't have children of their own, but they had showered Ivy with all the love and attention she could ever need, making their home feel like a second home for her.As we walked up the path to their front door, I noticed the crisp morning air and the scent of blooming flowers from their garden. It was a quiet, peaceful moment, and I felt a wave of gratitude for having such wonderful neighbors.I knocked on the door, and it swung open to reveal Mrs. Thompson. She was dressed in a nice outfit, clearly ready for something special, and her husband stood behind her, adjusting his tie."Good morning, Ella," Mrs. Thompson greeted me with her usual warm smile, but there was a hint of regret in her eyes. "I’m so sorry, but we have an event to attend today. We won’t be
MADAME BROWNE'S If you thought I wouldn't get this plan through successfully, blink twice. I was almost done hatching this plan. Xavier had fallen. Ella had done the same and even the president that I thought would be a hard nut in the way had already given into my plan leaving me with nothing but full control over their minds.I could now control each and every one of their thoughts. They were all in my firm grip and I wasn't going to let go. At least not now. Not when my plan was reaching its climax and I was about to have the final say— well, Lucas was the one with the final say but still, I was the one who brought the plan to life.I was always the one who brought each and every one of our plans. I mean I was the brain behind each and every one of our plans but this particular was double crossing. Lucas didn't tell me the full details of the other end of the plan and I couldn't help but wonder what that bastard was up to.After he got out of jail, we lost communication and lack o
XAVIER'S POV.When the D.P.O stepped foot into the mansion, I was called aside by one of the president's private assistants. “Mr Xavier.” She called out softly as I turned my gaze in her direction. “Yes,” I responded slowly in anticipation for her next words but she didn't speak.Instead, she tilted her head in the direction of the door and signaled for me to walk to the other side of the room. Before I followed her, I made sure to glance at Madame Browne and the president first.The atmosphere surrounding them carried a heavy tent of tension. I could sense the president's doubts from where he was. I could tell that he was having double doubts about doing any of this but there was no time left to think now.We didn't have any more time left. If Lucas found out we were about to contact the police he could fi something bad and that was what I was afraid of. I couldn't have him going around free when we all knew he was a threat to not only my life but that of the entire McKinney family
D.P.O’S POV“Why did it take you so long to call, Lucas?!” The instant my finger tapped on the accept buttons displayed on my phone, I lashed out as my voice echoed against the walls of the elevator. The cold beams of my yell rolled back, slithering into my ears as rage spiked my veins. I clenched my fists slowly and pressed it to my side as I grabbed the phone with my right hand while the other was tightly clenched to my sides.The air in the room intensified as tension oozed in followed by nothing but the heavy puffs of heated air rolling out of my nostrils. My heart raced in my chest as I waited patiently, listening closely for a sound to confirm he was listening to me. After waiting for a few seconds, my voice roved out in a rough beam, “Lucas?!” This time around, I made sure my voice was louder and more authoritative than the last time and just before I gave up, I heard it. His voice. It was as rough as sandpaper and rocks yet it held an edge. A dangerous edge.“Stop.” One wo
D.P.O’S POV“Okay, Mr McKinney. I'll be there in a jiffy.” Cold sweats streamed down my face as the words glided down my tongue. The tension in the room intensified as my chest heaved and my fingers— my unresting fingers, grabbed a gun for comfort. The matte texture of the gun scraped against my clammy palms as my fingers wrapped around it even more.“That's good to hear. How long will it take you to get to the mansion?” The president's voice glided into my ears with a beam as my chest heaved and shallow puffs of air rolled out of my pursed lips.My heart raced in my chest as his words replayed in my head. Fear streamed into my veins as anxiety snaked in, edged with nothing but dark gleams of terror. If the board heard of what I did, I could lose my license, my post and my reputation. And worse still, that bastard, Lucas would run free while I received the backlash that would come when the entire world got to know that I, a reputable D.P.O orchestrated the escape of a dangerous crimi
D.P.O’S POVWhen I received the president's call, I was halfway into counting a wad of cash. My fingers paused in their calculative movements and I shifted my gaze in the direction of my phone. It laid on the table, quivering and vibrating as the heavy bass ringing tone blared into the air.I reached for it with deft fingers and just as my fingers brushed against the screen, it turned on and the caller id was displayed. Nothing in the lord's green earth could have prepared me for what was about to come.The president.He was the one calling and not just that, I felt my sixth sense engaging with me, offering shallow whispers of warning as adrenaline pulsed into my veins. My heart raced in my chest as I gripped my chin for a brief moment. Questions flowed into my mind gradually and the more I tried to counter them, the more puzzled I got.I wasn't expecting the president to call me— at least not so soon. I didn't think I could ever be prepared for his call. After the day he visited the
XAVIER'S POV I wasn't supposed to feel for her. The emotions I ended up showing crashed into me like a tidal wave. Even now, I still couldn't get myself to believe it. I was about to do it. I was about to do something I never believed would be possible.I was about to show Madame Browne sympathy. I was about to offer her the one thing she didn't offer me over the years. Sympathy. Even the thought of it I was nerving. I had to admit that. Hugging her was weird. Having her sob over my suit was weird and to say the truth, all of this was weird.Madame Browne wasn't the type of lady to cry. No. She was far different from that. She was the kind of lady who's character could be adapted into the role of a villain In a movie, a book perhaps. I was used to her being the evil person and this level of vulnerability was seemingly alarming.I couldn't bring myself to believe the one woman who single handedly made my life a living hell was about to confess to all her crimes to not just the police
THE PRESIDENT'S POV “What's the information she brought?” As Xavier said the words, my expression dimmed and I turned my gaze in Madame Browne's direction. I darted my gaze in her direction and as I caught a sight of her body frame, my face twisted into a tight frown.My jaws clenched and so did my fists. Something about all of this didn't feel right. But… I just had no choice but to believe her. Madame Browne stood at the other end of the room. Her legs were as shaky as a winter leaf and cold beads of swart clung to her forehead.Her eyes moved over to catch my gaze and as our eyes met, I tried to catch any glimpse of emotion but I found nothing. Well, nothing but the bright gleam of anticipation in her eyes. Something told me this was the beginning of a dark future. I could feel it but I just wasn't sure.Madame Browne was a trickster. It was in her nature and you never might know when she told the truth. I used to be able to read through all her tactics but this time around, it w
XAVIER'S POV I woke up to the soft warmth of Ella’s body curled against mine. For a rare moment, I allowed myself to enjoy the peace. The curve of her body against mine, the way her breathing remained steady—it filled me with calmness. But duty never slept, and neither could I.For a fleeting moment, time seemed to slow, allowing me to simply exist in the tranquillity of her presence. The delicate scent of her lavender shampoo clung to her dark hair, a familiar and soothing aroma that filled my senses. I almost didn't want to get up from her side, knowing she might be the only semblance of calmness in my life today, but I had to.Placing a kiss on her hair, I carefully untangled myself from her and slid out of bed. I headed to the bathroom, brushed my teeth, and took my bathI was adjusting my tie in the mirror when a soft but firm knock sounded on the door. adjusted my tie in the mirror Who could it be so early in the morning?I padded towards the door, my feet silent on the lush
LUCAS'S POV The neon glow of the city cast long shadows as I watched her disappear into the night. My cigarette burned between my fingers, smoke curling into the air like ghosts of the past. I didn’t move until she was completely out of sight. Only then did I snap my fingers as a signal.A huge tall figure emerged from the darkness, stepping under the pale streetlight. Matteo. He had been an old soldier from back when I was still young —one of the few old ones still breathing. He wasn’t a man of many words, but he was very useful.He was my eyes on the streets, my major source of information, and not for once had he ever been wrong.“Who’s running things now?” I asked, exhaling smoke as I observed his expression.Matteo’s face was lined with years of bloodshed, his dark eyes unreadable. “No one knows, boss. There's a man—he’s got a scorpion tattoo inked onto the back of his hand. Rumours have it that he might be the one.”That gave me pause. "A scorpion?"He nodded once. "We haven’t