XAVIER'S POV I carried Ella into the mansion, her body heavy with drunkenness, though she wasn’t entirely out. Her head lolled against my chest, the scent of alcohol thick on her breath. As we stepped inside, I motioned for my men to help me get her up to my room. Her words were a jumbled mess, half slurred, but the challenge in them was unmistakable.I followed them as I walked past the tight security at the gate all the way to the main mansion. As we proceeded, several maids all bowed and offered greetings. Normally I would dismiss the greetings but today, I acknowledged them lightly with nods and slight hand gestures. With Ella being helped by my men, we entered into the mansion, it's tall walls hinting elegance upon every stare. The coloring were elegant, yet mature— just the way I wanted it to be. I continued in my tracks, veering and turning as we grew closer to my room.As we grew closer, my mind wavered back to the thought of Ella. If I hadn't stepped in back then, she would
ELLA'S POV "CAN I LEAVE NOW?" I managed to utter with a feigned arrogance. I stared at the his cold pair of eyes, his face was almost that with a warrior's mask. My body throbbed from the ache, I tried to rise up to the floorI slowly sat up in bed, finally feeling some strength returning to my limbs. The room smelled of him—fresh, clean, with a hint of something darker underneath. I couldn’t decide if it was comforting or unsettling. Either way, I needed to get out of here. At the same time, my head was beating with the loud noise of a hangover, however, I toned it down, and put my mind on the mission: leaving.The bathroom was just a few feet away, but amidst my steps there, I couldn't help but have seen the surrounding luxury. Everything about this place screamed wealth and power, from the polished marble floors to the massive windows that offered a breathtaking view of the city. It was all so... Xavier. When I entered the bathroom, I washed my face with cold water, but I hoped
ELLA'S POV I stepped out of the sleek, black car Xavier had organized to being me home as the evening breeze embraced my curls causing it to go in the air. Tugging some loose strands behind my ear, I stared back at the shady figure of my apartment. With a sigh, I continued in my tracks as I walked in the direction of the building,my mind flashing back to the thought of Ivy at Mr and Mrs Thompson’s.They had offered to help watch Ivy down till the night as I had told them I would return late since I had to supervise the event down till it's end. As I walked past the group of security at the gate, I couldn't help but feel a sense of dread.My heels clapped against the hard floor as I made my way towards the door of my apartment. My plan was to enter, freshen up before going to pick up Ivy at the next apartment. But to my shock, when I arrived at the door, I felt a frisson of pure shock in my veins. A low growl escaped my throat as I stared at the unfamiliar lock. That bastard landlord
ELLA'S POV My stomach churned at her words as I felt a rush of anger searing in my veins. My gaze flashed back at the heart wrenching view of my college best friend, Maggie, curled up in the arms of Matt, my ex-boyfriend. The view of the two of them together made my skin crawl as I face twisted into a sneer of disgust. I froze in my tracks, the evening breeze sending cold shivers down my spine. Maggie flashed me a look of undisguised disdain as she said, “Guess even leftovers get reheated.” Her words fueled my anger even more as I felt an urge to tear into them, how dare she? Even after betraying me years ago, she still had to courage to throw insults. My jaw tightened as I masked my anger with a serious frown not hinting any emotions. “My mommy's not trash,” I felt Ivy's grip over my fingers loosen as she squealed in my defense. My heart burned as Maggie broke into a giggle, one that only ensued my anger. “Well, what do we have here.” She turned in Ivy's direction about to beg
ELLA'S POV "He’s my husband, Ivy’s father," I heard myself say, the words tumbling out before I could think twice. There was a breathless moment as if the entire room instantaneously held its breath and then the reaction spread through the crowd like a ripple effect. The words remained ringing in my ears, it was as if, someone else said them. But no it was me – Ella Rocci, who, with uttermost shocking surprise of my life, had just stated that the man besides me was her husband!Xavier didn’t flinch one bit. Without any flinch he then moved his arm around my waist and drew me close as if it was scripted. The contact with his hand at my hip made me sizzle and buck, and the feel of his fingers and palm connecting to my body was a comfort from the unknown that I hadn’t had in years. I could feel the eyes of every single person in the room shift to us, staring with shock intermingled with confusion. It took a few seconds, and by the look on Maggie’s face, she looked as though a light had
ELLA'S POV His eyes glinted with intrigue. “And what’s that?” I let out a shaky breath, steadying myself. “We do this on my terms, Xavier. No games, no manipulation. Just what’s best for Ivy.” “And to ensure a healthy financial background in front of Ivy, we are going to be staying in my apartment for the first three months of our marriage,” I let out my voice in a gasp as I tried so hard to hide all hints of fear from my voice. I could have sworn I saw his gaze harden, his eyes brushing my body hungrily. I was ready to take a huge step, one that included me playing a game with the almighty Xavier McKinney. Xavier’s smile was slow, confident. He knew he had me, but he was smart enough not to gloat. “Deal,” he said, his tone carrying a promise I wasn’t sure I was ready for. “Yay, I finally get to show daddy to my friends.” I heard Ivy yell in joy. I frowned my face slightly as I headed back into the party. When I arrived, the whole event was in full swing, the buzzing of the mu
ELLA'S POV My senses were ransacked by his presence. Xavier. There he was, standing just meters away from my body, the pulsating beats of the music playing steadying my nerves as I started back at him. His presence stroke wagers in me, shivers running up my spine.As usual, I masked my reaction with a facade that was almost slipping off. My connection with Xavier was intense, and despite my best efforts, he could always see through me. Xavier’s gaze held a dangerous edge as he leaned closer. “You know, Ella, I remember the woman I met at the club four years ago. The one with the fire in her eyes and that seductive edge.”I couldn’t help but shiver at the memory he evoked—those nights filled with reckless abandon and desire. He continued, his voice low and smooth. “You’re just this close to slipping into my arms again. I can see it.”My heart raced as he took another step closer, the space between us diminishing. The warmth of his breath on my skin made it hard to keep my composure.
ELLA'S POV The grip on my wrist was tight— too tight. I couldn't help but feel a lash of pain as Kelvin's fingers dug deeper into my skin. I noticed a sly smile on the corners of his lips which made my stomach churn. I'd always known he had a thing for me but never did I for once knew he was this obsessed. His eyes were burning lust, rage and another emotion I couldn't quite reach.“Let go of me,” I tried to must as much courage as I could. I pulled from his grip but that didn't work, his fingers only dug deeper into the surface of my body.“Ella, you’re with some rich guy now, huh? Think you’re too good for people like me?” His voice was a low growl, oozing with bitterness and something darker that made my stomach twist. I tried to pull away, but his hold only tightened. “Let go of me, Kelvin,” I demanded, struggling to keep my voice steady. “You shouldn’t even be here.”He sneered, leaning in closer, the smell of stale alcohol on his breath. “Doesn’t matter how I got here. What ma
MR MCKINNEY'S POV She heard me.I could tell. If there was anything I was sure of more than anything, it was this. The still silence in the air already gave out the fact that she was standing close to the door with her ears pressed close to it. I had just finished talking to Xavier and as he turned to leave, I heard it.That sound.It fled as quickly as it sliced through the air. It was obvious Xavier didn't catch it but I surely did and I knew that it was hers. Following that, I flashed my gaze at Xavier instead as I flashed him a worried smile.“Are we clear?” I asked and he paused in his tracks.“I still don't get it Grandpa. Why do you want us to leave? If anyone should leave, it should be my wife and daughter not me, okay! He caused all of this and now that we’re this close to catching him, you want me to back down.” Xavier hurled out the words with rage rolling in his electrifying green eyes. His voice was thick and heavy like it carried the weight of the discomfort and rage i
MADAME BROWNE'S POV After Lucas hung up on me, I was halfway through changing my dress and taking a rose bath when my phone rang. With my fingers wrapped around the doorknob, I paused slowly as my phone's haunting ringing tone sliced through the air.My senses furrowed as I turned in the direction of my bed where utvs lying and I arched my brow in confusion. “Who could that be?” I asked no one in particular as I released my grip on the doorknob and squinted off in the direction of my bed. From where I was, I tried to catch a glimpse of the caller id displayed on my phone but the privacy screen didn't allow that. I reached for it and as my deft fingers brushed against its texture, I took a deep sigh before turning it on.In all sincerity, I wasn't sure what to expect. It could either be that Lucas’s brain has just snapped back into his head and he had hurriedly called me back or it was something else.Something totally different.Tension blended in sleekly with my expression as I flu
LUCAS’S POVWhen Madame Browne's call came in, I was halfway through getting my dick sucked by two prostitutes. The ringing sound of my phone cleared through the fog of sexual tension between the ladies as one of them slid closer to me. Her fingers stroked my hair as she pulled me in for a kiss while the other trailed her finger over my trousers.“Mmm…” A blasting shot of adrenaline surged down my veins as I ignored my phone's ringing as I concluded it was regarding a business deal or from my workers. I never expected it to be from her. Madame Browne.I waited patiently for the call to end before I pulled out of the kiss and turned to the stripper rubbing her hands over my groin. The instant our eyes met, my deft fingers gripped her neck as I watched her stifle a gasp. Her lids pulled close as I pulled her up slowly to kiss her roughly.Her tongue clicked at the roof of my mouth as the strawberry sweetness of her lipstick raked down my throat as I deepened the kiss even more. While
MADAME BROWNE'S POV As I raced down the hallways, the heavy thudding sound of my heart thumping against my chest clouded my senses. My breaths came out in ragged, fractured puffs as I paced towards the elevator at the end of the hallway. I took slow strides towards it and when I finally got close enough, my fingers trailed over to the open button and as I pressed it, the doors chimed open.Before I stepped in, I felt a heavy pull from behind as I snapped my head in the direction of the dark hallway and at the president's door. His words repeated in my head and I just couldn't help but clench my fists and sigh.Lucas’s plan was about to go down hill and the fool wasn't aware. My gaze stayed frozen on the door as thoughts pulsed through my mind. Right now, there are only two things I could do. It was either I told him or I kept it to myself.Since he decided to pull me under the rug after all my years of commitment and loyalty to him, I guess that was what he deserved for being a total
MADAME BROWNE'S POVWhat the hell just happened?Did Lucas just bail on me? Did he, for the first time in a long while, pull me under the rug? Rage rolled into my veins as I nearly froze on the spot. Even now as my fingers shakily perused the hem of my dress, I still couldn't believe he would hide something from me. I used to be the one he confided in, the one he always went to whenever he had a big plan but now…Now he was hiding things from me? How dare he?I first tried to get him to break the full plan to me fully but instead of that, he waved me off skillfully like some god damned fog of smoke. How funny? My fingers stiffened slowly as thoughts started running through my mind.It was obvious there was something else to his plan? He was hiding something?Something dark, dangerous and worse still, something I wasn't aware of.With my face fixed in a frozen smile, I waited patiently until the D.P.O stepped out of the room and was escorted out by the president before I brushed off
LUCAS'S POV I was in my private quarters when my assistant raced into the room. Her footsteps echoed against the walls of the room and I immediately stopped what I was doing. The stripper whose breast I was fondling raked her gaze against my features as her thin fingers brushed over my shoulders over to my chin as she gripped it lightly.“Spare me a glance, handsome.” Her sickeningly sweet voice rolled into the air in neat, smooth beams as I brushed her fingers off me as I flung my gaze in the direction where my assistant stood.Her tall, lean figure stood out in the room. I wasn't really sure if it was the bright contrast of her red gown or the alcohol but she just stood out. The lights in the room buzzed over her features as I narrowed my gaze slowly.She stood comfortably on 6 inches and clutched a file in her hands. Her dark eyes took in the raucous sights in the room before they shimmered with urgency. She paced towards me slowly with her heels clip-claping against the marbled f
MR MCKINNEY'S POV After the interrogation was done, I opened the door and stepped in to find the police officer seated casually on the chair opposite Madame. As their eyes shifted over to my figure, I noticed a sudden stifled gasp escaping madame Browne's lips as I paced towards where she was seated.“Is anything the problem?” I asked, my voice warm as I took my seat on the chair beside Madame Browne. Xavier soon stepped into the room and as he walked over to one of the chairs sitting lazily in the room, I shoved my gaze in her direction.Her eyes shimmered with an innocence that seemed to fake to be real. For a normal person, they'd say she was just shaken by the seriousness of the interview but I knew her— in, out. She was like a viper, the moment you take your eyes off her, she rears her head in your direction with her venom riddled fangs and tongue wagging through the air.I tapped my fingers over the clear smooth table as I slowly took my eyes away from her. I moved it over to t
MADAME BROWNE'S POV “Is that really you, Lucas?” The words quivered through my pursed lips as I gripped the hem of my dress tightly. My heart raced in my chest as I tightened my fingers grip over the fabric as his voice rang out shortly.Smooth. Low. Grating.Those were the right words to use in placing how it sounded. His voice raked its way into my ears as I stiffened almost immediately. “Yes, I hope you haven't forgotten how much of a powerful figure I am. If I want something, I make sure I get it and right now, I want revenge.”My blood ran cold at the mention of the last word. Revenge. As much as I was the brain behind most of his schemes, I couldn't help but imagine how far he was going to go in getting it. He was like a wild bull.The second its tamer got out of the picture, it'd go rogue on any one that crossed its path. In this case, Lucas was the bull and I was his tamer. Without me in the picture, the McKinney mansion could as well kiss their sanity goodbye because…The to
MADAME BROWNE.A hot drop of sweat raced down my oily forehead as the police officer took his seat in front of me. “Good day officer.” I greeted him calmly but he ignored me. My heart raced in my chest as I heaved out a sigh.“So, Madame Br—” he paused halfway in his speech just to get a glance of my name on the file in his hand. He was writing my name on a file and as he raised his brow in my direction, I nearly stiffened on the seat as his gaze raked over my features.“It's Browne.. sir.” My lips quivered as I struggled to find the right word to use as the heat of his gaze braced my sides. “Okay, so Mrs Browne.” He muttered as he tilted his head up in my direction and I stiffened on the spot as my breath hitched in my chest.“I have some questions first,” The police officer said and I adjusted my back on the chair. I straightened my spine and dusted off some unseen dust off my laps as I stared right back at her.“What's that?” I mumbled as he glanced back at the file in his hands be