Nick
All I needed was for James to crack. I needed to put more pressure. I was angry and left the mansion, solving nothing. I thought filling my father on our progress would get him on board, but he was just cranky today. He seemed more interested in the food than in everything I told him.
First it was James. Now it was her sister. What was it about that family and getting on my nerves? I placed my fork and knife on the table and looked at my father. This diner felt pointless. We were never the type of family bond over dinner.
“Are you going to say something?” I asked.
“What do you want me to say?” he looked at me before he went back to focusing on his plate. "It's not like you will listen to me."
Morgan I looked down at my phone and saw messages from Lara. She was with Nick. She was ranting about why I was calling Nick suddenly. I asked her where they were headed, but she didn’t reply. I bet I knew why Nick suddenly hung up on me. My bet she was enjoying the time she was having with Nick more than what her original intention was. I just hope she knows what she was doing considering she was right in the lion’s den. I clenched my fist furiously, remembering the reason I called Nick. He was trying to bankrupt all my personal businesses under my nose. The projects I had worked hard for on my own without the help of my father or the family name. I will not let that happen. He took advantage of the arrest. If it wasn’t for one person who had the shred of loyalty, I wouldn’t have known about this. He was doing this slyly, like the s
James I have been going around in circles. It has been almost a day since Harper and Faith were taken. I was going around trying to get help, but no one will help me. They wanted me to relax and wait. I couldn’t wait because she was the only family I had and I couldn’t lose my baby sister. I had been hard on her about the article she wanted to write. I should have understood and taken it easy on her. She was strong willed like me and she would do anything to make sure she executed her research beautifully. I couldn’t blame her for this. I just hope she was fine so I could tell her how proud I am of her for doing this. “James, did something happen?” Marko asked when he saw me in front of his doorstep. “Can I come in?” I felt uneasy standing in front of the entrance.
Nick I had Lara handled for now last night. I needed to figure out how to handle everything else that has been going on. It was all too much, but I refused to admit that to my father. He would rub it in my face or worse, call me weak. Memories of my childhood flashed in my head. A constant reminder of everything I had to endure through with my father. The demeaning words and the insults. The clawed in my head trying to scratch through to break me, but I refused. Breaking down would mean going somewhere dark. I didn't want to go back there. I squeezed the stress ball harder. The stupid the shrank in my hand. This was not even reaching the surface to being therapeutic for me. The only other thing would be to take the damn calming pills, but I didn't those. I don't want to be high and relaxed. I need to focus. Control and calm. I c
Razor I might be serving my own head on a silver platter here but Nick left me no choice. He was trying to prove he was his own man but he was failing. He can’t handle the power. He liked to be in control but he lacked the balance to execute things. He was crushing fast after speeding head strong too quickly. “Well I’ll be damned,” Charles laughed as he dropped his book and looked at me, “If it isn’t my best henchman.” “Boss,” I bowed a little. “I doubt my son would love it if he sees you calling me boss. Careful he might kill your family,” Charles laughed. I frowned as I took a step to him. I don’t think I have ever seen him like this. “Boss?” I paused looking at him, “Are you okay?” “Oh don’t w
James I knew this was a bad idea but I had no option. I had thought of all the possibilities and one stuck with me. I could be wrong about Nick and get my sister killed. I could be right and still get her killed. This was not an option. Harper back alive was my priority at the moment no matter the cost. Faith too. I can’t let those two die when I can do something. I wanted to help find Adam and go to Glendale but I couldn’t. I can’t leave Harper. I could lose her and fail to always protect her. I can’t fail her. My phone buzzed in my pocket and I swore under my breath as I quickly put it on silent and whispered. “Fred.” “James, James?” he said, “Are you there?” “Yes,” I whispered, “I can’t talk right now.” I said.
JamesI was not out of the woods yet. Not by a long shot. I was still inside the precinct crouching and crawling like a covert soldier in training. I was in too deep to turn myself in. I can’t get caught. Not now. Not until I save my sister. I had to get out of here.I held the bracelet a little tighter as a reminder of why I was doing this.I didn’t know how I was going to make it out and by the sound of the alarm and the heavy footsteps below me. I knew they were all instructed to capture me. I just needed to get to the roof.I knew this was not going to be easy but I was not going to surrender. I was nearing the grille closer to the stairs of the roof. I could hear officers guarding the place and I was locked in.“
Nigel“Dammit, James. Stop being difficult.” I muttered under my breath.BOOM!“What was that?” one shouted.“Oh my God. Earthquake.” another voice shouted.“We are going to die.” another voice came.I was trying to get my bearings and figure out what the hell was going on. There was no earthquake. We were under attack. That was an explosion. It was coming from somewhere in the building. The phones and sirens began to blare again.“James escaped.”That’s all I heard from one of the comms to know he was the one who did this.
Nigel “Nigel?” Morgan raised a brow at me. I wasn’t sure if it was out of surprise or guilt. “Can I come in?” “Why?” he asked irritably. I squared my eyes suspiciously as he sidestepped and let me in. I was surprised that he would answer his door because most of the time someone else had always opened the door for me the few times I had been here. I was right to be here. James must be hiding in one of the many rooms here. “Are you here to look for something?” Morgan spoke as he crossed his arms, “Now that I’m not under investigation. I have had enough of you detectives.” “Was detective Shapiro and Ridley here?” “No?” he frowned.
KioniTrue happiness is what I felt. We were sitting having breakfast before the guys left the table, one after the other. It was all so weird. I looked around the table and everyone seemed to be oblivious. I wanted to go check what was happening outside, but the girls stopped me and began having a conversation about what we had for our dinner last night.“I should get the recipe and make this for Wayne.”“I’m not a skilled cook, but I loved the sauce.” Dani added.“That meat was so tender.” Gaby smiled.“Mhh, it was melting in my mouth.” Faith chided.“Faith ate for two.” Harper laughed&ldq
HarperA few months later,I had made some progress and was ready for this holiday. Tomorrow is going to be a big day. I looked at my suitcases and gleefully smiled.“Harper!”“Coming,” I shouted. I ran down the stairs. “What?” I scoffed.Sam has been my bodyguard. This was not by choice. It was annoying. I preferred the other guard, though I don’t remember his name. He never talked much. Unlike Sam, who takes every chance to speak.“You have a visitor,” he said. “Make it quick. We have to leave soon. I’m not getting in trouble because of you.”“
AdamWith my injured leg and James’ injured shoulder, we almost struggled to keep Harper steady. Her strength was almost impossible to rear.“Thank you.” James said with a sigh.“Don’t mention it.”“It’s over.”“Yeah, it is,” I said, looking at the car where Nick was.“I should go with her to the hospital.”“I’m right behind you.” I nodded.James and my sister left with Harper in the same ambulance. Sebastian, Morgan and Gaby had also gone ahead. We were all being taken to Dawson Hospital
SebastianLesson learnt. Nick was just as canny as his father. He kept surprising me. He had an army. Over twenty men, I'm sure. He knew we were coming. He was prepared. I didn’t do enough to catch him. I should have followed the money theory harder. If I was aware of how vigorous he was, things would have been different. We wouldn’t be in this situation. Nick was worse than his father.“You two stay here. Help is almost here. I have to get in there.”“Don’t get killed,” Adam said.“Be careful,” Nigel said.I gave them both a nod and moved. I was a little rusty, but I prayed I could manage. I ran inside, dodging all the bullets. Before I got in, I saw him ducking his head. Nigel had my back.
NickHiring people to take Kioni to the mansion was a plan in the works for a long time. All the months of planning and watching from afar were necessary. I was going to take Kioni either way. She belonged to me. They all underestimated me. Underestimating the love I felt for her. She was mine, and I was going to make it crystal clear.Everything was set. I was prepared for a fight. One of two things was going to happen. Kioni was going to come to me or I was going to go take her. No army of guards was going to stop me because I had an army of my own. An army I spent a lot of money on and they were the best.Charles taught me one thing that stuck with me. Being resourceful and passionate enough to grasp the moment. My moment was now staring at me. They really made it easy for me. We were going to get married. She looked stunning in that
HarperThey always sideline me. As much as they were, I was involved in this as well. I would be devastated if something happened to Kioni or Gaby. I was actually devastated. That’s why when they were leaving, I followed them.I jumped into Morgan’s car with the bodyguard. He didn’t even know his boss had left with the others when I told him to drive. We were not really seeing eye to eye because the drive started off in an argument.“You know you are going to get me in trouble,” he eyed me with the corner of his eye.“I don’t care. Just drive.” I yelled.“I don’t even know where they went.” he yelled back.“They must have driven pa
KioniMy head hung low from a chair. I opened my eyes and looked around. My hands were chained to a chair. I sat straight and looked around.“Gaby!” I shouted. She was lying on the floor. “Gaby. Wake up.”“You are awake,” Nick emerged from behind me. “How do I look?”“What are you doing?” I asked him, “What did you do to her?”“Come on, Kiki,” he laughed, “This is what we always wanted.”“I don't want this.” I creased my face in disgust. “I know everything you did to me.”“I did nothing you didn’t want.” he walked a
MorganMy phone was ringing, but it was not on the nightstand. It was ringing somewhere on the floor close to the door; I think. My head was pounding like crazy. Someone shaking me made me open my eyes. I blinked a couple of times, hoping the room would stop spinning.I stumbled off the bed and looked around. There were two women in my bed and one on the floor. I did not know what was going on. The ringing was so loud. All I wanted was to go back to bed. Sleep off the dizzy.“Make it stop.” the woman on the floor stirred.I moved to find my phone. I had no idea what the hell was happening. When I got my phone, I almost threw it on the floor. I wanted to hurl. I scrunched and answered the call.
SebastianThe shouting inside was hurting my ears even as I stood outside smoking. I don’t even know how they all ended up shouting like that. They have all drifted, of course, from the actual issue.Morgan’s idea made sense. Nick would do anything to get to Kioni. All this time we had focussed on that factor. We had her protected at all times that it was difficult for him to try something. That’s why he easily spotted the weaker spot.Harper.How many weak spots could he see? I drew a big puff and stared at nothing. I wish I could drown all the noise. Prison was usually peaceful at this time of the night. Their annoying fighting was actually making me miss the serenity.“I thought you had gone home,” I to