CHAPTER SIXTY-SEVEN
GABRIELLE~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~I didn't see Lucian the next day, and the day after that, and also the day after that until a week went past, He also wasn't receiving any of my calls which was why I had been shocked when I asked Fred about his whereabouts only for him to tell me that Lucian was on a business trip. He had returned only for a short while but was gone even before I could meet him.It hurt so much, I wouldn't lie about that. I felt as though he didn't care anymore, I wondered if he was even thinking about me as often as I did him or maybe all he could remember was "my betrayal" and he had chosen to forget that I exist.I have always remained inside the room, feeling too depressed to do anything but cry and feel sorry for myself. I've been trying to eat despite my complete loss of appetite only for the baby's sake but it seemed to me that I had lost some weight. I heaved out a sigh and stared at my reflec
CHAPTER SIXTY EIGHTGABRIELLE~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~I didn't know how long I stood out here gathering the courage to enter inside, but my legs were starting to hurt, Inhaling deeply through my nose, my fingers touched the handle of the door, then I slowly pulled it open."Why the hell would you bring her to this place!" I heard Lucian yell and entered just in time to sew him slamming his hand against the table as he glared at Devin. Perhaps he suddenly got aware of my presence as his head snapped in my direction.I thought I saw surprise and warmth flashed across his features as he stared at me a bit too long, I also took that moment to stare at him, my heart missed a beat as I thought of how long it had been. A part of me wished to throw my arms around him and tell him how much I've felt his absence and touch, the night and days were never the same without him. The moment was short-lived when his face transformed into a frown. My a
CHAPTER SIXTY-NINEGABRIELLE~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~"You are not leaving me! I don't allow you." His hot breath blasted my ears just before he turned me around to face his angry glare."You will never speak of that ever again, I need you with me!" He spoke in a lower more serious tone as his eyes kept me pinned.My heart squeezed tightly as I realized that his last statement wasn't out of anger, he was pleading with me. A quiet sigh escaped my mouth if he wasn't the most complicated person on the planet. If he didn't want me to stay or leave, what was I supposed to do! Would I ever understand all of him?"Why do you need me to stay?" I questioned, unconsciously placing my hand on my abdomen. "You don't trust me, Lucian, you don't want to be in OUR life! And you can't let us go? What exactly do you want?" The helpless confusion caved into my voice. I don't think I've ever been so exhausted, physically and mentally.
CHAPTER SEVENTYGABRIELLE~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~That evening, we lay down together, and Lucian switched off the light, enclosing us in the darkness. I was lying on my sides when he pulled me closer to him so my head is pillowed on his chest.He appeared to be in deep thoughts and this was one of those times when I would give anything to read through his mind. Draping a hand across his ribcage, I closed my eyes, even though I was not feeling sleepy."There's something about me that you need to know, I probably should have told you sooner..." His voice was barely audible, his warm breath tickling the side of my cheek made my eyes flutter open. I lifted my chin to meet his stare. His tone and stare held every bit of seriousness and my heart was suddenly hammering in my chest, my mind thinking of all the possibilities that could make him be this serious."My mother was the daughter of one of the men in my father's organization, t
CHAPTER SEVENTY ONE~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~For the next few hours, I was anxious. I called mom from time to time but there was no positive update, how could my father and Phoebe just disappear without a trace.Mom spoke that Phoebe had gone for her dancing classes but had sneaked away from the men that were supposed to protect her. This wasn't the first time she had done that, only this time, she never returned home. As for dad, his assistant said that he had insisted on leaving alone after receiving an urgent call.I couldn't help the worry that gnawed my insides, we weren't close but they were still family after all. I only prayed that they were alright where they are.I thought about telling Lucian but quickly decided against it. What if it wasn't anything serious? My mother had always worried about the slightest things. Who knew, Phoebe might be having a hangover after partying hard, she might be at one of her friends' places. Then what ab
CHAPTER SEVENTY TWOGABRIELLE~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~"Please wait here! don't go anywhere." Devin told me."But..." I started, but he was already gone, I watched anxiously as he blended with the slight crowd.What was that sound all about? Why was Derek here? Was Loretta alright?I was too nervous to standby and wait any longer, I hurried after him, and at the same time, I could hear the sound of sirens.I finally found Devin, he said the first thing I noticed was the bloodstain on his hand which spiked my anxiety, I looked behind him but there was no sign of Loretta, nor Fred."What happened? Where are they?" I barely finished talking when my eyes fell on the paramedics walking out with a stretcher, I couldn't tear my eyes away, not even a blink. The person lying unconscious was Fred. Was he dead?god no!Without a word, Devin grabbed my arm, hurrying us out of the mall and more security that wer
CHAPTER SEVENTY THREEGABRIELLE~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~"You have to take me with you." I said, his reaction was immediate."No, you are staying here" He asserted, frowning.I had only an hour to reach the location Derek had given to me. I was to come alone or he promised to kill everyone I cared about.Derek seemed to have lost it, I was scared for Lucian's safety and my family's as well. I wanted to meet Derek, maybe I could make him change his mind, things don't have to end tragically between us."If he doesn't see me, he's going to kill them! We can't risk it, Lucian!" I urged as he yelled something to Devin about preparing the car. I started to speak again when he grabbed my arm, tilting my chin to meet his gaze."I'm not about to use you and our baby as bait!" He glares at me. "You are going to sit your pretty ass down here while I go get the job done! I will be back in an hour and I promise you that nothi
CHAPTER SEVENTY FOURGABRIELLE~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~I could only seat helplessly as Devin drove us farther away from Lucian.He started to answer a call and I turned away in frustration. Tension was building its root inside of me until I felt like I would burst from it all.I inhaled deeply closing my eyes, there was no option left but to believe Lucian and wait for him to return unharmed."What the..." The startling sound left my mouth when the car suddenly screeched to a halt.My head spun to meet Devin's grave expression and knew instantly that something was wrong, I was almost terrified to ask."What happened? What's going on?"Devin stared at me, his expression filled with urgency and uncertainty. "One of our men reported to have spotted Vladimir, why would he arrive in New York all of a sudden?"Vladimir Petrov? Why would Lucian's rival be here, dad and Vladimir were part
CHAPTER SEVENTY FIVELUCIAN~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~It was too late, there were already inside the building.Fuck!The cold rational part of my mind registered one thing, there was nowhere to run!They were no doubt searching for us across all the rooms right now!"We need a plan now!" Devin spoke.There wasn't much time to think but the last thing I wanted was for Vladimir to use my sister as leverage against us, or worse, she could end up injured or dead.I met Loretta's panicked gaze, she shouldn't be going through this all over again. I doubted she would ever forget this event and had never been so thankful that I had found out Brie just in time and sent her home.A mixture of rage and panic filled me as I suddenly thought if I didn't make it out of here, I would never get to see Brie ever again, never hold our baby in my arms.No!All the more reason I had to get out of