The moment I stepped into the office, my jaw almost dropped to the floor at the Beauty. It was enough to take my mind off that damned bastard and his slutty girlfriend. The first thing I noticed was the large, rich brown mahogany desk, perfectly polished to a warm sheen. The desk was paired with a comfortable, high-backed leather chair upholstered in a complementary earthy tone.To one side of the room was a plush couch, its cushions a soft, creamy white. They positioned the couch to take advantage of the stunning view through the wall-to-ceiling window, which stretched from floor to top and allowed natural light to flood the space.From there, I could see those walking below, something I was grateful for since it overlooked the car park. Throughout the room, vibrant green plants added a pop of colour and freshness, their pots a decorative complement to the peach hue of the wall.I could tell, undoubtedly that the decorator put his all in the room. It was so breathtaking that I didn
Lunch was awkward. Dashiell tagged along with us despite my warning not to do so, and that made Astrid so clumsy that she ended up throwing everything to the floor. “I'm sorry,” she apologized for the twentieth time since we arrived. Her gaze kept on the turned-over plate on the floor as the waiter on standby rushed over to our table to clean it up. “It's okay. I will pay for the damages,” Dashiell said, dropping a wad of cash on the table as he got up. “Let's change to the other table. It's vacant and —” “I'm no longer hungry.” I rose from the chair and turned to Astrid, who was trying not to make herself as small as she could. “Let's go.” “But you haven't had anything yet,” Dashiell protested, reaching out to hold my arm, only to drop his hands to the side when I shot a dark glare at him. “Can't you at least have something before you go?” “With you here, I doubt I will have the appetite to eat.” I tugged Astrid up from the chair and led the scared woman out of the restaurant
“This wasn't part of the plan, Brion,” I spoke into the receiver, my annoyance filtering through. “Not only did you let me work alone in the company while you took care of your pressing need, but you are telling me I need to represent you in the meet and greet?” “I'm sorry, Nova,” he apologized, his tone regretful. “I didn't know things would turn out this way, I swear.”“Can't you take care of it after the meet? It's not like your investors will die if you delay it for a day or two?” I plopped down on the couch in the living room, and crossed my legs, my gaze going over to my babies who were playing with their Legos. “I don't think it can wait, Nova.” “But —” “Are you worried about the kid? Someone will be there in an hour to help you look after them while you leave.” “You know, that's not what I'm worried about, Brion. I don't want to freaking attend the meet and greet!” I was almost yelling out now, my frustration taking the best of me. This wasn't how things were supposed t
“Dashiell?” I frowned, stepping out of my house so he wouldn't look in. With the door closed, I folded my arms, narrowing my eyes at him as I demanded, “What are you doing here?”Instead of being offended by my question, he presented the bouquet in his hand to me, tilting his head partially to the side as a small smile played on his lips. I glared at the flowers, the silence dragging on as my stare became hard on him. The subtle breeze blowing on the leaves of the trees outside my property was the only noise to be heard. “Why don't you take it?” He demanded once more, stepping close, only to stop short when my scowl became deep. Not even the sweet fragrance from the flowers could dampen my emotions. “What are you doing here? How did you know my address?” I made certain to ask Brion to get a building far from the company, and one that couldn't be easily traced. I knew why I did that, but it seemed the damned bastard I was trying to hide my house from discovered it faster than I
To take my mind off the man sitting on the couch, I tried to mingle with the few workers I saw. Astrid didn't attend because she had something to deal with at home, so I was left alone in the sea of unfamiliar faces, sipping my drink, while trying not to look awkward. One reason I hated social gatherings? The odd stares from people. However, my greatest fear started when we all stood up to exchange pleasantries. I ended up drinking more than my fair share of wine. Why? I had to pretend I was busy, so I wouldn't be tugged into a conversation I wanted nothing to do with.After my sixth drink, and getting to meet like twenty of the shareholders and overexcited women, who were fans of my works, smiling until my cheeks hurt, and appreciating comments on my dress, I was ready to leave. I staggered out of the room and towards the restroom, praying I didn't fall on my face from the heels I had on. It was tricky walking on them with how drunk I was, but I would be damned to remove it. Some
*Not a rape chapter.* “Why?” He placed his hand under my jaw and turned my face towards him. “I like you, Nova. I hope you know that,” he said before he forcefully kissed me on the lips. He was all over me and I couldn’t escape from his embrace. I tried to resist by turning my head, but he pulled it back toward him, roughly and shoved his tongue inside my mouth, effectively muffling my protests. I tried to kick and hit him, but all my efforts were in vain, for he was far too strong.He picked me up as if I weighed nothing and carried me to a table. I was too dazed to know where we were. Murmuring some words to me, he sat me down on it. “Stop,” I begged. “I don't want to do this.”"But your body is telling me otherwise, Nova. You want this.”He forced my legs apart and began rubbing his groin against mine. I gasped as I felt the sheer weight and volume of his meat against my private area. It felt different but in a good way. Before long, it felt wonderful. I couldn’t help it; my cro
He carried me out of his study and towards his room, where he placed me on my bed. He delayed just for a minute as he removed his boxers until he was standing naked before me with his cock as hard as ever. Fuck, Nova. How the hell did you go through the five years without sex? Thinking of it now made me decide to change this. Staying celibate isn't for me. I will surely get a man who will fuck my brains out each night. Smirking when he noticed my gaze on his cock, he climbed on the bed and knelt in front of me. “You can touch it if you like.”I knew I should have glared at him, and demanded he fuck me and get this over with, but the thoughts of having something in my mouth, and working on my skills made me approach him. Grabbing it with both hands, I started to pump the shaft gently a bit. It was very hot, solid, and literally throbbing. I carefully put my mouth over the head of his penis and tried to take as much into my mouth and throat as possible. I then started sucking the
NOVAAfter the incident, I pretended nothing happened between us. Luckily, Dashiell travelled for business and would be back in a week, giving me ample time to prepare for his return, knowing he would once more start following me around like the annoying housefly he was. The only good thing about this week was Brion's return. I had been eagerly waiting, counting the days until his return.“So, where do you wish to go on the date?” Brion asked, smiling at me, his eyes crinkling at the side as he watched. Like always, it drew me to him. I would be a liar if I said I never noticed how handsome he was. It didn't make matters okay he was such a good uncle to my kids, making me imagine what a romantic life with him would be like, but I didn't take those expectations far. Brion had been my saviour, something I never asked for, and one reason I would always be indebted to him. Thinking about him romantically would only cause a strain on our relationship, something I never wanted. “Nova?”
The doctor removed the IV drip before I could visit Dashiell. Ben led me by the hand, keeping me steady as he took me over to the room. Brion and the kids hadn't been alerted yet, so they didn't know we were back. My phone was off, so I hadn't gotten a call from him — yet. However, I knew it was only a matter of time before he called the police to report about me.The moment I opened the door, my eyes locked with that of a shocked man. Emerald eyes bore into mine the second I stepped into the room. "Nova?” He whispered, his voice shaky. He looked like he was imagining me because he lifted his right index and rubbed furiously on his eyes before it landed on me. “You are real?”I nodded, as tears rolled down my eyes. Dashiell was a shell of himself. Just a few days in captivity, and he had gotten so lean, I hardly recognized him. His skin was pale, almost translucent, and his cheekbones jutted out sharply. I was frozen, staring at my lover, and imagining how much he had suffered to l
When I came to, I was lying on a bed. The scent of disinfectant in the room made me realize where I was. I slowly sat up, grimacing at the pain in my arm. I had a bandage wrapped around my biceps, one that was stained with blood.The monitor next to me beeped as if it could sense my discomfort. Wincing, I leaned on the bed as I looked around the empty room. From the looks of it, Ben took me to the clinic I left Brion in. Heaving out a breath, I closed my eyes as images of the last time I was awake assaulted me. A knock on the door interrupted my thoughts. Snapping my eyes open, I looked towards it as it opened and Ben stepped in. “Thank God you are awake,” he said as he walked over to my bed and sat beside me, relief etched on his face. “Welcome back. You've been out for hours.”"Hours?" rubbed my temples, trying to clear the fog. “What of Gabriella?”“Dead. You did a pretty good number on her. The police have agreed to rule it out as self-defence. As she was an offender, it's not
“Where is Dashiell?” I asked after a few seconds, still wondering why she hadn't attacked me. I figured all it would take was a little talk before we get down to business. “Dashiell?” She made a face at that before a knowing smirk took over. Getting up, she glanced towards the stairs, which seemed like it had seen better days. The stairs didn't look like they would last for another year before caving in. Just like the rest of the house, it was dying — most times, I always believed houses were entities. She snapped her fingers and three men appeared from a door behind where she stood, their chest bare, showing off muscles that must have taken years to build. My heart skipped as I gripped the pistol in my hoodie tighter. I knew it was about time for the fight. But I doubt I could take the men on. Gabriella alone? I could. “Do you assume the gun you hid in your hoodie will help you, darling?” She smiled, her eyes crinkling at the sides. "How?" I was dumbstruck by the question. “How
It looked just like the place someone as shady as Zoey would be. As I approached, I noticed the overgrown yard and weeds sprouting through cracks in the pavement. Nature had reclaimed the property, wrapping vines around the porch pillars. I slowed my pace, my senses on high alert. Something felt off. Though Ben's hidden presence reassured me, my heart continued to thud like a bass drum in my chest. I took a deep breath and stepped onto the porch, the wooden boards groaning beneath my feet. The door creaked as I pushed it open, and I called out, “I'm here.” My voice echoed through the empty corridor. At first, nothing happened, until I heard a rather familiar voice asking me to come forward. I looked back at the place Ben was likely hiding in before I fully stepped in and closed the falling door. I shivered as I walked forward, guided by the dim lighting in the hallway before I arrived in the sitting room. A figure sat perched on one of the sofas, the minute I walked in. “Hell
I got dressed for the operation. We didn't return to the hospital because I didn't think it was necessary. Brion would undoubtedly try to talk me out of my plans, which was why I didn't attempt a return there, not until we had gotten everything sorted. Today, I vowed, would be the day I bring Dashiell back home. He had stayed too long with Zoey. It was time for him to return, to his home, to me and the kids.“Ready?” Ben turned to me, lifting a brow, when I stepped out of the motel I checked into to change out of my clothes. I had a bulletproof vest under a hoodie.To cover my guns, I stuffed them into the pockets of my hoodie, waiting until I got an excellent location to conceal them. “Ready,” I confirmed, adjusting my hoodie to ensure the bulletproof vest wasn't visible. “Well, as ready as I can, for a dangerous mission,” I added with a smile. Though I was feeling as nervous as hell, and it felt like my heart was about to leap from my chest, I acted like I was okay. Yeah, perfectly
Suddenly, I was moving, being pulled towards a police car. Officer Maxwell's hands were still on my shoulders, guiding me into the back seat.As we sped away from the scene, I felt like my world was crashing down around me. My thoughts were all over the place. The drive to the hospital seemed like an eternity. It felt as if someone trapped me in a nightmare, one I was unable to wake up from.As we arrived at the hospital, I saw chaos. Police cars and ambulances were everywhere. People were running, shouting.I felt like I was going to throw up.After parking the car in the only space he could find, Officer Maxwell guided me out of the car. I stumbled, my legs weak. I wasn't physically weak, more like my emotions were getting the better of me. Thankfully, Brion was outside. However, my eyes were drawn to the little ones with him. The tears I didn't know I was holding back rolled down my eyes as I rushed towards them, feeling suddenly energetic. I knelt in front of my kids, hugging th
I complied, lying flat on the ground as the officers approached. They quickly subdued the third man, who was still trying to escape, and took the others away. I laid on the ground, thinking of a way out, until I looked up and saw Officer Maxwell walking over to me with a frown on his face. “Is that you, Nova?” He demanded, closing the distance between us. At his approach, the police officers standing around me made way for him, each watching him intently.He reached down and helped me up from the ground, passing a handkerchief to me so I could wipe the dirt. Smiling, I took it from him and started cleaning the dirt on my body. From hiding behind the bush to lying flat on the ground, I looked like a mess, like I barely survived. “Do you know how dangerous your moves were, Nova? You could have gotten yourself hit?!” He yelled at my face the moment I finished cleaning up. “Why are you so damned reckless??!”“I didn't get killed, did I?” I lifted my shoulders in a shrug, acting like I
“Are you really going there alone?” Brion lifted a brow, watching me get dressed for the assignment. Surely you're joking, right? Are you messing with me? I should have known that was what you were doing.”"Not in the slightest. I am heading out solo. I still have my gun with me, remember? If it turns out to be a trap, I will shoot those damned bastards right in their eyes. He must have found the promise in my gaze amusing, as he chuckled and covered his mouth with his right hand. “Though what you said right there is funny, we can't ignore the enormous elephant in the room. That is far too massive for that. You, Nova, aren't going anywhere without informing the police. I don't want to lose you, and I know the kids don't. We still need you, and —”“You are making this sound dramatic.” I rolled my eyes at him as I checked my reflection in the mirror. I didn't dress up. I just changed my style. Instead of the beautiful flowery gown I wore this morning, it was now a black shirt and blac
My eyes were puffy when I woke up the next morning after a restless night of tossing around in bed. I only slept for an hour, but that was enough for me. I had my bath and got dressed before I left for my kids' room. They were awake already, so I bathed them and helped them brush their teeth before I bought breakfast. After eating, Brion returned to his room to bathe and get dressed for the day, before he met me outside the children's room. I filled him up on everything, letting him know my plans. It was while we were discussing the next step to take that a nurse informed us Lilith had woken up. Brion would have gone with me, but I asked him to stay with the kids as I rushed over to her room. I opened the door and stormed in, resisting the urge to slam the door. Lilith was sitting up on the bed when I arrived. The moment she saw me, her face turned as white as a sheet. “Nova?”“Having sight issues, are you now?” I walked over to the bed, my gaze going on the handcuffs holding her.