I glance around the table.I don't know what to make of their faces. Unfortunately, Damien never let me attend meetings. I attended a few when I still worked as his secretary, as Yara, but they definitely didn't teach me anything significant, like how to conduct one. They're all frowning and they don't look happy to be here, even though they called me offering their help. Is this protocol, or is there something wrong? Either way, I can't wait. I have to start this now."Gentlemen," I begin. "Action needs to be taken. We have to stop Ash Rockford all he'll endanger all of us with his ruthless ways. I'm sure you've heard about Ethan's involvement, but let me assure you—""Ethan Keller is a traitor," Kirk Matthews says. "By betraying Damien, he has betrayed us all. Something has to be done about him."No, no, no. "He's not why I asked for your help. He'll be dealt with accordingly, I assure you.""By whom?" Rick Harris asks. "You can't assure us of anything, Mrs. Keller. We never expecte
I call my mother.I'm in bed now. I had something to eat, took a quick shower, and now I'm holding the phone to my ear with my heart in my throat. It rings for a couple of seconds before she picks up. "Amelia," is all she says.I lick my lips. "Hi, mom."She's silent for a beat, then asks, "You don't sound too good. Your voice is hoarse. How are you holding up? Don't tell me you're sick."I clear my throat. "I'm fine, I'm just tired. How are you?""Anxious to leave this place," she sighs on the phone. "I don't like this city, I've told you this before. But I'm going to stay here for as long as you need me. It's Damien you want to talk to, isn't it?""Is he next to you?" I ask."He's right here," she says. "I'll give you two some privacy."I hear movement and my heart beats a little faster. I can't understand why I'm this nervous, I should be excited. I delayed this moment purposely because I was avoiding this conversation. That makes me a terrible wife, I would say. I've basically bee
Ash Rockford is sitting right across me.I feel anger and disgust towards him. I despise this man, even more than Ferdinand and that's saying something. He isn't smirking now and knowing that we wiped that smirk off his face is the most satisfying feeling in the world. He thought killing Damien would be the hardest part; he thought that he'd easily intimidate us into giving into him everything he wants. I'll have to mislead him a bit more, but eventually he's not taking anything else from this family.He coldly asks, "Are you ready to liase with me or are you going to insist on defying me?"I bite my tongue. He's disgustingly imperious. He must be a narcissist. He's too arrogant for his own good, and he's trying his damndest to hide the fact that he's seething because he didn't get his way. I say, "I want this to end. I want you to release Ethan." This is how I'll go about things. I need to have a good reason to accept his terms or he'll use my plan against me.The corners of his lips
Ethan has lost complete track of time.He's been in this basement for too long. He's hungry and thirsty and his hand is the size of a melon. He's cold and shivering. It's infected, there's no doubt about it. Ash should've killed him when he had the chance.Death would be less painful than this.To make matters worse, he doesn't know anything about Penelope. The last time he saw her was in Ash's office. He's disappointed and worried; he can't believe that she would do such a thing to save him and at the same time, it doesn't fucking matter anymore. He hopes she's safe, he hopes that Ash didn't hurt her and his unborn child. He deserves this. He ruined his family, so he deserves this shit. He doesn't know if Damien is dead or alive, but he hopes it's the former. This can't be the end. If he gets out of here, he wants the opportunity to apologize, to make up for his mistakes. Damien might never forgive him, not that he deserves anyone's forgiveness, but at least he'll know that he tried.
The doctor told Damien that he'll be moved today.Theo informed him about this yesterday. He knew it would happen, but he didn't think it'd be this soon. It makes him suspicious; did something happen? He's in the dark here, nobody tells him anything. Granted, there's nothing the doctor, the nurses, or even Daisy would know concerning what's happening out there, but it's still frustrating. They won't even give him a phone. Not that he could do much with it; everyone thinks he's dead. Who would he call?The conversation he had with Amelia last night is all he's been thinking about. Hearing her voice was invigorating. He woke up feeling a lot better, energized, physically, at least. It's his mind that's in a dark place. He knows how stubborn she is and she's determined to stop Ash Rockford.It's a terrible idea and he'll try to stop her in any way he can. They don't know anything about that man. He nearly had Damien killed, which is a good indication that he's capable of doing anything t
I blot the red lipstick with some tissue.I don't recognize the woman staring back at me. It isn't just the makeup that's making her look different, the eyes are all wrong. Hard. Cold.Looking back, I have no clue of how I managed to be Yara Huxley for so long. Maybe the problem is that I was never Yara, not really. I was being Amelia the whole time. In this instance, I have to be an entirely different person to fool Ash Rockford. Amelia/Yara belongs to Damien and only him. She's not capable of being completely deceptive and cold.Ash sent one of his guys to The Lounge to inform me of the place where we would be dining and the time. I wasn't there, but Chris relayed the message. He's eager to meet me and I'll take that as a good sign.I've done my hair and make-up, so all that's left is putting on the dress I picked out. It's an open-back, glittery, long-sleeved black dress. It's short, exposing the right amount of skin. Devon thinks that this is the right tactic and I won't disagree
Roger drops me off in front of the apartment.I barely looked at him during the ride home. In fact, I haven't looked anyone in the face since I left the restaurant. I can still feel their eyes judging me, crucifying me. It's what Ash wanted. To degrade me, to show me that he's in command. He decides what the next move will be, I have no say in anything.Tomorrow. Midnight. The Chandler's hotel.Room 705.It makes me sick to my stomach. I'm really going to do this, it's going to happen. I'll be in a hotel room with Ash Rockford, alone. It's the perfect opportunity and I can't miss it. He won't be surrounded by armed men, it'll be just me and him.I've been waiting for Devon for five minutes out here. He's running late tonight, which is new. He's always here before I arrive. I can't stay here much longer, someone might see me. I'm not even sure if Ash has people watching me. I hope he doesn't.Just when I'm about to give up and head inside, I see his car. He parks in his usual spot and
Devon lights a cigarette without taking his eyes away from the back of Ash's head.He hasn't figured out what the fuck the bastard's so happy about. It could have something to do with dinner, but he can't be sure because Ash hasn't touched on the subject yet. It's fucked because Devon's the one who gave him the idea, now all of a sudden he's reluctant to share the details. Devon already knows how it went, but he wants to hear Ash's side of the story.His silence is grating on his nerves.He's determined not to ask, it'll make Ash suspicious and that's the last thing he needs. He called him here so he's got to tell him how it went. He can't act like he's desperate for information. As far as Ash knows, he's just paying off his debts. He saved him after all. He let him stay down there unnecessarily, though, which is why Devon's doing this. He won't forget and he most certainly won't forgive.He takes a drag of his cigarette, his stare unwavering. Ash turns to him with a drink in hand, th