LucienHe watched as his wife wrapped the robe around her bare body and wafted out. He was going to join her, in a few minutes, after he had checked with Schwartz and also, once he had spoken to Tristan Lord.The first call made him tense. Schwartz sounded excited.“Boss, the snow is letting down. You can fly in tonight or maybe earlier.’And then, ’It’s him, yes, It’s Dmitri, that bas*ard, alight.’Lucien felt his gut muscles clench. He was going to leave. Lucien Delano had no desire to leave his sexy, loving wife but he had to. He would sorely miss her and his children, he thought, running a thick hand over his tired face. But he had no option.Knowing that Proserpina would do her best to hide her fear and anxiety, he sighed. He was still getting used to the idea of loving a woman so totally.No one had ever managed to hold him captive in their hands, no one whose feelings he would have ever considered above his own wants; but this woman had made him think of her, of their children b
ProserpinaI stood staring after Lucien as the cars pulled away from the drive that afternoon. it was warm but a chill was setting in. I knew winter was approaching. Somehow, my heart felt leaden. I had not wanted to let him go and had clung to him, silently, trying not to cry.Finally, his face in my hair, he had said in a tormented growl.“Woman, I need to go.” He held me at arm’s length, looking into my face, his grey eyes hot with fury.”You know it, woman. I have to kill that bas*ard. After all that he did to you…” and he had pulled me to him, crushing me to his length, and then, with a harsh kiss, he had thrust me away and strode out to the waiting cars. With my fist in my mouth to prevent myself from sobbing out loud, I looked at the large black car as it drew away speedily and was lost in a cloud of dust as the other four cars along with it revved past.“Come back to me, please. Come back safely.” I prayed.My legs felt as though they would give way, and I turned blindly to
ProserpinaMy days took on a familiar grey hue. I was determined not to fall into a state of despair and two days after Lucien had left, I began my yoga regime. The first day I could barely hold a couple of poses, my body was so very out of shape. But that only made me feel more determined to continue and I settled into my morning routine.I also began to attend my weekly sessions with Dr. Asha.The twins pranced around the house, making mayhem with a willing henchman, Claude Delano, ready to follow them anywhere and everywhere. If that was not enough to keep me busy, I had three little children who were always demanding milk! I had reduced my feeding as it had become too exhausting for me. When I looked about me, I felt eternally grateful that I had so many people around me who cared for me…But I missed Lucien, desperately. Every second of the day, I thought about him.it was now almost two weeks since he had left and I ached for him, every day.*As he had informed me before leaving,
Miles away in Europe.Broodingly, Lucien studied the photo he carried on his phone. It showed his family, his lovely wife and the six children. It was not a formal snap; Schwartz had taken the picture soon after Proserpina had been rescued. Proserpina looked exhausted but so achingly lovely he swore he just wanted to get back and hold her in his arms, see his beloved children. her long hair unbound, those full breasts with their dark-hued peaks, barely visible through the fine material of her lace blouse, dimpling as she held their triplets in her arms, leaning back in their bed. Ria, Piers and Claude were also beside her.He swore again as he knew it was a distant dream.It had been a month and he was still counting. The slippery, elusive Dmitri Rudenko had given him the slip and disappeared into the mountains, yet again.*Schwartz entered the small bedroom where Lucien stood, staring out at the white, snow-covered landscape.He had on a parka and he looked weary. Aiyana came in aft
LucienThey were on the hills keeping watch. The knowledge that Khan was arriving shortly had galvanised them into action. Even the biting cold and the wind that tore into them through their warm layers of clothing, did not seem to matter anymore.Schwartz came towards him, moving in the shadows of the towering trees around them.He had his binoculars and his gun in position. They had brought along their posse of men too.“Boss?” he asked and Lucien turned to look at him. “Aiyana sent a message.”The woman in question was in the apartment, in contact with her FBI friends and a man in the CIA who had passed on the vital information about the proposed meeting.How she had managed to tap into her former resources and get them on board was a mystery to the Mafia Don. He guessed that the US government agencies were also eager to flush out Khan who was beginning to be a huge nuisance.Lucien raised a heavy eyebrow enquiringly.“Something about a shift in the venue,” said Schwartz, His bre
ProserpinaI sighed and sat back in the chair, raising my arms and stretching. It was late evening and I had been working on my notes and projects. I had enrolled for a refresher course at the university along with my Doctoral course and was thrilled to have been accepted too. Anything to dull the ache of my heart as I sat about waiting for the return of my husband I thought despondently. I longed to hold him in my arms, to feel his harsh claiming of my body…I loved him and I ached for him.Rachel was arriving the next day and I had wanted to see that my work was done before that. I longed to see her, my dearest friend.Brian had also hinted that he would stop back on his way back to Japan. I was eager to see him too. I smiled happily as I thought of them.*The sound of Beston clearing his throat politely, made me jump.I turned around and got to my feet.He stood in the doorway, and he gave a twitch of his lips to signify a smile.Ria and Piers had appeared behind him, Claude tail
Lucien.They moved slowly as they approached the house, little more than a make-shift shed. Simmons was in contact with Aiyana as she radioed back instructions, her voice not sounding as cool and collected as she watched them through the camera they had fitted.*“Watch out!’ she called and they saw a light move in one of the rooms inside the house.Suddenly, with no warning, a volley of fire came from the house and the bushes surrounding the house. Lucien and his men dived down, crawling in the undergrowth on their stomachs. They took care not to return the fire. They did not want to provide any clue to their whereabouts.Panting, Lucien rolled onto his stomach. His brass knuckle dusters were in his overcoat pocket. It had been difficult, climbing up the hill, loaded with their weapons.But this was one weapon he would not abandon for anything.*He turned his head and met the eyes of his man, Rhyme.Schwartz also nodded as Lucien gesticulated, jerking his chin coldly.The tall man
ProserpinaI stepped out of the kitchen, face glowing as I hurried to meet my friend.Rachel had arrived, flying in from one of the Scandinavian nations where she had gone to attend a lecture on environmental hazards. And she had also presented a paper before the august assembly of academicians and I was proud of her although she had played down her achievement in her usual flippant way.I threw my arms around her and she hugged me enthusiastically. Rachel was a big-boned woman with short-cropped blonde hair and a wide smile, her huge glasses balanced on her small pert nose. She still had a smattering of freckles on her nose and I squealed as she hugged me again, a bone-breaking hug.‘Girl, you look as young as ever’ she shouted, her booming voice as authoritative and strong as ever.‘Rachel!’ I cried, even as she continued,“Where is your brood?’ and then she chuckled as Ria and Piers, with Claude in tow, burst out of the morning room where they had been doing their studies, under th