LucienSchwartz was in his room in the house in a few minutes. He explained briefly that he had been on the way there when he had received the message from Beston.Lucien filled him in on what had just happened.*Schwartz listened thoughtfully, his sharp green eyes flitting over the large screen on Lucien’s study wall. Like Lucien, he knew that if they lost this chance, finding Dmitri Rudenko would prove to be very difficult. Once he entered the vast wastelands of Afghanistan, he could hide anywhere he wished. Al he would need was money. Thereafter, he could move any which way he pleased. But he would have escaped from Lucien Delano.They quickly began to formulate a plan. Both men were kept busy, calling up contacts, arranging places to stay, and making sure all the small details were taken care of. It was dusk when they were done. Lucien stretched and strode over to the window to gaze outside. In the gathering gloom, he could make out the figure of his wife. She was sitting on a de
Proserpina I looked up into his face, trembling. It felt as though my world had opened up and I was falling into a large, black hole. Lucien’s hands on my waist kept me steady as I looked into his eyes, that grey, pale laser-like eyes that were skimming over my face now, reading my expression clearly.‘ Wh…why…?’ I stammered.he pulled me into his arms and we stood for a while like that, my arms around his neck as I waited for the pounding of my heart to slow down.Lucien was my rock, my strength. I could not go on without him. And he was leaving me ,NOW?Why?Taking a deep breath, I looked up into his eyes and said fiercely, ‘Why?’He looked deeply into my eyes and then traced a thumb over my full, parted lips.‘I need to, little one.’ His gravelly voice was hoarse with emotion.The phone in his pocket rang and with an oath, he lifted it up. The sight of the caller‘s id made him stiffen.“I need to take this.’ he growled and moved away, walking towards the house. He indicated with h
SchwartzHe looked up to meet Aiayana’s cool gaze in the mirror. She was in her black pants and jacket, a pale pink shirt the only note that showed she was off work. Her long black hair was in a bun at the nape of her neck.She asked in her throaty voice,‘Sure you do not want me to come? My contacts in the FBI are still around.’He smiled slightly and shook his head. Crossing over to her, he said,“No, baby. You stay here.’ he made to kiss her but she moved her head at the last moment and he ended up kissing her cheek.*Stepping out of his embrace, she said in her cool way,“Well then, best leave. Cannot afford to keep the Boss waiting.’Her face was guileless, but he knew she was piqued. She had never taken to Lucien. the feeling was reciprocated.He smiled and said, ‘See you soon, baby. I shall text you...’ She nodded brusquely; he did not say it but he knew she had understood. It all hinged upon a number of “Ifs’If he had the chance to. If he remained in a safe place long eno
LucienHe had seen the small, battered car that had trundled past his cavalcade as he left. This was a private road. The only house at the end of the road was his mansion. Who could that be?He immediately called Beston. It had to be someone who had known he was leaving; who had waited on the side roads, engine idling, till the person saw him leaving.Not the sign of a good visitor.*When he was informed that it was Sophia, his lips tightened in rage. Clenching his fists, he controlled the urge to turn around and return to throttle the woman who had caused so much unhappiness, so much pain and suffering for his woman…Instead, knowing that an even greater evil awaited him, he spoke in a clipped voice, issuing instructions.‘Under no circumstances is that wh*re to meet my wife. ‘he growled, keeping his temper under control with a superhuman effort..” Do not let my woman know that the c*nt is at the gates.’He knew Proserpina and her soft heart. How she could tolerate seeing Paddy, th
LucienThe moment the identity of the person driving the battered little car dawned on him, Lucien was on the phone, bellowing at Beston, who sounded alarmed.‘Boss…’ he began and then there was a scream and the call ended abruptly.Lucien did not think twice.“Turn around!” he roared, “We need to get back to the house. NOW!!!”The driver did not hesitate.When the Boss said Jump, you jumped. It was as simple as that. he brought the car to a screeching halt and then took a sharp turn, tyres screaming in protest and they shot back the way they had come.*SophiaEarlier that week.When she opened the door to her miserable little apartment in the area she lived, she almost jumped out of her skin. Two men lounged around in her house, one was at the window, and the other was sitting comfortably on the only chair available.“Wh…What..Who are you?’ she squeaked.She was roughly propelled into the room and she realised that there was a third man who had been hiding behind the door.All of th
LucienHe was out of his car and running almost before the vehicle had slid to a stop.The sight that met his eyes made him holler in rage and frustration. He was still far away from the inner gate that led to his home.His men had bounded up behind him and stood, panting and sweating. StaringThe outer gate of his mansion was gone. He could make out the smouldering ruin of what had been a vehicleThe smell of burning rubber and flesh…*ProserpinaWe had fallen onto the ground, all three of us, Beston, Paddy and I. I cried out in pain. My body was still recovering from all the suffering I had endured but we were a distance away.We were alive; we were safe.Shrapnel had flown any which way in the air and landed around us, striking us too as we were the closest. I had shielded Paddy with my body and I was aware of Beston groaning. He had a deep cut on his arm and I felt something warm and wet on my cheek. Looking down at Paddy who was shivering so hard, I feared for him, I cuddled him
LucienHe was on the phone talking to Schwartz when his children entered. His eldest, the twins, along with the tall boy with the shock of unruly black hair and deep brown eyes, lanky Philippe, the gardener’s son, trailing behind them. The teen looked nervous but Ria stepped forward, her hand in her brother’s, chin jutting out.“Pappa, we need to talk to you.’ he scowled at them.“I am busy, he snapped and returned to his call, swivelling his seat away from them. he was dimly aware that the children continued to wait but he was too preoccupied.‘Come back later.’ he snapped and then as Ria hesitated, he roared,’ I SAID, LEAVE, NOW!’The little girl’s eyes widened in fright but then she pouted and the three youngsters left eh room.Phillipe stuck his hands in his back pockets. Lucien waited till they had left eh room before returning to the call.*Schwartz had left for Central Europe. There had been no point in cancelling the mission completely. Aiyana had opted to accompany him, which
SchwartzHe glanced at AiyanaThey had reached Kosice in Slovakia in the early hours of the morning and he had slept through most of the journey. James Schwartz hated flights. They made him feel nauseous, much to the amusement of Lucien Delano.A small two-bedroom apartment had been arranged for them. It was comfortable and spacious since it had been meant for the stay of Lucien Delano. His men had taken the room across the corridor.Schwartz grimaced. Now he was sharing the larger bedroom with the woman who had been his lover but who now looked through him, Aiyana.Now he glanced at Aiyana. As fit and fresh looking as ever in a cardigan and jacket coupled wither no-nonsense trousers, she looked as elegant as ever.He had heard how she had taken down Sophia who had been rigged out in a vest that was packed with explosives. She had not told him much about it, being as tight-lipped and reticent as ever. But he had heard from Lucien and, of course, his men who were with them too.There w