Chapter 2

" Who the hell are you?" The crouched man demands. F--uck. How do I get out of this? Aller always reminded me to remain calm if I was caught during a job and play the dumb card. This technique always served me well in the past. People found me attractive, so I would always play off their lusts and sympathies to escape a compromised job. Somehow I don't think a Weston henchman would be gullible. Well doesn't hurt to try, does it? Men like this only think with one part of their body.

I cover my mouth and giggle, fluttering my eyelids at the intimidating blonde man."I'm just a girl taking a swim in the pool. Who are you?" The man's face morphs into a terrifying glare, his arms shooting out and grabbing my body out of the pool. "Don't play with me, girl! Do you know who's estate this is or who I am? I'm Evander Weston, son of Noe Weston-the boss of the Weston Syndicate! In case you haven't gathered, you are trespassing on Weston Territory!" My heart flutters at his revelation. Fuck! Of all the syndicate henchman to run across, I had to cross Weston's son? Before I can think of a reply, Evander grabs a gun from one of the men, aiming it at my head. "Now I'll ask again, who are you?"

I take several steadying breaths. I can't afford to show fear. Right now, my best option is to play the naive girl act. There was no other logical way out of this mess."I'm sorry. I just moved here, and I thought this was the community pool. Although come to think of it-it is rather nice for a neighborhood pool." I peek at Evander through my lashes, adding a quiver of my lips and forcing tears to fall. "I was hot after unpacking crates all day! Please! I was desperate and jumped in the first pool I saw. Please, please don't kill me!" The fake tears work their magic on Evander. He lets out a frustrated sigh and hands the gun back to its owner. His eyes soften, "In the future, if a pool is surrounded by a fence, it is off-limits. I don't know how it works where you're from, but here we aren't chummy with our neighbors."

I bow my head and rapidly nod. "Of course! It won't happen again! Is there any way I can borrow a towel? I just want to dry off quickly." A foreign expression passes over the younger Weston's face. He betrays a motive in his eyes, something promising to be far sinister than being yelled at for taking a dip in his pool. On queue, his portable device sings, signaling an incoming transmission. Evander pulls out the square object, a smile spreading at the name on the screen. . A guard hands me a fluffy towel, throwing it on my head. "You got lucky, miss. Noe Weston takes no prisoners. He is ruthless, and you are fortunate you will retain your meager life." I ignore his contempt, rubbing the towel through my wet locks.

"Yes, father. She is. We are coming in at once." Evander signals to a group of henchmen. "Grab her and bring her to the main room. Father is asking for her." I furrow my eyebrows. Noe Weston wants to meet me? Why? The way Evander phrased it sounded like the syndicate boss was expecting my arrival. "Why does he need to see me?"

"Going to keep playing your game, love?" Evander winks. "Alright. Just to let you know, we already know who you are. I'll let father explain."

Someone roughly pushes me towards the side door. "Hey, That hurt!" I snarl, glaring at the offending man as I walk through the door. He snickers and shrugs his shoulders. What an ass! I ignore him and follow a small group down the hall that leads to a large glasshouse. We walk into a spacious modern room with luxurious chairs and couches strewn around the room. Completing the ridiculousness of this space is a small pool with a waterfall cascading into it.

I roll my eyes at Weston's extravagant taste. I almost feel out of place with my wet jeans and t-shirt sopping the floor. Evander walks around the waterfall and towards an older man that strikes a similar appearance to him. This must be the famous Noe Weston. Unlike his son, his dark blonde hair was slicked back, and his hazel eyes held a cruel glint. He was impeccably dressed in a dark blue suit. "Father." Evander motions to me "Son." Noe nods. The syndicate boss turns his attention towards me, a radiant smile crossing his features. He greeted me like we were familiars. "Lara. It is a pleasure to finally meet."

I scowl at his friendly greeting. What game was this android playing? "Weston. I don't believe we met. How do you know my name?"

Noe and Evander laugh. "Dropping the act, I see?" Evander slaps my shoulder playfully.

"Leave." Noe waves his hand, dismissing everyone. "You too, Evander."

Evander pouts at the potential torture he might miss. "But Father..."

"Leave! I will take it from here!" Noe's voice roars through the spacious room, his voice echoing throughout. Evander mumbles as he walks out to the patio.

"Sit," Noe commands. I sit on the edge of an armchair, tensing my muscles in case I get the chance to escape. Noe Weston sits at the table in front of me, studying my reaction. "WOW, "I reply, referring to his luxurious home.

"You act like you haven't seen an android residence before. I know that isn't true, Lara. How long have you been a thief? Ten years?" Noe's knees touch mine. I try to keep my composure. The man had done his homework on me. It was a common interrogation tactic used by the syndicate, criminals, and police to get their subject to crack. I couldn't show my fear and find out why the Weston boss wanted me here.

Noe's face breaks into a shit-eating grin. "I'll save you from asking the obvious, Lara. Your job- to steal one of my art pieces for a rival syndicate was a set-up. The truth is we met years ago, during a gala your boss-Aller asked you to recon. The minute I saw you, I was captivated by you. Your beauty, your intelligence, gods above, you captured my attention. I contacted Aller after the Gala and inquired about you. I knew after that night I had found my Queen. Over the years, I kept watch over you and fell under your spell further. I couldn't wait any longer, so I contacted Aller a week ago to purchase your contract. The man was more than happy to let you part for a generous amount." Goosebumps appear on my arms at his story. This man was a stalker and what is worse is the thought of me as his possession. He pours something from a glass bottle into a tumbler, handing it to me."I didn't poison it." He declared as he took a swig from glass. "See?"

" How is a drink supposed to help? You just told me I was bought against my will and that I'm your Queen. We don't know each other, Mr. Weston! All I know is that I'm a human, and you are a high-level android! Furthermore, I have no interest in your world, least of all being your Queen!" I was screaming at this point, but I didn't care. No one would come in here and interrupt me since apparently, I was special to Noe Weston.

Noe wraps his hands around each other, touching his fingertips."Well, I am a generous man, my dear Lara. So I will give you time to adjust to the idea of being mine. However, you will be the end of the month be warming my bed as my lover and wife."

Gag. Me. What did I just walk into?! "Screw you." I spit at the gloating man. "I rather die than fuck you."

"But you will, baby." Noe leans down until his lips are next to my ear. " Don't worry, I will keep you busy with assignments until that time. And as for screwing?" Noe bites my earlobe. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves, baby. All good things in time. Now shall we get you prepared for your living quarters?"