**TRACY SCOTT'S POV**In the middle of the night, I jerked from the pillow, taking a sudden seat on the bed. A nightmare didn't wake me up, the bizarre noises by my room did. It wasn't the crickets or any other insects, it felt strange as I couldn't determine what made that particular sound. I stood in that posture without moving for about ten minutes, then the same sound came again.My breath thumbed, and I jumped from my bed in fright. I docked on the floor with my two feet, my hair bun got loose making my hair cover my face. Istruggled to get it off to ensure I retained visibility. When I did, I strutted by the wall studying the entire room. Nothing was improper, yet something kept making weird noises.Disputing within me, I couldn't decide; plunging my pride and rushing to Ethan's room or pressing on like an adult and finding the source. Ethan would ridicule me, but his job was to protect me. I picked the first, my fragile heart pushed me to make the wise choice. I'm still survey
**TRACY SCOTT POV**The next morning, I woke up shivering. I struggled to get on, so I could increase the heat in the room. Then, I crawled back to bed and dozed on.When I arose, I felt weak all over. Several parts of my body were hurting simultaneously. Hands, legs, head, even my eyes. I must be feeling home sick or something. I placed my hand on my neck, my temperature felt warm. Furthermore, I wasn't sick physically, it must be in my mind."Christ!" I moaned, raising my hand to rub my temples, trying to reduce the slight pain there. The action was regrettable as it only increased the pain I felt in my arms. When I couldn't handle it anymore, I slowly dropped my arms down, enduring the pain in my head. I hissed and moaned with the little energy left, these sounds were made in pain.Subsequently, breathing became a very difficult problem. At first, I would behave as an asthmatic patient, breathing like my lungs were clogged, or something was blocking the free flow of air.That would
**ANTONY SANTOS POVThe shot echoed through the room, like a dagger straight to my heart although I committed no crime, that is if you don't count wall shooting. The woman couldn't move, the fear of death struck her harder than I imagined. I wanted to tell her, but I got the feeling she would not pass the emotion off."Hey, hey!" I exclaimed, rushing to her side. She jumped at my touch and parted her lips for what I assumed as a cry for help."Don't scream, I'm begging you." I held her with her one hand and placed the other over her lips."It's okay." I kept the hand over her lips but let her go."I'll remove this if you promise not to scream." Proposing a deal, I waited for her reaction which came as a small nod minutes later."If you scream, there are some very bad people out there who will come in here to hurt you." I added knowing fully well she would scream if I didn't. She nodded repeatedly, this time more firmly, convincing me completely. Slowly, I realized my hold over her lip
**ANTONY SANTOS POV"Princess, I love the nickname." She giggled, her voice was distant and unfamiliar. I haven't spoken to her in less than a day, that wasn't enough to forget her voice, I can't forget it. Ever. I squinted my eyes but she looked distant."Princess?" I repeated earning a giggle from her. It sounded more as a snort. Nothing like her usual giggle, chuckle and the one she throws her head back while she enjoyed herself."Let's go. I'll make you feel so good, you won't be able to remember anything in the morning." She urged, tugging at my shirt. I twinkled my eyes getting drowsy. She pulled me to my feet, I cocked my head toJericho's direction, he had his lips wrapped around her nipples, the little covering she had on hee breasts had been let lose long now. I couldn't see her clearly, or him. I wasn't even sure they were themselves."Darling, come on." She urged, increasing her grip on my shirt."Go on pretty boy, you need it. You deserve it. Tomorrow is a big day for you.
**ANTONY SANTOS POVWeirdly, each time the voice reminded me of my actions, I built up the urge to stop my strokes in her. Oddly each time that happened, my gaze would meet hers, I would see the face of Tracy Carter, my princess, it would build up my urge, something I pressed down within me, whatever I drank made it multiply ten folds, after seeing her, the only thing I wanted to do was make love over and over again. That said, I turned her over and slammed harder.She encouraged me, more than I expected. I thought Tracy would reserve herself to being shy and careful but on top of me now, I could tell she only wantedmore."More," She screamed making a weird laugh and holding my waist, I grunted and stroke harder. I heard her giggle, it should sound like a maniac, nothing compared to what I got from Tracy."You're being paranoid. This is what you've always wanted. Relax and enjoy it.” I assured myself and gulped. I squeezed my eyes and thought of nothing but her. The first time we met
**TRACY SCOTT**Soothing my neck with both hands, I shrugged his off my arm, one silly move on this bed and my hormones would finish me off. I couldn't move,speak,yell, scream. I was numb. The pain was excruciating, eating me from within. Definitely karma.After regaining a little composure, I decided not to embarrass myself any further by having Ethan in the room. He'd love to see me this way, after last night I was sure he'd do anything to get a chance to laugh in my face, my flow had to show up today, of all days in the fucking world, why today?"Uhm, I'm not sure. You should leave, please leave. I want to stay on my own for now. I command you to leave my room." I winced in pain, returning my out stretch finger back to the side of my leg. That move was unprecedented. Note to self, no suddenmovements."I'm sorry, I won't be able to obey that command for now. I apologize." Ethan argued with a sly smirk."Are you deaf? I commanded you to leave my room. I don't want to be around you n
**TRACY SCOTT**I woke up to the sound of two individuals whispering beside me as I laid on the bed. Alarmed due to my present situation, I grabbed a pillow, swinging it at what I presumed to be a body then jumping up from the bed."Fuck!"Ethan cursed and someone pulled me back."Let me go!""Have you lost it? It's me. What is wrong with you?" | stopped fighting after those words. Paused then looked around. Richard remained on the bed, blinking his lids, switching his gaze between Ethan and I.His arms were crossed over my tummy, preventing me from escaping. What are they doing in my room?"Calm down.""Don't speak to me like I'm a child!” I snapped, raising a finger in the air."Don't act like one." He retorted, gripping both sides of my waist."I am your boss. You don't get to speak to me in any way you please.""Corection, your father is my boss and he's clearly not here, you can't exert any power over me. Stop trying to." He was right about that. Taking a deep breath, I elbowed hi
** ANTONY SANTOS**I was prepared to go head to head with him. If that was what it took to ensure she's safe, un touched, and definately not defiled by these bastards then so be it. If blowing my cover and risking everything would ensure Tracy isn't raped, I was prepared to do it. Hell I'd kill everyone in this room if that was possible, as long as Tracy isn't harmed. Starting with this bastard, I clenched my jaw, lifted my head and closed the gap."I said no."He scoffed. Clearly, my response wasn't expected. He didn't think I'd repeat the words or throw meaning to it. I prepared for a fight. I was ready to beat him up if it came to that. I was ready to fight all of them.Jericho scoffed as well, he cocked his head and scoffed again. I tightened my fist prepared for a fight any moment from now."Fine. You get to play rapist. I wanted the honours but since you're being a pussy about it, I'd let you take the mantle. But, you have to let the rest of us know how it goes."He explained.L
**TRACY SCOTT**. "Where do you want to go?"Jimmy asked, dirverting into the main road.It's a miracle we've even gotten this far without any reporters trying to bash into the car or take pictures. Maybe they don't have vans?I'm almost sure Father would have gotten the news by nowThey've flock around the office begging for a comment or the house.I expected it. In fact I want it.The more influence I have, the more people get to hear the truth.Father can't oppose this even. That man killed his wife. He took me for days and now they're going to just let him go.Well I'll be dammed.Just like clockwork, my cell began ringing.Lucky guess it's Ethan. He's calling to rant aboutIt'll be rude not to answer, plus I'm not ashamed of what I've done I'll repeat it if necessary."What is it?"I snapped. From the corner, Jimmy's brows shot up."I just wanted to say congratulations. I'm happy you're going to do something that n
**TRACY SCOTT**. Murmurs. Bickering. Incessant sounds that's currently irking. Echoing in my ear and makes me want to scream. Maybe they'll shut up.More reporters are gathering since I've gotten what I wanted. For this to air live. For the entire world to hear me.For the whole world to see and understand my plague. To know why I went through and decide for themselves if what's going to happen is the right thing. It's not. They know it. It's why they'll stand up and stop it. I hope."Everyone is eager to understand what I'm about to say. I'll tell you and since this is live, there won't be any miscommunication."My eyes went above their heads as the teachers would advise us while we gave our speeches. I wished I hadn't done that though.For the side entrance, I noticed Antony burst out with Ethan behind him.Perfect. I had all the media attention, they weren't affected by two men.I turned away. Antony's eyes move
TRACY SCOTT**. Jimmy loves me. I should not be considering that with everything that's happening and all that's at stake, but in some weird way I can't help the tingles all around me with the realization that Jimmy loves me.He's actually in love with me. I know that because what we about to do is similar to jumping off a cliff with no safety on, he's willing to do that.I think he is. Maybe he'll just walk me up to it, tell me what to do then leave me hanging.He'll remain neutral in the dealings and I'll face the music myself.I would not blame him. It's typically the smart thing to do.Ethan. Antony. They should all stay away from me. The best thing to do is taking it all head on.In fact involving anyone else will just make matters worse.I'm the center piece of everything.It started with me. It should end with me."Are you reconsidering it? I won't lie to you, it'spolitical suicide, that what we would call it
**TRACY SCOTT**. "How about here, it says foreign nationals who have committed a crime...""We can't use that, they'll argue that he didn't actual commit the crime.""That would make no sense?"I cringed my nose in utter confusion."In theory, it would not but if they did that, they'll make a center piece of the American justice system, they'll bring it out on the open for anyone interested to ask as many questions as they'd like and trust me, there are some many people interested in the system.""Ugh."I fell on the chair, tossing the books aside."Maybe we take a five minutes break..."He was interrupted by my cell phone."I'm sorry, I should get this."I slipped my hand into my pocket silently praying it wasn't my father or Antony, in that case I won't have to get anything.It wasn't. Ethan was calling. From the burner. How nice."Yes?"I answered. No filter needed. I didn't want to talk to any of them from that p
153**TRACY SCOTT**. "Tracy wait! I'm confused because it's as though both of you just shut me out in an instant. What is going on here? One minute I think maybe in actually part of the team or whatever shit and the next you're gone with him, you disappear for almost half an hour. What happened?"I held my purse, twirling in the free space outside."Get rid of the substance in your car, we do not want anyone getting a whiff of what that thing might be. It won't do anyone good."I instructed instead of answering the question."Tracy. you're just avoiding the question and I thought you would not be mad for telling Antony.""I'm not mad. Come on, do I seem mad? If I dol apologise for giving you the wrong impression, I am not."I giggled, palming my lips to stiffen it when it got too weird."I'm sorry we didn't take you in with us. I only got ten minutes and somehow you were lost in between, it wasn't my intention."His
152**TRACY SCOTT**. You're weak. You're fragile. That's what they think. That's what they'll never say to your face, but it's the reason they pet you in believing things which aren't actually true.They're all liars. They've been lying to you for the longest time. That is the truth. You can't trust any of them.Those are Antonov's words from earlier today replaying in my head like a broken record.When he dropped the last bombshell, the concluding piece of the puzzle in my head, the little secret Antony was keeping, I grew numb while seating on that chair.I kept my hands folded, staring into space.My head was faced forward, probably making eye contact of some sort with him, but I was not there physically.My mind had wandered off, making up the scenes in my head.How it happened. Who she was. Why he did it.I created an answer for each of those questions after which more would just pop up. That's howmy mind work
**TRACY SCOTT**. I need a grip. A tight grip and maybe a lid. A grip on these whirling emotions inside me, like a storm and I'm in the fucking eye.An hour ago I was prepared, willing, and heaven knows I was ready to commit first-degree murder and not even blink.That's how mad I was. Was it anger? Or hurt? Or thirst for vergence? That would be fueled by either the former or latter before it?I'm not sure what it is, but it's there.I can feel it inside of it, it's burning and it keeps increasing with each passing minute.I would have killed that man, I would have done so without so much as blinking.That's how vicious I have become.Ethan was the only anchor left, if it wasn't for him I would have finished Antonov off.For now, I just need to stay in the same room with him.I need to look him in the eye and figure out why he ruined my life.Why did he kill my mother?Why did he start this goose chase for me decades
**ANTONY SANTOS**. "Why are you looking at me like that?"She asked after moments of silence reigned between us, neither bothering to utter a word. There weren't much seating positions in the gun range, so we merely relaxed our back over the wall, giving the other breathing space.Something I hadn't realised I needed, but I did."Like what?"I moved my shoulders, carefully flipping my front hair backwards and moving my eyes away which were raking her body with suspicion."Like I'm damaged goods. You're looking at me as though I'm damaged goods. It's what's going around and I can't seem to wrap my head around the look. It's getting annoying. Stop looking at me like that "She snapped, standing straight."I'm not looking at you like you're damaged goods. I would never think that, that's just being insensitive and anyone who is doing such hasn't the slightest clue of what you've been through nor has the right to judge
**ETHAN RAMIREZ**I searched the room with my eyes, it had cleared out leaving just us three. Antony and I standing metres away from one of the ranges, Tracy standing by the door with a smug look on her face that shows she's not exactly happy with either of us.What comes next is her feeling all too betrayed by both of us, but I'm sure Antony can handle it.I hope. I hope I didn't underestimate her angry she is at him, angry enough not to listen to a word he had to say, she has only made eye contact with him once since she walked in here and even then, she tore her gaze away quickly."I asked a question but it would seem no one is willing to give a weird answer. Since when did both of you become besties because that's what this seems. A get together for besties."She squirmed her shoulders, her tone dripping with sarcasm and mockery."Tracy..."She crossed her hand quickly, leaving one outside to place ahead of me and halt whatevermovement I had planned"I asked a question, Ethan. I