chapter 8- Andrew

Back when Andrew was still in the Army, He was nicknamed the Devil's Son. Everyone reverenced how eager and Fearless he acted. He had volunteered to Join the infantry and join his colleagues in fighting the war despite the fact that he was just few weeks into his recruitment.

He was barely a Soldier then.

During the war, He was part of a four Man gang who infiltrated the Enemies camp, and the only one to return alive.

Andrew was a Soldier through and through. Multiple promotions in few years, each one of those duly earned. Little wonder General ISSA would do anything to prevent him quitting.

Yet an assault was made on his life and He couldn't get his hands on the assassin's. It left him reeling and feeling foolish.

Still, Andrew was no fool. He knew who the men that came after him were. It wasn't actually hard to figure it out.

There were Men from the Bay Palace. Sent by Claire's father to probably intimidate him.

General ISSA was right, Lord Bay was a dangerous Man. Dangerous and with a Keen Eye. Keen enough to identify him as the enemy.

Andrew smiled inwardly. This mission would not be boring afterall. Funny the Man thought He could be intimidated so easily.

If only Claire had kept to the busy streets like He had asked her. If only she wasn't shaken so badly while driving.

He would have shown Lord Bay what intimidation actually looked like. It didn't matter to Andrew if He was Claire's father. An assault on his life was something he could never take lying down

"Do you need backup" General ISSA texted back when Andrew gave him his report

Andrew replied with a laughing Emoji before adding

"This just got personal General. I can watch my back"

Claire cornered him the next morning bringing him breakfast. It was the first time she did that. Usually she had let him order his food.

Scrambled eggs and yam. He ate a big chunk and loved the way it tasted.

"You didn't tell my husband about yesterday. Why?"

For a split second he let his eyes linger on her outfit. She looked sexy in that french top that exposed her bellybutton. Her boobs striking out against the tightness of the dress, doing things to his imagination. It's been a struggle for him to not see Claire for how beautiful she truly is.

She is the Mayor's wife now.

Andrew kept reminding himself how he had chosen the Army over her. It was a choice he had to live with. Regretfully or not.

"Do You need me to tell him?" He asked her.

She thought about it "It's only right. I think"

"Those Men were sent by your Father. Sent to maybe kill Me" he told her the truth or what he believed.

"My father. Why?"

Claire didn't doubt him. It was the kind of thing her Father could do

"I have my theory but I can't tell the Mayor because it's my problem. I figured your Father doesn't like me much"

"That's not a good thing. My dad is a very powerful man. I shall talk to him about it".

"Don't! Claire don't!" He had to be careful. His mission was to uncover why Lord Bay enjoyed so much respect and power. It had to be done discreetly

"You must tell the Mayor then. My Father listens to him"

"You forget who I am. I am not an Ordinary man. I can take care of Myself"

"You don't know my Father. In this town, Lord Bay is god. He probably knows you are military"

"It was in my profile, not a secret. My only confusion is Why would your Father be so scared of me to the extent of sending thugs after me"

She looked away fumbling with her hair, which was fluffed behind her back. It lacked that early morning care.

"Claire?"

"Why are you here Andrew. After 7years. You suddenly show up. You don't get to ask me anything. You say it's your problem so be it. Just don't die on Me" she moved to stand by the window, pulling the blinds open

Claire had always been fickle with her Emotions and it left Andrew baffled.

He got up from his breakfast and walked up to her. She turned away, taking small steps until her foot pressed against the frame of his bed. Andrew spuned her to face him.

"I did what was best for you. I couldn't stay and break your heart"

She tried to look past him, he was standing too close, his scent reminding her of pleasures she couldn't speak off. Andrew always smelled Good.

He Kissed her.

Sudden motion of lips that made her buckle almost falling. He held her arm, keeping her steady, pulling her closer to him.

She Kissed him back, deliberately yet unconsciously, her lips moving on its own. He tasted like breakfast. She savoured it, letting her desire win in the war against her better judgement. She could feel goosebumps on her skin, her nipples getting erect while she figured out how to breathe.

Andrew deepen the Kiss. How many nights did he Fantasize about holding Claire in his arms again. Today, she was begging to be kissed. Dressed like that, acting pouty and grumpy.

He tasted every inch of her mouth, his hands finding it's way under the folds of her dress. She had nipples befitting of a woman

Andrew deepen the Kiss. How many nights did he Fantasize about holding Claire in his arms again. Today, she was begging to be kissed. Dressed like that, and acting grumpy.

He tasted every inch of her mouth, his hands finding it's way under the folds of her dress. She had nipples befitting of a woman. She pressed against him when his hands touched them, her reaction sending triggers down his groin area.

Andrew knew he had to stop himself less he lost control.

She pulled him to bed,her hands working the buttons on his shirt.

"Claire" he breathed in her ear "I may not be able to hold back" his voice was rasp but she got the meaning in his words.

She shoved him away, spending the next minute recollecting her thoughts, calming her ragged breath.

She was a fool. This was a man who she ought to hate. A man who abandoned her while she was pregnant. Here She was almost letting him make love to her. She was a fool for letting her desires get the best of her.

I am a woman, I am supposed to have feelings. She had to give herself some leeway. She was married to a Mayor who cared nothing for her feelings, her hormones. She was a woman and she needed love.

Andrew didn't say a word while she left the room. He needed to be more careful. He had a Job to do. His love for Claire needed to stay in the past were it belonged.

Andrew took a cab and headed to the Bar. The one closest to the Bay Palace, the home of Claire's father. He had noticed it during the earlier drive with Claire. He needed to clear his head and think. He wasn't supposed to have kissed Claire again.

What was He thinking. He was at War with her Father. He had a mission to uncover the illicit of the town. Besides she was Married now. Married to the Mayor.

Show some restraint Man!

He sat and ordered a glass of gin which he caressed more than He drank. Nobody noticed him admist the loud music, alcohol and chatter. Andrew noticed everyone, including the Guy wearing ear rings who just like him wasn't really drinking the alcohol in front of him.

That was his man.

Andrew had come here because he needed some form of distraction, he needed to get back on track.

He waited a few more minutes before approaching him. Sliding into the vacant seat next to him, doing his best to seem aimless.

"Nice evening dear friend" Andrew had to raise his voice a tad higher so he could be heard above the music.

The young man shifted, He was a little bit uncomfortable.

"I am new here" Andrew continued. "Are you familiar with the town? I honestly need a friend"

"Everyone needs a friend" the young man responded laughing. Insincerely.

"Yeah yeah. Drink up" Andrew gave him a playful nudge "or don't you like your drink" The young emptied his Glass in a gulp. Andrew did the same and asked for a refill.

"Been here 4 days" Andrew continued. "I work for the Mayor. Don't get to see him much though as he is always working, or so it seems"

"Lucky you" the man responded

"Beautiful wife he has. People say the Mayor isn't the most powerful man in the city. People say that title belongs to Lord Bay" The man immediately pulled his drink away from him, scanning for the nearest exits. "Do you know Him? Lord Bay I mean"

That was it. The young man studied Andrew for a second, his eyes roaming through the crowd checking to see whom else was interested in him.

"What's that your name again?" The young man asked him

"Andrew"

"Well Mr. Andrew, good luck in your search for a friend"

"Wait!" Andrew called out before the young man could excuse himself from the Table

"Here is my card, my Military I.D card. My phone number is in the back. In the off chance you do need a Friend. Please call"

He took it and pondered. In the dim light, it was not too easy to authenticate what he held so he stuffed it in his front pocket before leaving without a backward glance.

"Anytime!" Andrew shouted after him