The drive was as long and as quiet as yesterday’s, Halle felt slightly uncomfortable and maybe a bit embarrassed. Maybe she should not have asked about Mr. Stone. It seems like everyone is bent on keeping whatever the famed yet unknown owner of Stone Corp was doing a secret even to her who he’d just hired. Halle wished she could play along, as a child she was very good at keeping her mouth shut. Her words were never valued and never believed, she held countless secrets, and in a way, if spoke to the right person she could’ve been able to destroy a lot of lives. People said a lot of shit in front of her because they felt or rather they knew she wasn’t capable of saying those words out loud to anyone. Halle pursed her lips and turned her gaze back to hard jawed Monty who was clenching the steering wheel so hard that veins bulged from his hand and neck. “Are you okay,” “No,” He said, surprising her, “I’m angry and no—” he shook his head, “I am not going to tell you the reason so don
Xavier… He looked bigger or maybe it was just her memory failing her. He towered over her like a redbrick biking that would never fall, his eyes devoid of any emotion, his lips pale…just like they had been when she was with him, his eyes darker, almost looked like they were filled with negative emotions but heavens! The man was still fucking sin itself.He took her breath away in more ways than one, shocked and blistering attraction and maybe a bit of lust.Halle let out a shaky breath as everything slowly began to make sense.“You’re Mr. Stone?” She yell-whispered, her finger pointed out in an accusatory manner.His eyes narrowed, his lips looked like they itched to lift into a sneer and quite frankly, Halle didn’t know what she felt about that.This man had spent three days in her home, made her feel what no one else, not even Simon has ever been able to make her feel, then he disappeared into thin air. Halle could remember the nights when she woke up and expected him to be n
He was able to find and contact her this entire time but yet he didn’t. Halle always believed that he was probably dead, seeing the kind of lifestyle he was into, she feared that the people he said were after him finally got to him and killed him. Yet here he was. He was seated on the royal blue sofa when Halle entered the living room. She had taken a warm shower and changed, not like she needed to do so but she desperately wanted to feel water on her skin, she made herself comfortable and just did it. Maybe in hopes that memories of him would wash away from her mind and then she’ll wake up from this nightmare. When she opened the door to the closet, she gasped in awe. It was a walk-in closet. Bigger and more spacious than anyone she’s seen on TV. It was a bit empty, all that was in there were the lounge wears Tabitha had told her about, Halle dragged her luggage into the closet and didn’t bother unpacking, she just left it there and changed into something more comfortable. Cott
Why would he choose her out of every other woman that he knew? Did he see her as a joke or was he just looking for a way to amuse himself while being cooped up in this fucking mansion?!“You seem upset,” His head tilted to the side as he spoke, not a hint of guilt or any other emotion for that matter in his brown eyes, just blank. Almost like he was a robot not making any effort to understand what she was feeling at that moment…it made her feel like her feelings and reaction were not validated.“Of course, I’m fucking upset!” Shit!He’s still technically your boss, is it okay to be yelling at him in this manner?The corners of his lips twitched lightly, the only sign of emotion he had shown but it didn’t go past that.“Then it shouldn’t be directed at me but yourself, Halle,”The way he said her name should’ve annoyed the ever-loving shit out of her and made her want to smack his face but instead it only made memories she’s pushed to the back of her mind parade on her senses a
Doctor Horacio was a nice man. At least that was what Halle wanted to believe when she looked into his eyes but she just didn’t get that vibe from him. Halle noticed that the man had stiffened up the second Xavier acknowledged his presence and gestured him forward. He grinned too widely and took slow steps to where they sat. He stood in front of Halle and Xavier, his smile too wide for his face, his gaze landing on Halle and making her squirm in her seat. “This is our family Doctor, Horacio,” Xavier said solemnly, looking at the mad like they both had some unspoken beef between them, they probably did. “He will see to all your health needs if you have any and run the proper tests,” “Nice to meet you, Miss Dean,” He outstretched a hand for a handshake and Halle took it while still sitting on the sofa. Xavier didn’t get up to greet him, why should she? His palms were callused, rough, and not what one would consider the hands of a doctor but yet his fingers were neat and trimmed to
Do not enter Mr. Stone’s study without permission. You are allowed three visits every two weeks and six a month. Do not engage in any stressful activities intentionally as it would be a breach of contract if it endangers the fetus. All personal information must be kept to self as this is a professional relationship. No parties. Until the contract elapses, being in any relationship that would involve sexual activities is not allowed. “Ok, that last one is just a load of bull crap!” Greta scoffed and then stuffed a handful of barbequed chips into her mouth, chewing so loud that it echoed in the wide kitchen. “I mean are they telling you not to fuck anyone? Is that even supposed to be a thing?” “Jesus! Keep your voice down!” Halle exclaimed and stuffed Greta’s mouth with more chips in horror, she was sure everyone in the mansion could hear the woman’s voice...Especially Xavier who seemed to like spending time in the living room longer than he does in the study. It has been almost
Halle stayed up in her room for the rest of the day, only going downstairs to make a sandwich as she was too lazy to cook up anything extravagant.They had the ingredients and fuck they also had the best kitchen utensils, the types that looked like they were being polished but of if course it was just the quality’s natural gleam. Halle wished she could do more in that kitchen, turn it into hers but…it wasn’t hers and despite how many days she’d spent in the mansion, she still didn’t feel free enough to take such a big step and perhaps she never will.June, Collette, and Tabitha have tried their best to make her feel at home in the days they’ve spent with her but none of it really mattered when she thought about the way Xavier treated her. Like a non-existent employee.Damn it! It shouldn’t bother her this much!Halle stared blankly at the pages of the book she was reading or at least was supposed to be reading. She couldn’t focus, she couldn’t get the words properly in her head or
“You…want to drop me off?” Halle didn’t mean to sound so incredulous but seeing as the man who spoke was Xavier, she couldn’t help herself. In the past week, she hardly saw him and whenever she did, he hardly spared her a glance so she tried her best to stay out of his way just so things wouldn’t get weird between them and now here he was, faint warmth that she couldn’t understand in those brown eyes and his beautifully shaped brows raised in question. “Do you not want me to drop you off?” Did she not? “Oh!” Halle exclaimed and cleared her throat awkwardly, “ No!” She coughed, “Of course not!” She chuckled. “I would love it—I mean really appreciate it,” It took everything in her not to vomit the rest of the rubbish she wanted to. His eyes narrowed after she was done blubbering, his discerning gaze made her feel like he was peeling off layers from her skin and seeing what lay beneath. Like he could see through everything she said, like he could see her thoughts and that wasn’t som
“Do I really need to be blindfolded for this?” Halle asked with a warm chuckle. Xavier just grinned mysteriously in response, guiding her by the shoulders through what sounded like a set of heavy doors given the echo. “Patience, Flower. I promise, it’s worth the surprise,” he assured her, amusement and excitement dancing in his tone. Halle smiled and cooperated as he led her slowly ahead a few more steps. Her heart swelled, trusting Xavier so completely even when she couldn’t see. After everything they had endured, Halle knew without doubt he would never lead her anywhere dangerous again. “Just a little further,” Xavier coached. “Watch your step.” His sturdy hands on her waist aided Halle in navigating what felt like a small staircase. A few more shuffling paces forward and they finally halted. Halle quivered in anticipation. “Can I look now?” “One moment…” She heard the smile in Xavier’s voice just before he moved behind her and untied the blindfold at last. “Now you can open your
When Halle awoke late one night from another vivid episode of panic, Xavier recognized a shift had finally occurred. He gathered her quaking frame close while she wept, exhausted and heart sore. “Shh I have you, just breathe,” he soothed until the tension slowly left her muscles. Halle clung to him like an anchor amidst stormy waters even once fully awake. “I’m scared, Xavier,” she admitted in a small voice once sufficiently calmed. “Scared she’ll find us again.” Xavier steeled himself before answering gently. “Then it’s time I put real end to this. For your peace of mind, and our son’s future.” Halle’s arms tightened around him briefly at the implication. But she simply nodded bravely when she pulled back. “Just promise me you’ll come back safely. I can’t lose you.” Her palm cupped his bearded cheek with profound tenderness. Turning his head, Xavier pressed a kiss into her open palm. “I will always come back to you Halle,” he avowed passionately. His piercing gaze bore into hers,
Xavier paused in the open doorway, gazing at the scene before him – Halle curled protectively around their three week old son as he nursed, her expression tired but content, Damien was at the edge of the bed, curiously watching and asking questions, his wide eyes innocent and childlike, just like it ought to be. Xavier’s heart swelled at the simple domestic sight, still scarcely able to believe he had nearly lost them forever.Halle had begged for Damien to be close, so the second they left Halle’s birth country in Africa, he had Monty bring the young boy out from hiding and back with them, where he belonged. After Halle had been safely recovered and gave birth, Xavier wasted no time whisking her away to a secluded estate where they could focus solely on healing without fear of Martha’s lingering reach. And healing was no small feat after the trauma Halle had endured. Though her physical wounds were minimal, the psychological toll left lasting scars.She was plagued regularly by v
Halle drifted slowly up towards consciousness, clinging to the last visages of a dream where she was enveloped in tender warmth and comforting strength. Even semi-conscious, she instinctively recognized the sensations cocooning her now were real, not imagined. But after endless days and nights of torment, believing rescue could only manifest as a fantasy, Halle desperately avoided opening her eyes fully. What if this beautiful illusion shattered the instant she woke up? The possibility made her heart seize with renewed panic.No - the arms cradling her were solid, the scent of juniper and fresh rain surrounding her unmistakably Xavier’s. This precious peace was real, it had to be. Halle focused on steadying her breaths, mentally grasping for fragments of memory through the haze still clouding her thoughts. Flashes filtered back now – the frantic escape attempt, searing contractions hitting, Xavier appearing through her delirium of pain like a saving vision…the sweet sound of her chi
A FEW HOURS EARLIER… The scorching sun beat down as Xavier surveyed the sprawling, dusty streets from the backseat of the nondescript sedan. It had taken tremendous resources and calling in more favors than he could count to get boots on the ground in this remote country so quickly. But nothing could deter him from his mission – finding Martha and making her pay for taking Halle.Taking the woman he loved and then sending him papers to sign while at it. Xavier gritted his testy as he thought about the phone call he had gotten from his aunt, she’d sent papers to his mail…asking him to sign over everything to her, that was her endgame. If she couldn’t get it from Damien as she’d originally intended, she’d get it directly from the man himself. Xavier had agreed to her deal but…he wasn’t really going to sign those paper. Stone was his legacy and he’ll be damned if he let’s and overly ambitious bitch take over and ruin everything he’s built. His mind wandered inevitably to images of h
Too spent to argue, Halle permitted him to gently help her ease down onto the padded nest now warming her chilled legs. Though hardly ideal accommodations, at least she was off the frigid concrete floor. Monty seemed satisfied with his efforts.“I must inform the Don that you have been found before he burns the brothel down,” he announced. Before Halle could wrap her mind around the significance of his deliberate phrasing, Monty had disappeared back down the cellar corridor with a final instruction tossed over his shoulder – “Try to focus your energies, I will be back as fast as I can.”Xavier…was here, for her. Halle couldn’t hold back her relieve tears but of course that feeling was short lived. Then Halle was alone again with her body’s urgent demands. She closed her eyes, trying futilely to center her wild thoughts through the intensifying contractions. But it was impossible to find any inner calm or fortitude. Not with her heart pounding anew wondering how much longer until
Halle’s heart hammered violently in her chest as the first contraction seized her swollen belly. There was no denying it now – the terror and physical exertion of her escape attempt had triggered full blown labor. Her child was coming, ready or not, even as Martha’s henchmen battered viciously to break in.“Shit!” Halle cursed under her breath as she held her belly, the pain hitting her unexpectedly and making her whole body sway and her legs shake. Leaning heavily on the dusty desk, Halle fought to stay upright and quiet through the painful tightening. But despite clenching her jaw, a low moan still escaped through her gritted teeth. The dampness soaking her dress kept spreading. “Why are you so impatient…” Halle cursed through gritted teeth, trying her best to stay up right so as to prevent any complications. From down the cellar corridor came another resounding crack – the stubborn old door’s hinges were splintering rapidly under the men’s force. In mere minutes they would be
Halle awoke with a gasp, her heart already racing. Today was the day – the day she would finally attempt her escape from this nightmare. She lay still for a moment, focusing on slowing her breathing and gathering her courage. The gloom shrouded the cramped room, but Halle’s eyes discerned the packed bag hidden beneath her cot containing the supplies she had managed to secretly squirrel away over the past week. The last week had been utter torment, forcing herself to endure her mother’s assaults and the groping hands of repulsive men trying to lay claim to her while pretending total resignation. More than once she had nearly faltered, the will to fight slowly being crushed out of her. But she would gently caress the swell of her belly. She could not – would not – let this place and its monsters claim another child if there was any hope of escape.Moving slowly to avoid any sounds of creaking, Halle eased herself up to sit on the edge of the mattress. Her heavy, cumbersome belly m
The days dragged by in agonizing torture as Halle remained trapped in her personal hell. Time ceased to hold meaning within the dingy confines of the small room that had been hers as a teenager under her mother’s cruel control. The peeling walls oozed with memories of past suffering, the very air thick with hopelessness.And now, heavy with her unborn child, Halle felt more trapped than ever. Her mother’s daily visits always ended with fresh bruises blossoming on her skin, dark reminders of her powerlessness. When not enduring her mother’s rage, Halle spent the empty hours curled miserably on the cot, arms wrapped around her belly as if to shield the precious life within from the darkness pressing in around them.On the fifth night, Halle lay tense and sleepless, every creak of the old brothel putting her nerves on edge. She stared dry-eyed into the gloom, too weary even for tears. The baby’s steady kicks were her only comfort.When the familiar scrape of the main door opening reached