Filip It’s been twenty hours since I have been in the air going to Spain. We were about to land and I was glad to have taken some time to rest. Ruby was right. I hadn’t gotten enough sleep. If Ace and I had slept, it would feel like we were not doing much to find them. I was glad we were getting closer after this long search. The jet landed, and I checked my phone, but there was no message from Ruby. I bet she was trying to make sure I get to rest. The thought made me smile. That girl really did a number on me. She was the first girl to make me go nuts the way I do. When I received the call from my grandfather, I was about to call her. “Nino,” his voice was loud. “Grandpa, I am in the middle of something. Can I call you back later?“ “Where are you? Are you with Ace? Is everything alright?” “I just landed in Spain,” I said, getting into the car that was waiting for me and my men. “I’m following a lead and Ace should be on his way back from Tanzania,” “I guess that’s why he is not
Diya “We are not slaves,” Ruby shouted as he halved the potato without touching it. "Are you seriously going to keep quiet and let her treat us like that?" She stabbed the potato. "I mean, who does she think she is?” “Ruby, quiet down. They can hear.” I signaled my eyes at the men, who were keeping a close eye on us. “I don’t care,” she shrugged. Ruby grabbed another peeled potato and did the same process. She was exercising all her frustration on the potatoes. She was also very vocal, which was going to get her in trouble if she does not keep quiet soon. “Do it for me, please,” I pleaded. I was more of a coward. I was afraid of what Elisa would do. I was afraid for her. For everyone. Even Matt, who I hadn’t seen since she ordered him to be taught a lesson, whatever that was. I shook the nudging thought that she might have killed him. This could have been an act. They could be laughing at us somewhere in this house. My house. It was a joke to even think it was my house. Maybe i
Matt I had been stubborn. Making Elisa mad. I couldn’t feel most parts of my body. My left eye was shut. My right eye still gave me minimal vision. I was refusing to speak, and this had gone for hours. She had made me kneel with my hand-tied in front. I could feel my knees giving in, but I had to stay in my position. I refused her methods to make me confess. She had left frustrated, and I thought she had given up, but she walked in with Diya. My heart rate spiked. I must have looked worse than I thought by the way he looked at me. I swallowed and tasted the blood in my mouth and took slow breaths as I kept in position. Steady Matt! Keep steady! She will not break you! You are strong! You can do this! Just keep calm! I kept boosting myself with encouraging words. I needed all the comfort and calm for whatever she was about to do. The deep breath that I took was very painful. I had endured the beating this long. I needed to keep it a little longer. “Shall we do this again?” sh
Diya I was expecting something. I don’t know what exactly I was expecting, but not that. I felt fear and shock in a matter of five seconds. She wanted to make Matt confess to loving me and I thought she was going to kill me. There were no limits to Elisa’s craziness. “This is for being a two-timing JERK.” Elisa went on full crazy as she started hitting Matt. I was still numb to react to everything. My husband was dead. We fought the last time we saw each other. I held my belly, ignoring everything. I couldn’t breathe. My chest was tight. My head hurts. I moved, but there was a man in front of me. “I… can’t… breathe…” I stuttered. Everything in me hurts. There was no end to this pain. I need air in my lungs. This was too much. I closed my eyes, trying to calm myself, but everything hurt. I held my chest again. This was not real. I refused to make anything true. Accepting this reality was too much. "I... can't... I can't..." I got out heaving. “YOU,” Elisa accused, looking like
Ace That crazy bitch was DEAD. She thought she had succeeded in her attempt, but she was wrong and I was going to kill her with my bare hands. I was sitting on the jet on my way home. I was in a foul mood. “Boss,” I looked up. "Call for you," he quickly spoke and shoved the phone at me and scurried away. “Yes.” anger coursed through me. “Fuck, you are alive,” Filip breathed. He sounded relieved. “Barely,” I admitted, looking at my wet bloody clothes. "I have been trying to call you and everyone for a very long time. You had me worried there boss," Filip chuckled, "You just can't die, can't you?" "If you see the state I'm in, you wouldn't be sure if I'm alive." "Is that you trying to make a joke?" Filip snickered and sighed. "I would never joke, especially at a time like this. This was a wake up call. I could have died and missed my chance to see my son." "I'm glad you are alive, boss." Filip sighed. "I promise you. You will see Theo." “I know I will because I don't plan
Elisa “We have visitors,” Collin walked in. “Tell them to go away,” I said as he kept standing in front of me. “Why are you still standing there?” I looked at him. “It’s the police,” he said, and I got up. “I don’t think they are going -” “How many are they?” I asked. “One car.” he cleared his throat nervously. “They are at the gate as we speak.” “Radio the men. I need them to move out of sight quickly. Wait until everyone is out of sight before you let them in. I’ll deal with this.” I walked, making my way outside. “Do you think?” He asked and spun around, looking at him. “I’ll handle this. You make sure our prisoners don’t make a sound,” I smiled as I walked out and waited for the car to pull at the front of the house. The car had pulled in and I was there waiting with a smile. Showing teeth. One car was a piece of cake. I thought there was the entire force here, but it seems I still had the upper hand. “Diya Torane?” The man walked as a woman followed, “I’m officer So
Elisa There was a forced smile on my face as I looked at Collin. I was trying to be very calm right now. After taking a deep breath, I got up from my seat and walked to him with my hands on my hips. I looked at him with a stiff smile on my face. “Tell me again?” I sighed. “There were mics around the ranch.” he cleared his throat looking at me. “We took all of them down.” He looked at his feet. “No,” I shook my head, “We have been here for almost two days and you are telling me now that someone was listening.” I laughed, “Collin?” I called his name. “Look me in the eye.” I clench my teeth. “I’m sorry,” “Oh, you should,” I spoke behind my teeth with a small laugh. "I'm sick of this shit. I can't catch a break." I whispered to myself. “I was going to do a sweep, but Dario told me to focus on the digging and there was - “ “Hmmm,” I nodded. I began pacing around. Thinking. I held my hands on my hips again and heaved. I hate having headaches. I hate things that give me headaches.
Elisa I thought being with Theo would help me think and relax, but he was being too fussy today. Adding to the other problems I had. I didn’t have time for him at the moment. He was in excellent hands with Linda and Patty. I had adults to deal with. More people to kill. Honestly, people keep testing me knowing the result. I know I shout keep stop the killing because i will end u with no men but I need people who were on my level of understanding. I don't need idiots in my sight. Ace being alive was grating at my insides to a point of no return. He was my biggest threat. The sooner he can die, the better for me. I was mad he survived a deadly explosion. He was supposed to be blown to oblivion. I shouldn't worry because I have a plan. Yes. I smiled. I have a plan. I walked around, swinging my hands back and forth. I lifted my hands in the air and relaxed my shoulders. I will not let this stress me. I'm a badass, and I will be the one taking this empire. My smile widened. Power was
AceI had just parked the car in the driveway when I got a call from the hospital. Diya was being monitored more extensively than before. I don't understand what went wrong because when we left; she had been fine. The monitors were functioning normally. She didn't cause any distraught to nurse Brenda, and she was doing better than she normally is when we leave.The drive back was harder than I thought because I didn't want to go over the speed limit. Celeste had refused to stay, and we were all going back to the hospital. I did my best to get us back as fast as I could.I didn't wait for them when we were at the hospital because I needed to know exactly how things had changed when all was fine. We spent over two hours with no beeping. I was so proud of her. They both have been doing great. "Mr Torane, you can't go in there.""Why not?" the old nurse rushed and blocked my path"Calm down." "I am calm." I looked at her."Take a deep breath and have a seat. The doctor is with her.""I
Diya"What are you doing out of bed?" Ace sighed, handing the Ezra to my mom."I was beginning to think all of you abandoned me?""And you decided to get out of bed?" he asked.Ace carefully led me to the bed. I huffed and sat back on the same bed I have been couped up in for the past four months."I wanted to walk for a while.""How did you get out of bed?" Ace asked, shaking his head."I can show you how I did it,""No," he sighed, "Stop getting out of bed. Jesus," he whispered under his breath."No swearing in front of the kids," I glare at him before looking at Theo, "Wanna sit next to mommy Theo?" I asked."Daddy said I could hurt you," he looked down at his shoes."Hmm?" I glared at Ace."How are you, dear?" my mother walked closer."Fine," I grit out and looked at Theo, "It's okay, Theo. You can come give mommy a hug. I missed you."Theo looked up, beaming, and ran beside me. He looked up and his father for approval first before he climbed on the bed."Careful with you legs," A
AceI was sitting on a chair watching Diya hooked too many machines. I had left for a while to cool off and came to this development. Something bad kept happening, and I blamed myself. Doctor Bowman had advised me to make my choice soon because they needed to know what to do. I didn't want to make a choice. I wanted both so badly that it hurt. This shouldn't be happening to us. We were fine a few hours ago. "Ace," I looked up and saw my grandfather, "Let's go for a walk.""I want to be with my wife," "I understand, but staring at her like this won't help. Let's take a walk.""The last time I went for a walk, I came back to this," I pointed at my wife."You can't blame yourself for any of this and -""I don't want us talking about this in here." I rubbed my brow."Come then. We can sit outside and talk."I begrudgedly stood. I walked to give my wife a kiss and walked, following my grandfather out. He walked past the chairs. I didn't have the strength to argue, so I walked behind him
AceWhat was I thinking?That’s right, I was not thinking but reacting. Doctor Bowman had suggested that Diya could be pregnant, but we both know she could not be pregnant. She can't because of Elisa. That psycho bitch was still bringing hell to my family.Even now, as I stood and watched the doctor, I knew I should have agreed to forget about this with Diya. Things were great between us. We just welcomed our son. It hasn’t been a day yet, and we were doing an ultrasound for Diya.I ran my hand on my chin, and I watched my wife. I was afraid to look anywhere else. This was going to wreck my wife. I don’t know how I will pick up the pieces. All the words I told her were encouraging, but if I cannot keep my word, then my family would never recover.“Ace,” I heard Diya’s strained voice.I looked at her and grabbed her hand. Nothing was happening, no matter how much he moved. I was not this type of man anymore, but I would have killed this man for making us briefly believe in something we
DiyaAce’s suggestion to have a baby through surrogacy had been so random, and I had been against it because it was soon and Theo was not even five yet. We had struggled with Theo before and the vacation had helped the three of us. We had only got our bearings and bringing another baby seemed like a stretch. It looked impossible, but I was glad he convinced me I agreed.Watching Ace turn into this big teddy was worth this. His happiness made me see how much he wanted a huge family. I don’t mind or feel hurt that I can’t carry children because we have options. Options I would gladly be open to doing again soon. This house was still small for us four alone.I fished my phone from my pocket and took a photo. It was adorable seeing him and Theo together, watching the baby sleep. I couldn't get over such cuteness. We had been worried Theo would be jealous, but he was happier and always asking to hold his little brother Ezra.I was surprised too because we hadn’t discussed baby names. My gr
AceI was watching Theo ride his bicycle. He has been growing up so fast. Every day, he seemed to grow an inch. I had missed two years with him and I don't think I was ready to see him grow older yet. I wish I could freeze time and get as much of him like this as I can.“Are you looking, daddy?” he shouted, looking back. "Look! See!"“Watch where you are going. You will crash.” “Are you looking?” he asked again.“Theo, watch out,” I sighed when he almost hit a guard, but he stopped his bike. “Move! Move! Move!” he shouted.“Theo?” I called, “What do you say?”“Please,” he pouted.“That’s my boy.”I smiled and watched him move his bike around again. My phone rang in my pocket before I could answer. Theo shouted again. “Daddy, you are not watching.” "We are on our way,” I responded on the phone quickly and hung up.I smiled and looked back at Theo, but he was not on his bike and he was walking to me with a frown on his face. I smirked and raised my brow. This boy was me in every sen
Diya One year later, I paused and stared at the long table set before me that was filled with laughter. I smiled and looked around, my heart relieved. The past couple of months, if not years, since the night I saw Ace kill were rough. Ace slid his hand under the table to lace mine before he leaned in closer to my ear. “You okay?” he asked as he kissed my cheek. “I’m okay,” I smiled at him as I looked around the table before looking at him, my eyes shining, “How can I not be happy?” “Mommy,” Theo screamed and my head snapped to him, but I wasn’t frightened because we were safe. We had been safe for a while now. “Faster, run faster Theo. Make the old man sweat.” Ace shouted beside me and I shook my head. Theo was running as Arnold chased him around the table, making everyone around the table laugh harder. My grandparents who I had finally met were sitting at the table laughing at something my mother had said. “Sorry guys we are late,” Ruby walked in with Filip in tow. “Slow down
Ace I opened my eyes and looked at the blinding light. I closed my eyes trying to speak, my throat dry, like someone had forcefully shoved a sandpaper through. As the sound pierced my ears, I tried to speak, but my heart rate spiked and I couldn't. The next thing I saw were people towering over me. It took me a few seconds to remember everything that had happened. Elisa. The shoot out. Matt, the fight. Diya. I tried to shove the people off me and get up. I needed to see her. Someone held my shoulders, and I felt a push back. Two people came on both sides to hold me down, as I was still fighting them. I have no idea how long I was like this, but I need all the tubes and wires off me. I was fighting a losing battle. I could feel whatever drug they had injected in my veins, and I relaxed. The pain I had felt earlier was fading slowly. The machines quieted down as I unintentionally closed my eyes. ***** The next time I opened my eyes, I was reclined, not laying flat on my back anymor
Ruby The metal benches at the hospital are colder than the howling wind outside. I got up and paced as I bit my nails. I was trying to think of everything and how it all went wrong. The doctors had said nothing. Things were looking bad. I tried to think of something else. Filip seemed aloof toward me. He looked at me as if it was my fault. I wiped the tears away. It was my fault. I was the only one who was still walking. Most people I knew were dead, hurt, or fighting for their lives. The emergency room swarmed with people in a short period. My breath hitched as I clung to the wall, trembling like a leaf. My legs felt weak before I saw Celeste walk in with the armed men. “Ruby,” she ran to me. “What is happening?” I whispered in my weak voice. "Are we still in danger?" “Where are my grandsons?” I was blinking and looking around as Celeste held me and helped me to have a seat. I looked at the men as the flashes of my first encounter with Elisa rushed through my head. All the p