"Instead of a pawn in my game, she became the queen on my chessboard, the one I'd do anything to protect and cherish."
*******************
Emma's POV
We met with Katherine in the coffee shop's parking lot. Our timing was almost synchronous, arriving together just as her husband dropped her off. She exited the car and greeted Cara with an embrace that would make you think they hadn't seen each other in years, although I could bet they were probably together only yesterday. I tried not to roll my eyes at them and abide by the rules of social gatherings.
Katherine's eyes shifted to me and her expression showed a hint of surprise. I couldn't blame her. I felt rather out of place at the moment, "Uh, hey!" she exclaimed, a warm smile gracing her lips.
Before I could respond, her husband came from behind her, his hand clutching his son's little ones. My gaze flickered to them and I couldn't hold back my smile, they were both wearing the same black shades and the same leather jackets. Oh god, I felt my heart flip harder in my chest as I imagined having a little boy one day and dressing him up like Roman. Ah, I would throw up from the adorableness.
"Hey, Ashton," Cara greeted and he returned her words with a warm smile. He pulled his shades up to his hair when his gaze flickered to me. Confusion enveloped his features and he looked at his wife, "Are we supposed to like her now?" He asked, his voice not as low as he thought.
Katherine elbowed him in the stomach, "How many times did I tell you not to ask such things in public!" She scolded him with a hiss and I smiled. I can't blame him either. Not so long ago, I stood in their house and pointed a gun at his wife, threatening them too. But, well, if they got used to Nik, they will probably get used to me too.
My eyes flickered to Lilly as she rushed toward their kid's side and literally jumped on him, making him stumble backward. If it wasn't for his father's grip, he would've probably fallen to the ground. The poor kid. He groaned in annoyance and pushed her off him but the girl was so damn wild and she managed to snatch his sunglasses before she ran off.
"Hey!" He shot out, looking up at his father and whining, "She took my glasses!"
He patted his son's head and nodded, "It's okay, I will get you a new pair."
My gaze flickered to Lilly who hid behind me, shielding herself and hiding the sunglasses below her dress so he wouldn't be able to find them. I chuckled at her devilish mind. She lifted her head up to me. I gave her a wink and she smiled ever so sheepishly. Oh, she is definitely Alex's daughter.
Ashton spoke to Katherine, asking her to call him when she was done. She nodded and pecked his cheek before she reached for her son's hand. The little kid shook his head and backed away, clutching his father's leg, "I want to go with Dad," He said, his mood ruined after having to deal with Lilly.
"But you said you wanted to stay with me," Katherine said with a small pout and Chase shook his head, raising his shoulders up in defiance, "Not anymore," His gaze flickered to Lilly as she came from behind me, "Because of her," He glared at her with such harshness, like he wanted to push her off a cliff, "You are so ugly!"
Lilly gasped, "You're ugly!" She shot out and was ready to rush back and jump on him and I felt a war brewing so I clutched into her little arm and stopped her from tearing the boy into pieces.
"Oh, thanks," Cara said with a low sigh, knowing she would have to run after her wild daughter otherwise.
"I am taking Chase with me, I think it's for the best," Ashton said, his wary eyes flickering to the little monster named Lilly and all of us agreed so he pulled the boy back with him to the car.
Cara picked up Lilly, whose gaze was still on Chase's retreating back. She looked back at her mother and pouted, sadly, "Chase went away," She commented and Cara's eyebrows raised, "Yeah, because of you he left," She pointed out, "So now, don't act all innocent," She added and Lilly's shoulders dropped down, genuinely sad.
We made our way to the garden section of the coffee shop, choosing a quiet and comfortable spot. Cara situated Lilly in one of the baby chairs they had available, and I occupied the one beside her. A waiter promptly approached our table to take our drink orders. I glanced around at my surroundings, shifting in my seat multiple times in an attempt to get comfortable and figure out what exactly I was supposed to do next.
Much to my luck, Katherine was the first to initiate a conversation, "So, Emma," She said, her gaze on me, "How have you been?" She asked, a small smile tilting her lips, almost like she was genuinely interested in my whereabouts, "It's been really long since we last sat and talked, huh," She added with an arched eyebrow, recalling back days from when I hang out with them, pretending to be someone else entirely.
"Oh, yeah, back when you used to ship her with my husband," Cara interjected, shooting Katherine one hell of a glare. Katherine looked taken aback and Cara added, "Alex told me all about it, you traitor."
"Hey, hey!" Katherine raised her hands up, "In my defense; one, I didn't know that she was his cousin," She justified her choice then she pointed at Cara, "Two, you were dead," Cara kept glaring at her and I couldn't hold my low chuckle, "And three, I really needed Alex to get laid already, he was driving Ashton and me crazy," She added while shaking her head at the bad old memories, "I swear, we used to feel like we had another child."
Cara rolled her eyes and Katherine waved her off before she looked at me again, "It's so funny though, you used to hit on her husband and now, you are married to her brother," A low chuckle came from her and I could see that Cara found no humor in this because she sank into her seat and groaned lowly, "I swear, this makes no sense at all."
She was right; It really doesn't. None of this does. Roman and I only got married in an attempt to fulfill a long-lasting deal, a way to rebel against my father, uniting both bloods just to trigger him. Our marriage played its role at the start or else my dear father would've not pulled the big guns and had me stabbed once he learned I was pregnant with Roman's child.
God, it really makes no sense. It started as a deal and look at me now, a total mess, unable to breathe when he is away, my mind always busy worrying about him, my heart so fucking tight at the thought of how his mother could emotionally hurt him more...I would kill her, I swear.
I clutched the fabric of my dress against my thigh, my fingers gripping tightly as I fought to stay calm and keep my anxiety in check.
The waiter came back with our drinks and thankfully, Katherine asked another question, busying my mind from sinking down that dark pit, "So, do you guys like live here or in London?" She said, sipping on her iced latte, and so damn curious about us, almost like she was watching her favorite drama show. It's true though, our lives are messier than any soap opera out there.
"Our home is in London," I said, my fingers involuntarily tightening over my own coffee cup. Eventually, we will have to go there. Roman and I, we belong there, not here. This is not our home, "I am just here to help Nik," I justified and felt Cara's eyes on me as I spoke, "In case something happens," I added, keeping the other reason hidden. I can't go back and face Vivian, not yet at least. When I do feel ready, I will hit the next plane there.
"So, you will stay here until you finish the mission and kill your father, huh," Katherine said, ever so casually then her eyes widened and she looked around her, scared that someone heard her. She lowered her voice and clarified when she noticed my confusion, "Uh, Cara keeps me up to date about everything," She said, smiling sheepishly.
I turned my head to Cara, and she just rolled her eyes in boredom, "She forces me to tell her everything, she thinks it's a TV show or something," She said and Katherine's smile widened, "I swear, it's more interesting than any movie or novel I've seen or read before."
I took a sip of my drink and couldn't help my next dry comment, "Yeah, it was rather interesting when my father drove a knife into my stomach and killed my unborn child." See, these social gatherings and girls' talk; they are not for me.
Lines etched Katherine's forehead, her expression shifting slightly before she brought her hand forward and rested it over mine, giving it a small assuring squeeze, "Yes, I heard about that too," She mumbled, her tone dripping down and I was shocked because that wasn't pity in her eyes, no, it was full on understatement, "I am so sorry you had to go through that."
She retreated her hand back and I saw it, that similar trauma embedded somewhere behind the softness in her eyes and gestures. My heartbeats took off a sprint, "You went through that too?" I whispered, unable to register the thought yet.
She gave me a small nod, "Not in the same way, but yeah," She explained, "Twice actually."
My grip over the glass was so tight, ready to tear it apart. No one should have to go through that. No one. Why was life so fucking unfair?
"It's not an easy experience, no matter what anyone says," She added and I felt the rock lodging my throat expand and press over my lungs, blocking my airways, "And it takes a great amount of strength to get over it, and move on," She said, then a very small smile lifted her lips, "But you have to look at the bright side sometimes," She urged me to see the hope at the end of this messy road. There will be light, right? Life can't be just all darkness. I can't always stay in that dark room forever.
"I have my little boy, and he...god, he is my whole life," She explained, unable to express the depth of her feelings with mere words. Her intention was to show me what I could still have. Her eyebrow raised, her words turned playful but genuine though, "I mean I've never done it but I would literally kill for him."
Cara chuckled lowly, supporting Katherine's words, and she nodded her head, "Yeah, so true, even though I feel like I want to put her up for adoption sometimes," She said, her eyes on Lilly, who was busy in her own world, playing with Chase's glasses, "But if anyone hurts her or her brother, I would literally kill them."
Air pushed in and out of my chest, reaching a steady rhythm and I felt my tensed shoulders relaxing down. For the first time in my life, I felt like I was in a safe space. That I could be understood. That I could speak freely without being judged. It felt weird. So weird, because I am not used to this.
The sound of something snapping had all our gazes flicker to Lilly, who seemed to have broken and snapped the glasses into two parts. Cara let out a low sigh of defeat, giving up, "I don't know how to prove it but those are definitely Alex's genes," She mumbled and I chuckled lowly as I watched the little troublemaker.
She lifted her eyes up and looked at us, sensing our focused gazes on her. She seemed confused, her baby innocent eyes flickered from Katherine, to Cara and to me. She gave us a small smile, acting all innocent as she tried to hide the broken part of the sunglasses under her dress, hiding the outcome of her crime. We all laughed lowly at her attempt and she let out a low joyful laugh as well.
I moved my hand and ruffled her hair, she was just so damn adorable. I couldn't blame Nik for loving her the way he does.
******************
Roman's POV
I paused the car by the driveway of her house, delighted that our silent tense drive had finally reached an end. She stayed seated though, her hand on the handle, ready to get down but also not ready. She turned her head to me, and I forced on a smile when her eyes met mine, "Do you want to come down?" She asked, ever so softly.
I tried to politely decline her request, "I just have a few things to do now," I said, "Maybe another time."
A low breath left her lips and her eyebrows pulled closer, "I just want to show you something," She added, insisting for some reason and she shook her head, "I won't take much of your time, I promise."
Declining her again was gonna show that I'd rather be anywhere but here. She was a nice woman, and even though I felt uncomfortable in her presence, I didn't want her to sense it. So, I nodded my head, mumbling a low, "Okay."
I parked the car and turned off the engine, going down just as she did. We headed toward the entrance and I couldn't help but ask, "Is your husband home?" I would rather not bump into him and make this all a hundred times more awkward than it is.
She shook her head, "No, he isn't," She said, almost in assurance like she sensed what was brewing within me.
She led me into the house, but instead of heading for the living room, she gestured for me to follow her as she ascended the stairs. I was puzzled but followed her lead, climbing to the top floor. She swung open a door that revealed what appeared to be an attic, and she stepped inside, flipping on the lights to illuminate the compact space.
Furrows creased my forehead as I surveyed the room. It was an attic indeed, filled with neatly arranged boxes on either side. The place itself was cozy yet slightly dusty, with a sloping ceiling. The boxes were neatly labeled, each one seemingly holding a piece of history or a forgotten memory. To my right, there was a small, pink bike that brought a smile to my face, thinking of how this must've belonged to Cara at some point.
She paused when she finally found what she was looking for. Leaning forward, she carefully pulled out a single box, placed in a spot all by itself. The box had blue stripes, and I couldn't help but wonder what she was about to reveal. She rested her palms over it but didn't open it yet, her eyes flickering up to me, a longing look in her eyes as she said, "Since you came back, you and I, we never had the chance to talk," I understood what she meant by talk and I wanted to run the hell away from here.
Why was she bringing this up now?
"Your father suddenly came back, with Cara and you," She shook her head, "And with everything that was going on, I never had the chance to tell you about what happened," She lowered her gaze to the box and opened the lid, "Here, inside this box, is all that I had left of you."
The box wasn't too big but not too small either. It contained the belongings of a child. A small baby. Me. She reached inside and pulled a blue and white onesie. She unfolded it and a somber nostalgic smile lifted her lips, "Your father was there when you were born, and you stayed with me for a week only," She whispered, bringing the small clothes to her nose, smelling it like it could conjure up the memory itself.
Her eyelids dropped down, "I still remember when I could smell you on these, till it just faded away and I couldn't anymore."
The heartbreak woven into her words tore up the rope binding me together and she carried on, "You were a calm little boy," She whispered as she folded the onesie back and placed it back in its place, running her fingers over the little baby the empty milk bottle, over the few toys, "You would just eat and sleep," A low tortured laugh came from her throat, "Even your father noticed it, you were the total opposite of Cara when she was born."
"Then, that week ended and your father had to take you with him, just like we agreed on," She said, the words scrapping out of her throat and her eyes met mine again. I've never noticed how the shade in them so similar to my own.
"He took you and..." She couldn't complete the rest of her sentence and she rushed a shaky hand over her face, her other hand grasping into the edge of the box with all her might, using it for support so she wouldn't go crumbling down the memory lane.
She sniffled and tried to keep the tears tucked away, "But after a week, your father called me," She whispered, "He said you were crying non-stop, that you weren't eating nor sleeping at all, that no doctor could find anything wrong with your health, but you would just not stop crying."
"Your father and I both knew that you still needed me, god, you were so little," She closed her eyes and shook her head, "So, I went there, I couldn't stop myself and I went there," She added, "I went to London to see you."
My eyebrows pulled closer, unaware of that part of the story, "I left Cara with my sister, and I went there," She admitted while looking at me, "I stayed there for a whole month, with you and your father," She said as she pulled a single distinct picture out of the box, turning it around and showing it to me. My gaze fell down to her hand, extending my own to take the picture from her.
A picture that contained my father, her, and little baby me. Something that I never thought existed. The three of us in one space. In that weathered photograph, a poignant relic from the past, and a moment of bittersweet nostalgia. The piece of paper encapsulated a life once lived, what looked to be like a family united just before it unraveled. My father stood firmly by my mother's side, his arm wrapped around her as if clinging to the remnants of their love. Nestled in her arms, I, a helpless infant, sought warmth and protection, oblivious to the impending storm.
Against the backdrop of the nocturnal cityscape, the London Eye loomed like a melancholic sentinel of their fading story. Their gazes, locked onto the camera, spoke volumes of happiness that had begun to wane, their smiles tinged with a subtle sorrow.
It felt like a snapshot of a love that had once been vibrant, now fading like a distant echo, forever preserved in that fading photograph, a poignant reminder of the last time they stood together before their paths diverged. Before she left me there and came back here.
My fingers tightened over the picture, trapping the turmoil it triggered within me, "Your father tried to convince me when I was there, he tried to show me that we could build our lives there, that it was safe, that his troubled dark world wasn't going to harm us, that he wasn't going to let Cara get hurt again."
She couldn't hold her tears in anymore, they trespassed and fell down as she recalled bitter memories. She shook her head, "But I didn't, I couldn't," She shook her head again, "I was also convincing him that he could escape, that he couldn't be bound to there forever, that we could have a normal life. I desperately wanted a normal life."
She wiped under her eyes, "But we both stuck to our own positions, him believing we can be happy there, and me needing to be as far as possible from that tainted place."
"So you left," The words scrapped out of my throat in a whisper, "Again."
She nodded her head, more tears falling and cascading down her strained cheeks, "I did, and it was a hundred thousand times worse than the first time," Her choked words triggered my own feelings, they pushed behind my eyes and I grasped at the fringes of control, "The first time, he took you and walked away but this time," She looked at the picture, "I had to be the one, to turn my back and leave you there."
She brought her hand up and covered her mouth, trying to suppress her low sobs. Her eyelids helplessly dropped down, "You have no idea how many times I replayed that moment back," She whispered, "How many different scenarios I replayed over and over in my head, how I dreamt of the difference it could've made if I took Cara with me and just stayed there, I thought about it and regretted every decision I took a hundred different times," She sniffled again and my jaw was about to break from the pressure I was exerting on it.
"I couldn't get back to myself, I was a mess for years, and I couldn't nurse Cara's wounds, who asked about her father every single day," She shook her head, "I couldn't get over you and your absence," She added, "So I chose to hate your father instead, to blame him for making us go through all of that, but we were to be equally blamed. We both broke our little family. We both ruined something so beautiful and so pure."
My heart was a messy thing in my chest, beating too harshly, too loud, like it could rip through my ribcage and jump out. My gaze fell down on the picture in my hand, and I couldn't keep it in anymore. The ache of everything we lost, the immense pain of losing him ripped through me like a relentless tempest, tearing away the fragile remnants of my composure.
Tears welled up, threatening to break free from the dam of my emotions. I clung to the picture as if it held the key to reclaiming what was lost, even though I knew it was but a fragile portal to the past—a past that could never be relived, only remembered in the sepia tones of fading memories.
I didn't realize that a tear tore down the threshold till I saw it fall over the picture. I backed away, dropping it back into the box, trying to shake myself away from this torturous moment. My eyes met hers and she edged closer to me, her hand reaching for my arm, ever so carefully, scared I may flinch or push her away, "I know that you don't know me, Roman, I know that you don't see or acknowledge me as your mother and you have the total right to feel like that," She said, her own words breaking her heart, "But please give me a chance, a chance to know me and I promise, I promise I won't disappoint you again."
She brought her hand up, resting it over my cheek, her finger brushing away the second tear that dropped down, "Give me a chance, my boy," She whispered again, "You lost your father and I know that he was all you ever had, that you feel so alone now, but it doesn't have to be that way," Each breath felt like a laborious task, as if I were dragging the sorrow of the world with me, and I could sense the oppressive gravity of the past pulling me deeper into its abyss.
"I will never take his place because I know what he means to you," She whispered, "Despite all of our differences, I know and I believe that he was a great father to you, that he gave you everything," She added and the tears that fell from my eyes were not merely drops of sadness but vessels of all the emotions I had suppressed for far too long, finally spilling over, "Talk to me, Roman, tell me, I have a feeling you never had a chance to do that since he...died."
I pressed my eyes shut, in an attempt to stop my tears but I failed and I just felt her arms warmly wrap around me, pulling me into her secure embrace. Her hand rested over the back of my neck and I buried my face into her shoulder, sobbing into it like a little kid, "I miss him so much," I admitted, because I haven't been feeling so well since I lost him, I haven't been myself at all, "When things got bad, he was always there, he always had my back and now," I mumbled, my arms tightening around her, clutching into remnants of him and her and their past, "Now, everything keeps falling apart and I don't know what to do without him."
"I know, I know," She whispered as she ran her fingers through my hair and I edged backward, she held my face between her hands, wiping at my tears and I couldn't but say, "I am so sorry." Her eyebrows pulled closer, "My sweet boy, you have nothing to apologize for," She said.
I nodded, "Since I came back, I kept pushing you away," I said, "I was so wrapped up in my pain that I didn't stop to think of yours, and everything you had to go through." She shook her head and carressed my face, "It's my fault, Roman, not yours, and I promise I will make up for it with everything I can," She assured and I tried to calm down my heartbeats. I decided to give her a chance, maybe...maybe I will finally know what it feels like to have a mother.
I nodded my head and the corner of her lip lifted up just slightly, her fingers brushing my cheek as she whispered, "You look so much like him," Her gaze flickered over my face, for the very first time able to memorize every feature I had, "Your father, I am sure he is so proud of you and the man you turned into."
I shook my head, "I am not really sure about that." There is still so much for me to do to live up to his name. He was a fair leader, tirelessly striving to free our people from the oppressive grip of the Italians. His vision for our nation was one of peace and prosperity. He worked so hard and wanted me to carry on that same path.
There was still so much work to be done, and so many challenges to overcome, but I knew deep within me that I had to carry on his legacy. It wasn't just a duty; it was a promise I had made to him and to our people.
The problem is; one person stood in my way. My beautiful wife, the one person I loved to the point of insanity. She was supposed to be my way in, I was supposed to use her and get what I want, but look at me...trapped, transfixed, under a fucking spell, unable to break free from her no matter what.
She was supposed to be my enemy but she became the very essence of my existence, the intoxicating elixir to my soul. Instead of a pawn in my game, she became the queen on my chessboard, the one I'd do anything to protect and cherish.
And for the first time ever I started to wonder; Would my dad approve of this? Would he be okay that I am ready to throw everything in my life away just for her?
*****************
One Week Later...
Nikolas's POV
My hand left Nathan's and I stepped forward into my office, confusion enveloped my expression and my head tilted to the side, watching Natalie, who was kneeling down under my desk, doing god knows what, "Nate?"
My voice must've startled her because she moved her head so fast, that it had her forehead bumping into the desk's lower edge, "Ahh!" She moaned in pain and cursed under her breath before she backed away and stood up to her feet while rubbing continuously at her forehead.
I moved closer to her, lines etching between my eyebrows as I gently moved her hand away and checked it myself. The skin was turning red and Natalie winced slightly when I caressed it. I edged closer and left a small kiss over it, finally shifting her expression from pained into a slightly delighted one, "What were you doing?" I asked the crazy girl with an arched eyebrow.
"I lost my earring," She grumbled, "I was checking if it was there, I thought it fell from when you and I..." I pressed my hand over her mouth, stopping her from continuing that sentence. With my head, I nodded behind me, to the innocent kid who shouldn't hear about our sex life.
Her eyes widened, "Nathan!" She exclaimed, just now realizing his presence. She left my side and went to his, pecking his cheek before she wrapped her arm around her shoulders, "What are you doing here?"
"Nik brought me here," Nathan said, with a small happy smile, content that he left the house and was outside. Now, that he was much better than before, I decided to always bring him out. We just needed to be careful, to keep close, for Isaac not to suspect anything about his position, and the rest we can deal with.
"He said we will play basketball," Nathan added, ever so excitedly.
Natalie's eyebrows pulled closer and she turned to me, "We will?"
I nodded my head, "Yes, we will," I answered her, stepping closer to them, "Nathan, you and me on one team and Ronald, Jeremy, and Gregory on the other," I explained and Natalie chuckled lowly, shaking her head at me like I am so silly.
"I am serious," I pointed out, and just then Jeremy stepped into my office, wearing a red basketball Jersey with his name printed on the back, a red and white headband resting over his head, proving that he was fully committed to this. I rushed a hand over my face, already sensing that this will come and bite me back in the ass somehow.
He had another jersey in his hand, he smiled when his eyes fell on Nathan and he handed them to him, "This is for you, little one," He said with a big grin.
Natalie's eyes widened slightly and she turned to me, "So, you are really serious."
I nodded my head, "Don't ask why, I am already regretting it."
Jeremy looked at us with a boyish smile, just as excited as Nathan. A kid. I swear I work with kids. "We don't usually do fun activities around here," He said, almost like he was finally going on a school trip. He turned to me, "Get ready to lose, boss," He said and my eyebrow raised at his tone. He realized that and cleared his throat, "Sorry, I got carried away," He mumbled before he whirled around and left.
I shook my head with a sigh and focused my gaze on Nathan, I offered him a smile and nudged him forward, "Go change, come on, we gonna start in a bit," I said and his smile widened, "Awesome!" He said and I ruffled his hair, giving him a wink as he scurried out of the office to change.
I felt Natalie's eyes on me so I turned to her, my gaze questioning, "How come you are so damn good with kids," She mumbled, both in shock and awe, "It makes my heart weak," She pointed out and edged closer to me, her arm sneaking around my waist and leaning into me, "And you already make my heart so weak, so this is not fair."
I brought my arm around her back, tucking her close, "I just want him to forget what happened," I said, honestly.
Natalie rested her temple over my chest, "I really don't know how I would've done this without you," She whispered, "Fighting Isaac for Nathan, I would've not been able to do it alone."
I leaned my head down and pressed a kiss to the top of her head, "It's not just your fight, it's my fight too, Natalie," I said and she lifted her eyes to me, smiling as she muttered, "And we will fight it together."
I rested my hand below her chin, lifting her head up so I could peck those lips of hers, "When I have you by my side, Natalie, I feel near indestructible," I admitted, "Like I could take over the whole world and not just Isaac," I added, my thumb brushing the top of her cheek, "So I don't want you to worry, I promise it will over very soon, just trust me," I assured her. I knew she was scared that at any moment Isaac would swoop in and snatch Nathan back. I wasn't gonna allow that to happen.
"Okay my big strong boy, I trust you, " She said with a teasing smile as she pecked my lips. I shot her a glare, "If you keep coming up with these damn adjectives, I am throwing you out of here."
She chuckled and playfully slapped my chest, "You won't, you need me, remember?"
A small smile lifted my lips, nodding my head, "That I do."
A loud annoyed breath came from somewhere near, ruining our moment and I rolled my eyes before I turned around to meet our intruder. Ronald crossed his arms over his chest, huffing and puffing like a damn idiot, "Are we playing or not?"
We ignored him and when Nathan came back, we all went outside of the bunker and headed to the nearby playground. Ronald and Jeremy were talking to each other and I turned to my own team, my gaze flickering between Natalie and Nathan, "If you help me beat Ronald, I am giving you both anything you want," I said and Natalie raised her hand, asking to speak.
I nodded my head, "Uh, I'd like to point out that I've never played basketball before," She said, biting at her lip ever so nervously.
I sighed, "Okay, we are doomed," I said, already regretting my team choice. I turned to Nathan, and rested my hands on both of his shoulders, "Since she is of no use," I felt her punch my arm, "I am putting all of my trust in you," I urged and he smiled, giddy at the competition, "You make Ronald cry, I will give you anything you want," I added and he chuckled as he nodded his head, agreeing.
"So, what are we going to do?" I asked.
"Make Ronald cry," Nathan said with a nod and I tapped my hand over his head, "Exactly, that's my boy."
Natalie shook her head with a sigh, "What are you teaching him," She added, scolding.
My eyebrow raised, "You stay on the sidelines and don't make us lose," I said and she narrowed her eyes at me, mumbling words like asshole under her breath.
As the game began, the basketball bounced on the concrete, echoing with every dribble. Ronald had the ball first and he jogged and dribbled the ball up the court. Nathan played as defense and he surrounded him, but Ronald passed the ball to Gregory with a quick flick of his wrist.
Gregory drove to the basket with a burst of speed but much to his luck, was met by me, blocking his way. I swatted the ball away with a thunderous block. I moved and launched a shot. The ball arced gracefully through the air, finding nothing but the net, and we took an early lead.
The game went on, and Ronald scored the second time around, all because the ball somehow fell from Natalie as she ran toward the basket. Nathan jogged to our side, "You are making us lose, Natalie!" He pointed out and she gasped, her eyes growing wide before she turned to me and punched me again, "You are turning my brother against me!"
I shook my head, "He is right though, you are making us lose," My words deepened the frown on her face and I couldn't help her cute little pout so I inched closer and pecked it, "But you can make it up to me when we go back home," I added with a wink, my voice low, only reserved for her and that triggered a smile on her beautiful lips, her ears turning red, "Okay, deal."
We resumed playing, and as the final minutes ticked away, the score remained close and I was determined to make Ronald cry. I dribbled the ball at the top of the key, Ronald and Gregory trying to surround me and my gaze flickered to Nathan who was cutting to the basket. I gave him a knowing look and threw the ball to him. He caught it mid-air and laid it in with finesse, sealing our victory.
Joy flooded his young face, and he leaped up and down with sheer excitement before jogging and running toward us. He collided with my chest, his arms enveloping me, and his spontaneous gesture momentarily froze me in place. I was still adjusting to his affection, especially considering he had once harbored nothing but hate toward me when he first arrived.
"I did it!" he exclaimed, brimming with giddiness as he pulled away. I smiled and nodded, raising both hands to meet his for a celebratory high-five. "Yes, you did," I affirmed, encouraging him.
"I made Ronald cry," he declared, his eyebrow arched mischievously. I chuckled and nodded in agreement. My gaze drifted to Natalie, who watched us with a mix of awe and delight. She was gradually coming to terms with the fact that Nathan was still here and, more importantly, that he was okay and happy. No longer asking for Isaac, no longer crying and refusing to eat, he was slowly but surely adjusting to his new life with us.
When Ronald and the other two guys approached us, Nathan turned around and his smile alone was enough to erase the frown from his face and replace it with relief and contentment. Ronald bent down and extended his hand forward, "You won fair and square, little bro," He said and Nathan shook his hand back, chuckling lowly at the formal gesture.
"Next time, I am putting you on my team," Ronald added and Nathan shook his head, "No, I am on Nik's team," He said, backing into me and I rested my hands on his shoulders, my gaze flickering to Ronald and giving him a proud look, reveling in his misery. Today is a good day.
When we returned back, Ronald took Nathan to the apartment to change and take a shower before dinner. Natalie occupied the space ahead of me, her arms going around my neck, "Do you wanna go home so I can start making it up to you?" She said, ever so teasingly.
I leaned forward, resting my forehead against hers, "It kills me to say no, but," I said and she pouted immediately and I brought my hand to those perfect lips of hers, brushing my thumb over the delicate softness, "Emma asked something from me, I will do it and come back right away, okay?"
"It won't take long," I assured her and she nodded her head, agreeing, "Okay, I can prepare us something to eat and arrange the whole atmosphere till you get back," She added, the tease curling her lips and I chuckled, "What will you do exactly?" I asked.
She shook her head, "Shush, it will be a surprise."
I leaned down and gave her a quick kiss, "But if you dare and come back late, you will sleep on the couch and miss out on some mind-blowing sex, keep that in mind," She warned and I couldn't hold my low laugh, still getting used to her big mouth and bluntness that I seem to love.
When we broke apart, she threw me a flying kiss when I asked Gregory to drive her home, still unable to keep her alone, knowing Joseph was lurking nearby and waiting for an opportunity.
When she left, I worked with Jermey for a short while, getting Emma the files she needed from the HEX's database. She and Roman had Matilde tied up somewhere and I tried to not interfere in that. The HEX was on my plans before but it didn't matter now. I had bigger plans. I keep meeting with the higher table, and arranging my transition to the throne. With my mother dead, with my father's reputation dragged in the mud after what I revealed, it won't be long till I take back the crown he stole from us.
I've kept silent since he drugged me with the hallucinations but what he doesn't know is that I've been working in the background, aiming for the biggest target.
Soon, it will all be over soon.
****************
"What the hell are you doing here?" I shot at Ronald when I saw him come to my side, heading alongside me to my house's entrance.
"I forgot my book in your house," He answered ever so innocently and I wanted to punch him into the next century. He does it on purpose, I can't prove it, but he really does it.
"Take it and leave," I grated out, heading up the elevator, "I don't want you here."
"Jesus, okay, I just need my book!" He said, raising his hands in the air in utter annoyance yet he was the most annoying thing in this world.
"You're so unbearable," I grumbled out as I headed out of the elevator.
"You're the unbearable one-" I paused to a halt, my hand shooting out and my palm pressing into his chest, stopping him from moving forward when I sensed that something was out of the ordinary, "Hold on-"
I always believed that I had a sixth sense of some sort, or perhaps my keen attention to detail had honed it within me, "What?"
"Something doesn't feel right," I muttered, my hand instinctively reaching for my gun. Ronald, sensing the urgency in my voice, quickly drew his own weapon, asking, "What do you mean?"
My eyes darted around the expansive hallway that led to my apartment. They picked up on the few blood droplets staining the carpet and the black marks defacing the otherwise pristine white walls. However, my gaze ultimately settled on my front door, which was ajar, not securely closed.
My heart plummeted into my stomach as I dashed forward, violently pushing the door wide open with my gun raised high. Ronald followed closely behind me. The apartment was in utter disarray; it looked like a storm had torn through it. Glass lay shattered in the center of the room, a once-elegant vase reduced to shards. The signs of a brutal struggle were evident, and the panic in my chest deepened as I realized what had transpired here.
"Natalie!" I shouted, my voice filled with a desperate mixture of anger and fear as I advanced into the chaos, my eyes scanning every corner, desperately searching for any sign of her. Ronald joined the frantic search, his bewildered eyes darting around the disheveled scene. My heart raced as I pushed forward, determined to find her amidst the wreckage.
My frantic pace ground to an abrupt halt when my gaze landed on Gregory, his battered body slumped against a nearby pillar. His face bore multiple bruises, and his hand pressed firmly against his bleeding stomach, a testament to the gunshot wound he had sustained.
My eyes grew wide and within a second I was by his side, bending down to reach his level. He tried to open his eyes, trying to keep his conscious at bay, "I am sorry, sir," He whispered, "I couldn't stop them, there were so many of them," He added, the words fighting to come out of his strained throat.
I shook my head, my hand landing on his shoulder, "It's okay, it's not your fault, just tell me, did they take Natalie?" I asked, my heart kicking it off a sprint, already knowing the answer. He nodded his head and I felt myself flailing within, ready to roar out at the fucking world, "Joesph's men?" I asked, needing to be sure.
He nodded again, "But sir, I snuck my earpiece into her pocket," He said, swallowing hard and trying to move his body. He winced, "You know how it has a tracking chip," He said, "Tell Jeremy, maybe he can find her before they realize it."
I nodded my head, "Good job," I said, giving his shoulder a gentle squeeze, already dialing Jeremy, "Just hang on," I added before I turned to Ronald, "Call the doctor," I ordered and he immediately pulled his phone, getting it arranged as I asked Jeremy to send me the location of the chip, hoping it will lead me to Natalie right away.
We left in a hurry afterwards. As we sped through the dimly lit streets in pursuit of Natalie, a storm of anxiety and fear swirled within me. Ronald's distress was palpable, a tempest of emotions barely contained, threatening to erupt at any moment. I gripped the steering wheel tightly, my knuckles white against the leather.
Joseph, the fucking fool who dared to cross me, was nothing but a novice in the grand scheme of things. He seems to had underestimated the depths of my resolve, and now he would pay dearly for it. I was on a relentless hunt for Natalie, my heart pounding in my chest like a drum in the night.
"This is your fault," Ronald's voice finally broke the silence, the words laced with simmering anger. His jaw clenched with a ferocity that mirrored my own, and his eyes remained fixed on the navigation system, refusing to meet mine.
In the midst of this shared worry for Natalie, I chose not to engage in a futile argument.
His eyes flickered to me, "If anything happens to her," His voice was raw, the look in his eyes rare, "I swear to god, I will kill you."
My jaw ticked, "Nothing will happen to her, I won't let it," I grated out, trying to keep my anger at bay and not shoot him in the fucking head.
He scoffed, "You need to fucking understand that you are not god," He shot out, "That maybe you can control yourself but you can't control those around you!"
"We are almost there, and I am getting her back so shut up for now," I snapped, refusing to let his words incite the loathing feeling within me. My sole focus was Natalie's safety; nothing else mattered. I vowed silently that no harm would befall her. Those who dared to lay a hand on her would meet a fate they could never imagine.
The car screeched to a halt as I parked it at the location indicated on the map. It appeared to be a factory of sorts, but the details didn't concern me at this point. I exited the vehicle with determination, my gun firm in my grip, and Ronald stood ready beside me. Together, we were prepared to turn this place inside out until we found her.
As we stormed into the factory, the element of surprise was on our side. Caught off guard, the men by the entrance hesitated for a moment. That was all the advantage we needed. I rushed forward and Ronald sprang into action, our movements fluid and precise. Gunshots echoed through the dimly lit, cavernous space as we exchanged fire with them.
The gunshot sounds were bound to bring more men out of the shadows but I couldn't care less, I was ready to paint the place red. The desperate need to let my anger out intensified as I shed more blood. One guy tried to overpower me but I punched him in the stomach so hard, he staggered backward, his back hitting the metal rails and I landed the last blow, pushing him off and making him fall four floors down. The music of body snapping as it hit the floor, was pure music to my ears.
We resumed our mission. The acrid smell of gunpowder hung in the air, mingling with the scent of metal and oil. Ronald and I fought our way through the maze of machinery and crates, taking down anyone who dared to stand in our path.
The factory was vast, and time was of the essence. "You go left, I'll take the right," I instructed Ronald, who nodded in agreement.
I proceeded cautiously, my gun held at the ready as I systematically checked each room along the corridor. Suddenly, movement caught my eye at the far end of the hallway. A man was stationed there, apparently guarding a door. Without hesitation, I took aim and fired from a distance. My shot was true, hitting him squarely in the temple and ending his life instantly.
I sprinted forward, a surge of adrenaline coursing through me, convinced that Natalie was behind that door. Hastily, I shifted the lifeless guard's body, retrieving the keys from his pocket. Fumbling with trembling bewildered hands, I unlocked the door and burst inside.
"Nikolas!" Natalie's voice was enough to destroy me and restore me back together, both devastating and restorative, pulling me in opposite directions. The room I entered was expansive, with a glass partition dividing it in half. Natalie was at the far end, struggling against a man attempting to bind her to a chair.
As I charged forward, I saw Natalie kick her assailant, causing him to grunt in pain. "You bitch!" he spat, delivering a harsh slap to her face that sent her tumbling off the chair, her head colliding with the unforgiving concrete. Right then, I snapped, a fury I hadn't felt in a long time surged to the surface.
A thunderous growl erupted from the depths of my being as I aimed my weapon at the wretched glass barrier, pulling the trigger with unbridled fury. The glass shattered into a storm of shards, and I surged forward, consumed by a relentless purpose, heedless of the razor-like fragments that sliced through the air.
My fingers coiled like a vice around his throat, propelling him with a savage force into the unyielding wall. Through gritted teeth, my voice seethed with venom, "Killing you now would be mercy."
My gun became an instrument of retribution, I used it to mercilessly slam into his face, once, twice, and thrice till I lost count. The impending need to watch him die upon what he did only retched higher and I pushed his body to the ground. I wanted to prolong it for as long as I could but my girl was lying on the ground unconscious. So, I grasped at the strands of his hair, pulling his head up only to slam it against the edge of the hard concrete rock placed there. I slammed his head there so many times that his face became unrecognizable at all.
I let go of him and hurried to Natalie's side, my fingertips gently tracing the contours of her face as I whispered her name, concern lacing my voice, "Natalie, baby, can you hear me?" When her unresponsiveness persisted, I carefully cradled her in my arms, my gun held ready, and made my way out of that room. Each step was a promise closer to safety.
We were almost at the exit when another threat emerged, charging toward us. Without hesitation, I raised my firearm, but before I could pull the trigger, a gunshot echoed through the grim chamber, and the intruder crumpled to the ground, his menace extinguished. Ronald rushed forward toward us, his worried eyes caressing Natalie's face, his hand reaching for her, "Is she okay?" He asked, his voice low like he could just crumble to the ground if she wasn't.
"She hit her head," I replied, my gaze never leaving her fragile form as we headed outside, "You drive," I urged and he nodded without complaining, opening the backseat for me to enter with her frail body still tucked between my arms. Ronald joined us right away and he roared the engine to life, rushing forward with insane speed.
I continued to hold her close, my fingers tracing comforting patterns across her skin, brushing her soft hair away, and my lips planting soft, reassuring kisses upon her forehead, "You will be okay," At that moment, I realized how ruined I would be without her. Without her light leading my very dark path, how could I ever reach the end?
My gaze flickered up, meeting Ronald's in the rearview mirror, whose gaze was already on us. He seemed only then to realize, "You really do love her, don't you?" It's almost up to this moment, he thought I was just messing around, totally unaware of how I would die for his sister.
I nodded my head before I lowered my gaze back to her face, waiting for her to get back to me. A few seconds later, her forehead creased, and a low moan parted her lips before she blinked her eyes open, "Nik," She whispered hoarsely and I nodded, cupping her cheek, "Yes, baby, it's me."
She brought her hand up, rubbing at her face and trying to gain back her consciousness. A few seconds later a small smile curved her lips, "I wasn't scared," She mumbled, "I knew you were gonna come for me right away."
I returned her smile, tucking her hair behind her ear, "Always," I whispered, "I will always come back for you."
She snuggled into my embrace, sighing in relief, her hand wrapping around my shirt, clutching into me. Deprived still of her energy, I held her all the way to the hospital.
****************
After making sure Natalie was all okay, I brought her to where Nathan was, that place was still safer and had higher security. It was getting late and she was exhausted, so she snuggled close to Nathan and it didn't take her long to fall asleep alongside him.
With Natalie taken care of, I turned my attention to Gregory, making sure he received the medical attention he needed. Once that was arranged, I made a call for Ronald and waited by my car.
"What?" Ronald questioned as he approached, his demeanor notably subdued, haunted by the events we had just endured.
"Get in," I urged. His eyebrows pulled closer, "To where?"
"To deal with Joseph once and for all," I declared as I climbed into the car, leaving him with no choice but to join me.
As I drove to Joseph's location, neither Ronald nor I spoke a word. His focus was unwavering, his determination radiating through the car. This was the moment he had longed for, the one thing he had sacrificed everything else for.
When we arrived at our destination, a security guard stationed at the entrance blocked our path. He inquired, "Do you have an appointment?"
I couldn't help but chuckle, a bitter mockery in my tone. "Do I really need to make an appointment with my dear ex-father-in-law?" I retorted, a silent countdown beginning in my head. If they didn't step aside, I was prepared to create a massacre before I got in.
Someone spoke into his earpiece and he stepped aside, giving me and Ronald space to enter. The butler led our way up to where Joseph was. When I reached his office, I wasn't planning to be civil. There were two men inside and without thinking, I aimed and fired, a bullet into each that pushed them to the ground.
Joseph got up to his feet, his eyes widening, "Nikolas!" He shot out but all I could see was the fucker who slapped Natalie, the fear she must've felt when they shot Gregory and dragged her out of my house, all the pain she had to endure when her mother passed away.
I could feel the molten rage surging through my veins like a relentless inferno. It was as if my entire being had become an uncontrollable tempest of emotions, a vortex of fury that threatened to consume me. The very air around me crackled with the electric charge of my anger, and each breath felt like fire searing through my chest as I marched forward toward him.
My fist flew into his face, my hands going to his shoulders and pulling him from behind his desk before he'd press the alarm button. I couldn't think clearly; my thoughts were drowned in a crimson haze of rage. I could hear my own heartbeat thundering in my ears, like the relentless pounding of war drums, drowning out all other sounds. I wanted to kill him right here and then but I shouldn't. Someone else deserved that honor, not me.
Beside me, Ronald stood, the madness in his eyes resembled a force of nature, a storm incarnate, ready to unleash his wrath upon this man. I kicked Joseph in the back, harsh enough to bring the old useless man to his knees. My fingers wrapped over the grey strands of his hair, harshly pulling his head backward, so he could be able to look up at Ronald, "Do you know who that is?" I hissed beside his ear.
"His name is Ronald," I explained, "He is Maria's son."
I could sense the shock rumble off him in waves, his eyes growing wide in shock and confusion but I left him no chance to comprehend it as I grasped harder at his hair, "Memorize his face well," I urged, "Because he is all you're going to see before he drags you down to hell himself."
With my tight grip, I slammed the side of his head against the desk, just enough to knock him down. I let go of him, his body falling limply by Ronald's feet, who was silent but oh, within him, a raging fire was ready to be unleashed.
I straightened myself and looked at Ronald, grabbing his attention to me, "He is all yours," I said and I could see the smirk lifting up one corner of his lips, "Make it hurt."
********************************
Nikolas would never admit it but he cares about Ronald in his own messy way xD
I hope you liked this chapter!
Also, if my calculations are right, we are two chapters away from the chapter that I was waiting to write since the beginning of this book xD
Any ideas? You will get it when you read it ;)
Don't forget to vote and comment!
See ya soon