“Now,” he bellows.
Luce turns to me with a cringe. “I’m sorry,” she whispers. Lucien may not be stupid, but neither is she. She needs to go and she needs to do it now. “Call me.”
I give her a tight smile and grumble under my breath. “Smuggle me a phone and I will.”
Luce nods in understanding before getting to her feet and walking out the door. I’m left with a scowling Lucien who instantly turns his back. “My office. NOW.”
I reluctantly get up and follow the monster, knowing that if I don’t he’ll just grab a handful of hair and drag my ass there. One way or another, I’m going to end up in his office. My only saving grace is that it isn’t his private study where he likes to hold his all-important ‘business meetings.’
I step into his office and my eyes instantly narrow as he offers me his desk chair. “Now, Skylah,” he demands when I remain hovering in his doorway for a moment too long.
My eyes flick around the room. One of his security guards is here and I don’t know what to make of it. That could either be a good sign or a really shitty one, but with no choice, I do as I’m told.
Taking the seat, I keep my eyes on Lucien. “Monitors,” he tells me.
My brows furrow and I reluctantly peel my eyes away from Lucien knowing not watching him could severely bite me in the ass. My gaze flicks toward the monitor and with a gasp, I see a familiar Dodge RAM stopped at the front gates.
No. What’s he doing here?
Lucien steps up to the desk and places a gun down on the hardwood in front of the security guard. “If her eyes move off of that monitor for even one second, shoot her.”
The guard nods and my eyes bug out of my head as I flick my gaze back toward the monitor.
Fuck…that couldn’t be good. What is he going to do to Slade that he so desperately wants me to watch?
My gut sinks, knowing exactly how that man works.
This isn’t good. This really isn’t good.
I’m going to be sick.
As if approving of my submissive behavior, Lucien scoffs with pride and strides out the door. I’m left with my eyes glued to the monitor, desperate for a glimpse of the man I love while also begging for him to never show his face here again.
Chapter 5
Slade
I drive through the streets of the wealthiest area I’ve ever been in. This place is so fucking insane that it’s ridiculous. Every mansion I drive past practically has its own area code. They’re all guarded by heavy black metal gates while some even have security guards standing out front, making me wonder what kind of people live in these homes. If Lucien is anything to go by, I think I can safely assume that the rest of the pretentious assholes who live around here are exactly like him.
I count the mansions as I drive. 185. 187. 189.
191. There. The home that my girl grew up in. The home she was abused and the very place she lost her soul to the darkness. To think she’s back in there again…fuck.
I have to get her out of here.
I pull into the drive and am instantly stopped by one of those big gates that every house on the block is rocking, though luckily for me, this one doesn’t have two guards posted out front. Though, that could have something to do with the fact that Lucien is currently evading his arrest warrant and wants to appear as though he’s not home.
From here, all I really see is the long-ass driveway leading toward the house. There are trees on either side, a massive water fountain in the center of the circle drive, and a shitload of marble, stone, and privilege.
The gate doesn’t move but I don’t expect it to. It’s not as though the owner of this home is about to let his kidnapped princess’ rescuer through willingly. Hell, maybe I should be screaming ‘open sesame’ at the gate or throwing gold at it. Surely, there must be some kind of trick to getting in.
There are cameras on either side of the gate and a few further down the fence line so I don’t doubt that he already knows I’m here. There’s no point hiding and trying to be discreet. Hell, the neighbors would know I don’t belong just because I’m in a truck and not in some fancy Aston Martin, Ferarri, or Lamborghini.
I study the gate. It looks like reinforced metal and there’s no way in hell I’ll be able to ram it with my truck. I’ll just end up making a fucking fool of myself and wasting time.
Swinging my door wide, I jump down from my truck and glance around. If I can’t go through the gate, then I’ll find another way. Either way, I’m getting on the other side and finding my girl.
As I walk up and down the front of the gate, searching for a way in, I notice the camera swiveling back and forth, tracking my every movement. I grin up at it and flip it the bird, figuring it’s most likely Lucien or one of his henchmen on the other side, watching and waiting to take me out.
Reaching the side of the wide gate, I look up. If I jump, I might just be able to reach the top and haul myself over it.
I take a few steps back and just like I would on the court, I sprint toward the gate and launch myself up into the air. The gate is a shitload higher than any hoop I’ve dunked into, but it’s nothing I can’t handle.
My fingers hook onto the top and I pull myself up, finally able to get a good view of the place Skylah and Blake called home for thirteen long years. Scratch that, this shit ain’t no home. It’s a fucking mansion built for the elite of the elite.
I can only imagine the kinds of parties these guys would have had here. I would have fucking loved growing up in a home like this, you know if Maria and Lucien weren’t there too. I bet Blake had a fucking indoor court.
I jump down from the gate, landing in a low crouch and I stare up at the property. It’s going to take me forever to make my way up this long drive, but I’ve got nothing to lose. I’ve come all this way, sat in my truck for hours on end. I’m not turning around now. My girl is inside those walls and the only way I’m leaving without her is if he kills me first.
After climbing the grand stairs, I get to the front door of the house, and to be honest, I’m fucking surprised I’ve gotten this far without security coming at me or freaking hounds. Lucien seems like the kind to have attack dogs, though, I’m sure he also likes to be the one doing the attacking.
I try the handle and upon finding the door locked, I slam my fist down on the hardwood. “Open the fucking door,” I demand, assuming the fucker is waiting just on the other side, but when nothing happens, I bang my fist again. “Give me my fucking girl and we’ll leave peacefully.”
I wait for a beat and again; nothing.
I should have known he wasn’t going to play this easily. I guess it’s time for plan B.
I jog down the stairs and start making my way around the property, glancing into every window, and struggling not to be shocked by the kind of money these people have on display around their home. It’s fucking ridiculous.
I pass a tennis court and a pool that’s bigger than my fucking house. There’s a huge outdoor entertaining area complete with a cinema and recliners. There's a bar, a fucking kitchen, a basketball court with a seating area, and who can forget the fancy gardens with a maze made out of hedge bushes.
This shit is seriously insane. I don’t understand the appeal. I mean, sure, I understand wanting to be comfortable and being able to buy nice things for your family, but this is taking it to a whole other level. This is fucking sick. I’m actually kind of embarrassed to say this guy is my biological father.