Damian’s knuckles were white as they gripped the steering wheel. His jaw was locked so tight that it looked like it might crack.
Every few seconds, his eyes would flick to his phone on the passenger seat that showed unanswered calls to Lorena.
Thirty-three missed calls!
Yet not one call back. Not even a text!
His sister never ignored him for this long, ever! Not even when they had issues.
Sothing had to be wrong. Sothing was very, very wrong.
An estate outer gate ca into view. One with massive iron bars topped with security caras that turned over and over as if to track his approach.
Two guards stepped out of their booth with hands resting casually on the weapons at their belts.
Damian imdiately slamd on the brakes as his car skidded to a stop just inches from the gate.
"Who are you asking of, sir?" the first guard enquired.
Damian threw open his car door and stepped out. "I’m here for my sister!" His voice cracked with frustration. "So let in. I’ve never not seen her in days and she’s not picking my calls either!"
The guards simply exchanged glances before speaking. "I’m sorry sir, but I have no information about that so you’ll have to turn around."
"Like hell I will!" Damian slamd his palm against the car bonnet. "Lorena Sanders! She’s my sister! And she moved in here with her... husband! What have you people done with her?"
He stepped closer to the gate as his eyes scanned the long and large grounds beyond him. So much manicured lawns that stretched out like green seas with multiple buildings that were far away from him on the huge landscape.
"One would think this is a military estate or sothing," he muttered as he took in the security caras, patrol patterns, and even the way the guards moved like trained soldiers.
A radio crackled all of a sudden as a voice ca through.
"Guys? Just let him through. No unnecessary escalation."
Both guards straightened up instantly as one pressed a button, causing the massive gates to slide to the left.
Damian, on the other hand, got back in his car without a word, and as he drove through the gates, he could see people peeking and gardeners who stopped their work to stare.
Multiple houses dotted the property.
But he kept going straight through the estate grounds, past fountains and gardens that looked like they cost a lot, yet Damian barely saw the luxury because his focus was laser-locked on the biggest mansion that was growing larger in his windshield at the end of the road.
One that he was sure belonged to Lucas Atkins himself.
"Why so much security and woods?" he muttered to himself. "It’s so ridiculous, does he think he’s the president of this nation or what?"
But his eyes soon caught movent in the mansion he was heading to. Lucas Atkins and his lackey!
He pulled up to the mansion’s front courtyard as his tires crunched on perfectly raked gravel.
His eyes imdiately found her.
Lorena, who was stepping out onto the wide stone steps and looking so fragile against the massive backdrop of the mansion.
He felt so much relief. She was alive, she was walking. She was-
Wait.
Sothing was wrong.
She actually looked pale. Too pale, her clothes hung loose on her like she’d even lost weight. And there were dark circles under her eyes that even makeup can’t hide.
He threw open his car door and stepped out.
Lorena hesitated, like she wasn’t sure if she should run into his arms or run away, but then she was suddenly moving and hurrying down the steps and towards him.
When she reached him, her arms wrapped around his waist in a hug that felt so desperate. Like she had been drowning and he was finally here to rescue her.
Damian pulled back to study her face before suddenly getting angry.
"You!" His voice bood loudly as he looked up at Lucas. "You did this to her! Look at her! She’s sick! It’s only been a few days here with you and you’re already maltreating her?"
His mind was racing with so many possibilities. Abuse? Starvation? Dostic violence?
"Go pack your things right now, Lorena!" he snapped. "I’m taking you ho. Now!"
Lucas stepped down from the mansion entrance, moving in that predatory way that made even Damian a bit skeptical.
"You have no right to take her anywhere, Damian," Lucas said in a calm voice.
"She’s my sister!" Damian fired back at him while stepping closer. "I can do whatever the fuck I want!"
Lucas just stared at Damian like he was an interesting dancer simply performing.
"And she’s my wife. So she’s not going anywhere here with you."
That did it for Damian; his hands shot out to shove Lucas hard in the chest.
He was not about to leave his dear Lorena in the hands of this calculating bastard again! Hell no!
He had managed to let him have her only because his mother said so, but no, he’s taking her back where she belonged. With him!
The impact of the shoving should have sent Lucas stumbling even a little, but he barely moved. He just took it and continued staring at Damian.
Although people suddenly ca around in fighting stance, all eager for violence.
Jack stepped forward with his fists raised. "Just say the word," he said to Lucas.
Damian was scared, but he was still ready to fight all of them if he had to.
"Stop! Please, stop!" Mira’s voice finally cut through the tension in panic as she threw herself between the three n with her hands pressed on Damian’s chest and pushing him back.
"Lucas, please, he’s my brother! He’s just worried because he couldn’t reach and he’s finding sick. Anyone would be angry about that without context. Please."
She then turned to Damian with the sa pleading eyes. "And you, Damian. Please stop it! Stop creating a scene! You’re just making things even worse. Just... just follow . Please."
Without looking at the others, she grabbed his arm in a surprisingly strong grip, and Damian allowed her to pull him away even though he kept shooting glares back at Lucas and the others.
Reviews
All reviews (0)