When I woke up the next morning, it was a few minutes after noon. My head felt fuzzy almost like it did when I was hung-over. I was hoping the events of yesterday were nothing but a fever dream but when I looked around and realized I was in Darius' house with my duffel bag lying at the foot of my bed, I buried my head into my hands in frustration.
As the events dawned on me, I realized how selfish it was to run away. I made everyone panic, especially after everything that happened with Faye and her men. I knew I shouldn't have left but I panicked and at that moment, I didn't care about anything but getting out of Lunarius. I recalled Darius' words and ran my hands through my hair in frustration.
I knew I had to apologize for making him send out his men to search for me but I was dreading the conversation.
I took a shower and dressed for work then made my way out of the room. Jared was standing outside my door and when he saw me, he ran his eyes over me slowly. The corner of his lips quirked up and he shook his head as if he knew something I didn't. I tried to ask but he was comfortable ignoring me instead of giving a direct response.
I made my way towards the kitchen first because I was hungry and I met Ian there. He noticed me and he had the exact reaction that Jared did.
"Is there something I should know?" I asked and he shook his head. "I'm serious, Ian, what is it?"
"Absolutely nothing," he tried and failed to hold his laughter. "I just find it amusing that you think Darius will let you go to work after everything that happened." "He wouldn't dare."
"You haven't seemed to realize how bad your actions were. Darius was freaked out. I have never seen him that terrified in my entire life. He will definitely want to keep you in a place where he can keep his eyes on you."
"I was safe, I know how to handle myself."
"Not against Faye." He sighed deeply and made his way over to me. "If I were you, I would just change into something comfortable and look for something to do all day because Darius won't let you out."
"I can't stay here all day doing nothing."
"You can plan the wedding." He winked and I narrowed my eyes at him. "I hear it's happening sooner rather than later."
I punched his arm as hard as I could making him laugh. I knew my punch did nothing to him and it annoyed me even further.
"There's breakfast in the microwave although I'm guessing it is more of a brunch now."
He started to leave but I stopped him. "Where is Darius?"
"His office," his response was instantaneous. "I'm sure Jared will be more than happy to take you but my advice is to eat first. You do not want to deal with Darius on an empty stomach, especially not on this."
I took his advice and I was grateful I did because the moment I walked into Darius' office, I knew things were not going to bode well for me. He took one look at what I was wearing and turned back to the papers in front of him.
"Change," he ordered. "You're not going to the bar. As of today, you can consider yourself fired."
"Don't you think that is a bit extreme?" I asked. "I shouldn't have left, I'm sorry for that but you cannot keep me in this house like a prisoner."
"I can't?" he raised a brow.
"Darius, I need to go out. This house isn't mine. I need to have a life of my own."
"What do you do when you have a life of your own? You run. My men are already stretched thin as it is. I cannot spare any more men to watch you in the bar." "I won't run."
"You say that now but the problem remains that I don't trust you. I have work to do Leindra, leave me alone."
I was furious that he dismissed me without another thought. My first thought was to escape and leave for work but I knew I would just be feeding into his already-formed image of me so I reluctantly trudged back to my room and shut myself in.
I was bored out of my mind but I sat there hoping and praying that something would change. It only took ten minutes for the door of the room to open. Darius stood there looking annoyed as he watched me.
If you're loving the book, nel5s.com is where the adventure continues. Join us for the complete experience-all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! "You can go but you will have two people watching over you at all times," he warned and my eyes widened. I had not expected him to change his mind. "If I get even a whiff of suspicious activity from your end then you are coming straight home. Is that clear?"
I nodded eagerly. "Of course, thank you."
"Don't thank me. Thank Amaris, she wouldn't let me hear the end of it," he murmured under his breath. "I am choosing to trust you. Don't make me regret this, Leindra." Without another word, he walked out of the room. Jared was standing by the door and staring at me as if I had grown two heads. His mouth was agape and his eyes were wide.
"Are you a witch?" he asked and I scrunched my brows. "You must have put some kind
of spell on Darius because that is the only reason he would agree to this."
"You heard him, Amy was the one who convinced him."
"I have a feeling this has more to do with you than Amaris. You underestimate what he feels for you."
"He feels nothing for me."
This time, Jared smiled. "Keep telling yourself that."
I was relieved to be back in the bar. Serena was too because she pulled me into a warm hug when she saw me. She looked over my shoulder at Jared and the other guard and although she had a lot of questions, she chose to save them for the end of the day. If she had questions about why my eye was bruised and my nose was crooked, she kept them to herself.
It felt like a breath of fresh air working with her. I could pretend like my life was normal and it hadn't just been upended. I could pretend like I wasn't supposed to marry Darius when that was the last thing I wanted. I could pretend that I was still just Leindra and the fates of the wolves did not rest on my shoulder.
Maybe Darius was right, maybe I did run from my problems but it was all I knew to do. I didn't know how to be the person they wanted me to be. I could barely take care of myself.
By the end of our shift, Serena and I closed up and although she wanted to head home
by herself, I was adamant that she go with me. Her eyes widened when she saw the car and she turned to me.
"Please tell me you didn't steal his car," she muttered under her breath.
"He forced me to take it actually," I said as Jared opened the back door. "I wanted to take my own but he refused and said I could either take this one or stay home."
"I don't know about you but pissing Darius off sounds like a very good idea." Jared and the other guy whose name I still didn't know sat in front while Serena and I were at the back.
"You know there's no pressure, right?" Serena said suddenly making me turn to her. "I know you feel overwhelmed by everything that's happening but there is no pressure from any of us. We have dealt with this for five years. We can handle a few more months."
"What if I'm never ready?"
"We can cross that bridge when we get to it."
I smiled at her. Serena always had the right words to say to me which was one of the things I loved about her. I couldn't stop myself from pulling her into my arms. She relaxed into my hold and I let out a sigh of relief.
"I love your touching moment but I need you to sit up and put your seatbelts on," Jared's voice cut through our bubble.
"What's wrong?" I asked but I did as he asked.
"There's a car following us. I need you to call Darius because I can't drive and take out my phone."
Despite Jared's warning, I turned around and sure enough there was a black SUV following us. It was a respectable distance away but I could see it coming closer. I reached into my bag while keeping my eyes on the car and dialed Darius' number. He picked up almost immediately.
"Someone is following us," I blurted out and he went completely silent. "It's a black SUV with no plates."
"I'm on my way. Tell Jared to-"
Whatever he was about to say was cut off because the car sped up and rammed into
us so hard that I would have fallen forward if not for Serena wrapping her arms around me and pulling me into the seat.