"So, tell me little wolf, do you want to punish those who wronged you?"
*************
Lilly's POV
Save me?
Oh, what bullshit is this now?
My irrational mind worked to my advantage this time, the adrenaline rush behind my will to escape this before it's too late strongly pushed at my limbs and my hand immediately shot to the door's handle, opening it and ready to jump off. Moving car or not, it's better than being helplessly locked up with him again.
But Christian's reflexes were faster than mine, he pressed the brakes so fast, abruptly halting the car in the middle of the isolated road, his hand circling over my arm, harshly and effortlessly pulling me inside before I make any impulsive move, "Are you crazy?" He shot out loudly as he slammed my door shut, locking it from his side this time, apparently not anticipating that I was willing to take such measures.
I stared up to him as he hovered over my seat, pulling my seatbelt and angrily fixing it around me again, his bewildered gaze freezing me in my spot, I have no idea to what extant he is willing to take this, "You were really gonna jump off?" He shot out, his eyes darkening with his frustration, "Are you fucking insane?" He snapped, "I am not going to hurt you," He added but his angry tone reflected otherwise, "I am saving your life for god's sake!"
My jaw ticked and I used whatever courage was left in me to snap back at him, "Save me?" I shot out, "You kidnapped me, again!" I pushed at his chest multiple times, prying him away from me and into his own seat, "If you are saving me, let me go then, I need to go home, my parents already have enough shit to deal with, I need to go back, now!"
He settled back in his seat, ignoring my request as he resumed driving, "You can't go back, if Louis got to you like he was planning, things would've gotten more complicated," The muscles of his jaw worked, apparently hating that he is doing this more than me, "I am saving your life and doing your family a favor," His voice lowered with his annoyance at the matter, "Which is definitely something I was never planning to do."
"What do you mean more complicated?" Frustration prickled under my skin and reflected in my tone, "I don't understand a thing, just let me go, I don't need you to save me!"
"Lilly, stop being so damn stubborn, you are giving me a headache," He grumbled, ever so seriously and I shot him a hard glare, the fucking shit, I want to snap his head off if I can, "You're lucky I figured out what Louis is doing last minute, he already has Max, if he gets you too, then definitely one of you would die today, he is not messing around this time."
My mind stopped working after he mentioned Max, "What?" I asked, breathlessly, "He has Max?" And the worst scenarios rushed to my consciousness, eluding me of logic and control. I removed my seatbelt again, bewildered and lost at what to do next, "No, no, I need to go back, I need to find my brother, please Christian, don't do this," I literally begged him, I was ready to do anything, "You need to take me back, please, I can't be hiding now, I need to find my brother, if you know where he is-"
He shook his head, his fingers tightening over the steering wheel, "If I knew where he was, I would've not risked my life and took you," He mumbled, staring ahead at the road and I didn't know what to believe in anymore.
Thoughts of Max, hurt, scared, and all alone with Louis, it played on my emotions, tightening my chest and twisting my stomach into a hundred knot, "Christian, please," I mumbled, the tears involuntarily rushing up and spilling down, "If I ever meant anything to you, just take me back, let me go, I need to warn them, we need to find Max before Louis hurts him again," That if he hasn't already. Oh god, I can't even process the thought.
His head turned to my side, "Lilly, listen to me," He said, more calmly, feeding me the words one by one, "I am doing the only logical thing over here, if Louis gets you too, your family won't be able to do anything, they won't be able to save you both, he will have the leverage and that's exactly what he wants," He tried to explain but nothing felt logical about me hiding and Max in danger, "They would be able to save one only and lose the other, I can't let that happen, so by this I am giving them the chance to go and save Max without worrying about you getting hurt in exchange."
"And I am just supposed to believe you?!" My voice raised, unable to take this anymore.
"Believe me or not, I am doing the right thing."
"Why?" I shot out, "Why suddenly you are trying to do the right thing, when just a couple of weeks ago you told me that you would still hurt my father if given the chance!"
"That didn't change," He stated and I wanted to jump at him, punch him, slam his head against the steering wheel and escape from here, "But I am not going to stand and watch innocents get hurt at his hands."
"You did before, what changed now?" I shot out, glaring at him, "You refused to give out his name even under torture."
"Because I didn't expect him to take it this far, hurting literal kids for god's sake, I can't even begin to understand him," He grated out, way too bothered at the facts, "And he is my friend still, I need to talk with him, try and get to him, convince him somehow before he does something drastic."
I shook my head, not accepting any of this. I inched closer to his side and rested my hand over his arm, "Take me back, Christian, please," His gaze flickered to my hand and then up to my face, "I can't run away when my brother is in danger, if something happens to him again-"
He shook his head, "Nothing will happen, your father will save him, I am sure," He said and I didn't understand if he actually believed in those words or was just trying to get me to shut up. It didn't matter. I needed to escape from him still. I don't believe him. I can't believe this good boy act of his, not after he masterfully pulled it on me for two long years.
Discreetly, my hand went to my pants, feeling the pocket knife Emma had given me before safely tucked in there. I keep it with me, always, in case something like this ever happens again. I will use it when necessary, I have to. In the right moment, I will use it to take the upper hand so I can escape away from him.
My gaze drifted outside the window and into the foreign roads trying to recognize where I am so I can be able to smartly plan my getaway. Everything was dark, making it harder to make out anything in this foreign city. My eyes went to the car's touch screen, looking at the digital numbers as the hour hit midnight.
My jaw tightened, frustrated and on my nerves, in span of hours and everything feels like it is going downhill. First Nathan, and now Max.
My fist tightened, my nails digging into the inside of my palm and I pressed my eyes shut, internally praying for a miracle, for my brother to be okay this time. His health is at risk already, any wrong move and...and we could lose him. Silent tears escaped through my closed eyelids at this helplessness, recalling back what happened just hours ago when Max cried into my arms, very hurt and in pain at everything that's been happening lately.
What more is he supposed to take in? What's his fault in all of this?
My nails dug into my thigh, and at this moment, I hated Nikolas again, I hated him so much for putting my brother through this, I hated him because Louis's main target is only him, I hated him just as much as I've been hating myself lately.
***************
Alex's POV
We had to split up in the end, in order to cover more ground, but with no use, no one has came back with any remote news, neither good nor bad.
I started to lose my patience, my brain foggy with all the thoughts consuming it and feeding on its logic and control. I paused in my aimless search to get in one deep breath and rushed a hand over my face, unable to grasp the situation we are in, unable to make sense of the fact that there will always be someone after us, someone to get rid of, someone to kill, but after what...after he hurts and ruins per usual.
The same loop but one variable differs in the equation, one added and one lost in return. Feels like tragedy will always follow us, everywhere we go, I think it's attracted to the blood in our veins, the tainted one they bred into us since birth. Hefting a loud breath out of my lungs, I leaned against my car for a mere second, trying to compose myself when I felt like everything is out of place. Fear pressed tight against my chest, not at myself, but at the many lives that depends on me, those who had no fault to be subjected into any part of this.
My phone buzzed in my pocket, I pulled it out immediately, hoping for any news or leads to clear our path but what I found instead doubled my confusion. My eyebrows pulled closer as I opened the location Max had texted me. I looked through it, trying to understand but failed. The alarms blared loud in my head when I noticed that he is not home.
Hopping into my car, and without giving it a second thought, I sped off toward the appointed location, desperately hoping he didn't do anything too crazy. I angrily slammed my hand over the steering wheel, losing my temper and all of my calm, these two kids will drive me insane one day.
Confusion wrapped up with the worry when the location took me up a hill, a bit excluded and away from everyone. Where are you, Max? Why the hell did you leave the house when I specifically asked you not to?
Seeing that I've reached my destination, I parked the car and went down. My gaze drifted around my surroundings, moving forward as my hand reached for my gun for secure measures but there was literally no one around. The hill looked over the sea and the rest of the city, the lights from down there added to the moonlight made it clear enough for me to walk around, looking for any clue, for anything to stop me from losing my mind at the moment.
Something over one of the benches grabbed my attention and I rushed forward. It was a phone, and under it a folded piece of paper laid. I extended my hand forward, reaching for them but my whole being froze when my gaze fell on the bench's corner; the concrete had blood on it. My inside shook with the trepidation and I inched my fingers, wiping at it. I retreated my shaking hand back to see the bit of blood on my fingers, proving it's fresh still.
My mind played dirty games on me, pushing every bad scenario and playing it behind my eyes. The image of Max unconscious, stabbed and bleeding rushed back with full force, the image of him in that hospital bed fighting for his life as his own body failed him had my heart skipping a beat, the wound still too fresh and this just added salt into its opened cracks.
I fumbled with the piece of paper and opened it up. Going through the words written inside, I felt a type of anger and rage I haven't felt in too long. He is mocking us. He is playing a fucking game.
"The sun did not shine,
it was too dark to play, so we sat in the basement all that cold cold wet day,
I sat there, we sat there, only us two.
And I said, "Is there a way to escape here, god, I wish I knew,"
and then something went bump
how that bump made us jump
we looked
as the flames started to eat the walls up
and then I understood what it meant to be a child but forced to grow-up."
Under his stupid nursery rhythm, he added in bold;
"Did you like the story above? To be continued later I guess, although you do know how it ends, you were there. But Newsflash, the end you know differs from mine. Believe me, it gets interesting after with many twists and turns." The words written made me understand that this letter wasn't meant for me to find, but for Nikolas,
"Let's start with game #1,
solve it if you you can,
I gave you one back, but I took two,
tell me now, what will you do?
anyway, here is your first clue,
tonight, one lives and one dies,
look into the phone for the prize."
Crumbling the piece of paper in my deathly grip, I unlocked the phone to see a webpage with "Acattolico church," written on it. Quickly looking up the location, it seemed to be a very old abandoned church, a twenty minutes drive from here.
Pushing the stupid paper into my pocket, I got into the car as the nerves spiraled through my being, every part of my body getting eluded out of control as I roared the engine to life and sped forward down the main road. I almost ran into two cars on my way, my conscious mind failing me as it kept recalling back his written words and tried to figure out what he meant.
I took two.
My jaw ticked. No, fuck no, let it be anything but this.
One lives and one dies.
I shook my head, furious at this sudden turn of events. There is no way, no fucking way, I won't let that happen.
As I sped forward, I dialed Nikolas but he didn't answer, only doubling my immense worry. I dialed again and I was sent to voicemail proving that something must've happened for sure, but there is no way I am turning back, I need to go and get my son, one way or another.
My hands tightened over the steering wheel, almost ripping it out of the origins as I tried to solve his little fucked up game. Just why? What the hell did I do to him?
I couldn't understand how could he find this amusing, leaving notes and riddles, when it's my kid's life at stake?
I sent a voicemail to Nikolas, filling him in, because I am gonna need backup, that if he even got my message. I dialed Cara, but again, no answer. I called Lilly and the same fucking thing. A thud of panic hit me with full force, I was going out of my mind as I dialed Ashton, praying to god at least he'd answer to fill me in.
"Alex, where are you?" His voice echoed inside the car and I shot out, urgently and beyond terrified, "Where are you? Where the hell is everyone?" I added, in a rush, unable to make sense of anything at the moment.
"We just got back home," He said, his tone speaking volume and he added, "We found Nathan," He added with a low sigh, "He's injured, badly."
I pressed my eyes shut, wincing at the thought only.
I gave you one back.
I couldn't comprehend a single thing as I asked, "Ashton, you need to tell me something right now, is Lilly there?"
"I just got here, hold on a second," I heard him say as he moved, distant voices came from beside him as he talked with someone and the words I heard had my heart dropping down, "She is not here," Ashton said, breathlessly, shocked at the news, just as me, "They...uh, they found her phone on the ground outside, but she is nowhere to be seen around."
He has them both.
"I am sending you my location," I said and felt nothing but pure red-hotted rage, "Tell Emma to send me backup, I am gonna need it."
**************
Lilly's POV
Christian's hand tightened over my arm as he pulled me forward, practically dragging me out of the car and into the cabin-house located literally in the middle of nowhere. Just my luck, I can scream all I want and no one would care to come to my rescue.
I took a quick scan around me, trying to plan my escape. I will have to use his car or else there is no way for me to flee away without him catching me. So, the plan goes as following; steal his car keys, use my knife to get him off my case, run, get in the car and drive as far and as fast as possible.
Okay, sounds easy in theory, let's hope operating it is just as easy.
"You know you could be more gentle," I grumbled out, annoyed at how tight his hold is over me as he unlocked the cabin's door.
He shot me a glare,"I know the second I will loosen my grip, you'll go running for the hills," He stated, "Not gonna risk it."
Stupid him, I seem to forget how well he knows me.
He let go of my arm when we were inside the cabin. He shut the door, locked it and pushed the keys into his pant's pocket. Okay, one more thing to add to the plan; steal the house keys and lock him inside as I run away to stop him from following after me.
I am smart sometimes, I swear.
Watching too much action movies is paying out I guess.
My gaze drifted around the dark house as Christian moved forward, heading somewhere, and shuffling through the drawers before light illuminated the small space surrounding him. I followed the light's source and watched as he lightened up some lanterns and candles, proving the lack of electricity in this cabin.
The light gave me a better view of the interior design of the place, it looked a bit old, like it was abounded for some time, but the design of everything, from the walls, to the fireplace, and the furniture, it proved that one day, years ago, this place must've looked so cozy and warm, a perfect winter house for vacations.
"Whose house is this?" I asked, moving forward and exploring, my curious nature taking over.
"Not important," He mumbled without looking at my side as he lightened up another candle, enough to give light all over the place. On one wall there was a shelf with a wide collection of books, but the dust covering them seemed to be thick, reflecting how the poor books were untouched for so many years...probably like I will be in my thirties.
God, do I hate the part of my brain that mocks me all the damn time.
My gaze drifted to the wooden stairs leading up, I moved forward when I noticed many frames designing that wall, but the candle's light weren't enough to show me to whom those pictures belonged.
I turned around mid-discovery, turning toward Christian, to see him already gazing at me as I wandered around the small antiquish space, "Does this place belong to Louis?" I asked, trying to pry as much information as I can.
Christian shook his head, "Louis doesn't know about this place," He crossed his arms over his chest as he leaned against the counter, "I would've not brought you here if he did."
I wanted to believe him, I wanted to believe that he is actually saving me and helping us, but I couldn't. I wanted to trust him, it would make everything so much easier if I did, but I just...couldn't. He broke that trust in the worst way possible.
It wasn't till this moment, not till I reflected on my own experience that I understood what Chase told me before...about how he doesn't trust me anymore. He has the total right to feel that way. You see, that's the thing about trust. It's like broken glass. You can put it back together, glue it all you want, but the cracks will always be visible...like scars that never fully heal.
I shook my head, shaking those thoughts away. I needed to focus on my mission right now. I needed to get out of here, as soon as possible.
"So, you are truly saving me from Louis," I commented, fishing for a conversation, for a way to get me closer to him so I can get the damn keys. My eyebrow raised as I added, "You need to be careful or I will mistake your actions as caring for me."
His lips twitched the slightest and he lightly shrugged as he moved to the couch, settling down, "I never said I don't," he said, every so casually.
Bullshit.
I inched closer, sitting down beside him, "Everything you did said otherwise, Christian," I shot out, rather harshly, hating how easily he can just lie in my face, how he pulls the good-boy, love-stricken act without any regard.
Maybe he is still the same manipulative Christian but I am a whole different Lilly.
His eyes held mine, his gaze strong and dominating as it's always been, the light illuminating from the near candles reflected off his eyes, exposing to me the reasons that got me pulled to him before, reasons that don't stand a chance ever again. Like a moth to a flame, and that flame burned me deep. Not again. Never again.
I swallowed hard before I pulled my legs up the couch, using it as a way to inch my body closer to his. I pressed my temple against the cushion, looking back at him as I asked, "Tell me, what did you gain from everything that you did?"
That was enough to break his eye contact and he looked away, his gaze drifting to the ground, his shoulders slumping down in what resembled defeat. His jaw working as he mumbled over a low whisper, "Nothing," He said, "Which is why this sucks big time."
"You had a good life, Christian, but you ruined it," I added, a bit of worry flared in my tone, it was genuine because despite all, I still feel bad for him and I wish the whole situation was different on his side. I wish he didn't lose his father the way he did, I wish he had someone better than Louis to lead him through his pain.
He shook his head, "It wasn't exactly a good life."
"You only needed to move on, Christian," I pointed out. At least he had a somewhat peaceful life. But now, he is only running away, from one place to another, either helping Louis, or trying to stop him as he claims.
"Easier said than done," He said as his eyes fell on mine again, "You don't get it Lilly," He shook his head, a bit of helplessness reflected in his tight voice, "Actually out of everyone, you should get it but I think you never will."
I don't know if I understood his words the right way or not. Is it because I am so attached to my own dad that I should get his situation, get his unwillingness to move on?
The energy vibrating off him was too intense to ignore, especially when he looked away from me, his gaze slowly drifting around the room, as if recalling some memories that happened in this exact place. His hand twitched as he stared at the fireplace, his fingers tightening into a fist and I followed his lost gaze till it landed on the stairs, he looked at the frames I noticed just minutes ago.
"Sometimes I forget what he looks like," He said over a whisper and my eyes flickered from the frames and to him as he spoke further, "Not till I look at his pictures that I remember again."
His throat bobbed heavily, his gaze focused there, not moving, "I even forgot what he sounds like," He shook his head, his eyes dropping down, going to the floor and then to me, "I know it's been years and I should've been able to move on already, but I can't, I am stuck," Frustration seeped within his words, "It's not by my hand, I just can't move on, Lilly, I can't not have my blood boil when I see that the man who killed him and the other one who is the reason behind his death are out there living their lives, I can't not be angry and frustrated at how unfair this life is!"
"You can't keep blaming my father forever-"
"Then who else should I blame?!" He shot out, interrupting my usual defensive words.
His tone silenced me, I didn't want to speak and trigger him more, I didn't want to lose my chance of getting away. His eyes left me and he stared ahead of him, and his next words took me a bit by surprise, "My father was a terrible man."
My eyebrows pulled closer, not expecting those words to leave him in exact.
"But he was a great father," He added, "And that's all I needed."
He seemed to be lost in his thoughts, struggling as he fought some inner battle, "And I can't even avenge his death without turning into...them," He shook his head, his defeated gaze on his lap, "I cant let it take me too far like what's happening with Louis," I knew that Christian isn't a bad person, that much I was sure of, or why else would've I stopped them from hurting him before. He had some morals that he stood by, he just despised how unfair this life could be toward some people.
He just needed to understand that he can't fix all of that by himself.
A low tired sigh parted his lips as he pressed the back of his head against the cushion, "You can do whatever you want in here," He said, turning his head to me, "But I am not letting you leave, until I make sure it's safe."
And by safe, he means my brother either saved or...dead. No fucking way.
I don't want to hurt him, but I will if I have to.
My eyelids glided down as I pressed my temple further against the cushion. Think, Lilly, think. You can get out of here, just pull up all the impulsiveness and irrationality and you will be free. Come on, Max needs you. Blowing out a low breath, and ever so carefully, I placed my hand in my pocket, reaching for the knife.
I almost gasped when I felt warm fingers brushing my cheek and tucking the loosened strand of my hair behind my ear. My eyes shot open immediately, meeting his as he gazed back at me like he always did, like I am so...precious, like he never wants to hurt me...but that was all a lie, and this could be too. Maybe, he is planning something behind this act still, how would I know.
"I missed you," He mumbled, his voice low as if talking to himself and not to me. I gulped down, so very nervous about what I am going to do next as my fingers tightened over the knife's grip. I shook my head, "I don't believe you."
He nodded, understanding, "I get that," I felt him get closer a bit, "But it was two years, Lilly, not two weeks," He shook his head, "You were a big part of my life for too long, I can never deny that."
"Just...just let me go, Christian," I requested, hoping he'd listen to me this way, "Let me go back to my family."
He shook his head, refusing and determined. Annoyed at his contradictive behavior, I pulled my upper body from the cushion, moving away from his touch and using my movement to pull the knife out of my pocket without him noticing.
His hand shot to my arm, pulling me back in, "Lilly," He called for me and my jaw ticked. Without thinking, I used my close position as he turned me around to face him and swiftly lifted my hand up, immediately pressing the knife's tip up against his throat, "You will let me go," I demanded again, not backing away this time.
He didn't seem shocked, not even the least threatened. He didn't even flinch, on the contrary, he looked amused as he stared back at me. The corner of his lips lifted up the slightest and I wanted nothing more than to push the knife further into his skin, this smug asshole, "You've changed," He commented.
"Yes," I grated out through clenched teeth, my eyebrow raising, I was practically straddling his lap at the moment, "Don't think I am the same naive girl you tricked for two long years," I shot out, my jaw tightening in pure anger and frustration at this whole situation.
"I think I love this you more," He said over a whisper and his half-smile changed into a full one, it wasn't mocking, it wasn't all smug, it looked...genuine, like the charming smile that had me falling into his trap once before...but I've learned my lesson.
I shook my head, "Don't say that word," I said, unable to contain my anger, "Stop, just stop lying, stop!"
"Why would I lie now?" He questioned and I shook my head, bewildered, "How would I know, it's what you do, you lie, you pull on me the good-charming-boy act to get me back into your trap, I don't understand what your motives are anymore," Involuntarily, I pressed the knife further into his skin, drawing out a bit of blood, "You gained my trust and then you broke it, just like you wanted, you did that, so what more do you want now?"
"You," He simply answered, "Is it too wrong that I want you?"
"Why?" I snapped, unable to take it anymore, "For what? To do what?" I could feel the pure anger rush over my chest and spread under my skin, its fire burning me up from the inside, "Why Christian, why?!"
"Because I love you, why else!" He shot back, his eyes firing up and just as frustrated.
I shook my head, the anger draining me bit by bit, "No, no, people who love doesn't do what you did," I said, my voice lowering down and I pulled myself away from him. I sat down, burying myself into the corner, far away from him and I crossed my arms over my chest.
Christian's jaw ticked, hating the words that he just said, he rushed a hand over his face before he got up to his feet and walked to the other room. My eyes grew a bit wide, finally finding my chance. I followed his movement, staring at his retreating back as it disappeared into what I suppose is the kitchen.
I straightened myself and opened my hand to look at what I was able to get. I stared at the keys in my hands and gulped down. In the midst of our heated conversation, I was able to pull it out, but seems I only got the house keys, not the car. My eyes drifted to the kitchen one more time and I knew, it's now or never. I just have to run as fast as I can.
Trying not to make any sound, I got up to my feet, my grip tight over the keys as I strode forward toward the door. With my shaking hand, I fumbled with the keys, placing them into their hole, my eyes focused behind me, trying to be careful as I monitored the whole situation.
Once the lock clicked, once I twisted the knob and pushed the door opened, I focused my gaze ahead of me and just run off, knowing for sure he heard the door crack the slightest. I didn't turn to look back as I sped forward, as fast as my legs could go but as usual, I overestimated myself and underestimated him.
I couldn't even get far enough when strong fingers curled over my arm from the back, harshly twirling me around and pulling me back in.
"No, no," I screamed as I tried to push myself out of his tight grip, "No, leave me!" I screamed again, but knew no one would hear me. I threw a punch followed by another and another over his arm as he tried to drag me back to the house, "Leave me!" I grated out and pulled my knife, ready to stab him somewhere not too vital just to guarantee my escape.
Right then, sensing my motives, he paused in his steps, turning his head to me, and his other hand curled over my wrist. He shook it down, rather harshly, letting the knife tumble to the ground and out of my grip. God, I really suck at this. His enraged wild gaze held me in my place but I didn't give up, I kept trying to throw punches at him, "You asshole, leave me, let me go," Another punch to his chest, "Let me go!"
"Lilly, enough!" He snapped, his voice bellowed into the wide space around us and all I felt after was my back coming in contact with his car. I pressed my eyes shut as the fear tightened my throat, wincing and mistaking his next move as hostile, an attempt to maybe hit me or something. I didn't know.
When nothing happened, I hesitantly pried my eyes open again to look back at his bewildered gaze, the grey of his eyes darkening to the point that it scared me, "Why can't you understand that I am just trying to keep you alive!" He snapped, his jaw ticking in pure frustration.
He probably smelled the fear on me because his grip loosened the slightest, he let his eyelids drop down for a second as he composed himself, "I am not going to hurt you," He grated out, his tone much calmer and lower now as he held my eyes in a somewhat soft gaze.
I shook my head, "But you did," I mumbled, weakly, hating how I wasn't able to use my only chance and escape, "You keep saying that, but you already did."
Thoughts of Max hurt, thoughts of what had happened before with Christian, it all clouded my brain and panic erupted all over my skin, the worry pushing itself to the forefront of my head and it left in the form of stupid tears, "I was vulnerable, I thought I was pregnant, I was so scared, I was terrified and I came to you, I wanted to lean on you and what did you do?" Tears dripped down my cheek, "You took advantage of my vulnerable state, you asked me to kill that child, you used my weakness and spat in my face every truth that I was never supposed to discover."
I sniffled, trying to hold back tears, not wanting to break down in front of him. I didn't want him to see me like this, "And when I told you the baby died, what did you say, you said it's for the best, it's what was supposed to happen anyway," I mumbled, "So don't, don't ever expect me to believe you when you say you won't hurt me, when you say bullshits such as you love me and you want to save me."
Hurt flashed in his gaze, the anger getting depleted away as he shook his head, "I had to, Lilly, I had to make you get rid of him or else-" He shook his head again, so helpless as he brought his hand to my cheek, wiping at my tears, "Or else I know myself, if you kept him, I would've wanted him too...how could I not?" He whispered, "But it would've been wrong, on so many levels."
I pressed my eyes shut, stopping the tears and trying to contain myself. His hand brushed over my cheek so gently and I wanted to push him away, try and run again but I felt so done with everything, exhausted under the impact of my panic and worry, "I am sorry," He whispered, "It's all I can say, Lilly."
"I am leaving all of this behind," He added and I opened my eyes, looking at him as he added, the look in his tortured eyes so sincere, "Anything that I would do to your father, it would hurt you too and I can't-" He shook his head, "I can't let you go through what I went through."
I didn't know if I should believe him or not, if I should be more worried or relieved. I couldn't comprehend my thoughts as he leaned forward, pressing his lips over my forehead, leaving a soft gentle kiss as he added, "I promise you that much."
*****************
Alex's POV
My hand tightened over the gun's grip as I moved forward inside the abounded church, my eyes taking full notice of my surroundings, my finger hovered over the trigger, ready to pull it the second I see his fucking face.
"Tsk, tsk, I am disappointed," The voice had me spin around so fast, my gun aimed and ready to fire.
But for a mere second, I froze when my eyes fell on him standing by the church's alter. I was not expecting to have the situation as following. My stomach churned, he had his arm wrapped around Max's neck, holding him in place. He had him handcuffed, preventing any attempt of escape. My panic only rose higher as my gaze flickered all over my boy's face, my eyes tracing the blood that dripped down his temple and when my eyes met his green ones, I hoped he could read them, I tried to tell him that I will make it okay, that I will get him out of here and end this.
"I was hoping Nikolas would be the one to show up," Louis or Nathan or whatever the fuck his name is said as he stepped forward, dragging Max along, "I don't really have a bone to pick up with you," His lips curled up in annoyance and he shrugged, "But I guess Nikolas is rather busy with his other son," He shook his head with a sigh before he looked down at Max, "Told you, you will always be everyone's second choice."
"You fucker," My jaw ticked and I marched forward, "No, no, stop right there," Louis said as he pressed the gun against Max's temple, his action freezing me in the spot. His eyebrow raised, "Let's not make something too irrational, shall we," He said and I kept my gun aimed, I needed to find a way to fire without subjecting Max to any harm, "I am gonna kill you," I grated out, the fire surging through my veins ripping my inside apart.
He smiled, "Oh, go ahead, I dare you," He said, challenging me and my grip tightened over the gun.
"Dad, don't," Max's weak voice took all of my attention off the fucker's face, my eyes softened as I gazed at him. He shook his head, warning me, "He says he has Lilly."
A groan rumbled from my chest, unable to take all of this at once as I focused my enraged gaze on him, "Where is she?!" I snapped.
"Of course I won't bring her here as well," He simply answered, "What's the fun in that?"
"You see, the game goes as following," he added, casually addressing the matter, "You kill me, she dies, consider me as a...death switch, I die, she goes poof," He added imitating the sound of a bomb, "But here is the other catch," A smug smirk pulled up the corner of his lips, "If you don't kill me," He looked down at Max, moving the gun from his temple down his face. Max's jaw ticked and he moved his head away as Louis added, "If you don't kill me, I kill him."
His eyes went back to me, "It's simple you see, you only need to pick one," He smiled, a wide enthusiastic grin, "Your precious daughter or your adopted son."
"Tonight, one lives and one dies," He added, shrugging, "I am being too generous because."
"What the hell do you want?" I snapped, my mind failing to think of a way, unable to understand if he is bluffing or not, if he actually has Lilly locked up somewhere or not, and at the same time, I couldn't bet on it, "You want Nikolas? I will fucking bring him to you, just leave my kids out of it!"
"Aww," He said, faking affection, "How cute," He added and looked down at Max, "I guess he actually does care about you, but we'll see to what extant."
"Let him go," I grated out, my words measured, one wrong word, one wrong move and I will snap and threaten both of their lives, "He did nothing to you, let them both go and deal with me and Nikolas, isn't that what you want?"
He shook his head as he looked at Max, ruffling his hand with the gun's barrel and Max pushed his head away from his grip but failed, my fist tightened at the helpless situation he got pushed into, "He didn't do anything, I know," He said, "But his father did, so-"
"I am his father!" I shot out through clenched teeth.
He rolled his eyes, not impressed, "Oh come on, you gonna tell me now that when your beautiful wife came and told you she's pregnant with him, you were so happy?" He snarked.
"Of course you weren't like; darn, I was really looking forward to raising my brother's son, let's go and prepare the baby shower," He mocked, and my eyes were on Max only as the fucker spoke, my heart breaking knowing how his is breaking now.
"Shut up!" I grated out through clenched teeth, I was seconds away from losing my sanity and smashing his face but his threat kept me in my place.
He rolled his eyes, "Come on, we all know that at the end of the day you will choose your little girl's life over your brother's son anytime, so-"
"He is my son!" I shot out, silencing him before he hurts Max more. I couldn't take it anymore, I couldn't handle him getting hurt more over this. For fuck's sake, I didn't know what else to do.
He smiled, amused at my rage, "Just leave, pick your daughter and make this easy on the both of us," He said, "I will even lead you to her, just keep this little one for me to have fun with," He added, the look in his eyes was pure evil, "You don't need to tell anyone you picked your daughter over him, it will be our little secret, I promise," He added, mocking me, "I would pinky promise you but my hands are rather occupied at the moment."
My fingers twitched, I was shaking with rage, lost at how to get Max away from him without risking Lilly's life.
He looked at Max, "You know what, it's quite interesting how you are my holy grail," He said, talking to him and I looked around me, searching for a way to end this, "Nikolas cares about you, Alex cares about you, but the problem is, you will never be their first choice, I kind of feel bad for you."
Max's eyes met mine, "Dad, you need to go," He said, meaning it as the worry covered up the immense hurt in his eyes. I shook my head and his jaw tightened. He shook his head as well, "It's Lilly, dad, you need to go and find her."
"No, Max, I am not leaving you," I stated. There is no way.
"I need you, son," I said, hoping he understood the hidden meaning behind my words. I need him to distract him, for a mere second only, for me to gain the upper hand. I can't hurt Louis and have Lilly be hurt in return. I need to contain him only for the time being and secure Max. It's the only way.
Max gulped down and my gaze went to Louis, "You are such a coward, just like Isaac before you," I said, triggering him on purpose, "Going after the helpless instead of facing us like a real man."
My words had something flash in his eyes and his eyebrow raised, "Doesn't matter, as long as I win in the end-" His words got interrupted as Max coughed, loudly, his body edging forward at the impact of his constricted coughs. Louis's attention drifted to him and he rolled his eyes, "What now, are you dying?"
I used that as my chance to carefully take a step closer, "Max, what's wrong?" I asked.
"He punched me where the surgery was," He said, his voice strangled and another cough raced up his throat, "It's hurting a lot," Louis's eyebrows pulled closer, taking the bait, "Oh come on, I wanted your death to be more creative, not this."
His arm loosened the slightest and Max used that to harshly push his shoulder into Louis's chest, giving me the needed chance to march forward, my fist directed at his jaw, pushing him away, the force of my hit had him stumbling backward as my hand curled over Max's arm, pulling him away from there.
It all happened so fast after, the force of me pulling Max had him tumbling to the ground. Louis cursed something, my eyes fell on his hand as he directed the gun forward at Max. My body turned around, operating on adrenaline, my instinct on high alert as I hovered over him, covering him with my body as I heard the gunshot get fired.
I pressed my eyes shut, waiting for the pain but...nothing came. I glided my eyelids open, my gaze met Max's wide one, just as shocked as me, my arm wrapped around his shoulder as I shielded him away from the gunshot. I turned my head around to see the gun drop down from Louis's grip and fall onto the ground, the gunshot that we heard get fired had penetrated through his hand, forcing the gun out of his grip and he groaned loudly as the blood dripped down furiously.
My head turned to the entrance, my eyes falling on Nikolas as he lowered his gun and strode forward, the look in his eyes wasn't recognizable, not at all as he wrapped his hand around Louis's neck, pushing him till his back harshly slammed against the big old cross at the church's alter.
"Nikolas, leave him," I shot out, panicked because we didn't know where Lilly is yet, "Don't kill him, he has Lilly!"
He wasn't listening to me, not at all. Venom dripping from his eyes as he squeezed the life out of Louis, one small push and he would snap the guy's neck in his one bare hand. His jaw ticked, delighted as he gazed at Louis's eyes, pleasurably waiting to watch them roll back under his assault.
Panic rushed in my chest and I backed away, leaving Max's side and rushed to his, "Nikolas!" I snapped but the look that was in his eyes wasn't my brother, no, it belonged to the monster he was before I knew him. It was lurking in his dark, sadistic gaze. Something almost...inhuman.
"Nikolas, if he dies, Lilly dies, let him go," I snapped but he was still not hearing me or...just ignoring me and my words.
Angrily, my hand curled over his arm, pushing it away, "Nikolas!" I snapped, enraged at his carelessness.
What the fuck happened to him?
He loosened his grip but he didn't look at my side yet, his gaze focused on Louis and Louis only, who even though was one second away from his own death...smiled. A lazy sadistic smile pulled up the corner of his lips as he gazed back at Nikolas, his eyes unconquerable, almost as if everything is going according to his own fucked-up plan.
Nikolas inched his head closer to him, hissing in his face, "I guess I will have to make it a slow-death then."
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HEYA!
So, whatcha you think about this chapter?
What about Christian? Do you believe him?
And Louis and his games xD
Oh and Nikolas? Looks like he lost it ;)
Since there is a lot happening at the same time, I decided to separate the events happening into two. Here we saw what's happening with Lilly and Alex. In the next chapter, we'll see what was happening back at home with Nikolas, Nathan and everyone else.
This guy gives me serial killer vibes, I swear XD
Anyways, see ya later!
Love y'all!