I felt him close the door behind us. We were alone I could see his siblings leave, the gate was left open. The sun was setting, casting an amber glow through the window. My heart pounded against my ribs. Before I could even turn I felt his presence, it spoke for itself. My insides turned as I tried to make sense of everything. Instead it was making me realise there was no reason why I was still here at the same time I did not want to piss Lachlan off just the thought made my stomach drop. I turned watching him fear sprouting from the tip of my fingers my body not forgetting who he was. He would easily squash me.

His presence dominated the room, the top buttons of his shirt undone, his tie hanging loosely around his neck, he was in the process of taking it off. He looked impossibly handsome in the dim light, the sun caressing his skin I was convinced even nature was infatuated with him as he stood not far from me one of his hands in his pants pockets, the other poured himself a drink. Despite the danger he embodied, Lachlan was a vision that made you forget, just for a fleeting moment, how terrifying he truly was. But it didn't make him any less of a monster.

Tears gathered in my eyes when our eyes connected as he took a sip of his drink, I have never seen anything so masculine and threatening in such a simple act it alerted my entire body of danger, this was Lachlan after all. My senses seemed heightened as the back of my eyes burned.

"Love." His accent thick, his voice deep- the simple single word sending shivers down my spine, —he said allowing me to speak. Tears flowed down my cheeks. He wasn't a man I could take on or even dare try I knew my limits. There was no way I was leaving through the door that meant I would have to get past him which didn't only seem impossible- it was impossible. 

It was like he was just waiting for me to fuck up. He was giving me all the time in the world.

"I spoke to Lucian." I started. Trying to hold it together but miserably failing.

"I-I-" I sobbed he didn't move, just watched me. I was so scared. Everything about him was calm and threatening - I wanted to disappear and leave him at the same time my body sought comfort from him and him alone. He was all I knew -all my body knew I understood.

"Please don't kill my sister— Lachlan." He chuckled placing down his drink. I moved close to him, my hands trembling. "Lachlan —I -" I shuddered taking in his scent. "I come in peace — I'm not going anywhere I have recently learned new things of my sister which I won't dwell on because I will go mad, but please. You -You-" my voice cracked-" you took everything from me —my life is yours I'm about to walk down the aisle in a few-in a few days and marry you —Lachlan please I won't leave —I will have your children —we will be a family and I will never try anything. I promise." I poured out my heart meaning every word as my chest ached.

"You don't give me ultimatums, love. I can bring you your sister's head tomorrow and make you sleep with it for an entire week, do not fuck with me. Whether I kill her or not you will still do all those things. Try something else." His voice was incredulously calm, his tone never changed as he watched me, I had took my trembling hands off him, his hands were now both in his pants pockets as he watched me, his drink an after thought. I was scared and I couldn't stop crying.

My sorrow was slowly turning into anger which I tried to suppress. It would be foolish of me to be angry in his presence - it would be extremely foolish of me to speak without acknowledging whom I was speaking to.

"Lachlan please just listen but-" my voice went up a few notches because I felt he wasn't listening he didn't understand the severity of the situation. Lives were nothing to him.

"Isla I'm not your friend. You don't speak to me like you are climbing down a tree. I will fuck you up." His levelled tone never changed although the entire atmosphere changed, his voice filling my ears making me cower. There was eerie silence around us yet my head contained a lot of noise. I paused. Feeling my bladder stir as I gulped nodding trying to make him understand that I was listening to him.

"I'm sorry- I don't know what to do. —I don't know what to say, I wish you had a human side that I could appeal to but you don't— you don't even have an ounce of humanity in you. Lachlan. Please. I have cooperated with you I have done everything you ask of me this is the only thing I ask of you." My voice quickly zeroed down as I failed to look him in the eyes failing to look at the beautiful green I had fallen in love with.

"Your sister's foolishness will be the death of her, your friends are no better." He was having a conversation with me yet I was spiralling. I felt my legs shake underneath me before I felt something snap within me. He wasn't human. He was speaking as if they were not people- I have given him everything and he still wants more. What did my friends have to do with this. He really did want to take everything away from me.

"What?! You speak as if you are God! Who are you to determine the length of peoples lives! How dare you!" I could see something dark dance in his eyes as he watched me and let me move away from him as I continued to scream at him. He frustrated me. We were speaking about lives— human lives but he spoke as if it was just nothing. I looked around the room for a split second knowing I couldn't stay here any longer.

"You can't threaten my loved ones and expect me to cooperate or care about being here. The only reason why I'm still here is because I'm terrified you will kill them because you are a psychopath- actually you are worse than that. You telling me there is no hope makes me not give a fuck about consequences why should I stay and listen to you?!" At this point I was seeing red as I for the first time shouted at him, letting all my anger surface which was a huge contrast compared to his calm dark blood thirsty demeanour, he was calmly letting me speak as if he was letting me get everything off my chest. His eyes were completely dark. I was scared but my heart ached and I didn't care. I had no life without my sister nor my friends that was the only family I knew.

It's not that I couldn't try and escape this place, it was that I chose not to be stupid.

"Do you think I give two fucks now after you have revealed to me that they will die anyway?" I made sure to look him in the eye but quickly looked away from him unable to keep eye contact.

"Whatever you are planning to do next, make sure I don't catch you." He said chuckling as he watched me both his hands in his pants pockets I won't lie that scared me-I almost pissed myself. He looked terrifying.

It was like he triggered a switch. My body reacted before my mind could catch up— he didn't need to tell me twice, fueled by pure instinct. With a swift yank, I tore the curtain from its rod, the heavy fabric pooling in my hands for only a second before I twisted it into a rope. I didn't hesitate—didn't think, I knew I didn't have that luxury. I threw myself over the balcony edge, the makeshift line taut in my grip as I flew into the night air, the ground rushing up to meet me. The drums of my heart the only thing filling my ears.

I didn't falter. My body moved like it had been trained for this, like I'd done it a thousand times before. The wind roared in my ears, but I focused, letting the curtain slide through my fingers to slow my descent. I barely felt the impact as my feet touched down. Rolling into the landing with a graceful twist, I was on my feet in a heartbeat. The beautiful hue of the setting sun a huge contrast to the turn of events in my life.

Behind me, I could feel Lachlan's eyes on me, but he didn't move, he just watched me now standing on the balcony, amusement in his eyes as he smirked his hands still his pants pockets, his eyes never leaving mine, I almost forgot how to breathe, my entire body screamed that I should go back and ask for forgiveness— I considered it as memories of his gruesomeness flooded my mind which I quickly pushed away as I sobbed. I could not let fear that wanted to consume me whole win, I needed to survive. I pulled myself together focusing on the situation at hand.

Without a second's pause, I sprinted across the yard, every step precise, my muscles coiled with the strength of survival. There was no time to waste. I moved fast, faster than the panic rising in my throat, faster than the fear gnawing at my chest. I was born for this. Every step, every calculated move was the culmination of months spent here, I did nothing but watch preparing myself if the situation ever presented itself.

The guard never even saw me coming. In one smooth motion, I drove my elbow into the side of his neck, his body crumpling like a rag doll. He was out before he hit the ground. For once, I was grateful for Serenity's relentless training, all those drills and sparring sessions finally paying off. I had no time to savor the moment, though. Just as I was about to sprint toward the car, another guard rounded the corner, his eyes locking onto me with immediate intent.
He was bigger, faster-but not fast enough.
I lunged forward, using his momentum against him. In one fluid motion, I leapt, climbing onto his shoulder and twisting my body with precision. My legs wrapped around his neck as I used my weight to yank him forward, flipping him over onto the ground with a thud. He hit the pavement hard, his head bouncing against the concrete with a dull crack.
Knocked out cold.

I didn't waste a second. I was on my feet again, breath steady, heart racing but focused. I barely spared the unconscious guards a glance as I darted toward the car parked not far from the house—left there, by some stroke of luck. It was the O'Sullivan estate, after all— I wasn't surprised that it was unlocked. I realised the other guards didn't move they continued like nothing was going on. I paid them no mind.

Another figure caught my attention as I moved. Lucian. He was strolling casually toward the house, pausing just long enough to wave at me with that same twisted smile. I didn't dare ponder on it. There was no time. My fingers moved with practiced precision, ripping open the panel beneath the steering wheel. Hot-wiring a car was second nature by now— it was a skill Serenity did not take lightly to, now I understood why.

The engine roared to life as I turned the ignition, and out of the corner of my eye, I saw him. Lachlan. As calm and unbothered as ever, standing in the doorway as if he'd just stepped out for a stroll. His eyes met mine, that ever-present smirk that was on his lips had now vanished.

My foot slammed down on the gas, tires screeching against the gravel as I shot toward the gate. The heavy iron gates were wide open, but I knew freedom wasn't guaranteed. Not yet.

For a split second, the thrill of escape surged through me. The wind whipped through the open window, the world flying by in a blur. But I wouldn't be safe until I was far away from here, far from him. I could feel the heaviness of my chest weighing on me I wanted to cry, the fear surging through me was unbearable I was afraid I would have a panic attack- but I could not afford not to be on my right mind right now, I kept my focus sharp, my hands gripping the wheel with white-knuckled intensity. I had to focus.

A single gunshot rang through the air, sharp and deafening. My heart plummeted, ice flooding my veins.

I glanced up at the rearview mirror, my breath catching in my throat.

Lachlan. Standing there, still as stone, his gun raised and aimed at me with deadly precision. A second later, the front tire exploded with a loud hiss, and I fought to keep the car on the road. But it was useless. The vehicle swerved uncontrollably, spinning out of control before slamming into the gatepost with a sickening crunch.

The impact rattled my entire body, the force of it leaving me dazed. Which I couldn't afford right now. Not when my life was still on the line. I shoved the door open, stumbling out onto the gravel, every nerve in my body screaming at me to run. I immediately picked myself up and began to run. Letting him catch me wasn't an option. I started sobbing at the possibility. He would kill me.

Another crack split the air, and a searing pain shot through my leg. I screamed as I collapsed, clutching my knee. The pain was blinding, intense enough to make my vision blur. I tried to move, to crawl, but each inch forward was agony. I couldn't help but let everything pent up out as I cried but I didn't stop trying.

I looked back through the haze of pain and tears. Lachlan was walking toward me, slow and deliberate, like he had all the time in the world. He didn't need to rush. He knew I wasn't going anywhere. His gun hung loosely at his side, like an afterthought, as if he no longer needed it. Instead his shirt was now rolled up his sleeves.

Panic clawed at my chest. I had to move. I had to get away. I had to fight with my body which was failing me, and the more I tried, the more the pain overwhelmed me. The fear playing a major part of my paralysis. Knowing he would kill me I could see it in his eyes.

"Someone -please -please help me! He-help! Please anyone." I screamed as a last resort. I could not let him get me.

I continued screaming for help, my voice breaking as I tried to crawl away, but it didn't matter. In an instant, his hand was in my hair, wrapping tightly around my braids. Without a word, he slammed my head against the road—once, then again. Pain exploded through my skull, and I screamed louder- before my screams got clogged by the bile threatening to rise up my throat, my vision blurring from the shock. Blood trickled down my face, mixing with the dirt and tears. He was terribly silent through everything.

I begged, pleaded, but it didn't stop him. He dragged me back toward the estate, my body scraping against the rough pavement as I cried, the coarse road tearing at my skin as I tried to reason. Every movement felt like fire, burning through my flesh, but he didn't stop, didn't even acknowledge my pain.

He then stopped my hair still in his grip at the second guard I took down, I watched him take out what looked like a knife.

"You have the fucking audacity to put what fucking belongs to me on another man's face. Because you are now fucking Spider-man aye." He asked watching me, his eyes were black and void— there was nothing there as he darkly chuckled. I have never seen the look he had in his eyes ever before as he for the first time acknowledged me. I shook my head unable to speak, paralysed in fear as he gruesomely slit the man's throat. Blood gushed like a fountain, splattering across my face, my dress-everywhere. I screamed, a sound that felt like it was tearing me apart from the inside, begging him to stop. I cried —I felt like I have never cried before in entire life as I cried right now watching him. Begging him.

He then once again became silent and continued dragging me along. There was blood everywhere. The sound of my cried and hiccups filled the entire estate as I cried for help.

"Please, Lachlan," I choked out between sobs. "Let me walk. Pleas-please - I will walk- Lachlan I will walk. I promise- please -please !" I rushed out sobbing, my entire body trembled.

For a moment, he slowed, then finally stopped. I turned my head to look at him, desperate for any sign of mercy, but there was none. He didn't need to say anything. His silence was more terrifying than any words he could have spoken. Everything that just happened came as a flash back which made me cry harder.

I pushed myself to my feet, my body trembling, every step agonizing as I limped forward. Tears streamed down my face, as I sobbed uncontrollably, knowing each step brought me closer to my end. Lachlan was patient as always, I wished he had slit my throat instead because I knew what was coming was much worse.

....

Dear readers

I see your messages and I completely understand, unfortunately it's a slow year because of my work load this year. That's why when I update I make sure the words are 6000 plus.
Please bear with me —updates will be slow until I can figure out a better way to juggle everything.

...

Tell me what y'all think.