Smitten Storm ✨ Danielle Gilbert-Labonair [2]

Chapter [31]

Danielle's PoV

The next morning

I sit opposite Hayley at the table in the dining room reaching forward for a strawberry on a platter.

I catch Hayley's eye when Nik enters the room walking over to my side.

"So......" Hayley smiles sarcastically, "Which restaurant's missing a compelled chef?"

Nik looks at us in confusion, "It's certainly a card I've played in the past, but I had no hand in this..."

I shrug, "Hmm. Well, then, I guess we have Elijah to thank?"

Upon hearing his name Elijah swiftly enters shaking his head, "This wasn't my doing..."

I furrow my eyebrows, "Then, where did this all come from?"

Nik opens his mouth when the silver lid on a different platter begins rattling.
I jump in my seat quickly standing to my feet dropping several strawberries onto floor.

I look over at everyone, catching their eyes, "What's going on?"

Nik glances hesitantly around the room, stepping forward lifting up the platter lid. Several birds escape flying above our heads.

Instinctively, I duck watching the birds fly out of an open window, "What the hell was that?"

I stand to my feet peering over Nik's shoulders noticing the card neatly placed on the plate.

He glances to Elijah, "An invitation from our mother."

🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹

I stare at the ceiling laying on Nik and I's bed, hearing Hayley walk in taking a seat at the end.

"It is times like this I'm really glad I never knew my mother," Hayley states to Nik who walks in from the balcony.

Nik sighs, "We have enough enemies here. And now, the war for our home is to be fought against my own family."

I roll my eyes, "It's not the first time I've encountered your mother Nik, let's not forget the time she tried to kill me."

Hayley looks at me in shock, "What!?"

I sit up, "That's a story for a different time," Looking Nik in the eyes, "Your wretched mother and her disciples tried to put a carving knife through our baby's heart. I will happily add to the body count."