Claiming What is Rightfully Mine (Walter Deville)

Chapter 17

Evie allowed Oliver to take her hand and lead her over to where the rest of the family was, so she could mingle with them and get to know them a little better.

"Everyone," Oliver said gaining the rest of the Alexander family's attention. Oliver brought Evie to stand beside him introducing her as their lost cousin, hoping that she would get better acquainted with the rest of the family.

While Oliver was speaking with the family, Evie couldn't help but look around for any sign that Nicolette was around somewhere.

Oliver noticed this behavior and asked Evie, "dear cousin Evelyn, is something wrong? You look as though you are lost and are looking for something, or perhaps someone."

"I am," Evie replied turning to look at Oliver. "Have you seen my friend Nico? I haven't seen her since we got here. I'm growing a bit worried about her."

"I'm sure Nicolette is fine. Why let your worry for her ruin a goodtime," Oliver asked hoping to get Evie's mind off of Nicolette.

"I want to see for myself that Nico is fine. If not, then I will go and tear this whole mansion apart until I find her. Nico and I have always been there for one another when the rest of the world was against us. I don't want that to change, all because Nico and I are in a different country. Please Oliver, Nico is a very important person in my life. It would put my mind at ease if I got to see for myself that Nico is fine," Evie said.

"If that is what you want then fine," Oliver said before walking over to Mr. Renfield. "Mr. Renfield, would you please go and fetch Ms. Nicolette?"

"You already know the rules on that," Mr. Renfield replied.

"Please? If you don't, he will only be more upset, when cousin Evelyn goes marching inside and looks for her friend herself. That is the very last thing that we need right now," Oliver explained.

"Very well. I'll go and fetch the young woman," Mr. Renfield said before walking away.

Mr. Renfield made his way into the house and was greeted by Walter getting ready to walk outside, to go and mingle with the guests.

"Mr. Renfield, I thought you would be outside tending to the guests and their needs, as they celebrate such a joyous moment," Walter asked.

"I would be sir, but one of your guests, Evelyn Alexander has threatened to come inside the mansion and tear it apart, if she does not see for herself that her friend Nicolette is doing just fine. She seems pretty insistent seeing her friend," Mr. Renfield explained.

"I see," Walter said. "You go back to the party Mr. Renfield. I will go and get the lovely Nicolette and bring her to the party myself. Just make sure that Evelyn Alexander remains outside."

Walter then turned making his way back up to his room.

Nicolette sat on the bed nervously knowing, there was no way out of the room to warn Evie about Walter and his twisted plans.

As much as I am truly happy that Evie has jumped at the chance to meet her dad's side of the family, a small part of me is beginning to wonder if all of this is truly worth it. Either way I look at this, one of us is going to be losing our freedom, and is going to be forced to go through with the marriage to that damn monster, Nicolette thought to herself, before she was broken out of her thoughts by Walter entering the room.

"Well, you're back early. I guess the party isn't as exciting as you thought it would be," Nicolette sassed.

"Don't be cute with me, Nicolette. You know I could always change my mind about allowing your friend to go back to her boring life, back where the both of you came from. Who knows, maybe I could feed from Evelyn, and add her to the countless number of bodies I have hidden on this property. Is that what you want," Walter asked.

"You promised that you would let Evie go back to our apartment. Don't drag her into this nightmare," Nicolette begged.

"Are you going to be a good girl then," Walter asked.

"I already agreed to go through with this wedding. What more could you possibly want from me," Nicolette said.

"I'm glad you asked," Walter said with a smirk falling on his lips. "Are you willing to continue to be a good girl. You won't say anything of this little arrangement between us. You will keep from talking about being the bride for this lovely wedding that is being held. Because all will be revealed in good time. Anyway, your darling friend Evelyn won't stop asking questions about you. She wants to see for herself that you are doing alright, and that nothing bad has happened to you. You are going to let your friend know that you are having a lovely time. Tell her something believable that is good. You are also going to get dressed and make yourself look beautiful. Keep the real reason as to why she hasn't seen you around, under wraps. The moment you let anything slip, then your friend will lose her access to her freedom. Now get up out of bed and get yourself ready. Don't want to keep your friend Evelyn waiting too long for you," Walter said while walking over and untying Nicolette after he grabbed a dress for Nicolette. "Get dressed."

"Are you going to walk out of the room and allow me to get changed in privacy," Nicolette asked.

"You're hilarious if you believe that I would trust you enough to leave you alone to get ready. Now get dressed before I decide to help you get dressed," Walter said before Nicolette started stripping her clothes off in front of him, and started getting dressed for the party that was being thrown downstairs.

After a bit of time, Nicolette was dressed with her hair and makeup done. Afterwards Nicolette walked over to the shoes putting them on as Walter walked up behind her, placing a chocker around her neck, before moving his hands down her waist, wrapping an arm around her waist.

"Now you are ready to go down and mingle among the rest of the guests. You will make all of the women jealous of you, the moment their dates lay their eyes on you. But keep in mind dear, you are mine. Don't think about running off with another man," Walter warned before unwrapping his arms from around Nicolette, offering his arm to her for her to take. "Shall we make our grand entrance to the party together?"

"It's not like I have much of a choice, now do I," Nicolette said while looping her arm through Walter's arm. "Lead the way down to the party."

Walter led Nicolette down the steps and through the mansion, all the way to the back door, which led out to where the party was being held. Before they took a step out the door, Walter stopped Nicolette one more time.

"Remember what I said. Behave yourself, keep our little secret, and everything will be alright for your little friend Evelyn," Walter warned before he led her out to the party.

Walter made his way over with Nicolette, only to have Mr. Renfield announce the arrival of both Walter and Nicolette.

"Now announcing the arrival of Lord DeVille and Ms. Winters," Mr. Renfield called out as Walter and Nicolette made their way to the party.

Evie was quick to make her way over to Nicolette and Walter, ignoring the looks her family gave her.

"Oh thank God you finally shown up. I was worried about you. Are you alright? Where the hell were you? Are you hurt? Why didn't you make any attempt to get a hold of me, to let me know where you were," Evie asked.