Captivated Desires

29

The room was bathed in soft, warm lights. The only sounds came from the subtle hum of the air conditioning and the occasional soft rustling of sheets as the children shifted in their sleep. In the quieter moments, Reign sat in an armchair in the corner, watching the children sleep with a hint of worry on his face. Despite his relaxed pose, his gaze was sharp and vigilant. Even in this quiet solitude, he remained on high alert, protective of each of them.

As I poured myself the second glass, the sound of footsteps against the hardwood floor echoed softly. Reign had quietly walked into the kitchen, his eyes fixed on me. He leaned against the doorframe, his tall frame casting a shadow against the warm kitchen light. 

He observed me in silence for a few moments, gauging my state of mind from my actions. The way I had downed the first glass with such speed indicated that I was struggling, trying to find an escape from the realities around me.

He walked towards me slowly, as if approaching a wounded animal. He stood next to me, his gaze still fixed on my face. He wanted to say something, to offer me comfort and a shoulder to lean on, but he knew words were likely not what I needed right now.

Instead, he simply reached out a hand, gently taking the wine bottle from my grasp. He placed it down on the countertop before sitting down on a stool next to me. He didn't say anything yet, just sat there, silently offering his presence and support.

"My wine-" I muttered as I saw him take it away.

Reign gently placed a hand on my arm, his touch firm but comforting. "You've had enough," he said, his voice gruff but gentle. "You need rest more than you need alcohol right now." His eyes held no judgment, only a mixture of worry and understanding. He understood my need to escape the pain, the need to numb my mind for just a moment. But he also knew that it was only a temporary solution, and what I needed was comfort and rest.

"Has Azar called you yet?" I asked.

Reign shook his head, a flicker of frustration crossing his features. "No," he responded, his voice stern. "And it's concerning. He's supposed to be handling things, yet he hasn't called even once to provide an update." His jaw clenched tightly, a sign of the tension he was holding in. The lack of news from Azar, a man Reign trusted implicitly, was only adding to his sense of unease.

"I don't like this," he continued, his voice low and filled with irritation. "Not having any idea what's going on is not sitting well with me. I'll have to call him myself." As he spoke, he reached into his pocket, pulling out his phone. His fingers were already punching in Azar's number as he continued to speak to me. "Stay here," he instructed his tone a mix of gentle command and concern. "I'll go into the other room and make this call."

He gave my arm a reassuring squeeze before walking out of the kitchen, his phone now held up to his ear as he dialled Azar's number. The silence of the villa enveloped me once Reign had left, leaving me with my thoughts and the faint sound of the phone call from the other room. The low murmur of Reign's voice reached my ears, his tone serious and firm.

I couldn't make out the exact words, but the frustration in his voice was evident. He was demanding answers, yet the silence on the other end of the line was seemingly just as deafening. Each moment that passed without a response from Azar seemed to grate on Reign's nerves. He walked around the room, his footsteps firm and calculated, his free hand clenching and unclenching as he continued the one-sided conversation.

Occasionally, his voice would rise slightly, the edge of anger present in his tone. Whatever he was hearing, or not hearing, on the other end wasn't what he had been hoping for. With each passing moment, his irritation grew. He ended the call abruptly, his shoulders tense and his expression hardened. Returning to the kitchen, he looked at a simmering pot of emotions, frustration boiling just under the surface.

He didn't speak immediately, the silence in the room only serving to heighten the tension. He stood in front of me, his gaze fixed on me, before finally speaking. "Azar is being stubbornly tight-lipped," he said, his voice a low growl. "He claims he's making progress, yet refuses to give me any concrete information."

The frustration in his expression was clear. Every word that came from his mouth was laced with irritation, his jaw clenching as he spoke. "He's dancing around the subject, and it's not sitting well with me," he continued. "I don't like being kept in the dark, especially when it involves our safety and the safety of our family."

"Azar is acting like he's in charge, you need to get down there Reign. Stand your guard," I replied to him.

Reign's eyes darkened at my words, a flicker of anger passing through them. "I've been thinking the same thing," he admitted. "Azar seems to have forgotten who calls the shots, and I'm tempted to remind him."

He began to pace the floor again, his strides long and purposeful. The wheels in his mind were already turning, considering his next move. "I hate the thought of leaving you and the kids here," he said, his voice a low rumble. "But it might be necessary to get the answers I need."

"That's okay my love, your job is still your priority,".

Reign stopped his pacing, his gaze now fixed on me. My understanding and support touched him, and he gave a grateful nod. "I appreciate your understanding," he said, his voice softened. "But you and the children are also my priority. I'll do whatever it takes to keep you all safe."

He stepped closer to me, his hand reaching out to gently caress my cheek. The tough exterior softened for just a moment, replaced by a tender expression. "I promise I'll be back as fast as possible," he said, his voice gruff yet gentle.