EXCEPTION

Chapter 27. I want you back

I woke up from the sound of steps coming closer. I opened my eyes to see a figure of a man in a black suit standing over me, his hands behind his back and his posture rigid and formal.

My eyes widened in recognition as I stared at him with my hand still on my head. I rubbed my eyes with my fingers to make sure it was real.

It's Julian—one of Courtney's men.

"Good morning, Ms. Adeleine. I'm sorry for waking you early." He bowed his head slightly to show his apologetic nature. "Sir Courtney asked me to bring you to him once you're awake."

I rubbed my eyes again before sitting up slowly in bed. It took some time for them to readjust after sleeping in such an awkward position. "Oh. Alright. Tell him I'll be there in a few minutes."

"Noted, Ms. Adeleine. I'll be waiting outside your room." He gave another bow and left quickly, closing the bedroom door quietly behind him.

I sighed deeply and sat up fully, running a hand through my hair. I wondered why Courtney had me dragged out of bed so early until the memories of last night began flooding into my mind. The gunshots rang out, and Blaine and Chris shouted out every threatening word. Just the thought of my husband selling me off like cattle. My blood began boiling at the very memory of it. And I hated the fact I couldn't fight back when I was with them.

The flashback memories altered into the last scenario where Courtney showed up — and our shared kiss came back into my mind. I bit my lip anxiously.

Was the kiss even real?

Did we kiss?

I don't know if that was real, though the looks in his eyes, the smell of his skin, and his soothing touch felt more real than reality when we kissed. A kind of feeling I wish I could ask for more.

*****

I spent fifteen minutes taking a bath, getting dressed, and applying light makeup. As soon as I went out, Julian met me and escorted me downstairs. We walked into the lounge area together and entered the large room with several couches. There were men lined up at each end of the room, all with guns drawn, all wearing the same dark suits and stiff posture as Julian.

Two men suddenly approached me. They bowed their heads respectfully.

"Good morning, Ms. Adeleine."

"I hope your sleep was restful."

They tossed me a welcoming smile and motioned me to continue. They pointed the direction to the corner. There, I was confronted by a man with a pair of deep blue ones staring right back into mine.

It's Courtney. He was now wearing a black suit and the top three buttons undone. His brown hair was ruffled and stuck up on one side. He looked so damn hot I could have sworn my face lit up from within.

He was sitting in a plush leather chair facing me, leaning forward with his right elbow resting against his knees and his legs crossed. Now I can see the real image of a Mafia King, looking so dangerous, so commandingly attractive. He was holding a magazine, but when his eyes found mine, he set it aside and took a sip of his coffee from the side table.

His eyes never moved from mine until he put down the cup.

"How are you?" He looked away, still in the same position.

"I'm feeling better. Thank you." I smiled, looking at him, but he didn't look back.

"How 'bout you? Are you... okay?" I suddenly asked, not knowing where that question came from.

"Don't ask. I'm always fine," He answered flatly, keeping his attention elsewhere.

"About yesterday... thank you. I was able to escape again from that hell life, though I don't remember what happened right after—"