Their Princess

Chapter 96

Raelynn's Pov

I crawl deeper in the cabinet when I hear his footsteps coming near. Holding my breath, I wait until he turns away on the other side of the room. I sigh in relief, but my senses are still on high alert. I can't believe I let myself get so deep in this trouble.

“ I will find you, you know. I never fail…” He trails. 

Sh*t. He knows I'm here, but why didn't he do anything when I called Daddy. Oh no, he is going to experiment on me again. Daddy, please come soon. The tab that I have been using ran out of battery. I just wish he wouldn't think of calling someone.

“ I invented this machine. What makes them think that I can't bring her back. I never fail. Never.” 

Is he talking with himself? 

Okay. Typical scientist. Kidnapping people, then experimenting on them in the name of science. Yes, it is definitely a typical scientist behavior.

But he is not all to blame. I still remember when Rufus threw me here and demanded to get rid of me. I panicked, but somewhere, I hoped that Harlin won't let anything happen to me. I mean, the brothers were funding his studies. There was no reason for him to go against them?

But I couldn't have been more wrong. He not only helped Rufus by going behind the brothers but also experimented on me. I cried and fought with him, but his little scientist mind was unbothered. He just put me in his machine and plugged it on. Rest is history that I'm too tired to even recall right now. 

I'm so tired and hungry that all I want to do now is go home, sleep, and eat. 

Doors outside rattles from the storm. Or maybe it's Daddy. I miss them. Are they here? But they can't come this early. I called them thirty minutes ago. There's no way they can arrive this early when the ride from Castle to Harlin’s is about two hours away.

“ Ughh…. Who is it now?” Harlin footsteps echo, going outside. I contemplate staying hidden or looking for a weapon. 

But I think it's too late because the doors to his lab bangs open. I hold my breath and wait. 

“ I told you I will call you when there's some progress. You can't barge into my lab and disturb me when I'm…..”

“ Where is she!!?” A hoarse voice asks.

“ Princess?” 

It's Daddy!!!

Without giving another thought, I crawl out from the cabinet. “ Daddy!!!” I yell. When his eyes meet mine, he rushes toward me. 

Kneeling, he hesitates touching me. Like I'm a dream or an illusion that, if touched, will disappear. So, I launch myself in his arms. “ Baby? Is this really you?” He cups my face and asks, looking at me in wonder and disbelief. 

“ Daddy, it's me. I missed you…” My lower lip quivers and eyes fill with tears. He hugs me to his chest, breathing in my scent. His chest soon starts to rumble with his heavy sobs. 

Is he crying?

“ Ahhaaaa! I told you she would come back. Didn't I? I did it. My mission was successful. I did it!!!” A punch to his right cheek has Harlin fall on the floor, and I think that was his teeth going under the table.

“ Baby?” I turn to see Eli looking at me in surprise.

“ Eli… are you okay? They didn't hurt you too bad. Right?” I can't forget the sight of him bleeding on the floor. He shakes his head, but no words come out of his mouth. 

“ Love, how are you? Are you hurt anywhere?”

I don't know how to reply to Daddy, so I state the most important thing. “ I want to go home.”

He hands me over to Eli and pecks my forehead. “ Let me finish this first, then we can all go home.” I nod absently because Eli is distracting me. He is smooching kisses all over my face without any break.

“ Take her outside. I don't want her to see what's about to happen here.”

Eli starts walking without uttering a single word. He settles me on the kitchen counter and cups my face. Looking at me like I'm a dream.

“ I'm really here, Eli. Please don't cry.” I try to wipe his tears, but he kisses my palm instead. 

“ It's not a dream.” He states, probably to himself. “ I'm awake.”

“ You are wide awake, Eli.” I tell him, making him huffing a laugh.

“ I am. I am. I just can't believe you are really here. I missed you so much.” He hugs me tight to him. 

“ Too tight, Eli.” I complain, but he only loosens his grip slightly. I guess it's perfect.

He rocks my body with his while I trace his jaw with my finger. He is a really beautiful man. I should tell him that more often. I don't know why I feel so uncomfortable when I'm giving or receiving compliments.

Loud noises come from Harlin’s lab, and then I hear him screaming. 

“ What are they going to do to him?” I ask. My eyes go heavy with sleep. It's been days since I last slept without having to look over my back. Now that the brothers are here. Everything will be alright.

“ Justice will be served.” I hum in reply. He takes a seat on the couch and looks at my sleepy state. “ I can't believe you are really here.”

“ Don't worry, Eli. I will create so much trouble that you will have no choice but to get used to me.” I state.

“ I'm looking forward to it, and I'm willing to be under your mercy for the rest of my life. Just stay safe and happy. I don't want anything else.”

Why is he such a darling? I cuddle against him and let his warmth soothe my senses while he pecks my forehead repeatedly. I wonder why he is making it such a big deal. I wasn't gone for that long, but given their reactions, it made me feel like I was gone for years.

I will have to ask them later. But it can wait for now. I yawn and close my eyes, letting sleep surround me.