My Enemy's Daughter (Edited)

Chapter 60

Samuel's POV

The week that followed was pure bliss. I found myself wrapped up in Fiona's warmth, her laughter, her love. We were cooped up in the mansion, but neither of us cared. If anything, we were indulging in each other like never before. Every time we made love, I made sure to worship her body, to remind her of how much she meant to me, even if words failed to capture the depth of my feelings. She had become the center of my world.

Our days were slow but satisfying. We'd go for long walks around the mansion's vast grounds, hand in hand, the air between us thick with an unspoken bond. Even the smallest things, like playing games on the game station, felt profound. Her laughter as I struggled to keep up with her in the latest racing game, her playful teasing when I'd miss a turn, it all filled me with a sense of peace I hadn't known before.

But there was always that moment-the one where she'd try to bring up faith. Fiona would carefully slip it into our conversations, almost as if testing the waters. I'd smile, kiss her, and steer the topic elsewhere. I couldn't bear to talk about it. Not when I knew what I believed. Not when I was convinced that God didn't care. After all, if God had cared, Maggie would still be alive. We'd been devout Christians once, and it hadn't saved her. Jake Bruckner had taken that from me. From us. And no amount of prayer had stopped it.

Still, I never interrupted her morning routine. I'd wake up early, pretending to sleep as she knelt beside the bed to pray. In the evening, she'd sit quietly with her Bible, reading the words that seemed to bring her so much peace. It was important to her, I could see that, and I didn't want to hurt her feelings by speaking my mind. Because deep down, I knew the truth: if she ever had to choose between me and God, she'd choose Him without hesitation. And that thought gnawed at me like an unseen shadow in the corner of my mind.

Weeks passed, and then a month. Things started to shift, and I noticed something I hadn't expected. Bruno, one of my hardest, most unyielding men, had changed. He wasn't the same quiet enforcer I once knew. Somehow, Fiona had managed to reach him. I'd catch them praying together, reading the Bible side by side, and it wasn't lost on me that he was spending more and more time in her company. They'd grown close. I wasn't jealous-how could I be? But a part of me felt... left out. It was as if she had found something in him that I refused to offer, and while I brushed the feeling aside, it lingered.

Fiona kept mentioning church. She'd bring it up with that hopeful look in her eyes, and I'd postpone it each time, telling her it wasn't safe. And it wasn't just an excuse. There was a knot in my gut, a feeling I couldn't shake, like something terrible was coming. I tried to shake it off, but the unease remained, pressing at the back of my mind.

Finally, one Sunday, Fiona had enough. She stood in front of me, arms crossed, determination written all over her face.

"Samuel, it's been over a month since my father went to jail. You need to stop stalling," she said, her voice firm but not angry.

"I'm not stalling," I tried to argue, but she wasn't having it.

"It's been too long. I need to see Pastor Simeon, the church members, and Ethan. I miss them."

I sighed, trying to explain the unease gnawing at me. "Fiona, I just don't feel like it's safe. Something's... off. I don't want you to get hurt."

She looked at me sadly, the fire in her eyes dimming just a little. "You don't want me to go to church, Samuel. I get it. But this isn't just about safety."

I hated seeing her so sad. Clueless as to what to do, I nodded reluctantly. "Fine. But Bruno goes with you. Everywhere."

Her face lit up in an instant, the sadness replaced with that bright, contagious smile I loved so much. "Deal!" She kissed me quickly before rushing off to find Bruno, practically bouncing with excitement.

In record time, she was ready, dressed in a light summer dress, her hair loose around her shoulders. Bruno waited by the car, ever the silent guard, his expression as unreadable as always. I walked up to them, giving Bruno a serious look.

"Protect my wife," I said, my voice firm.

"With my life," Bruno replied without hesitation.

Fiona gave me a playful smile. "God is our protection," she said, squeezing my hand.

I scoffed lightly, rolling my eyes, but I didn't argue. Instead, I kissed her deeply, pouring all my love into that moment. She kissed me back, then pulled away, her eyes sparkling with happiness. "I'll be back soon."

I watched them drive off, that knot in my stomach tightening. I tried to shake off the feeling of dread, but it clung to me like a shadow. I headed to my office, determined to distract myself with work, but every hour that passed, I called her, just to hear her voice. Each time, she answered with a laugh, assuring me that everything was fine.

But then, everything when wrong.

A notification popped up on my phone, and I felt the blood drain from my face as I read the words: Jake Bruckner escaped last night.

My heart pounded in my chest, and I immediately called Fiona. She didn't answer. I tried again. Nothing. Panic surged through me as I dialed again and again, but each call went to voicemail.

Then Lyle called. His voice was grim, heavy with bad news. "Boss, Bruno's in critical condition at the hospital. Before he passed out, he told us... Fiona's been taken. Jake's men have her."

My world collapsed in that moment. The most precious thing in my life was now in the hands of that monster. Jake wouldn't think twice about hurting her. He had proven that time and time again.

I couldn't breathe. Rage, fear, and guilt consumed me all at once. This was my fault. She'd trusted God, and once again, He had failed. So much for God being her protection, or Bruno's. My hands clenched into fists, my heart pounding in my ears.

I wasn't going to sit back and let Jake take her. I wasn't going to let that bastard hurt her like he hurt me.

I barked orders into the phone, telling Lyle to get the men ready and to start searching immediately. And within minutes Lyle calls back to say they've found the location

"I'm on my way." I replied

As I hung up, I knew this wasn't just about rescuing Fiona. This was war. Jake Bruckner had just let out the demon in me by taking her. He'd won the first time but I wasn't going to be beaten twice. I was going to end him, once and for all.

With shaking hands, I grabbed my keys and stormed out of the mansion. I'd failed Maggie and my baby then. But this time, I wouldn't let Fiona down.

God wasn't going to save her. I would.