Marriage by Bargain - Book 2

Chapter Eleven

Zandre

I was going out of my mind, it had already been a week since they'd taken her and we weren't any closer to figuring this out. Luca had opted to stay and help Damian and I get to the bottom of this, as well as give a hand with the twins so Lia and Damian wouldn't be too tired. It also helped that he'd been drawn to Kim the minute she had woken up and was able to tell us what happened. As amusing as it was to see him try to avoid her despite his obvious attraction, I wasn't in the frame of mind to enjoy the brewing romance while my woman was missing. My stress-induced insomnia came in handy for everyone since it meant I could take care of the boys when they woke up during the night. They were the only comforts I had during this time of mental, physical and emotional turmoil.

On the seventh day since her kidnapping I was in Damian's office pacing all over and trying to figure out who was responsible for such a brazen act. I knew for a fact that it was linked linked to the arson attack on Naia's building, it only made sense that it would be. That had been a warning of sorts, something to get my attention. I couldn't stop beating myself up for not taking it more seriously. I should have placed greater emphasis on the fact that of all the properties I owned they chose to attack the one that the most important person in my life had been living in. They were after her from the start and by leaving her unprotected I practically offered her up on a silver platter. I just hoped she wouldn't be made to pay for my foolish mistake.

"You're going to wear a hole in my carpet if you don't sit down!" Damian snapped.

Luca snickered from the couch in the corner of the room, it was likely he was just in here hiding from Kimberly. I could tell Damian was beyond irritated with me, add that to the fact that he was the father of new born twins and husband to a woman who was badgering him to find her best friend, yeah I'd say he was at the end of his rope. I decided it was wise to comply and sit down instead of adding to his frustrations. I'd barely been sitting for a minute when we heard Lia screech from upstairs. Damian was out of his chair and already half way up the stairs of the concealed passage in his office. Luca and I were close behind, neither of us wanting any more of the women in our lives to be in danger.

We burst into the room at the exact same time Kim did only to find Lia grinning wildly and chattering away on the phone. Everyone relaxed slightly once it was clear she wasn't in danger.

"Oh yea, here he is," she said glumly nodding at me and reluctantly handing me the phone.

Puzzled by her behavior, I slowly put the phone to my ear.

"Hello?"

"Zandre?" I heard her sweet voice ask on the other end of the line.

A wave of relief flooded my being at the sound of her voice. From what I could tell she was unharmed so far and sounded happy even. It eased my worry a bit but I wouldn't be completely okay until she was with me again where I could take care of her and keep her safe.

"Naia baby, are you okay?" I asked once I got over the momentary shock.

"I am now."

If I wasn't paying such keen attention to everything she said I would have sworn I imagined that response. In that moment I found myself yearning for her even more than I'd already been.

"Well I won't be okay until you're home and safe, have they hurt you? Do you know where you are? Do you know who did this?" I said growing suddenly anxious from the lack of information.

"Whoa there cowboy slow down," she laughed lightly, the corners of my lips involuntarily tipped upwards at the beautiful sound. Damn, I missed her so much.

I heard shuffling and talking in the background before she came back on the line.

"Okay, there isn't much I can tell you but I just need you to know that I'm safe and unharmed, well except for the chloroform making me sick for a couple days but I'm fine now, no I don't know where I am and yes I do know who is responsible,"

"Who-"

"Don't ask, please, I can't say just yet but what I can say is that they'll probably be contacting you soon for some kind of negotiation," she reassured me, I wasn't pleased but it was more information than we had before.

"Okay," I said, not hiding the in my voice.

"I do have a bit of good news though," she began shyly, but suddenly there was a great deal of noise and shuffling in the background.

"What? He's here? Already?" I heard her asking.

"Baby what's going on?" I asked even while I tried to make out what was being said on the other end of the line.

"Listen babe, I have to go, my time is up but I'll call you again as soon as I can," she told me in a rush despite my protests, " I love you, bye!"

Her declaration caught me off guard and she hung before I could even get the chance to respond. I cursed in frustration then apologized to the ladies in the room.

Everyone looked at me expectantly wanting to know what I'd gathered from the call. I told them what was said and the impressions I got. They were all relieved to know she was safe, but that only increased their desire to get her back before whoever took her decided to stop treating her so nicely. What worried me most was how the tone of our conversation changed with the news of someone's arrival. I got the distinct feeling that whoever showed up unexpectedly was the person calling the shots. It also confirmed what Naia said about me possibly being contacted soon. I couldn't help but wonder what kind of negotiations I would be having with this mystery person, not that it mattered. I would do whatever it took to have her back quickly and safely.

Her final words before ending the call were another thing altogether. Was that the good news she had wanted to share before we were interrupted? I sighed, I knew I would be having another sleepless night tonight but at least I would be comforted by finally getting confirmation of what I knew all along.

She loves me.

Hi everyone! I just wanted to say I'm glad for all the support I've been getting so far BUT I'd be the happiest potato in the world if you would comment and let me know how you're liking the story or what's bothering you about it :( I'm down on my spuds literally begging for feedback, I don't wanna feel like I'm writing for ghosts! Let's all just come together and hold (clean) hands and run off into the sunset (with sunscreen)...please please please please please comment (and vote :D)!!!!

Okay I'm done now :3 I may update again today, no promises tho!

*Tee*