Mr. Grey-Book I

43

Emilia

I paced frantically back and forth, losing track of time. If Damien was really here, I needed to see him and make sure he was okay.

My legs began to ache, so I sank onto the mattress, eyes fixed on the door, waiting for Kim. Soon, I heard keys jingling, and Kim stepped in holding a tray with what looked like an omelet.

"Good morning, Emilia. I brought you breakfast," she said softly.

Breakfast? Is she serious right now?

"I'm not hungry," I replied curtly. "Just take me to Danish."

She placed the tray on the table. "Does this mean you accept his offer?"

I shook my head. "No... I need him to take me to Damien. I have to know if he's okay," I said, my voice cracking.

Kim reached out, grasping my hands. "Emilia, please don't do this to yourself. Think of your child. Do you understand what would happen if you reject his offer?"

I yanked my hands away. "Do you realize what you're suggesting? I thought you loved him. I could never live with myself if anything happened to Damien."

She lowered her head. "You love him?" she asked, sounding surprised.

"Yes," I answered, my voice steadier now. "Please, take me to Danish."

"Okay..." she nodded, leading me out the door. We stepped into the hallway, and I could feel my heart hammering in my chest as we approached Danish's office. I stepped aside, allowing Kim to knock.

Danish's voice boomed from the other side, telling us to enter. Kim pushed the door open and went in first. "I'm sorry to interrupt your morning, sir, but Emilia insists on speaking with you immediately," she said, her voice tinged with apprehension.

He simply nodded, dismissing her before turning his cold eyes to me. "Emilia..."

"I... I've made a decision," I said, trying to keep my voice steady.

"Excellent. So, what have you decided?"

I took a deep breath, gathering all the courage I had left. Looking him straight in the eye, I said, "Not so fast. I want to see him first. I know you have Damien hidden somewhere."

I watched his smile fade, replaced by a chilling expression. "I see you and Kim have been getting along," he remarked coldly.

"Do we have a deal or not?" I shot back, feeling a surge of defiance.

"Feisty," he remarked as he reached for the phone on his desk. He muttered some words in Arabic before hanging up. Not a second later, two guards stepped in. Danish simply nodded, and they grabbed me, leading me out the door silently. I didn't fight or question them, partly because of the gun pressed against my back.

We walked through what seemed like a warehouse before entering a larger room. My heart stopped as my eyes landed on the center of the room.

"Damien!" I cried out, instinctively trying to run to him, but one of the men yanked me back, nearly causing me to stumble.

"Damien," I called again. He was in the middle of the room, tied to a chair, a streak of blood running from his eyebrow to his neck, his eyes closed.

Until he heard my voice.

His demeanor changed dramatically. "Emilia..." he began struggling against the ropes, but they were too tight. He looked broken. "What are you doing here?" he shouted.

"You've grown weak, brother," Danish's voice boomed from behind as he approached me. His men held me tightly as he tilted my head up to look at him. "If only you could see what beautiful eyes she has," he said in a mocking tone. "Doesn't she also remind you of her?"

"Stay away from her," Damien growled.

Danish continued, ignoring him. "Such a nice body, too. Too bad you'll never get to see it once you're six feet under."

"Go to hell," Damien spat.

Danish smirked. "Emilia, dear, remember we had a deal. What have you decided?"

Silence...

"Emilia, what is he talking about?" Damien asked, his voice strained. How could I tell him I was choosing to save him over his child? "Emil-" his voice cracked.

"Very unfortunate, Emilia. Just when I was starting to like you," Danish said. He held out his hand, and a gun was immediately placed in it. He flicked off the safety, and I let out a shaky breath.

"Please," Damien pleaded, his tone defeated, shattering my heart. "She wouldn't have wanted this."

"Any last words, Emilia?" Danish asked coldly.

"Damien..." I bit my lip hard until I tasted blood, waiting for the end. One, two, three... I was counting in my head when a loud crash of metal on the floor had me snapping my eyes open.

"What was that?" Danish demanded. Suddenly, there was a loud hissing, and smoke started filling the room. Within seconds, everyone was coughing violently. The smoke was so thick I could barely see anything. My eyes began to burn, and my throat constricted. I could barely hear anything over the sound of gunfire.

I hit the ground, falling into a fit of coughing. My eyes watered badly; whatever was in the smoke was awful. Damien, I thought, and began crawling towards where I last saw him. I didn't make it far before someone tugged me back, trying to force something onto my face. I kicked and screamed, struggling until a puff of fresh air filled my lungs. I realized it was a gas mask. Someone was desperately trying to get it on me.

"Keep still," the person instructed, and I nodded. He pulled me up and wrapped an arm around me, holding me tightly as we began running towards an empty room. We entered and were immediately greeted by bright light. It took a few seconds for my eyes to adjust.

"Stay here," my savior instructed. My vision was still blurry, but I glanced at his hand, then his hair, then his eyes. I narrowed my eyes in recognition. "Lucas?"

"Stay put. I need to find Damien," he said before disappearing.

I heard another thunderous crash and leaned my head between my knees. He's fine! Damien is fine! I closed my eyes, repeating those words like a mantra. I don't know how much time passed before an excruciating pain had me snapping my eyes wide open.

I let out a piercing scream, wrapping my arm around my stomach as I felt a stronger pain in my lower abdomen.

This isn't normal! This can't be happening!

"Please, God," I cried out in agony. "I'll do anything. Please..."

Suddenly, I felt my whole world stop as I looked down and saw a streak of blood running between my legs. I didn't realize I was screaming until I saw Lucas running towards me, his gas mask pushed up to his forehead.

"Calm down," he said, scanning me. I watched his face turn to horror. "Emilia..." he trailed off, his voice shaking.

"Why are you just standing there?" I screamed through my tears. "Save my baby!"

Lucas didn't say anything. Instead, he scooped me into his arms. "Hold on, Emilia," he whispered as we moved.

I couldn't see anything as my vision blurred with tears. I could feel my body beginning to go numb before my eyes closed involuntarily.

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