SLAVE OF THE HEART

Little Secrets.

It was clear that Lord Payne wanted the mystery surrounding his niece's death solved.

Veronica's stunt was shoved under the 'it is normal' category and her father made sure to stay by her the rest of the night.

This meant Nina would be safe from her attacks.

However, Nina felt anything but safe. She slipped out temporarily to cry and wage her anger on some leaves outside. Liam saw her slip out and he crept out after her.

He found her under a bougainvillea shrub. The moon shone down on her shoulders, making her have some sort of ethereal glow surrounding her. He took a step forward, making a twig snap.

She turned, gasping as her eyes met and held his. Slowly, her features relaxed as he walked to her and enfolded her in his arms. His chin rested on her hair, as his arms went down to her waist.

"I am sorry about her, don't let her get to you."

"Easier said than done," she retorted. He grinned and kissed her cheek. "I miss her."

"I know you do baby."

"I can't help thinking..." she trailed off. He knew what she meant.

"She isn't."

"I hope so... i just wonder how she vanished after Charlotte's death. It puzzles me."

"When did you last see her? Did she seem okay?"

Nina smiled up at Liam. "She was more than okay. Luke seemed to make her even more cheery. Siva came to pick her up. When she came back, she seemed a little more quiet than usual. She then told me that Baron Parker had propositioned her to become his woman. She seemed quite relieved to head to Miss. Charlotte. Before i went to bed, she came to the kitchen to fetch the Miss some milk and cookies. That was the last time i saw her."

"Did Vasheronne have a gun in the room?" Liam asked quietly. He had been afraid to voice this question because he knew Nina would get angry and probably leave him alone, out there in the cold.

She stepped away from his embrace. They both felt empty without the other's arms round them.

"Are you mad Sir Liam?!" her accent made blood rush faster through his veins as his heart beat faster and louder than normal. For some reason, he felt the urge to drag her away tonight, marry her and make her his. He was tired of keeping everything under wraps.

"I was asking because Charlotte was shot and," he dropped his voice a notch lower, "I know she didn't do it, but i need to know... she is a suspect now."

Nina looked him over before speaking angrily. "She would never hurt anyone! Never! Even after all Veronica did, and all Malik did... He would have deserved to die in Charlotte's place, that scumbag! He lied to everyone, saying Vasheronne was his girlfriend while he was actually keeping her from saying the truth on what happened to Peter."

Lord Payne drew her back into his arms, and she lay her head on his chest. For the moment, it was perfection as the cicadas chirped along with the crickets and the waning moon shone down on them.

"I am sorry..." she began but he cut her short.

"No, I am sorry. I should not have asked you that question. She is your bestfriend, and is of sweet disposition."

They held each other quietly, listening to the sounds of the night. They could hear people mummuring from inside, and there were the normal sounds that came up when dusk fell. The air was scented with roses' and other scents of the plants and flowers in the garden. Right then, it felt like nothing could go wrong.

"Tonight is beautiful... and perfect... but i have to get back. Dora said she could only hold my position for ten minutes."

Liam hugged her a little tighter, not wanting to let go of her.

"I don't want you to go just yet."

She hugged him back, just as tightly before she saw Dora peep and nod her head. Liam placed a kiss on her forehead and they parted ways.

He stood outside for a while, trying to calm himself down and wipe the tears he felt coming up. He didn't know why he felt that way. He just did.

Sighing, he took a few steps and flung the door open just as a few policemen walked in through the other door. They looked around and headed straight at Malik.

"Zayn Jawaad Malik, you are under arrest. You are guilty under the laws of our country, and from now henceforth, anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have a right to remain silent and may get a lawyer to argue out your case in a court of law. if you cannot afford one, then a public att..."

Liam looked from a shaking Nina to an enraged Veronica who was coming down the stairs at the speed of lightning.

"You killed my best friend! You animal! Beast!"

She managed to scratch his face before her father tore him off her. "You vermin! You killed Vasheronne too, didn't you?"

Luke's eyes widened in shock and anger before he turned pale and dashed out through the another entrance. Liam started to head to him but Veronica screamed at him.

"Are you going to pretend that you don't like me and go after the help like my own dad did?! Yes daddy, i know your dirty little secret! I know about you and Trix. I know that she is that vile creature's mother!"

The whole room went silent as everyone turned to look at Liam and Veronica.

"You need to go lie down. Do not lose any more respect. You've already lost too much because of your little outburst. Now, go to bed before we all think you belong to a mad house. Nina, please escort Miss. Veronica to her chambers."

"Stay away from me you dirty maid! You are disgusting, the both of you!"

"Veronica..." her father called. She shrugged his hands off her shoulders and ran off towards the direction of her room.

♥♡♥♡♥

author's note: what did you think of that? oh, by the way, scincerely gomez thank you for voting for this chapter and a few others. I appreciate your feedback. It means a lot to me. Thank you so much!