Maybe

Chapter 9

I made sure to send a text to Linda letting her know I was close. I needed to go through the window to not arise suspicions in case John or anyone else for that matter arrived.

He's here. He's not alone though.

Linda

Fucking damn it all to hell.
"He's there at the house. What do we do?"
He smirked at me, not even bothered by my rising anxiety.
"Don't worry about it. Simply continue with the plan of going in through the window. Avoid his presence at all costs. Trust me, they won't even notice you for the next 15 minutes," pausing he added, "oh and only install them on the office. Preferably on the bookshelf. Make sure it gets the full room in view."
I didn't know what to respond so I simply nodded. I had to stop being a little bitch. At least for the next 10 minutes. Arriving to the house, we stopped by the alley. Getting off and taking some small devices with me, I jump the fence.
I had to be quick. I had less than 10 minutes to get away with this fucked up shit.
I sneak to the office directly through the window and look around. I find the perfect spot in between two bulky history books, making sure it is high enough and hidden to do this correctly. I feel my phone vibrate and opening it is a text from Andrew.

Get out through the window and stay out of view. Linda is here with me.
C

And while I'm reading I hear voices nearing. I'm freaking out which I make a quick run for the window. Jumping like the little weasel I am, i make it just in time to hear the door opening. I don't move. Simply staying hidden from their view and I hear John's booming voice fill the small space.
"I'm sure we can make a deal. I'm telling you, my merchandise is in prime condition. You will not get a better deal from the Russians."
I cannot hear the other person's response. I'm simply too scared to even hear anything else aside from that. My heart pounding and I'm sweating bullets.

Stay out of view. When I tell you to run, you run. Don't even think about it.
C

That's all his new text says. And I keep quiet.
Receiving another text, and getting the green light to run, I do. Making my way through the big backyard I do not stop until I'm safely inside the car. I can't catch my breath due to the anxiety building up. Thousands of questions forming in my head with no direction.
"Breath. You're safe. They did not see you, Lucas. I'm right here."
Hearing his velvet laced voice made me instantly relax. I felt utterly relieved. Not knowing what else to do I laughed.
I don't know why but I laughed until I was wheezing and tears were streaming down my face. Everything felt blurry. Until I felt his big, soft hands grab mine and not let go. Strong and firm.
"You're ok, I got you."
I nodded my head. Not trusting my voice to speak.
I hadn't even realized he started driving until we were already pulled up in front of a medium sized home, in a small quiet neighborhood. The garage door opened and we went inside. I thought it was planned down to the last detail so people wouldn't be able to see who was coming in or out.
"Linda, you're staying the night. You both are. Let's head to the living room so we can talk"
And that we did. Opening the side door adjacent to the garage, I see we are in going to the kitchen. We do not linger though.
And I see some toys scattered around the area.
"I assume you have question so please sit."
Linda's eyes are bulging out. She doesn't know anything nor what to do. We look at one another and sit together in the sofa.
I don't focus on my surroundings but simply on him.
"I'm sure you are wondering how I know what is happening to you, and I will answer to the best of my abilities."
"What is going on?"
It was Linda asking the questions.
"We intercepted some dealings with John and an organization that is head of a human trafficking ring. He is planing on selling you two. We are trying to stop the ring and by default we are stopping John."
My blood froze. I could not believe my ears. Was this bullshit really happening?
"John would not have noticed Linda was not there simply by the fact that the negotiations are taking place. Showing the merchandise would have not been a smart choice when still in the early stages."
I felt like vomiting. This man was capable of explaining himself without attaching any form of emotion in his voice. As if he was a robot. It was as if he didn't care he was literally telling us how fucked up our lives were.
"When the two weeks are up, are Linda and myself going to be safe?"
He made eye contact with me, and sincerity was written all over it.
"We are taking it down as we speak. Before the two weeks are up, you and Linda will be safe. And even when I am gone, John will never have power over you again.
Including your parents."
"How can you guarantee my parents?" It was impossible to even fathom such thought.
"I will leave behind some tools. Which reminds me, have you opened the envelope?"
I suddenly remembered about it after all the events of today.
I shook my head and he didn't say anything aside from,"open it when you're alone. And hide everything well."
I nodded my answer.
"Why do you accept everything so easily, Lucas? We don't even know him. How can he be trusted? I don't know jack shit of what's going on."
The Count looked irritated with my cousin. And I couldn't understand why.
"Look, you have no other option. Unless you want to be raped everyday for the rest of your life you will have to trust me. I know how to keep you both safe."
It wasn't really a response to her question, but it was almost as if Linda had interrupted something in his mind.
My cousin just flinched by his harsh words. She was very sensitive to this topic, even with me. It was difficult to cope and understand everything that had happened.
"Why are we staying the night?" It was my turn to ask. And when I met his vibrant grey eyes, they held an emotion I couldn't fathom. Longing almost.
"I thought you may need a break. Nothing more." It looked as if he wanted to add more but thought against it.
Linda and I didn't say anything, simply looked at one another.
I felt like the more questions we had answered, the more that would arise.
It is going to be a wild ride from now on. That was the only thing I knew for sure.
Linda seemed like she wanted to cry. Not able to rein her emotions in so I held her hand. Not saying anything. Comforting one another.
The Count seemed to have noticed this and his hard expression softened the tiniest bit.
"Linda, I'm sure you're tired, let me show you the guest room."
She gave him a grateful smile, and got up from the couch. They both walked away and left me to wonder about my surroundings.
It wasn't a big house, nowhere near mine or Linda's. But it was a decent size where a family could reside and have happy memories in.
There wasn't any pictures, or much furniture for that matter. Simply the living room furniture and from what I gathered, also a minimal kitchen, equipped with the bare necessities.
What I did notice though was the windows, or rather the backyard.
Walking towards the patio, I notice the big willow tree, and the many flowers which were blooming from the nearby plants. It was something calming, seeing the different arrays of colors clashing with the green.
"Soothing, isn't it?"
His deep voice made me feel goosebumps.
He must have noticed since he took off his jacket and wrapped it around my slender shoulders. Engulfed in his warmth, I felt safe.
"Thank you, for everything," I made eye contact with his grey ones, basking in the intensity they would emit.
"Don't thank me."
"By the way, why are you my substitute teacher?"
At my question, I could have sworn he looked embarrassed, but he masked his face and it was gone before I was able to decipher it.
"I needed to make sure you were safe and had easier access to communication. Besides, I always wanted to be in charge of horny teenagers stressing over insignificant bullshit. It's a dream come true, really."
I laughed lightly at his sarcasm, causing for him to smile a crooked smile. And I became frazzled by it.
He was perfect.
I felt my body becoming tense, especially in my southern region. Turning away from him, I made sure to discreetly hide the evidence.
"Would you like to go to my studio? You can rest and do some homework if you like." His question broke me out of my daze and I nodded.
Walking inside a room, I look around and see a desk, a laptop, and a bookshelf full of books. It also had a very comfortable looking couch which seemed perfect for reading or working in general. And right next to it was an arm chair.
"Go ahead Lucas, take a seat. I'll bring your stuff over." With that said he left. I take a seat on the couch, and feeling its plush and soft material, i decide to rest my head a bit. And i must have dozed off. Since it was impossible for me to actually believe the words I heard be true.
It was Andrew, and he very quietly murmured sweet nothings to me.
"You're safe, darling. And I'm never going to let you go. I promise."
In my dream I could feel his long fingers running through my hair, and I could have sworn I felt a small feathered kiss on my forehead.
His scent was what intoxicated me. I couldn't move. I enjoyed this feeling too much.
I didn't wish to wake up and face the cruel reality my life was. But this dream, I could live forever in it. Always.