BOUND TO HIM (Book II: Captured series)

1. Elle

Sometimes walking away from your past is the best thing you can do. I knew that starting a fresh life wouldn't be easy, and I had no one else to thank other than my father. Although he had never been a big part of my life, he had managed to ruin me completely. And now I can't sleep for one day without having nightmares from that night.

Tonight being no different. I walk to the fridge, pulling out a bottle of water and starting up the coffee machine. Looking around my new apartment that hardly felt like home; I pull my hair up in a bun as I prepare myself for some cleaning, that's been long overdue. To begin with I start with picking up all the clothes lying around.

No, I don't choose to live like a pig but if you've ever shared your place with a sibling you'll have a little idea of what I'm talking about.

I'm almost done tossing what appears to be Victor's entire closet into a hamper when the timer for the coffee machine goes off. Quickly, I make my way back to turn the damn thing off before it wakes my brother. If he finds out I haven't slept again, he'll force me into going for therapy.

I pour the black liquid into three cups, adding cream and sugar to two and carrying them to the main door. The two men outside my apartment snap their heads at me the second I open the door. I offer Josh his coffee which he accepts gratefully.

"I still have no idea how you drink that" I point out as I hand over the other cup.

"It's just black coffee, a lot of people have it this way" Seth replies, his cheerful tone clearly showing he didn't need caffeine.

"Yet it still baffles me" I retort, reaching in for the laundry hamper and tugging it out.

"What are you doing?" He questions with furrowed brows, while Josh has already left to call the elevator for me.

"Laundry, obviously"

"It's three in the morning" He shows me the watch on his wrist, in case I didn't trust him.

"I know, go home already. I haven't been able to send him away a single night for months now because his boss won't back down. It's not the same for you, you don't have to be around all the time"

"I have to protect the boss at all times" He says dutifully.

I sigh as I walk away from him, wondering why am I always surrounded by stubborn men? It's been seven months since that night when Logan killed my father. I had decided I wanted to move back to my apartment for Victor's sake. Although he had been understanding and told me I'd take as much time as I needed, he did put the condition of me having to move.

I agreed only because by then I had realized that my father had pissed off a lot of people and since he was no more, we were their next target. I would be fucking stupid if I hadn't conceded to Logan's words. So that landed me here and I didn't even bother decorating the place since I had no clue how long I'm going to be living here for.

A lot had happened since I last met Vic, starting with our father and his dealings, also not to forget my marriage. As I laid out all the information for him to absorb, I could only wait till he had fully accepted the truth. For the most part, he seems to be doing okay, I guess he didn't have much expectations from our father to begin with; which is just sad yet for the better.

As sunshine fills up the living room, Victor steps out of his room stretching his arms out.

"Good morning baby bro. Any plans for today?" I ask him, smoothing out my pale pink pencil skirt.

"I'm going out with Sydney. Is that okay?" He questions, a tiny hint of blush on his cheeks. I'm glad he's found someone.

"Of course, remember to keep your phone on you. And when do I get to meet her?" I raise a brow.

"Depends on when I get to meet your husband. This is the longest fight between a married couple I've ever witnessed" He launches himself on to the couch, turning on the television.

I never ended up giving him details about my kidnapping and the conditions under which I married Logan. As far as he knows we're just like any other couple who love each other dearly. It took him a while to buy that and even now I think he still has his doubts. Especially, because he knew I would never have a secret relationship with a man, let alone get married without even informing him. But he hasn't pushed me about it until recently and I need to do something before he gets too suspicious.

"First of all, we aren't fighting and secondly, you don't know any married couples" The door bell catches my attention and I hop my way to attend it while I'm trying to put my heels on.

"Ready, boss?" A freshly showered Seth steps inside. Apparently at some point during the wee hours he had gone home and now he's back here, dressed in a black suite, white button down and a black tie. His dark wavy hair pulled back, showing the bluetooth piece attached to his ear.

"Do you have to go?" Victor inquires from the couch.

"Meet you at the elevator?" I dismiss Seth so I can have a talk with my brother. "What's wrong?" I ask.

"Nothing, it's just I don't like you going to work there" He states, turning away from the tv screen.

Two days after the funeral, I was contacted by my father's company men. Being the rightful inherent of the business I had no option other than to take my position. That is where Seth got assigned to me as my personal bodyguard. Seth's father had been my dad's lead security in charge for years until he decided to retire and push his son forward. To say that Seth took his job seriously would be an understatement. With the contract still intact I did not oppose but I had no idea how much longer was Logan going to take to get this out of my hands.

"It's only temporary, remember? Once I hand it over to Logan, I wouldn't be meddling in those things" I remind him to which he frowns.

"Doesn't that bother you though? The sort of business father did and now your husband?"

"It does but I'm already knees deep in this. Too late to back out now" I plaster a smile.

"What if I go instead of you? I'm not a kid anymore, I can protect you now" I walk over to my brother, his words making me smile and cry at the same time.

"I appreciate that but you don't have to worry about me. I'm here to take care of these things. All you need to focus on is your studies and probably go take a shower before your date" I kiss him on the forehead and he rolls his eyes.

"Call me if you need me, okay? I love you" I ruffle the mess of curls on his head and rush out the door to where Seth awaits me.

"Is he okay?" He inquires, his gaze pinned straight ahead.

"Yes, he has a date today. Send someone with him, will you?" I request, still not used to ordering people around me. He nods back.

"And remember, not too close—"

"I know, he gets too anxious when he sees our people and you want him to feel free and have fun" Seth stops me mid sentence and I'm taken aback by how accurate he is. For unknown reasons, I've grown fond of my bodyguard, maybe it's his goofy face or his affable personality or the fact that we're the same age, I consider him more like a friend who I can talk to.

We get into the car with Doyle following us behind, it's a routine I've come to terms with, Doyle following me around in the morning and Josh standing outside my apartment at nights. It's something he had decided without asking for my opinion.

And I still hate him for that.

A/N:

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