Didn't get the kind of response I expected so no more updates after this.

A pair of soft and familiar lips trailed down my neck, my back against the wall, the strap of my dress hanging loosely around my biceps.

His fingers gently gripping my forearm, rubbing circles over there yet my mind was distracted, I couldn't bring myself to feel the pleasure he always used to give me. Not for a single second.

"Tell your father, I want Alaska. Or else, you, princess, are in danger along with your whole family." His voice echoed in my mind over and over again.

Soon those lips found mine and gently kissed me but when I didn't kiss him back, he paused and lifting his head looked at me in concern. "What's wrong? You are distracted."

"Nothing." I whispered.

"Jezebel, tell me what's wrong." He urged softly. Despite the fact he was third in command to my father, he always treated me so nicely, so sweetly that one could never comprehend that how this man is an assassin. "You are not feeling well...I should stop. Do you wanna go back home?"

"Nikolas...I... it's about Zale." He tensed and I continued speaking. "Earlier at the ball, when he danced with me, he told me he wants Alaska and he warned that if dad doesn't give him that then we are in danger."

"Fucking asshole." He sneered and just like that, Nikolas wasn't my fiancee anymore, he had slipped into his job. His features turning hard. "He can try but he can't take it away. And if he tries attacking then he knows it will be a fucking war."

"I know, I know...but he's not stupid. He knows the consequences of his actions. And he said he is going to harm us...what if he do something to dad or Dane or me or even you! What if he actually hurts us?!"

He gently cupped my cheeks. "Hey, calm down. I am glad you told me instead of keeping it with yourself. We'll discuss this with Enver and Dane tomorrow, okay? Calm down for now, please."

Biting my lips anxiously, I nodded but he was still there in my mind, his dark, intense gaze was etched in my mind, the way he stared right into my soul. The smugness in his tone, actions, as if he was already a step ahead, as if he was sure he was going to win.

It wasn't the first time I saw him but it was the first time that I met him. And damn, that man annoyed the hell out of me, my fingers were itching to bury my dagger in his heart, to watch him bleed and punch the arrogance out of his beautiful face.

"You are thinking about him again." It wasn't a question but a statement.

I sighed. "I'm sorry, Nikolas. I...just...I don't know..."

"It's okay, Jezebel." He assured me.

I needed a distraction and my eyes fell on his plum, luscious lips which warmed my body and grabbing his face, I kissed him hard.

.
.
.

The next morning, I walked into my home, greeting the guards that I went past and started to look for dad. He needed to know. I need to tell him about Zale as soon as possible.

Not finding him in his bedroom or study, I walked to the kitchen but halted on seeing him standing there with Eliza who had her back pressed up against the wall and dad was standing much close to her.

I took a few steps back silently but didn't go away, I just hid there watching them cause I wanted this to work out at any cause.

There wasn't anyone else in the kitchen and Eliza's gaze was lowered and she seemed to be kinda blushing at their close proximity.

Cute.

Dad on the other looked kinda nervous too considering how he was rubbing the back of his neck. Who knew the great leader, Enver Iyan will be nervous while talking to a woman.

Dad opened his mouth to say something but closed it again and then finally he said, "Are you single?"

Wow. Smooth.

I mentally groaned. He could have done better!

She answered after a few seconds, her fingers fiddling with each other. "I...um...I am a widow..."

"Oh..." Dad muttered trying to sound sympathetic but I know he wasn't.

God, this was cute.

"Would you like to go out for...dinner with me?" He asked.

Eliza's eyes widened and she literally froze. I understand, your cold and scary boss asking you out to dinner can be very weird and overwhelming. But hey, my dad can be sweet too when he wants to, he is not that bad.

"S-sorry...I don't...think so... it's a good idea." And before dad could say anything else, she dashed away from there.

Damn. She rejected him. Right on the spot.

Dad looked really shocked. Really. I guess it's the first time someone said no to him and I wanted to laugh at his expression.

Not able to help myself, I stepped into the kitchen and went over to him, he might need some consolation after that.

When he saw me, he was still in shock over her and he pointed to the back door through which she ran away. "Did she just reject me?"

Stifling my laugh, I patted his back. "It's okay, buddy. Don't be so heartbroken."

"Do I...look that old? I'm just forty-four for God's sake!"

I laughed softly. "Dad, come on, you are not that old. You shouldn't have been so direct with her. You act so cold towards everyone here and then suddenly you ask her out, what did you expect? Give her sometime, maybe gift her some flowers, chocolates and things like that and she might agree."

I sighed heavily, a small pout forming on his lips. "Even after gifting her things there's a little chance of her saying yes?"

Chuckling, I shook my head. "You have never dated anyone, have you?"

"No, of course not. I didn't have time for that. And stop laughing at me."

"Okay, okay. Don't worry, I will help you." Then my tone turned serious. "But right now, there's something else to worry about."

"What is it?"

"Zale Weylyn."

.
.
.

Dad let out a humorless and a cold chuckle, throwing back his head. "The fucker thinks he can threaten me."

Well, the dangerous side of dad was out at the moment as he stood in his study after I told him and Dane everything along with Nikolas who just stood there silently.

"That kid is going to pay for that." Dad once again spoke making me frown. Kid?

"Um... he's not a kid. He's thirty two."

"It seems like you have done some research on him." Dane commented.

I shrugged. "I was curious."

He clicked his tongue. "Always the curious one." And it sounded as if he was mocking me.

"At least I am doing something instead of spending time with my lover." I shot back.

"Careful, that's your future sister-in-law." His eyes narrowed.

I grinned. "That's when she will agree to marry you, you asshole."

Dane opened his mouth to argue with me but Nikolas cut him off. "This is not the correct time for a sibling quarrel."

"Yeah, that's what I was saying." I muttered and focused my attention back on dad.

Dane scowled at me but said nothing.

"So...have you decided something?" I asked.

"I am not giving up Alaska, Jezebel. That much is clear. That's the birthplace of your mom, she grew up there and she loved that place. I am not giving it up at any cost."

Fair enough. I wonder why does he want it? What reason does he have... emotional attachment or just the fun of snatching away someone's territory?

"We will come up with something first I need to have a chat with Zale himself."

"And increase the security around the house and around yourselves too. I don't want anyone getting hurt." He added before addressing me alone. "And for God's sake, Jezebel, obey me this time. Take guards with you wherever you go."

"I am not scared of him, dad." I stated firmly.

Dad pursed his lips. "Scared or not, you are going to be heavily guarded from this moment onwards."

I rolled my eyes in exasperation. "Fine."

.
.
.

"Let me come along, dad. Please."

"No. It's dangerous, I don't want you anywhere near him."

"Yes, stay at home with Nikolas." Dane added.

"This is not fair! I want to talk to him!"

"Jezebel." Dad warned. "Don't." And he gestured Dane to follow him and soon they were both out of the house.

"Aargh! I am not weak! I can handle myself quite well!" I grumbled to myself.

Nikolas wrapped his arm around my shoulder. "It's okay. Someone needs to stay at home and protect it too and who can do that better than you?"

I rolled my eyes and playfully shoved him. "You are just buttering me up."

Chuckling, he kissed my forehead. "No, I am not. You are a very strong woman, Jezebel and I am proud of you."

"Thanks." And I kissed his cheek.

And we spent the next hour or so, watching a movie and in between, I felt him looking at me so I turned towards him. "You want to say something?"

He leaned forward and kissed me softly for a few seconds. "I love you, Jezebel."

And I froze. We might have been engaged for a long time but we never confessed our feelings. This is the first time he said this to me and...I don't know what to say in return. Do I love him...? I like him for sure but love...

"I...um...Nikolas...I...do like you, a lot but love..." I trailed off not knowing what to say.

He smiled sadly and gently caressed my cheek with his thumb. "It's okay. I don't expect you to reciprocate it, I just wanted you to know."

No, it wasn't okay. You could see it in his eyes how much it saddened him that I didn't love him back but I didn't want to say it just for the sake of it.

I held his hand in mine firmly. "But I do like you."

He lifted my hand and pressed a kiss to it. "Thank you."

Just then his phone rang and he picked it up, his voice turning cold. Business mode was onn.

He hung up the call and kissed my forehead. "I have something to take care of. I'll be back soon."

"Okay, bye."

"Bye."

.
.
.

It was evening when dad and Dane returned not looking pleased at all.

"Did you meet him?" I questioned the moment they entered the house.

Dad shook his head. "No. He refused to meet us instead his younger brother did. Maverick."

"That's his second in command I guess...?"

"Yes." Dane answered. "He's a fucking coward, won't even meet us."

"And Maverick spoke on behalf of him saying they want Alaska and there won't be any negotiation. They just want it at any cost." Dad spoke, shrugging out of his suit jacket.

Dane looked around and asked, "Where's Nikolas?"

"He said he had some work...he just went somewhere an hour back."

"I told him to stay with you." Dane muttered angrily.

I defended him. "He's not your servant, Dane."

"But I am superior to him and if I give an order he fucking follows it."

I sighed. They both always argued with each other, they were like frenemies. They might argue but they could work freaking well when needed to.

"Leave it, Dane." Dad spoke up. "We have more important things to attend to."

Just as we were about to walk away, the head of our security, Francis walked in and whispered something to dad which made his jaw clenched and he nodded slowly.

"What is it?" I asked as Francis walked away.

Dad's fists were clenched and his body trembled with anger. Something's not right.

And then a minute later, two of the guards came inside carrying a body covered in blood and they lay it at dad's feet.

The cold, lifeless body, blood staining the white shirt, it had been shot in the heart.

"We tried rushing him to the hospital, but it was too late." One of the guards spoke.

Breath got knocked out of me when I saw the pale face of the body. Nikolas. And a sob teared through me.

Chapter completion on: 6/6/22
Published on: 24/6/22