by Dani René
“So, you still don’t know what happened for sure? Like if Creed did it on purpose,” Nesrin whispers, shock still ringing in her voice.
Shaking my head, I can’t help but sigh. “I don’t know if Creed led her down that path on purpose, no, or if she just veered off our normal route through the forest, but before the scream, I didn’t hear him shout to her. Voices carry in those woods, and I have a feeling he just let her go.”
“I don’t even know what to say.”
“You don’t have to say anything at all. It’s over, we’re here, and I want you to focus on us. On your studies and on your new life.” I pull her into my arms, and thank god, she’s here because I could never be without her.
Even though we have had our challenges, I’m thankful she chose me. Each time I wake up, looking at her, I know I’ve done something right in my life.
“I love you so much, Damien,” Nesrin whispers into my shirt, and I can’t help the smile that graces my lips.
“I love you too, wild rose,” I admit the truth. I tried to fight it, tried to steer clear of her, but each time I saw her, I was drawn in. I had no choice in the matter. She was always going to be mine.
Epilogue
Nesrin
Six Months Later
Summer in London is not always consistent, but today is a beautiful sunny day. My dress swishes around my thighs, as I make my way through the throng of tourists that fill the sidewalk.
When I chose Damien over everything else, leaving it all behind, I knew I had to make a life that I wanted, instead of what my mother had dictated to me.
We shocked everyone in Thorne Haven when we walked out of the manor and didn’t turn around. My therapist tells me I’ll be okay if I focus on talking about my feelings, rather than bottling them up. I’ve been seeing her twice a week, and each time I come out of her office, I do feel stronger.
I haven’t reached for a blade in so long, and I’m proud of myself. Damien’s smile when we talk about my emotions, about my fears and dreams, makes it easier to focus on the good times and work through the bad.
It’s not easy, but it’s worth it. Hurting myself was not the way to deal with my heartache. I know that now. And I finally feel like me.
After the first month of us being here, Bradford Thorne flew out to London to see his son. That’s when the offer came. When he finally relented and admitted the truth.
Marcia, who I grew up knowing as my mother, but was actually my aunt, knew about her sister marrying a Haven. She learned about the wealth Mallory had found herself living with, and she wanted it all to herself.
I recall the conversation with such clarity, it’s as if it happened just yesterday.
“She was always jealous of her sister,” Bradford tells Damien and me, as we sit in our living room in our North London apartment. His hands tremble as he holds onto the tumbler. He came to us because he’s sick, and he wanted his eldest son to step up to the head of the table. Damien will run Thorne Corporation alongside Cassian and Finn. All three brothers will be in charge of their own departments. Damien as CEO, Cassian as COO, and Finn as the CFO.
“But I don’t understand why she would marry you and want me to be with Creed,” I tell him. It’s one of the things that never made sense, but after her last conversation with me, I realized I never wanted to be near her again.
“My wife is a complicated woman. Even though she was jealous, deep down, she wanted the best for you.” He regards me with an earnest stare. “She just didn’t know how else to keep you in town, and…” His words falter for a moment, as he regards his son. “We didn’t expect you’d fall in love with Damien.”
I nod slowly, my gaze sweeping across the room to the man I love. His blue eyes hold me hostage, and the affection I find there leaves me breathless.
The cocky smirk that I’ve come to crave appears, and I know he’s not focused on the conversation right now. Shaking my head, I turn back to Bradford.
“I just don’t want to hide from her when I visit. I’m a grown woman, and she needs to accept me as I am. She raised me, gave me a home when I didn’t even know I needed one, but the hate between my mother and Marcia needs to come to an end. The past is in the past.”
Bradford nods. “I agree. And that’s why we would like you to come home for Christmas. Stay at the manor, so we can be a family.” He looks so pained when he says this. And I realize it must be difficult for him to put up with Marcia. She’s definitely hard work.
“We’ll come,” Damien answers his father, before reaching for my hand and lacing his fingers through mine.
“Good. Now let’s get some dinner, I’m starving.”
That was how we finally found our way back to the family we thought we had lost forever. That night, Bradford gave Damien the contract, which they signed at the dinner table.
When the office door opens, I glance up to see Damien saunter through. He’s taken off his tie, his light blue shirt has been tugged from his slacks, and the top three buttons are undone. He looks tired, but his smile is ever-present.
“I was thinking we should go out for dinner tonight,” he tells me, as he closes the distance between us. His lips capture mine for a sweet, chaste kiss before he straightens.
“Sure, where did you have in mind?”
“It’s a surprise, just get dressed, something… fancy, and I’ll shower and get ready.” With a wink, he turns and leaves me to finish up an email to my mother, Mallory.
Epilogue
Damien
Six Months Later
I’m nervous. I’m fucking shaking the moment I walk into the warmth of our apartment. It’s almost Christmas, and even though we were meant to fly out tonight, it’s Nesrin’s birthday, and I wanted to celebrate with a gift that I’m scared she won’t accept.
When I shut the door behind me, I take in the view from our living room, which looks out over the university where my girl is studying. The yellow, glittering lights shimmer in the distance from the student residences. Since we moved to England a year ago, things have changed considerably.
Nesrin is at school, studying for her psychology degree, while I travel to London to attend meetings twice a week. Other than that, I work from home, ensuring I can spend time with her. Even though I know she’s not walking away from me, there’s always a lingering fear that I’ll lose her. I don’t know why.
She’s beautiful, intelligent, and, at times, I wonder what the hell she sees in me. Besides my good looks, of course.
“You’re home,” she says, padding barefoot toward me. She’s wearing a pair of fluffy PJs, with roses all over them. The blue and pink buds look soft to the touch.
“I’ve missed you.” I grip her hips, pulling her toward me. She’s my anchor to happiness, and I am never letting her go. Pressing my lips to hers, I savor her flavor which, at the moment, is chocolate and coffee. “Did you finish all that candy I got you?”
Her guilty smile tells me she did. “Perhaps. But you’ve been gone for two days.” Her pout is cute. She’s right, though. With the company expanding into Europe, I’ve been away, but all I’ve thought about is being here with her.
“I have something for you.” I lace my fingers with hers. “Come, let’s sit.” We make our way to the living room, where the roaring fire dances behind the black grate.
I allow her to sit on the sofa, before I shrug off my coat, throwing it on the armchair, and then I reach into my pocket, my fingers wrap around the box, and my heart skips a million beats at the thought of finally doing this.
“What is it?” she asks, practically bouncing with excitement, as I stand so still, fear gripping me.
Inhaling a deep breath, I settle in beside her. Those golden eyes are locked on my hand, but she can’t see the small box yet.
“Look at me.” The order comes out firmly, and she lifts her gaze to mine. “I’ve thought about this for so long. The year with you has been nothing short of perfect. Being beside you, watching you flourish, seeing you blossom into
a woman has been magical. I’m not one for soppy shit,” I tell her, causing a giggle to fall free from her lips. “But I need to tell you how you’ve changed my life.”
“I love you, Damien. You know that.”
“I do. And yet, at times, I feel as if you’re going to disappear. I know you won’t. I believe it, but sometimes, my mind plays tricks on me.”
“Don’t let it. I’m always going to be yours. Even though your father didn’t believe it himself, you’ve seen the change in him. He knows, he can see what we mean to each other.”
“And that’s why I asked him to send me something.”
“What?” There’s a small crease between her brows as confusion paints her pretty face. “When I called Dad and asked him for this, I knew he’d help. A friend of his had made my mother’s ring and my grandmother’s ring. And now, he’s made the one I’m going to give you, Nesrin.”
I finally pull my hand away from my pocket. Flicking the box lid open, I hold it out to her. “Nesrin Anne Ellington,” I say, using the name she chose to use. “I love you. I’ll always love you. And I want you to spend each day making me the man I’ve always wanted to be. I want you to be Nesrin Anne Thorne, if that’s what you want. I’d like to show you just how much you mean to me, with every waking moment and each night in your dreams.”
Her eyes widen in shock. The ring is gold, just like her eyes, but the stone is set in a small rosebud, which sits atop the golden band. The center of the bud is a deep blue gemstone, a Lapis Lazuli.
“This is…” Tears fill her eyes, and I hold the breath that I pull into my lungs, as I wait for her answer. “This is beautiful,” she whispers, picking up the ring, twisting it around, looking at every inch of it, before lifting her teary gaze to mine.
“I can’t live without you. Marry me, please?” I’ve never begged, never pleaded with a woman. I’ve never wanted to. Until her.
“Yes. Yes. I want to love you forever.” I slip the ring on the finger of her left hand before she leaps into my lap and wraps her arms around my neck. Her body flush with mine has a groan rumbling in my chest.
“I’m going to fuck you now.”
Nesrin rolls her eyes. “My fiancé, ever the romantic.” And, I know that no day will pass that she doesn’t challenge me. Doesn’t make me a better man. And I wouln’t have it any other way.
THE END
Need someone to listen?
If your’e struggling, feeling depressed, or thinking of harming yourself, please seek help. Below are a few places you can reach out to.
United States
https://twloha.com
United Kingdon
www.supportline.org.uk
Australia
https://www.lifeline.org.au
Canada
https://ontario.cmha.ca
South Africa
www.sadag.org
Are you ready for book two?
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AHSS (Title to be revealed soon)
Have you met Ares?
While you wait for Cassian, why not check out Cruel War, and meet Ares and Dahlia. This is a twisted, bully and enemies to lovers romance that will sure enough set your Kindle on fire!
Prologue
I’m pacing a pathway in the carpet of my office as I think about the future. My youngest son’s sixteenth birthday is coming up, and I know I’m going to have to tell him about the Sovereign. But I have a feeling he already knows.
Glancing at the clock on the wall above the fireplace, I note it’s almost midnight. My plan is in place for next week. It took me years to make sure I had the right people in my corner. And it’s finally time.
My office door clicks open, and Philipe saunters in with a smile on his face. My eldest son, who is eighteen now, is like me: cold and ruthless, and he doesn’t care for anyone outside our family. That’s what a true Sovereign is, but Ares, I worry about him. I don’t know if he has it in him to join us.
“The job is done,” Philipe tells me, satisfaction on his face at the admission. The blood splattered on his shirt is evidence that he’s finished the job correctly.
“Good,” I nod, before turning to my desk to pick up the folder. Philipe will take over the head of the table from me when he turns twenty-one, but he’s been doing odd jobs for me since he came of age.
Once he joins the Sovereign, he’ll have all the power I ensured for him. This is our legacy. I hand him the manila folder and watch him flip it open.
“They voted this evening,” I tell him. “You’re taking my seat at the table, you’ll only be sworn in when you hit the age set out in our history. Ares will be the second chair once he’s old enough.”
“I doubt Greg will be happy about this,” my son remarks. The second eldest member of the Crowns, Gregory Birchwood, wasn’t happy about two Lancasters at the table, but he can’t do anything about it. His daughter isn’t allowed to step up. Grecia Birchwood isn’t meant to wear the gilded crown.
“He made his vote. There’s no going back. The oath was signed; blood was shed.” I make my way to the armoire, which sits in the corner of my office and pour myself and Philipe a shot of whiskey. Handing a tumbler to him, I lift my own. “To the Sovereign and the rule of the Lancasters.” I clink my glass on my son’s, and a smile beams from his face.
It’s uncanny how much he looks just like his mother. There’s a soft golden hue to his light brown hair, and his eyes, the color of the freshly grown grass on a hot summer’s day, match hers almost identically. I watch him take a sip before he narrows his gaze on me.
“I’m leaving,” he utters. “I’m ready to go to New York. It’s the one thing I’ve wanted, and it’s time. I’ll be back for my inking.”
“I didn’t think you’d stay, but remember, if we need you…” I allow my words to trail into the heavy silence in the office. He doesn’t realize what being an Elder means, but he’ll learn.
We still have time before Ares, Etienne Durand, and Tarian Calvert come of age, so Philipe will take the reins until the three younger boys step up and they form one entity.
Philipe swallows down the amber liquid before offering me a grin. “I’ll be here whenever you need me.”
“Go, I know you’re itching to get to your girl,” I tell him, shaking my head when he chuckles.
“See you tomorrow.” He leaves me in the office with my thoughts. I’ve done things in my life that were needed to ensure my family are safe. Even though most wouldn’t agree with my actions, it is my choice, and I’ll never apologize.
My phone rings shrilly on the desk; when I pick it up, I note the name before answering. “What?”
“We found her. She’s a crown,” he tells me. I knew they would. The men I have around the country, around the world, would’ve tracked her down one way or another, and she knows it.
“Good, we’ll keep an eye on her. The father?”
“He’s around.”
“Bring him in, the job I have for him is important. I want it done next week.” Hanging up, I smile when I pour myself another drink and savor the burn of the whiskey as it travels down my throat.
I sit back and stare out the window. The full moon is high, reminding me of how small and insignificant we truly are in the grand scheme of things. But I also know that nothing can stop the events that will take place in the coming years.
My sons will rule the Sovereign with iron fists.
I gulp down the last of my drink as my office door opens, and my wife strolls in. She’s my life. I fell for her when I was a boy, and even though she knows of the darkness that resides inside me, she hasn’t run; she continues to love me even after all the shit I’ve put her through.
“Are you coming to bed?”
“I am. Philipe was just here to collect a docket,” I tell her, crooking my finger to call her closer. “Ares will know about his new role in this household. I plan to speak to him tomorrow.”
“I don’t know if he’s ready
,” she shakes her head, worry etched on her beautiful face. She voices my concerns out loud.
Sighing, I stand and go to where she’s standing at the edge of my desk, pulling her into my arms. “He will be. He’s a Lancaster, it’s in our blood.”
“This isn’t some supernatural occurrence, Abner. He’s not going to suddenly become powerful and grow wings,” she bites out in frustration. Our son may not be something from a comic book, but there are things about the four new Crowns who will take over that nobody would ever guess.
Ares being one of them.
But what she doesn’t know can’t hurt her, which is why I’m not the one to complete the task I’ve set in motion. So instead of saying anything, I scoop her up and make my way through the house and up to our suite.
“I think it’s time we made love again,” I murmur in her ear, with my eyes shut, I pray she’ll calm the fuck down. The darkness grips me when I think of the violence to befall us.
Her hands land on my shoulders, holding me away from her for a moment before she shakes her head. “Don’t push me away and treat me like I’m fragile.”
“You are fragile.” I can easily overpower her, and she knows it. I could lift her with one hand, squeeze, and her breath will be stolen. I don’t. I do allow her to glower at me though because that will ensure our night in bed together will be short.
“I’m not, Abner,” she bites out, and I can see this night isn’t going as planned. All I need, want, was a chance to feel her, but she’s not having it.
