Chapter 75 - Princess

Few Months Earlier (2017)

I spent two hours with Shadrach, simply talking to him, while he ranted about everything in his life. Turns out his father was upset with him because he broke his engagement off. Mr. Isaac Bradley had to face a loss in his business because of that, not including the shit loads of money he had spent on the ceremony. Shadrach may or may not have also taken up 'unnecessary rivalry' with Joanna's family, which was a powerful one. Obviously not as influential as the Bradleys, but still, pretty powerful.

We also talked about Elijah, and I reassured Shadrach that I was not romantically interested in him. Shadrach was not my boyfriend, so I technically did not owe him any explanations, but I decided to do so anyway, not wanting to get Elijah into any kind of trouble. He also brought up the topic of dating, and even marriage, but I kept dodging it, afraid of what he'd do if I would tell him a clear 'no'. Finally he agreed to drop me back home, but only if I would promise to talk to him, which I did, since I did not have any other option anyway.

He took me back to the restaurant, where Rachael was still waiting for me. As soon as she saw us, she rushed to me, pulling me into a hug, while Shadrach stood there rather awkwardly.

"Are you okay?" She asked, pulling away from me as she cupped my cheeks.

"Yeah, yeah," I reassured her. "I'm fine."

"Oh God, I thought he'd hurt you," she cried, and hugged me again.

"I'm right here, by the way," Shadrach announced, giving her a sarcastic smile. Rachael pulled away from the hug again, but completely ignored Shadrach.

"Relax. He's never hurt me Rach, you know that," I said to her. "Physically, at least," I added softly.

"What do you mean?" He asked, frowning. I had not realized I had said that loud enough for him to hear me.

"Nevermind. Nothing," I dismissed. "Have you had something to eat?" I asked Rachael.

"Nah, I was waiting for you," she replied. "But our order has turned soggy and gross from sitting at our table for two hours straight."

"It's fine, we'll order something else," I replied.

"No money, babe," Rachael reminded me, and I sighed.

"Let's go home then," I said. "We'll say the restaurant was closed and we went to an amusement park instead."

"Okay," Rachael shrugged.

"No," Shadrach said, gaining both our attention. "I already paid for the food you guys ordered earlier. You guys can still order something else. Or I could do that for you."

"What?" I frowned. "When?"

"When I sent you outside and went back in," he explained.

"Oh," I remembered. "You didn't have to."

"But I did," Shadrach replied. "You guys sit I'll order something new."

"No, it's fine. We'll order ourselves. Thank you for paying for the last order."

"Are you sure?" He asked.

"Yeah. Got it covered. Thanks," I replied.

"Alright. I'll let you two enjoy then. See you soon, Butterfly," he said softly, taking my hand in his. I felt heat creep up to my cheeks, and I bit my lip.

"Bye," I replied.

"And Rachael, I'm sorry for putting a gun to your head," he smiled apologetically.

"It's okay, as long as you don't actually shoot me," Rachael chuckled nervously. Shadrach pursed his lips, smiling.

"Bye Butterfly," he said, before leaving us alone. I heaved a sigh of relief and turned to Rachael.

"Firstly, that was awkward. Secondly, details. Now."

- - - -

After I had described everything that had happened to Rachael in explicit detail, we received our food and were pretty quick in eating it all up. It tasted delicious, and even if it would not have, we had been starving to the point where we would be willing to have stale food. We left the restaurant around six in the evening, and I was surprised Dad had not called any of us yet. It was unusual of them to be so... Relaxed. Especially after everything happened.

"Rach?" I said.

"Yeah?" Rachael asked, her eyes stuck on the road. We were only a couple of blocks away from my house.

"Don't you think it's weird Ash or Dad haven't called yet?" I asked, checking the time in my phone. "We came to the restaurant at one, it's six fifteen right now."

"Hmm," she frowned. "Maybe they're just relaxed because you're with me," she brushed it off.

"Oh trust me, that gives them no reason to be relaxed, especially in this city," I laughed. "They know we attract trouble together."

"Okay," she snorted. "That's true. Maybe they just forgot that we have returned and are not in Paris anymore."

"Maybe," I laughed, shaking my head.

We pulled into our street, and were a short distance away from my house, when my eyes fell on a black Rolls Royce parked in the neighbourhood. I wolf whistled, gaining Rachael's attention.

"What? Where's the hottie?" She asked, looking around. Her gaze fell on it as well, and an expression of realization fell upon her face. "Oooh," she swooned. "That's gorgeous."

"I know," I replied, sighing.

"But..." Rachael frowned, pulling into our driveway.

"But what? Don't tell me it'd look better in white, I'll kill you."

"What's such an expensive, sexy shit doing in our neighbourhood?" She asked, pulling the hand break. A frown took over my features as well. "The only time I've seen a really luxurious car here is when Shadrach used to show up."

"Same," I muttered, as panic washed over me. I quickly unbuckled my seatbelt and stepped out, while Rachael did the same. I rushed to the house, tried the lock, which easily opened without using the key. I froze, my eyes wide, and within a minute, Rachael was beside me.

"Fuck. What's he playing at?" She whispered.

"If he hurts anyone I'm never gonna forgive him," I whispered, as tears already began to prick my vision.

"Relax," she placed her hand on my shoulder. "Let's find out."

We both slowly opened the main door, and stepped inside. There were armed men surrounding the room, and my mouth parted in shock when I saw the person sitting on our sofa. My parents were sitting there as well, worry etched onto their faces, while Ash was nowhere to be seen.

"What the fuck?" I whispered.

"Hello, Gorgeous," the guy stood up, a sinister smile on his face.

"What are you doing here? And what the hell is all this?" I snapped.

"Woah, woah," he smiled. "Calm down, Aliza. So you remember me?"

"Yeah I remember you, the perv from Joanna's engagement ceremony," I replied, my jaw clenched. His smile faltered slightly.

"Yes. Tyler," he replied, emphasizing his name. "Anyway, what's up?"

"Did you really break into my house to ask me 'what's up'?" I asked in disbelief.

"Maybe," he shrugged.

"Please leave," I said as calmly as possible.

"Yeah, I don't think so," he replied, a dangerous glint in his eye.

"What do you want?" I asked, getting straight to the point.

"Hmm," he pretended to think, while taking casual steps towards me, which I was very aware of. "I just wanna know what your business with Maxon Shadrach Bradley is," he said, his eyes scanning my face to gauge my reaction. My eyes instantly shot to my parents, who looked shocked, and really frightened.

"Well, why don't you ask him?" I asked, crossing my arms. "I think he'll be more than happy to tell you that he doesn't know me at all. We just met at the damned engagement," I lied, completely aware of the horror spreading on my parents' faces.

"Oh," he smiled. "You mean the meeting," he started to slowly encircle me, annoying the shit out of me, "after which he suddenly decided to break the engagement off?"

I took in a deep breath, knowing that I would have a lot of explaining to do once this doofus would leave. The influential, rich, and pretty scary doofus.

"He did what?" I frowned. "Joanna didn't even tell me."

"Of course she didn't!" He suddenly yelled, making me flinch. He now stopped encircling me and stood right in front of me, a bit too close to my liking. I wanted to step back, but I didn't, not wanting to give away any weaknesses. "Do you know the level of insult and disrespect our family had to face?" He said through gritted teeth. "No one has ever dared to break off a tie with our family."

"What does this have to do with me?"

"Oh it has everything to do without you," he smiled. "Maxon declared war when he broke my cousin's heart. And you Gorgeous, are the only thing I've seen him so possessive about. Don't get me wrong, it's not just rivalry against him. I think I've taken a huge liking towards you as well. So yeah," he nodded. "You're coming with me. Don't worry I will never hurt you. I'll keep you like a Princess, safe, sound and beautiful. I promise."

Well, fuck. Fuck you Brianna for leaving me alone, again, and fuck you Shadrach for getting me into this mess.

- - - -

SHADRACH'S POV

A smile spread across my lips as I related the entire incident to Simon. He looked like he would rather die than listen to me, but he still did, although I could tell he wanted to kill me deep down. For going back to the one who had broken my heart in the first place. Simon always thought Butterfly was toxic to me, while I knew that I was the toxic one, not her.

"Then?" He asked, his tone so bored and dismissive that I wanted to laugh.

"You actually wanna know?" I asked, smirking.

"I just wanna get this over with quickly," he have me a sickeningly sweet, obviously fake smile. "And next time, please do not fucking elaborate on the color of her eyes. Now get to the point."

I smirked, enjoying his annoyance.

"Then, I placed a kiss on her forehead," I smiled, thinking of how it felt. I could still smell her rosy scent, and it felt like her touch was still lingering on my skin.

"The fuck?" Simon asked, looking even more annoyed. "So you got her into bed, and chose to kiss her forehead? Nevermind, your choice. But then why the fuck are you so starstruck about this? I thought you guys crossed first base or something!"

"Nah, I wouldn't even describe that to you, man. I respect her. I'm not gonna sit and discuss our private and extremely intimate moments with you," I replied.

"Right. The chivalry she arouses in you," he nodded, sighing. "Anyway, good for me. Not really up for listening to smut."

"If she ever lets it get to that," I rolled my eyes. "But nevermind, as long as I can hold her close, I'm good with whatev-" my sentence was cut short when my phone started to ring. I checked the caller ID, and it was an unknown number. I picked the call up.

"Hello?"

"Maxon?" A familiar voice said through the phone, tone full of worry and panic. "It's Rachael."

"What's wrong?" I asked, not wasting any time.

"Joanna's cousin Tyler kidnapped Liza, he broke into her house with a bunch of guards and all! He's doing this to get back at you, and he said something like he has started to like her, and he'll keep her like a Princess or some shit. I'm really scared, Maxon. Please, please do something. I'm sorry I didn't know who else to call!" She cried, and I felt anger rush through my veins.

"Relax. I'll handle it. Tell her parents she'll be home before tomorrow morning," I replied, before hanging up.

"What's wrong?" Simon asked me.

"Get the car out," I replied, standing up and picking up my gun.

"Wait," he stood up as well, blocking my way. "First tell me what happened."

"Tyler Grayson thinks he's gonna make Butterfly his 'Princess'. Motherfucker doesn't know she's already a Queen," I replied, loading my revolver.

"Ah fuck," Simon cursed. "Should I alert any of our men?"

"None. You and I are enough for this Son of a bitch."

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