Chapter 80

*Jayden*

"You are poor compared to his standards," Sierra whispered in my ear. I nodded in agreement though I knew she was trying to tease me.

"Well he is my mentor and all. The student should never outshine the master."

The helicopter landed on a heliport and there were three carts waiting for us all. Sierra, Lorraine, Cynthia and I entered. Frankie and The security and police chief stepped into the other and Nathan took one by himself.

The carts drove us through the expansive land all the way to the cluster of buildings.

"What are all these houses?" Sierra asked as we passed the second mansion.

"There are seven mansions on this huge acreage," the driver answered. "All of them are well maintained and ready to host anyone at a moment's notice. There is also a golf course, three rivers, a large chunk of Dorrington Forest, those buildings behind the clump of trees are a library, recreation center, stables and a small racing track."

"It is basically like a small town, there is even a police post in this compound." The driver finished.

"There are other buildings too," Lorraine piped in. In the distance I saw my limousine drive up the track and knew Dave had arrived.

I know Cynthia as well as Sierra had never been here. Nathan Sinclair has been a very private man so little was ever known about his place. Lorraine had accompanied me a few times so she wasn't taken aback by the opulence of the place.

The cart pulled up beside a well-kept garden and we stepped out and headed to the sheltered gazebo where a fleet of workers were busy cooking and roasting. A large table was set out for nine people in the middle. White linen covered it and there were silver napkins as well as cutlery and glasses set.

Nathan turned to the group. "Welcome, I think it is best for us to unwind after what you have gone through." He looked at Sierra and I saw the smallest of a smile before he turned to me and nodded.

"The police chief was kind enough to agree to take your statements as we eat. I took the liberty of setting up this small evening tea."

I doubt that, I am sure he had no say in that, but the smile on his face meant he was happy. I guess he is the first officer in the station to come to this compound. Nathan welcomed us to take our places on the round table.

I was sandwiched between Sierra and Lorraine. Cynthia was next to Sierra and Frankie beside Lorraine. Nathan sat next to her and Dave joined us seated beside the chief and my security head.

"May I?" asked the chief as he took out his recorder. Nathan nodded and allowed him to set it up. "To begin with, I will handle everything discreetly today. As long as nothing else happened other than what I think did, none of you are in trouble so just tell me what happened."

Three servers approached and served us all water and apple juice in both glasses and walked away in sync.

"How did you find us?" Sierra asked, breaking the ice.

"I take it Frankie is the one who alerted them to maybe it was you Cynthia," I said.

The chief spoke, "Well Mr. Grey, you were seen crossing three red lights. As far as everyone knows you have never received a speeding ticket or any traffic violation, second when we saw your car the first thought was it was stolen because you always move around with the driver. When we saw you through the cameras heading for the city limits we suspected something was wrong.

"It was at this time that I confirmed with your security officer and a follow-up was done. When we had established it was you, we got a silent alarm from Mr. Sinclair's lands at the edge. Then minutes later a 911 call is made from the location and the caller is identified as Cynthia. With that we rushed in though she never gave as much details before she hung up."

"Sierra, how were you kidnapped?" Frankie asked.

Sierra sighed and shook her head, her ears turning red from embarrassment, "After I left The Purple Mirage, I saw a black limo waiting for me and the driver said it was sent by Jayden and that he wanted to see me urgently."

"No wonder you entered the car willingly. I saw you from the window enter the car and I swear I knew it was Mark who was the driver, but I remembered that he was dead. Fortunately, Sierra, your phone location was on and I was tracking you realtime. I wanted to call you but something stopped me from doing so, well I called Lorraine and told her what I suspected. I gave her your location and told her that I am heading there." Cynthia cut in and she turned to Lorraine.

"It is just as Cynthia has said, I was with Jayden when he suddenly left the hospital without a word. I had a bad feeling and when I got the call from Cynthia about possible abduction things started making more sense, when I also knew that Mark was dead. With the way that Jayden left without a word I suspected that Sierra was involved in his hastened departure. Fortunately I was of sound mind and I gave Frankie a heads up and followed Cynthia who had refused to listen to my wise words and not chase after you."

Cynthia looked down with a sheepish smile on her face, "Well if I hadn't you would be mourning your brother's death."

"If I hadn't showed up I would have been looking at three dead bodies of three important people," she said slowly, a little anger in her voice.

"Don't you mean two?" Cynthia asked, sipping on her juice.

"Three." She said firmly. "Jayden is my brother, Sierra is my sister in law and friend. Then you, Cynthia. You are Sierra's closest friend as well as Dave's partner. I don't think I would be happy being around a depressed Dave."

I sputtered out my water and coughed. It looks like I wasn't the only one Dave had choked too and the security head was hitting his back. Cynthia just looked shocked. Only Frankie and Sierra as well as Nathan had no reaction.

"Wait Dave and Cynthia are dating?" I asked surprised. "How did I not see that? I understand Sierra knowing but you too Frankie and Nathan?"

Nathan let out a hearty laugh and Frankie just raised an eyebrow at me, "I mean it was obvious."

"How long have you known?" Dave asked Frankie.

"We have always known," it was Lorraine who answered.

The servers dropped some food along with refills for us. Cynthia then narrated her story on how she got a taxi that dropped her just outside the abandoned warehouse and she slowly made her way.

She was aware of her surroundings and heard noise inside the building. She quickly made her way and appeared at the point where Olga shot Sierra but Mark took the bullet for her. She also heard clearly Mark's confession.

"I am sure that Sierra will confirm but if you go to the Hastings' Turn you will find a burnt car and body in ravine. Is Lisa's body. Mark confessed to killing her. I will let Sierra explain further."

Sierra didn't have much to add, only that she had been drugged in the car and woke up to find herself tied to the pillar and seeing me. She gave her side of the story on the events that transpired and corroborated Cynthia's claim about Lisa's death. She also told the officer to contact her hometown office and have them look into the death of Lisa's colleague. She gave his name and the little details she knew about him.

I then gave my account from the moment I received the text until the police showed up. Lorraine pinched me for not confiding in her. Well I deserved that pinch but in my defense I wasn't thinking straight.

After that food was served and the chief put away his notes and recorder.

"I will give you access to the cameras on the land," Nathan told him, "I think that will be great."

"It certainly was a good idea to set up silent alarms and motion detectors," the chief agreed. "Thank you all for your statements. The department will be reaching out to you."

With that done we dived into eating and drinking. I was served an 80- year old smoked whiskey and I raised up my glass to Nathan who nodded and smiled. I was wondering if we were going to survive on water and juice but it looks like Nathan had wanted us to give sober statements before bringing out the heavy guns.

It was a lively gathering, we ate and drank. Chief was first to leave after taking just two beers. He had to report back to the office. Nathan organized for one of his cars to drop him off.

Nathan called me aside and we walked to a small secluded garden. He stopped and looked at me.

"I am glad all that is over Jayden," he said, "Regardless of the ending it is all over. But there is one ending that you can control. Don't let her go again."

I know she may not live up to Hildie but she is Sierra. The two of you love each other very much and most importantly so does Brian. I passed by the room a while back and the first thing he asked me was whether Sierra was okay."

This looked like Nathan Sinclair was approving of her.

"However if you hurt her again I will be the one to send you down in carbon-fiber submersible," he threatened. "The fact that she came back to see Brian…"

He let that hang.

"What if she doesn't love me like I love her?" I asked him teasingly.

"She does love and you know it. You have my blessing just in case I wasn't clear."

I hugged him and we walked back slowly to the table. I saw Cynthia and Dave standing together whispering and from the way Dave was holding her, I could see the love. How was I so blind that I didn't know about my own driver's life?

"They do look good together, don't they?" Sierra said coming up to me.

"Yes they do," I agreed.

"But isn't there something in the handbook about employee relationships being frowned upon?" She asked, pretending to think.

Frankie joined us, "The key term is frowned on, not illegal. Besides last I checked you, Sierra Lane you are still my employee so fraternizing with your boss is not good."

"Am I?" Sierra said feigning ignorance.

"You never signed any exit papers nor handed in your resignation. Besides I do need you back," Frankie said.

We have missed you and would like you to join the family," Lorraine said overhearing us. The way she stressed on family and looked at me.

"Ah don't pressure her," I jumped in, "She has suffered attempted murder."

"So have you," Sierra pointed out. I had forgotten how she always answered me back without fear. I took her hand and we walked away from the table. We went to a different part of the garden that had hedges growing up to over two meters but neatly cut.

"Well Sierra, I am no longer tied to Olga," I whispered to her.

"No you aren't," she said.

"So what now?" I asked her.

"I will be going back to Seasbury," she told me and I won't lie, my face fell flat. "Going back with Llewellyn."

She looked at me with a tear in her eye.

"I am sorry Jayden, it just won't work out between us."

I was lost for words.

"I started developing feelings for Llewellyn and his mother has been so kind to me."

My hopes were crushed at that instant and I just pulled her in and hugged her.

"Well at least say goodbye to Brian before you go." I said, feeling like my heart was breaking . I felt a weird sound in my chest and I pulled back to see Sierra holding back laughter. She looked at me and couldn't contain it.

"Oh my god, you should see your face now," she laughed tears flowing down her face. "Damn aren't you so easy to fool Mr. Grey? I will have fun pranking you. That was your punishment not for sleeping with Olga but letting her take advantage of you."

I growled angrily but I felt warm inside when she said henceforth.

"So you aren't leaving?" I asked my hopes rising again.

"Well I have to go back with Llewellyn and talk to his mother. I will be coming back unless you don't want me to."

"You know I want you," I growled possessively. "How about I send you and Llewellyn by car back to Seasbury? Dave will drive and collect your luggage."

She smiled at me and nodded. "But be nice to Llewellyn. He has been a good friend and he will continue being one."

I nodded without a care in the world. Sierra was finally mine and no one was around to take her away from me.

"Before you go back I would like you to spend a few days here until Brian gets better and is discharged," I said.

"That was my plan all along Mr. Grey," she said sweetly and looked up at me.

"I told you not-"

She stopped my growl with a well-timed kiss.