CHAPTER 22

We both slept during the whole flight, and thankfully I gained some energy to endure a miserable metting with my employees today.

When we get off the jet, Luke is already there with my Rolls Royce car and I insist him to head towards my office.

"You should stay at my place. You must be tired." I coax Lucas.

He should stay at my place and take some rest. It's not like I don't have over 45, 000 employees. He can take a day or two off.

"You know that I hate ditching work." He frantically rolls his eyes at me.

Fine, I give up. Do as you wish. He's a consenting adult, yet he doesn’t realise the worth of breaks. Have it your way.

Without arguing with him, I gaze outside the window.

"Ryder! No! You can't do this to me!" I half-shout and half-cry, as tears swell up in my eyes.

"Baby bro, don't cry. You should know that Susan is in love with me." He grins at me with untold hatred and jealousy.

"No! She is in love with me! We were about to get married. Ryder, don't do this to me please!" I can't stop my tears.

My own blood brother can't do this to me! I vehemently shake my head, trying to convince myself that it's all a joke.

Ryder walks towards me and takes out a silvered dagger from a leather sheath beside his hunting boots. He presses the tip of the dagger below my chin.

The cold metal pierces through my flesh as I feel the thick blood oozing out. The liquid flows down all the way from my throat to my white shirt.

I wince with pain as I stutter out, "Don't do this! Brother, please don't."

He drops the knife from his hand as he wickedly smiles at me. "If you want to live, if you want Susan to live, let Susan and me get married. Else, you'll find her body chopped up in the trunk underneath your bed!"

He cocks his head to one side, as he asks, "Agree or not?" His tone is chillingly quiet.

"Agree." I mumble, as I feel my heart shattering inside. Everything in me, loved Susan. Day by day, bit by bit, I realise that every inch of my body is revolting back. But I can't risk it.

"Good. Do attend our marriage." He remarks in a menacing tone, as he throws a crumbled paper towards me and leaves the room.

I hesitantly pick up the paper. To my horror, I find it to be a marriage invitation. I fall to the ground on my knees, with the paper clasped in my left hand as I let out an anguished cry.

"I'm ruined. I'm ruined." I shout, succumbing to my grief.

"Damian! Are you okay? You're shivering." Lucas tilts my face to face his as he gently brushes my hair.

"Yeah. I'm fine." My tone is clipped. But deep inside, it's choking me. The memories, though are from a few centuries ago, but they haunt me till date.

"What are you possibly thinking, Godfrey?" He asks in a concerned tone.

Why is he even concerned about me? I don't even deserve him and deep down, I know that. There's no denying to that.

"I was just thinking that, blood makes people related and loyalty and love, makes them family." I sigh.

"Sir, we're here." Luke intervenes in the middle, as I nod at him and get off my car.

I open the door for Lucas as he gracefully steps out, his shoes clinkling on the tiles.

We walk together as we enter the office. People get up and wish me a good day. I know, that I'm far from having a good day. I nod and smile in return.

We walk towards the private elevator as I press the password and the door opens, revealing the huge elevator.

Lucas goes in first, and I follow. I press the button 40 and the doors close. The elevator begins to ascend.

I lean back against the smooth wall, and I let out a deep breath. Lucas is fidgeting with his watch.

The man is a fine sight to sore eyes. I decide to ogle him until we reach our destination. I feel that electricity, that tension between me and him. It's really unnerving. He surely does catch me off-guard quite a few times.

Lucas stops fidgeting with his watch, and takes one step closer to me. Analyse, Godfrey. Have you done anything worth a slap? My brain shakes it's head but my subconscious seems worried.

He stalks even closer to me, until he is pressed against me. One of his hands, does a really good job at caressing my stubble.

It's highly arousing. We two are alone. Inside an elevator. With his body pressed against mine. What could I possibly do to him?