Chapter 3 - THE WALLS OF JERICHO
The drive to the Hamptons was suffocating in its silence. The armored SUV felt like a submarine diving into the crushing depths of the ocean. The children had fallen asleep in the massive, luxurious seats, exhausted by the park and the sudden upheaval. Sebastian sat across from me, a glass of amber liquid in his hand, his eyes never leaving my face or the sleeping forms of his children.
"Tell me everything," he commanded quietly, breaking the silence as the city skyline faded in the rearview mirror. "Every detail about that day at Vale Tower."
I swallowed hard, looking out the tinted window at the passing trees. "I was five months pregnant. I was showing. I had practically begged your grandfather's security director, Elias, to let me speak to you. I brought the ultrasound pictures. I had letters I had written to you every week since you ended things." I paused, feeling the familiar sting of tears, but I refused to let them fall. "Elias met me in the lobby. He told me that you had read the letters and laughed. He said you were engaged to a cartel heiress to strengthen the family, and that bastards would only ruin your reputation. He handed me an envelope with fifty thousand dollars in cash and told me that if I ever tried to contact you again, I would disappear. Along with my babies."
The sound of shattering glass made me jump.
Sebastian had crushed the crystal tumbler in his hand. Blood dripped down his fingers, staining his pristine white cuffs, but he didn’t even seem to notice the pain. His chest heaved, a primal, violent fury radiating from him.
"Elias," he breathed, the name sounding like a death sentence. "My grandfather's loyal dog. They convinced me you took a payoff to leave the city. They showed me banking records, Maya. Forged banking records showing you accepted five million dollars to walk away from our marriage."
"I never took a dime from them!" I fired back, offended. "I worked three shifts at a diner in Queens to pay for their formula!"
Sebastian leaned forward, ignoring his bleeding hand, and reached out to gently touch my cheek. I flinched, but his touch was shockingly tender. "I know. I know you didn't. I was a fool to believe them. I was blinded by the ascension to the head of the family, surrounded by vipers." His thumb brushed my jawline. "I swear to you, Maya, on the lives of these children, the men who kept you from me will drown in their own blood."
We arrived at the sprawling, fortress-like estate just as the sun began to set. High stone walls, armed guards patrolling the perimeter, and state-of-the-art security systems surrounded the massive mansion. As Marco and the other guards helped carry the sleeping children inside, Sebastian pulled me aside in the grand foyer.
"You are safe here," he said, his voice firm. "No one gets in. Tomorrow, I am going back to the city to deal with my grandfather. You will have everything you need. Nannies, chefs, security."
May you like
"I don't want your money or your nannies," I said, crossing my arms. "I just want my kids to be safe. You dragged us back into your world, Sebastian. If your grandfather wanted us dead before, what do you think he'll do now that he knows you found us?"
"He will do nothing," Sebastian stated, his eyes glowing with a dark, predatory light. "Because by tomorrow night, my grandfather will no longer be in a position to give orders to anyone."
