Chapter 1
Shadowy figures covered me and illuminated my book. Refusing to look up, I counted their shoes, which all looked alike.
Black shoes and black pants.
Six men in all black crowded my table and behind me.
My head slowly lifted from the book I was reading, dread filled the pit of my stomach as I saw who stood in front of me.
I stared straight ahead of him, unsure what to say and what to do.
Ever since I learned about their kind from my son, I have come to fear them.
But I could not hate my son, I love him more than anything.
This man, this man I despised.
Was he back to "claim me?"
Sharp angular features, long brown hair packed in a bun, hooded icy eyes, a nose and ear-piercing and tattoos.
The feeling of Déjà vu clouded me.
The man who almost ruined my life, I reminisced as he stood there smiling at me.
A dark aura derived directly from him surrounded him and me, making the small atmosphere unsettling. I was sure everybody in the room felt trapped, but to me, he looked like a god emanating swirls of beautiful black smoke.
We lock eyes for a while and all the memories from the night come rushing back to my head.
He was purposely ignoring my scowling because the smile directed at me still stayed.
"Ashe Lockwood, do you remember me?" He spoke up.
I sat straight in my chair, that same voice.
I sighed and slammed my book close before setting it on the table loudly, and careful enough to show my engagement ring.
"I remember you, Ashe, sit down". There was no need to beat around the bush or play possum.
He smiled and nodded once, as if on control, the men all moved back, giving us space.
"You look as lovely as ever", he unbuttoned his suit and lowered himself slowly into the seat in front of me.
I scoffed and looked outside. The convoy he brought with him also had some gloomy looking men standing outside close every vehicle with a wire in their ears.
"What do you want?" I asked as I look at the gloomy looking men round my table.
I harbored resentment against this man, the man who did unspeakable things to me that one night five years ago and left me with a wad of cash before I could wake up.
"No mami. Don't be like that" he said, chuckling.
"Was that night so good you never forgot about it?" He said the second sentence lowly.
"Why are you here? It's been five years", I snapped at him.
"You're going to get wrinkles if you keep looking at me like that" Ashe Lockwood said.
"What do you want, Ashe? I won't ask again " I was almost yelling.
"The sound of my name on your tongue, It warms my heart to see you remembered it." He said in a dreamy voice and I rolled my eyes before locking away and scoffing again. " I hear you have something that's mine" he dropped, and my head snapped to face him again.
My heart thundered in its rib cage loudly.
"What?!" I asked, feigning ignorance.
All of a sudden, his smile dropped, and his face became hostile. "Don't play with me Adeline. Where is my son?" He said the words I dreaded hearing.
"Ashe, what are you talking about?" I continued my ignorance charade.
"Where is my son?" He repeated.
"You gave me a son to watch over for you while you were at war?" I mocked and chuckled sarcastically.
"I'll be asking you for the last time, and you used up all your chances to play dumb. Where is my son?" He said sternly, and I knew he was not playing around.
I sensed the men standing behind me.
"It was a one-night stand. You should not be here claiming him" I said, the first words that came to my mind.
"I never said you could keep him from me", Ashe said, and I could see his eyes darken.
Was he about to change now?
Is this the part where they change into a beast and tear into everyone?
Was I his planned meal for today?
Did he plan on killing me and taking my son?
I was sure Jacob, my fiancé, would not allow that.
"What do you mean right now?" I said in a very small voice, since I could not ask him all those questions.
"You kept my son from me for five fucking years.
What gave you the nerve?" Ashe said and hit his hand on the table, making me flinch and startling the other diners.
"I learned from the best", I shrugged nonchalantly.
"What?" His brows furrowed.
"The way you left that morning, the nerve you had then, I stole a little bit" Sarcasm dropped from my voice.
"It was a one-night stand, what were you expecting?" he repeated my words and I felt my head break for the second time when it concerned him.
"I can't give him back to you, because I'm getting married soon, and I want to live a happy life with him and my husband and I don't want you meddling in our peace", I said.
"To whom?" He asked quickly, ignoring all I said, but I felt he already knew who.
"Jacob Ford", my husband to be, was famous and he needed no introduction.
"That wedding is not going to happen." Ashe said harshly.
"There's nothing you can do about it" I said.
"Watch me" he threatened, but it felt like a promise.
Ashe was back for trouble. I've had too many problems already. I can't handle him now.
I suck my bottom lip into my teeth, trying to hold my tears back.
"I would've come for my son in my own way, but I thought it is a matter of courtesy to come to you first. But you're making it difficult. I want you and I want my son along", Ashe said calmly, as he noticed my sad demeanor.
"You can't have me, and you can't have my son", I said stubbornly, and he nodded lightly.
"I hope you make the right decision" his tone low and full of warning, contrasting his words.
I said nothing and raised my chin, ready to argue and fight.
Ashe sighed and stood up, his men also moved with him.
"Always a pleasure, Adeline. Say hi to Andre for me. Do not forget to tell him daddy loves him", Ashe said, with his smile back on again.
My eyes widened. How did he know my son's name?
I watched as his staccato footsteps faded into the distance and the door of the coffee shop closed behind him.
My eyes couldn't leave him even after his train of bodyguards covered him. My eyes were still trained on him in the small crowd.
I watched as his convoy disappeared down the road, leaving me in brimming tears all alone in that coffee shop in the morning.
His darkness still as enticing and mouth-watering as a dark chocolate.
Just like five years ago.