The Kings Series #2 His Silver Hand
13. A Mistake: Anna Marie

Lucas made good on his promise. When she woke up, breakfast wasready. His broad and muscled back comfortably leaning on theheadboard while he waited for her -- her head on his lap as he finger-combed her tangled brown hair. She gazed at him dreamily.

It's the first time someone has taken care of her. Usually, she had towake up early to cook a breakfast buffet for everyone.

After a soft good morning kiss, he served her a plate at the eleganttable set up on her veranda that overlooked the gardens. In betweentheir plates, there were fresh-picked flowers on a crystal vase.

Maybe she had been too harsh to judge Lucas.

She must confess, she enjoyed his company. No pressure. They usedthe time to get to know each other. He told her everything about hisfamily while she gave him a bland version of hers. Praying he wouldn'tprobe too much. Especially her past. She was not ready.

Twice now, he caught on her fears from touches beyond kissing. Sooneror later, it's going to bite her in the ass.

Their bond was getting stronger every time they spent time together.This crazy attraction overwhelmed her and she craved to explore more.This shitty hindrance was holding her back.

Rie took a deep breath. How to tell him? There was no doubt he woulddemand to know the facts sooner or later. That's the only way theycould go further.

"What has you so worried, sweetheart?" He murmured. She glanced attheir entwined fingers. Hers looked like a child compared to his.

What can she answer? She studied his handsome profile while he wasdriving, his eyes on the road. No matter what, his concentration was onher.

"I..." Rie licked her dry lips. "I have to tell you something importantsoon.”

"Hmmm," Lucas brought her knuckles to his lips and kissed each ridge.Goddess! Even that simple touch made her shiver. "About what, Rie?"They stopped at the red light and SUVs, their security, halted on eitherside and behind their matte black Audi. "About our intimate momentsor lack of it."

That surprised Lucas. She pierced him with her gaze trying to assess if itwas an act. They both knew what she was talking about.

"I told you I would be patient, little chef. And I am. Nothing will changethat." He said matter-of-factly. As if that will lessen her distress.

She sighed. "I believe you. But I need to tell you why. Tonight. Beforewe go to sleep.”

He nodded, his expression thoughtful and the car accelerated smoothlyat the green light.

Okay. First, they had to meet Cee's parents. Then after work, they willsort this out.

Lucas deserved to know he was not fated to a perfect queen.

Her heart constricted while she hugged the crying elderly elf.

Rie gave her Cecile's jackets and her framed photo at the restaurantwhere she worked for years.

How she wished she could have done more to protect her employeeand friend. Maybe she should have gone clubbing with her and maybeif she did, Cee wouldn't have gone home with a stranger.

Rie grew rigid at the memory. Cee told her she was meeting a new guy.There must be a CCTV camera at the club they could look into. Shecouldn't wait to tell Lucas.

"Cecille was a friend. My mate and I will do anything to replace her," shemuttered. Her voice clogged with emotions.

Cee's mom gave her a small smile of remorse, appreciation in her eyes."I know, dear. My Cecille told me so much about you, chef Rie. How Iwish we could have met on better circumstances.”

"Me too. If you need anything, please...” She held both of her wrinkledhands in hers, brown eyes imploring.

"What I need is to replace my child Cecille.” She answered in her tired, oldvoice.

"We will. I promise you.” And she intended to keep that promise nomatter what.

"I know, dear. I trust you and the Dragon King." Rie felt a warm armwrapped on her waist and she leaned towards his body for emotionalsupport.

"My Argetlam and I have to go, Madam Levine. I will contact you assoon as I have news." Lucas's voice was firm yet there was underlyingcompassion

The kind elf nodded and bussed her forehead in a gesture of blessing.Rie smiled. Grateful for the warmth that had spread in her heart. Theelder had sensed her inner turmoil.

"You both youngsters take care.” She uttered and bowed at the DragonKing's direction. She courteously walked them to the door.

"We will, Mrs. Levine." She inclined her head and she went back insideCecile's apartment. She had decided to stay at the place to gather morespent energy from her daughter and hope she could figure out whathappened to the girl.

"We will replace her soon, sweetheart. Trust me." Lucas never failed toreassure her.

He made it his goal to make her trust him.

And she did. She nodded her head and he gathered her in his arms."Cee told me that she was meeting someone at a club. Maybe youcould check on it? There should be a surveillance camera at the place.”Rie nibbled her lips and waited for his reaction. She observed hisbeautiful unreadable face under her lashes.

"Thank you for remembering, sweetheart. That will help a lot. We willscout New York City and asked questions.” From his guardedexpression, she knew he was trying to think of the right words to tellher she was not going with him. She decided to help him.

"I need to go back to work," The busy atmosphere in the restaurantwould be able to distract her from what's going on. She was not stupidto tag along during the search. She knew Lucas can concentrate betterif he knew she was safe.

It's late in the afternoon and there were no signs of Indali. She wasexpected to be here right after her class.

Where could she be? With what had happened to Cee, she couldn'thelp but worry.

Her clog covered feet paced the carpeted floor in her office while shetried to call her. This was the tenth time and it's routed to voicemailevery time.

Goddess! Should she call Lucas? To hell with it! He needed to know."Hey, sweetheart." He answered on the third ring.

"Lucas... didn't mean to disturb you. Indali was supposed to be heremore than an hour ago and she's not. I tried to call her and it wentstraight to voicemail. Do you think I should go to ICE..." He interruptedher panic ramblings by calling her name softly.

"Little chef, slow down...don't worry. I will check on her myself. And willcall her head of security. Stay there and stay safe. Wait for me, okay?"She nodded --realizing he couldn't see her.

"Yes...please...I'll wait here,” she could hear his deep breaths on theother line and sensed he wanted to say more.

"Okay. I miss you, Rie." Her heart clenched, knowing he was hoping forhis feelings to be reciprocated. For her to admit it. She missed him tooHowever, she didn't have the courage to tell him.

"Be safe. I will wait here." She ended the call not waiting for hisresponse. Fuck! She was a coward.

The dinner service was an hour away. Instructions were given to herstaff earlier.

Rie began to change to her work clothes. There was a nagging feelingin her gut, it was deflecting her concentration for the night's dinnerservice and it frustrated her because she didn't have any idea what itwas.

The ping on her cell phone made her glance at it right away. Her fingershurriedly fix the buttons on her jacket.

It must be her mate or his little sister. Thank goddess she was safe.Every breath left her body in a whoosh when she read the text message.-I know where your sous chef is. She's a beauty.-

-What the...she shivered in fear. Indali. Whoever it was. He has her.--What do you want?-

-You. In exchange for her.-

-Send me proof.-

A sob of anguish escaped her lips when he sent her a picture of Indali'shelpless form, tied to a chair and mouth gagged. Her face covered inbruises and snot.

-To see is to believe, eh?-

-Where?-

-I'll send you the address. Be here in 30 minutes. Alone. Or I will cut herto pieces after I enjoy her sweet body.-

-Don't. I'll be there.-

-Good. A black car will wait at the alley behind your restaurant. You willbe mine soon, Anna Marie.-

She needed to think on her feet asap. No time for her to give in to thedemons of her past. Indali reminded her of Mish. She needed to saveher.

With tremors on her fingers, she sent a screenshot of the conversationwith the kidnapper on her phone to Lucas and Alexander.

Seconds later, her mate was calling her. Her ears were filled with hisfrantic voice, she could hear him giving out orders to his men.

Rie was breathing heavily in fear.

"Wait for me, Rie," he growled. His voice spoke of murder to whoeverhad taken his sister. And who was about to have her. "Don't. Please. Ican't fucking lose you!"

"I need to or he will do worse to your sister. You have to understand. Beready. I will discreetly call you on my way there to let you know so youcan follow at a distance. You will know the address as soon as I have it.You are my only hope, Lucas.” She dropped the call despite hisexpletive curses.

Her cell phone was bombarded with calls and texts but she rejectedthem all. Focus, Rie!

How to avoid her security team? Shit!

She glanced at the storage room behind her. There's a steel slidingdoor that they use for deliveries and such. Her fingers fumbled with thekeys in her drawer.

Got it! The scraping sound it made when it opened was too loud.

She made her escape as fast and as quiet as possible. But to be sure,she locked her office doors to gain more time.

The asshole had everything planned. There was indeed a black carawaited her.

Gods! Please let her get through with this. She swore to the MoonGoddess that she will never question her motives ever again.

With trembling fingers, she opened the door of a tinted Mercedes. Thestoic driver didn't even glance her way, he pulled out of the curve fastand he avoided her questions.

Damn! How to tell her family? The same idea popped in her head.Placing her iPhone face down to avoid the glare of the screen on thecar's floor after she dialed Anna's number, making sure her phone on aconference with Lucas's, and hoping they both pick it up. Her GPS wason. Alexander's trackers were the best in the business and she couldrely on them but what if..

She refused to think of the consequences right now. Bravery wasfoolish. Well, she has always been brave and foolish

Her pained amber eyes closed on silent prayer. Praying she was notmaking the biggest mistake of her life.

It's getting exciting right? (Cringing!!!)

Sorry to leave you at the edge of your seats. I promise that the nextchapter will follow soon.

Love you all, babies! Thanks for the support.