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Numb.

All I felt was Numbness when his grey eyes bored into my hazel-green ones.

Arcadius Luca Valentino.

Any crime, you name it he had done it. Heir to the Italian mafia, most wanted drug lord to be alive, human trafficking, weapons trafficking, mass murders.

He has numbers sky rising in every single one of them.

And I knew why exactly he was here.

"Missed me Tesoro Mio." It wasn't a question, it was a statement and I visibly flinched, staggering a little in my sitting position.

"I—" I was at a loss of words, his presence was raising questions in my head, the same man who was responsible for me quitting my career was standing in front of me, without any fear and powerful as ever.

"My little baby girl could curse, not to mention in varied languages, impressive," he stated, obviously enjoying me seeing vulnerable, why wouldn't he? After everything, I did to him.

I tilted my face away from him when he crouched in front of me, showing the last bit of courage before I pass out due to blood loss and he leaves me here to die, I whimpered when I felt his fingers digging into my face, forcefully making me face him, he smiled making me shiver in anxiousness.

"I missed you tesoro," I didn't reply, just starting into those sinful grey eyes and clutching to the last bit of my consciousness, his fingers left my face and when I thought he would leave me alone he surprised me by hurling me up in bridal style in his embrace, his hold on me painful over the bruises on my body, I hissed at the sudden movement, chilling pain rushing through my body due to gunshot.

I felt disgusted by his touch, I wanted to run for the hills, away from him as humanly as possible but I knew he won't hesitate to shoot me a second time, or as many times for that matter.

I was barely conscious when he gently settled me in his car, I was losing blood and too fast, he must have shot an artery, I felt him sliding in through the opposite door beside me, trudging closer until he was content with the proximity, I, on the other hand, couldn't focus on anything other than the pain I was feeling and his disgustful touch, not even in the directions we were going.

"Quick question. Where is that pregnant friend of yours?" When I tell you I felt my blood run cold I mean it, at least the one that was still left in my body. He knew about Diya.

"Pity—" he shrugged, casually trailing his finger on my collarbone and I visibly recoiled away from him,"—it would have been so easy to control you with her as a hostage," he completed, obviously furious by my rejection of his touch, I couldn't comprehend how the f*ck I didn't know about him being free, how the f"ck he knew about Diya being pregnant and how in the world did he know we were going to be together, I couldn't understand anything.

My thoughts came to an abrupt halt when he gripped my face harshly in his clutch yet again, whirling my face to his, our breaths mingling with each other, while our lips touched to create an electrifying distasteful taste to blow in my mind, I tried to lean back but his grip was too stern, he didn't budge from my push instead he settled his other hand on my gunshot wound and pressed making me scream in agony, sweat beading on my forehead from the increasing amount of pressure by passing seconds.

He didn't back off when I screamed with my lips still touching his, possessing his claim without saying anything, when I thought I would pass out of extreme pain he let go of my calf, trailing his bloodied hand on my cheek, my blood on his hand didn't affect him at all.

Through my panting, I heard him grimly stating, "Never again." His soft lips moving over mine when he let out those words, opposite to his soul that was dark and cold. When I couldn't reply he yanked my hair painfully, forcing me to nod in fear, I knew exactly what he was referring to, to not reject his touch, and to not do something I did before.

"Good girl," he proudly claimed my lips in a punishing kiss, not minding to be careful of the deep cut I got during the fighting, I kept hissing and whimpering in fear and disgust but he didn't stop on my account, taking what he claimed was his.

My life is hell, leaving one monster only to be dropped into another's lap.

His kiss was making me lightheaded from the lack of oxygen, black spots were starting to form behind my eyes and I knew my body couldn't keep up with the blood loss and low oxygen level at once, I felt myself limping more and more with time in his arms and finally, I slipped into unconsciousness., his lips finally detaching from me after he was done consuming me whole.

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We reached the airport pretty fast, my jet standing proud under the bright sun, shining with the name of my company reflecting on it, I thanked Cameron when he helped me out of the car, a surreal smile contouring my face at the thought of finally going back home with Shana by my side, I diverted my gaze to the pendant still clutched into my hand while my other hand protectively landed on my stomach.

"Mommy's going to protect your godmother and you both baby," I whispered to myself, noticing Cameron taking out the luggage from another car that came a little later after us.

Warm sunlight on my skin during the cold weather was calming my nerves, I opened my phone to see it showing nine-fifteen, it's been only twenty-five minutes since Shana left for her work, she'll be here any time now.

"Why don't we wait inside the jet Ms Shikhawat?" I was pulled out of my thoughts when Cameron's voice reached me, his face holding a faint worried expression, my heart suddenly thudded painfully for a second before returning to normal, he noticed my pained expression too cause the next second his arms were encircled over my shoulders strongly.

"That's it, we're waiting inside," he stated sternly, not even letting me say anything when he protectively guided me to the jet, letting me climb the stairs first, keeping himself right behind me to save me if I fall.

I am having a bad feeling about this.

My pilot and air hostesses greeted me politely, none of them knew about my pregnancy other than Cameron, I felt the bile rising to my throat when one of them asked me if I would like a glass of champagne, I softly declined before Cameron ordered them to not serve alcohol at all, telling them to bring something for me to eat.

There was an unsettling feeling swirling inside my stomach the whole time and suddenly I was rushing to the bathroom, leaving everyone behind in the cabin, banging the door open and emptying my stomach into the toilet, I felt cold fingers trailing along the nape of my neck, removing the hair from my face while I continued vomiting everything out.

"Easy, breathe," I was sobbing a little in between my recoils as Cameron's soft voice and his hand on my back tried his best to calm me down.

When I was done and my stomach was all vacant then only I leaned back from the toilet, sighing and wiping the mascara stained tears from my cheeks, I was sure I was looking like a hot mess, standing up limply with the help of Cameron and washing my face off of makeup I felt a little good without it, my face bare and my eyes a little red from vomiting.

We both entered the cabin again, all the air hostesses standing there with anxiety polling in their eyes, as soon as one of them noticed me they came rushing to me, this was what I liked about people whom I hired, we were a team, and that's how I attained the current position in the business world.

"Are you alright Ma'am?" One of them asked and I nodded my head, managing to pull off a tight smile, relief flushed through their faces.

"I-I'm sorry Ma'am, I didn't know you were feeling dizzy, I would've never offered you cha—umm that." The young-looking girl hurriedly apologised in a squeaky voice, changing the word at the last moment, probably thinking I would just throw up by the name of champagne.

"It's okay, we'll wait until Shana arrives and then we'll take off," I ordered and all of them nodded before rushing back to their works, I massaged my forehead to ease the pain and plopped down on the seat, a hand with a pill came into my line of sight, I looked up to see Cameron raising his eyebrow at me sternly, huffing at his bossy attitude I gulped down the supplements.

"Happy dad?" I inquired sarcastically and he replied in the same tone, "Very," both of us glaring down at each other.

"Tell me why I hired you again,"

"For my handsome face." He retorted without batting an eyelash, okay, maybe I did really hired him for his looks but in my defence, I didn't know he was married! Sue me, I even took responsibility and didn't fire him after finding out.

"Gosh, you're annoying!" I huffed irritably.

"No, I'm used to tolerating pregnancy mood swings, and I'm quite good at retorting without getting my head off by a pregnant lady," he replied again, of course, you are.

I continued glaring at him but he was unaffected from it unlike when I used to glare at him during work, he would sweat buckets, was my glare not intimidating enough now?

We both continued bickering around even when I knew it was all a charade, he was keeping my mind off of Shana's delay, and I was deliberately playing along to let him acquire just that, I sneakily glanced at my phone to see it showing ten in the morning, it's been more than one and half hour now.

Soon it turned ten-thirty and the last piece of patience in me snapped, I stood up fumingly causing Cameron to stand up in panic as well.

"Take me to KING INC," my blood was boiling inside my veins, I knew she went to him and he did something again to keep her.

"Ms Shikhawat, I don't th—"

"To KING INC. Mr Ramsay." He didn't try to f*ck with me after that, silently guiding me out of the jet, and into the car.

I told her to come with me! But she has to go alone and get trapped! How stupid could she get and how low can he get to have her close! Wasn't almost raping her enough?

He's so going to pay.

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Everything was silent on my floor since there was no sign of my fiáncee or CFO anywhere, I get that they are disputing but what the f*ck! I can't believe I'm letting someone f*ck in my company so easily.

I have to talk to both of them.

Glancing at the time to see it showing 10:30 made me sigh in defeat, this woman will be the death of me.

Work was piling up and without her by my side neither could I finish my work single handily nor I could focus on my work, my mind always keep swirling around the possibility of her being in any type of trouble, no matter how hard it was for her to live with me, it retained a tinge of sanity in my head knowing she was safe with me all the time but since she moved out I couldn't even sleep at night, thinking and fearing that my phone will ring anytime, informing that something happened to her and I swear to God if something happened her I'll kill that bastard with my own bare hands, f*ck the authority!

I loosened my grip over the coffee cup once I noticed it, I can't even remember which number cup I was on, it was the only thing keeping me awake from dropping at next second, Aiden was always lecturing me to take care which was weird considering he always laughed it off before Shana, I couldn't talk to my parents, pretending like I didn't do such a revolting thing, my mind just wouldn't let the guilt rest even for once and I felt disgusted by myself for what I did.

And that too happened because of him.

My eyes automatically diverted to my phone and I felt my blood boil in rage, that f*cking bastard is going to pay and I'll make sure of it.

My thoughts were halted by my door being slammed open, I boringly averted my gaze to the door, already knowing it was one of the two best friends, who else has the guts to barge in my office like this?

Umm...Aiden?

Him too. Who else?

No one.

"About time you arrived Ms Shikhawat," I acknowledged her sarcastically, taking in her panting self, her face bare of any makeup that she usually has on, her lips turned into a grimace once our eyes met.

"Kuch jyada hi dam leke baitha hai na tu maaderc*od! Haramjayade Mai teri Jaan le lungi!! (You are sitting there with too much guts motherf*cker! I swear I'll take your f*cking life!!) " She snarled, making me frown in confusion, great! Now she's being emotional and sputtering out Hindi, what the f*ck am I supposed to do?! Call a f*cking translator?! you know what? I don't need one, I know this much that she's cursing at me.

"What the f*ck are you saying?" I asked irritatedly, her face was turning red from anger and my words only poured more into it.

"What did you do to her?!" She snarled, charging in my direction only to be held back when I stilled in my place, my eyes voidly staring at the woman standing infront of me, blaming me for doing something to her.

"Dare to push me away again and I'll give you more reasons to be close to me." I croaked out swiftly but inside I was just as helpless as her, slowly going behind her, deliberately seeking the warmth from her, something I was sure I would never feel again, encircling my hands around her petite waist from behind with my shaking hands I pulled her flush closer to me until there was no space left between us, my heart breaking into millions of pieces when she visibly recoiled in my touch, trying to break free and go away, leave me. I kept her close to me knowing that this might be the last time she ever let me anywhere closer to her, breathing in her soft rosy fragrance by gently hiding my face in her neck, I felt a stray tear brimming in my eye, begging to be let free just like her.

Stepping away from me and turning around with that resentful gaze in her eyes she spitted out on my face, meeting my charade of lustful eyes when from inside I just wanted to destroy myself bit by bit for what I did to her, "I believe you will."

Something happened to her.

I stood up from my seat in a daze, my feet rushing on their own, taking me in front of her only friend standing here, our eyes blazing into each other, she was glaring at me with the same accusing glint with which I was glaring at her.

"Where were you both?!" I growled, making her visibly flinch back even in her anger, I swear if she didn't answer quickly, I will squeeze the life out of her throat, my mind was running miles at once and I could only think of one person who was involved in this, I don't wanna think about what he'd do to her.

"I-I wa—was—" she stuttered confusedly, her voice breaking in anger and fear, I stepped closer, looming over while she craned her neck to look at me, tears brimming at the corners of her eyes.

"Where?!" I growled once again causing her to flinch yet again.

"We were going to leave, she told me that she was going to do some work!" She strumbled out at once and my blood went cold, he have her. My heart wanted to believe otherwise but I knew it was the truth, hurriedly circling her around I exited my office, tracking down her engagement ring, call me whatever you want but I did it for her safety, she would have never worn it if I told her about the tracker and I couldn't let her out of sight when that criminal was on loose.

It showed that she was in my penthouse, my heartbeat increased instead of slowing down, fingers flying across the phone screen in anxiousness, calling Leo to ask him if she was really there, praying God to let her be safe, I heard hurried heels clicks behind me, knowing very well that Diya was rushing behind me.

"What happened?!" She tried to turn me around by my shoulder but I yanked her hand away as Leo received the call, his autonomous voice reaching me through the phone.

"Mr king?"

"Is she there?" I asked straightforward, my heart thumping in my cheat in fear of losing her forever, dread slowly filling me, my hands were shaking with fury and I knew it has all just started, he finally did what he was trying to do for the past month and I was desperately trying to avoid.

"Ms Rajput left an hour ago," I didn't hear the rest of it as it went in a blur, my ears ringing with that weird deadline tone, she must have left her engagement ring there since she was leaving me, my heart constricted in my ribcage at the thought.

I don't even wanna think where she is, cause I know exactly with whom she is and I dreaded it with all in me, after all, I put her through, put myself through this wasn't supposed to happen, she was supposed to stay safe and with me, I couldn't let her go, I promised to keep her safe and I failed in doing so because of this b*tch behind me.

My hands fisted in resistance, I wanted to hurt her so badly, I was losing it, I could hear his words ring in my head like a hellfire over and over again, all the threats he promised me to put her through once he gets his hands on her, I was f*cking her up to prevent this sh*t and this b*tch she called her best friend ruined everything.

"Xavier!!" I was snapped back into reality when her hand scrapped my hand, trying to turn me around and I did, my throat burning like fire, I could feel helpless tears starting to form in my eyes and I knew the reason for all my suffering was standing right in front of me.

Shana wouldn't have tried to get away from me if it wasn't for this b*tch, I wouldn't have lost her, she would've been safe.

"You did this," I stated grimly, doing everything in my power to not actually lose my temper on her.

"How could you say t—" I cut her off, striding towards her as she stumbled away from me, grabbing her shoulders harshly and yanking her forward with all my might, her perfect hair hurling in different directions before shoving her back, she wobbled back but managed to find her footing.

"You tried to take her away!!" I snarled at her.

"Yes! I wanted her far from a monster like you!!" She yelled back almost in the same ferocity.

I frustratingly passed my fingers through my hair, my hands shaking to let out my anger somewhere, on someone, anyone, a taunting chuckle slipping past my lips at the ignorant b*tch in front of me.