Chapter 73

Nicholas

Perfect. Absolutely perfect. Everything is going according to plan. With Hannah at my beck and call, Dylan and his brothers won’t know what hit them until it’s finally too late.

Smirking softly, I move to lean back against my leather sofa. My eyes now on the blazing fire I had stationed before me as I move to enjoy the peaceful silence. My hand quick to raise my glass as I move to sip my drink.

The whiskey a slow burn going down my throat as I continued to sit there and reflect. Having done some initial digging of my own I eventually learnt from one of my local resources that before Ella had come into the picture that Dylan had been seeing Hannah Fletcher.

Ms. Fletcher a woman from high class society. Her father a highly sought after surgeon. And while it’s not my place to meddle in other people’s affairs, I did do my own research on the matter and learned that Dylan and she had dated once.

And while the feelings were mutual at one time or another, that didn’t seem to stop Hannah from cheating on Dylan with that of an old high school sweetheart. The scandal enough to end their otherwise perfect relationship. Now 2 years later and with harboring feelings, Hannah’s presence is the perfect opportunity I needed to throw a wrench into their ever growing relationship.

I just hoped that Hannah could deliver the results I needed otherwise hunting her down was for nothing.

Lost to my thoughts, I almost fail to hear the sound of knocking until a thick Russian voice moves to speak directly behind me. The voice pulling me back to my current surroundings.

“Boss. Shall we continue to watch the girl?”

“Yes Misha. I want eyes and ears on her at all times.”

“As you wish Boss” with that said does Misha move to leave the room, allowing me complete silence once again. My hand raising my glass once more as I continued to sip my whiskey silently.

\~~~~~~~~~

Caleb

It’s late into the evening by the time we eventually arrive home from having dinner. The affair tense after running into Hannah over at the restaurant that it was amazing at how smoothly it had ran shortly after.

But I guess that also depended on how one looked at it as well. Because if one looked closer, one would be able to tell that Ella was still pretty tense about the whole ordeal with Hanna and upon closer inspection one could tell she had been crying.

Naturally.

Sighing, I move to look over at my clock. Midnight. Sighing again, I move to roll out of bed. Unable to sleep I decide to head downstairs and towards the kitchen for something to drink. Mom always giving up something warm to drink to help soothe the nerves.

Mom. Our once source of love and support. For even though Ella’s mother wasn’t our biological mom, she still managed to love us no matter what. And now with both her and dad gone from the picture things were a lot different now. And not in a bad way either. No, complete opposite actually.

In fact, its one of the many reasons we had Ella now.

Sighing again, I slowly approach the kitchen only to pause when I spot the faint glow of a light. The light catching my attention as I slowly move to approach the room only to halt. My eyes now on the person. Ella. Curious as to why she was up this late do I move to approach her, careful not to scare her as I do. My voice soft.

“Ella? Why are you up baby?”

Shifting her focus over to me do I instantly see big, red eyes. A clear indication she had been crying again as I move to pull her into my arms. My earlier thoughts gone as the need to comfort Ella rose.

“Ella? Baby? What’s wrong? Why are you crying?”

Clinging to my chest in an attempt to be closer does Ella move to sniffle.

“Caleb….”

Holding my tongue I move to wait for her. Not wanting to discourage her from speaking. Another sniffle rising as she moves to speak yet again.

“Caleb… I miss them. I miss mom. Mom use to be my biggest supporter as a child and now I don’t even have her to talk to anymore.”

Surprised by this do I move to rub her back. My hand moving to create small soothing circles in an attempt to calm her down. Unsure of what could have brought this on so suddenly.

“That’s not true baby. You have us. You have Kris, Grant and Hayden. Each of us are your biggest support team. And while mom and dad might be gone, it doesn’t mean we are. We’re still here” I say, hoping to offer her a sense of ease and stability.

“But it’s not the same.”

“Oh? And how so?”

“Because… you wouldn’t understand. You’re a guy. Kris maybe but the rest of you wouldn’t”

Confused by her words I try to wrack my head around her words. Unsure of what to say do I move to voice my concern right there and then.

“Baby, is this about Dylan and Hannah?”

Shaking her head she moves to mutter a no.

“Then what? Is this about your dancing career? You know you can go. Reece and Dylan both said you could and that they would even go with you while you studied. Including me if you wanted me too.”

“It’s not just dance Caleb. It’s other things too”

“Like what? Tell me baby please… tell me so we can help fix this”

“Nicholas”

At the mention of his name do I instantly tense. A part of me annoyed that he was the source of Ella’s pain and suffering. My hold on her now a protective one. The need to know if he’s done anything else to her since our return home rising.

“Has he reached out to you?”

“No”

“Nightmare?”

“No”

“Then what?”

“It’s nothing. I swear it. In fact I only came downstairs so I could get a drink of water before going to bed. My throat was parched” replies Ella in an attempt to move. To dodge anymore questions I might throw her way.

“Bullshit Ella. Your clearly upset about something here. And don’t you dare say it’s because of mom and dad. They’ve been gone now for almost 2 months. Now why were you crying. If it’s not Nicholas or Hannah then why?”

“I’m stressed okay!”

“Stressed?”

“Yes… stressed. Between Reece’s Masquerade ball and finally turning 18 to Nicholas wanting me and my father’s company that I’m lost. I’m lost at what to do. And now with Hannah in the picture I have to worry about her too. This is why I wished mom was here because mom would know what to do.”

Surprised by the confession do I carefully move to let Ella go. Ella quick to pull away before dashing for her room. Currently too stunned to chase after her. Multiple emotions now running through me that I completely forget why I was downstairs to begin with. Ella’s presence a distraction.

Groaning, I move to head back for my room. My drink now forgotten as I needed to talk to Reece and Dylan first thing in the morning. As the talk during dinner never happened all thanks to Hannah and her presence.