Chapter 3

Heinrich

She's.

Punch!

Fucking.

Punch. Kick!

Mine.

Punch. Punch. Kick!

"That was my rib cage H."

I watched Griffin try to soothe himself where I landed a severe kick. Nyla has me so far gone, that I realized I'm screwed. I'm completely addicted to her and I would be damned if she doesn't come back. What if she doesn't?

"H, what's up? You seem to be out of it."

"I'm good."

"Woman trouble?"

I flashed him a death glare because he was about to overstep and I don't do personal business with staff.

"Would you rather fight and talk?"

"You sure you can take it?"

"No need to carry around the burden of heartache. I'm no fool, there are only two reasons why you'd lose focus. Money and a woman. She must be special."

I heard the muffled vibration coming from my phone and with the sound, Griffin took his leave. I threw the gloves off and retrieved my phone to see Clover had sent a text.

"I'm here."

I made my way through the hall and heard Clover speaking on the phone. My chest tightened as he put a finger to his mouth to tell me to keep quiet.

"See you soon, doll. I have to go. A client just walked in."

Clover took a seat as he hung up the phone and gave me a sad smile. Was it that fucking obvious?

"You haven't been out here since-"

"I had to get out of the city and clear my head. Tell me that was her?"

He nodded and I took in a deep breath and headed to the bar to pour myself what seems to be my favorite meal other than Nyla, scotch.

I decided to spend some time outside the city and come to my home in the suburbs. The city only reminded me of Nyla and this was my sweet escape. But right now, this wasn't about me, it's about Nyla and I have no time to entertain him. I have no time for games. Shit, I'd barely gotten any sleep, unless I drowned myself in scotch. The unknown was killing me.

"What did she say?"

"We're flying out to see her this upcoming weekend. And before you say anything, no, you cannot come. She's not ready to see you."

"Like hell! If you're going, I'm going."

"She's not ready."

"How do you know that?"

"Because, if she was, she'd be here already and you wouldn't need me."

He was right and I was beginning to become desperate. So desperate, I pulled my brother and his boyfriend in, to help me get my goddess back. She wasn't ready to see me, but I knew that she would be soon. It was only a matter of time. The question is who would break first and the way it was looking, it was going to be me.

I ran a hand through my hair in frustration. This was worse than my divorce, I thought to myself.

"I'm going to try and talk some sense into her because there's no way in hell she's going to marry that asshole."

I felt my jaw clench with the thought of her married. Nyla doesn't belong to anyone but me and I'm willing to do whatever is necessary to get her back.

"I need to see her."

"Heinrich, no. That's a bad idea. Molly said she's been really down since everything happened and although you're the cause of all of this, I think you need to leave it to us."

I gulped the rest of my drink and began pouring myself another. "Did she sound happy?"

"No. I mean, she is going to be showcasing her work, of course she was happy, but not in the way an engaged woman should be."

"Did she mention me?"

Clover's face lit up like a Christmas tree, "You love her!"

"I'm concerned."

Clover chuckled and I felt the room heat up about 10 degrees. Shit, that word does something to me and not in the way it does for others.

"Admit it, you're in love."

"I don't see how that is important."

"Admit it or you're on your own."

"There is no point in uttering the words. Will it change the fact that she's there and I'm here? No. It doesn't change shit. I could've spoken those words there, that night and she still would have left."

I stared into my now empty glass and felt just as empty without her. Clover cleared his throat and I quickly pushed back my emotions.

"You don't have to say the words to me but sooner rather than later, you're going to have to tell her."

Clover spoke, not breaking eye contact. Making sure I understood that opening up is going to have to happen.

"Heinrich, I know that love hasn't always been the easiest thing for you, but you've done it once. I'm sure you can do it again and besides, Nyla is already family."

I felt a tug of a smirk trying to come through as I let my mind wander into the what-ifs. Hope is a dangerous thing and I needed to be careful about giving myself too much hope.

"I have to go, but I will keep you updated."

I was pissed. Although I knew they were going out to visit her, I couldn't help but feel angry. I should be the one going after her.

"Clove, I think I need to go with you," I said to his back, as he was getting ready to head out the door.

"Nyla needs to be handled with finesse right now and you picking her up and throwing her over your shoulder isn't what she needs."

"Are you saying I'm incapable of being nice? She's mine, I know what she needs."

"Funny, you say that now, but you didn't utter those words when she confessed her love for you."

I was seconds away from committing murder and getting away with it, too. It pissed me off that he was right, but I'd kill him just because I wanted to kill something.

"As I said, be ready to confess those feelings."

And with those words, the door closed behind him and I poured myself yet another drink to mull over what to do next.

I woke up in a fog as I heard her voice. Nyla was calling out to me.

"Heinrich."

I stayed seated with my eyes still closed, but I felt myself trying to awake from the dream. I felt the frown that took over my face, as I listened to her pained voice and the familiar ache in my chest was back.

"Heinrich."

In a panic, I finally pulled myself out of the dream and simultaneously dropped my glass onto the plush, white carpet. With that, I awoke with sweat beads formed on my forehead and another stiff cock.

All I had to do was think of her and I was hard as fucking granite. I'm sure the gas bill will be down, due to the constant cold showers. Damn, did I miss her. I pursed my lips and thought about the conversation Clover and I had earlier. If all I had to do was tell her I lo-, I am very fond of her, couldn't she see that?

I walked to my master bathroom, with all of its glass and marble and the fireplace that is adjacent over the Jacuzzi tub. All I could do was think of the key. I'd given it to her and she never questioned what it was to. Maybe she doesn't care anymore.

I pinched the bridge of my nose, trying to push the insecure thoughts away. I'd been a confident and cocky bastard all my life, but now she has me second guessing myself.

"Fuck!"

Just as I swore, my phone buzzed and I screened the call. You've got to be shitting me.

"Peyton."

"Heinrich, I stopped by your place almost a week ago. Where are you?"

I really had no patience for this shit, definitely not right now.

"What I do and where I go is none of your fucking concern," I growled through the phone, pissed at myself for answering.

"It's just that- can we talk in person?"

"No. You lost that privilege the last time we spoke and you spoke ill of my Nyla."

"Your Nyla? Did I hear you correctly?"

"Nyla is mine. Make no mistake about it and I thought I told you not to contact me again?"

"It's not that easy for me, Heinrich."

There was sadness in her voice, but it wasn't because she was losing the man she loved. It was because she was losing her hold over me. We had a mutual divorce, but Peyton held a spot in my heart. Well, she did, until Nyla. Nyla walked into the club and from there, I knew I wanted her and I knew I would have her.

"We're done. This conversation is over."

I hung up the phone before she could spew any more of her venom. I'm a man on a mission and I do not need Peyton trying to deter me. She is the last thing I need to add to the mix of this already heavily complicated ordeal.

The days blurred together as I remained tormented that Nyla was there and I was here. A week had passed and still no word from anyone. I used to revel in silence, now it's pure torture.

"Fuck this!" I said as I grabbed my phone and scrolled to my pilot's number. I was going to her tonight and I wasn't waiting another fucking second.

I dialed the number and before I knew it, my fist smashed into the mirror. I was seconds from blowing fucking steam. My patience has been tested by everyone and I'm fucking tired.

"You took my plane?"

"This is for your own good, Heinrich. We will keep you posted."

The blood leaked from my freshly cut hand as I stared at the now cracked mirror. I'd come to see the reflection was finally showing me what everyone else could see; I was broken without her.