31

CHAPTER THIRTY ONE
GABRIELLE
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I squirmed under his penetrating stare, thankfully, I had returned the key to its position when I heard the sound of the door.
"What are you doing here?" The sound of his voice jolted me slightly, at least he didn't sound or look upset...yet.
"I..." My frantic brain couldn't think of anything to say.
I thought he wasn't supposed to return from his study for at least a few hours. This would probably explain why the door had been kept unlocked, it was because he had planned on returning.
His frosty eyes were still staring at me expectantly for an answer, even worse was when he started to approach, each stride as intimidating as that of a feral creature.
"I...w..wanted..."
In four heavy strides, he was in front of me, my legs were too paralyzed to even move an inch, my heart was pounding so hard, my mind and body wouldn't be able to take it if he decided to punish me for sneaking into his room.
"What did you want, wife? " He murmured, brushing off a strand of hair with a finger.
"You!" I blurted without thinking.
The corner of his lips twitched as though he was amused by my stupid slip. If I didn't know how instantaneous his mood could change, I might have been relieved.

"I...mean, I was looking for y...you. The door was opened, so...I..thought I would wait here, but if you mind my presence, I can just leave."
I sidestepped him but didn't get so lucky when his fingers curved around my arm, spinning me to face him.
"You didn't tell me why you were looking for me. You even touched my things. "
My heart leaped to my throat, I hadn't gotten the time to close the wardrobe and I also couldn't tell if I kept the key the exact way he had left it, He surely couldn't notice something as little as that right?
"I'm sorry, I.. l..looked around a bit." I stammered.
"Or perhaps you were searching for something, did you find it, wife? You asked around, you knew I was in my study, still, you came here!"A tight smile spread across his face, the fingers around my arms jerked me closer to him. He moved too fast, a low whimper escaped my mouth at the pain his action brought to my hurtful wrist.
There was a brief flash in his eyes as he slowly lifted my hand toward his face, he slowly traced the red swollen skin with a finger, his movement surprisingly gentle than what I had expected. I made the foolish mistake of thinking he was concerned about me until his next words.
"This wouldn't have happened if you didn't try to run from me, you deserve it, wife." He glared coldly.
I chewed back a quick response, even if I had somehow managed to get away with telling him how I hated him last night and then pointing a gun at him this morning, something told me not to push my luck. He would only hurt me, and he would feel no remorse even though I was already this injured.
"Why do you always want to run from me when you are already mine? I'm your husband until death do us apart, and even then, I'm still going to find you, Always. How long will it take for you to understand that I'm the only person who will ever be in your life."
I flinched when his fingers touched my lower jaw and neck area.
"The marks prove exactly just that and how determined I am to claim you again and again until you understand how much mine you are!" He growled, still glaring at me with simmering grey eyes.
Tears burned in my eyes until I couldn't see him clearly.
"I'm s..sorry. It's all my fault." I whispered, trying to withdraw my injured hand from his, but he wouldn't let go.
"I'm s...sorry! You are r..right." I sobbed, I saw the questions in his eyes.
"I'm s..sorry for fighting you last night, you are my husband, I should never have held that gun as w..well." I managed to push out the words from my throat, bitterness laced my insides but I had no other choice.
If he was ever going to trust me, it would only happen when I give him what he wanted. Or at least pretend to give him everything he desired of me.
I told myself right now that I wasn't betraying Derek, this was probably our only way out.
"You were right about it last night Lucian, I don't have anywhere to go, except where I belong, with you. I wanted to tell you that in your study, but I was scared that you would still be mad a..and will h..hurt me, so I came here." I swallowed hard, hearing his sharp intake of breath, when I met his eyes, I almost wished I didn't. He was staring at me with that intense fascinated look that I'd seen before.
I grew uncomfortable under his continuous stare, I realized that he no longer seemed angry at me, I wondered if I managed to convince him.
"I'm s..sorry, I looked around your t..things, I swear I was only curious, I've never been inside here that's why it isn't what you're thinking!" I paused to inhale deeply, I didn't think I've ever been this nervous, my heart was pounding so hard, I was scared that he was going to hear and detect my lies.
"I don't want you to h..hurt me anymore, you said you wouldn't if I obeyed. I don't want to fight anymore Lucian, I'm never going to win."
I inhaled sharply when his fingers caressed the ring on my finger, there was a pleased gleam in his eyes. This wasn't one of those cruel smiles he usually wore whenever he hurts me. For the first time since I have known him, he seemed truly happy. I couldn't tear my eyes away from almost how different he looked.
I think I successfully convinced him.
I didn't think it would be this easy to make this cold ruthless man believe me.
"I knew you would definitely come to your senses, Brie."
I tensed when he kissed my forehead, I realized the coiled sensation in my stomach was regret.
No. I wasn't feeling a bit sorry for this monster!
He'd hurt me so many times, he kept Derek prisoner and ruined his fingers only to teach me a lesson. If there was something I would ever feel for him, it would be hate and disgust. When I would succeed in escaping, he would understand the pain of being fooled.
His lips found mine and I whispered at the painful sensation, he pulled back a bit, I could read the indecision in his eyes, he was deliberating whether to pounce and feast on me or not.
"It h..hurts" I whispered, I would be lying if I said I wasn't shocked when he took a step back.
Without a word, he started to leave until I called out to him.
"Can I go outside sometimes? Perhaps go for a little shopping, I have only been in this house since we came here."
It felt almost as if the whole room turned rigid, maybe I shouldn't have asked about leaving the house right now?
He slowly turned around to face me, I was flooded with relief when I didn't see anything like suspicion in his eyes.
"Almost everyone out there knows your identity, even though it would be foolish for any of them to test me, it wouldn't be completely safe for you out there. What do you need? I will have someone get them for you."
My insides churned with disappointment, even if I discover Derek's location, it would be useless if I couldn't leave the house.

"I need a cellphone, I didn't bring mine along."
He nodded and started to leave again, but paused.
"I will have Anya get it before this evening, I discovered you both have been getting quite close. I guess having a friend or two is okay."
My spine grew so stiff, I thought it would snap in half.
How could he know about that? Ever since his return, Anya and I haven't even gotten the chance to meet properly.
The corners of his lips twitched slightly, I could almost swear that he was in my head to know what I was thinking.
"I placed some cameras around on which I could watch you whenever I wanted."
This time, I felt my blood turn to ice.
He had installed cameras?
Why didn't I ever think of that? Fear seized me as I wondered if he see her giving me the pills or heard about plans.
No.
If he had seen or heard, he wouldn't be so calm.
He would be committing a murder, and that victim would be me.
"You don't need to be scared, you did nothing wrong during my absence, except maybe when you crushed my picture with your feet." He chuckled.
Oh god, my eyes widened in shock.
He had seen that?
Thank the heavens he mentioned the cameras now, I would have to inform Anya somehow, we both have to be more careful from henceforth.
He left.
A disturbing feeling formed in my heart, why did all those words of his sound almost like a warning?

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