His Temptation

In safety…

Chapter 21

In safety…

I stare with outrage at the apartment door.

I'm gawking in disbelief.

I am frozen to the core.

I need to wrap my arms around Angelica to feel her and know she is safe.

The thought of losing Angelica fills my heart with immense fear.

I grab her more harshly than I meant to; I need her. Holding her close to me, the vibrations of anger and dread are calming down. My thoughts sadden me, but it's true; I have never loved a woman as I love Angelica. I would give everything I have to have her by my side every day for the rest of my life. She isn't just mine. Angelica is the woman I was always meant to meet and love; I am sure of that. She is the love of my life.

I whispered some words of nonsense in her ear because it was all that came into my mind. Then I pulled out the axe from the door to take the note. I need that.

I don't let her go for a moment. I realized I held her too roughly; I was letting go a little bit, so I held her gently. I led her to the elevator; I wanted her with me. I need her at my house. It's what I tell her, that I want her to spend the night in my house where she's safe. I say it with gritted teeth and a stiff jaw. I worry it makes me sound hostile. I look at her face, her eyes glossy and just a heartbeat from tears.

I feel dejected to let her go long enough for her to sit in the car. I swiftly take my seat on the driver's side. Immediately, I take her hand in mine, trying to comfort her, finding the right things to say. Right now, I feel her need for me not to speak, letting her go through the emotions and giving her room to think.

I called Dominic to arrange a hotel room for Kyle to stay for a few days. He does without questions, and I tell him to let Kyle know I will call and explain why he can't go to his apartment, and I have a good reason for this action. I also told Dom to tell Kyle that Angelica is safe with me. The silence between Angelica and myself is usually filled with love and comfort, but now it's heavy sadness. Angelica takes me out of my thoughts of everything I need to do.

"Nathan, are you sure you want me in your house? I could just get a hotel room to stay in."

"Sweetheart, I don't want you alone and absolutely not out of my sight. I am sure. I want you to stay with me."

Streets and buildings are blurred. We left the city core and were surrounded by trees. Wild, untamed forest surrounds the road that leads up to my chateau, which has been in my family for generations. The oldest son of the family has always inherited it. I can't say why, but I come to think of the fact that in my family, a girl hasn't been born in the last one hundred years. Secretly, I always wanted a beautiful daughter, a little girl to spoil. Looking at my sweetheart, I imagine her giving me a pretty little blonde girl with blue eyes. Just like Angelica's, not like mine, brown.

I park by the entrance and turn the engine off. Take her hand to my lips and kiss it feather-light. She looks at me with tears in her eyes. I take her into my embrace and hold her tight.

"Come, Sweetheart, let's go inside."

I take her to the third floor and give her a room close to mine. This room is like a suite, just like mine. In the long-forgotten past, it was the suite that was made for the wife of the chateau. I only want her close to me. I thought she didn't want to share a bed with me. I show her the suite and tell her a maid will soon come with clothes for her. I tell her she can shower or rest if she wishes. I have a few calls to make, and then I will be back to check on her before dinner. She momentarily lets go of my hand only to throw herself in my arms. Only for a moment, then looking earnestly into my eyes and saying with the gravest sincerity,

"Thank you!"

"Sweetheart, it's nothing. I wish I could do more. Tell me if you need anything, and I will ensure you have it."

With those words, I leave her. I feel silly and powerless. Her sadness is as much mine. I would do anything to see her smile again. I meant every word I told her, yet it felt foolish; it sounded dumb when I said them. I hope to collect my thoughts and get some sense into my mind before seeing her again. I walk down to my office on the first floor. I sit in my chair, imagining her angelic smile. I call Kyle, and I hear his fretful voice; it is unsteady. I quickly explained what had happened, that I would deal with this, and that he shouldn't worry about it or Angelica. She is safe with me, and I will take good care of her. I told Kyle to take tomorrow off; he insisted that he was okay to work. I tell him again that he can still have some time off how much he needs. We said our goodbyes, and he made me promise to take care of Angelica and give his greeting to her. I don't want anything more than to take care of her. I can't wait until she is mine. I no longer care that I promised myself never to fall in love. I have passed the line long ago; as soon as I saw her, I passed the line. I'm lost in my thoughts about Angelica but am reminded that I need to find out who would do a thing like that to Angelica. With resolve, I called my friend in the police force. I need him to look into this. He promises to get on it right away. Peter asked if he could have access to all cameras in my company and if I had saved the note that was on the door. I tell him with a smile I have the note here at home. I tell Peter I love to give him access to anything he needs to find this person.

"Can I come by tomorrow to get the note and get the codes to the company?"

"Yes, that's perfect. I appreciate anything you can do to help. See you tomorrow."

"Bye for now."

"Bye."