Married To A Duke

Killed

Amelie

The knock at the door had me wincing where I sat on the floor at the corner of my bedroom. I couldn’t sit or lay down on the bed, it hurt too much for that. After my father had tired of hitting me with his hand, he had used a belt. And unlike other times I was sure this time he had drawn blood, but I couldn’t bring myself to look.

The door opened and my father’s right hand man came stepped inside. I looked at him from my position as he eyes roamed the room and then came to settle on me. “You are needed downstairs.” He said. It had been a whole day and another evening has rolled in. I hadn’t talked or seen anyone since someone helped me in my room last night. “Angus refused to marry you.” He said. “Are you going to obey or not?” He questioned next.

I decided to do as asked because I didn’t think my body could take another beating. As I moved past him out into the corridor, he said, “Choose your battles, Amelie. Only fight when you are sure of your win or when you have the strongest ally on your side.”

I paused and turned halfway to look at him. His face was poised in a careful mask, it was like the advice wasn’t even spoken by him. I silently made my way in the direction of my father’s office but a soft touch to my arm indicated for me to walk toward the main door.

When I stepped out of the wooden doors, standing there was my father. But what had me gasping was a man on his knees at the bottom of the stairs. “Next time it will be you.” My father said and a moment later the gunshot rang out in the night.

The echo of the gunshot reverberated through my body. And for a moment as I watched his lifeless body slumping down on the concrete driveway of my father's house, I forgot about the pain echoing through every part of me instead all I could see or hear was his face that I had once loved as he had begged and pleaded before my father shot him into dead silence.

But no matter how much I tried I couldn’t make myself cry, not even a single tear escaped for the cruel way he died. May be, because I have already cried all the tears. Even as I stood there on top of the stairs, watching the blood slowly spreading all over the ground, bruised and probably bleeding, I could just stare away. For a moment I wished that it was me. I wished it was my blood, the essence of my life seeping into the concrete. But I wasn’t so lucky.

I watched as two of my father’s man dragged Adam’s lifeless body away, leaving behind smears of blood and nothing else.

“Boss?” I heard someone coming outside, felt eyes on me but didn’t look up.

“Angus left. He refused to marry the soiled goods.”

Soiled goods. I wanted to smile but my lips won’t move. All I could feel was like something was about to happen. Like the moment where the song ups into a crescendo, and you know this is it. My eyes lifted and I saw the iron gates opening, a car was coming through them.

“It doesn’t matter.” I heard my father saying, felt him coming closer. A moment later his fingers wrapped around my upper arm, and pain shot through my whole hand. But I didn’t flinch as I waited, because I knew it was coming. Whatever it was. Today, I’d live or I’d die. The car came to a stop just beside where a few moments ago someone was killed. The front door opened and the driver stepped out to open the backdoor for someone. A man.

Gleaming leather shoe stepped out one by one, a man stood there in blood. “Meet your future husband.” My father said and then tsked. “More like an owner and he needs an heir because at this age it’s difficult for him, I guess.”

I watched as a man, most probably in his sixties started walking towards us. Owner. My f*****g father sold me. And finally I felt something, I stepped forward. My father’s fingers tightened but when I looked at him, they slowly slipped away.

Once again my eyes went to the iron gates, the men were starting to close them. I turned around and faced my father, because before I do what I planned, I wanted to at least do this.

My father’s dark brown eyes lifted to me and I said, “I wanted to tell you one thing, father…” I shook my head and he frowned. “You don’t deserve even that, Gregory Wesley.” And then I c****d my elbow back and punched him directly in the face.

I felt everyone going still around me. I could hear that even the air stilled, but I didn’t wait as I whirled around and made a run for it.

Fisting the skirt of my white sundress, I ran away from the man that was my only family. I ran toward the iron gates, my bare feet slapping on the still warm from the sun concrete that scratched against my soles. My hair flying in every direction but all I could focus on those iron gates that represented freedom.

I heard him calling and yelling to his men to stop me. Heard heavy footsteps coming after me, and with renewed energy I made my feet run faster. Faster.

“Stop, or I’ll shoot.” I heard and my heart jumped in my chest.

Fuck. I knew, he would. He was a f*****g bastard. I don’t know how I ever thought that he’d ever change. Just let me escape, please god. Just few feet.

I heard a buzzing sound, just as I felt a burn short through my arm. My feet faltered, because I could feel the warm liquid gushing down my arm. He shot at me. A man stood at the iron gate. His eyes wide and looking at me then behind me. “Please. Please. Please.” I murmured as another man standing on opposite side started to pull the gate closed. The man who was looking at me, gave me a barely there nod and I watched as slowly, so slowly moved the gate, giving me a chance to pass through.

I ran until my bare feet hurt so much that I couldn't put another foot forward. I ran until black dots danced in front of my eyes and I stumbled. Licking my dry lips and finally taking in my surroundings I realised that I was far enough. I rested my back against the wall and looked at my arm. The blood was dripping down my fingers and it burned and pained like hell. I wanted to scream my lungs out at the unfairness of it all but I settled on tearing a part of my dress and carefully tied it around my arm with the help of my mouth. I sucked in a breath as my whole arm screamed in agony with the movement.

Breathing through my mouth, I made my way out of the alley I was in. If I was right then I was two blocks away from my father's house and that would put me closer to the main market. I rounded the corner and tucked my arm close to my body but still some of the people gazed at me. Shocked. And then looking away, afraid they’d be roped in something they didn't want a part of. I didn't even hate them for it, for ignoring a person who clearly needs help. I just wish I had that choice.

I stumbled to a cab that was ready to pull away. The cab driver gave me a look and said, “No.”

“Please…” I pleaded. “Just… just drop me at French Quarters.” Breathing was becoming a chore. “Please…” When he still looked unmoved, I said, “I will pay you as much as you want.”

He squinted his eyes at me and even though he looked unsure he nodded. “Hop in, then.”

As soon as I sat in the back seat and my body found the mere minimum of comfort, it started to loose all its strength. I blinked heavily trying to keep awake but still I must have dozed off as when next I blinked my eyes open the brightly lit streets of French Quarters were around me and the driver was slowing the car. “No.” I said. “Not here, the old and big building at the corner.”

“The gated lane?” He asked and started driving when I gave him a nod.

A few minutes later we were outside the place that would save me from my father, or the people inside it would. My eyes prickled with tears at the thought of my best friend. Summer. It has been quite sometime since I last met her. My father had locked me since he saw me with Adam and I wasn’t even allowed any interaction with the outside world even on the phone.

“Thank you so much.” I said to the cabbie. “And, don’t worry you’ll get your money.” I pushed open the car door with a grunt and wobbled on my feet as I stepped out.

As I made my way toward the gate I wondered what I’d say to her. Or for that matter what I’d say to her husband. Both Summer and Gabriel didn’t need this kind of trouble at their door, but I didn’t have anywhere else to run to. Kat’s father has influence but Gabriel Wolfe is the King. When I reached the door, two men in black uniforms with rifles at their side appeared from either side watching me from behind the gate. They looked at me like they would shoot any moment and ask the questions later.

I swàllowed and rasped out, “I am here to meet Gabriel and Summer.” Silence. “I am her friend.” More silence.

“Are you sure you’re at the right place, lady?” The cabbie hollered. “Will I get my money or not!”

I turned back to the security men. “If you’ll please ask them, my name is Amelie—” I broke off as someone else appeared on the other side.

“What’s going on here? Who’s there?” A familiar voice asked.

“Zurich? It’s Ami, Amelie, Summer’s friend.” I heard him ordering the men to open the gate for me and a moment later I was stepping inside.

Zurich’s eyes raked over me and I saw as concern and horror flashed on his face. “What happened?” He asked, hurriedly coming to my side.

I swàllowed. It was getting hard to not cry now when he looked at me with such genuine concern and the thought of meeting Summer only made me more emotional. “I need help…” I whispered. He nodded and started to help me toward the house when I said, “I will manage, can you please…” I gestured to the cab still waiting a few feet away from the gates. “Pay him.”

He gave me a nod and said, “Wait, I’ll be right back.”

But I didn’t wait as I was anxious to get inside.

Are you guys all in for the journey ahead!!!