Vanquished (The Encounter #3)(43)

“A million Euros is my asking price,” he uttered, smiling towards me before raising his brow towards Julien, whom he considered as my money well.

Julien broke into a hysterical fit of laughter, making my father appear uncomfortable, but his face darkened. Not in anger, but something else, something much worse. I wasn’t sure what that truly was until I saw him pull something out of his back pocket and loosely hold a revolver in his hand. Then he tauntingly twirled it around his finger before he began to whistle.

All blood drained from my face.

“Papa!” I screeched, not sure if I should duck under the table or run for my life.

Julien was halfway to his feet when my father stopped him by pointing the bloody gun at him. “Settle down now. I’m not here to kill anyone … yet.” He smirked, loving the high he got from being in charge of the situation. “One million Euros by tomorrow night. I want it in cash, or I will take out that lovely cunt sporting that sparkly diamond on her finger.” He shrugged then retraced his steps and disappeared.

I sat frozen as I heard Julien call for someone to catch him, but for some reason, Constantin took another route and exited toward the beach or maybe around the garden. They weren’t sure yet, but they were definitely scouring the grounds for him since he hadn’t left from the direction he had come from.

Why was everyone trying to kill me? What sort of f*cked up destiny did I have to deserve such fate?

While I tried to compose myself after the entire thing, I was still zoning in and out as I stared at the beautiful table setting. Then I felt Julien’s hand on my shoulder and saw him frowning down at me.

“Hugo wants you back in the chateau. We both agree it’s safer there, and it also helps that not a lot of people know the place even exists,” he gently informed me with a worried look on his face. “I have to fly out tomorrow night to New York for a couple of days to settle something important. With you being pregnant and sick most of the time, Hugo and I think going with me wouldn’t be ideal. You need rest, and he’ll make sure you’re well taken care of.”

The thought of staying at the chateau brought me immense relief. I knew it was odd to feel such a profound connection to a place I had only stayed in once, but I loved it there.

“Will Hugo be busy travelling, as well?” These men had hectic schedules—I already knew that—so I hoped they wouldn’t compromise their empires by making sure I was safe.

Tonight, it was my fault for telling Julien to bring my father in. I shouldn’t have. A million Euros, my bloody f*cking arse. He would get his comeuppance soon enough. I didn’t doubt that he had come across someone who wouldn’t put up with his rubbish and would simply take him down without hesitation.

“I think he might be, but I couldn’t be sure. Knowing his frame of mind at the moment, he’d rather make sure you are secured. You can leave whenever you feel like would best suit you tomorrow. There’s no rush, just as long as you get there by nightfall.”

I merely nodded, and when he asked if I was still up to have dinner, I requested it be sent to the bedroom since I wasn’t sure when I would feel hungry. Besides, I wanted to pack for the trip tomorrow. Truth be told, I would feel much more comfortable at the chateau than here. I didn’t mean to sound ungrateful. This place was truly amazing, but the chateau had that homey feel to it. My soul felt lighter there. And at times like these, when tension ran high and I was constantly on high alert, the chateau would do me a world of good. Pregnancy was exhausting enough. Taking on a mirage of people who wanted me gone … Well, that was another thing altogether.

My life was in shambles, and the best I could do was to toughen my core, my armor, or I would breakdown like any sane, normal person would. If it weren’t for the twins, I would probably have surrendered already.

Glancing at the beautiful ring on my finger, I wondered if it was enough to keep me secure.

Julien thought me unyielding, indestructible.

I should believe myself as such.





Chapter Twenty-Two


Hugo





“Isobel’s father is here to see you, Mr. Xavier,” Beno?t informed me with a disapproving look on his face.

After the blasted man had threatened his own flesh and blood, how in God’s name did he dare to come here?

“Tell him to leave my property right this second, or he’ll land himself in jail. If it weren’t for the fact that Isobel might be affected by such a notion, he’d be in there already.”

The last thing I wanted to deal with was Constantin Callas. The man was below anything despicable. I already had a lot going on, and I needed to make sure I got all my work addressed so I could focus on Isobel when she got to the chateau tomorrow. It was a given that I would be there until Julien was back. Although, I had to admit I was beyond ticked that he hadn’t done much protecting of Isobel. She could have been shot, but he had argued that he had to give Isobel that option. Constantin was her blasted father, after all.

Beno?t remained in the library, as if conflicted. Frowning, I sent him a questioning gaze.

“Is there more to be said about this?”

“The man said he had some information that might interest you, something rather important.”

Oh, the blasted f*ckery. The tricks were laughable at this point.

“Tell him to give it up, yeah? Real men in this world have jobs and simply don’t have the jolly ol’ time for such follies.”