Lahat ng Kabanata ng Abyss.: Kabanata 31 - Kabanata 37

The house was still dark at 6:47 a.m. I stood in the foyer, arms crossed, watching Alexander and the team move like shadows through the pre-dawn light. Four men at the front gate, two at the side entrance, one already in the black SUV idling outside.Radios clipped low, earpieces in, eyes scanning every angle of the driveway.Alexander approached first, voice low and steady.“Perimeter locked, sir. Two cars flanking hers the whole way, one lead. Airport’s cleared, VIP escort from curb to gate. Eyes on every exit.”I nodded once, “No one gets near her. Not a photographer, not a fan, not some asshole asking for directions. If anyone even breathes in her direction too long, you pull her the fuck out. No hesitation.”Alexander didn’t blink. “Understood.”I looked at him hard. “She’s my everything. If something happens to her, it happens to me. If she so much as twists an ankle because someone blinked, I’ll hold every single one of you responsible. Personally.”“Yes sir.” He said.“Good.”

I stood in the doorway of the bathroom, gun heavy in my hand, watching her tremble under the table like a frightened animal. The two men behind me stayed silent, waiting for my order. The suite smelled like expensive perfume and fear, her fear. It made my chest tighten in a way that felt almost sweet. Isabelle’s eyes were wide, panic written all over her face. Her silver dress was rumpled, hair messy from the event, but she still looked like a goddamn queen. My queen. Even now, cornered, she was the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen.She crawled out slowly, voice shaking. “Lucas… why are you here? What are you doing? Put the gun down please.”I didn’t move. I just watched her stand up, hands raised like I was some stranger. The sight of her afraid of me twisted something ugly and warm in my gut.“I’m here for you,” I said simply, almost amused. “What else would I be doing here?”Her breath hitched. “For me… with a gun? Are you crazy? Lucas, this isn’t you. Put it away, talk to me

My eyelids felt glued together with sleep and salt. When they finally parted, the world swam into focus in slow, nauseating waves.The ceiling above me was too high, vaulted wood beams stained dark, a crystal chandelier hanging like a frozen waterfall. The sheets beneath me were crisp, cool, scented faintly with lavender detergent and something richer, more expensive. I blinked hard. My body felt heavy, drugged, like my limbs belonged to someone else.Where am I?I turned my head. The room was enormous. Pale gray walls, floor-to-ceiling windows draped in sheer white curtains that billowed gently even though the air was still. A four-poster bed, silk canopy, antique dresser, a velvet chaise by the fireplace. Everything screamed money. Old money.I sat up too fast. The room tilted. My wrists ached, red marks circled them like bracelets. No zip-ties now. Just skin that remembered.I looked down. Pajamas. Soft cream silk, long-sleeved, button-up. I wasn't wearing this, I was in my silver