Alle Kapitel von His collateral : Kapitel 11 – Kapitel 20

"Hi." A soft voice followed the sound of the door opening. "I brought you lunch." Elena turned from the window where she had been standing, staring out at the grounds below. The girl at the door carried a tray with both hands, a bright smile on her face. She wore a sundress and fluffy slippers, hair piled into a messy bun. Elena recognized her immediately. The girl who had knocked two weeks ago informing Mr. Black of his late night visitor. The same girl whose curious eyes had darted past his shoulder into the room before he pulled the door shut and answered "no one" to her question. Elena looked away, returning her gaze to the window. "Anne was a bit occupied so I offered to help." The girl explained, closing the door behind her. "Where should I put this?" She muttered. "Leave it on the table." Elena replied flatly. "Oh. Thanks."

The sound of a door slamming shut echoed through the hallway, followed by frantic and heavy footsteps. Elena pressed her ear against the door of her room, listening. Hushed voices drifted through, almost inaudible. She pushed her hair back, leaning closer."Doctor, is he going to make it?" She heard Sara ask, her voice heavy."The bullet removal surgery went well. We can only hope for the best." A man's voice answered."Then why isn't he awake yet? It has been hours now." Sara's voice cracked. "I can't bear to see him this way." She broke down, her shaky sobs filling the air.Elena straightened, a long sigh escaping her lips as she walked back to her bed. She sat at its edge, staring at the marble tiled floor. The situation was more serious than she had thought. She had always wished him dead, prayed for harmful circumstances to befall him, but now that it was happening she couldn't help but feel sympathetic.Wasn't this self betrayal?Pitying the very man who held her hostage. His de

Lucien's finger moved then stilled. It moved again, this time a soft beeping breaking through the silence. For a while there was nothing but that sound, the darkness and the insistent pull urging him to open his eyes. His head throbbed like there was a marathon going on inside it. His lids too heavy to lift.He tried anyway.Light bled in, blurry and unfamiliar, before his eyes slipped shut again, dragging him toward unconsciousness. He resisted it, forcing them open once more, blinking repeatedly to keep himself awake. Then came the dryness, raw and burning, his throat aching for relief."Water." He rasped, barely hearing his own voice.His gaze moved slowly around the space as the environment registered.His room.Where was everyone? And why did his body feel as though every bone had been broken?He turned his head to the side, squinting against the harsh sunlight spilling through the windows. His brows drew together.Someone had actually dared to open his curtains.Irritation flick

"Hurry up. Lu has been waiting in the car for almost thirty minutes. He might change his mind if we waste any more time." Sara said, slipping her arm through Elena's. "You look stunning by the way." She complimented. "I'm glad you agreed to come. I promise we'll have a good time." "A good time." Elena whispered, a knowing smile tugging at her lips. That was the least of her reasons for agreeing to this outing. The opportunity she had been waiting for had finally arrived when she least expected it, and she intended to seize it. After leaving Lucien's room that morning she had returned to her own, spending the rest of the day wallowing in regret and reprimanding herself for being too empathetic and soft hearted toward a man who should be her enemy. Then Sara had appeared at her door. "Lu's taking me shopping this weekend. Do you want to come?" She asked, poking her head inside. "No." Elena had answered

 "Are you sure you don't want to change into something else?" Sara asked, tapping the key card against the door. It beeped and clicked open. "I picked a dress that would suit you perfectly. Do you want to try it?" "No. I'll pass. I'm comfortable in what I'm wearing." Elena said, her eyes sweeping across the room as she stepped in behind Sara. She paused. A luxurious room with ceiling to floor transparent walls displaying the breathtaking night view of the city stretched before her. Polished marble floors that glowed as though made of glass. An extra large king sized bed covered with spotless quality sheets. Elena's mouth fell open. How much was Lucien Black worth exactly? Spending what seemed like a small fortune just so his sister could change before dinner. The thought alone was staggering. "Do you like the room?" Sara asked, opening the huge w