55

Amira’s POV
As Skyler’s words began to register in my mind, my eyes widened. Those venomous words kept running through my head, causing me to gasp. As my ears began to ring, I gripped the bedsheets tightly in my hands, trying to catch my breath. Tears streamed from my eyes, and no matter how hard I tried to pinch myself awake, I remained in the same cruel place.
“Amira, Amira, please come on and breathe for me,” I turned my head to the side after hearing distinct voices.
He instructed me to take deep, steady breaths while gripping my shoulders. My hands instinctively circled around Skyler’s neck once I had regained my composure. He managed to calm my raging heart by whispering soothing words into my ears. I didn’t know what to do at this point; my first instinct was to flee and protect my son, but I couldn’t leave without a plan.
“Skyler, I have to leave,” I whimpered.
His face hardened as he wiped away my tears, and his hands gripped my face tightly. “I’m not going to let you go.”
More tears streamed down his cheeks, but he was quick enough to catch them. “Please, Skyler, I love you, but this is my son, and I have to keep him safe at any cost.”
As he glared at me, he made a sound in the back of his throat. “Even if it means losing your life?”
Swallowing the lump in my throat, I nodded and leaned against his shoulder. His hands encircled me and encased me in his warmth, causing my tears to fall nonstop. I knew putting my life in danger to protect Carl was a risky strategy, but I had to get him no matter what, and I knew he wouldn’t kill me.
I drew back, shakily holding his face and wiping away a tear. “All I want is my baby back, Skyler.”
As more tears fell from his eyes, he opened his eyes and looked at me with a soft expression. My heart split in two as he drew me closer and rested his head on my lap. I knew he was planning something, but I kept it to myself because I knew he’d chain me to the bed and not let me out of his sight.
He got out of bed and picked up his cell phone without saying anything. He dialed a number and waited a minute before the person picked up. His gaze fixed on mine, and his expressionless face sent shivers down my spine. I slowly got out of bed and strode over to him on shaky legs.
“Please don’t ask any questions, Arcado; I’ll explain everything later, but have twenty men ready and armed.” He gave instructions while closing his eyes as the other person said something I couldn’t understand.
He stared at me as he hung up the phone, and I quickly averted my gaze, not wanting to drown myself in his eyes. Slowly approaching me, he came to a halt an inch away and crossed his arms over his chest. His hands crawled around my waist, pinching the bridge of his nose, and he embraced me tightly in his strong arms.
A sob ripped through me once more, and I slumped to the floor, taking Skyler with me. My hands gripped his shirt tightly as I sobbed loudly. As his tears fell down onto my neck, his hands began to gently rub my back in soothing circles. It broke my heart to see him in this state, and if I could, I would take away all his pain and put a smile on his beautiful face.
“Everything will be fine; we’ll get Carl back and he’ll get the punishment he deserves,” He stroked my cheeks and looked me in the eyes.
“You’ll enter the warehouse, and we’ll be right behind you, but we’ll be careful not to make it obvious, okay?”
I nodded and rested my forehead against his.
Because Kendrid was a devil and full of surprises, this plan might not have been the best idea. I’m just hoping we arrive before he does something to Carl. He was a monster who needed to be exterminated; how could he threaten me with his own blood? He was a sick and twisted man who desperately needed help.
Skyler drew my hand out of the room and we both made our way down the stairs after closing the door behind us. Bodyguards were scattered everywhere, and when my gaze fell on a worried Griselda, I tried not to cry again.
“The men are ready,” Dexter said, and Skyler nodded quickly.
“Whatever you’re doing, just make sure you’re safe,” Griselda said as she approached me and hugged me tightly.
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath after immediately hugging her back. After she drew herself away, I gave her a meek smile and entwined my hands with Skyler’s. I exhaled and looked at Skyler, who kissed my brow. There was no turning back.
We all turned around when we heard a shuffle on the stairs. Arcado stood at the edge, expressionless, but when he saw his wife, his eyes softened and he walked over to her. He turned his attention to us after briefly kissing her. He cleared his throat and began to speak while silently observing our expressions.
“We should get started before it’s too late,” He turned around and walked out of the mansion without saying anything.
I began to walk after Skyler as he led us out the door, clutching his hand tightly. Inhaling deeply, I gave Griselda one last gentle smile before returning my attention to the task at hand. We climbed into the last of six cars parked in the driveway. I closed my eyes and laid my head on his shoulder as fear gripped me.
“Please be careful,” I kissed his knuckles quietly.
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Amira’s POV
I squeezed Skyler’s hand as I exhaled deeply and looked forward. Everyone sat there with tense muscles waiting for the car to come to a halt during the car ride. I wished time would stop and we could return to our normal lives, but nothing about this life was normal, and we were far from normal. My son was in the devil’s hands, and I had no idea how to protect him. I wished I hadnt let my father’s words get to me; if I had fought harder for my son, he might still be here, but he wasn’t, instead, he had to suffer as a result of my actions.
Everything that happened was my fault, all of this would not have happened if I had not been naive enough to trust him. P erhaps my parents would still be alive and I would be able to marry Skyler as I’ve always wanted it to be. Before meeting Kendrid, I had this fantasy of meeting the right person for me and marrying with only a few guests. But my marriage to Kendrid was rushed, and I despised the idea of being bound to him.
But if those events had not occurred, I would not have met Skyler, and the thought sent shivers down my spine. In a short period of time, he has transformed into someone I gave my whole heart to, knowing he would cherish it. Skyler was the polar opposite of Kendrid; he was gentle, caring, and always loving and that’s what made me fall for him every time.
When the car came to a stop, I shook my head and gripped Skyler’s hand tighter. He looked at me, softly stroking my cheeks, as if he was trying to memorize my face. I was probably looking at him the same way; who knows what will happen once I walk through those ugly doors; my only hope is that we all come out alive; so many lives were at stake here because of his heinous actions.
Skyler leaned in closer and kissed my forehead, his lips lingering for a long moment before he forced himself to pull away. Unwanted tears streamed from my eyes, which I quickly closed when his lips kissed away. He finally stopped at my lips and took them in his.
“I love you,” As he drew away, he whispered those lovely words as he .
I took a deep breath and smiled at him, resting my forehead against his. The emotions coursing through my body engulfed me, and I had no idea how to get out of it. I might not see him again once I get out of this car, and that’s what I am most afraid of.
I managed to move away from him and gave him a nod. He got out and held out his hand, and after a brief hesitation, I put my hand in his and let him pull me forward. We both took a deep breath as we looked at the abandoned warehouse just a few feet away from us.
He drew me closer to him, rested my head against his chest, and hugged me tightly. When his warm breath hit the back of my neck, I forced myself to relax as all my worries were washed away. Unspoken words seemed to speak for themselves as we cocooned into each other and I closed my eyes as he kissed my shoulder.
“Remember, whatever happens, don’t let him get to you.” He instructed and handed me a phone.
I put the phone in my pocket, took a deep breath, and turned away from him, giving him a slight nod. I knew it would be difficult to walk away from him, but I forced my feet to move forward without looking back. I knew if I looked back at him, I’d run into his arms and demand that he take me home.
Stopping in front of the building, I yanked the door open with a scowl on my lips. Darkness swallowed me whole, and I tried to make out shadows of at least one single person, but there was none. I took small steps, inhaling deeply, and the door banged shut behind me. I jumped forward, causing myself to take more steps into the room, startled.
The light turned on, and I turned to face the source of the person. When my dark eyes met his dark ones, dread washed over me in waves. My entire body froze as he began to take large strides towards me. I forced myself to stand my ground and not show him any fear, no matter how badly I wanted to flee.
“Kendrid, whereis he?” Despite my fear of him, my voice came out stronger than I expected.
He smirked and clapped his hands several times while staring at me before a small boy emerged from the shadows. With my breath caught in my throat, I looked at him with wide eyes, tears welling up once more. Five years without him, five damn years, and then he appeared in front of me.
“C-Carl,” I exhaled and knelt down to his level.
“Are you my mommy?” he inquired, and I nodded, tears streaming down my cheeks.
His tiny hands wrapped around my neck and embraced me as tightly as he could without saying anything. A sob ran through me as I kissed his cheeks and gazed at his face as much as I could.