James’s P. O. V.
At night, I return to the mansion and head straight to Selena’s room to check on her.
I knock on the door, but she doesn’t answer.
“Selena, are you inside?” I ask, knocking again, but get no response.
Why isn’t she opening the door?
I wait a few more minutes before asking a maid to bring a spare key to her room.
As the maid returns with the key, I unlock the door, only to find the room empty. I also check the bathroom, but it’s empty.
My brows furrow in anger. How could she leave like this? I strictly instructed her not to go anywhere, yet she disobeyed me. The guards are stationed outside-how did she even manage to sneak out?
I storm out of the room and head straight to the security team.
“Where is Selena? Did any of you see her leave?” As I bark at the guards, they exchange nervous glances, clueless.
One of them stutters, “Sir, we didn’t see her leave. She was in her room the last time we checked.”
“Useless.”
I feel the rage rising, but beneath it, there’s something else-fear. The thought of her out there, unprotected, is enough to make my blood run cold.
Without a second thought, I fire the entire security team on the spot. “Pack your things and get out of here now.”
Then, I call in a new team and tighten the security measures around the mansion.
But doing all this doesn’t ease my mind. Selena is still out there without protection.
Fuck! I just hope she doesn’t get in some danger.
I dial her number, pacing back and forth as I wait for her to pick up.
She answers on the first ring. “What now, Mr. Luther?” I can sense the frustration in her voice.
If she’s frustrated, I’m fucking livid. How could she just leave like that?
I chide her, “Where the hell are you, Selena? I told you not to leave the house.”
“Shh! Stop shouting. I’m not a child, okay? I just needed a break. Needed to distract myself… from you,” she slurs.
Fuck! She is drunk. This woman!
“Are you drunk?” I demand, gritting my teeth.
“Yes.” She taunts, “Is that a crime too? Should I be locked in your precious mansion forever?”
Ignoring her words, I instruct her, “Send me your location. I’m coming to get you.”
“I’m not sending you anything,” she snaps. “I don’t want to see you right now. You’re so controlling. You left me… unsatisfied,” she mumbles the last word, but I catch it, and my grip on the phone tightens.
I left her unsatisfied because I wanted her to beg me.
“Selena-”
Before I can say more, I hear a voice in the background-one of her friends. “What are you saying, Selena? Give me the phone,” the voice says, and I hear some fumbling.
“What? Stella, I was just telling him the truth-that he’s an evil, egotistical man who’s mad because I said no to him.” Selena answers to her friend.
Her friend forgets to cut the call, and I listen as they continue talking and laughing.
“You’ve completely lost your senses,” one of her other friends says. “I’ll call Sky to pick us up.”
“Wow, Zoe, the troublemaker is actually helping for once!” Selena giggles, and they all burst into laughter, causing me to shake my head.
***
A short while later, I park near Zoe’s house, knowing Selena is on her way there. My security team found out her address for me.
When their car pulls up, I step out and walk toward them. Selena steps out with her friend and there is the man as well.
Selena stumbles slightly, giggling, and Zoe balances her. She looks so carefree that for a few seconds, I lose myself in her. There’s something about her that draws me to her.
I stride toward her, and she notices me. Her smile disappears, and she narrows her eyes. “Oh no, the warden is here,” she utters dramatically, causing Zoe to stifle a laugh.
I take her wrist in a firm grip. “You’re coming with me, Selena.”
She yanks her wrist back and glares at me. “I’m not going anywhere with you, Mr. Luther. You can’t control me.”
I grit my teeth, getting frustrated. “You’re not safe like this. Get in the car.”
“This place is safe, you control freak! It’s my friend’s house.” She wraps a hand around her friend before pointing her finger at me clumsily. “I don’t need your rules or your lectures.”
Zoe steps in and explains to me, “Look, Mr. Luther, I get that you care about her, but she’s fine. We’ll make sure she’s safe tonight. She’s not in any state to argue with you.”
I shake my head. “I’m not leaving her here. You don’t understand-”
The man with them cut my words. “This place is secure, and we’re here with her. Don’t worry about it.”
I glare at them before turning my attention back to Selena. “Are you coming with me or not?” I ask one last time.
She stares at me defiantly, her cheeks flushed from alcohol. “No. And stop acting like my dad, oldie.” She laughs before adding, “Actually, you don’t even look like an oldie, so stop behaving like one.”
I suppress the urge to smile at her drunken state.
“I thought you’d let me be free. You’re supposed to be different from my parents,” she speaks with a hint of pain in her tone.
I see the vulnerability in her eyes, and it twists something deep inside me.
I compose myself before turning towards her friends. “Take her inside.”
“Oh, thank you so much, Mr Luther, for permitting me to stay at my friend’s house. You’re so great.” She says sarcastically, causing me to shake my head.
“Let’s go inside, Selena.” As Zoe takes her inside, I stand there, watching until she disappears into the house.
But I can’t leave. Not like this.
I park my car under a tree, keeping my eyes on the house. My mind spins with thoughts of what could have happened to her tonight. She doesn’t understand how dangerous her situation is, or how many threats surround her. That’s why I can’t let her leave the mansion without the security.
I spend the entire night in the car, my eyes glued to Zoe’s house. Everything seems calm, but I can’t relax. My back aches from sitting too long, and my eyelids grow heavy, but I order black coffee to stay awake.
I can’t afford to sleep-not when Selena’s safety is at stake.