A Ruthless Bargain

Chapter Nine

Chapter nine

Lucien.

My name on her tongue, they sounded different.

It sounded like a beautiful prayer said in a whisper. And for the first time, I actually loved the sound of my name.

''Lucien,'' she whispered again, her nose and ears visibly pink.

I straightened myself, like I hadn't just shut her up with a kiss. ''Play your role.''

The car door opened and I stepped down first, stretching my hands to her while she placed her soft ones above mine and stepped down slowly.

My hands slid to her waist protectively, this gala was just a disguise for undercovers as usual.

''What event is this?'' she asked, her tensed body relaxing.

''A charity event.'' The lie spilled effortlessly.

It was just a charity event in disguise.

''Mr Cross,'' ''Mr Cross'' different reporters ran in our direction, cameras shuttering in clicks everywhere.

''Who do you have beside you and where is Miss Stephanie?'' ''Is she your mistress?''

''Maám can you explain?'' ''Who are you to him?''

The clicking of cameras kept increasing and Amelia bowed her head from too much lighting and maybe regret for coming here, because I could feel every muscle in her body tighten.'

''Mr Cross can you give us an answer?'' a lady with her hair in a high ponytail directed her cameras at me.

The whole crowd paused, wanting to hear my response.

''She is my wife.'' My hands glided down to her hip, caressing it softly.

That erupted gasps from the crowd, more cameras and more questions.

''Now if you would excuse us.'' I said.

But the crowd was more interested in my story rather than the event itself now.

''Back off,'' That was Dominic's voice.

The crowd had started to move away from us now, Dominic could scare even the devil and I knew that for sure. That did not stop the murmurs, whispers and glances thrown our way, Amelia in particular.

Some women looked at her in awe, some in jealousy and some with pure contempt and hatred in their eyes.

We walked into the event as a couple and I knew, in the next 24hours, we would be the headline news of Velmoor.

The hall was filled with men disguised in expensive tailored suits, standing around table wines and holding onto different women.

''Mr Cross.'' One of the men at the table I approached voiced and everyone turned to look in our direction.

''What a pleasant surprise and what a gorgeous beautiful lady we have over here,'' his gaze travelled down her body lazily.

Oh, I would so rip his eyes out.

Amelia smiled politely, not saying a word.

''This is Duke, the owner of.....'' I went on introducing Amelia to everyone,

''And this is my wife,'' I said lastly, my tone higher at the edge.

Some faces morphed into instant displeasure while some still held that cocky look.

And that was how the night kept going, introducing Amelia to everyone while she only smiled politely.

''Have a drink.'' I passed a glass of wine I retrieved from the waiters to her but she refused.

''I feel stuffy and uncomfortable. Can I use the bathroom?'' she asked.

''Down the hallway by your left. I'll be here.''

And with that little piece of information, she left. My gaze would not stop following her every move until she disappeared into the corner.

.

It had been almost ten minutes since she left and my mind was not still at ease. Even if there was a line I was sure ten minutes was okay.

My legs moved on instinct, and I found myself walking down the hallway and down to the bathroom.

There were sounds coming from in there. I didn't want to push the door open and find a couple of women naked.

I would be all over social media the next day.

But then I heard a sound, a cracked sob.

''This is not what you think,'' a voice came from within. It sounded like a woman in her late fifties, not younger.

''She is a w***e, a slut and nothing more. How could you seduce a man you were sold off to and worse what are you doing here?'' her voice reeked of venom. ''This is not the kind of place you should be in, you are too worthless and low-life to fit here.''

A women's fight in a bathroom? I didn't care honestly, all I could think of was where she had gone.

Amelia.

''Auntie,'' a familiar voice came, cracked and raw.

Amelia? Crying?

I pushed the door open and met unfamiliar shocked faces. An elderly woman, some other young girl and....

''Mr Cross,'' said the voice.

The man in tall black tailored suit, his curls pushed by the side and none other than my rival. ''Spencer.'' I greeted back.

I was here for no pleasantries, especially not in my foul mood. I had heard her voice. My eyes darted around and spotted her dress, behind him.

''Amelia.''

She peeked her head out from behind him and the other ladies just stared at me in pure shock.

Her cheeks were filled with tears and her face was red, like she had been slapped.

I made a move to walk over to her, but she clutched Spencer's jacket tighter, clutching for her dear life. My adam’s apple throbbed hard but I kept my cool.

''What the f**k is going on here?'' I gritted between clenched teeth.

But there was no response.

Instead Spencer walked up to me, with Amelia behind him. ''Learn to protect your wife, there are bad people out there. I was passing by and heard her screams.''

He turned to her, lowering to her height and wiped the tears off her cheeks with his thumb and then whispered something to her. The sight was not helping in any way.

He passed her a handkerchief and walked out.

''Spencer,'' the young lady ran after him while the older one stood.

I noticed Amelia's tensed body as the woman's gaze pierced her while she kept her eyes pinned to the floor.

I walked up to her, shielding her body, clenching and unclenching my fists before I would do anything stupid.

''Who is she and what did they do to you?'' I growled faintly, supressing every reaction.

''She's.....she's my..... Uncle's wife,'' Amelia tried so hard to piece her words without crying fresh tears.

I turned to the woman now. Mateo's wife, she looked more cunning than he did.

''What did you do to her?'' my anger evident now as I strolled towards her.

''Who do you think you are and why do you care? I was putting her in her place.'' She spat.

If she had any hint to who she was speaking to, her tonsils would be on the floor by now.

''She,'' I stopped right in front of her now. ''Is my f*****g wife.'' I grabbed her by the throat.

Her hands flew to my strong arms, slapping and gasping for air while I choked harder. ''And you would never dare raise your hands on her again in your next life.''

My eyes were red with anger. I didn't notice she was gasping for air, tears pooling in her eyes until Amelia's panicked voice stopped me.

''Lucien.''

And the woman's body slumped to the floor.