Intoxicated

Challenges

"People want to heal. They want to know how the stars ended up on their hands, how the comets soar through their eyes, and how the flowers grow within their hearts . . . when all hope is lost. They want other people, like you, to feel the force of things, to understand the magnitude of the falling heart, of the breaking heart. They want to know they’re not alone . . . that their hands were meant to fill other hands and that the black holes in their souls lead to the most beautiful of places. Like the ones, you can’t outrun. Like the ones, you gravitate toward. My child, this is what they want. This is what brings people closer. Know how some people have lost their way, but please believe that ultimately, we all obtain the goodness of the gods. We all want to be saved and we are all looking for reasons to love. My child, before I leave you, KNOW, that the world is hard, that people are soft, and all of us are looking for ways NOT to shatter."-ROBERT. DRAKE,

Arden's P.O.V

After breakfast, Ethan helped me clean the kitchen we were currently waiting for tv with music in the background Ethan has disappeared somewhere when he got a phone call.

"Arden," I'm surprised to see him behind me when I look up at him I find him staring at my tights with a frown I look down at them the scars where I cut myself is fading away but where Luke poured acid and burnt me well that’s another story I try to hide them but Ethan shakes his heads.

"what happened," he asks concern evident in his voice I shake my head again.

" Arden you have to tell me the truth no secrets if we want this to work OK babe." I nod.

"my ex-boyfriend did this to me when I tried to leave him," I tell him pointing at the burn marks.

"and he poured me with acid to teach me a lesson." where is he. his trying to hide the anger in his voice but I can see his anger.

" I don't know my parents say that he's gone for good but I know that isn't true I know he is still watching me waiting for his chance to come back and finish what he started," I tell him looking at the scars on my legs

“ I want his full name "he demands.

“ Lukas Sanders, " I tell him.

" Sanders as in the Sanders group that own a chain of casinos and night clubs the same Sanders that have dealings in the underworld," he states more then asks I nod.

" How did you get involved with someone like that. " I sigh.

" he was persistently done everything he could to wow me I ended up carving and accepted to go out with him, he was nice the first few months, when the real Luke came out I couldn't tell my dad about it. they had a contract together and I didn't want to come in the way of that plus my dad needed that contract " I tell him,

your father was involved in the underworld? " he asks, I shake my head.

" Mr sanders wanted to build a new nightclub and casino nothing illegal or below the belt, " I tell him" when was this, " I shut my eyes and try not to relive the torture.

" 5 years ago. " he nods as if understanding something.

" by any chance is your father Eric Anderson ."I nod my head confused.

" what does my dad have to do with this," I ask him he goes around the couch and sits on the coffee table.

" your dad had Sanders running causing him to lose millions and connections," he said.

" I was wondering why the mighty Sanders disappeared when not even a federal investigation couldn't have him running ." he looks me in the eyes" don't worry Luke won't touch you, your safe. "

Ethan's P.O.V

I sit with Arden and we watch TV in silence she is cuddling me Luke Sanders is a psychopath a sadistic sick person how he got his hands on Arden I don't know but I swear on my life I'll keep her safe from that psychopath I look down at her she is falling asleep.

"Arden." mm she is asleep I gather her in my arms and carry her to my bedroom I lay her on the bed and cover her with a blanket. I watch her sleep for a while then I leave I take out my phone and head to the kitchen I pour myself a glass of brandy and call my father he answers in two rings.

"son" he greets.

"I need information on Luke sanders and his uncle." there is a long pause.

"why, is he back." I take a sip of the brandy letting it burn my throat.

"it's personal." There is movement on the other side.

"Okay, son." I hear the sound of something turning on.

"I need their whereabouts." My father is a man of little words he founded Jacksons' tech when he found out my mother was pregnant. me he got his life together. Since I haven't taken over the company, I didn't have access to its resources.

"you should receive everything in a few minutes," he says.

"Thanks, dad." I hang up, I pour my second glass of brandy, and walk to my study I sit down and open my notebook and switch it on I go to my emails I scan through everything and open the location file my blood ran cold Arden was right the busted is still after her following her.

he knows where she stays and works. I pick up my phone and call my head of security. They might not be as good as Arden's dad's security but they are still good.

"Mr. Jackson" Nick answers.

"I want you to get me two-man follow Luke Sanders. I don't want him coming near Arden Anderson if he so much as comes into a 100-mile radius of, her call me, immediately," I tell him.

"yes sir. " I hang up and send him Lukas location.