Chasing The Forbidden

Chapter 10

Shadows and Secrets

"You won't," I answered, approaching closely. Still, you have to let me in. Nolan, there are no more secrets. There are no more lies.

For a long time he fixed me, his eyes darting at me as though he were searching for something he had lost. Finally, his voice was hardly audible. "Okay," he said. "Nothing more secrets."

It felt as though the storm had gone, the weight of the planet just enough to let us breathe. My stomach fell, though, when I then heard the faint sound of footfalls.

I muttered, "Nolan," staring quickly at the door.

Already moving, his body stiff and alert as he went for the revolver hidden within his waistband. His voice strong and forceful, he said, "Stay behind me."

The footsteps got louder and nearer until a shadow emerged under the door.

"Who is it?" wondered My heart thumping in my chest, I muttered.

"Trouble," Nolan remarked with a grimace.

Julian's soldiers flooded the room when the door sprang open. Nolan fired a warning shot, which caused them to disperse, but with too many of them.

"Sophie, run!" he said, pushing me toward the rear door.

"I'm not walking away from you!" I yelled, panicking and battling inside me.

"Go!" he screamed, desperation flaring in his eyes.

One of the men surged at Nolan before I could argue, and the two of them fell to the ground. I hesitated, caught between leaving and remaining to assist. Then another man turned to look at me, his face icy and threatening.

With all my effort, I grabbed the closest object, a lamp, and swung it at him. He staggered back after the glass broke on impact, allowing me just enough time to break the door.

My chest heaving and my head racing, I kept sprinting till I came across the alley. Turning back, hoping Nolan would be right behind me, he wasn't.

"Nolan!" I said, my voice resounding on the vacant street.

My blood went cold as a gunshot sounded.

"No," I said, my legs going ahead of my brain, so I could catch up. Ignoring the anxiety wriggling at my throat, I sprinted back toward the building.

Still, I froze as I got to the door. Julian stood there, his gun aimed at Nolan, kneeling and blood running from his lips.

Julian responded, his voice cool but tinged with resentment: "You've caused me a lot of trouble."

"Let him go!!" Shouting, I entered the room against every impulse urging me to flee.

Turning to me, Julian had a chilly, calculated smile. Ah, the beautiful Sophie, he said. "So nice of you to come along."

"Leave her out of this," Nolan said, his voice rough with anger.

Julian grinned and shook his head. "Oh, Nolan," he said. "You ought to know by now that I refuse commands, particularly not from you.

Julian seized me, his hold like iron, before I could respond. He said, yanking me toward the door, "You're coming with me."

Nolan said, pushing against the guy, dragging him down, "No!".

"Nolan!!" Screaming, I reached for him while Julian dragged me away.

His eyes fixed on mine, a mix of terror and will evident. His voice was faltering. "I'll find you, Sophie," he said. "I swear I will find you."

The door closed abruptly, leaving me alone with the man who had promised to wipe off all we loved.

Julian grabs Sophie, leaving Nolan empty and driven with a desire to save her. Before it's too late, will he be able to save her? Or will Julian's intentions at last pull them apart permanently?

"Sophie, listen to me," Julian whispered, tightening his hold on my arm and sounding calm but with menace. "This is not personal to you. It involves him. Nolan brought this on himself; you are only collateral.

I spat, not scared, even if the trembling in my voice betrayed me. As I considered a way out, my heart hammered. "Let me go; maybe I won't bring you regret."

Julian's mouth opened to a chilly smile. You have an attitude. I see why Nolan is so devoted. But threats won't get you anywhere, sweetheart.

I pulled my arm free, stepped back, and glared at him. "You believe I will merely be here to let you inflict damage on him via me? You are not known to me.

"On the contrary," Julian responded with a suave tone. "I know exactly who you are. And for this reason, you will do just what I ask you to do.

The door behind us swung open, and I whirled around, hoping to explode inside my chest. It wasn't Nolan, though. One of Julian's men, a hulking man with a sour countenance,

The man said, his voice low and urgent: "Sir." "We now have company."

Julian's gaze closed. Nolan seems to be as careless as ever.

The mention of his name set my heart flying. He came here. He would have come for me.

Julian yelled, "Stay put," waving a warning finger at me before turning to face his man. "Let's not let him stand waiting."

I hurried to locate something I could use for defense as they left the room. My gaze fixed on a metal candlestick on the table; I reached for it firmly.

My spine shivered at the sound of voices resounding in the corridor. My breathing shallow as I strained to listen, I pushed myself against the wall.

"You have one chance, Julian," Nolan's voice, loud and demanding, rang out. "Let her leave; I might think about letting you leave here alive."

Julian laughed, the sound chilly and contemptuous. "Always so dramatic, Nolan." You believe yourself to be in a position to demand?

"I'm done playing games," Nolan said. "You want me? Fine. But Sophie keeps out of this.

"Ah," Julian said, his tone tinged with laughter. "Such a wonderful feeling. We both understand, though it is a lie. You will do everything I ask, not because of her, but because of your guilt.

The words hit me hard, causing me to clench my hands in frustration and resentment. How dare Julian turn the truth that way?

Peeking around the corner, I saw Nolan at the end of the hall, his eyes ablaze with will and his posture stiff. Julian was a few feet away, his men at his side, his face one of arrogant assurance.

“Nolan,” I yelled out before I could stop myself.

His head swung toward me, relief widening in his eyes. "Sophie!..."

Julian turned to face me, a keen, predatory smile. “Ah, there you are. I told you to stay put.”

I stepped out of the room, holding the candlestick in front of me like a weapon. “Let him go, Julian,” I urged, forcing my voice to keep steady. “This is between you and me now.”

“Brave,” Julian remarked, his eyes glittering with delight. “But foolish.”

Nolan surged before I could respond, racing toward Julian with a cry of fury. Chaos ensued as Julian’s men surged forward, and I was caught in the center of the conflict.

“Nolan!” I yelled, diving as one of the men swung at me. I lunged out with the candlestick, the blow bruising my arm but sending him falling back.

“Get to safety!” Nolan shouted, his voice hoarse as he fought off two attacks.

"I'm not leaving you

!” My chest heaving, I yelled as I sidestepped another hit.