9

CHAPTER NINE

GABRIELLE

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The journey back was over, the car drove to a halt, and I felt as though my life was ended as well.

The door clicked open and Lucian walked out, he was waiting for me to do the same.

My legs were glued, I knew what awaited me the moment I would step my feet down.

"Get down! " He wore an impatient scowl. I obeyed reluctantly, there was no need to delay the inevitable.

Strong fingers encircled my arms in an iron grip, I had no choice but to follow behind Lucian as he led us, more like dragged me into the tall building ahead.

Mother, father, and my sister were already waiting for us.

I avoided my father's gaze, mother's expression was sad, I knew she wished I hadn't been caught. Phoebe was staring at me with an expression that seemed almost like guilt.

There were more of our family members present. I couldn't recognize the rest of the people present. I could only assume they were Lucian's men or family members.

When I could finally manage to meet my father's stare, his face was contorted with fury.

"How dare you!!"

His right hand was raised, I closed my eyes, preparing myself for a hit, but it never did came.

"I would appreciate it if you don't lay a finger on her, she's mine, our marriage was delayed, now I want it to continue, I'm not a patient man and I don't plan on spending any more time here than necessary" Lucian's words had father keeping down his arm, but his eyes still held anger and disappointment.

"How dare you! I'm ashamed of your insensible actions today! " He raged.

I would be a fool if I believed Lucian was standing up for me, something in his eyes as he looked at me told me he planned something further worse for me.

Father's hit would be nothing compared to whatever he had in store for me.

Lucian's grip on my hands slackened only after he uttered these words.

"Make her presentable "

Mother was beside me the next instant, I had the urge to throw myself at her neck and weep.

My heart and soul were shattering to a million pieces, but all that mattered to these hungry men was how to improve their business profit, at least that was what father wanted, as for Lucian, I couldn't really say. It scared me more than anything, I knew nothing about the man I was getting married to. I had only understood so far that he was a possessive brute and that our marriage would be nothing short of a match made in hell.

Just as mother, as well as a few attendants, started to lead me away, I heard father spoke again, in the same angry tone.

"Where is that bloody traitor! I will have to kill him myself for his betrayal."

My eyes snapped in their direction immediately, my heart jamming hard against my chest.

Father's attention was solely focused on Lucian.

I knew he was talking about MY Derek, My heart sank further as I recalled the last condition I had seen him.

Was he still alive after all those bullets and beating?

I tried to convince myself that he had to be, but the chances of that had to be slight.

Lucian's response disrupted my thoughts even as my gaze met his.

"He's in a bad condition, but still alive since he tried to run away with my fiancee and almost caused misunderstandings between us, I want to give him the consequences of his action myself. "

His eyes never shifted from mine as he spoke, I tried not to let my relief show at the news that Derek was still alive, at least for now.

*

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"You have to stop crying, of you continue to ruin your make-up, " One of the attendants told me, her voice was firm even though her eyes were sympathetic.

"All of you leave, I'll do it " Mother dismissed them and they left after a slight bow.

"I'm so sorry, you have to be strong! " She whispered sadly, squeezing my shoulders gently.

"How did father find out about everything so quickly?" I whispered hopelessly.

There was a glimmer of hesitation in mother's eyes that hadn't been there before.

She didn't say it but I knew it already.

"It's Phoebe " I quietly stated.

"Sweetheart, she promised not to utter a word, if I had known, I would have....." She trailed off, seeming not to find the right words to say.

Why would my own sister do this to me? Although we never had been too close, but I had always liked her enough, but now all I could feel towards her was contempt.

"You will have to accept your new life now, life will be easier for you if you do "

Although I knew she had my best interest at heart, I couldn't avoid a heavy stir of bitterness.

"I want to be alone"

She seemed reluctant to leave, I closed my eyes momentarily.

"Please, I need these few minutes to myself " I repeated the words, these were my last moments of freedom, after these few minutes, I would be married, owned by him. As he had promised.

Mother left through the door, I was left alone in the room, I wouldn't kid myself to think no one was watching me, there were cameras everywhere and at least twenty men waiting just outside this room, it was impossible to escape a second time.

My make-up was done beautifully, I looked just like any other bride, only I was getting married to the wrong groom.

I heard the door clicked open, I thought it was my mother who was coming to get me, but when I looked, I discovered it wasn't her.

The devil himself was approaching.

The temperature in the room seemed to get colder. I could feel goosebumps rise on my skin, even as those intense silver orbs flickered across my skin, I felt as though he was stripping me bare with his eyes.

I sucked in a sharp breath when he covered the distance between us, I wasn't hoping for a compliment, and one I didn't get.

"You had your hair cut, I don't like this color, it doesn't suit you, you will grow it back as it was before." His eyes flashed with something that was almost like distaste.

I bit my lips against the response rolling at the back of my tongue.

When his fingers caressed my short hair, I trembled.

"No words for me? You are really learning fast, such a good obedient mouse "

I snapped then, I didn't care if he was going to hurt me or not, I met his eyes with all the loathe I could muster.

"Even though I get married to you, I'll never belong to you, my heart will always belong to someone else! Each time I spend with you, I'll always wish it is him! You can never change that!"

Anger flashed through his eyes, I triumphed that I managed to wipe that sick satisfied look from his face. For a blinding moment, I thought he would strike me, it did appear so from the way his eyes formed stormy grey clouds.

His fingers caught my chin, he dipped his head closer so his hot breath would fan across my face.

"You have this habit of saying the wrong things at the wrong time if you want him so much, that can easily be arranged for you."

He had a pleasant smile playing across his face.

My heart was pounding so hard, my throat felt tight as I met his threatening gaze, maybe I was wrong to have infuriated him, how did I forget that Derek's life was still in his hands?

What if he further harmed Derek, or completely killed him off? These thoughts flew through my mind and I felt dizzy.

My throat squeezed tightly in fear as I fought off a wave of nausea.

"I will kill him slowly while you watch, I already planned to fuck him up so badly for touching what is mine, I thought I would make him pay slowly, but since you are so eager..."

A breathless whimper along with a surge of panic overwhelmed me when he suddenly yanked me against the hardness of his chest.

"I'll arrange it for you tonight! " He snarled, a hint of craziness in his darkened gaze made him seem scarier.

"Please don't!"

I never thought I would have to beg this monster, but right now, I would do anything, his eyes told me he meant everything that he said.

I think my words further served to infuriate him, his breath came out harsher, his nostrils flaring with every drag of air.

"Don't hurt h..him! " I begged again, blinking back the tears that made my eyes burned under his merciless glare.

His knuckles brushed my cheeks, almost compassionately, if I didn't know better, I would have thought this man was capable of mercy.

"Don't beg me to spare him, Brie, you will only succeed in making him suffer more! You don't need him, you never will." He whispered, caressing my hair gently as though that was supposed to make me understand.

My next words against mine were swallowed by the slam of his lips against mine, just like that night, there was nothing gentle about it, the hot penetration of his tongue was meant to show ownership. I whimpered breathlessly, fighting him with all that I had.

He was invading me, I've never felt so revolted.

I panted breathlessly when he finally did let go of me.

I raised my arm, meant to slap him, he caught it just in time, twisting it in a weird angle until I cried out from the pain.

"Enough! No more delays, we are getting married now! "

I didn't get a chance to give my consent, when he dragged me out of the door, into where the whole family was waiting, they were to bear witness of this alliance.

I felt sick, the pen shook from my unsteady fingers, I was to sign these papers that would make me his.

Forever.

He had wasted no time in signing his own part of the agreement, now all eyes were rested on me.

Mother gave me a slight nod, so did father as they watched expectantly.

I bit my trembling lips, my eyes tearing up once again.

"Go on, Brie " Lucian's soft tone didn't make the warning laying there any less intimidating.

The moment the papers bore the imprint of my signature, Lucian took my hand and produced a small box from his pocket, seconds later, a golden band was slipped around my fingers while he heard my stare.

There were cheers and laughter all around us.

"Hello, wife " He mouthed, seeming quite pleased with himself.

I couldn't hold it in anymore, I broke into uncontrollable sobs.

I was officially Mrs. Lucian Castiel! Maybe there was something I could have done to prevent this?

I should have tried harder in escaping him.

In the end, it was he who hugged me and whispered in my ears.

"It wasn't as though you have a choice in the matter, no need to be hard on yourself, and I do hope for your sake that you accept you've become my wife, and I'm never letting you go."

Never.

I vowed solemnly.

It didn't matter if I answered his last name or if he staked his claim on everything, including my body.

I would never accept this.

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