Chapter 20 A Threat Times Two

Sinclair

"My brother is so lucky to have you," Therese said. Her eyes shining with excitement. They were currently folding and arranging the children's new clothes on assigned cabinets. Louise and Ingrid, Nicholas's youngest sister, were in the kitchen, helping the maids prepare lunch for at least fifty residents.

Sinclair was enamored of the place. Complete with amenities, a schoolroom, nurses, and doctors, the children were wont for anything.

They heard squealing and giggling at the playground and they both smiled. "I'm the lucky one." Sin answered. Her cheeks tinted with a blush.

"Yes, you are." She teased. "But seriously, I have never seen my brother so happy. He had been so restless since his final deployment. He had to resign his commission when we found out dad had terminal cancer. For some reason, his friends followed him home. Thick as thieves as ever." Her voice was wistful. "Losing our father," her smile faded and her hazel eyes dimmed, "well, it was hard for all of us. However, it's different with Nicholas. They were very close. He worshipped our dad."

Sinclair's own eyes filled with tears, she reached out and squeezed Therese's hand. "I know. His pain was too deep when he told me. I...I cried for both of us." Her shoulders sagged, remembering the day he followed her home. Their first fall out. Which they had fixed right away.

Nicholas's older sister closed the distance between them to embrace her. "Thank you. He truly deserves someone like you. You are meant to be together." She cupped Sinclair's face and smiled through her tears.

"Why do I return to find you two all mushy and teary?" Ingrid said with a raised brow. Louise was just as puzzled.

Sinclair and Therese chuckled. They parted with a new bond between them.

"Lunch?" Lady Louise offered. "My treat. I want to try this new restaurant in Surrey. They offer Al Fresco. Join me, please? Then we could go toy shopping. Those kids need more stuff. Let's spoil them." The other two highborn ladies agreed.

Sin bit her lip, unsure. When they waited for her decision with pleading eyes, she caved. "Okay. But my guards would have to come. You know Nicholas."

"We know him alright. Somehow he convinced our husbands that we need them, too. So dictatorial." Ingrid rolled her eyes.

"Try saying that to an overprotective brother, who happens to be a marquis and a national football star. I swear almost all the women who follow me around are because of him. It's driving me crazy." They all laughed at Lady Louise's aggravated expression. She resembled an innocent angel trying to look angry. "Okay, enough of that. Let's go."

Sinclair was so glad Nicholas left her here. Maybe she should send him a text to let him know. Later. He might be busy at this hour.

***

Lady Louise was right. The food and ambiance were great. The company, with peals of laughter from stories of their childhood shared, was even better.

Until they started to ask about her parents. Sinclair, afraid their opinion of her would change, stayed silent. Contemplating if she should tell them.

"It's okay..." Shaking her head, Therese stopped.

"No. I want to tell you. I...I want you to know. How I grew up, the kind of parents I had." If they decided to stay away then she won't hold any grudges.

"You are not Hannibal's daughter, are you?" What... That's a weird question coming from Ingrid. She shook her head, puzzled.

"The Grinch's?" Louise seconded.

Sin could only gaze at her. Mouth agape.

"You are definitely not Ed and Lorraine Warren's long-lost daughter, are you?" Therese questioned while she shivered.

"Why are you asking me those questions?" Sinclair had to know. She couldn't help it anymore.

Lady Louise sighed heavily. " Because Sinclair Yuan -Viscountess Redington in the near future- those are the only reasons we would not want to be friends with you anymore. I fucking hate the Grinch." She shuddered dramatically. "He stole Christmas." She pouted.

"Me, too. And horror movies. I'm not even touching anything related to Hannibal." Sinclair answered and smiled gratefully, these ladies were the best. Trying to gather her thoughts, she sobered. "My father left me when I was four. He couldn't take my mother's alcohol addiction anymore. After that, it was hell on earth for me. It was hard, supporting my mum. Working odd jobs. Getting beaten every day. Always knocked on the head with liquor bottles. Her constant abuse caused my hearing loss." She paused. "Not only that. I almost got raped numerous times by my bitch of a mother's boyfriends. She left me to fend for myself at fourteen because she hooked up with a rich guy. Apparently, that man was Lord Tanning." She stopped when she heard sniffling noises from her incredible friends. "Hey, I didn't tell you so you could bawl your eyes out. I'm okay now. I have Nicholas and I found excellent friends." They chuckled tearfully.

Sinclair was smothered in a tight embrace. She giggled and hugged them back. Thanking Nicholas for bringing them to her life.

***

They were at a mall buying all the latest toys in the market they could get their hands on. From build-a-bear to barbies, more stuffed toys and dolls, legos, miniature cars, toy sets, PS5s, and game boys; all the kids at the orphanage will have excellent playtime to distract themselves from the horrible things done to them. Those who needed medical attention were still at a satellite hospital near the main building. The poor children will need extra care.

Her cellphone vibrated in her shoulder bag. Nicholas. "Therese, I will step outside for a sec. Your brother is calling."

"Sure, honey. Not too far, okay?" She reminded Sinclair and went back to selecting toys with the other girls.

Stepping to a corner outside the store, she picked up on the third ring. "Hey, baby. Miss me already?" Sinclair teased breathlessly. She could hear a lot of noise in the background like he was at some bar.

"You have no idea, sweetheart. I just called to check on you. I heard you are at a mall right now with the girls." Nicholas said. She could hear the smile in his deep voice.

"Yup. I might be able to put some damage on your card this time." She jested, though she highly doubted it.

"That pleases me a lot. Buy anything you want. I mean it." His voice was deadly serious. "Listen, I might not be able to call or text you tonight, I just want to let you know. Stay safe, sweet. And no going out alone." He warned.

"Of course. I won't be staying at the orphanage tonight. I want to sleep in our bed." God. She was becoming clingy. And cheesy.

There was a pause, then he groaned. "I love you so much. I will make you scream when I get back."

"Promises, promises. I love you, too. Come home without any scratches, please."

"I will. I have to go now. Send me texts or better yet send me pictures when you get home. I will reply as soon as I'm able. Bye, sweet." She could hear his name being called.

"Bye, baby." She was gazing morosely into space after the call ended. It had only been hours yet she misses him as if she hadn't seen him in months.

"Sinclair," she jumped in fright when a hand touched her shoulder. Turning, her eyes grew in alarm.

-What is he doing here?-

"Paul?" Biting her lip, she contemplated on the ways to avoid him. He had been becoming very insistent since the incident at the library.

"Hey, beautiful. Fancy seeing you here." -Had he been following her?- "I am buying toys for my nephew." He answered as if he read her thoughts. She blushed. "You wanna grab some coffee? We could spend the afternoon together." His expression became hopeful. Lust glimmered in his blue eyes. She stiffened.

"I'm sorry. I'm with some friends. And Paul. I have a boyfriend." This was verging on creepy. She had told him time and time again she was in a relationship. He hounded her every time he saw her. Even cornered her in one of the girls' restrooms at Uni. Always insisting for them to hang out somewhere. It was becoming freaky, she felt constricted. "Please, don't push it anymore. We are just friends."

She grew alarmed as his boy-next-door facade melted into one of rage and malice. His blue eyes blazed. He suddenly gripped her arm tightly. She gasped from the pain. -Fuck! It will leave a bruise.-

"You are a fucking cocktease, slut. You have been acting hard to get but everyone knows you had been spreading your legs for Professor Stafford and his friends!" He growled. Before she could cry out. Two bulky men removed her forcefully from Paul's grasp. Another one pointed a gun at the frat boy. He was pinned to a glass wall, with a muscled forearm on his neck preventing his escape.

"Are you alright, Miss Yuan?" Rick, the head of security asked. He partially stepped in front of her.

She nodded while she rubbed her arm. "Stay away from me Paul." Her voice trembled.

"This is not over, Sinclair. You are mine. I will come for you when you least expect it." He spat and thrashed from the bodyguards' hold. They refused to let him go and personally escorted him out of her sight.

"Sin, honey, are you okay?" Therese hugged her before looking her over.

"I'm fine. Just...shaken." She didn't expect her suitor to be that violent.

"God. Nicholas will have his head." Ingrid commented. "How did you know Paul Adley by the way?"

"You know him?"

"Of course. That scamp is Lord Tanning's heir. His firstborn from his first wife. He lives separately since the baron remarried. He is bad news, sis." She warned.

Damn! Small world. "Let's forget about him. I'm sure he learned his lesson. Our bodyguards are taking care of him right now. Come on. Let's finish this up. I'm excited to see the kids' reactions."

If only life were that simple.

________________

Paul Adley

Fuck! He doubled over from a brutal punch to his stomach, falling on the ground groaning in pain.

"Stay away from, Ms. Yuan. Next time, we won't hesitate to put a bullet between your eyes." One of the guard dogs warned before they left him in the mall's parking area.

Paul looked up at their retreating form with venom in his eyes. -I will fucking kill you assholes.-

He didn't mean to lose patience. However, the girl was slippery as an eel. She would never agree to go somewhere with him. He had been following her discreetly everywhere. Today she was with friends with no Redington on sight. He took it as an opportunity to approach her to invite her out thinking she would be vulnerable. She was supposed to be his yet she denied him again. Motherfucker! He lost it. He was livid. About to drag her with him but her bodyguards made themselves known.

So, Redington guards his lastest mistress like she was a treasure? Fuck it! Paul would steal his toy from right under the viscount's nose.

"So, you want that pussy?" He stiffened at the sultry voice. His stepmother. An on and off lover. She taught him a lot since he was 14. Brushing the dirt from his pants, he turned to the cougar. They had her at a college party once and she was game to anything. Maybe he could fuck his frustration today. He thought as he eyed her small form.

"Sylvia." He greeted. She smiled, walked over to him like a cat in heat, looking doable at her age. Her manicured fingers caressed his chest.

"I could get her for you." She said seductively. -Could she? How?- "She's my daughter."

"You would do that for me?" He sank his fingers in her hair, tilting her face towards his.

"I will. For a price. Let's talk it over at your place." She touched his throbbing cock hiding behind his jeans. He growled in excitement thinking about Sinclair.

"Let's go, bitch."

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