บท 13: Chapter 13
Lucas froze immediately as he recognized his father's voice. He loosened his restraint on Abigail and had to force his sexual desires down with a swear.
The small girl took this moment to push with all her might and the Young Master was finally released from her. She collected herself, though her flushed cheeks and wet eyes were clearly noticeable.
"I don't think that's necessary," Sir Barrington asserted.
Abigail had never seen the Master discipline his son before, and even if he did, it was always behind closed doors. The sole heir had always been spoiled rotten so it was expected for him to be slightly rebellious.
The Master had a stern look but it's always hard to read his mind.
"Did you get my email?" Lucas simply stated.
"I did, but that doesn't mean--"
"Then you should understand I'm only helping her." Abigail didn't see the arrogant smirk he gave his dad. "At least, just until it wears off."
"Abigail, are you alright?" Sir Barrington was looking at her now.
The few times he called her by name were formal and signified the importance of the situation.
This was the moment for her to tell him that she was not fine. That she's terrified of his son and how he would hurt her. But she opened and closed her mouth and nothing came out. What would Sir Barrington do if he ever learned what kind of man his son was? How much it would break his heart. She couldn't bring herself to say it.
"Abigail was just inviting me to drive her to town," Lucas filled in.
She inhaled and looked at him from the back of his head. That's not correct. She doesn't want to go into town with him. She had to say something right now or she'll never get the chance to.
Just as she stepped toward the Master, Lucas held her arm before she could cross him.
"I think Abigail really wants to tell you where she went last night?"
She snapped her head at him. He couldn't possibly be bluffing. He would never ruin her image in Sir Barrington's eyes, was he? She begged him with her eyes. He only returned sparkling orbs full of amusement, and that was when she realized he was blackmailing her.
She rationally considered what to say, not wanting to step out of his line. Taking a deep breath, she turned to face Sir Barrington. His grip was still tight.
"Last night, I lost one of my favorite earrings. I'm asking if Lucas could bring me to town for a new one." She finished and closed her eyes. It was the first lie she had ever told the Master. It was a small lie to save herself from all the troubles, but it was a lie nonetheless.
When she opened them again, Sir Barrington was gone. He must've seen through her and was disappointed.
Lucas came up from behind and brushed his lips across her ear.
"Let's go."
Being the playboy that he was, only a handful of women ever got to sit in his personal car when he drove. Abigail counted herself unlucky to be one of those.
He took her to a Channel store where he bought her a set of earrings and a necklace even though she reminded him that she only lied to get out of the situation. He insisted anyway and paid for them. It was a beautiful necklace for everyday wear with a small diamond pendant. The earrings were matching with simple dangles and a diamond sat at the top.
"Unconditional Love," the store clerk had said. "It's simple yet beautiful, just like its name."
Then he took them to a fine dining restaurant where they were stopped at the entrance. She was wearing an oversized sweater over a short skirt and a knitted cardigan over. Meanwhile, he was flawless in his jet-black suit.
"I'm sorry, but we do have a dress code," the hostess said in a soft voice, looking at Abigail.
Lucas shot daggers at her and he simply spat, "Check again."
The hostess, who looked like she's still pretty young for this, scrambled to excuse herself and went to the back. She soon returned with the manager, who greeted Lucas right away.
"Mr. Barrington, welcome! Right this way, sir, you and your guest." As they followed the manager to their seats, he apologized for the hostess for her oversight. He quickly handed them their menu but followed that by saying, "The hostess?"
Abigail didn't know what he meant so she gave Lucas a look to see if he knew. Lucas leaned back in his seat and crossed his legs. He put his knuckles by his lips as he examined Abigail with pleased eyes.
"I'm in a good mood. She can keep her job," he stated.
She should've guessed it. She shuddered at the amount of power this man had over people everywhere he went. She understood they owned many businesses and restaurants, but she never saw the true extent of Lucas's abusive power before.
The manager returned and uttered the name of the wine before pouring Lucas a glass. He made his way around the table but Lucas stopped him.
"Not her. She's underaged." He thought about it for a second and leaned in. "Unless you want to get drunk again."
"I know you're teasing me," she glared. He would never let this drop, was he?
Lucas snorted and picked up his menu.
Just at that moment, her phone rang and she took it out to look at the name on the screen. As soon as she answered, he snatched the phone away and put it on his ear. She could hear a man's voice from the other side speaking to her.
"You sound concerned," Lucas mocked sarcastically.
There was a pause from the other end, then Abigail watched his eyebrows rise in surprise as the shouting suddenly got louder.
"Does your sister know you swear this much?"
She reached for the phone across the table but he held up a finger.
"She's fine. She's with me."
Lucas continued to listen as John blasted and cursed him from across the phone. Then when he had enough, he hung up in the middle of it. He handed the device back to her but was not expecting her angry face.
"You told him?" She asked. Her forehead narrowed and her eyes a tad irritated.
An annoyed Abigail had never turned him on so much before. He was learning more about her by the minute and he loved every second of it.
She questioned his reason for telling.
"He's your brother after all. He has a right to know what happened." He took a sip of his wine.
"You like him now?" She couldn't help but ask. Ever since she was small and could remember, John and Lucas had had animosity. There was always tension between them for whatever reason.
He shook his head. "Not particularly, no."
The first course arrived and she began to take spoonfuls of it. A few bites in and she noticed he hadn't touched his. He was still looking at her with those lustful eyes, erotic smile, and amused face. She had been uncomfortable before, but now it's no longer tolerable.
She wanted to confront him, but she was terrified. Afraid he would suddenly snap and take hold of her throat. Or worse, do what he did to her three years ago.
John and Claire would be on their honeymoon for three weeks. That meant a month with no protection.
"How long will you be staying?" She surprised herself by asking, knowing fully it could provoke him.
"Trying to get rid of me already?" His eyes intensified as he asked the manager for a stronger drink.
She gulped. Maybe she shouldn't have said anything.
"Of course not," she lied. Her gaze lowered. "Just wondering." She distracted herself by shoving more bread in her mouth.
He planted two feet on the floor. "John's not here. All the more reason to stay."
He waited to see the reaction on her face. When she finally got his underlying threat and locked eyes with him, the corner of his lips pulled up. He loved messing with her. The more afraid she is, the more vulnerable she will be when he finally takes her.
She continued to suffer in silence, her dignity damaged and her body mentally assaulted by his eyes. After the meal, he asked if she wanted to go anywhere else. She quickly stated that she only wanted to go home. At least at home, she could escape to her quarters.
He gave her a disappointed shake.
"Come. I want to take you to a place." He opened her car door and held out a beckoning arm.
She was reluctant to, not budging from where she's standing. There was something in his dark humor that was telling her she shouldn't go. There was a small smile on his face and his eyes twinkled tremendously. What choice did she have? She was a Campbell, and because of that simple rule, a Barrington's word was absolute.
She got into the car, careful not to show panic in her behavior. She got a sense he thrived in her miseries.
A couple of minutes later, they arrived at a strange building that looked like a warehouse but was cleanly kept and had a welcoming vibe. He couldn't have possibly brought her here to do anything bad, could he? There were people that welcomed them at the door and a front desk with a counter, so that quickly debunked her worse theory.
The worker behind the counter simply asked how many rounds. Lucas gave him a number, then they were directed to a private room. She noticed the way there that the walls were cement-like and echoed a bit. A metal door led them to a large hallway with a waist-high divider that kept them strictly to one end. Abigail instantly found out the divider also served as a counter to hold things. She watched as the worker brought a metallic tray and set it down.
When she saw what was on the tray, she immediately backed away against the wall. She sucked in a breath and held it.
Lucas picked up the handgun and loaded the bullets into it with swift, expert hands. The clicks and snaps of the deadly weapon were nearly impossible to filter. When he finished, he set the gun down and grabbed a set of headphones off the tray.
"Come here, " he instructed.
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