章節 225: Chapter 225
"Wake up!" A loud crack and pain to his face woke Erik up out of a unconscious state.
"Open your eyes."
He tried to open them but the light sent stabbing pains into his head. He felt cold and realized he was in his boxers and undershirt. His suit was gone. His watch. He felt something warm run down his face and he realized it was blood. He was weak. He hadn't eaten anything but water and bits of bread and dried beef for what seemed like days.
His eyes adjusted to the light more and he began to focus on the man in front of him. When he was able to see clearly, fear shot through his body. It was him. It was Robbie's father. "Michael." Erik said.
"We meet again, you little bastard." He said. "Always so good and perfect. And meddlesome." Then another man walked in.
"Charles! Charles! Look out. This is the man that brutally murdered his wife and child." Erik said.
"Yes, I know Erik. He is my brother." Charles said.
"What? Your what? Your brother?" Erik asked, completely in shock. What was happening?
"Yes. I've been working for you for a long time. Lots of years of seeing and collecting things to use against you, Erik." Charles said.
"You betrayed me. You! Of all people. I trusted you!" Erik said.
"Yes. I was a bit conflicted about it after you met Pearl. She is a wonderful person. Better than you ever deserved. I hated having to do this to hurt her." He said.
Pearl. Erik thought. My love. My everything.
"So here's the deal, Prince Erik. Your family believes you to be dead. We took a guy that owed me a debt, one that looked like you, close to your height and hair color, and blew him up in a building after we tipped your family off that you would be there. We wanted to bide some time. But it won't be long before they find out it isn't you. The dental records of the corpse they brought back to London will show that you are still alive any day now. And that's when we ask the ransom. They will be so happy to find out you are alive, they will pay anything we ask. And if they don't, we show them the photos. Poor Charles though. He died bravely defending you." Michael said. "We almost truly took out a royal though, your cousin Sebastian was there for the rescue effort and almost blew up with the rest of the men." He said.
"Bash? He's helping?" Erik asked. Erik knew he hated him after what happened with his friend.
"Yes. He is. And we hear from an inside source that he's helping with more than your rescue. Word is he has his eyes on taking over where you left off with Pearl. They've been seen dining together and she is staying at his home." He said.
Erik closed his eyes, feeling a pain inside he hadn't ever felt before. Her being with another man. His cousin. But if he did die before he got back to her, he knew Bash was a good man. Fuck, an even better man than Erik was or ever could be. He would take care of Pearl. It wasn't the worst thing for her. He wanted and needed to know she would be safe. And if he had her near him, Bash wouldn't let anything happen to her. She was safe. And of course he will love her. Who wouldn't?
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Pearl awoke to a knock at the door. Sebastian came in and sat down on her bed.
"Is everything ok?" She asked, rubbing her eyes.
"Yes. I brought you some tea." He said, putting a tray over her lap.
"Thank you." She said, taking a drink. He looked at her, and she saw something strange in his eyes. Something she hadn't seen before. It was vulnerability.
"So, I've been thinking. I think there is a way to make this baby legitimate and for you to remain protected in this family. To have the chance at a real marriage and to be able to give this baby a life he will deserve." He said. He took her hand. "You could marry me."
Pearl felt her stomach turn and anxiety gripped her entire body. "Sebastian... " she began.
"Hear me out. I know we barely know each other. I know you don't love me. And how I feel about you is not something I quite understand yet. But I am a good man. And I can see that you are strong and good. And loyal. And kind. I know it won't be the proper lineage for your child but he or she will still be a prince. I would claim him as my own. He could have the royal life he deserves. And you wouldn't have to worry about anything for the rest of your life. I'll take care of you both."
Pearl thought about her response for a moment. She wanted to choose her words carefully.
"Sebastian, you have no idea how much I appreciate your offer. What you are willing to give to me and this child is more than I deserve. It's like a fairytale. But you are a good man. A handsome, intelligent, good man. You deserve to have a woman that falls in love with you the organic way. The real way." Pearl said.
"I had that once. And because of me, she is dead." He said.
"What?" Pearl asked. "I thought it was a robbery?" She asked, confused.
"It was. I got pissed that night with my mates. We were supposed to go out to dinner. I got too drunk and passed out. She was home with her parents because I didn't pick her up. She would still be alive if it weren't for me." He said.
"Oh Bash. I'm so sorry. You have to know it isn't your fault. You couldn't have known." Pearl said.
"Yes. I know. But the point of me telling you that is that I've already had it. And I know what it is to fall in love. And I can see myself feeling that way about you in the future. Every since the first night I met you and you stood up to Edward. I saw a fire there." He said. "A strength I wanted to be close to. All I'm asking is for you to consider it. Just think about it. Think about what a marriage to me could mean to you and Erik's child's future. Think about what he would want. He knows you would be safe with me. He wouldn't want some wanker like Rhys raising his child with you. He'd want it to be me. And after meeting you, I want it to be me." He said. "Think about it."
"Ok. I will think about it." She said.
He leaned in and kissed her. He pressed his lips to hers and opened his mouth, feeling a spark he had hoped was there. He stopped and looked at her. They both made eye contact and held the gaze for a moment after the kiss. Still close to her, looking into her eyes, he said softly "Just think about it."
She nodded and he stood up, closing the door behind him.
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