Love me if you dare

by Sabel Simmons

“Yes, Nico, yes … please, I will marry you!” The kiss they shared fortified their love and their future. Nicolas promising himself to always protect, love and make her smile.

  He groaned and pulled himself up from his knees. “Thank goodness! My knees were killing me!”

  Everyone laughed and Samantha pinched his arm. He looked at her and couldn’t resist stealing another quick kiss. She whispered against his lips.

  “I love you so much, my love. And as long as you tell me every now and then … I will be happy!”

  Camilla and Owen congratulated them and more hugs and tears made the rounds. Then Owen whispered loudly to Camilla with a wink at Nicolas.

  “I guess now that they’re engaged you don’t need to worry about the ‘burglar’ you heard in Samantha’s room last night.”

  The younger couple blushed and the elders burst out laughing. Camilla scolded her son laughingly.

  “Yes, your hoyden! I knew you were in there with her! We were young once too, you know.”

  “Exactly, except we are not children anymore. I am thirty five years old for goodness sakes! That being said … good night, Moms, Pops … we will see you in the morning.” He bend down, plucked Samantha up and walked out of the house towards his cottage next door, with a screeching and blushing Samantha over his shoulder.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Elaine had taken the bait by the time they went back to work. After a long conversation with Desmond, Nicolas decided to add one of their actual active projects to the bait. He needed to make sure there was substantial proof of her involvement with Wieldman.

  They were finalizing details of their plan and Desmond respected Nicolas more and more. He sighed, realizing Nicolas was not going to change his mind about including one of their most lucrative R & D Projects to the bait.

  “I appreciate your concern Desmond, but it is more important to me to completely ruin Wieldman and I am willing to risk losing out on the one one of the most lucrative developments this country has ever seen to achieve that.”

  Desmond nodded. “You love her that much?”

  The warmth that immediately glowed in his gaze was answer enough and his hoarse voice seconded the fact. “Yes, I love her that much.”

  “I’m glad. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to at least in a small way make up for what I did.”

  “You did the least damage of all. Had you not been there to assist, someone else would have.” Nicolas pulled a large envelope from his drawer. “I did a background check on you and you seemed to have pulled yourself together over the years.” He handed him the envelope and Desmond looked at him questioningly.

  Nicolas shrugged. “You achieved proven success with Sales team developments. We just happen to have an opening for a Sales Business Developer.”

  Desmond was choked up and forced the word past his lips. “Why?”

  “Samantha assured me you are a good man, and made a mistake years ago, because of immaturity and over eagerness to shoot to the top. Wieldman is good at making promises like that. I think she still has a soft spot for you.”

  “I don’t know how to thank you and yes I accept the offer.”

  “You haven’t even looked at it.”

  “It doesn’t matter what it is. This is an opportunity to make right what was wrong and protect her in future.”

  Nicolas’s gaze splintered at him. “That, Harris, is my responsibility!”

  Desmond nodded with a smile and got up to leave. “Where do I report to? I’d like to start right away. It will give me more time to get everything in place properly.”

  Nicolas nodded and they shook hands, just as Samantha walked in, looking questioningly at Nicolas. He smiled wryly at her.

  “I was just congratulating Harris on accepting the job.”

  “What job? You offered him a job? Really? Oh, Nico …”

  Tears shone in her eyes and she turned to Desmond and threw her arms around his neck, hugging him tight. His arms folded around her and he hugged her briefly, cognizant of the man stiffening behind her.

  “I am so sorry, Sammy! If I had known, I would never ha …”

  “Shhh … it’s over and you made up for it already. I am so glad Nicolas offered you a job!”

  “I could just as quickly fire him again! I do not appreciate you in his arms, woman!”

  Samantha pulled out of his arms and flew into Nicolas’s and he drew her tight against him, shaking his head at her exuberance. Desmond left them alone, and Nicolas hugged her even tighter, feeling her warmth seep into him. He never thought he would ever see her again, let alone have her in his life, a future with her in his.

  Samantha was not pleased to work with Elaine. She was uncooperative and disruptive, especially whenever Samantha requested something from her. Yet, she ground her teeth and tried to form some sort of a bond with her. They were sisters and the least she could do was try. But her patience was wearing thin and the past month has been extremely tiresome with her around the offices all the time.

  Nicolas was very secretive about what he was busy with as far as Wieldman were concerned and refused to give her details. Wieldman had been out of the country for nearly two years and apparently only returned recently to take the reins at Wieldman Enterprises again.

  “Samantha, sister dear. We have not really had any opportunity to get to know each other since you’ve been back. Would you join me for lunch?”

  Samantha stiffened, not liking the prospect of spending so much time alone with her. They did not have anything in common and Elaine had never liked her, even when they were very young. She searched her eyes for some emotions, but could find none, and sighed.

  “Very well. Let me just go and tell Nicolas.”

  “No need. I already told him I am taking you to lunch.” She clutched Samantha by her elbow and steered her along to the parking garage and headed for her car.

  “I’ve booked a table at the Sensations restaurant in Greenside. It is apparently very chick. We’ll take my car, seeing as I am the one that invited you.”

  Samantha did not like it, but couldn’t really decline the offer … or rather instruction.

  “As long as we don’t stay away too long. I have a conference call with Nicolas and the Exco team from Cape Town at half past two.”

  “No problem, that gives us at least two full hours.” The smirk on her face caused Samantha to feel very uncomfortable, sure that she was up to something, but she had no idea what.

  Back at the office, Nicolas and Desmond just signed the Forensic Court order against Wieldman Enterprises. The forensic team was already on their way to Wieldman’s offices, after Desmond confirmed with one of his employees he was still friends with, he was in his office. Nicolas leaned back and drew his hands through his hair. The end was near and he could not wait for the day he would come face to face with that cowardly weasel.

  Gertrude reminded him it was nearly time for their conference call with Cape Town’s Exco team and she was concerned that Samantha was nowhere to be found.

  “She is always very punctual. It is not like her to just disappear.” Her concern was rubbing off on Nicolas and fear clenched his heart.

  “When was she last seen?”

  “Lucy, from downstairs reception saw her leaving with Elaine earlier.”

  “Elaine! Where did they go?”

  “They took the elevator down to the parking garage. Neither one of them is answering their phones.”

  Now dread gripped his heart. “Cancel the call with Cape Town. I have to find her.” He grabbed his keys and started for the door.

  “Where are you going?” Desmond asked, shaking his head.

  “I have to find her?”

  “Nicolas, you can’t just rush off. We need to think this through.”

  “Phone your friend and find out if the Forensic team is there and more importantly if Wieldman is still there!”

  Fear stiffened his whole body when he deduced from the one sided conversation that the forensic team was th
ere and were already busy with the investigation, that they have stopped all operation and all employees were gathered in the entertainment area. Desmond was pale when he faced Nicolas.

  “Apparently he left just before they arrived, in a big hurry with a huge smile on his face. He overheard him say … he said …”

  “What! Desmond!” He grabbed his shirt and shook him.

  “He heard him say something to the effect of … take her to my loft.”

  “Good God! Where … where is it?”

  Desmond shook his head. “I don’t know. I only know where his house is in Sandton. There must be a way …”

  Nicolas swung around and opened his laptop, opening the tracking program, frantically shouting at Gertrude. She came rushing in.

  “Get me Elaine’s car registration number. Quickly!” He shouted when she hesitated. She ran back with a piece of paper a few seconds later. He grabbed it from her, his voice so low and ferocious she winced.

  “What time did Lucy see them leave?”

  “Just before lunchtime.”

  He forced the fear down and concentrated on the rage fostering higher and higher inside him. The system took forever to locate the vehicle’s position and he released a string of vicious expletives. The moment the last fixed position flashed on the screen, he tore out of the office, Desmond close on his heels. He was thankful that Alexander demanded all of them had trackers installed in their vehicles and linked to their system at the office.

  “How far is it?”

  “About twenty kilometers. Pray there is no traffic.” He gave the address to Desmond the minute they got into his car to key it in the GPS and he pulled away with screeching tires.

  “From his offices and if he left,” he glanced at his watch and cursed, “An hour ago, he would have arrived there thirty minutes ago already.”

  “Phone the police! They could be there before us.” His mouth tightened at the suggestion and Desmond realized he didn’t want the police there when he got there. He had murder in his eyes and he knew he would pummel him to death if he laid a hand on Samantha.

  Desmond pulled his cell phone from his pocket and phoned the police anyway, but doubted they would beat them there, especially as it took them forever to take the details. Nicolas drove like a maniac, but not irresponsibly and according to the GPS they would arrive in ten minutes. The closer they got, the tighter a fist of fear compressed around his heart. Please God, let them not be too late.

  Samantha lifted her head and felt as weak as a baby. She could hardly lift her arm and her mouth was dry and tasted bitter. She forced her eyes open and fear rushed through her. She pushed herself upright and utter terror gripped her when she realized her one hand was tied to the bedpost and she was naked except for her bra and panties.

  She struggled to breathe and started panting in fear. No, not again! Please God, not again!

  “Now does this not bring back pleasant memories, my dear sister?” She laughed wickedly and leaned against the doorframe, her eyes shimmering in enjoyment.

  Samantha shook her head to try and shake of the grogginess. “Elaine … what …” her eyes widened and she pulled at the rope around her writs.

  “You … it was you? You’re the other one that helped Wieldman!”

  Her laughter was twisted and ugly. “Helped him? No, my dear Samantha … I planned it!”

  Samantha stopped struggling with the rope and looked at her sister in disbelief. “Why? Why would you do something like that to me? How could you set me up to be brutalized and raped?”

  Elaine’s laughter dried up and she looked at her curiously. “You don’t know he di … this is even more priceless than I thought.” Her wild laughter echoed through the room. A door slammed in the background and she turned to the man that appeared in the doorway and closed the door behind him.

  Samantha screamed as just seeing him, brought back all the terror and pain she suffered at his hands six years ago. He stepped up to the bed and slapped her hard in the face, his eyes glittering with vicious intend.

  “Shut your mouth, bitch. This time there is no one that will interrupt our little reunion! I intend to enjoy this as much as I did then.”

  Elaine turned on him, her anger bursting forth like a hurricane. “What are you talking about? She is not here for your enjoyment! She is here to suffer! Suffer for all the unhappiness I had to go through because she was Daddy’s favorite. And then he still gave her everything, after he chased her away! I got nothing! Everything we did six years ago was for nothing!”

  He turned on her, the smirk on his face one of disgust, then back at Samantha. “Oh, I don’t know about that. You know he came to find me two months before his death and I took pleasure in informing him how I raped his innocent little daughter. How she cried, screamed and pleaded. He couldn’t take it, having chased her away, calling her a slut when he found her in my bed, to be told she was innocent in it all! He was incensed, nearly killed me with his fists, but just the look on his face was worth the pain! The fact that he overheard your conversation with me after his return is what finally broke him, what caused his heart attack, what made your mother pay for what she did to me!”

  He speared a glance at the terrified woman on the bed and then snapped at Elaine, “And you do not dictate what I do or don’t do. I had her once; I will have her again; as many times as I want and you will not stand in my way.”

  Elaine’s laughter sounded like a witch’s. “Had her? In your dreams. You never HAD her! Remember the glass of champagne I gave you while we waited for her to come by?” She laughed shrilly. “Yes, you nearly shredded her to pieces with your nails, but then you got groggy and got up and passed out on your couch.”

  His expression was livid and Samantha could not stop shivering. She pulled desperately at the rope, trying to loosen the knots while they were arguing. She still struggled with the grogginess and found it hard to believe what she was hearing. Her own sister! Now she understood why Nicolas was so haunted and would not tell her.

  Elaine swung to Samantha, glee and enjoyment on her face. “At least I achieved one thing! You suffered, you still suffer. Up to this day you believed he raped you. I saw you when you left that day, so defeated, so hurt, and being the naïve, soft peach you were, I knew you would suffer. That you would not be able to forget what he did to you. Thinking he raped you, living with that memory, broke you, kept you from giving yourself to anyone!”

  She laughed as if possessed. “At least I destroyed that pleasure for you. Look at you … still a virgin at twenty seven!”

  Wieldman turned to her and she started panting in fear. The look of lust and excitement in his eyes incinerated her and he pulled a pocket knife from his pocket and she screamed again, desperately cringing against the headboard, trying to avoid his hands. He just laughed and looking into her eyes, he slowly pushed the blunt side of the knife between her breasts and cut her bra in half. He used the tip of the knife to push the cups from her breasts and uncovered her to his lustful gaze.

  She cried and begged incoherently and Elaine screeched and scratched her nails down Wieldman’s face. “No! Leave her be. Why do you think I prevented you from having her before? You are mine! I do not share, especially not with HER!”

  He smirked at her. “Why the hell did you think I wanted her here if not for sex?”

  She went crazy and Wieldman tried to hold her down, but she scratched and kicked like a wildcat. Samantha kept working on the rope and screamed in fear when he threw Elaine against the wall and turned back towards her, not even noticing Elaine slipping unconscious to the floor. He reached for the zipper of his pants and Samantha kicked and screamed when he closed in on her.

  He cursed when a vicious crash sounded from the next room and then snatched the knife he had thrown down on the floor and turned towards the door.

  The next moment the door crashed open and a savage Nicolas seized the hand with the knife Wieldman stabbed at him in the same motion as he charged through the door. Samantha
screamed in fear. His gaze swung to her and his eyes went black with rage. He twisted his hand sharply and a loud crack sounded; Wieldman screamed in pain. Nicolas had broken his wrist; the knife cluttered to the floor.

  Wieldman stared at the silver eyes that blazed black at him and knew he stared death in the face. He screamed in fear.

  “I didn’t rape her! I never had her! Not then and not now!”

  “I know.”

  Wieldman stilled. “What … how?”

  “She is the woman I love and I faced first-hand the terror and pain she lived with for six years. For that I am taking everything you worked your life for to build.” Nicolas’s voice was quiet, but as frosty as the Arctic sky.

  Desmond rushed in and Nicolas told him to cover Samantha and untie her, his eyes never leaving Wieldman’s.

  “Wha … what do you mean?”

  “Desmond here felt guilty enough to tell me the truth and needed to fix what he did to her. We set you up. Why do you think I offered Elaine the job at Global? I knew she was in cahoots with you. I knew if I gave her enough rope she would hang the both of you and she did.”

  Wieldman paled. “The new R & D projects …”

  “The forensic investigative team arrived at your offices just after you left and they just phoned me with confirmation that they found evidence of industrial espionage; high level industrial espionage against Global. Enough to ensure you will rot in jail and your company and every cent you own will belong to Global soon. You Wieldman … are done!”

  He lost all color in his face and suddenly looked ten years older.

  “So tell me Wieldman, was your vendetta against Alexander worth losing everything? You intended to rape her then as you did now. For that … I will kill you!”

  “No, Nicolas! Please, I need you! Please!” Samantha pleaded hoarsely, struggling against Desmond’s arms holding her back, desperate to reach him.

  “But I won’t, because I intent to spend the rest of my life making sure she never think of you and what you did to her again.”

  His fist exploded in his face and blood spattered all over Wieldman’s face, his eyes rolled in his eyes and he screamed in pain, then his breath hissed out as another straight fist slammed into and broke his ribs, finally he crashed against the wall as Nicolas’s fist crushed his jaw, just as he crushed his nose.