Claire's POV:

It's just been a day since Xavier left and I can't deny that I have been missing him more than usual. But the Teddy helped a lot, I didn't have any nightmares last night while I slept hugging the Teddy bear.

It was the sweetest and most touching gesture anyone has ever done for me. Especially the cute little note warmed my heart. I kept it with the other note he left me in my book.

Yesterday I was missing him all day, and I was hesitant to call him since I didn't know if he would be okay with it or not. But thankfully he called me and I was able to listen to his comforting voice. Which oddly enough made me feel tingles all over my body.

Picking up my phone I decided to send him a good morning and a hugging gif that I found cute.

Satisfied with the text I got out of bed and walked out of the room.

Derek said we'd be going to my new favorite cafe for breakfast today and I was already in my sundress with knee socks and sneakers.

"Ready kitten?" Derek asked picking up his car keys to which I nodded and followed him out of the house and into his car.

"Someone seems jolly today. Something or rather someone on your mind kitten?" Derek teased wiggling his eyebrows.

"I don't know what you're talking about" I muttered fighting the blush on my face.

"Maybe someone whose perfume you're using" he said knowingly and my cheeks went blaring red.

"I-I just like the smell!" I mumbled, flustered.

"Sure you do kitten, sure you do" he chuckled before starting the car and I just kept my eyes on the road while my face was burning in embarrassment.

I couldn't help it, I needed his scent around me to keep me calm. This never happened to me before and I don't seem to mind it either.

After a while we reached the cafe, I and Derek both got out and walked into the cafe. Derek decided that we don't need any guards around because he knows the area well so it was just me and him.

Getting in I found us an empty table while he went to order.

After 15 minutes of waiting, Derek came back to the table with our breakfast and my stomach grumbled and my mouth watered. I'm hungry.

"They ran out of your favorite blueberry muffin kitten, so I got you a chocolate one, Is that good?" He asked taking a seat and setting the food on the table.

"That looks delicious" I chuckled picking up the chocolate chip muffin before taking a big bite off it and it was tasty.

He ruffled my hair and began eating his sandwich.

We were busy eating when my phone dinged and I picked it up to see a text from Xavier. With slightly tinted cheeks I picked it up and opened the chat.

'Did you sleep well angel?'

'I did, thanks to Teddy'

'you better not replace me with that teddy doll'

My face went red reading his text and I immediately shut the phone.

Peeking at Derek he was still busy with his sandwich and I let out a sigh of relief he didn't see me texting his brother and then getting all flustered.

After we were done eating we got up and Derek handed me over the car keys.

"I'll pay for this kitten, you can wait in the car okay" he informed and I gave him a nod, then he walked towards the cashier and I walked out of the cafe.

But before I could reach the car a hand wrapped around my mouth followed by another on my arm as someone pulled me away and my scream was muffled by their large hand.

I was slammed hard against a wall and I let out a whimper closing my eyes.

"Well lookie here, we meet again" a voice chuckled and I snapped my eyes open to see a familiar face of Evan. My heart stopped. What does he want with me?

"If you scream or let out any sound at all, I won't hesitate to empty this gun in your tiny little head" he warned and I felt something hard press at the top of my head, which I'm assuming was a gun.

"Understand?" He asked pushing the gun into my head and I slowly nodded while tears pooled in my eyes.

He slowly retreated his hand but didn't take a step back nor removed the gun from above my head.

"Awe are you gonna cry sweetheart?" He mused and the tears clouding my vision grew.

"Don't worry, I'm here to help you" he muttered before harshly pulling my hand up and placed the gun in my palm and I stared at it scared and confused. He's crazy, if I do or say anything nothing is stopping him from killing me right here.

I gulped and looked at him confused.

"I want Xavier dead, and guess who's gonna do it for me?" he whispered with a smirk and I froze. What..?

"You." he mouthed and I vigorously shook my head, fighting the tears that threatened to fall.

"No, never!" I spat at him and he held my jaw harshly forcing the tears to drip down my cheeks.

"I don't think you have much of a choice sweetheart" he began before pulling something out of his pocket.

Not letting go of my jaw he held his phone in front of my face and my blood ran cold when I saw the picture.

Skyler was tied up to a chair, her face was all bloody and bruised, her clothes were ripped and she seemed to be in so much pain. No..this can't be happening. Not her..

"What has she ever done to you? Why are you doing this?!" I cried, holding the gun now at him furiously but he only chuckled like a madman.

"All business sweetheart, nothing personal." He chuckled.

"You're sick!" I seethed at him and he only laughed.

"Sweetheart you have seen nothing yet. If you want your dear friend to live, you know what to do." he began before swaying my hand that held the gun on him away and holding my face in a tight grip forcing me to look at him.

"And if you even try to snitch about our sweet little secret to anyone. I will make sure to mail your friend in pieces to his mailbox. So act smart" he whispered before letting go of my face while tears rolled down my cheeks and my hands shook in anger and fear.

With a smirk permanent on his face, he walked away leaving me shaking and crying. What am I supposed to do now..?

Sucking in a deep breath I quickly wiped my face and hid the gun under my dress. Speed walking towards the car my hands went cold seeing Derek standing there with a frown on his face.

"Jesus kitten, you had me worried, where were you!?" He rushed holding my face.

"I saw a k-kitten in the street, I was petting it" I lied and he seemed to believe it.

"Still kitten, don't go wandering off like that. Xavier would kill me if something would've happened to you." He chuckled before taking the keys from my hands and unlocking the car.

Forcing a smile I went and sat in the car with my heart still thudding loudly in my chest.

~~~~~~~~

Xavier's POV:

Seeing her cute little text after waking up made me feel Happy. Weirdly happy. Just the thought of her thinking of me made me oddly excited. I'm going insane.

Right now I was driving to the warehouse where we believe that prick is hiding.

Parking the car in front of an abandoned building I looked over at Oliver.

"You sure this is the right place?" I asked, eying the empty area. My men guarding the whole perimeter. I'm not letting him slide away easily.

"I'm positive man, let's go" he muttered before getting out of the car and so did I. My hands itching to choke the life out of this guy for messing with me.

Walking into the building my frown grew. It was empty. The place was trash. It looked like no one have been here in years.

"Search the entire building, every goddamn corner" I ordered and my men scattered around the building.

"He has to be here" Oliver gritted and I shook my head.

Out of nowhere, a phone rang catching all of our attention.

Following the sound, I stepped closer to a torn couch in the corner of the room and picked up the ringing cell holding it against my ear.

"Tsk tsk, I wanted to see how stupid and gullible you and your men are Xavier, and I gotta say, I wasn't expecting this from the Xavier Winston himself " a man's voice chuckled and rage filled my body.

"Says the coward himself, why don't you show your face and I'll make sure to leave an impression on it for life" I gritted earning a peal of laughter from him.

"Now why would I do that? I have you exactly where I want you to be, I needed you to leave her side, and look at that, you did" he mocked.

"I will end your entire fucking bloodline if you dare go near her!" I snapped.

"Too late Xavier, you're too late" he laughed before the line went dead.

Throwing the phone on the floor I rushed out of the building zooming towards my car with Oliver right beside me.

"What's going on Xavier, who was it?" Oliver began as I started the car and dashed it on the road.

"It was a fucking trap, to get me away from her" I gritted rushing the car across the road.

With my other hand, I picked up the phone and dialed her number but it took me straight to her voicemail.

"Fuck fuck!" I cursed and dialed Derek's number but the same shit happened. This isn't right, I need to get to her fast!

~~~~~~~~~~

Claire's POV:

I haven't left my room ever since we got home. I wasn't just scared I was terrified. I hid the gun he gave me on one of the shelves behind the books.

My hands won't stop shaking and all I can think of was Skyler's beat-up face. I don't know what to do, I can't kill Xavier but I can't let them torture Skyler like this. I'm torn in between..

Hugging the teddy I let my tears flow freely down my face. I can't even risk telling Xavier about it, Skyler's life is at stake and I know those people won't hesitate to kill her just to send me a message.

Wiping my face I took in a deep breath and walked out and down the stairs.

Walking into the lounge I saw Derek scrolling through his phone so I went and sat beside him catching his attention.

"Are you feeling alright kitten? You have been locked up in Xavier's room all day long, are you sick?" He inquired with worry lacing his voice and pressing the back of his hand against my forehead.

"I'm okay Derek just got my period" I lied and his eyes went big in realization.

"Do you want me to get you something from the store kitten? Ice cream? Chocolate?" He asked and I felt a smile creeping up my face and shook my head no.

"Can I ask you something?" I began and he put his phone aside giving me his complete attention.

"Who's Evan?" I asked and a deep frown took over his forehead.

"Why are you asking kitten?" He asked eyeing me suspiciously.

"I was just curious, Xavier shot him for coming to the mansion back in Newyork and even Chloe was terrified at the mention of his name" I explained and he took in a deep breath.

"He's one of the biggest women traffickers in Newyork. We rescued Chloe from him. He har kept her for himself as his playtoy just for his amusement. She was in really bad shape when Oliver found her. He hasn't left her side since then. Even before they got together he kept her safe" Derek explained with a sad smile and my heart dropped to my stomach.

He smuggles women? This isn't good..

♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

End of chapter lovelies.