[|]

I got home and found Axel and Lucas speaking to each other in the kitchen. They turned their heads in my direction and I smiled at them, approaching the kitchen. I stopped beside Axel and hugged him, he has been absent for some days, working with his partner on finding the boys.

"Hey," I said and went to where Lucas was standing. I smiled at him and took the glass of honey-colored drink. He immediately grabbed it from my hand and I frowned.

"That's alcohol. You're pregnant and you shouldn't be drinking much," Lucas warned, glaring at me.

"I didn't know it was alcohol," I said and pouted. "Anyway, I'm hungry."

"What do you want?" Axel asked. "I can cook for you. I know my brother is a shitty cook."

"You do know I'm learning from watching YouTube, right?" Lucas asked in a defensive tone.

I smiled as I watched the two of them before shaking my hand, feeling more hungry.

"I want noodles mixed with mangoes and watermelon cubes. I was in the hallway when I smelt mangoes and watermelon and I was craving noodles after seeing Maddy," I said and my mouth watered at the thought of the food.

When I looked at their faces, they were staring at me as if I was crazy.

"Are you okay?" Lucas asked.

"Yeah, because that is some messed up recipe," Axel said in the same tone as his brother.

"I'm so hungry and you're asking me if I'm okay? What the hell?" I was suddenly angry at their reaction. It wasn't my fault that I wanted such food. I just craved for it yet they questioned my food choices.

Lucas sighed beside me. "I know what's wrong with her. It's those damn pregnancy cravings."

The realization came upon me at his words, making me understand why it was such an odd mix.

"That explains it. So, Axel. Cook the noodles for me. I'm so hungry," I said and made my way to the living room.

I sat on one of the couches and turned on the television. Lucas sat beside me and I glanced at him when he placed his hand on my little bump.

"How did your meeting with Maddy go?" He asked while rubbing my stomach.

"It was nerve-wracking at first. But when I faced her, I felt nothing but hatred for her. I still can't believe she could do this to me. She's still pretending though and it's comical how she acts. I can't believe we've been fooled all this time," I said and clenched my hand around the black remote.

"Hey, don't be sad. We should be happy that we know the truth. What we need to do now is get on with the plan we have. We have to play her," he said.

"I know but I don't want this game of ours to stay for too long. If we drag this on, she will eventually find out the truth and outsmart us. Whatever we're doing, we need to do it fast and not delay. We need to know we're safe from her and her goons," I said and faced him.

Lucas smiled and looked down at my stomach. He spread his hand and met my eyes again.

"This will be dangerous but I promise to do everything in my power to protect you and our baby," he said and rubbed my stomach softly. "You hear that? Daddy's going to protect your mommy with all his heart, just as much as he loves you and her."

I wanted to tear up at his strong emotional words. I placed my hand over his and squeezed his hand. His eyes flickered to my lips and stayed there for some seconds before he looked back into my eyes. I felt breathless when his eyes dilated a bit, which was fascinating to look at.

"I love you so much," he whispered. "I love you and want our lives started on a new slate. I want a future with you and our children. What do you say?"

I gulped, feeling my throat tightening. I felt tears around my eyes and my heart beat increased. I exhaled and cupped his stubbled jawline then rubbed his cheek with my thumb.

"I say we put that bitch where she belongs before anything," I said and he leaned into my touch with a chuckle. He kissed the center of my palm and rose to his feet.

"Anyway, Axel was able to find Ashton Kingston and two of the other boys. One is dead," he said.

I gaped. "Dead?"

"He killed himself according to Ashton. He died because of guilt and his parents disowning him," Lucas explained.

"How do you know about this?" I asked, rising to my feet.

Lucas stretched out his hand and I eyed it. I placed my hand on his and looked at Axel who was busy in the kitchen. Lucas smiled and pulled me with him, up the stairs and to the bedroom. We went over to the walk-in closet and he opened the door.

I stopped walking when I saw the boys who had assaulted me, laying on the floor with gags in their mouths; hands and legs tied together. I started to sweat at the sight of them as flashes of that night came to the back of my head. I took my hand out of Lucas' and stepped back, shaking my head.

"Jackie?"

"H-how... W-what are they doing in our house?" I asked and looked away when one of them saw me.

Lucas closed the door and I exhaled in relief.

"Axel has his connections in Abuja. He had his connection send them back. The moment they arrived here, they got drugged and brought here. They have confessed to Maddy paying them and having proof to send her to prison," he said and I craned my head.

"Proof? What kind of proof?"

"The one who died was too paranoid, recorded every call Maddy made to them which shows she paid them and had them leave the country for the same reason. He stored them in a vault that only Ashton knew about. Ashton was able to give it to us."

I was happy, happy within myself that we had something against Maddy. Something so concrete that would lead her to the place we wanted her to be.

"Why haven't you sent them to prison?" I asked.

Lucas smirked. "That's because they will be a pawn in our game. Let's make Maddy go crazy, shall we?"

I couldn't help but smile at the idea. Maddy didn't know what was coming to her and I had the first plan that may have her losing her shit to me.

A/n: Few more chapters before WBF ends.

What has been your favorite part/scene in this story?