Afterlife (Afterlife Saga) (57 page)

“Malphas!” Draven shouted at him and I assumed this to be his name. Malphas, however, didn't seem anything but happy about Draven’s reaction. His eyes met mine over the hand that he still held in an icy grip.

“Umm.....I didn't think so.”  He said smirking as he finally let go of my hand.

“Keira, I think it's time for you to be getting home.” Draven said, glaring at me as though I was made from dirt.

“Well, that would be a good idea but unfortunately someone unlawfully kicked out my date therefore leaving me stranded and without a ride home....so you see my predicament!” I said folding my arms again showing him my bravery, which was now mixed with fiery passion.

“Well I think I have seen enough to satisfy me, My Lord, I will now take my leave, but my dear please allow me to escort you home.” Malphas’ very deep, hoarse voice offered.

“Thank you, that would be very kind,” I said looking at Draven who now looked as if he wanted to shake me to death.

“That won't be necessary. Zagan
take Miss Johnson home, NOW!” He ordered to one of the men who sat at his table. He was the one who always wore the hooded jacket and had the scar and tattoos upon his face. He stood at this command but stopped when Malphas’ men got closer to me. I didn't really understand what was going on but Draven's voice ended it quickly before things got out of hand.

“Malp
has, you don't want to push me!
” He said his name with a clear warning behind it and in return Malphas' hand went up again as it had done before.

“But of course.” He stood and came closer to me once again saying,

“It was a pleasure to meet you my dear Keira.” He stepped forward close to my ear and whispered so no one else could hear,

“I will be at the front of the building waiting to drive you home...meet me.” He then kissed my cheek as if that was what he was planning to do, for everyone watching.

But I jumped back at the sound of Draven's fist going down on the stone table with such mighty power it not only shook but also cracked under his hammer like hand. His voice boomed out making everyone look on in fear, including me.

“ENOUGH! Keira, go and wait for me on the balcony!” He demanded and his black eyes flicked with the same purple I had seen before, as he stared at Malphas as though he would soon rip his throat out. This was one order that I would not disobey and I left but not before I could just hear Malphas saying,

“Fear not Draven, I would not hurt the girl, not after what I have seen with my own eyes...After all she is…”  But his voice trailed off and I didn't hear the rest as I was heading towards the balcony.   However, on the way there my mind flipped and I decided that once away from Draven's evil glare, I was clear to think for myself. Hell, Draven was my boss and that was it. He had no rights over me whatsoever, so why did I have to go and do what he said when I would just end up getting another ear bashing on the balcony. NO, not this time! I was my own person and I would do as I pleased and if he didn't like it, then he would just have to sack me or better still, I would quit! 

So, with that in mind, I waited until I was out of sight and sneaked down past the guard and shot down the stairs like an Olympic runner. Once I was on the ground floor I ran up to where my jacket was and said a quick bye to the rest of my friends, not waiting for a reply. I bolted for the front doors scared of looking back. My heart raced with panic, knowing I had gone against him and knowing that I would seriously have to pay for it, but with the idea that I didn't want that to be now, I ran quicker until I was outside.

Once outside, the cold air hit me, making me remember my jacket which I then put on. It didn't take long for my senses to realise that what I was about to do was an extremely stupid thing and a very dangerous one at that. But before I could back out a black limo came round to the front and the door opened. I took a deep breath, knowing I was making a categorical mistake and entered the car. Malphas looked at me with curiosity as I tried to calm down inside. The car pulled onto the main road, towards the direction I lived although I hadn't yet said a word.

“I certainly admire your spirit, there aren’t many that would defy Draven, but maybe that adds to the appeal for him.” He said as he stroked the smooth white skin on his chin. The limo was very dark inside with only a few small blue LED lights that made his skin bright white.

“I can guarantee that I hold no “appeal” for Mr Draven whatsoever,” I said looking out of the window, seeing nothing but the black night.

“I highly doubt that,” he said as he flicked a switch making a little bar appear. He poured himself a drink and offered me one which I turned down before asking,

“What makes you say that?”

“You really don't look at yourself in the same way as others of your kind do....do you?” He asked and I didn't understand what he meant by “My kind”.

“All I know is the way Draven treats me, and like he said ‘
I'm just a waitress’
“ I said trying not to look hurt at the memory, but he just smiled as though what I had said was funny.

“Have I missed something?” I asked looking him in the eye.

“Draven clearly has a hold on you and you in turn a hold on
him that
much I can be sure on.” He swirled the golden liquid around in his brandy glass before taking a sip.

“You’
re wrong, I have no hold on him
and you
saw for yourself, I'm just an inconvenience.”

“On some level you’re right but not the way you think. I saw for my own eyes indeed, a man who is trying to protect something he holds very valuable to him and
that my dear ….is you.” He said as he motioned his glass towards me, pointing me out.

“Well I think his soon to be wife would find a problem with that, I'm sure!” I said but his face changed at this news and he laughed at the thought.

“Umm...Interesting. Well I will give him this...he most certainly knows how to put the needs of others before his own...Ha...What a saint!” He said laughing heartily and I really was at a loss to know why.

“Well they were certainly quicker than I thought and I guess that just confirms my conclusion.” He said as he pressed another switch above him making the black screen between the driver and us come down.

“You’d better pull over before this gets....out of han
d, I have made my point and them
theirs.” He ordered the driver and he did as he was told, pulling up by the side of the road.

“What's going on, why are we stopping?” I asked in a panicked voice.

“Don't fret my dear, but pray tell me, if you truly believe that Draven has no feelings of want for you, then why would he send a car to follow us and be flagging us down to get you away from me?”

I looked round in horror as his statement was confirmed by the headlights behinds us.

Chapter 31- Jack's past

I looked around in surprise to find a figure walking to my side of the car ready to open the door. I looked back at Malphas to find him releasing the lock on my door and I jumped at the sound. Why had I been locked in, in the first place?

“Well I bid you farewell and will look forward to our next meeting.” And with that my door was open ready for me to exit the limo. But when I got out of the car I heard him say in the scariest voice I have ever heard, one that made my skin crawl at the sound.

“See you
soon
....Keira.” The door then slammed shut and the man standing opposite me made my mouth drop open in shock. The Limo drove away and I suddenly wished I were still inside it. I couldn't help but state the obvious.

“Vincent Draven!”

“Keira, please get in the car.” He said holding his arm out to the huge black Rolls Royce behind me. It looked like a deadly panther and the man that held the door open was just as scary.

“What are you doing here?” I asked annoyed at my current situation and also hoping his brother wasn't in there waiting for me.

“The car, if you please.” So I gave up, feeling that this whole thing was ridiculous, I got in the car. I slid over the cream leather interior to the other side as Vincent got in after me. I sat there like a spoilt child with my arms folded tightly across my chest, digging my nails into my palms I was so angry.

His brother was also incredibly handsome, with tight curls of blonde hair and the most amazing smouldering eyes that you could get lost in. His face was softer but still I wouldn't want to get on the wrong side of him, which was apparently down the road I was heading.

“So like I said, what are you doing here?”

“I am here on my brother’s orders and he is not happy!” He said without looking at me but my fury doubled.

“I don't care! He can't do this. I was perfectly fine where I was!” I said thinking I was close to stamping my feet but glad I didn't, as it would have looked more funny than serious.

“I doubt that. I do not understand why you continue to make things so difficult?” His calm voice just angered me more.

“Me, make things difficult! I think I could have made it home without all the theatrics.”

“You do not know the man who was taking you home like we do, you do not know what he is capable of or who he works for...You were not safe.” He said this
and a chill went up my spine, making me feel stupid. Why had I got into a car with a complete stranger who could have been a psycho! I lowered my head knowing what he said was right...I had been foolish.

“And I'm safe here with you?”

“Yes, we don't mean you any harm Keira. My brother is trying to protect you, why can you not see that?”

“Why would he even care?”

“Well that you will have to take up with him, he wants to see you tomorrow,” he said and the thought of how that was going to go made me frightened. We pulled into my gravel road and the house came into view. Jack's car was parked there and he was sat on the porch steps waiting for me. Vincent noticed and simply said,

“That boy should not be here, if I were you and didn't want to anger my brother any more than you already have, then I would get rid of him.” He looked serious when he said this but I couldn't resist the urge to say what I did, as my back was up at the idea of any more demands.

“Well you’re not me! And I have obviously pissed Draven off, so what the hell does it matter? He's made it perfectly clear I mean nothing to him so why should I obey him!” I said before getting out of the car. I slammed the door shut but the window rolled down and Vincent said,

“Don't forget Keira, tomorrow...oh and I wouldn't keep him waiting.”

“Fine!” I shouted as I stomped off towards Jack who was now watching this little scene play out. I stamped up the steps in frustration before shouting,

“ARRRHHH!” And he looked at me as though I had lost it, which I was very close to doing.

“Hey are you ok? Who was that?” He got up and came up to me putting his arms around me making me calm down at his touch. The car had now turned around and was pulling away but I could still see Vincent watching through the open window.

“Yeah, I am now they've gone. Look I'm so, so sorry about what happened, are you ok?” I said pulling away from him to see his face.

“Yeah, I'm fine, they just got the wrong guy I guess, but I was more worried about you, about how you would get home, and then RJ said she saw you getting into a limo, so I drove straight here.”

I told him what had happened and he looked on in horror but I left out a few parts not wanting to cause any more problems than I already had mounting up. He told me how he had been driving round looking for me, until RJ rang to tell him her version of it, which made him smile.

“I have never had anyone fight my corner before, but man that was impressive...RJ said you were unstoppable.” He laughed and put his arm around my shoulders as we were sat on the top step of the front porch. Then something struck me. Why the hell did Draven have him thrown out in the first place? If it wasn't because of me, then it must have something to do with Jack's past. So I decided now was the time to ask.