Submitting to My Best Friend's Dad by Scarlett Rossi
Chapter 147 -

Allegra.

I hated how Becca had to replace out about Layla and me, but there was no way to really have prevented that. I should have known, eventually, she would have found out, but I wish it would have been me telling her instead of her walking in on me kissing the girl.

Things with Layla happened unexpectedly. Gradually over time, we grew feelings for each other, and I had never been opposed to having a relationship with the same sex. In fact, I had sexual relations with Becca on one occasion, with James watching and participating as well.

The whole thing with Layla, though, was unexpected. Late one night, we sat outside, upset about how our lives had taken a turn. She was there for me, and in casual conversation, we kissed, which ended up leading to a whole lot more. Next thing I knew, we were stealing every second we could get alone to share those private moments, and no matter how much I tried to convince her to leave so she would be safe, she refused.

She didn't want to leave me because she was in love with me as I was in love with her.

The ride back to the mainland was unpleasant. The graying skies had given way to unforgiving sea travel, and though the bumps of the waves on the sea had my stomach turning, we made it back to dry land without any issues. "Let me help you..." the soft-spoken voice of the man Neal had sent with Sam and I said as he held out his hand for me to take.

We had made dock at the nearest area to the house, and as I took his offered hand and climbed out of the boat, I tried to calm the rolling uneasiness in my stomach. The coffee I had finished right before I climbed on board was the wrong choice, but there was no changing that now. "Thank you."

Sam approached me, walking down the dock from where the car was waiting in the parking lot. He had been working with Neal on and off for years, and when things took a turn for the worse a few months back, his position had become more permanent.

"Allegra, everything's ready to go. However, the dock master did say a nasty storm was coming in tonight, so it's best we stay the night at the house. Then in the morning, we can head back out." His comment made me sigh because on the boat, I tried to convince him our trip would be quick enough to make it back tonight.

The weather had other plans for me, and even though I wanted to get back to Layla and Becca, it was obvious it wouldn't be possible.

"That's okay. I understand."

With a small smile, I passed him and made my way toward the car without another word. It sucked I would basically have to spend the night alone in that house even though the two men were with me, but I would just have to make do with what I had.

Perhaps there were other things I could look through I may have needed.

If it was able to keep my mind busy, then so be it.

****

A few hours later, the storm approaching blew heavily through the night. The wind outside howled as the branches of nearby trees scratched against the roof, causing an eerie feeling to rest within the bones of the house I once loved to go home to.

It sucked being here when it felt so empty, and with Sam sleeping and the other guy standing watch, I couldn't help but feel vulnerable. It was as if no matter how many people my brother could have sent with me... I was still open to the elements.

Searching through the cascade of paperwork I had in my room, I searched for the photos Layla, and I had taken only two months after she had been with us.

I wanted something to take back with me to put in a frame, considering Becca knew about our relationship, and Neal wouldn't object as long as I made sure to be careful about what I was doing. He may have been my younger brother, but I sometimes felt like he was the older sibling.

A soft knock on the bedroom door caught my attention, and looking up, I spotted Sam standing there with a smile on his face. "Hey, I'm letting Zack go rest and run patrol quickly on the house."

He didn't have to tell me what he was doing, but with a smile, I nodded. "Sounds good. I'm going to head to bed here in a minute. I was just looking for some photos."

"Okay, just remember we leave at first light."

It was strange how fatherly the older man was, considering he didn't have to tell me anything, and yet he still chose to. As he closed the door, I felt guilty he was going out into the weather because it was his job to protect me. Had I just made sure to grab things this morning like a normal person, we wouldn't have been here.

The chain had broken a week ago, and I had sent it out to have it fixed for her. Then stupidly allowed myself to forget to grab it. I'd picked it up the other day but hadn't put it back in her jewelry box, and I'd forgotten about it in all of the rush. Thankfully, now it was already safe inside my sweater pocket. One last thing I had to worry about replaceing.

Shaking my head, I sighed as I shuffled through a few more pieces of paper until I finally found the photos I was looking for. A small smile played on my face as I recalled the day we took the photos and how happy I had been to take them with her.

As I reminisced over the moment the photo was taken, a small noise from the living room caught my attention and drove me into go mode. It sounded like a thud but confused me at the same time. The only people in the house were me, Zack, and Sam, or so I thought.

Narrowing my gaze, I stood and shoved one of the photos into my pocket as I made my way toward the bedroom door. I wasn't one to run away scared, and the moment I stepped out into the hallway, I wished I was one of those people. But no, I was pressing forward down the hallway to see where everyone was.

Like a common idiot I would have yelled at in movies for doing so.

The eerie sound of silence consumed me, and as I pulled my sweater tighter around me, my heart raced as the adrenaline coursed through my body. Zack was supposed to be sleeping in the spare room with Sam doing rounds outside. Yet, the moment I stepped into the living room, I froze.

Blood coated the floor, and as I let my eyes scan over the hardwood floor towards the source of where the blood was coming from, a flash of lightning from the angry sky outside lit up the living room in white, and a glimpse of Zack's dead body came into view.

My breath caught in my throat as I stared at him. The realization we weren't alone in this house clicked, but just in time for two strong arms to wrap around me from behind. Screaming, I thrashed and swung my arms back, catching whoever it was in the stomach as I bolted towards the other side of the home.

The panic room was in the study, and if I could make it there, I would be safe.

Unfortunately, I only got a few steps before a powerful grip on my hair had me screaming out in pain. I turned and tried using a few defensive moves to get out of the grip. It worked momentarily, but when the second figure grabbed me as well, the thrashing around became more useful than anything.

Gripped by the throat, the thundering storm raging behind these four walls, I stared up into the dark eyes of my attacker, who gladly removed his mask to smile back at me. I should have known something like this was going to happen. That they would plan this, and with the place deserted in the move, it was the perfect opportunity for them to come in.

They had been watching us, and now... I was their target.

"Hello, Allegra," the cold, sinister voice of Xavier said with a snarling smile on his lips. He wasn't as bad as his older brother, who obviously wasn't here right now, but he was just as wicked when he wanted to be.

"Get the f*ck off me," I spat at him, struggling within his grasp.

Laughter echoed within the room as another clash of lightning echoed outside. There was no way I would be able to get away from him. I may have been skilled, but I knew I was no match for the Michaelson brothers. I would be a fool if I thought I was.

"She's feisty, isn't she, boys?" Xavier laughed as the other two men with him chuckled in response to his comment. "I like them when they're feisty, and I know my brother does too."

Panic flooded me. Even though my life had prepared me for what could come, I was so out of touch with that side of me. I was unsure of what to do. It was like the moment he got his hands on me, everything I once knew went out the window. "Let me go now, and my brother and I may let you live."

Again with the laughter. I found myself growing more and more aggravated. Taking advantage of his brief distraction, I kicked out, catching him between the legs, which in turn caused him to let go of me.

The other two men with him were surprised as I pushed through them and rushed down the hallway. Yet, not fast enough to get away as I was tackled to the ground. A scream rushed from my throat as I hit the floor. My fingers clawed at the carpet as I tried to get away.

I had no doubt I would end up dying, and when a blow to the back of my head made spots dance before my eyes, I was sure this was it. Yet, as I was flipped over onto my back and staring up into Xavier's eyes, who now straddled my waist, I knew he wasn't going to make this quick.

"Oh, naughty girl." He laughed, shaking his head. "Here, I thought you were going to listen. Guess we are going to have to do this the hard way."