KEVIN’S POV
I groaned as I tried to open my eyes but they seemed as if they were glued together. My arms and legs were numb and no matter how hard I tried they wouldn’t budge. It didn’t take me long to realize that I was tied up with ropes.
I racked my brain trying to figure out how I got here. The last thing I remembered the explosion. I had somehow managed to survive it. Then everything was bleary. There were some glimpses of a woman talking to me but I couldn’t figure out what she said.
“So, you are awake, Kevin. Right on time I see…” A familiar voice sounded to my left. I tried to open my eyes. I could sense the fluttering of my eyelids but all I could see was darkness.
Tugging at the ropes, I said in a panicked voice, “Cami! I don’t know how I ended up here. Please help me untie these ropes. I have to go to my packhouse…”
“I felt a soft sensation as she ran her hand over my cheeks. I was going to tell her to stop dallying when she spoke up, “I am afraid that won’t be possible given that I am the one who kept you here!”
I felt like someone had punched me in the gut. My voice shook slightly as I said, “Why would you do that? I am your childhood friend!”
“That you are but the bond of blood is stronger than friendship. I am the daughter of Ariana…”
My heart sank and I stuttered, “Ari...Ariana…”
“Yes! That same witch you tried to kill. Anyway, that is not important. I am here to give you one last chance to live…”
I could sense her arms brush across my shoulders as she moved around me. For a long while, all I could hear was the clicking of her heels. When I couldn’t take it any longer, I blurted out, “What do you want Cami?”
I cringed and turned my head when I sensed her moist lips on mine. She giggled and said, “I want YOU, Kevin Gilkins. If you are willing to ditch Kiara and spend the rest of your life with me I can beg my mother to spare you.”
Bile rose in my throat as I spat, “You are disgusting Cami! You are crazy to think I will leave Kiara for someone like YOU.”
“Fine then you will die a painful death just like your father,” her icy cold voice sliced through my heart. Did she mean that she had killed my father?
Before I could ask her anything she replied, “Yes, I was the one who poisoned your father for the second time.”
“But, how is that possible? We were all there… we would have seen you entering…”
“I use minions to do my dirty work just like my mother, Kevin. No points for guessing who it was…”
My eyes widened in horror as I whispered, “Adrian…”
“Yes… all I had to do was pull some mate shit and he was willing to do everything I said like a loyal dog!”
I hissed as I felt a prick in my wrist. I felt the gentle brushing across my wrist as Cami said, “You feel that prick… that is the needle embedded in your vein. All I have to do is push the piston and you will be dead in a few minutes. This is your last chance in case you want to change your mind…”
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Did she really think I could accept her after she killed my father? I snorted and spat, “I would rather die than be with you!”
“Fine then… happy after…”
Her words were abruptly replaced by her scream. I could hear her labored breath and then a few words, “You… How can you betray me…”
Then everything went dead silent. My heart pounded against my ribs as I called out, “Who is there?”
“Kevin! Buddy! Are you alright?” Adrian’s voice sounded as he untied my ropes. The moment my hands and legs free I fumbled around and grabbed his neck, “I am going to kill you.”
His voice was extraordinarily calm as he said, “Cami is dead but we should leave immediately. If Ariana senses that her daughter is dead and she comes here Nivaan’s plan will be foiled.”
He did kill my father but he had also saved my life. I had to at least give him an opportunity to explain himself. I released him and tried to walk forward but I stumbled.
“F***! Why can’t I see anything?” I cursed as I tried to stabilize myself.
“Cami used her magic to make you blind. Don’t worry, Valence should be able to fix this…” Adrian said holding my hand as he led me along the way.
He led me to a car and started driving. I had no idea if we were going in the right direction but I had no option but to trust Adrian…