*****
"Really Malaki!" I can't help feeling a little excited that for a short time I will be back in Feng Estate. "All Right I will see you at the airport in three days I just have to finish up some Intel on my end." I hang up smiling as I stare out the window of the office in the estate. Daniel only comes in here now to check on me, which is sadly quiet often and its getting on my nerves to be honest. "Ren" I whisper.
"Whats so great about him I hear what has become an all to familiar voice speak up.
I roll my eyes facing Jack who has become dear to me as a friend, though I know he wants more. He even made it a point to ask Daniel for his blessing. Which I ripped him a new asshole for, because that is a line I do not intend to cross. "How long have you been standing there Jack?" I say trying not to sound annoyed at the only real person I call friend in this house.
"Long enough, so I take it we got the green light to go?" I nod my head to his answer and return to looking out the window. Doing this has become habit. I feel as if I can touch Ren somehow. "That was easier then it use to be." He says snorting at the trouble Ren use to give, which I had expected to receive myself. So imagine my surprise that not only did he say yes so quickly but I was also invited to stay with him. Well not so much invited as it was a command but that was Ren for you. "Would you at least refrain from thinking of him while I'm in the room." Jack booms I look back over my shoulder seeing his annoyed face staring at me.
"Sorry." I mutter, though I'm really not. I know I should feel a little guilty I know how this man feels and not talking to Ren in five months the idea had crossed my mind to concede but one thing I learned from Ren I guess is that I'm now more stubborn then I use to be even if it kills me. I do less fighting these days and sit behind this big desk. Most of my release is the constant sparing and heavy training I go under every night with Jack and the other men When Daniel is asleep. However when I learned that the Black Panther Clans Head had been at the estate the day Rens mother was murdered I just couldn't sit still and forced Daniel to call Elder Berston to arrange a sit down where I will get the truth out of him one way or another even if I have to burn the whole damn estate down to force them out of their hole.
"I love that look in your eyes. Your like a hungry tiger on the hunt." I glare back at Jack but he's wearing that damn charming smile.
I groan at how charming he can be. Only so much a girls heart can take. "Jack."
"Yeah, yeah I know you still love that bastard who abandoned you." I hear the shuffling of his feet suddenly come closer. He stands in front of me. His hand on my chin making me look at him. Meir inches apart.
"Don't," I say trying to jerk my chin back from him, he holds tight though. I can hear his heavy breathing, feel his desire pierce through his eye as he looks at me. "I command you let me go." I say as firmly as I calm my own heart racing.
"No!" He breaths out, his eyes never leaving mine his grip tightening on me.
"Whats going on here!" A new voice appears near the entry way of the doors. Jack sighs dropping my chin and steps back.
"Nothing my lord I was just warning our Lady not to get to excited that the Feng clan has made accommodations to stay at there estate for security. She forgets to easily that we will be in enemy territory either way."
"Ren is not an enemy!" I hiss at Jacks words as I address my father. I hear my father chuckle he's been doing that more and more since I moved in I hear.
"Sorry Callahan you aren't going to win that argument with her. Besides The Feng Clan kept my daughter safe while in there care I owe Lord Feng my gratitude for this I will not see them as an enemy any further. So you got permission than? Daneil says, patting Jack on the shoulder and walking further in the room to sit on the sofa. He pats the seat next to him telling me he expects me to sit with him and talk. I know he wants to make up for lost times but I'm not a child that will sit on her fathers knee. Who knows even if I hadn't gone missing something tells me even as a child I still wouldn't be that kind of little girl.
I nod to his question pushing off the wall to sit beside him not wanting to upset him and have him cancel the plans. It took a whole hell of a lot of effort to convince him to let me do this. I haven't told him about my research and what I had uncovered about Rens mother or my own. If he know my theory there is no way he would let me walk into the enemy's lair let alone out of this house. "Ren has asked for use to stay at the manor under there protection. He will be supplying bodyguards as well for extra back up according to Malaki.
I hear a snort from the other side of the room as Jack listens in. I can hear him grumble under his breath that we don't need the Feng Clan. I shake my head at his interruption. Daniel pats his hand down my hair which has finally hit my shoulders.
"Did you talk to Ren yourself?" Daniel asks looking at me affectionately because he knows my heart will always lie with Ren. He has asked me about marriage there have been offers from other clans but I made it clear if it wasn't Ren then I'd rather be alone. Thankfully he didn't push it since then. He's been supporting my choice though he says to let him talk to Ren I refused.
"No Malaki called me, thank you for making the call. I was afraid if I called him directly he would hang up." I express my distress and slump my shoulders down sighing. I'm one big chicken.
"Anna!" My father says firmly "you can't show emotions like these in front of others." He lectures, I can't help but glare at his tone. A door slams and I look around Jack is gone. I can't help feeling guilty.
"I'm going to need to punish that man acting that way didn't even ask if he could leave." Daniel stands putting his hands in the pockets of his white dress pants. As he starts for the door.
"Wait!" I call after him knowing that Jack doesn't deserve punishment. Daniel turns back at me, eyes piercing. I swallow, he's pissed at Jack and I mean ready to beat the shit out of him or worse pissed. I learned just how ruthless this man could be to his own subordinates. Everyone was torn when I took over and I took a different approach wanting to be as family. "He had permission to leave." I say trying to keep my tone straight. "Before you had come in, I had dismissed him he waited around to make sure I didn't need anything while you where here, he realized I was good and took his leave like I had told him before." I lie through my teeth.
"Your still a shitty liar Anna," My father smirks a wicked grin. "Next time least try to make it believable and don't look away even for a second." He turns on his heals.
"I won't let you hurt him." I shout. "If he needs to be punished I will do it! You made me head I decide who gets punished now."
My father smiles over his shoulder and puts his hands up in defeat. "Fine you win this time because I don't want my darling daughter to hate me as well."
Left alone in the office again. I look at my phone and click the contact list open. My finger glides down to Rens name. Maybe I should just give up after all he's never called or expressed desire to see or speak to me, When I leave Feng manor after this trip I will look ahead and face the facts Ren will never love me again. A wet tear leaves my eyes and slides down the the curves of my face. I don't wipe it away.