Chapter 6 His Possession, My Prison

Victoria POV

My palms braced against the cool, tiled wall, trying to steady myself. The silence between us was thick, suffocating. There was too much to say, but not a single word felt right.

"What the hell is happening?" Nelson's voice cracked, desperate and demanding. The air had lost its breeze. All I felt was heat. Heat... and dread.

"You wouldn't understand, Nelson." I tried to stay calm, to make him believe there was a reason. But I could already see it in his eyes-it wasn't working.

His fists slammed against the wall across from me, the sound sharp and violent.

"Fuck this!" he snarled, turning his back. I noticed the bruises on his knuckles-fresh. "I just saw you with the man you claimed your sister was marrying."

"Something happened... I've been trying to-" My voice broke. Tears pooled at the edge of my eyes.

"Where is Brenda?" he cut in. His voice softened just a little as he stepped forward and rested a hand on my shoulder. But what I saw in his eyes wasn't anger anymore.

It was fear.

Real, raw fear.

A tear slid down my cheek. "I don't know, Nelson. Everything happened so fast. I'm confused too."

He bowed his head, like he was trying to process the chaos I'd dragged him into.

"I can't tell you everything right now," I whispered. "But you have to believe me. Please."

Suddenly, footsteps. Fast. Heavy. Doors creaked open and slammed shut. Voices-men's voices-echoed down the hall.

"She's not here."

They were looking for me.

Nelson tensed, his eyes flickering toward the noise. He pulled me into his arms like he'd rather die than let them take me.

I didn't want him to let go either. Not ever.

But reality was closing in.

"I don't know what led to all this," he said urgently, "but you're not happy. We both know it. Let's just run. Now. Before they find us."

Their footsteps were getting louder-closer.

"I'll pack everything we need. You don't have to bring a thing. I'll take care of you, Vicky. I'll make you happy again."

His hand found my hair, fingers brushing gently as he waited for my answer.

"Nelson... not now," I said, voice breaking. "I have to go."

"Why?"

"Richard's men are outside. There's no way we can escape."

I glanced toward the window. Barred. Cold steel stared back at me like it was mocking my hope.

"I'll go out alone," I said quickly. He held my hand tighter, but I added, "They won't hurt me. Don't worry."

I opened the door. It creaked ominously, and instantly every head turned.

They were all in black-pants, shirts, glasses. Like government agents. Like something out of Men in Black. Except this wasn't fiction. This was my nightmare.

They moved in perfect formation-six lines of soldiers in human skin. Then, as if choreographed, they parted in the center.

And Richard emerged.

Hands in his pockets. Calm. Powerful. Dangerous.

He walked like he owned the building. Like he owned me.

I stepped toward him, trying not to let the terror on my face show.

"Where are you going?" he asked, voice cool, almost amused. The man beside him backed off, giving us space.

"To... the church," I answered, trying to control my breathing. As I noticed no sounds were coming from the church.

His eyes dropped to the phone in my hand. His lips twitched into something unreadable. Then he signaled with a single finger.

One of his men sprinted toward the church like he was being hunted.

Two more came, dragging a girl between them.

I recognized her.

She'd given me the phone.

I was dead.

Frozen, I watched Richard glance toward me without emotion. "Get the phone from her," he ordered.

The girl stumbled toward me, her body covered in bruises. She snatched the phone from my hand with the last of her strength, then collapsed to her knees.

"Thank you," she whispered, sobbing.

She crawled away.

I couldn't look away.

What have I done?

Richard's voice lashed out again. "Where's the asshole you ran off with, huh? You left your husband waiting at the altar for over an hour."

He didn't look at me. Just fumbled with his keys, jaw clenched. The polite smile from earlier was gone. His face burned with fury.

A faint voice called out. Far away, but distinct.

"Victoria!"

Nelson.

He was caught.

I turned to run toward the sound. "Nelson-"

Richard blocked me with a single step. I grabbed his collar without thinking. "Don't touch him!" I shouted.

He stared at me, surprised.

Then something shifted in his eyes-recognition. Like he saw what I was capable of.

"Hold her. Don't let her go."

Three men closed in.

Two pinned my arms, dragging me back as Richard peeled my grip from his shirt and strode toward Nelson.

"Richard!" I screamed, but he didn't look back.

I struggled, begged, kicked-but the guards didn't budge. I could only watch.

He reached Nelson.

Punched him once.

Nelson crumpled.

No. No, no, no-

Richard dragged him into the room.

I screamed. My voice cracked, useless against the swarm of black suits.

Moments later, the door reopened. Richard returned, adjusting his collar like nothing had happened.

Nelson... was dragged behind him.

His clothes were torn. Bloody. His body limp.

"Nelson!" I cried.

The guards' grip faltered, and I broke free, racing to him.

But Richard caught me halfway.

"How could you do this to an innocent soul?" I yelled, tears blinding me as they hauled Nelson away. Guilt devoured me whole.

"Let's go. My men will handle the rest," Richard said with a shrug.

"I'm not going anywhere with you, Richard," breathing hard.

He leaned in close. His expression was lethal. "Don't make me go too far with you."

He tossed his keys to a nearby guard and walked away, flanked by his lieutenant.

I stood frozen. His men expected me to follow, but I didn't move.

Not yet.

My thoughts spiraled.

How did I end up here?

And then it hit me. The truth I'd been avoiding since the moment I said "I do."

How the hell in my wildest imagination, the first thing this man made me realize about him.

He was a narcissist.