Counting Sheep

Hey everybody! Thank you for being so patient while I wrote this chapter for you guys. I had family visiting and then I got really sick and had an infection in my eyes, but I am back now and OMG...this chapter. :0 I'll just say this... BE PREPARED. *Pats your shoulder* Remember to check for updates on my Instagram so that you know what's going on. Love you guys! I can't wait to see what you guys think. XOXO -Hannah <3

CHAPTER 29: Julian had never really gotten nervous before meeting Layla and Hazel. Now, sitting in this car, he felt like bones in his fingers would break from them clenching into fists. Now that he had Layla and Hazel here, it wasn't just about himself and before he didn't really get nervous because of the fact that he didn't care what happened to him. There were still many times that he thought both the girls would be better off without him, but he couldn't be without them.

He hadn't been nervous before because he hadn't had much to lose. Now, he did. He had everything to lose.

The car ride was silent.

The air was thick with tension, weariness and concern. Julian didn't know where they were driving because he had never met the boss before and he had hoped that he had been lucky enough to dodge past the cruel man's radar.

Then again, his wishes never did come true. When they pulled up to a large set of iron gates, Antonio rolled down the window and leaned out to punch a code into the key box and not even two seconds later, the gates swung open and out, letting them inside. He wasn't surprised when he saw the huge mansion that laid before them, grand and imposing, but something undoubtedly dark about it—like the very walls of the place knew of the atrocities going on within it, the people it housed.

Antonio parked the car and turned to Julian as two men opened the big front doors and began to walk towards them. "A few things. Don't speak unless you are spoken to, don't even so much as look as the boss because there is a large chance he will see you looking and last whatever you do—don't disrespect him no matter how much you despise the bastard the longer you are in the room with him."

The car doors were opened by the men who had come outside and Julian got out as did Dave and Antonio.

"Come." One said in a strong accent. He smelt like cigarette smoke while his friend smelled of basil and cinnamon chewing gum. They walked up the large porch steps and stepped inside, loud piano music reaching the foyer in which they entered. Women wearing almost nothing sauntered by in black satin robes while the guards of the place tried not to be distracted by their lithe little bodies.

Julian didn't care about any of them. He just wanted to be home with Hazel and Layla, knowing they were safe. Next, they packed their way up the winding marble staircase to the big office where Julian assumed the meeting would be held.

The room was big, creamy soft carpet underfoot while a ceiling high window were draped with beautiful navy blue velvet curtains. There was a huge dark maple-wood desk in the middle of the room with around 15 chairs sat around it, only them along with the two guards who had escorted them inside being the only few there as of yet.

"Sit." Basil commanded and Julian resisted the urge to punch the man. He was holding onto his temper by a very small, fine thread and everything was beginning to irritate him. Doing as they were told, the men waited in that room for what felt like hours, but when Julian asked Antonio what time it said on his watch, it had only be 45 minutes of waiting.

Just when Julian thought he wouldn't be able to wait that much longer, the door swung open and men filed in, each and every one of them wearing expensive-no doubt designer suits. They all sat down at the table before the two last men entered.