So here is another chapter for you lovely people.
By the way anyone who has a cover idea feel free to inbox me on my wattpad account would love to see your ideas.
PS: would really love to use a cover from one of my readers ☺️
Drumroll please!!!!
Without further ado here is Chapter 27
Dedicated to whoever sends me a cover 😉
Lincoln's POV
I watched them lower the empty coffin into the ground feeling empty and lost. We had searched the dark waters over the past week and still no body had been found. This couldn't have been the hand of the Rodriguez family. They wouldn't have done something this stupid. The mother of my children was gone and I had not been able to protect her as I had promised. How would I answer the children's questions when they asked for her. I was not yet ready to be a single parent, but I had to stay strong.
Dark clouds rumbled giving us notice that they would soon birth the water the were pregnant with. That would be a blessing indeed to cover my own shameful tears. I had failed my love and it hurt me so deeply.
"Lincoln," I heard Meg mumble as I looked away from the coffin.
"We have to go son," Charles said in a gruff voice.
Looking into their eyes I saw a reflection of my pain. Stained with tears over the loss of their daughter, sister, friend. My love, wife, friend, mother of my children, bringer of all my joy, my center, my peace, my heart.
"Not yet. You go," I whispered just as the first rain drop came into contact with my skin.
After throwing dirt above her coffin I watched as they started to bury her without a care of who is was they were putting away.
-------
A few days ago
"Who is this Marco individual?" Mel asked.
"Marco is a problem I should have dealt with several years ago before he rose to power. He is a rat who thinks he is just like me," Cas said angrily. "The boy owns several clubs that frequent affluent individuals for its unique services, these being, a good fix and a good woman all rolled into one. A few government officials have begged me to take him out, but with him I wanted to do it differently. Catch him red handed as he slips and exposes himself. For the sake of some of his clients who I know very well," he said leaning back in his chair.
"So how do you want to take him out?" Linc asked.
"Well since he crossed the line and is helping Enrique I no longer have plans of seeing him rot in prison. Death will be the best solution. I will first send him a gift, which is Victor in a body bag of course," Cas smiled.
"If that will get his attention then so be it," Linc said.
"What about our mole?" Mel asked.
"We will discuss that later. Let's deal with the bigger problem first because with this Marco individual on Enrique's side we won't go anywhere," Linc said.
"Okay. Very well," Mel said as Cas stood up to leave. "Stay safe Cas."
"Always," he chuckled. "And don't you two do anything I wouldn't do," he said sending her a wink as Mel laughed her cheeks darkening.
---
"Wait aren't we going home?"
"How many nights have we stayed in that house?"
"Stop answering my question with a question Linc. One night" she said answering his question.
"And in that one night did you think you could fool me into thinking you slept peacefully even when I held you close," he said as they pulled into the marina.
"I...I..." She stuttered.
"Yes love?" He asked helping her out of the car taking her hand.
"What are we doing here?" She asked making him laugh.
"Stop answering my question with a question," he said softly making her roll her eyes.
She huffed knowing it would be pointless to continue probing as they arrived at the yacht.
"She is ready for cast off sir," an attendant said.
"Thank you," Linc murmured. "Wait were if Chester?"
"Chester is not feeling well, I was filling in for him today?"
"Okay."
All the crew members were busy preparing to leave.
"Now love, to answer your question," Linc said turning her around to face him. "We are taking a little cruise and sleeping out over the calm waters just so you can get proper rest."
"Thank you Linc," she said looking sincere.
"It's my pleasure," he said planting a kiss on her forehead as they slowly moved away from the shore.
Each and everyone one of her needs were catered to as they stared out at the star studded sky. Getting some rest everything was perfect as she slept soundly in his arms before a loud alarm pulled her out of her bliss.
"Mel get back inside!" Lincoln yelled over the howling wind. "I need you to stay inside were its safe," he said running to her handing her a life jacket as she nodded her head yes.
It then started to rain as Linc held onto the side rails heading towards the crew as they tried to pull up the anchor.
"Lincoln what's happening?" She yelled as she made her way towards them scared of leaving him out.
They were far away from the shore and for her to just sit inside worrying about him would be pointless. She wanted to help.
"Lincoln!" She called out as he turned to look in her direction.
His eyes widened in fear as he let go of the rope as she lost her footing and fell off the rail. The downpour was increasing as she felt her body hit the cold water making air leave her lungs in shock. The waves kept pulling her away from the yacht no matter how hard she tried to swim back.
"Melinda!" Linc cried out looking into the water before attempting to follow her just as hands stopped him.
"You need this sir," one of his attendants said as water continued to pour down.
Securing the rope around him Linc went in after her.
"Mel!" He yelled as one crew member tried his best to shine a floodlight into the water.
"Sweetheart!" He cried out trying to stay above the water.
Diving underneath the water her tried looking for her but to no avail.
"Melinda!" He yelled as he felt a tug on the rope.
After being pulled back aboard a blanket was thrown around him after they managed to stabilize the boat as the wind whistled swallowing whatever his crew was saying.
Heading to the com room he found his captain already calling in for help. Picking up a sati lite phone he called Ethan.
A few minutes later the waters were crawling with divers no matter how hard it was Linc watched as boat after boat arrived. By morning several boats from the marina had arrived with their owners offering assistance as their crew members geared up going in.
"Lincoln," he heard his mother whisper. Upon seeing her he broke down seeing the children standing by quietly as they ran into his arms.
Even the reports showed some respect cutting off their feed when they saw this. Seeing a grown man weeping like a baby in the embrace of his children was not newsworthy.
"Why are you crying daddy," Ryan asked.
"I just miss mama," he said looking at Zach to see a pained expression on his face. He knew.
"Where is mama," Rose asked.
"She will be back soon princess," he choked.
Standing up he held their hands slowly leading them to the car to go home. Ethan stayed behind helping but it was no use. Even after a week of searching they all remained silent.
------
Present
"Lincoln you need to get out of the house," Ethan said in fustration.
Looking up at my brother I knew he must been going through hell keeping my company and Mel's afloat. I looked away from him to stare at the frame that held her smiling image. She was alone in this one as she looked towards me a sexy smile that I loved so much.
"Get up," Cas growled angrily as I looked at him. "Get up this instant or I will set my hounds on you this very instant."
I could tell he was not bluffing as I grumbled getting out of the chair just as Ethan opened the blinds making me wince as I shielded my eyes.
"Get yourself cleaned up, we are going out," Cas said. "What do you think Mel would say if she saw you like this," he spat.
What he said was like a stab in my heart as I thought of just how she would react. Most likely be furious with me for neglecting my health. I hadn't been sleeping very well, each time I closed my eyes I would see her face before she fell overboard. Each step I took in our room was a nightmare on its own as I remembered every moment with her, her scent still overwhelming my senses.
Walking out of our room I never bothered to shave as I made my way to my family. The twins ran towards me as soon as they saw me wearing wide grins.
"Hi guys," I said scooping them into my arms as they clung onto me. Zach didn't say much but after speaking to him he seemed relaxed.
"Come on little ones," Lia said after I had some alone time with them.
Cas walked in ending his call as I stood to follow him out. A couple of minutes later we were walking into my office building. Everyone kept to themselves as I made my way towards the private elevator but the glances of pity they threw my way could not be avoided.
"Listen Linc I know it's hard but you need to be strong. We still need to take care of Rodriguez. Mel would have wanted us to finish what we started," Cas said.
Linc simply nodded his head yes as he started clearing away the paperwork.
"Sir whilst you were away I managed to find your mole," Gideon said once he entered his office.
"Hmm, who is it?" Linc asked.
"Your secretary sir. She is the only other person with access to your schedule aside from Ken," he said with a serious expression.
"Thank you very much Gideon. I will handle the matter."
"You are welcome sir. If you need anything don't hesitate to call me," he beamed thinking he had succeeded.
Working late into the night he only left when Walter walked in asking him to stop working. Not objecting he left heading home.
----
Whilst out with Walter, Ethan and Cas who had insisted on going shooting some hoops with him, they joked around before Linc came to a halt.
"You!" He said seeing the attendant from the yacht getting out of a red Ferrari looking far wealthy for an attendants allowance.
"Wait a minute you know Mathias?" Cas asked perplexed.
"He was getting off my boat the day we headed out," Linc said.
"Wait a minute. What were doing on the boat?"
"I was doing a job. Had to sabotage some controls," he simply said as rage took ahold of Linc as he grabbed the man's shirt.
"It's because of you my wife is dead. I will make you regret ever messing with me," he snarled.
"Linc, Linc let him go. I know this man he only does what he told for the highest price. He could actually help us," Cas said making Lincoln loosen his hold.
"Who hired you?"
"Marco," he breathed out. "He is working with some old man who promised him some stone," he said.
"Your inside man?"
"Gideon."
"Go. I will call you when I need you," Cas said as the man jumped into his car. "Remember to keep your mouth shut if you know what's good for you," Cas said as the man nodded his head yes.
------
"Ken I need you to put this in my planner," Linc said.
"Very well sir," Ken said quickly leaving the office.
Lincoln had given his secretary two weeks off whilst Gideon thought she had been fired or worse.
Cas had sent his message to Marco. The man named Victor was no more, five months was just too long for them to wait.
---
"Right on time," Linc smirked as they watched Gideon getting out of his car before he pulled out his phone speaking to someone.
"Sir..." He said becoming pale as he saw Linc and Cas.
"A busy bee you are my friend," Cas smiled.
"Shall we," Linc said as they entered the empty restaurant.
A few minutes later the man known as Marco entered the establishment coming to a halt as he saw only Linc, Cas and his minion, Gideon.
"Please have a seat, we have much to discuss," Linc said.
"Indeed we do," Marco said as he sat in front of them. "Before we go much further, someone wants to say hello," he said as he turned on his iPad revealing a live feed before her face appeared.
Linc paled instantly seeing her gagged and tied up as she continuously cried.
"I will leave in one piece of you ever want to see her again."
Hope you enjoyed 🙃
PS: Don't forget to check out His Achilles Heel