A Hopeless Pursuit (Forbidden Love Series Book 10)

One Year Later

Arianna had given birth to a baby boy last month and Lisa and a four year old Lauren had named him Aries. She was too bright for her age and effortlessly helped her mom with her baby brother, astonishing their nanny, Sarah Browne. She had started going to school and Arianna and Laurence were called immediately by her class teacher. Lauren picked up so fast that they were at a loss whether to keep her at playschool or promote her. But given her age, Arianna didn't want to rush it, she decided to let her enjoy play school with children of her age.

Lisa had already given her final exams at school and was waiting to graduate. She had turned eighteen last week and acted more grown up than everyone at home. She didn't want a gala party,  just a friendly get together at home with her close friends. She didn't invite Leo and he was furious with her. After her party, Sofia and Victoria whisked her away to their house to spend a week of fun since school was over. However, Lisa had to visit the administrative office for some certificates that the school wanted to issue out to her for her musical accomplishments at school. 

Leo offered to drive her to her school. Lisa had planned to call Liam after school. She was eighteen and now free to be with Liam. Her dad hadn't made any appearance after that dreadful day when he had hinted that she wasn't his real daughter. After finishing her work at school, she emerged out of the gate and pulled out her mobile phone but to her horror, her dad emerged out of a car and came towards her with a malicious smirk on his face.

"Missed me fake daughter?" He asked her with the same smirk on his face.

"What do you want dad?" She asked him in a disgusted tone.

"I've come to take you home with me. The prenuptial agreement is ready and I've already called Liam to come over to meet me. If he refuses to pay then you have to seduce him to have sex with you. Once you get pregnant, we will make fresh negotiations. Either way it's a win-win situation for both of us. My car is waiting, get in," said her dad, holding onto her wrist. "You will be my prisoner till you get pregnant. "

Lisa panicked, "But I can't seduce him wearing this?" She said saying whatever came into her head as her dad's goons came to escort her towards her dad's car. Lisa knew that today there was no escaping her dad.

"Then get some good dresses from your friend's house where you're staying," said her dad impatiently. Lisa saw her chance of an escape. "Don't even think of escaping to Laurence's house. I have two men outside Lauren's play school. I will follow you in my car. Don't play games with me. It's time for action now, planning stage is over," said her dad with a wicked laugh.

Lisa's eyes widened as she looked around and to her relief saw a panicked Leo getting out of his car to get her. "Okay no games. I'll go with my friend so that no one gets suspicious and just get a few dresses. Then I'll come with you," said Lisa walking slowly towards Leo. Her father and his goons followed her and ensured that she did what she promised. Leo's pale knuckles gripped the steering as he drove home with her dad's car hot on his heels.

They reached home and she quickly packed a small bag of essentials. "Don't tell me that you're really going to do what he's wanting you to do?" Asked Leo with disbelief.

"No, please Leo, I want to escape. Can you help me?" She begged him. Sofia came out and they updated her briefly.

"Why don't you both escape through the back door, and climb over the boundary wall to the other side. Take a cab from the main road there," suggested Sofia.

"Good idea," said Leo, rushing to pack himself a small backpack of essentials.

"Here this is Troy's number Sofia. Just inform him that he needs to immediately go to Lauren's playschool to save her. It's serious. Explanations can happen later," said Lisa.

Leo came down and called his friend to bring a car loaded with stuff and wait at the main road for him. "If anyone asks say that Lisa and I are dating and we have eloped," said Leo. He didn't want the police looking for them. He had suddenly become selfish. The idea of having Lisa to himself all alone for a few days was too much to ignore. He led her through the back gate and up the boundary wall. His friend was waiting for him in his car. He briefly updated him and borrowed his car for a few days. The sped off away from Vegas. Lisa was glad that Troy would ensure Lauren's safety. They switched off their mobile phones.

"Was this a good idea?" Asked Lisa, having second thoughts.

"I don't know Lisa but you couldn't involve your brother now, could you?" He asked and she shook her head.

"Where are we going?" She asked curiously.

"My cousin owns a log cabin at the mouth of Deadman canyon,  hidden amongst pine trees. We could hide there for a few days. Then when things die down, we'll call up Laurence and tell him everything so that he arranges for Lauren security first," said Leo. She knew that Troy would already arrange for Lauren's security.

"Let's go home instead and tell bro everything Leo since we have escaped dad," suggested Lisa but Leo wasn't listening to her. His mind was made and now that he had the opportunity he would spend time alone with her. The car sped at high speed towards Deadman canyon.

Lisa was scared by now. She didn't like Leo's determined expression. He wasn't stopping the car despite her requests and she felt panicked by now. She realized that asking for his help was the worst mistake of her life.

"Leo please stop the car. I want to go home to my brother, " she pleaded but Leo just drove on with a poker face. They left Las Vegas behind and drove slowly through a very narrow trail leaving the desert scenery behind as they drove up the slope. Finally they turned into a wash that used to be an old road. After years of heavy rain and landslides, the canyon had narrowed considerably. The wash was filled with Joshua trees, creosote, desert almond and Apache plume causing a shudder to run down Lisa's spine. No one would ever find her here. She discreetly switched on her mobile phone so that if Laurence involved the police, they would know her location.

The canyon get narrower after a mile and a half. They drove eastwards  in the wash and passed through limestone spires. At almost 4 miles the ponderosa pines began to tower above and the heat of the desert was a distant memory. The flora and fauna at this higher elevation were different than at the trailhead. The trail continued into the forest for another mile and they reached a small forest cabin beside a seasonal spring. Lisa looked at Leo's pleased expression with dismay. She wouldn't live with him, here.

"I can't stay here Leo,  I beg of you. Please take me home," she pleaded kneeling down with folded hands as tears pooled in her eyes. Leo picked her up in his arms like she weighed nothing and carried her to the cabin. Lisa sobbed brokenly knowing what he would do to her now.

She realized her mistake now. In fact, seducing Liam was a better option than this. She could have told Liam the truth and he would have got her dad punished. But it was too late now as she was helpless against Leo's strength. She had no idea how to escape Leo. She searched around for a weapon to hit him but couldn't find any. He opened the cabin and went inside with her, depositing her onto a couch and staring at her with pure lust in his eyes.

"Don't  even think of escaping Lisa. For years I wanted to have sex with you. Make my dream come true and I'll let you go," he said with dark eyes.

"No Leo. Don't touch me. I love Liam and I'm his for life. Please don't touch me," she sobbed.

"What about my feelings for you Lisa? I have loved you for the last ten years. What about me?" He asked with longing.

"You can't love me if you're thinking of taking advantage of me Leo. Love isn't so selfish," pointed out Lisa with hatred.

"Don't make me compel you Lisa. Give me what I want and you'll be free," said Leo with a determined expression on his face.

"Never," said Lisa vehemently declining.

"I was just kidding with you. C'mon,  relax. Friends can pull legs right?" Said Leo with a laugh. Lisa looked at him incredulously. She couldn't decipher his change of mood. "You must be hungry, let's see what we can eat," he said going to the car and unloading the food items and necessities that his friend had loaded.