Obsession His Runaway Bride (Noelle and Adrian) novel Chapter 39

Chapter 39: Reclaim

Chapter 39: Reclaim

The study was bathed in dim light as the glow from the desk lamp barely stretched beyond the surface of the polished mahogany desk. The place was filled with the scent of aged whiskey and the faint trace of gunpowder. To anyone, it would seem that he was in peace.

Yet right now, Valerian was restless.

He was seated in his leather chair with broad shoulders relaxed, and fingers tapping in an unhurried rhythm against the desk. But beneath the stillness lay something dangerous. A storm was held back only by the thin thread of control he had left.

It had been hours since Noelle vanished. It was as if she had been swallowed by the earth, leaving behind only the lingering scent of flowers on his coat when he carried her back to her room and the distant echo of her voice in his mind.

The frustration gnawed at him.

Noelle was his. She had been his from the moment she looked at him with defiance in her eyes and fear in her pulse. She just didn’t know it yet. And yet, she ran–slipping through his grasp before he could properly lay claim to her.

And now, the past he had buried was clawing its way back to the surface.

The moment Mrs. Ellis had uttered that name–Blackwood–something inside him had snapped.

Adrian Blackwood.

The Blackwoods were once a feared empire that thrived in the filth of the underworld, trafficking women and girls like cattle. But they had been all but annihilated by his own hands. Valerian had personally seen to their downfall, wiping out the roots so thoroughly that there should have been nothing left.

And yet, one remained.

Worst of all, he wanted his Noelle and that alone made his fingers claw against the desk as his silver–grey eyes lethally darkened.

Suddenly, a sharp knock pulled him out his thoughts.

“Войдите.” Не spoke. (Come in.)

The heavy doors creaked open, and Ivan Balthazar stepped inside. Clad in a dark suit, his presence alone could tell anyone that he was not a simple man. The consigliere never came empty–handed, and from the look in his sharp, calculating eyes, Valerian knew he brought good news.

“Мы обнаружили необычную активность.” Ivan’s voice echoed calmly. “Остров, в восьми часах пути от материка. Можно добраться только на вертолёте или частном самолёте.” (We’ve detected unusual activity. An island, eight hours from the mainland. It can only be reached by helicopter or private plane.)

Valerian leaned back slightly, fingers resuming their slow, deliberate tapping against the desk. “чей остроB?” His voice was almost lazy, but Ivan knew better. (Whose island?)

“ракшия под властыо Влзквудв.” (A faction under the Blackwoods‘ authority.)

The words settled into the room like a death sentence.

For a moment, there was nothing but silence.

Chapter 39: Reclaim

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Then, a slow, mirthless chuckle escaped Valerian’s lips as he shook his head while his fingers began curling slightly.

“Что именно происходит?” (What exactly is happening?)

“Неизвестные поставки, усиленная охрана, повышенная активность. Это не просто скрытые операции -они что–то замышшляот.” Ivan’s voice was steady, but the implication was clear. (Unidentified shipments, increased security, heightened activity. This isn’t just a hidden operation–they’re planning something.)

Valerian hummed, rolling his shoulders as if shaking off an invisible weight. “Koнечно, они выбрали изолированноe мecтo.” (Of course, they’d choose an isolated location.)

Ivan studied him carefully even knowing that Valerian had already took the hint. “Xorиre, чтобы мы разузнали большше?” (Do you want us to investigate further?)

But the answer came instantly.

“Her.” Valerian reached for his coat and slipped it on with ease. “Mы не будем ждать.” (No. We won’t wait.)

His silver–grey eyes gleamed dangerously as he turned toward Ivan.

“Тотовьте лнодей.” He commanded as he held the door open. (Ready our men.)

Ivan didn’t hesitate as he firmly responded with a single nod and left. “Дa, бocc.” (Yes, boss.)

Valerian adjusted the cuffs of his sleeves as he chuckled once again out of amusement.

Adrian Blackwood had made a mistake.

And Valerian Mikhail Vasiliev was about to remind him why that was the worst thing he could have ever done. All of a sudden, as he made his way out of his study, a flicker of movement in the hall caught his sharp gaze.

A small figure was tucked behind one of the grand round columns, barely hidden, but quiet enough that most wouldn’t have noticed. Most–but not him.

He exhaled, shaking his head slightly before speaking in a gentle manner.

“Алексей, что ты там делаешь?” (Alexei, what are you dding?)

The little boy hesitated before stepping into the light with his stuffed bear clutched tightly against his chest. His silver–grey eyes, so much like Valerian’s own, were wide with worry.

“Нозль правда ушла?” Alexei finally asked in his small, almost fearful voice. (Is Noelle really gone?)

The question made Valerian stop but he managed a smile.

She had left, yes. But not for long.

He crouched slightly to meet Alexei’s gaze. “Heт, oна просто уеxала в поездку.” Нis voice was firm and unwavering. (No, she just went on a trip.)

Alexei’s lips quivered slightly. “Hо она не сказала мне пoka…” (But she didn’t say goodbye to me…)

Valerian’s expression softened just for a second. He had felt how this little boy felt. The longing, the fear of being left behind.

It was also the same look he knew he had the moment he heard of Noelle’s escape.

And so Valerian reached out, resting a firm but gentle hand on the boy’s small shoulder to assure him. “Я зaбepy её сейчас. Так что оставайся в особняке и жди нас.” (I’m picking her up now. So stay in the mansion until I

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Chapter 39: Reclaim

return with Noelle.)

Alexei stared at him, searching his face for any sign of doubt. But Valerian’s gaze never wavered.

“You promise?” Alexei whispered with his voice barely above a breath.

Valerian didn’t make promises lightly. But for this, there was no hesitation.

“Обещаю.” (I promise.)

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Alexei’s small face slowly brightened and his grip on his bear tightened as hope replaced the unease in his eyes. He nodded eagerly.

“MXM!” (Mhm!)

Valerian gave him one last look before straightening to his full height. His focus had already shifted and his mind returned to the task at hand.

Because this time, when he found Noelle, there would be no leaving. Not now. Not ever.

Valerian stepped forward without another word. His long coat billowed slightly behind him as he moved with

purpose.

The moment he walked out from the grand doors of the estate, a dozen of his men were already waiting. They were dressed in crisp black suits and each one stood tall with briefcases in hand. At the sight of their boss, they quickly moved in unison, falling into step behind him like a well–trained unit with their precise and disciplined

movement.

Sleek black cars were lined up along the grand driveway and they gleamed under the golden hues of the setting sun. And as Valerian’s silver eyes met the dying light, whatever trace of warmth had been in them vanished. His gentleness, the rare softness he had shown mere moments ago, disappeared like a ghost.

It was the stare of a man who had seen blood spill too many times and was prepared to spill more.

Without hesitation, Valerian stepped into one of the waiting cars and closed the door shut.

And just like that, the war had begun.

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