Lock You In My Heart

After dinner, Rose didn’t say anything more and left directly.

Gabrielle finally breathed easier. Throughout the meal, she was so tense that her shoulders were stiff. Now, she could relax.

With Rose hovering near them, Gabrielle thought of all the things Lance wanted to tell her but couldn’t because someone else was with them.

But with Rose gone, Gabrielle could ask him about it. She was dying to know what news he had for her.

“Lance, did you have something to say to me? Rose isn’t here anymore, so you can talk freely,” Gabrielle said anxiously. She was fidgeting with her fingers.

It had been pressing on her the entire night. If Rose wasn’t here, Gabrielle would have asked him already. She wanted answers.

“Yes, I have something to tell you.” Lance turned on the TV and scanned their surroundings even though he knew it was only Gabrielle and him. He couldn’t help but be hyperaware of their environment.

It was a small colored TV, probably brought by people who lived here before. The transmission signal was extremely poor, so only the Thai channel was available. It was also pretty grainy.

Lance didn’t want to watch TV, and he didn’t care about the content. What he needed was the sound to drown out their conversation. Even though there was no one else in the room, he didn’t want to risk being spied on.

“Lance, you’re making me a little nervous.” Gabrielle had to lower her voice after seeing what Lance had done. She had seen movies about people doing this to avoid others from eavesdropping. Somehow, it made her uneasy and nervous.

It was not something to be afraid of, but now he made her nervous. Lance was always cautious, but this was a bit too much—even for him.

She had never been at ease since she came into the forest. She was always pulsing with raw fear, and because of the dangers all around, she kept her guard up. It was the first time Gabrielle ever experienced anything like it—as if things could come crumbling down any minute.

“Gabrielle, don’t mind what I just did. What I’m about to tell you is the thing that ought to make you nervous.” Lance hadn’t decided yet whether to divulge the latest news to Gabrielle or not. He was still debating with himself.

enveloped by the sounds on TV, of people speaking Thai. Gabrielle darted her eyes from the screen to Lance, who was sitting with his hands

here for him. If anything happened to him, she wasn’t sure she could take the pain. She wouldn’t be able to explain it to the Jones family when she

do you know the Campbell Family? Specifically the Campbell Family in Italy?” Lance faced her and asked without preamble. He waited

her eyebrows in confusion and shook her head slowly. How could she know someone from Italy? From the sound

her mind. She tried to think harder, and something clicked. Her eyes widened as she recalled hearing about

She was Gabrielle’s sister-in-law and the eldest daughter

know much about her family, except that they were the largest foreign clan in Italy and that they had a good relationship with one of the most powerful families in

notorious for evoking fear from people. They were the kind nobody wanted to mess with. So, why did Lance suddenly ask about the

one of the top clans in the world. Did you know that?” Lance moved a

her spine, and she found that her hands were trembling. She already knew it spelled disaster when someone offended the

public, and even the photos of Bonnie and her daughter were never shared. It was all for their

something about Bryce, but she did not expect this. Perhaps it was Bain

o so.

felt that Bain was far more clever and sinister than he looked. He probably intended to look like an easy target, but Gabrielle knew he was more powerful than he let

them? Their turf is in Italy, far away from here. Have you ever offended them or done something to put you on their radar?” Gabrielle asked

didn’t want to endanger her sister-in-law

the Campbell Family. They wounded his men after some altercation involving their business. They’re sworn enemies. If Bain finds out that someone living here knows the Campbell Family and is friends with them, he will kill that person without hesitation,” Lance said anxiously. He wasn’t a man who easily gave in to fear, but this time, it was there in his voice and his eyes.

fear for his own life,

her pulse pounded in her ears. Her breathing quickened, and her mouth suddenly became dry. She never once considered how

out. If Bain found out anyone remotely related to the Campbell Family, he would kill them. Gabrielle swallowed hard, and beads of sweat

she was related to them. She