
      Paradise v2.0


      Author: aria


      Rated: R


      Rating : 


      Chapter 9
      Darien walked into the office with an odd feeling in his chest. Something 
      wasnt quite right. There were a few people here and there looking as 
      though they were catching up on some work. He caught the glimpse of a red 
      head just before she disappeared in the other elevator. He could have 
      sworn it was Ann. It certainly looked like her.
      Darien shook his head and continued to his office. It seemed his 
      imagination was acting up on him again. What would Ann be doing here? 
      Dismissing it, he opened to door to his office to find that the room had 
      been completely ransacked. The computer had been torn apart and pieces of 
      it had been strewn all over the room. His files had been searched through 
      and carelessly tossed to the floor. Even the furniture had been upturned.
      He stood staring in shock at the scene. What in the world happened here? 
      On a hunch, he whirled on his heel and stalked to Malachites office.
      He found his boss in his own office casually sipping on some coffee with 
      another man.
      Darien swung open the door. "What the hell happened to my office?"
      He looked up as if he was expecting him. "I dont know what you mean 
      Darien." He gestured to the other man. "I heard that youve already met my 
      associate, Alan."
      Darien glared at the man that had brought Serena to the ball. "What are 
      you doing here?"
      He smiled slowly. "Oh just keeping an eye on my interests. Which is 
      incidentally what you should have been doing."
      Dariens stomach sank. "What are you talking about?"
      Alan stood up and stretched his lean frame. "Oh nothing. Now if youll 
      excuse me. I have some things to attend to."
      Darien stepped in his path. He wasnt sure what he was up to but he knew 
      he didnt like it.
      "Get out of my way."
      Darien shook his head. "No. Not until you tell me whats going on." He 
      glared into the eyes of the other man, his own navy eyes blazing.
      Alan attempted to move around him, but Darien shoved him back. "Tell me."
      Malachite stepped up now. "Darien, you dont want to do anything like 
      that. Not when to police are heading over here to arrest you."
      His dark head turned to the other man now. "What are you talking about? 
      Ive done nothing wrong."
      "I know you know whats going on, Darien. Its unfortunate you're not as 
      stupid as you look." Malachite circled him slowing like a predator about 
      to pounce on its prey. "Its just a shame that youre such a bad egg. 
      Trying to blame your poor innocent employer for what you have been doing."
      "Innocent my ass." Darien crossed his arms and smiled at the two men. 
      "Fine. Well wait for the police and well see who theyll believe."
      Malachite smiled. "Yes, well you should really think about what you are 
      going to say. If the wrong words come out, it might hurt a certain blonde 
      you love so much."
      Darien flew at Malachite and pinned him down on the desk. "What have you 
      done to Serena?" his vision blurred as anger and fear for her safety cut 
      through him with its icy edge.
      Malachite shoved at Darien but couldnt budge him. He stared at him coldly 
      until Darien backed off a little. "Lets just say that if things dont go 
      my way you two might end up breaking things off again. Permanently."
      Darien thrust him into his file cabinet. "You pathetic piece of sh--"
      Malachite waved his finger at the enraged man. "I don't think you want to 
      finish that sentence." he put his arm around Alan's shoulder while the two 
      men laughed.
      While they were celebrating their imaginary victory, Darien was already 
      working on a plan. He knew once the police knew who he really was they 
      wouldn't hold him. Why would he steal from the company that would someday 
      become his own? And he had evidence against his employer. Now all he had 
      to do was find out where they were keeping Serena. Darien quickly hid his 
      smile before turning to them. "You guys got me. Please don't hurt Serena 
      and I'll do whatever you want me to." He forced his expression to become 
      pained. "Just don't hurt her."
      "You're such a pathetic sight." Alan sneered at him. "You really think 
      that Serena is interested in you?" he goaded. "She's just like all the 
      others, interested in money." And just because he felt like it, he punched 
      Darien in the jaw.
      Darien took it without so much as blinking. He knew he was just trying to 
      get a rise out of him. He bit the inside of his cheek to keep from 
      laughing when Alan rubbed his obviously sore hand in the other. "But why? 
      Whats the point? You're already a multi millionaire. Why would you need 
      to steal someone else's programs and info?"
      Malachite started laughing. "I don't need to. It's just for a bit of fun. 
      That's how it started anyway. But dear Alan here pointed out that without 
      my major competition I would have even more money."
      "So it's all down to greed." Darien snorted at how underhanded he was.
      "It's what makes the world go round, my friend."
      "I was never your friend." he snarled.
      "Of course you weren't. What kind of a friend would steal a girlfriend?" 
      Malachite's eyes suddenly took on a strange light as he stared at Darien.
      "Please. I didn't have to steal her. You were pushing her away for so long 
      I don't know how she held on!" he let the swirling anger sweep through 
      him. "You never deserved her!"
      "And I suppose you do?" he stepped forward menacingly. "You? A worthless, 
      penniless computer programmer?"
      Darien bit his tongue to keep from revealing his true identity. The man 
      must have been in a dream world not to be able to connect his last name 
      with his grandfather's. "What have you done with her?"
      "Nothing that concerns you. Once you're out of the picture Ill be the one 
      to comfort her." Malachite flicked a speck of imaginary dust off of his 
      sleeve. "And everything will be the way that it should be."
      Darien clenched his fists and contemplated using them to wipe the smile 
      off of his smug face. He reminded himself that he would get his just 
      desserts as soon as he explained things to the police. Darien thanked his 
      lucky stars that he had the foresight to take the evidence home with him. 
      He shrugged. "I guess you're just too smart for me."
      "Yes we are." Alan smiled smugly and put his hand on Malachite's shoulder. 
      "Without a doubt."
      "Then you wouldn't mind telling me where you're keeping Serena then." he 
      paused dramatically. "Unless you think that I can still outsmart you 
      somehow."
      "Of course you won't! Malachite snarled. "I have thought of everything!"
      Alan looked a little apprehensive now and put a restraining hand on 
      Malachite's shoulder. "Malachite, don't."
      "Dont what?" he swiped at his hand. "There is no way that he's going to 
      ruin this for us."
      Darien smiled sheepishly. "Yeah not when you have everything planned so 
      intricately." he eyed them challengingly. "Well, you don't have to. Not if 
      you're not sure."
      Malachite looked at the worried redhead and smiled. "Don't worry there is 
      no way he can ruin this for us." he returned his attention to Darien. "Of 
      course one can never be too careful." A deep chuckle erupted from his 
      throat. "How about a clue?"
      Darien was sure that his employer had truly lost his mind now. First 
      theft, then kidnapping and now word games? He was losing it! "Let me have 
      it then."
      "Well, lets see. I cant make it too easy for you." He rubbed his chin 
      thoughtfully. "Well lets just say shes safe in the one place of mine 
      that she liked."
      Darien took it in and processed it. That was simple enough. She was 
      probably on his boat. It was the only place he could think of seeing her 
      actually smiling with him.
      Having given his clue, Malachite smiled menacingly. "Well Im off to join 
      her now. Well come and visit you in jail sometime." He swept past them 
      both and nodded at Alan. "Make sure he doesnt mess things up for us."
      "I can guarantee it." the redhead replied.
      Not if he could help it. Darien watched Malachite leave and made sure he 
      was really gone before turning to face the man guarding him. "So whats in 
      this for you?"
      Alan sneered at his captive. "What do you think? Malachite is giving me a 
      percentage."
      Darien saw his chance. "Do you really think that after all hes done, hes 
      going to give you some of the money he so desperately wants?" the flicker 
      of uncertainty on Alans face spurred him on. "What makes you think that 
      he wont stab you in the back as well?" Alan smiled with such assuredness 
      that Darien knew that he had something up his sleeve. His eyes narrowed. 
      "What have you got planned?"
      "Do you really think that I would get involved with a psycho like 
      Malachite and not have a contingency planned out?" he wandered aimlessly 
      around the room obviously enjoying the idea of outwitting the other man. 
      "Once I have the money secured in my account in Zurich, Ill turn him in 
      myself. And with you out of the picture and Malachite out as well, I will 
      a clear chance with Serena."
      Darien was sickened, "What makes you think that Serena would be interested 
      in you?"
      "We were doing quite well before you turned up at the ball." He grinned 
      purposely to antagonize Darien. "I think we would do quite well together."
      Darien leapt at the man and landed a solid punch square in the chin, 
      sending Alan straight to the floor. "Youre never going to get the chance 
      to try." He stood over him and glared menacingly. "Now tell me where she 
      is or Ill hit you again, and this time I wont be so nice."
      Alan wiped the trickle of blood from his lip. "You wouldnt dare." He 
      shrunk and huddled into a ball when Darien moved forward. "Shes on his 
      boat at the marina!"
      "Is there anyone with her?"
      "Just my sister!" he squealed with fright when Darien pulled him up and 
      pushed him against the wall. "And the guy who got her!"
      He shook him slightly, almost enjoying the power he had over the trembling 
      man. "Youre sure?"
      "Yes!" he tried to squirm out of his grip. "Please let me go!"
      Disgusted, Darien thrust him away just as two policemen stormed through 
      the door.
      "Hands up!"
      Alan immediately jumped to the fore. "Arrest him! Hes been stealing from 
      Weston Financial Corp and he just tried to kill me!"
      The man Alan was pointing at straightened his clothing and nodded to his 
      briefcase. "If you open up that briefcase youll see whos been stealing 
      from Weston Financial. My identification is in there as well."
      One policeman nodded to the other and holstered his gun before rifling 
      through the briefcase. He pulled out everything Darien mention and quickly 
      read through it. "It looks like hes telling the truth." He saw Dariens 
      obvious delight and frowned. "But well still have to take you to the 
      station to verify it, Mr. Weston."
      Darien shook his head and tried to make it past them. "No I cant wait! My 
      girlfriend has been kidnapped by him and Malachite Mason. I think theyre 
      trying to kill her!" his plea became more impassioned. "Please! Shes 
      pregnant for gods sake! Theres no telling what Mason will do to her in 
      the state of mind hes in!" he looked at their impassive faces. "Look, 
      just come with me if you dont believe me!" He could see that they were 
      about to cave in. "Theyre at the marina. I swear if Im wasting your time 
      you can send me to jail for as long as you want."
      "Hes lying!" Alan took a swing at him but the cop closest to him managed 
      to pin his arms before he connected with anything. "I swear hes lying!"
      "And I swear Im not. Look the bottom line is there are two lives at 
      stake. Can you two really afford to over look them for the sake of a few 
      minutes?" they shook their heads. "I didnt think so. So lets get going!"
      ----
      When Serena came to, she could still smell the musty scent of the bag 
      covering her head. Slightly nauseated by it, she tried to lift her hands 
      to remove it but round that they were tied tightly behind her back. Serena 
      tugged experimentally at them but the bonds were tight and she wasnt able 
      to loosen them.
      Instead of struggling uselessly with the ropes, she pushed herself up into 
      a sitting position and winced at the sharp pain cutting a haze of red 
      through her vision. The pain radiated from the back of her head. She 
      tilted her head to the side, wishing she could use her hands to see how 
      bad the damage was.
      What in the world was going on? The last thing she remembered doing was 
      cleaning Dariens flat. She had been waiting for the housekeeper to show 
      up and then next she was here. Why in the world would anyone want to 
      kidnap her?
      Serena stared hopelessly into the weave of the bag. She could only hope 
      that someone would find her before anything happened.
      She leaned back against what felt like a wall and noticed that the world 
      was bobbing up and down. She was on a boat. She must be in the marina, 
      Serena quickly reasoned. She couldnt have been out for that long and that 
      was the only place with water within a hundred miles.
      Serena smiled to herself. She knew where she was. So what was she going to 
      do about it? She shifted so that she could rub her head against whatever 
      she was leaning against to slowly slide the bag off of her head. It was 
      slow going but she almost had it off when she heard the staccato sound of 
      someone running on deck.
      Serena quickly shook her head and undid all her hard work; just in time to 
      hear the clicking of heels approach and stop next to her.
      A smooth feminine voice crooned over her, "So this is the woman who has my 
      Malachites heart, hmm? Lets just see whats so special about you."
      The course fabric was whipped from her face and Serena found herself 
      squinting into the silhouette of a shapely woman. "Who are you? Why have 
      you got me here?"
      The voice laughed. "Well that depends on who you ask."
      Serena stared at her. "I asked you."
      "My, arent we feisty?" she leaned down so her face was inches from 
      Serenas. "Well, I want to get you out of the way. Thats why I have you 
      here."
      "Who are you?"
      "Someone you shouldnt mess with." She pulled at the front of Serenas 
      clothes. "Now stand up. I want a good look at you."
      She reluctantly complied; Serena really didnt want any more injuries, she 
      didnt know what it would do to her body if she was hurt anymore. She 
      watched as the thin redhead eyed her, hiding her jealousy behind disgust.
      "I dont see why theyre interested in an ugly girl like you. You dont 
      even have a nice figure." She rounded her again then poked at Serenas 
      stomach and her eyes widened. "Whos is it? Not Malachites surely."
      Serena shook her head. The look in the womans eyes was frightening her 
      now and she didnt want to do anything to antagonize her. "No its not." 
      She put her hand protectively over her belly. "I dont want anything to do 
      with Malachite. We broke up a long time ago." Serena took a few careful 
      steps backward, needing to get away from her. "You can have him."
      She slowly followed Serena. "What? Youre too good for him?"
      Serena shook her head. "No. We just werent compatible."
      "Of course you werent. He should have realized that from the beginning. 
      Im the only woman for him."
      "Hes very lucky to have you." Serena took another step toward the door of 
      the galley. "Im sure youll be very happy together."
      "Yes we will be, once youre out of the way."
      "Why?" Serena started to panic and looked around for a weapon or an 
      escape. "I wont stand in your way."
      "As long as Malachite knows youre around, you will be."
      Weapon be damned, Serena turned and ran up the few stairs and onto the 
      deck. She quickly rounded the side and ran for the plank connecting the 
      boat to dry land. But when she was inches away, a large body blocked her 
      path.
      "Where are you going in such a hurry, darling?"
      Serena looked up at Malachites smiling face and backed away. "Please 
      Malachite." She looked over her shoulder at the woman closing in on them. 
      "Shes trying to kill me."
      Malachite whirled around and pushed Serena behind him at the same time. 
      "Ann, is what shes telling me true? Are you trying to kill her?"
      Ann skidded to a halt when she saw the object of her affection and smiled 
      beautifully. "Of course not, darling. I was just trying to have a 
      conversation with her." She pointed a perfectly manicured finger at 
      Serena. "She hit me and was trying to escape."
      He turned to Serena who was gingerly fingering the wound on her head. 
      Malachite took a look himself and clicked his tongue. "Now is this being 
      careful with her?" he touched some of the blood and showed the other 
      woman. "Thats very careless of you, Ann."
      "But darling"
      Malachite pulled out a gun and fired before she got another word out. 
      "Dont call me darling."
      Serena was trying her best to quietly leave the boat when she heard the 
      shot. She turned to see what had happened and when she did see, she ran 
      for her life. She heard what hed said. Malachite was the one behind the 
      whole kidnapping!
      She was on the dock when she heard a calm voice call to her. "Serena, 
      sweetheart. Where are you going?"
      "I was just feeling a little queasy, Malachite." She lied. Serena turned 
      around and smiled weakly. "You can go down and get comfortable, darling." 
      She nearly choked on the word. "ll be right back." Malachite smiled and 
      she thought she was going to get away with it. But her heart lurched again 
      when he spoke.
      "I dont think so, Serena." His voice was cold and unfeeling. "Come back 
      to the boat."
      She took an unconscious step away. "I really think I should stay down here 
      for a while."
      He pointed the gun at her. "Come back to the boat. Please."
      Serenas entire body started to shake as she slowly took the first step 
      back toward him. She frantically tried to think of something she could do 
      to get away, but could come up with nothing that wouldnt get her shot.
      The tears started to well up when she reached the boarding plank. It 
      couldnt end this way. She couldnt get back with a lunatic like 
      Malachite. She couldnt.
      Serena was contemplating making a run for it when she heard tires 
      screeching to a halt behind her and voices shouting.
      "Serena!" Darien leapt out of the car before it had even stopped. 
      "Serena!" he started running over to her but stopped when a bullet 
      ricocheted off the pavement near his feet.
      "Thats far enough!" Malachite waved the gun at him. "One more step and 
      Ill shoot you."
      Darien stopped and put his hands up in the air. "Are you insane? Cant you 
      see the police here?" Darien waved his hand over his shoulder indicating 
      the two officers with their guns drawn and aimed at him. "Its over 
      Malachite. Just put the gun down." He took another cautious step toward 
      Serena.
      "I said dont move!"
      Darien took another step. "What can you do? You cant shoot me. You cant 
      get away." Another step. "They already know what youve done. They have 
      all the evidence."
      Malachite turned his attention to the police now. "Hes lying. Everything 
      hes said or given you is a fabrication. Hes the one whos been stealing 
      information. Not me."
      Darien put a hand on Serenas shoulder before stepping in front of her, 
      purposely making himself her shield. "Malachite, Im Joseph Westons 
      grandson. I would never steal from family. If you had taken more time to 
      consider things you would have probably eventually figured it out." He 
      could see the rage welling up in the man and shifted to make sure he was 
      completely blocking Serena from harm. "Give it up, Malachite. Its over."
      Malachite let out a shriek of rage before running back into the boat. "No 
      its not over!"
      Darien gave chase closely followed by the police. He chased him around the 
      boat over to the engine where Malachite was frantically trying to get it 
      to start.
      He whirled and aimed the gun at Darien when he heard him approach. "You 
      ruined everything!" Malachite looked around wildly as if was trying to 
      find a means of escape. "You bastard. You took everything that I ever 
      wanted." The gun was shaking in his hand as he trained it on his employee. 
      "Im going to make you pay for that."
      Darien made a leap for the gun, knocking them both to the deck with the 
      force of the impact. They struggled to get control of the weapon between 
      punches and kicks.
      Malachite managed to pull it down between them and smiled when he pulled 
      the trigger.
      Serena stood and watched as the two police officers ran on board after 
      Darien. She fought the impulse to follow and instead stood by and tried to 
      see what was going on. There was nothing but silence at first. Then 
      shouting. A few seconds later there was a gunshot.
      Serenas heart stopped. What happened? Who was shot? Was Darien ok? She 
      didnt care about her own safety anymore and ran on board. "Darien! Where 
      are you? Are you ok?" tears were falling freely now. Why wasnt he 
      answering?
      She rounded a corner and could see two bodies lying on the deck. "Oh my 
      god." She shoved at the policeman as he tried to hold her back. "Darien!"
      Darien pushed the other mans body off of his own and sat up. He was a 
      little dazed when his head hit the deck after Malachite toppled on him. He 
      shook his head and looked up at Serena. The look of fear dissolved and was 
      replaced by unimaginable joy. Darien smiled.
      She ran over and pulled up him up to his feet.
      Darien pulled her shuddering frame into his arms. "Serena. Are you ok?"
      She nodded even as fat tears rolled down her cheeks. Serena buried her 
      face in his chest and sobbed. "I was so scared!"
      "Its ok." He rocked her slowly. "Hes never going to hurt you again." He 
      let out the breath hed been holding since they left the office and held 
      her as if he hadnt touched her in years. Darien tipped her chin up and 
      touched his lips to hers. "Lets go home."
      ----
      It had been a few days since the incident and Serena had never felt 
      better, but Darien still insisted on pampering her. So now she sat in bed 
      waiting for him to bring up lunch. She leaned up against the pillows he 
      fluffed up and sighed happily. She wasnt going to complain.
      Darien stepped into the room moments later. "Tada!" he pulled out bags of 
      Chinese food.
      Serena laughed. "I thought you were going to make something."
      "Can you blame me for not wanting to give you food poisoning?" he laughed 
      and leapt onto the bed. "Ive got a surprise for you."
      She eyed him curiously. "What?"
      He shook his head mischievously. "Im not telling. You have to get dressed 
      and come with me ok?"
      She smiled, "Ok."
      Several minutes later they were in the limo headed toward the park.
      Serena was smiling still but the curiosity was growing. "Whats the 
      surprise?"
      "Im not telling." He answered childishly.
      "Please?" she pleaded blinking her huge blue eyes.
      "Dont do that! You know Id do anything when you do that."
      "Thats why Im doing it!" she shoved her face in his and proceeded with 
      the puppy eyes.
      "Stop it!" he chuckled and set her gently aside. "You dont want to ruin 
      it do you?"
      "I suppose not," she pouted. "How much longer?"
      He hugged her shoulders. "Not much longer."
      Serena slumped back in her seat and stared out the window at the slight 
      dusting of snow over the landscape. She loved the way it looked as if the 
      world was dusted with icing.
      The thought made her stomach grumble and she looked at the bags of food 
      they hadnt touched yet. "Were not going to have a picnic in the snow are 
      we?"
      "No." he laughed. "You can start on the food if you want. You look 
hungry."
      "Thanks." She stuck her tongue out at him and opened up the container of 
      noodles.
      Soon the aroma had Darien joining in. They talked over forks full of 
      noodles and in between sips of juice. They had almost finished everything 
      when the car pulled to a stop.
      Darien jumped up as far as he could in the limo. "Were here!"
      Serena reluctantly put aside the food and nodded. "Thanks for explaining 
      that sweetie. I never would have guessed."
      He opened the door and held out a hand to her. "Come on!"
      Serena took another lingering look at the food.
      Darien rolled his eyes. "Just grab it and take it along with us."
      Smiling, she grabbed what she could and followed him out. Outside was a 
      horse drawn carriage.
      Serena raised an eyebrow but let Darien help her into the carriage none 
      the less.
      The rest piled in and then they were off.
      Darien threw a blanket over her lap and handed her the food, which she 
      proceeded to munch on happily.
      The carriage ride took them all through the park. Serena stared in awe at 
      the winter wonderland. Everything looked so clean and new. She watched 
      children and their parents playing in the snow and skating on the frozen 
      pond in the clearing. She leaned up against Dariens shoulder and sighed 
      happily. This was a great surprise.
      He wrapped a warm arm around her shoulder and nodded to the driver who 
      took them up a little hill. They followed a little dirt path that wove 
      through the dense tangle of trees up to the top of the rise. The trees 
      came to and end opened up the reveal the stunning untouched snow reaching 
      into the horizon like an enormous white blanket.
      Darien kissed her on the temple. "Isnt it beautiful?" Serena was too 
      content to look and she nodded into his shoulder. He sighed, "Take a look 
      at the view from up here."
      Serena lazily turned to look at the landscape. But the lethargy fizzled 
      away when she saw what was there. "Oh my goodness!" she stood up and 
      looked down at the field below.
      Stomped into the thin layer of snow so the grass was showing were the 
      words I love you Serena. Will you marry me?
      Wide eyed she turned to Darien to find him on one knee and presenting a 
      little blue velvet box.
      "So what do you say?"
      She nibble don her bottom lip for a moment, pretending to think about it 
      but broke into a huge smile. "Yes. Ill marry you."
      Darien let out a whoop of joy. "She said yes!"
      Andrew stepped out of the bushes. "Shed better have or Id have 
      frostbitten toes for nothing!"
      Serena and Darien both laughed at his griping and turned back to each 
      other. He flipped open the lid to reveal a delicate filigree band and a 
      large princess cut diamond. "I bought it on a whim the other day. If you 
      dont like it I can get another."
      Serena took it and shook her head. "Dont you dare! I love it!" she pulled 
      it out of the box and held it out to him, "Want to do the honours?"
      He chuckled and slipped it on. "Ive been wanting to for a while now."
      Serena let it sparkle in the bright sunlight and knew that she was the 
      happiest shed ever been in her entire life.
      He picked her up and swung her around gently. "I swear Ill never let you 
      down."
      She smiled up at him, "Promise?"