XXXV.

A month passed and Erik's job was soon coming to an end. He was anxious, excited, and nervous all at once. He and Malika had kept their facade up because of the inside spy in their household. He hated having to present the facade of a non-caring, despising husband. He hated having to lessen their intimacy because of this stupid revenge plot that the Viscomte was hellbent to make real.

However, what would the whelp do? He thought of the worst possible situations that could occur and all of them involved his wife. That's why he he had to maintain their facade...so she wouldn't get hurt. If she ever got hurt by that bastard's hands, he would kill him...despite the fact that he was married to Christine.

Erik looked at the calendar on his desk and thought to himself, 'Only a few more weeks.'

xxxx

Raoul looked at the red liquid in his glass as he listened to Edmond describe the events of the past week at the manor. He smiled, delighted at what he was hearing. "What do you plan to do now?" Alexandre questioned him.

"The manor is almost finished. On the last day of the job I shall take my revenge." Raoul responded then sipped some of the wine in his glass.

"By doing what exactly?"

"She'll be alone with her siblings and children. She certainly will be easy to overtake and will do anything to keep her siblings and children safe. We will then wait for the monster to come back to his home where he will have to watch his wife get ravaged."

"That is cold. Even for you. I thought you were doing this to free her from him. It seems it is more revenge than ever." Alexandre responded.

"Do you not want her? I thought you wanted to ravage his wife." Raoul returned coolly.

Alexandre chuckled at his friend. "I want her alright. However, it would be more practical to ravage her away from him."

"Why? Do you fear for your life?"

"No. He will be more worried about her if she is not in his sight."

Roaul nodded then downed the rest of his wine. "I'll work out the details before the project ends." He turned to Edmond, "Until then watch their behavior."

xxxx

Erik looked at his wife as she slept. She lay on her side, head tilted to the door and her neck exposed for him. How he wanted to claim her. He had never wanted her more than now. He brushed his lips against her smooth neck as his hand caressed her stomach. "I love you." She half-whispered, half-moaned.

"I love you too cherie." He responded as he pulled her against his body tightly.

"I want to make love with you."

"I do too. I want so much to take you, but we must wait." Erik whispered as he pressed another kiss to her neck.

"Oh Erik...I wish this was all over Erik." Malika told him as she turned in his arms and pressed a kiss against his cheek. "You don't know how much I want this to be over with."

"It will be over soon my love. Only a few more weeks."

"I fear for your life. He wants to hurt you and I do not want you to get hurt." Malika told Erik as she gently stroked his marred cheek. "I couldn't stand it if you were hurt."

Erik smiled at her as he reflected on how wonderful a wife she was. "Cherie, you shouldn't be worrying about me. I should be worrying about you. You are a woman. They could hurt you more than me."

A look of worry crossed Malika's face. "You don't think..."

"I would not put it past him now that we know their intentions are to break us up." Erik told her as she clung to him, fear evident in her eyes.

"Erik, I don't want to get hurt. I don't want anyone to get hurt."

He kissed her lips softly then said, "Do not worry. Nothing bad is going to happen." Though nothing was further from the truth.

Author's Note: So I know I said I would not update for like two weeks. However, I had the chance and so here is a short chapter to tide you over. The next one will be much longer. Thanks for the reviews!