Jonah, always the life of the party, passed Michael a beer, saying, "Here, man, you look like you could use a cold one."
Selena shot Jonah a warning glance, shaking her head. "You better not drive after that, asshat."
Michael chuckled, taking a sip of his beer. They were so hard on each other, preventing each other from cutting loose. Twins were off-character. Jakob and Liam were hard on each other as well.
Selena turned to Jonah, her expression serious. "I'll just have Dad send someone. We are safe here." Jonah nodded in agreement, but Selena knew he couldn't be more wrong.
She had seen glimpses of the future, fragments of conversations, and moments that would shape the lives of those around her. Gunn, Michael, Liam, and Jakob had all been part of those visions, and Selena knew that their lives were about to take a dramatic turn.
The events that were unfolding would set Jakob on a trajectory into the military and then into politics, a path that would lead him down a dark and complicated road. Selena's heart ached with a mix of emotions - concern for her friends and a sense of powerlessness to change the course of events.
As she settled back into the hot tub, Selena's mind wandered to the future, her thoughts consumed by the visions she had seen. She knew that she had to be careful, that every decision she made would have far-reaching consequences.
The weight of that responsibility settled heavily on her shoulders, and Selena finished the massive virgin Mojito. She didn't drink. Not yet, and not unless it was the finest. She'd stay away from drugs. Sex was going to be hard to stay away from. She didn't know exactly when they'd break and come to a decision. She kept pushing them. She was not a prize to win. She is certainly not ready for anything serious anyway.
She had gone the longest without sex. It was now 27 years, including the time here last life. Jack only made her orgasm once. Selena bitterly stood as the time drew near to a predestined event. The hostage event at the Reinholds, she had to be close to either Jakob or Liam to avoid the event. The vision showed two paths.
As Selena emerged from the hot tub, her slender figure wrapped in a plush, white towel, she excused herself to use the bathroom, seeking a brief respite from the lively atmosphere that filled the Reinhold Mansion. The grand estate, with its imposing stone façade and intricately carved wooden doors, was a testament to the family's impeccable taste and refined sensibilities. As Selena walked through the mansion, her wet feet padding softly on the gleaming marble floor, she felt as though she was gliding through a dream world.
The sound of laughter and music grew fainter as she climbed the sweeping staircase, its delicate balustrades adorned with delicate carvings of flowers and vines. Her eyes scanned the opulent decor that adorned the walls, taking in the priceless works of art, the exquisite tapestries, and the glittering crystal chandeliers that refracted the light into a kaleidoscope of colors. The air was filled with the sweet scent of blooming flowers and the soft strains of music, creating a magical atmosphere that was both enchanting and unforgettable.
As Selena reached the top of the staircase, her thoughts drifted to the events that would soon unfold. She had seen glimpses of the future, fragments of conversations, and moments that would shape the lives of those around her. Michael's career in military contracting, Jakob's political career later, Liam's advances in research, Gunn's rise to prominence, and the intricate web of relationships that would form – all of these things swirled in her mind like a maelstrom.
Following the vision, Selena checked another guest bathroom and headed to the next one, her long, dark hair cascading down her back like a waterfall of night. She looked up and through the partially open door to Jakob's room, and a shiver ran down her spine. It was always odd when it happened, the déjà vu. She approached the doorway, her eyes fixed on some point beyond the horizon, and caught a glimpse of Jakob standing in front of a mirror.
His shirt was off, revealing a chiseled physique that seemed almost sculpted from marble. His broad shoulders and chest were perfectly proportioned, and his abs were etched with a precision that seemed almost artistic. His phone was pressed to his ear, and his eyes were narrowed in concentration, his sharp jawline and prominent cheekbones accentuating his intense expression.
Selena's heart skipped a beat as she gazed at Jakob, her mind racing with thoughts of the future and the secrets that lay hidden beneath the surface. She felt a sense of trepidation, as though she was standing on the precipice of something momentous, something that would change the course of their lives forever.
For a moment, Selena forgot to breathe. She felt a flutter in her chest, a spark of attraction, and an itch that had never been scratched in this life. Jakob's eyes met hers in the mirror, and he froze, his conversation momentarily forgotten. The air seemed to vibrate with tension as they locked gazes, the world around them melting away.
Selena's cheeks flushed with embarrassment as she hastily apologized, "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to intrude."
Jakob's expression softened, and he smiled, "It's okay, Selena. I was just finishing up a call."
Selena took a step back, her eyes never leaving Jakob's, and sheepishly said, "I'll just...I'll go find another bathroom." She wanted to be with Liam through this.
Jakob chuckled, "There's one right across the hall. But if you don't mind, I'll walk with you. I need to wrap up this call anyway."
Selena nodded, feeling a sense of dread wash over her as she walked towards Jakob's door. The commotion downstairs was growing louder, and she could sense the events unfolding exactly as she had seen in her visions.
As she reached the door, Jakob's eyes never left hers, and he pulled her into the room with a sense of urgency. The sound of shattering glass and raised voices filled the air, and Selena knew that the robbery and eventual hostage-taking event had begun.
Jakob quickly grabbed his gun from the nightstand and pulled Selena towards the panic room. His movements were swift and precise, and Selena felt a sense of reassurance with him by her side.
As they entered the panic room, Jakob locked the door behind them and activated the security measures. The room was equipped with state-of-the-art surveillance and communication systems, and Jakob quickly assessed the situation.
Selena watched as Jakob's basic Su training kicked in, his eyes scanning the monitors as he coordinated with the security team. She felt a sense of gratitude towards him, knowing that he would do everything in his power to keep her safe.
As they waited for the situation to unfold, Selena couldn't help but think about the visions she had seen. She knew that Jakob's actions would set him on a path toward a career in politics, and she wondered what other events lay ahead.
The sound of gunfire and shouting grew louder, and Selena felt Jakob's arm wrap around her, pulling her close. She knew that they were in this together, and she trusted him to keep her safe. "It's okay." Jakob soothed Selena.
As they watched the monitors, Jakob's eyes widened in horror as he saw his twin brother. Liam clutched his shoulder and fell to the ground. A strangled cry escaped Jakob's lips, and he felt as though he had been punched in the gut. His mind reeled with shock and denial, refusing to accept what he was seeing.
Selena gasped and shook, her instincts and heart screaming in her chest. She knew how he must feel. Jonah and her bond had grown in the years they had been back together as siblings. They shared the same traits as siblings, as twins. She could empathize with Jakob's pain; although she and Jonah were not identical twins, they shared a closeness. Her eyes darted towards the monitors, searching for Jonah in the chaos. At least he was trained with Claire.
Selena felt Jakob's body tense beside her, his arm tightening around her shoulders as he struggled to process what was happening. "Oh no, oh no, oh no," she whispered, her voice trembling with fear. "Liam, no..."
Jakob's eyes were fixed on the monitor, his gaze frozen on the image of his brother lying on the ground. Gunn's face appeared on the screen, his expression twisted with fear and adrenaline as he dragged Liam to safety. Jakob's eyes followed every movement, his heart racing with fear for his brother's life.
Meanwhile, Jennifer was battling one of the captors, her movements swift and deadly as she fought to protect herself and the others. But despite her bravery, she was soon overpowered, and the captor turned his attention to Heather, holding her hostage.
Selena felt a cold dread creeping up her spine as she watched the scene unfold. "We have to do something," she whispered urgently, tugging on Jakob's arm. "We can't just sit here and do nothing."
Jakob's face was set in a grim mask, his eyes blazing with determination. "I know," he muttered, his voice low and deadly. "I'm going to get Liam and get him to safety. And then I'm going to take down those bastards."
As they watched, Gunn managed to drag Liam to safety, but the captor holding Heather at gunpoint was getting more and more agitated. Selena felt like she was holding her breath, waiting to see what would happen next. Jakob's arm was still wrapped around her, but she could feel the tension in his body, the sense of coiled power waiting to be unleashed.
As Jakob's eyes blazed with determination, Selena's grip on his arm tightened, her fingers digging deep into his skin. "Jakob, no, please don't do anything rash," she begged, her voice trembling with fear. "You could get hurt, and Claire and Jonah are still outside. We don't know what's going on out there."
But Jakob's face remained set, his jaw clenched in fierce determination. "I have to go," he growled, his voice low and deadly. "I have to get Liam to safety and take down those bastards."
Selena's eyes welled up with tears as she saw the resolve in Jakob's eyes. She knew that she had to convince him to stay, to keep him safe. "Jakob, please," she whispered, her voice cracking with emotion. "We're only 17, Jakob. They'll shoot you like they did Liam. You can't just go out there and expect to take down armed men. It's not a movie, Jakob. This is real life."
Jakob's eyes flickered toward the monitors, and for a moment, Selena thought she saw a glimmer of hesitation. But then his face hardened again, and he took a step towards the door.
Selena's grip on his arm tightened, and she pulled him back towards her. "Just trust me, Jakob," she begged, her voice barely above a whisper. Trust me as a seer, and trust me as your friend. You will get hurt out there. I've seen it, Jakob. I've seen the possibilities, and I know that you can't go out there and expect to come back unscathed."
Jakob's eyes met hers, and for a moment, Selena saw a flicker of uncertainty. Then, slowly, he nodded, and his arm wrapped around her, pulling her close. Selena felt a wave of relief wash over her as she buried her face in his chest, her fingers gripping his hand tightly.
As they stood there, wrapped in each other's arms, the sound of police sirens and shouting filled the air outside. But at that moment, all that mattered was to wait it out. He would stay put now.