Chapter 163 Play Their Parts

Chapter 163 Play Their Parts
I take Ray in. Noting his dejected expression, the lack of light in his eyes and the dark circles that rest beneath them.
In front of me isn’t a man who is in want of power or position. Instead, it is a man who has all but given up on living.
“Alright,” I say, unable to ignore the feeling of pity I feel. “I will help you, but before that I need you to do something.”
Since Osiris had already come and saw what was happening, I wouldn’t put it past him to try to do something to help me.
I knew him. I knew what he was capable of, and I didn’t want him to put himself in harm's way when we were already in the process of handling things.
“I need you to go see Osiris,” I say, fixing my gaze on Ray. “You need to tell him what is happening and what our plan is. After that,” I continue, turning my gaze to Jean, who is watching on silently. “I need you to help get Jean’s mother to him.”
Since it was clear that Ray’s mother was using Jean’s mother to control Jean, we needed to get rid of her hostage. That way, Jean wouldn’t have to do what she was told any longer.
“My mother will realize something is amiss if we were to get that woman out of here.” Ray points out. “The best thing to do right now is to keep her here where she can…”
“Be used to coerce Jean?” I demand, my anger spiking. “It was because your mother decided to take her that we are in the position we are in right now.”
How someone could be so vile was beyond me, but I wasn’t just going to sit back and continue to allow it.
“If you want my cooperation you need to do what I ask.” I tell him. “We can come up with a reason for her to be taken somewhere else for the time being, and once the wedding comes, we can do what needs to be done to finish this.”
Just like everyone else involved, I was tired of Osiris’ stepmother’s tricks and corruption, and honestly, I couldn’t quite understand how his father and even grandfather put up with it.
Speaking of… Since meeting Osiris, I had met every member of his family except his father. Which left me a bit confused and apprehensive.
“Ray,” I say slowly as a bad feeling starts to move through me. “Have you heard anything from your father?”
This whole time his father hadn’t stepped in even though he was supposed to be on vacation with the woman before she returned.
Wasn’t it odd that she came back without him?
What if…
“Dammit!” I gasp, my eyes widening as I realize what must have happened. “Do you think that she did something to your father?”
“I don’t…” Ray begins but stops as the clicking of heels reaches us. “We will discuss this later.”
Nodding, I look to Jean, and when she nods, I know she knows what needs to happen.
“Places, everyone,” I murmur, relaxing while Jean positions herself like she is examining me. “We need to pull this off without a hitch.”
Closing my eyes, I pretend to be relaxing while Jean pushes magic into me, and when Ray comes to join me, the door opens.
“Mother,” Ray calls as she enters and takes in the scene. “What brings you here?”
“I just wanted to check and see if my future daughter-in-law and grandchildren were receiving proper care.”
“Of course we are,” I smile, opening my eyes. “Jean has been doing a great job of taking care of me.”
“That’s good,” she smiles, shifting her gaze to Jean, who remains silent. “I would hate to have to punish her if she tried to do something other than help.”
At her words, I can’t help but feel like she is expecting something and that alone leaves me uneasy.
“How could I possibly, ma’am?”
Jean’s voice is soft, careful, and I immediately realize that my assumption is correct.
What the hell is she planning?
There had to be something more going on here, but I wasn’t quite sure what went down between the two women.
“Then if you’re done, would it be okay if I kidnapped my future daughter-in-law for a bit?”
“I do believe it would be best for her to rest.” Ray says before I can even say something. “After such a long trip and the trouble she went through, we don’t want her pushing herself too much, right?”
Nice save. I think, turning my gaze to Ray, who looks determined to stop his mother from having any alone time with me.
“I only wish to have a bit of tea with her.” The woman in question responds. “We have so much to discuss in regards to the wedding.”
“That can wait until tomorrow.”
Ray’s voice is firm as he speaks, and I can’t help but be a bit proud of him.
Good. I say silently. You put your foot down with that woman.
“For now, I would like for her to rest and recuperate.” He continues. “And I’d like to spend some time alone with her.”
“Alone,” his mother repeats, raising a brow. “I see. I didn’t mean to interrupt your time alone together.”
“You’re just concerned.” Ray smiles. “But I assure you that you don’t have to worry about anything. I will take good care of things so that you can sit back and relax.”
For a moment, his mother doesn’t speak as she takes in what her son is saying, and I can’t help but wonder if she is becoming suspicious of things, but when she smiles and nods, I know that my worry was for nothing.
Overly cocky. I think, watching as she moves forward and touches her son's cheek. Don’t you know that that can get you killed?
She probably didn’t since she clearly believed that she could easily put her son in a position of power by despicable means.
It was sad, but the truth is I honestly found myself eager to see her ending.
“Then I will leave you to it, my boy.” She murmurs, giving Ray’s cheek a kiss. “But if you need anything or if anything happens, don’t hesitate to come find me.”
“Of course,” Ray responds, his body tensing. “If something happens you will certainly be the first person that I come to find. Heaven forbid that brother of yours tries to do something out of jealousy."