Chapter 25 25

Chapter 25 25

GEORGIA

I moved to the window and pulled the curtains open. The crowd was still gathered at the pool, watching with rapt attention but chattering in hushed tones. I leaned closer expecting to find Camilla, but she was gone. A wave of cold descended on me and I stepped away. I must truly have put her in trouble, and myself as well. Emily and her sister weren't just ordinary people, at least not in this matter, and it had to take this much for me to realise.

I sat on one of the stools, my heart thumping in my chest. My phone beeped. A message from Tiana.

The security here is tight. Emily has been admitted into a VIP ward, nobody is allowed to see her, not even all the nurses.

I sat up, my eyes widened in surprise.

That is very suspicious, but have you been able to gather any information on Shaniah is she also at the hospital?

I stood up again and peered out the window. Some good Samaritan probably heard the commotion coming from the mansion and informed the police. Rhys stood before them, answering questions, making casual gesticulations trying to make everything sound normal.

I wish I could set out there. I wish I could speak to the police—tell them every awkward thing going on with the men, and the missing ladies.

My phone beeped again. Another message from Tiana.

Vanya Delano, the mayor of Valence City is present. I can smell a fish. Something is not right. I overheard him telling the hospital chief to make everything discreet. He doesn't want his appearance or the women's health publicised or known by the police at all.

I texted back immediately.

Did you say women?

Instant reply.

"Wait. I'm not sure as well, I heard him say women.

But isn't Emily the only person?

She sent a shocked emoji

Is there a chance he is hiding the kidnapped women at that hospital?

Give me a few minutes, I think one of the nurses is sleeping out I can't pretend to have lost my way and get inside. Wait! I see something.

I held my breath, waiting for Tiana's response, my heart pounding in my chest but the door was suddenly flung open and Rhys was standing there.

"What is the meaning of that?" His voice was clipped, his eyes fiery. "How do you dare you pull such a stunt?"

"What stunt?" I rose from the stool; the high heels were a blessing, and I was able to match Rhy's towering height with them.

"First, you attacked a member of a fellow syndicate and then you had the effrontery to barge in on a Mafioso gathering. What kind of woman are you? Have you lost your mind? Do you know what Vanya is going to make of that case with his official? Nearly killed that man, and even now, there's a very low chance of survival. No woman has ever stepped into a gathering of the made men but you—"
He stopped and clenched his teeth. "You're such a terror! Why won't you ever understand your place? Why are you always trying to prove yourself, even when you're not needed? What you did is sacrilegious. So much so that the smaller syndicates have begun to clamour for my abdication, they don't want me ruling them any longer. Why do you keep bringing me trouble?"

I burst out laughing, I didn't know why, but those words triggered something I could only express with a heart-wrenching laughter. Rhys was thrown off by my gesture, his lips curling into a thin, confused smile. But, this only took my laughter further.

"Godammit Georgia!" He swiped my perfume bottle off the dresser and threw it at the wall. "Do you think this is a joke?"

"No," I fired back. "I think you are as evil as that murderer Vanya. I mean, you just accused me of attacking an innocent, harmless man. This man, was going to kill Emily. Before I even saw him he'd inflicted several bruises and injuries on her, and then he'd begin to drown her in the swimming pool. Emily is one of the hardest-working servants in this mansion. But I don't hear you say a word about her well-being. What is happening with that man? What does he want with Emily? Who are you really, Rhys Mikalihov?"

The dark shadow crossed his face, but I didn't miss that confliction. He took a step closer to me, but I didn't move back. He wouldn't be allowed to intimidate me, not again! Soon, the tips of our noses were touching. I could see a tiny stitch mark under his chin, and a tiny spick of violet in his corneas.

"You don't understand many things Georgia. " He said slowly. His breath was warm with mint and a small whiff of champagne. "The mafia life is not ordinary life, you know, I'm no longer an ordinary woman."

"And I don't give a damn, you had your guard bundle me into the house to assert your control over me, right there in the presence of the other mafia men. You wanted them to know how much power you have over me and how much I was willing to submit to you. I hate men like you Rhys." I spat. "I hate you so much. If standing up for what is right, protecting women from harmful practices and protecting a loved one is trouble, then I will continue to be a thorn in your flesh. I will never give you peace, and you won't find any love whatsoever in this union. Chaos brought me to you, and it will be the same thing that tears you apart."

"Georgia," he said slowly, "slow down and listen to me."

"No! I will not. Emily said you swore to protect her, yes you defend the people after her existence. You know Vanya Delano is evil, you know everything he's been doing, yet you choose to shield him and deny the innocent women justice."

"Vanya is a lot more dangerous than you think. And your idea of justice does not work under the Brotherhood code!"

"Damn you and you stupid corrupt law. I'm not trusting until I get the truth, until the perpetrators behind the kidnaps and your criminal friends have been brought to book. I will fight this until I breathe my last!"

"Then that will not be long."

"What!"

"You heard me Georgia, you don't have much time left to breathe."

I stumbled backwards, the air flying out of my lungs. He smiled at my expression and reached for my face.

"Everybody knows who you are. Georgia Carter, the renowned reporter and journalist. They know what you did to me, what you stand for and your aversion towards our way of life and dealings. If anything, Vanya Delano is waiting to see what you want to do. He wants to see the move you'll make. All eyes are on you Georgia, that's why I've instructed you to remain behind closed doors. He has men everywhere ready to trail your movement and report to him."
He cupped my face in his palms, his eyes staring deep into mine.
"I am interested in justice but I don't want to lose a life in the pursuit of it. Slow down, Georgia, let me handle this. Emily is not going to die, I will see to it. I will also make sure José doesn't do anything rash to Camilla. But you would have to tender an apology to the guild. I don't want you to make an enemy of them. They're dangerous. My life, title and career revolve around it right now. Please, I know this is not pleasing to your ears, but you have to do this."

"Why are you afraid of Vanya?" I insisted. "Aren't you stronger than him?"

He drew a sigh.

"Strength is a weapon of war, not of victory. Vanya is as sly as a fox; he's not interested in lifting a finger against me, but is capable of doing worse. I don't want him coming after you, that's why I let him have Emily. But your interference now..."

"Vanya has something to do with Emily's sister doesn't he?"

Rhys's eyes sank.

"What! Does Emily have a sister?"

I realised my blunder immediately and shook my head.

"No, I'm not sure. I just heard the maidservants whispering some things about her and..."

"My staff don't do that. Gossip is prohibited in my mansion."

"Oh really? But how would you ever know? Gossip is a universal thing, you can't possibly prohibit it. And like I said, I was the one eavesdropping."

"That information is too sensitive. Emily has never mentioned it to me. There is no way that maids would have said this."

"But I heard it from them." I insisted, managing to swallow my fear. Rhys, it's not new that I have been sneaking around in his absence and defying his orders.

"Vanya doesn't like people poking into his business. He is a man of reputation and he'll do everything to protect his image. He'll go after anyone trying to dig dirt on him. I'll have the staff warned again."