Chapter 27 27
Chapter 27 27
GEORGIA
"How much progress have you made now, Tiana?" I said into the phone, pacing back and forth in my room. I had everything in place now— all the evidence needed to write an article about Vanya Delano and his involvement in the kidnapping of the young ladies.
I had also been trailing the corrupt police officers who assisted the smooth operation of the black market. I had their names, their pictures and evidence to prove their involvement in the crime. All that was left was a testament from Emily and her twin sister.
"Say something, Tiana. We need to get this out there before more innocent ladies are kidnapped. We also need to rescue the prime minister's daughter, I am sure Vanya has her in his residence or somewhere. I can't just wait to get justice for her and the other girls."
"Rhys just left the hospital." She eventually answered. "He came to check on Calvin."
"What? You mean Calvin is also at the hospital?"
"Yes," she answered. "He sustained a lot of injuries and broke his rib bones. He is immobile as we speak, I guess we are free to complete the rest of the investigation.
"Yes, you have a point, but there is this awkward, wicked woman he's placed in charge of the house now. I'm not sure you remember her, but she's much more difficult to get past. But how did Rhys behave when he saw you? Did he appear suspicious?"
"Rhys is not easy to read on the surface." She answered somberly. "Aside from a few casual questions, nothing in his demeanour suggested apprehension."
"Really?"
"Yes."
"If we can sneak out right now, both Emily and Shania are in this hospital. Emily woke up some minutes ago while Shaniah is in the mental facility, conscious. We can interview them both, get some videos and by tomorrow the world will know Vanya for the monster he truly is."
"But how do I get out? That is the problem, Rhys specifically gave me instructions and warnings. I'm still not ready to leave the house. He's reinforced his warnings on Vanya's cruelty and the length he would go to protect his reputation."
Tiana was quiet for some seconds, and on my end, I couldn't describe my mixture of anger, excitement, and frustration. The innocent girls would be rescued, and Vanya would receive comeuppance for his horrid acts against the twins.
"You have no choice Georgia," Tiana finally said. "You'll sneak out of that house however you can. This is the moment you've been waiting for we can't let anything steal it away."
And those were the words I needed to boost my morale and shred my fear. Before I could think, I was dressed in a pair of black leggings and a jeans jacket; my camera recorder and other implements stuffed into a tote bag.
"Where are you heading to madam?" The witch lady said. "I thought your husband made it clear."
"Move out of the way, or you'll be lying 6 ft before you can even blink."
My tone of words sent her flying back, her eyes widening with shock. Then I walked past her, pushed the door open and stepped out of the house.
"Where are you going, madam? Is there any place you need us to take you?"
"No," I snapped, not turning to gaze at the guards who stood frozen as if they'd seen a monster, though at that moment, I was raging fire. "Get the simplest car in the garage ready for me," I ordered. "I can take care of myself."
"Y... Yes Ma'am."
"Good."
For the first time, I took charge. I was finally the lady of the house, not a hostage begging a glimpse of the sunlight.
★★★
I met Tiana standing at the reception, she looked as tense as I was, her long, red hair thrown out of place. She dashed towards me as she saw me, reaching for my bag.
"You don't look like you've had any sleep in the past few days," I said to her. "What have you been up to?"
She took me by the hand and turned the corner heading to the line of wards in the passage. We were half running and half walking.
"I've been moving undercover." She answered. "I nearly had sex with Vanya Delano last week."
"What! Why? How?"
"I went to a club dressed as a sex worker and he brought me home. I wanted to see where the prime minister's daughter was kept."
"What!" My mouth fell agape. "That's daring. Were you able to?"
"It wasn't easy. He was close to penetrating me."
"What! You got naked?"
"I had to. How else would he have grown comfortable enough for me to walk around his house? His house was a giant, and guarded, ed, but I didn't leave without achieving my aim. All we need is to get the police, I'll take them straight to where the prime minister's daughter is held."
"That's a great job, Tiana." I clapped my hands excitedly and hugged her. "You've done really well. And I'm sorry about the touching, and the experience."
"Ugh!" She rolled her eyes. "I'm lucky to have escaped death. I can't explain how deadly that man is. Even his sexual tastes are netherworldly. I think I need therapy."
Soon, we got to Emily's ward. I ground to a halt and pushed the door open, but an utterly shocking sight was waiting for us.
RHYS.
Right there, standing beside Emily's sick bed was Rhys, his arms folded across his chest.
"I knew you two would come," he said slowly, his face glowing with anger, his fist clenched. "I've been waiting here for you. What the fuck is the meaning of this! Do you think I wouldn't find out? You came here under a different name and you told me about Shaniah. You've been sneaking out of the house when I told you to stay put, Georgia! Just what is your problem?"
"No, you tell us." I fired back, slamming the door shut. "You have no right to be here. We've only ever wanted the truth to be known. Just look at what Vanya has done to Emily and her sister, look at what he is doing with the innocent ladies and now the prime minister's daughter? Why can't you see what I'm fighting for, Rhys?"
"I do understand Georgia, but we can't involve the police. We are Mafias, dignified and organised criminals, letting the police in on one of us will expose the rest. I already told you to trust me. I will bring Vanya to justice."
"But Vanya was almost going to kill you, do you think I don't know as well? He made all the men at the meeting pull out their guns, and they were going to fire at you. I don't think Vanya is out of your own control."
"You shouldn't say that!" He stomped his foot angrily. "Vanya is unto you as we speak. He's learnt of your attempts to get the truth about the Collins' sister's case. If you hand him over to the police, his men will come for you, the entire Mafia will turn their backs on me and kill me. You are not seeing this in my light. Please Georgia, hand over everything you've found. I'll give them to Vanya and he'll stop trailing you."
"That's preposterous!" Tiana's voice went over the roof. "Do you know how difficult it was for us to gather this evidence?"
"That evidence will be the death of all of us if you don't relinquish it." Rhys fired back. "I'll bring the other syndicates under deliberation. Vanya will release the prime minister's daughter and all the other women he's recently kidnapped."
"But what about the ladies of the black market?" I questioned. "Will they continue to suffer?"
"But I already told you Georgia. The black market is not a war that can be fought and won in a day. Just leave this to me. I don't want you to die. The world still needs you, and I want you alive to fulfil that goal. Hand everything over. Please, Tiana."
"What about the twin sisters?" Tiana asked, and Emily was awake, listening to the conversation. "We need to make sure Vanya will no longer be able to reach them."
"Yes, I have won the right to their father's company and all the money in his name. They will be happy in a countryside home with more than enough money to get them through. You can count on me, you see."
"Very well then, we will give you the evidence."
Tiana took my bag off my shoulder and handed it to Rhys. With a smile, he pulled us in for a group hug and kissed me on the lips.
But suddenly there was a loud bang from nowhere and the hospital emergency security alarm began to blare. Emily jumped up immediately and screamed.
"We have to get my sister and leave."
"But why?"
"Vanya is here and he has the place surrounded."