116 - Benjamin Scott

116 - Benjamin Scott
Benjamin Scott

As soon as the plane lands in Mexico City, I feel a distinct joy at finally meeting Ralf and ending the agony my uncle and Miley were experiencing in that hospital.

This time, I came alone, just with Victor. Andreia stayed behind with my little devil, who had to remain at the hospital longer than the doctor initially said was necessary. She has been strictly following the doctor’s recommendations.

But during her first shower out of bed, she felt a slight cramp again, which kept us in the hospital. That day, I saw the despair in her eyes, thinking she might not be able to carry our babies to term.

I sigh, missing my little devil. Since we got married, Camilla has shown how strong and incredibly determined she is. She’s also an administrator who has surprised me in a strangely exciting way.

“I found the address where he’s staying!” Victor says, and I look up to see him typing something on his phone.

“Is it far?”

I ask, turning my gaze back to the runway, where the aircraft was still taxiing. I knew everything could go wrong with this conversation with Ralf. I wanted to say something that would truly convince him to return to Vancouver and help Miley survive, not just for my uncle’s sake, but because I know my wife would miss her friend.

“Not too far, it’s near the city’s commercial center!” Victor replies.

I can see the car waiting beside the runway, ready to take us wherever Ralf might be. My phone vibrates in my pocket, and I recognize Raul’s number, another one on a desperate quest.

“What’s up, brother?” I greeted him.

“I’m in Sicily. Can you believe this place is a hub for trafficking women?”

I can hear the disgust in his voice, matching the revulsion we feel, knowing there are people who care only about money.

“Are you going to dismantle the operation there?”

“I’d like to, but I’m short on men. With Xuan by my side, I’m sure I wouldn’t withstand the retaliation if I act.”

“Bring the situation to Carter; I’m sure he’ll intervene…”

I pause as the reason for Raul being in Italy dawns on me.

“Besides Sicily, did you find another port Ching might be using?”

I hear him sigh, a sound that suggests he doesn’t like what he’s discovered.

“I found four ports here in Italy alone, one in Slovenia, and another in Albania. Benjamin, that’s not even the most interesting part…”

“What else did you uncover?” I ask, bracing myself for another reason to be angry.

“I found out the Russian, the one you told me was going to marry your wife, is up to his neck in this. Even worse, I stumbled upon some information that I believe is very important for the First.”

As the plane comes to a stop, I unfasten my seatbelt, noticing Victor’s reaction to something urgent.

I stand and see the captain opening the door of the jet belonging to my family.

“I shouldn’t be here for more than a day, so stay alert for when Victor contacts you!” I say, returning the phone to my ear to hear the rest of Raul’s findings.

“Oleg Volkov, one of the Volkov heirs, is set to take over everything in the family after he killed his older brother over a disagreement.”

I step off the plane and head toward the car, listening to everything Raul has uncovered. I’m stunned to learn more about the man who once touched my little devil. The memory of her beautiful face marked when I entered her hotel room still haunts me.

“We found a connection between him and Ching, which is why we’re heading to Ukraine to investigate whether it’s true he plans to take down the Stepanovs…”

I hear Raul’s laughter at the end of the sentence. I don’t know the Russians personally, but I’m aware that Stepanov’s daughter, Faína, is as tough as her brother Zakhar. If Oleg thinks he can dethrone the Russian family so easily, he must be relying on something significant.

“Do you know anything else? Are you going to call Henrique?” I ask as I settle into the passenger seat, with Victor taking the wheel.

"Do you know anything else? Are you going to call Henrique?" I ask as I sit in the passenger seat, and Victor takes the wheel.

"For now, I only know this, that he’s planning to take down the Stepanovs with Ching's help. I'll call him as soon as Xuan falls asleep."

He says, and I hear him mumble something else close by.

"Have you two worked things out yet?" They’d been together for over a month now.

"No, she’s difficult. My God, what a complicated woman…" I burst out laughing.

"I was sure that by now, she'd already be picking out wedding decorations, squeezing every penny she could out of you."

"I’d gladly give it all, but she’s focused on finding her parents, so I doubt I’ll get anything from her until her priorities change," he says.

I can hear something in his voice, it’s not sadness. Maybe it’s something like hope. In his position, I guess all he can do is hope that the woman he’s fallen for will give him the chance he needs to win her over.

"Raul, as soon as you find out anything else about Oleg, let me know. I think he’s involved in some fraud at my factory!" I tell him.

"Alright, I’ll go check if my Xuan is asleep and then call Henrique."

We say our goodbyes, and I see through the window that we’re approaching the place where Victor thought Ralf might be.

We stop in front of a hotel, and as I glance inside, there he is, standing in the lobby, smoking as if waiting for someone. And that someone is definitely not me.

"There he is!" I say, pointing toward him.

Victor parks the car not too far away, and I get out, heading toward Ralf. When he sees me, he gives a sly smile and throws his cigarette to the ground, stomping it out.

"Finally, I found you!" I say as I approach.

I extend my hand to him, and he greets me with a faint smile, but I can see how tired he is. There’s a hint of pain on his face that feels strangely familiar.

"Looks like I’ve given you a headache!" he says, shaking my hand.

"More for my uncle than for me. I came here to ask for your help."

"Miley?"

I sigh, looking at the people passing by us. Some seem to sense that something isn’t quite right about our presence at the hotel, though they don’t understand why we’re here.

"Yes, she’s gotten worse every day, and we didn’t know what else to do besides coming to you and asking to break the bond again," I explain, hoping he’ll agree to see Miley.

I see confusion in his eyes as he listens, as if he doesn’t fully grasp why he’s here.

"I can’t do what you’re asking of me. Only Miley can help herself," he says.

Then I notice a car with the Vatican flag pulling up in front of the hotel. Now I understand why he seemed so calm.

"Were you waiting for him?" I ask as I see a bishop in clerical robes stepping out of the car and heading toward the hotel entrance.

"Not just him, but everyone who’s coming!"

He says, and I see an unrestrained fury in his gaze, something that won’t be quenched by anything but blood.

"Wait for twenty minutes, and I’ll meet you at the bar," he says, seemingly intent on putting an end to this war.

"Listen to me, there’s something you need to know…" I call out as he starts to walk away.

"Tell me later, I’m sure it’ll be interesting!" And he keeps walking.

Damn it.

I watch him follow the bishop at a distance. I could go after him, let him sate the thirst for vengeance he feels over the death he believes occurred.

"Your uncle isn’t dead!" I shout before he gets too far. He stops, his back to me, and then turns around. In his eyes, I see something I don’t recognize.

"Wait here…"