Chapter 148 Suspicion
Ronan’s brows furrowed. “And how do you know this?”
Sabina laughed, a hearty laugh that made the other couple dancing near them whip their head at them. “I am not blind, Ronan. I’ve known them. I can see the fire that they both have for one another.”
That finally rings a bell in his head. He remembered the day when they were still in Russia. When Lilia went out for a walk he had escorted her through the snowy lawn. The time when he threatened her.
He wasn’t surprised by the information, but somehow it tweaked in his chest with uneasiness. It could pose a problem. How did Sabina know Lilia and Kael? Was she close to them?
“She loved the bastard.” He groused, placing his palm flat on her bare back, and guided her to the center of the dance floor.
“Apparently, and so he does, and I am sure he'll do anything to have her back.”
Kael is a formidable foe and Ronan sees him as a potential threat. If what Sabina was saying was that the bastard indeed loves Lilia, then she wasn’t kidding when she said that he’ll come for her.
“Thank you for the wonderful dance, Sabina.” They both retreated and bowed as they curtsied.
“And I, you.” She smiled, innocently, but her eyes flashed with mischief as she glided closer to her and whispered. “And by the way, he’s here. Watching her and waiting for a perfect opportunity.”
Then she left, swallowed by the crowd and out of his sight as though he hadn’t danced with him.
Ronan cursed silently, hurried away from the dance floor and was about to leave the ballroom and find Lilia himself.
However, he did not expect to stumble upon the man that took him under his wings.
“Ronan, there you are.” Signore Vittorio clapped his hand on his shoulder.
Annoyance gripped him and before he could control his impulsiveness, his mouth fired through before his mind. “What the hell were you thinking when you actually allowed Lilia to leave the palace?”
“Why, yes. My poor girl is sweating profusely from all the dancing. She needed some time to cool off outside and it could help her swelling feet.” Signore Vittorio answered in a nonchalant manner, and it must have taken a lot of self-control for him to refrain from punching the older man in the face for his recklessness.
“You’re too soft on her. She should never have left our sight.” He clinched his teeth as he cast his eyes across the room in search of a woman, but he was unsure if he was looking for Lilia or for the woman he had been dancing with, Sabina.
“Ronan, my boy. I know what you’re up to.” Ronan stilled for a moment, snapping his attention back to the old man.
Does he know? He wondered, but he didn’t say anything and let him finish with what he was saying.
“You’re worried about her. Don’t worry, the guards were on watch.”
Ronan inhaled sharply in both relief and in exasperation. For an experienced old man like Signore Vittorio, he sure does creep into his nerves and make him angry. Does he not ever think how crucial it is for his granddaughter to be wandering off in the middle of the night? She’s his sole heir for damn sake and everyone has taken interest in her.
However, Ronan sure knows he’s only worried for one reason. Kael might have taken her at this moment without them knowing, and all the plans he had would be gone.
Unless he’ll wage war against the Russians.
“You should be strict on her. Tell her the limitations she had. She’s your sole goddamn heir and everyone in here makes her the target.” He groused, snatching a glass of liquor from the waiter that walked past them and taking a full swig to keep his annoyance at bay.
Signore Vittorio resigned with a long sigh. The old man looked at him and a glimpse of grief shot past through his gaze. “Ronan, you don’t understand. Lilia is all I have. My blood and flesh and I don’t want to repeat the same mistake I did with her mother.”
Ronan’s brows knotted, this old man wasn’t so fond of talking about his late daughter, but after Lilia came to them, it was like he was changing. He became too lenient with everything that she does, which isn’t going well.
Especially tonight.
Ronan veered his gaze again into the sea of heads bobbing into his sight, but this time he aimed to spot a suspicious man.
“He’s here.” He started slowly, and even without mentioning the name, Signore Vittorio immediately knew whom he was talking about.
“The damn bastard.” The old man growled and slammed the glass he was holding into the table.
“Yes, and letting Lilia out of our sight gives him the opportunity to take her from us.”
“Call the guards and escort her back inside at once. It’s been a while since she’s been out there. That should be enough.” Panic was evident in his voice and Ronan was certain that Lilia might be with Kael right now and they would catch them off guard.
He took the pager from his pocket to alert the guards and they responded right away. The guests were hoarded into the ballroom and announced that no one should leave until Lilia is back. It took no more than ten minutes when finally the double door opened and two guards escorted Lilia, alone inside. She looked so confused, and a coat was hanging over her shoulder.
“Is everything alright, Pa? Why do the guards seem to be in haste?” She asks innocently, gaze fleeting between them.
She’s here. Does that mean Sabina was wrong that Kael was here?
“Ah, cara. Come here.” Relief washes over Signore Vittorio’s face and moves to her side, kissing her cheeks. “We’ve got news that some bastard managed to infiltrate our domain and I got worried for you.”
“Oh, God. Is everyone safe?”
“Yes, yes. And so are you.”
Ronan doesn't know if she was really worried or just acting like she didn’t know what was happening. Though something caught his attention. She was now wearing a ring, a familiar ring that he didn’t remember she owned when she got here. But he didn’t say a word and just looked at the two of them exchanging conversation.
Lilia gave him a fleeting glance, and Ronan could read that behind those eyes, secrets reside. Like there’s something that she knew that she didn’t.
“I’m getting tired, Pa,” she sighs. “I wanted to resign from my room.”
“Of course, mio cara.” The old man turns to him. “Ronan, please assist Lilia back to her room. I’ll take care of the guests.”
A wide grin appeared on his face and immediately fear crippled Lilia’s eyes, replacing whatever complacency that shone in them.
Well, guess he’ll have to find out that secret himself.