The Syndicate’s Bride

Chapter3

Vanessa

As father’s guards prepared my belongings for my move to our new mansion, I found a room away from that whole circus.

Eyes of control, power, greed, envy, hate, I could feel it all on me like a tight rope around my neck. I thought the arranged marriage was my only problem. That once I had figured out a way to avoid the marriage I’d be breaking free from both father and Ryan.

What naive thinking.

The Rossis were an enemy I didn’t prepare for but should have expected. I was seated on their throne, after all. Their chance at power taken from them and given to a woman who’d rather be a race car engineer.

I’d probably be mad too if I cared enough.

A knock at the door pulled me away from my thoughts. Ushering her in, the door creaked open to reveal straight blonde hair and brown eyes. Alice, my assistant.

“I’d need you to do a double check on your belongings before you leave, ma’am.”

I sighed. “Why? You know what I need. At least make this a bit enduring for me, Alice.”

“I insist, ma’am. Follow me please.” She walked away and disappeared into the hallway.

I sighed. That was Alice for you; extremely thorough and persistent.

I followed behind her until we were at the garage, standing before a small moving truck.

“Your bags are at the back.” She said aloud as she moved to the back of the truck. Slightly confused at her need to voice out the location of my bags I followed after her.

Now out of sight, Alice suddenly grabbed my arm and pulled me to her with slight force.

I frowned. “What the –”

She placed her index finger to her lips and I went mute.

“We don’t have time so I can only say this once.” She gulped with wide eyes, looked round for any eavesdropper, before turning to me. “Mr. Rossi has spies planted in your new mansion.” I paled. “Whatever you do, trust no one. They are unto you and Mr. Winchester. You must be careful.” She rushed out.

What the hell. “Wait, how –”

“You don’t need to know, you just have to trust me.” And I did. “You normally have your guard up, Vanessa, Triple it.”

We both look towards the entrance of the garage at the sound of footsteps.

Alice pulled at my hand, drawing my attention back to her. She looked at me with pleading eyes. “Be careful.”

Ryan, Mr. Winchester, Mr. Logan, and Mr. Rossi came into full view. Alice dipped her head down in polite greeting at them before doing the same to me and leaving like she hadn’t been shaking in fear a few seconds ago.

I locked eyes with Ryan, the expression on his face unreadable. A few seconds later, he turned away and walked to the passenger side of a black car I hadn’t noticed beside the truck.

He pulled the door open and looked at me. “Shall we?”

Now he’s opening doors for me? He should consider becoming an actor.

With a nod, I walked past the little audience whose heavy eyes watched me closely as I slipped into the car.

Ryan gave final nods of greetings to the families, before entering the car and driving out of the garage.

Ryan left his previous charms and tolerable character in the garage and morphed back into his cold exterior. He drove the car in silence, and although it was uncomfortable, I welcomed it as I was in no mood for his attitude.

Instead, I occupied my thoughts with the piece of information Alice had given me earlier about the spies.

Growing up, I had eyes on me at almost every second of the day. It terrified me until I got used to it and it became easy to pretend they were absent.

However, dealing with spies from a family I had no previous ties to was a whole different case. I could easily wait and figure their movements as the days went by but who knew if they’d kill me by the second day?

The thought gave me chills. Triple your guard, Alice had said, and that was all I could do. As much as I hated being under father’s control, I was beginning to see how this alliance could benefit me. Ryan was the only ticket I had out of this arrangement and out of my father’s control, and as much as I hated the idea, I had to stick to him until I didn’t have to, no matter how long it took. Which meant I had to protect this alliance.

About twenty minutes later, we arrived at the mansion. Setting aside whatever it was the Rossi had against me, I couldn’t deny their exquisite taste when I saw the mansion.

It was sleek and chic with vintage aesthetics decorated within the interior, keeping the exterior modern and inviting. Nothing too much or too small.

As the servants began the room set up, I made my way to the kitchen, grateful to find it empty as I poured myself a glass of red wine and sat at the bar.

My mind involuntarily drifted back to the spies again and Ryan. Did he know about the spies? Should I tell him? What if he also planted spies to watch me too? I groaned. There was way too much to be cautious about and way too much to do to keep up appearances.

I thought of our sleeping arrangements and groaned again. If we didn’t have to be so cautious, I’d have opted for a separate room, a decision I was sure Ryan wouldn’t oppose. But now that we had eyes on our backs, the mere act of sleeping in separate rooms created a hole in our alliance. And you know what they say about holes,

If you don’t cover it up, it would only get bigger.

Frustrated, I downed the remaining contents of my wine just as I heard the kitchen door open and close behind me.

Alarmed, I turned to the sound and found Ryan leaning against the door, his suit jacket ling gone leaving his white shirt, suit pants and tousled dark hair.