The Syndicate’s Bride

Chapter 8

Vanessa

As Alice patiently waited for my reply, the conversation between Ryan and the doctor ended, and the latter left, leaving Ryan and I alone.

We locked eyes and before he could even ask, I hung up the phone and casually shrugged.

“Just my assistant checking in.”

Whatever information Alice had for me had to wait no matter how eager I was because learning information about Ryan that was probably confidential wasn’t something to discover in Ryan’s presence.

He nodded, not bothering to look away and for some reason, it made me a little bashful. Maybe it was because he caught me feeling him up when he woke up.

The door suddenly swung open and a tall man with a brown ponytail entered.

He regarded me first, bowing his head low in greeting. Slightly startled, I stared at him for a second before awkwardly nodding in reply.

Who is this man?

He walked to Ryan, dipping his head in another long bow. Unlike me who was startled by his greeting, Ryan smoothly replied with a curt nod and to my utmost shock, shook the man’s hand like they were long friends.

My eyes nearly burst out of its sockets.

“Vanessa,” Ryan suddenly called, grabbing my attention. “This is my assistant, Kyle.”

My eyes widened. So he did have an assistant after all. Kyle regarded me with a small smile and I could immediately tell he was way more approachable than his boss.

“Nice to meet you, Miss. Logan.” He said in a low soft voice that could make anyone swoon. It matched his physical appearance perfectly.

“Likewise.”

They both turned away after that, conversing in hushed tones while I watched them curiously.

The air between them was comfortable. I could tell Ryan’s guard was down with the way his shoulders relaxed as he conversed with Kyle. I immediately concluded that he must trust him, so maybe I could extend some of mine.

“Miss. Logan,” Kyle called, peeling me away from my thoughts. “I’d like to take Mr. Winchester back with me to his estate to properly watch over him.”

Oh?

Kyle continued. “Helping him with certain tasks like bathing or changing clothes will only cause you inconvenience.” He lost me at bathing because I would never have offered such assistance. My cheeks heated at the thought. “Plus, I’d be able to watch over him freely without alerting the estate spies.”

The last reason was convincing enough and I nodded in understanding. Maybe it would be better if he stayed in his home for the time being, especially after last night’s attempt on him.

“That’s fine with me.” I turned to Ryan. I guess my work here is done. Still feeling a bit awkward towards him, I stiffly nod. “Take care of yourself.”

His eyes roamed around my body before stopping on my eyes. “Were you injured?” He asked softly.

I cleared my throat, a bit awkward about the warmth in my chest at his worry. “No.”

“Good.”

We stared at each other both unsure as to the new development in our relationship. Whatever it was he saw in my stare was enough to make him smoothly avert his eyes away from mine first and turn to his assistant. I took it as my cue to leave.

“I’ll leave you both to it then.” With a final nod from Kyle, I exited the room, feeling the weight of Ryan’s eyes until I closed the door shut behind me.

***

Ryan’s temporary absence proved useful to my investigation.

After leaving the hospital, I had called Alice to ask about the information about Ryan and she in turn suggested we met in a safe place far from any spies as it wasn’t a conversation to have over the phone or in my house.

So the very next day, I got dressed and headed to our agreed location, somewhere no one would think to find us.

My lab.

With Ryan gone, I finally had a chance to slip back into my routine, one of which included making new materials in my lab. Plus, it was a small building unknown to most. I suspected even father was unaware of it and thus was the perfect location for confidential discussions.

Talk about killing two birds with one stone.

Alice arrived at our agreed time even though I had rushed to the lab, too excited to be united with my materials, about an hour before then.

When she entered, her eyes nearly bulged out in surprise to see me already there.

“Did I keep you waiting?” She asked slightly flushed.

“No,” I answered, partly concentrated on the glass tube. “I came early on purpose.”

I heard her sigh in relief as I placed the tubes down and removed my gloves. “Shall we begin?” I said, walking past her to one of the couches in the lab and taking a seat, my eagerness barely constKavand. She took the couch opposite from me.

She took out her laptop and some documents, which she placed before me. I picked up the documents and scanned through it, noticing the Winchester family name on them.

She cleared her throat, getting my attention. “Not a lot was found about Mr. Winchester but I did find some things that might interest you.” She typed in some words on her laptop before continuing.

“The Winchesters originated from Italy and have long been involved in underground race betting. This was the foundation of their wealth, initially.” I nodded, not all too surprised about their nationality as their features gave it away, or the fact that the family was into illegal betting. “Later on, Ryan’s great grandfather united the Italian Mafia, making the family something like the originators of the Italian Mafia.”

She skimmed through her laptop. “By the time Ryan’s father took over, the Winchester family no longer limited themselves to Europe. They came the U.S, and with their power and affluence were able to take the U.S Mafia under their control.”

Whoa. “Just how much power do they have?”

“A lot, it seems. However, they still haven’t been able to unify the American Mafia as a large portion belongs to Mr. Logan and some to the Rossis.”

And then it clicked. “Hence the alliance.”

Alice nodded. “Seems like the most logical explanation.”

I have a role to fulfill. Ryan had said that the night of the banquet and now it made sense. His great grandfather did something great enough to go down in Mafia history and so did his father. He simply wasn’t allowed to slack.

It really was just business.

“And Ryan? What did you find about him.”

She scrolled down. “Not much to be honest but I did find something about his mother.”

I hummed. “What about her?”

“Mrs. Sarah Winchester,” she read, “wife to Mr. Winchester died in unexpected circumstances over fifteen years ago. Ryan was only eight at the time.”

My heart squeezed for little Ryan. Speaking from experience, It wasn’t easy to lose a parent at such a young age. The mental and physical stress it caused wasn’t spoken off enough, especially on young children. You never understand the sudden absence, even as you grow older. No child deserved to go through that.

Oblivious to my shift in emotion, Alice continued. “His dad raised him by the rod, always demanding strict discipline, using any means of force he deemed necessary. That iron hand shaped him into the ruthless cold blooded man he is today; ruthless in the underworld, decisive in eliminating rivals. He races to maintain control over outcomes.” She raised her head. “Apparently, the reason for his almost perfect winning streak in F1 racing is because his family has a tradition for corporal punishment if anyone fails in their duties, no matter what it might be.”

I digested the information in shock. I didn’t expect Mr. Winchester to be a saint but his method of dealing with Ryan right from childhood was insane.

Ryan was just an eight year old child who lost his mother and was immediately thrown into a harsh upbringing. His father saw him merely as a pawn, setting roles he had no other choice but to adhere to. Punishing him in brute ways once he committed even the littlest act frowned upon by his father.

We were exactly alike.

Just two children who lost their mother’s warmth and had to live with fathers who had the emotional intelligence of a rock. We were two sides of the same coin.

In my understanding, the Ryan I thought I knew began to fade and in his place stood a broken man with unhealed trauma. Guilt washed over me at how quick I was to misjudge him. I hadn’t known any better, but still, that was no better than an excuse to avoid accountability.

“Oh and regarding any history of family illness,” Alice said, “I found none.”

I frowned. That was strange. Why then did he refuse the doctor from treating him?

“What explanation do we take from that?”

She sighed and began packing her things into her bag. “I have no idea but I think it’s best to rule it merely as an accident of a serious degree for your own mental energy. You shouldn’t obsess over things you can’t control. You know that.”

I sighed in defeat. She was right, and yes, I did know. Living with Mr. Logan would teach that much.

“Will that be all, ma’am? I need to go before your father realises I’ve been gone from the office for too long and starts to suspect.”

“Ah yes, that would be bad.” I nodded as she rose to her feet. “Thank you so much for everything, Alice.”

“Always, Miss. Logan. I’m always happy to help you.” She replied with a smile and exited the lab.

The statement, as simple as it was, brought warmth to me. Alice had been by my side for as long as I could remember. I simply didn’t know what I’d do without all these years.

Suddenly overwhelmed by the new found information, I leaned into the couch with a sigh. My resolve was fading away, my guard lowering ever so slight and for the first time in a long while, I didn’t know what to do about it.

“What an interesting man you are,” I whispered.

***

By Friday, a week had passed with Ryan still absent. I feel into a comfortable routine, spending most of my days at my lab, free from unwanted eyes.

The spies at the estate seemed to get a little bolder. I could tell by the heavy eyes lurking in the shadows every single time I left my room, so I made sure to triple my guard at all times, preparing myself for the worse.

I reasoned that they only got more aggressive because they couldn’t seem to figure out where I went during the day. The thought pleased me but I made a mental note to reduce my visit to the lab just in case it was unexpectedly discovered.

Around five in the evening, Alice texted me that she was around and waiting to take me home. Since she was the only one who knew about my lab, she was the only one I allowed to drive me to and fro. But we were careful not to use the same car or sometimes, I’d tell her to drop me off at the office and I’d take the bus to my lab.

After dropping me home, she promised to get me any other useful information she had on Ryan which I was thankful for. I didn’t know how long I had before he came back and I’d have to either stop the investigation or snoop around but a part of me believed the latter option won’t be as easy as I’d hoped.

The house was quiet as usual with the servants all stationed at their respective work areas. Out of habit, I was looking around subtly, scanning the area for any sense of danger when a hand suddenly wrapped around my waist, cementing my back to their front.

I began to panic, but just before I could put up a fight, the stranger lowered his mouth to my ear and whispered. “It’s me.”

I sighed in relief at Ryan’s voice. Noticing my calm, he held me closer, his breath tickling my ear that I was sure was beginning to redden.

I started to pry him off me when I noticed a servant observing us from the corner of my eyes. That explains his behaviour. I thought.

Smoothly playing along, I gently peel his hand from my waist and face him, placing my hand on his cheek to caress the soft skin.

“I missed you.” I said sweetly. He stared at me curiously, his eyes sweeping my face and lingering on my lips before returning to my eyes.

Talk about skilled.

Grabbing his hand, I started towards our room, speaking loud enough for the servant to hear. “Let’s check your wound.” We disappeared down the hallway, the servant’s gaze burning a hole in our backs.

As soon as I shut the door, we instinctively let go of each other. Ever since the day my view of him started to shift, I wondered how it’d be to face him again. But seeing him made me realise I wasn’t prepared at all.

“Lock the door.”

As though entranced by his low baritone, I stretched my hand behind me, finding the lock and turning it

“How’s your arm?”

He stared at me like he was looking for answers to questions only he knew. “Fine.”

I took cautious steps towards him until I was merely a short distance away. “Can I see it?”

He grunted a reply so I took it as a sign to do as I pleased. Slowly, I went for his sleeves, opening the button and began rolling it up. But it only went so far, stopping at his elbow because of his built.

I looked at him, silently asking for permission as I tugged on his shirt. His face looked bored but the slight tick of his jaw as I touched him gave him away.

Unable to maintain eye contact, I looked down at his chest as I tugged on the material. The honey skin of his chest exposed slightly and I remembered how smooth it had felt against my finger at the hospital. My cheeks burnt at the image.

As I pulled at his shirt, the first button opened gently, exposing his chest to my view and something else I hadn’t noticed before.

On the previously smooth skin of his chest now laid a long gash that was slightly covered by his shirt. Curious, I pushed the cloth aside and gasped at the view before me. A long grotesque scar marred his smooth honey skin, a scar that wasn’t there before.

What the hell happened when he was away?