The Syndicate’s Bride

Chapter 11

Vanessa

Heavy eyes lurked in the shadow. They dug holes into the back of my head, watching our every move, skilfully out of sight, and as we continued to explore outfit opinions, it increasingly frustrated me.

Occasionally, I made subtle glances around the shop, hoping to catch even the slightest suspicious movement but was unsuccessful every time.

It irritated me.

Sitting on a sofa in the fitting area, I watched Ryan try on a black suit, looking at ease as he adjusted the fabric over his shoulders, his head slightly nodding at whatever it was Esmeralda said to him. Hadn’t he noticed too? Or was I just being paranoid?

“Miss. Logan, don’t you just love this look on your fiancé?” Esmeralda suddenly said, reminding me I should be paying attention.

I snapped my head to them, locking eyes with Esmeralda’s wide hoping to please smile, and then with Ryan who wore anexpressionless look, but the little dip of his eyebrows gave him away, what’s wrong? They seemed to ask. Only then did I notice how tense I must have looked.

Willing myself to relax a bit, I tore my eyes from Ryan to Esmeralda, stretching my lips into a polite smile as I stood and walked to them.

“It certainly does.” And it wasn’t a lie. The suit hugged his arms perfectly and his inner white shirt sat comfortably against his chest. It looked perfectly made for him.

Stopping in front of him, I reached for his open buttons, taking my time to fix them, a little show for the unknown spies.

“What’s wrong?” He asked in a whisper as I finished with his buttons, his breath fanning my forehead.

Now knotting his loose tie, I said, “Someone is watching us, but I can’t seem to point them out.” Finished with the task, I peered up at him, smoothening out the little wrinkles on his suit. “Follow my lead.”

He immediately complied, pulling me to him by my waist and leaning his chin against my forehead affectionately. My heart skipped a beat.

I really could never get used to this.

“We’ll take it,” Ryan said to Esmeralda who, previously silent, now squealed in joy as she directed one of her staff to arrange the order.

“Now,” he continued, “find something for my fiancée.”

Fiancée. How did he always manage to say the word so smoothly? I remembered having to introduce myself as Ryan’s fiancé at the hospital the day he got injured, and I had almost exploded in discomfort. Yet, he rolled the word out of his mouth with such honesty that could fool even me if I didn’t know any better.

Esmeralda happily took charge after that, lightly shoving me into the changing room with a bunch of dresses while Ryan waited outside the room.

I skimmed through the dresses, setting aside the provocative looking ones and settling for a dark red dress, with a low opening at the back, which was adorned with diamonds that blinked even under the room’s light. I fell in love with it immediately.

Stepping outside the dressing room, Esmeralda gasped, bringing her hand to her mouth in a dramatic pause.

Ryan sat on the couch I had previously occupied, eyes widened in shock and disbelief. His eyes roamed around my figure, gently tracing my curves and lingering on my exposed cleavage.

I held my breath as he took his time exploring my body with his eyes, my heart thumping loudly in my chest. Somehow, I felt even more exposed to him now than I did when we made out on his birthday.

I felt my cheeks redden at the memory. What to do with you, Vanessa.

His shoulders slumped slightly in an exhale as he leaned against the couch. His eyes softened a fraction as it danced around my face, a million thoughts bouncing behind them. And for a split second, it felt like we could be just us – no family arrangements, no spies, no facades. Just a happily engaged couple.

If I didn’t know any better, I would have thought he was hopelessly in love with me.

“I love it. I simply love it,” Esmeralda said, breaking whatever spell we were both under. “You must tell me how you feel, Amore mio. Will you take–”

“We’ll take it,” Ryan interrupted. “And any other style similar to it.”

I gaped at him while Esmeralda squealed and directed a few of her staff to do as Ryan had ordered before turning back to him.

“Would that be all?”

I moved to stop his ridiculous purchase. “Ryan, this is unnecessa– ”

“Yes, Esmeralda, that will be all.”

Satisfied, She nodded in reply and gestured towards the counter. “Right this way for payment, sir.”

He stood to his feet and walked forward, only stopping when he was in front of me. I looked up at him, my heart beating at the close proximity and his eyes dancing between mine.

“You’re beautiful.”

Startled by the sudden honest compliment, I looked away, my cheeks burning and butterflies dancing in my stomach.

I didn’t think the compliment itself warranted that reaction. It was the raw honesty at which he said it that caused warmth to explode within me. It was the most honest I’d ever seen him be.

He continued to stare at me, drilling holes into the side of my head before sighing and walking to Esmeralda. At his absence, I exhaled breathlessly.

What even was that about?

After changing out of my dress and handing it over to a staff, Iwent to the lounge, waiting for Ryan to settle the payment.

The man had ended up buying a dozen of that dress, all in similar styles and different colours. When one of the workers told me that one of the dresses caused a little above fifteen thousand dollars, I nearly had a heart attack. It was such a ridiculous amount of money to spend on a dress.

And that was the cheapest of the twelve.

Growing bored of the wait, I busied myself with my phone, scrolling through social media, when I felt someone stop next to me.

Assuming it was to get my attention, I looked up from my phone, eyes locking in on a man with a shabby-lookingappearance looming over me in. His face was twisted inirritation and eyes shining with hatred.

I recoiled a bit.

“Can I help y–”

“I knew it was you,” he spat taking me by surprise, “the Logan princess,” he mocked, “more like a low life who’ll never be worthy of Ryan. Merely a daughter of a nouveau riche, you can never even measure up to half of Tia’s worth.” He shouted. “You make me sic–”

Ryan’s fist collided with the man’s cheek before he could complete his sentence. I jumped a bit, startled by the action, as Ryan stooped down and grabbed him by the neck, forcing him on his feet.

“Repeat what you said to my fiancé to my face.”

The man wheezed, finding it difficult to breathe as blood slid out his mouth and the side of his face began turning an ugly purple.At this point, a small crowd of the workers in the large building had began to form.

“What? You can’t speak now? You seemed to do just fine a few f*****g seconds ago.” He spat, squeezing harder against the man’s throat, causing him to thrash around as he gasped and panted for air.

He’s going to kill him.

Moving quickly, I rushed to the men, taking a hold of Ryan’s hand on the other man’s throat as I stopped before them.

He turned to me, eyes searching my face with worry and my heart warmed at his concern.

“Are you okay?” He asked softly.

I nodded. “Yes, but you have to let go of the man. You’ll kill him.”

He scoffed. “He’ll be glad if that’s all I’ll do to him.”

I shook my head. Anything but murder. I hated it too much.

I squeezed his hand. “please, Ryan.”

Whatever look he saw on my face made him relax a bit. Turningto the nearly unconscious man, he grunted in annoyance as he let him go. The man dropped to the floor, panting and gasping loudly for air before he finally found the will power to flee.

“Thank you,” I said sincerely, gently squeezing his hand in appreciation. He defended me even when he didn’t have to. I wasn’t sure if he did it willing or in an attempt to present our image as a loving couple, but I was grateful either way, even though a part of me wished it was the former.

Suddenly overwhelmed by the event, I leaned my head against him arm and exhaled, trying to catch a breather for a few seconds. When I started to pull back, worried about making him uncomfortable, he gently held my head back, returning it to its previous position.

“Let’s leave.”

After the workers set our bags in the car, we returned home.

“*” “*” “*”

The banquet was held later that night on the Rossis premises.

As Ryan shut the car door behind me, I looked around the premises, marvelling at how large the building sat. It was as big as two large estates combined, covered in royal purple and white – their family colour – and draped in purple linen.

It noticeably lacked the warmth of a home.

Just like Father’s.

Behind me, Ryan slipped his hand into mine, turning and pulling me gently towards him.

I looked around, waiting to find someone spying in on us, the usual justification for his public display of affection, but to my surprise, other than the leaves and cars, we were alone. I raised a brow at him.

“You’re tense.”

I scoffed. “Well, we are in enemy territory.”

“All the more reason why we should be anything but,” he said, taking his hands to my shoulders and rubbing them.

Unintentionally, my shoulders melted to his touch, stooping low and releasing tension. Enjoying the warmth of his hands I closed my eyes and exhaled.

When I opened my eyes again, Ryan was staring at me with an unreadable expression. Not knowing what it could possibly mean, I brushed it aside.

“Ready?”

I nodded and hand in hand, we entered the building.

Soft classical music surrounded the perfectly lit room, bouncing off the light brown walls of the house. The air smelt light and luxurious like the gathering of the rich and powerful.

As it was.

I hated it.

But what I hated even more, were the burning gazes and loud whispers of the guests. They gossiped confidently, pointing fingers at my direction as they regarded me with spite and contempt.

“Oh my God, is that her?”

“She looks nothing like Tia.”

“Of course not, Tia is incomparable.”

“Thank goodness Tia’s back. She’ll take what’s rightfully hers.”

My jaw ticked at their tone and mockery but I kept a cold expression, refusing them the satisfaction of seeing me affected by their words. Was that all they planned to do for the rest of the evening? Talking s**t about me when I was well within earshot?

I really am in enemy territory.

They were bold, I’d give that much to them, but they were also embarrassing. It was clear that as much as they had no respect or decency for me, they definitely lacked it for themselves.

How embarrassing.

I could leave right away but that would only be cowardly of me,and I was sure father would be waiting for me right after my departure. That alone was enough to dissuade my flight.

“Behave.” Ryan whispered by my ear. “You cannot speak out of turn tonight.”

At his scolding tone, I stopped, making him stop and turn to me.Did he just make me the problem?

“What does that mean?” I frowned.

“I don’t want you causing trouble, Vanessa. I don’t want to have to save you twice.”

I scoffed. You have got to be kidding me.

Willing my legs to stay frozen, I halted his movement, making him turn to me in quiet confusion. Moving in close to him, I forced a small smile on my lips, pretending to be happy for the sake of the public’s eyes but laced my words with hostility.

“It’s a good thing I never asked for your help before.” With that, letting go of his hand, I took a drink from a passing waiter and walked away.

What a bastard.

Ryan

I watched Vanessa walk away, keeping a cold expression on her beautiful face.

Did I do something wrong?

When we first entered the hall, thanks to my excellent hearing, I was able to make out the whispers way before Vanessa did.

It was expected, the things they said about her, seeing as their chance for a powerful alliance between the strongest werewolf clans was swept away right before their eyes. Clearly, they still held a grudge and it was up to them to get over their petty grievances or not.

It had nothing to do with Vanessa.

But I could tell it was getting to her with the way her jaw clenched, even as she tried to seem unaffected by keeping ablank expression. Her anger was warranted but with eyes watching our every move closely, this was no place to lose control. Which was why I leaned in to remind her to hold her tongue and refrain from causing trouble. We attended the banquet with a purpose, loosing our temper over something as small as gossip was sure to make us look childish and weak.

But that only got us into a little disagreement.

Taking a glass of champagne from a passing waiter, I sighed. I guess I’ll clear the misunderstanding later.

I was walking towards an empty seat when a familiar man with a scruffy bear in a red and black suit approached me, his right hand outstretched for a handshake.

“Mr. Winchester,” he greeted.

I returned his handshake. “Mr. Briggs.” Mr. Briggs was father’s closest business partner and was one of the many men who supported my father’s migration to the states after succeedingmy grandfather.

Father kept him by his side because he was good for business and his loyalty presided him. Plus, he was Kyle’s father.

“How’s business at the pack?”

“Great,” I answered smoothly. “Kyle keeps an eye on things for me when I’m away.”

“Ah,” he nodded at the competence of his son, “That’s my boy for you. If there’s any help you need, please feel free to let me know.”

“Thank you but your help won’t be necessary. There’s nothing Kyle can’t handle in my absence.”

And that was the truth. Kyle was a very competent beta who prioritised the well being of the pack over his needs. Even if I left the pack in his control for over a year, I was sure my people would be in good hands.

Mr. Briggs then went on a rant about how father always used to work him to the bone when he was still the pack’s beta. I nodded as he spoke, assuring him of my attention, but gradually, Idrowned his voice out, unwilling to participate in the conversation.

I wasn’t the chatty type and mostly kept to myself. And as Alpha, people feared me too much to strike up a conversation, at least except one feisty black haired woman.

I smiled into my cup. I should really apologise to her.

And that was when I heard it. That unmistakable name, very faintly, like it was called a few distance away.

I stilled, willing my supernatural hearing to go a bit further, and it did, stopping only when I heard the name clearer.

“Vanessa is here, this might be our only chance.” One of the voices said.

“So what’s the plan?” another asked.

“We lure her to the terrace and thrown her off the balcony before she can notice.”

Hot rage stirred within me.

What the f**k did I just hear?