The Syndicate’s Bride

Chapter 5

Vanessa

I acted quickly.

For appearance sake, I grabbed Ryan’s hand, lacing his fingers with mine and smiling up at him.

If he was stunned, he didn’t show it as he smoothly covered my hands with his and even went as far as stroking it affectionately.

I was the one left stunned

“We have much to discuss, Sweetheart.” He suddenly said loud enough for the crowd to hear. “Should we take it to the office?”

That’s my cue. “Of course,” I said sweetly.

Waving goodbye to the employees, I followed behind Ryan, hands still locked as we entered the building.

We walked in silence, but offered necessary greetings. Or rather, I offered necessary greetings while he just curtly nodded at anyone I said hi to.

Finally in the office, we let each other go and somehow, I could breathe better.

I locked the door behind me.

“Who was it?” He asked, his jaw ticking in irritation.

“Some woman in the crowd. She probably doesn’t work in the company. So she’s probably from another faction.” To think other factions aside from the Rossis had it out for us.

Just how threatening is our alliance?

Ryan nodded, pulled out his phone from his pocket and began typing furiously. “I’ll take care of it.”

I didn’t object. I still didn’t know how he got rid of the female servant, but if he was willing to get rid of the spies we knew around us, I was more than happy to let him help.

I only silently hoped it didn’t result to murder.

“Only God knows what’s going to happen next,” I complained. “It’s already bad having people watching our every move at home. But outside too?”

Ryan sighed. “We don’t really know who’s a spy and who is not so we have no choice but to deal with them as they come.”

Was that really enough? I looked at him, my anger rising by the second. “Are we just pawns in our fathers’ hands? We’re in this mess because of them,” I walked to him, maintaining a short distance where I could comfortably look up at him. “You know I saw through your bullshit that night, Ryan. All that talk about having no problem entering this marriage like it was something you wanted for yourself. I know it was a lie.” He remained passive, only a slight tick of his jaw betraying his emotionless expression.

I stepped in closer. “You have a mind of your own to do whatever yet somehow, you bend to your father’s will and call it an act done out of necessity.” Somehow, I find myself reacting to my words. I couldn’t tell if I was talking to him or myself. “This alliance is a deal between our fathers,” I step as close as I would allow, my eyes dancing between his. “What do you want, Ryan.”

He was silent, his face emotionless and his eyes roaming my features. He dipped his head closer and I felt it was some sort of test so I held my ground. After a few seconds, he pulled away with a hum.

“You’re quite smart, aren’t you?” He said plainly as he leaned against the office desk and folded his hands together. The action made his biceps flex, unintentionally feeding my eyes. “You’re right, the business part is done. Now it’s time to discuss us.”

I nodded in agreement, waiting for him to continue.

“I know you prefer being an engineer. You chose the materials division for a reason.” He tilted his head. “Aren’t you curious about what you found on the racetrack?”

At the mention of the race incidents my ears perked up.

He noticed. “I thought so. Help me with my car, Vanessa. You’ll find the answers you need.”

I looked at him, scanning for any sign of dishonesty but found none. It seemed this was the first actual and honest conversation we had.

And the first time he called me by name. I pointed out, but didn’t dwell on it as there were more important things at hand.

What exactly did I have to lose? Being a race car engineer was a job I loved and if he was willing to give me information from that day, I had no reason not to jump at the opportunity.

“When?”

“Tonight,” he said simply.

A part of me thought that whatever information it was could either make or break me but there was no going back now. “Okay. Send for your engineer too. I’d need him to ensure the best set up.”

He nodded. “Noted. Anything else?”

Can I trust you? “No”

“Good. We’ll leave by 7pm.”

“*”

When we got to the racetrack at around 7:17 pm, his engineer was already waiting. He was a tall dark skinned man with a full afro and dark blue khaki overalls similar to mine.

They regarded each other with a nod before Ryan walked ahead leaving us behind. The poor man was probably used to his wordless greeting.

He was handsome in a boyish way that made me think he had a bubbly character. And when he greeted me, I turned out to be right.

“Hi. Thomas.” He stretched his hand. “It’s nice to meet you.”

I took his hand. His character was refreshing. “Hi, Thomas. I’m Ryan’s fiancée, Vanessa.” I ignored how heavy the words sounded on my tongue.

“Oh, I know. I’ve heard nothing about you.”

I chuckled. “I’ve heard nothing about you either.”

He pouted playfully. “Mr. Winchester isn’t much of a talker is he?”

I snorted. “Believe me, I know.” We laughed and continued our conversation on our way to the pit.

The car stood in the middle of the room, just as Marco and I left it. Rhea was already there and peered up at our arrival. He looked between Thomas and I as we laughed but his eyes lingered on me for many seconds before he looked away.

What was that about?

We stood around the car, with me at the front and the two men at each side of the front part of the car. Thomas spoke first.

“Wow, it’s worse than I thought.” He whistled.

I nodded. “It was quite the crash.”