Chapter 39: The Price
1476 Words
Chapter 39: The Price
RHYS
The stock issue had died down.
I'd settled it but I realized something—It was never meant to take control of my company…rather it was a warning.
From no one but K.
Alessio K. The bastard I'd shot thrice with my own hands, ten years ago.
I had enemies. I've always had enemies—the ones who would give everything up for my head. Just like Alessio, Taylor, and other governors who belonged to brotherhood groups like I used to.
I wasn't mad at Blaze. If there was anyone I'd believe without second thought, it was her.
I trusted her but that night, I realized something: I couldn't be around her anymore.
I'd only attract danger which would eventually take her from me.
Since Alessio’s last interference with my company's major shareholders, my boys had been hell-bent on asking for a reunion.
I didn't want to….
I’d sworn I would never.
I wasn't scared of Alessio… I was only trying to be a better person—and protect her from scumbags like him.
Alessio had nothing over me—I’d always been ten steps ahead of him.
He was only a baby but Hardy informed me he was joining hands… with those old-greedy politicians who bred hatred towards me.
They'd done it to Hardy. They couldn't get him, so they went for his Mom.
What if they wanted me and then went for her?
Fuck. I'd never forgive myself.
I wanted her so much it broke my heart but I had to stay away.
It was the hardest thing to do. Ignoring her for a whole month since the video with Dylan circulated the’net.
Since then, I knew she had eyes all over her—and who could tell how far Alessio could go?
“You did that, right?" I turned to face Sophia. Since the video incident, I’ve avoided her in this house.
My avoidance was clearly my last warning to her.
"Yes, why does it matter, Rhys?” She crossed to the other side of the table slowly, like the little seductress she'd always been.
She didn't deny it and for that, she earned a point.
“I swear, don't make me pay you back, Sophia" My jaw tightened.
“Rhys," She placed her hand on my chest, bringing her lips closer to mine but I pushed her forehead back with my index finger.
“Don't you dare.” My lips curved into a half-smile as I spat my words right in her face, shaking my head. “A contract might have brought us together, don't cross the line”
I wasn't an aggressive man but somehow, I could say ‘aggression’ was such a seductive emotion…never far from my reach.
“Why are you so concerned about this girl? Is she any better than me?" I held my laughter when those words fell from her lips.
She looked like a clown when comparing herself to Blaze. Sophia had always been shameless!
“Blaze is—" I raised my index finger to correct her, but I realized almost immediately how unnecessary it was.
“You even have a nickname for her" She frowned bitterly.
I needed my composure, so I paused, showing a faint smile." Stay away from her. I have nothing to answer to you”
I turned, heading for the door.
“You're still choosing your stepbrother's ex-wife even as a w***e who lied about being abuse—"
I was already close to the door but I didn't know when I bolted back to her.
One minute, she was running her mouth.
Next, my hand was wrapped around her neck in an extremely tight grip.
One. Two. Three. By the count of ten, I would have lost control.
“Sophia, I swear to God, don't push me" I muttered. She choked at my grip, trying to push my hand away but it only tightened.
"Ask Niles, your fucker of a Father." I hated Niles enough already but she'd just tripled my hate for him. “Even he wouldn't try this with me. Mess with her again and I swear, I'll rip your heart out”
Seven. Eight. Nine.
I released my grip when she'd almost tasted death. She fell to the ground, coughing.
I was heading out. Just about the time Blaze was getting back from work.
I drove out of the driveway but she stood, eager to talk to me. She'd sent dozens of texts, but God, I couldn't respond to any.
I hated that I had to treat her this way, even when we hadn't talked about anything.
I couldn't let the public see us together but I didn't know what to do. My mind was empty and f*****g shallow when it came to her.
The least I could do was beg Cassian to drop her off whenever she was leaving.
I was heading outside London today. I'd gotten a new villa in the outskirts of London, Malribum to be precise.
It was a full mansion—a place I'd vent my obsession.
It was a 2-hour drive from London. It'd been three weeks since I bought it and I'd never missed being there—three times a week since then
***
I walked into the building and headed straight to the study.
It was dimmed and almost no air flowed in…just how I liked it.
It felt like her. Like home. Like the place I could actually tell, and say everything I felt about her. It smelled like her.
I walked to the shelf, picking up a new book. It was where I could confess to her absence while I could feel her presence.
God. This girl had no idea how much my mind screamed her name, ever f*****g second.
“Sta nelle stanze come una luce che non merito.
La osservo da una distanza che ho costruito con le mie mani.
Mattone dopo mattone. Bugia dopo bugia.
Mi dico che è protezione.
Che amarmi è un segnale di pericolo che lei non sa ancora leggere.
Ma la verità è più crudele.
La desidero in modi che rendono la tenerezza quasi violenta.
In modi che mi fanno chiedere se il desiderio possa diventare un’arma.
Lei placa qualcosa di selvaggio dentro di me.
E questo mi spaventa più di qualsiasi nemico.
Ho affrontato proiettili senza battere ciglio.
Ma il suo sorriso?
Mi smantella.
Resto lontano perché la macchierei.
Perché il mio mondo non ferisce con delicatezza.
Eppure, ogni notte scrivo il suo nome
come un peccatore che ripassa le Scritture.
Senza di lei sono controllo.
Con lei sono caos che implora di essere scelto.
E non so quale versione di me
la distruggerebbe più in fretta. 🖤"
Tears trickled down my face. It was the only place I got to express how I really felt.
Normally, I used to turn my phone off before walking in. I hated distractions whenever I was here, but when my phone rang, I knew I had messed up.
Mario.
“Hello, Mario."
He went straight to the point.
"Alessio was spotted in Manchester. He's been asking after a woman recently and I think….”
My heart stopped the moment he mentioned ‘woman’.
"What woman?”
Alessio is asking questions. About her.
My pulse spiked—but every step of mine was calculated. He didn’t know yet. And I’d make sure it stayed that way.
He paused. “I intercepted a call and he was asking about ‘her’. He didn't state any name"
“Is there a way you can take her out of that place? Hardy told me about her”
That ass—! I wasn't surprised though.
I rubbed my hand across my face, my cold metallic ring brushing the tip of my nose. No word left my lips.
“I can't….she doesn't know this much about me. I can't ruin everything she's building.”
He sighed, like he wasn't expecting that response.
"What has he been up to?”
"I don't know exactly, but he's trying to secure an alliance with the dirty elites there. You know, just like he's always been”
That was the typical Alessio—a weak bastard who hid under the umbrella of the ‘powerful’.
"Boss, he doesn't know anything about her yet. I suggested Hardy left that video on the internet so it'll distract him from thinking anything is going on between you two,” He added.
“Fine. I'll have Lewis book the next available flight. I'll leave instead. Expect me in Italy soon”
I ended the call but one thing dawned on me.
To have her, I needed to protect her but I would have to go back into that dirty game I swore I'd left behind.
Maybe that was the price… or maybe there was a way around.
- Writer
