FALLEN
1114 Words
MELANIA:
As soon as Royal leaves, my phone rings. I glance at the screen to see it is Brady calling. A sigh escapes my lips as I answer.
“If you’re calling to plead your case, forget it. You’ll get exactly what you deserve.”
A chuckle rumbles through the phone. “You’re right, Mel. I will get exactly what I deserve.”
I wait, expecting more of his usual nonsense.
“I bet your loving husband abruptly left the house while having breakfast,” he continues, and my stomach tightens.
It’s like he knows Royal inside and out. What do I expect? He’s Royal’s right-hand man.
It still baffles me how oblivious Royal has been his entire life, so blind that he never realized Brady was once married to me. I can’t blame him—his life is busy, but still… how could he not know? Brady could be a hitman on his tail for years and he will willingly himself to him.
“What are you talking about?” I ask, trying to sound unfazed, but deep down I am bothered because once more I am dealing with the spawn of Satan.
He chuckles again. “Let’s just say I have intel on your husband—who, by the way, is apparently a drug dealer. And we wouldn’t want to step on his toes, now would we?”
I scoff. “And you think that’ll stop Royal? Laughable.” I let out a short laugh, waiting for him to finish his pathetic attempt at manipulation.
“You’re right, it won’t stop him,” Brady says smoothly. “But when your ex-husband has ties to the Mafia, that will definitely stop him.”
My breath hitches in my throat.
Slamming my fist against the table, I push myself to my feet. “You won’t get away with this, I promise you.”
“Oh, honey, I already have. I always do. And you? You won’t touch an ounce of my wealth.”
Wealth that makes me angrier, because he is nothing but a leech. My veins pump in anger, and my hands curl into a fist. I can’t let him win, and I need a plan. Fast.
“…And if this plan doesn’t work,” he adds, “I have others. Sylvia Grant might want her pockets tickled, and I’m more than happy to do that. They’ll forge the case results, making Royal think you won seventy percent. But you won’t complain—because if he finds out about us, well… let’s just say he trusts me more than he trusts you. If you want to keep your gold-digging ass in his house, you’ll shut the f**k up.”
I grit my teeth. He’s still the same slimy bastard, completely unaware that I can destroy him with just a call.
“I’m willing to let you go,” he chuckles as he says this. “What are old lovers for? My love for you makes me want the best for you, Mel.”
“You won’t get away with this, Brady.”
“I already have.”
The call ends, and I fling my phone across the room, my foot tapping against the floor in frustration.
He drives me crazy in the worst way. I want to watch him crumble until he can no longer afford even a bottle of his favorite soda. My rage spills over, and I let out a scream.
The door bursts open at once, and Callum rushes in.
“Is everything okay, ma’am?”
I glare at him, my anger only intensifying at the realization that I’ll be stuck with him forever. I can’t even think straight with him in the room at the moment, and I cannot imagine what will happen in the long run. This is definitely not how I want to live my life.
“Get out!” I grit my teeth.
He hesitates for a second too long, and I slam my hands against the table. The plates clatter against the surface, startling him.
“I’m sorry, ma’am.” He bows slightly before hurrying out.
I sink back into my seat, trying to ground myself with a hand on my forehead as I take in deep and steady breaths. Then suddenly, an idea sparks in my mind.
“Callum!” I yell.
ROYAL:
The moment I pull up to the office, Brady slides into my car.
“Good morning, sir,” he greets.
I nod, and I get to the point, as I am impatient. “What do you have?”
He clears his throat and hands me a file. I flip through it. It is basic information about Melania's husband. Ranging from his criminal record, past offenses, and most concerning of all, ties to a Mafia group called the Grey Vipers.
“How did she get involved with a man like this?” I mutter.
“I’ve been wondering the same,” Brady replies, making me realize I spoke aloud.
Melania is small, and she looks too innocent, so I can’t imagine what she endured at his hands. Years of torment, abuse maybe. Just thinking about it makes my blood boil. If his picture could come to life, I’d fight him right now—even if I lose. At least I will give him a good beating, and he will think twice before he touches her again.
“She wants me to stay out of the case,” I say, closing the file, “but you’re going to work on it in secret. Make sure she wins. And if necessary, get the authorities involved.”
Brady’s mouth falls open. “Are you serious, sir?”
I narrow my eyes. “What part of my statement sounded like a joke?”
“That’s not what I meant, sir.” He fumbles. “I just mean… if she was married to him, who knows? She could be a con artist. Maybe they’re working together to scam you.”
I scoff. “Melania is nothing like that. She’s a victim, and it’s my job to get her justice.”
I slam the file against his chest. “You’ll make sure of it.”
“Yes, sir,” he mutters.
Silence fills the car, and I take a deep breath.
“I know you’re looking out for me,” I admit, “but I have a hunch, and I need to follow it. She could be in danger, and I can’t let anything happen to her.”
“Sir, you only met her a few days ago, and…”
“I might have fallen for her.”
The words leave my mouth before I can stop them.
- Writer
