BRANDON Pauline shows me the text message from an unknown number, but I believe it’s Silvanus’s doing. The message is very precise and simple: Give us Pauline and you will have your cousin.That’s all. No locations. No further contact information.
I curse under my breath, knowing they didn’t want to make this easy. They want to torture me for it.
Pauline is shedding tears nonstop, and her hands are quivering. Casey is impassive, and her eyes contemptuous whenever she looks at Pauline.
“I knew it!” Casey barks, walking back and forth in my living room. “Who else would want this woman but him? Why don’t we just give her to them?”
“Casey, it isn’t that simple,” I answer. “And for God’s sake, can you please sit down for one second. My head hurts watching you walk around.”
She finally stops and throws a glare at me. “How can I be calm? They didn’t even give you the information. Nothing. Nada“No!” Pauline cries, lifting her dazed face. “He will hurt me again. He will force himself on me. You don’t know how miserable it was. Every single day, I wished I was dead—”
“And you will wish you were dead if anything happens to my brother!” Casey shoots back.
“Goddammit! Will both of you stop?” I growl, startling both. “We won’t give either of them up. We will take Oliver back and Pauline is staying with us. Do you understand?”
Casey shakes her head, her eyes swollen. “While this woman is here, Oliver will never be safe. That goes for the rest of us.”
“I’ve spoken to Cary and Stan. There’s only one person left. I’ve got to inform the Wolf. He hasn’t answered yet, but he will respond to my request. I’m sure of that.”
She raised an eyebrow. “Asking for a New York mob leader’s aid now, are we? Am I hearing this right? Involving one of the city’s elite criminals? I hate this idea.”
“I know it’s a risk, but they’ve always been our best aid. They provide us security. They are not the criminals, Casey.”
“Blah, blah, blah.” She rolls her eyes. “I knew that was what you were going to say.”
“Yes, they mean well. And that’s how the world works now. Oliver knows that,” I point out. “We won’t stand a chance against Silvanus, not even Charlie. Even in this place, they are protected.”
I’ve known for a while that Silvanus and Charlie have been in a massive drug business with their father. They’ve been in alliance with a pack of gang leaders, politicians, and businessmen in Greece and some parts of the US. I’ve always convinced myself not to get my ass involved in any of their charades, but not anymore. I have to when the people I care about are in danger. I need aid.
This is why calling the police isn’t such a good idea.
Casey’s shoulders relax, but her expression remains hard. “I’ve never met the Wolf, but Ollie told me about him before. You’ve been supporting their Robin Hood deeds, but they are still criminals. You are not, and I’m worried that you’ll get your name involved in this.”
I sigh. “Not if the price is right.”
“And for every secret you’ve hidden from us or Alayna, this is the last thing you can’t tell her. This is even more dangerous, Brandon,” she says.
“I know that, Casey. I’m living in a web of lies now I have to hide from her.” I pressed the sides of my temples with my fingers. “This is now beyond everything I’ve ever foreseen. I can’t do this alone without Oliver.”
“But maybe Casey is right,” Pauline croaks. “Maybe I should just go back to Silvanus. Hearing you say all this makes me feel like I’m the most selfish person in the world, and your girlfriend... she’ll misunderstand.”
“She sure will,” Casey says. “For the first time, you’ve said something right.”
“Go back there? So he can hurt you again? Pauline, you had a broken rib because of that animal! He’s insane! I can’t let anyone get hurt again because of my wrong decisions. And I’ll explain everything to Alayna when all this is over.”
She sobs silently. “Thank you for doing this. You’re the only person I could ask for help.”
“I know, and friends help each other, right? So, you’re going to help me because I’ll be needing your help.”
Her lips curve in a faint smile. “They do. I will help you in every way I can.”
ALAYNA“He still cares for her,” I state the moment I flop onto my bed. “And I could never take that away.”
Cassius remains standing at the doorframe with arms crossed over his chest. “That’s how they always are, Alayna. Pauline was Brandon’s first love before all of this began. Their mothers were best friends, and she’s of Stavros blood,” he explains.
I realized it was important for her to be in his life, but that didn’t make it sting any less. “I know about that“No, you don’t get the point of this. Pauline is from the Starvos family and used to be Brandon’s fiancée. At least before he locked himself up here. It’d already been decided by our grandfather and Pauline’s family.”
Goosebumps rise over my body out of fury. “So he’s supposed to marry that woman. Brandon probably missed that part too.”
“Well, they broke up.”
“And reunited. But the rules of marrying someone from the Stavros and Dragoumis family don’t apply to men, only to women“Stavros practices that rule, too, but Brandon, as a man“You must be thankful you were born a man. What does Brandon think about this then? Is he going to marry her?”
“I’m not sure. It’s Pauline’s parents who are interested in Brandon again after our grandfather decided to give Brandon his right to the Katrakis wealth. This is why he hates this stupid family law. That was the“Brandon still can’t open up, and he is not obliged to do so anymore.” I shake my head. “Thanks for telling me anyway.”
Cassius approaches me. “Alayna, you’re the reason why he’s become the man he is now. You have every right to know.”
I smile at his statement. Cassius really knows how to make me feel better, even though the idea of Brandon marrying someone else still hits me in the gut. It’s like thorns are tied around my heart.
He tucks my hair beneath my ears. “So I’ll be downstairs. I should at least hear what Pauline’s going to say.”
“Thank you, Cassius.”
He hugs me again before he exits the room. I instantly collapse on my bed. I close my eyes, not knowing if I’ll fall asleep.
It’s past eight in the evening when I wake up from a deep slumber. I’ve skipped lunch and dinner as well, but I can’t seem to feel hunger. I am still exhausted. I must’ve been dreaming of something that I can’t remember.
It is quiet when I go downstairs. I see two security men standing by the mansion’s main door. Brandon must’ve put additional security around.
I look for food in the fridge and luckily find the pasta I made the day before. I have no strength to make food for myself yet, so I heat it in the oven.
Oliver flashes in my mind again. I can’t seem to stop thinking about him.
What is he doing now? Is he locked up in some dark place, maybe? Are they feeding him all right?
I am dying to know any news about him. Brandon and Pauline may know something. But my insides hesitate—I’m not sure if I should ask him or not.
I force myself to eat despite not having an appetite. Ms. Lennie appears at my side.
“Hello, my dear. Why are you alone in here?” she asks kindly.
“Hi, Ms. Lennie. Would you like some of this?”
“Thank you, but I already ate.”
“How about everyone?”
“Oh, don’t worry about it. Casey handled the dinner tonight.” She smiles at me, but suddenly she frowns. “Alayna, you don’t look fine.” Ms. Lennie touches my forehead. “You’re burning!”
“Am I?” That is probably why I feel weird and why this pasta seems to have no taste. My head feels heavy, and my eyes are sore. I blow at the back of my hand, and my breath is hot. I grimace.
“Why didn’t you stay in your room? You should have called someone, and I could’ve gotten you something to eat.”
I force a pleasant smile. “It’s okay.”
“No, you’re not okay. I’ll get you something for your fever.”
I swallow; my throat is dry. “Thank you.”
Ms. Lennie rushes out of the room. I can feel the numbness of my back and the hammering pains in my joints now that she noticed what’s wrong. I thought it was just normal fatigue from oversleeping.
I put my fork down after forcing a few more portions of food into my stomach, but I can’t take it anymore. I remember my mother telling me that I shouldn’t be skipping meals even if I’m sick, but my tongue tastes so bitter. I open the fridge in search of some water. I pick up a glass, but it slips from my hand.
I curse under my breath. “Fuck.”
I bend down to grab the pieces, but a firm hand catches me. “Stop that.”
I lift my head and see Brandon’s handsome face in front of me. “Brandon? What are you doing here?”
“Looking for you, what else?” he says softly.
“Do you want anything to eat?”
“You can’t even hold a glass, let alone make food.” Brandon wraps his arms around me. He touches my head, but I shove his hand away. “I ran into Lennie. She told me you’re not well.”
“I’m okay.” I try to get away from his arms, but his warm hands pull me closer.
“Stop being so stubborn, Alayna.”
“I said, I’m fine!” I move away again, but my head starts to spin at my sudden motion.
He grimaces. “You’re not,” he growls. “Come on, I’ll take you back to your—”
All of a sudden, my sight blackens, and my body feels nothing. The last thing I know is that his arms are wrapped around me, and his voice is calling my name.