Page 47 of Corruption
“Actually, I expect no secrets from now on.”
“What does that mean?”
Before Vince could respond, a maid knocked on the door, and Vince instructed her to enter. She informed us that guests had arrived, and I glanced at Vince, who rose with an air of elevation.
“Wonderful! Tell them to meet us in the study!” he exclaimed, pushing away from the table and patting my shoulder as a signal for me to follow.
“Study? Are we living in the 1800s?” I teased as I stood up and turned to him.
“Well, this is an old house after all.”
As Vince prepared to leave, I grabbed his arm and pulled him back toward me.
“I need you to promise me something before I head off and potentially end up with a bullet between my eyes,” I urged.
Vince reached out, tapping my arm reassuringly. “Calm down, son. They won’t kill you. Anyone raising a hand against you will suffer beyond belief.”
This was precisely why I had found a home with Vince. It wasn’t just about the food, clothes, or shelter. It was because I had finally found someone in my corner, something I had lacked all my life.
“If something were to happen to me, send Alison home,” I told him.
“No, I was planning to keep her and play my own little games with her.”
I raised an eyebrow, not exactly appreciating his dry humor. It was even stranger when he didn’t chuckle afterward, but then a smile slowly spread across his lips, putting me at ease.
“Don’t worry, the little beauty will return home,” he assured me.
“Good,” I said, releasing his arm.
“Now, let’s settle this dispute,” he said, heading for the door.
I followed him out into the hallway.
“You know, there wouldn’t be a dispute if you hadn’t made me kill the son of the organization’s leader,” I remarked as we strolled down the corridor.
“That’s water under the bridge now.”
I rolled my eyes, and as we approached the door leading into Vince’s old study, I couldn’t help but notice the imposing presence of Vince’s guards outside on one side of the door. On the other side of the door, there were burly men dressed in dark, fitted attire. The two groups represented the conflicting sides in tonight’s meeting, and I had serious doubts about making it out of there alive. I followed Vince’s lead, letting him open the door and enter first. Inside, a hushed conversation was taking place among a group of people. Four men and one woman stood before us, with the woman subtly peering around the group. It was evident they were all family, sharing the same Nordic genes with their blond hair and light-blue eyes. I took notice of the identical facial features and straight noses, except for one of the younger men, whose nose had clearly been broken multiple times.
“Welcome,” Vince greeted, and the older, finely dressed man stepped forward, his arms crossed before he pointed at me.
“I don’t see him in handcuffs or wrapped up like a nice present as you promised,” the man remarked with a thick accent that lent a lighter tone to his voice, though the look in his eyes hinted at something dark and sinister.
“You promised him what?” I growled low, turning to Vince, who waved his hand dismissively.
“No, I said I would hand him over to you. I didn’t specify how.”
“What did you promise?” I growled again, but Vince paid me no attention.
“Let’s sit!” Vince said, gesturing toward the couches further away.
The older man, one of the younger ones, and the woman took their seats on the couch, while the other two men positioned themselves behind them. I knew the older man had only one son, so the other must be nephews or distant relatives of some sort, but they all stared at me like they were sizing me up for dinner.
“Grace, could you serve us some drinks?” Vince asked, finally making me notice the maid who had been waiting in the room as well.
Vince took hold of my arm, guiding me toward the couches. We sat down, facing the angry family, while glasses were filled. Vince was the only one wearing a smile.
“Now, as we are all aware, we haven’t been on the best of terms for a while,” Vince pointed out, taking a sip of his drink.
