Chapter 8 Impulsive Move

Nate made a drink for Sebastian while they were unwinding in the suite. “What a day! I’m exhausted.” 

Sebastian reclined on the leather couch, relaxing with his eyes closed. “I am grateful to have the opportunity to repay the man who saved my father's life. Not once, but many times.”

Nate chuckled, handing over the drink and feeling the weight of the deathly glare as he settled into his seat across from Sebastian. “What?” He exclaimed.

“Why caused you to chuckle just now? Do I strike you as amusing?” Sebastian squinted and placed the glass on the central table.

“It’s just… This is the first time you’re opening up to me and explaining yourself. I never witnessed you explaining your stance to anyone.”

“Because you think I’m interested in her. I just want you to shut the fuck up!”

“Really, Sebastian? Your dad has hired a gourmet chef to cater specifically to your taste buds, along with a food tester who tries the dishes before they are presented to you. That’s the extent of security measures provided to you. Do you know why? Because your father fears losing you.”

Sebastian’s eyes remained locked on him as he continued to talk. “But what did you do? You took matters into your own hands and rescued her without waiting for backup. I’m curious as to why you felt the need to put both yourself and me in danger by hurrying into the midst of the lurking danger that surrounded us?”

“I just told you! What is it that you wish to be told by me? She is Connor’s daughter. I had to save her. That’s it!” Sebastian levelled him with a stern gaze. “And take notice of your behaviour towards her! It is uncalled for and impolite. What has she done?”

“She put you in danger!”

“Here we go again!” Sebastian let out an exasperated sigh as Nate leaned forward to make his point.

“Stay away from Janet! She’s bringing out your rebellious side, and it’s a bad sign that you should be wary of.”

“Thanks for the heads up. Now I’d like to sleep so kindly show yourself out!”

Nate exhaled a deep sigh and shook his head as Sebastian headed towards the bathroom.

In the hospital,

Janet fixated her gaze on the door, and when she heard it click open, she instinctively closed her eyes tightly. She believed the doctors were coming towards her, but it was Sebastian's bodyguard whose eyes widened in surprise at the sight of her blistered skin. He quickly retreated to call the doctors.

“Oh, my goodness!” The doctor quickly checked on her while the nurse escorted Sebastian’s bodyguard out of the room. “She has a high body temperature. Janet, are you alright? Can you hear me?” The doctor asked.

Janet slowly opened her swollen red eyes, and with the doctor's help, she attempted to sit up on the bed, flinching from the pain. “I’m alright.” She gasped for breath. “I want you to help me!”

“What is it?”

“They have taken me captive. I ate seafood on purpose to cause an allergy and escape. Help me escape them.” She firmly gripped the hands of the senior doctor.

“Unfortunately, there is nothing we can do for you.” They gently guided her to lie down. “Let me help you!”

“No, they will either kill or sell me to someone else. I need your help to flee from this place. I beg you. I want to go back to my family and this is my last chance!”

The doctor and the nurse shared a confused glance, unsure of what to do next.

“I promise they will never know you helped me!”

Janet looked at them with eyes that begged for mercy. “If there’s no hope for me, I’d rather die than suffer.” She said desperately. “Because I wouldn’t make it alive for long. They pose a lethal threat to me!”

A couple of minutes had elapsed, and Sebastian’s bodyguard was pacing restlessly outside her room when the doctor emerged with the nurse. “What is the matter with her?” He cast a brief glimpse into the room and observed her slumbering tranquillity.

He took a step forward to verify her condition personally, but the doctor impeded him. “Let’s talk in my office.”

***

In the wee hours of the night,

From the balcony of his room, Anton could see the desperation etched onto Connor’s face as he dialled number after number, searching for any information on his missing daughter.

He felt bad for hiding information about his daughter but then walked into the room with a smile on his face as he thought about the surprise he had in store.

Connor pulled his hair in frustration and was just about to throw his phone when he heard a ping that stopped him. As soon as he saw the picture message from an unknown number, his eyes widened in horror at the sight of Janet lying unconscious in the backseat of the car.

The next second, his phone screen lit up with a call from the same unknown number, and he answered it with a sharp tone. “Don’t even think about touching my daughter or I’ll be the harbinger of your demise! Give my daughter back. You’re getting personal!”

The silence hung in the air, stretching on for what felt like an eternity. “Speak up, bastard!” Connor gritted his teeth.

“I had no idea you have such a gorgeous daughter.”

Connor’s eyes locked onto the phone as he recognized the voice on the other end, his body tense. “I was under the impression that she was the girlfriend of the next Mafia King!” The man laughed.

“Hey, Nikolai, is that you?” Connor asked in a tentative tone.

“Glad I made an impression to be remembered.” He voiced. “Allow me to express my utmost delight in meeting your daughter. I must say, she is quite a striking beauty!”

“Keep this between us, Nikolai. Man to man. Leave my daughter out of this. Man up and fight me!”

“Ahh, you shouldn’t have provoked me in the name of a man!” Nikolai exclaimed, his voice filled with anger and frustration. “Now I would have to display my virility.” A sigh escaped from him. “Fine, I will ask your daughter to give you a full breakdown of how nicely I fucked her up!”

“Nikolai, don’t! I repeat, don’t touch her! Return her to me or I’ll haunt you beyond the grave!”

A chuckle escaped Nikolai's lips, his amusement evident in the sound.

“You are hitting under the belt, Nikolai. Is this your strategy for dominating the States? Do you think using a woman will help you ascend to the throne of the Mafia King? It's strange that this is happening since Janet holds no significance to the Genovese family, and they harbour no concern for her well-being. You’re highly mistaken!”

The call ended abruptly, and all that remained was a suffocating silence on the line.

***

Sebastian leisurely opened his eyes, startled by a sudden loud bang reverberating through his hotel suite. He instinctively reached for the gun on the bedside table before grabbing his phone and noticing Nate was calling. He answered the phone.

“OPEN THE DAMN DOOR!” Nate shouted.

Sebastian wasted no time as he jumped from the bed and headed straight for the door. “What’s so fucking urgent in the morning?” Sebastian snapped in a loud tone.

“Janet is missing!”

“What?”

Nate nodded his head. “Our bodyguard checked on her last night. She had blisters all over her skin. The doctor diagnosed her with a seafood allergy and prescribed medications and sedatives to aid her in getting some rest. When the bodyguard checked on her in the morning, she had vanished without a trace.”