Obsession.

Chapter 12 ~ Eight Minutes

Valen decided that it was best we went home early. His father's plans became his only priority. Hayes and Jax were kind enough to finish up some stuff he still had to do in Italy.

We get home at 9:30 PM. Nobody is tired. We are all jet lagged again. We could be up until dawn.

As soon as we entered the apartment, the four of them started making calls. They need to track down Mr. Schiavon. I just sit patiently while they discuss.

After about fifteen minutes of searching, they get three leads. Amir goes to the first location, so Carlo and Coda go to the second. That leaves me and Valen to go to the third spot. Alone.

I change into a baggy black t-shirt and cargo pants. I make sure to keep the knife Amir gave me in my pocket. I wish I had kept it with me last week during the fight.

I meet Valen at the elevator. He has on almost the same thing as me, but he has a heavy jacket.

Ever since he found out about his dad, he's been distant. After everyone left the hot tub, he stayed there for another half hour. He drank, and drank, and eventually had to leave it to pass out. We didn't talk the entire plane ride home.

Even on the drive to our spot, he lets the radio fill the silence. I can't picture us talking about much else though.

He drives us to their office building I've been to once before. The streets are quiet at this time. We park between two smaller cars, so we have a pretty good view.

We quietly watch for a few minutes, but I am going to burst without saying anything.

"Valen, I have a question."

"Hm?"

I wish he would turn to look at me instead of the window.

"What do you think he was going to do to me..?"

Valen takes a deep breath before answering.

"I have no idea. My best guess is that he would've kept you somewhere. Tortured you maybe. He couldn't let you die though. If he wanted you dead, he would've had them kill you. It's all a psychological game."

"Oh..."

I look down at my feet. I'm scared now. I was helpless back there too. Sure I fought a little, but if one thing went wrong I could be in some basement right now.

"Mileva?"

I turn to look at him. His cold eyes meet mine. I guess he can tell I am worried.

"I'll never let that happen to you. Okay?"

I slowly nod. I believe him.

He turns his attention back to the street. I start to fidget. Even my favorite song on the radio isn't enough to keep me busy.

"How long is he going to take?"

"No idea. I do know that if he leaves here he goes straight home. He may be tough, but he is old and needs his sleep."

"So what do we do after he leaves?"

"We should search his office. Nobody is supposed to be in the building right now, so we can do it secretly."

"Okay."

I wait for him to say more, but he never does. I just lean on the glovebox and look out at the street.

We wait for what felt like thirty minutes, but the clock tells me it has only been eleven.

"Oh shit." Valen says suddenly.

I look over and see his father exiting the building. He stops to look around the street, so we quickly sink into our seats. Thank god he doesn't see us.