Pay the Price

Chapter 30- An Offer

Raelene followed Larisa to the Aetos manor, her little brother still on her hip, and he was playing with her hair and earrings. She was worried at what Christopher was talking about, but he clearly didn't mean any harm. He was just stating something, and he said it far too directly. He was walking ahead at one point, but he then appeared behind Raelene to make sure she was safe.

She looked behind her, looking at him. At first, he had a stoic expression, then it changed to being softer. He was playing with Juan, playing a game of 'Scissors, Paper, Rock'. And Juan was very entertained, which eased Raelene's worries. She was relieved that Juan wasn't scared and didn't understand the situation.

"You okay, Chris?" She asked, just to make sure the boy wasn't having anything weighing on his mind. "You're very tense. Do you need to talk about it?" She continued, speaking lowly as she was let into the foyer of the Aetos residence. Then Christopher stepped inside.

"I'm just anxious. I'm sorry for how I said what I said." He responded as Larisa took Juan to clean his knee and ice his ankle. "Raelene," he murmured, "there is a reason I said what I did." He crossed his arms, having trouble to make eye contact with her.

"What is it? And just call me Rae." She asked, taking his wrist into her hand. She noticed he looked a bit distraught, and thought to just hold his hand. To see if it would help. He gave a nod of agreement at her request, then began to talk.

"There is someone named Andreas Zandailias here. He is very dangerous. He was what I was looking at out of the window in the store, and he was standing in the spot I was staring at specifically outside. You, your father, and your brother are not safe anymore." He stated, having to look at the floor. Raelene kept lifting his face. "He will try to kill you because you are associated with me. Including Juan. He has no mercy to anyone, not even an innocent child. He is a son to my captors, and he will hurt people to hurt me." He continued, biting his lip lightly to stop it from quivering. "Do you think you can stay here in this house until he is gone? There's security everywhere and too many people to allow for someone to hurt any of you."

Raelene had a think to herself, sighing. She wanted to keep her family safe, especially at she and her father weren't born in the country, making them slightly larger targets. Her little brother, however, was born in the country, and his existence was protection enough.

"I will call my father, and if he, as well as your grandmother, agree, then we will accept." She responded, so Christopher gestured to the house phone. Just as she walked to the phone, Elizabeth Aetos exited the lounge area. "Good afternoon, your Grace." Raelene curtsied shallowly.

"Good afternoon, dear Raelene. It's very nice seeing you here. What seems to be bothering you?" Elizabeth smiled, shaking the young woman's hand. Raelene looked to Christopher, wanting him to explain as he could do so better than her.

"Andreas Zandailias is still around. He saw me talking to Miss Rae and her little brother Juan. He pointed at them and made a 'I will kill them' threat, and I fully believe that he will try to kill them. Including their father. He's dangerous, and I want to know if the Salvador's can stay here until he's gone?" Christopher asked, clasping his hands in front of him out of respect.

"Of course, my dear. If you think that it's best for their safety, then it will happen. There are three spare rooms specifically to be bedrooms on the second floor, and can be decorated to the tastes of you, your little brother, and your father." Elizabeth agreed, making Christopher a bit happy. "Miss Raelene, please give Julio a call to inform him of the situation. Lillian and Connor will escort you three to your home to get essentials and escort you back here."

"Thank you, your Grace." Raelene smiled, using the dial phone to call her father. "Hello, papa."

"Chris, my dear, please check around the house for any plants that need to be weeded or watered." Elizabeth turned to her grandson.