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9 | Vincent Kovak

"𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐫𝐮𝐝𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐲, 𝐛𝐨𝐲 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐢𝐭 𝐮𝐩..."

𝐫𝐢𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐚

"I guess you met your match"

His words were ringing in my head throughout this entire meeting.

A full week had passed, and still, she hadn't made the call.

My anger simmered, bubbling like molten lava through my veins. I couldn't comprehend her stubbornness. Glancing at the live recording of her in that cell, I could see her sitting quietly in the corner with a book in her hand, lost in reading. Her back on the floor, her legs against the bar-

almost as if she was enjoying this?

Was she enjoying this?

The situation angered me. All she had to do was utter a simple apology, and this would all be over. Yet, she clung to her stubbornness, resolute and unyielding. It was maddening.

Her father believed she was staying with us, getting to know Roman, but in reality, she was confined to that prison cell. The weight of the secret pressed on my chest, and I couldn't help but wonder, why was she so unrelentingly stubborn?

"So? Mr. Kovak?" I glance up from the iPad, and I realize everyone's eyes are fixed on me.

"What?" I respond, my heart pounding as I try to gather my thoughts. Niko shifts closer towards me and shakes his head, his eyes pleading with me.

"Oh, no, we won't be giving you any of the shipments."

"But Mr. Kovak—"

"He said no, Mr. Kovak doesn't repeat himself," Niko interjects firmly, his tone brooking no further discussion. I can feel the tension in the room, the weight of our decisions, and it's all because of her. It's all because of my brother's wife.

I stand up from the chair and head out of the meeting room, my mind a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. I slide off my blazer and hand it to my assistant, Sarah, who has been silently shadowing me.

As I step into my office, I take a deep breath, attempting to regain my composure. This predicament is tearing me apart. "I got you a whiskey Mr Kovak." Sarah speaks, she hands me a glass of whiskey.

I nod my thanks and quickly down the drink, feeling the warmth spread through me, momentarily calming the turmoil inside. I appreciate her dedication to her work; she's always been dependable, and that's a rare quality in this world.

I undo my cuff links and roll up my sleeves, the physical act helping me to refocus. "Set up the meeting with Killian McAllen, make sure the paperwork is ready to go. And as for Mr. Saint, tell him his daughter is doing well, and I'll have my assistant, Maria, follow up with more details. We need to keep our clients happy."

Sarah takes notes and nods in acknowledgment. "Of course, Mr. Kovak. I'll take care of it right away."

The door opened, and Nico strolled into the room. "So, want to tell me what that was about?" He began, but his voice trailed off as he realised the tense atmosphere.

"Leave." Sarah nods, her heels clicking against the tiles as she heads out of my office.

"Well?" Niko speaks.

"She still hasn't called," I grumbled, my frustration clear.

Nico sighed, leaning against the wall with his arms folded. "Vincent, why won't you just release her? She's been in there for a week."