Where are you Bianca Lynox?

Chapter Thirteen

Rachel

Rachel had anticipated this day as the best of her life, but now she grappled with the weight of events she couldn't erase. Her world had crumbled, and she felt utterly powerless. She took a measured sip of her martini, limiting herself to just one glass to maintain a façade of composure as she prepared for the impending meeting.

A few hours earlier, Sofia, had been taken. Then came the fateful call from the hospital, informing her they had found her daughter Bianca. But in a cruel twist of fate, the flicker of hope they ignited was swiftly extinguished. The DNA results matched an unexpected record – one belonging to Blackchain Cemetery. Rachel couldn't ignore the stench of a sinister plot. Either the hospital was in league with those celebrating Bianca's supposed demise, or she was ensnared in a web of deception, where someone had gone to great lengths to fake her daughter's death.

Desperation drove her to seek an alliance with an unlikely ally – "The cataract." Her early morning drink stemmed from the burden of an impending meeting, where her world would collide with another layer of this bewildering puzzle.

Rachel found herself in a precarious situation. She had no idea how to reach out to the enigmatic group that Detective Chloe had suggested might be involved in Bianca's disappearance. The detective had pointed out their connection to human trafficking, but Rachel was well aware that they were a notorious mafia organization. Crossing paths with them was akin to courting death.

Yet, time was running out, and Rachel knew that the mafia had intricate connections that even the detective she had entrusted with her hopes couldn't penetrate. She could almost hear Detective Chloe's voice admonishing her for seeking help from their greatest adversary. The police department had been pursuing the mafia's elusive leader for years. However, Rachel's desperation had driven her to this unlikely alliance.

The sudden reappearance of her ex-husband only added to the mounting intrigue. It couldn't be a mere coincidence. Combined with Claudia's confession that the entire situation had been a grand scheme to acquire her nana's inheritance, Rachel felt deeply betrayed. Her extended family hadn't bothered to inform her about this particular trust fund. Even the family lawyer had spent eight long years attempting to overturn the will. It wasn't her interest in the inheritance that bothered her, but the fact that they had dragged her daughter, Bianca, into their machinations.

She had come to realize that someone had been sabotaging her investigation, which she had funded extensively in the hope of finding her daughter. Thanks to Liam, and his vast connection that had facilitated this meeting. He and the mafia leader had a history that went way back. Rachel struggled to find the right words to explain why Sofia had been in her house and was now taken away.

Liam had insisted on being present at the meeting, despite Rachel's reservations. His status and the power he represented played a significant role in the dynamics of the situation. It was Rachel's battle, but the involvement of Liam introduced a complex layer of considerations. One thing was certain: the mafia's don wouldn't dare harm anyone connected to Liam. Hell, hath no fury like a territorial man disrespected.

Lost in her thoughts, Rachel remained unaware of the presence that had silently crept up behind her.

Rachel's heart raced as the hairs on her neck stood on end, and the presence behind her became undeniable.

"Volkov," Liam addressed the newcomer, his expression carefully blank, a mask of business-like formality that belied the deep history they shared. Volkov, on the other hand, greeted Liam with a warm smile, dispelling any notion that he was the formidable 'Pakhan'. The camaraderie and respect between the two men were nothing short of remarkable.

Liam, unyielding in his resolve, had refused to let Rachel face this devil alone. He had accompanied her despite her arguments that it was unwise for a prominent company head to be seen publicly with the criminal underbelly of the city, even if they were friends. But he didn't care about public perception. Rachel was grateful for his presence, as it brought her a sense of security she sorely needed.

As she sat there, recounting the events that had driven her to that initial drink, Rachel found herself appreciating Liam even more. She remembered the first time they had met, which had been a cryptic encounter. It was different from the evening she had shared her past with him. Their initial meeting had been a chance encounter at an underground bar in the heart of the city, and she had been rather enigmatic that night. She hadn't even given him her name, merely suggesting that he attend church before leaving him bewildered.

Yet, despite their unconventional introduction, Liam had gone to great lengths to help her, far more than her own family ever had. Trusting him had come easier than she'd initially thought, and he made her feel safe and valued.

Turning to see the silhouette of the man who had sent shivers down her spine, Rachel was taken aback. He wasn't what she had expected or what the news had painted him to be. As Volkov turned toward her, she could have sworn she forgot how to breathe. It was the aura he exuded, an intimidating presence that made her subconsciously move closer to Liam.

"You must be Rachel?" Volkov's voice sliced through the tension, and she nodded in response, too mesmerized by the man's presence to find her voice. The truth about Sofia's disappearance and the unsettling revelations they would uncover loomed before her, and she couldn't help but wonder if she was prepared for the shocking truths that lay ahead.

Rachel took a deep breath, her tense posture relaxing as she heeded Liam's whispered reassurance. With newfound composure, she responded well to his presence, ready to face the uncertainties ahead. She was resolute and determined to uncover the truth behind her daughter's disappearance.

"Shall we begin?" Her words were spoken with a business-like tone, one that she had used frequently in her professional life. It was a return to her role as the boss, a part of her identity she had to reclaim in this high-stakes situation.

We have decided to go the mafia way.