When We Met

CH 16 Logan

Her feral growl reverberated through the cage, the raw fury in that primal sound sending a shiver down my spine. As the other prisoners stirred, she looked up at me, her eyes blazing with an intensity that pierced straight through my soul.

"I will come with you..." she stated, her full lips curling into a defiant sneer. "But you get food, water and a change of clothes for everyone in this cell." It wasn't a request - it was a demand laced with venom.

I felt my jaw tighten as I stared back at her, equal parts infuriated and intrigued by her brazen attitude. No one had looked at me with such a blatant challenge since my father. The thought of him only amplified my anger. I was not accustomed to having my authority threatened, especially by a woman currently at my mercy. Yet there was something about the way she held herself, the strength and power simmering beneath that lithe, tempting figure that was...unsettling.

Keeping up this harsh facade, at least in front of my father's men, would prove difficult with this one. I needed to establish dominance, make her submit and respect my position as her captor. Pleasing my father was of paramount importance if I hoped to eventually usurp his control. For now, I would have to play along with his sadistic games, as much as it grated me.

With a curt nod to the guards, I responded flatly, "Get them provisions. Then bring the girl to the interrogation room. Alone."

I had to regain control of this situation before it spiralled. Finding her weakness would be the key to breaking her insolent spirit. Though a nagging part of me couldn't help but admire her fiery defiance...

After departing from the holding cell, I made my way directly to my private office to collect my thoughts before commencing the interrogation with the girl. My father was convinced this woman held vital information leading us to the final heir we've been rigorously pursuing. There was an unmistakable aura about her, one that suggested specialised training - yet curiously, she bore no soldier's tattoo signifying her allegiance.

My mind raced with hypotheticals as I paced the length of the room. "Damn it all, I know nothing concrete," I growled, slamming my fist upon the desk in a momentary lapse of restraint. The abrupt sound of the door opening caught my attention.

Without needing to look, I recognised the footfalls as those of my brother Noah. "What is it?" I demanded gruffly. "I'm in the middle of serious matters here."

Noah cleared his throat. "I have information regarding who tipped off Father about the Fernandez cartel's operation in the UK."

I spun to face him, eyebrows raised expectantly. "Well? Out with it - who else wants them eradicated?"

After a calculated pause, Noah revealed, "It was the Don's own brother. The same night he and his capos butchered Don's entire family, he iced the man himself along with his sons. Word is, he's positioning to seize control of the Fernandez cartel operations. But as long as any heirs remain, he cannot assume full authority due to their archaic proclaimed rules."

As the pieces began falling into place, I nodded slowly in understanding. This explains Father's zeal in eliminating every last heir, while simultaneously aligning with the interests of this rogue Fernandez brother making an audacious power play. This is why Father announced a while back that something has come that could change our fate forever, He had a weird look in his eye towards Maria. "NO.... Now everything makes sense!" Noah looked up at me as I stood taller and understanding fell on his face as if he read my mind. "No he wouldn't just do that to his own daughter, would he? No.... No way.... Maybe he would do that to us but not Maria...... no way"

My contemplation was interrupted by one of my senior guards entering without announcement. "Sir, the girl is secured and awaiting you in the interrogation chamber, per your orders. Properly restrained."

It was time to separate truth from lies and unravel this convoluted web, once and for all. I straightened my jacket as I headed for the door, a grim smile playing across my lips.

"Let's shed some light on this darkness." I gave Noah a look saying we would finish this conversation later, and moved to the door heading towards the secluded cell.

The heavy door creaked open and I entered the stark interrogation room, my gaze immediately falling on the girl. She was secured to a metal chair, her wrists bound behind her back, though her fiery eyes still blazed with defiance.

"Well, well, look what the cat dragged in," she purred, her full lips curling into a menacing sneer.

I felt the corners of my mouth tug upwards in a smile. She was certainly a spitfire, this one. "Nice little setting we have here, isn't it? You look...comfortable," I remarked, quirking one eyebrow as I slowly raked my eyes over her restrained form.

"Take a picture, it'll last longer," she shot back without missing a beat.

"I just might have to do that later," I replied smoothly. "But for now...tell me where the heir is." I posed the question bluntly, seeing no need to engage in drawn-out mind games yet.

She scoffed loudly. "Wow, straight to the point. Well, to be honest, I don't even know what you're talking about. I'm just a lowly maid, been in the UK with Boss Yelena for a month now."

Her tone rang with utter conviction, and any other man may have believed the lie. But in my gut, I sensed there were layers she had yet to reveal. I decided a new tactic was required.

Pulling up a chair, I settled in across from her, our knees nearly touching. "Okay, let's start over on a better foot. I'm sorry I struck you when we first met. I didn't want to be that way, but I had to put on a strong front befitting a leader."

Her eyes narrowed sceptically. "So you expect me to believe you actually feel remorse? Come on, I'm not some pretty idiot, I have a brain up here," she sassed, tapping her foot.

I couldn't help but smile at her feisty spirit. "Look, I know you're intelligent and I know you're no maid. So why don't we just be honest with each other?" My voice dropped to a hushed murmur. "There's no one here but us. I need to find the heir...because I don't want any more needless deaths on my conscience."

After a weighted pause, I held her fiery gaze, hoping she could discern the sincerity burning behind my words.