Irish Deception

Chapter Ten

Stasia

I don't blame Blake for the way he acted, I don't necessarily agree with it and what he said definitely cut me but I also understand that the thought of Hugh being in danger causes them all to be on edge and not particularly their usual selves.

I sit quietly and listen as they discuss going to meet with Alexi. The plan is me and Cian stay here at the house where it's safe whilst Blake and Finn go and speak with Alexi, find out what he has to say and then they'll come back here so they can regroup before they do anything.

Simple.

Or well it sounds like it'll be simple but I can't help but let anxiousness build inside me as I think about everything that could go wrong.

I trust Alexi, and not just because he's my brother. I'm almost 100% sure he would never do anything to hurt me. Physically or emotionally but I have to agree with them that him insisting I be there seems like walking straight into a trap.

If it was Nicolai then I'd definitely think it was a trap, there wouldn't be a single doubt in my head about it. Even though he had supposedly set up that account and got that penthouse for me I don't and will never trust him.

But with Alexi it's different.

Even with that though now all I can think is that they're walking into a trap. That something will happen to them as well.

And that thought is terrifying as if all of this couldn't get worse.

My father has Hugh.

And he definitely did this for a reason.

He has Hugh and could be doing all manner of horrific things to him right now.

What if he's dead.

What if they can't get him back.

I instantly start to panic thinking all manner of terrible things but it's when I feel like I'm about to have a complete meltdown that all gets pushed to the side the moment my eyes flicker over to where stands leant against the wall on the other side of the room silently staring off into the distance.

I hadn't noticed it up until now but he's been silent the whole time everything has been discussed which is so unusual for him.

Getting up from where I'm sat next to Cian and make my way over to him.

Cian and Blake both halt their conversation slightly noticing my movements but they then pick it up again when I reach Finn and wrap my arms around him.

His arms come around me in a tight hold, his head drips down and presses a soft kiss to the top of my head in a comforting way but I think it's him that needs comforting right now.

"Everything will be okay you know that right" I quietly mumble trying to reassure him.

This time Cian and Blake stop talking and don't restart again clearly listening in to mine and Finn's conversation.

"I'm such a fucking idiot Stas" he starts to say his voice pained. "I was here enjoying myself whilst..." he trials off and I know what he means without having to say anymore.

He feels guilty and he's blaming himself for being here whilst god knows what is happening to Hugh but I won't let him carry that weight, it's not fair for him to do that.

"You didn't know Finn and if you did it would have been different" I say softly and one hand comes up to cup the back of my head holding me to him as closely as he can.

"What if he-" he begins to say but I quickly cut him off.

"Don't do that" I breathe and stroke his back rhythmically. "We'll get him back and he'll be an ass stomping around and ripping you a new one for even daring to have fun" I then say attempting to be lighthearted and it seems to do the trick because a slight little chuckle comes rumbles through him.

With one last kiss to the top of my head he releases me and nods to Blake.

"Let's do this" he then says with that confidence back in his voice and I smile from hearing it.

They both kiss me goodbye and me and Cian watch them leave.

Once they're gone an unsettled kind of silence falls between us and I know Cian is just as worried about Hugh and that I have to do something to keep his mind off things.

I bring my hands together and try to be as cheerful as I can muster as I say "let's gets this place cleaned up"

He doesn't say anything not that I expect him to instead he gives me a bleak little nod and get to starting to clear up.

We work like that together in complete silence and I constantly keep gazing over to where ever he is to try a gauge what's going on in he's head. Which is a lot harder to figure out than I'd like.

I go to ask him if he's okay when a noise that sounds remarkably like creaking floorboards comes from upstairs and we both go stiff as we listen.

There's another creak and Cian's eyes meet mine as he brings his finger up to his mouth signally me to be quiet.

He holds his hand out and gestures for me to go to him which I do without hesitation keeping my footsteps as quiet as I can as another creak comes from the top of the stairs signalling whoever's up there is about to come down.

As soon as I'm at his side Cian pushes me behind him and retreats us back into the kitchen the whole time footsteps descend the stairs. He retreats us all the way back until we reach the knife block, not once taking his eyes off the entryway even as he reaches for a knife.

Neither of us say a word as the footsteps grow closure and just as Cian wraps his hand around a knife a figure steps into the kitchen causing us both to sigh loudly with relief.

"Yo where the fuck is everyone?" Ashley groans as he staggers in looking around and rubbing at his temple looking a tad dishevelled.

"Where the fuck have you been?" Cian snap releasing the knife allowing it to drop back into the block and steps away from me.

"Passed out on the bathroom floor apparently" he groans and slumps himself in one of the chairs at the breakfast island.

So that's where he disappeared to.

My heart is still thumping away in my chest and I feel slightly off kilter so I decide to take the seat next to him.

He looks from me to Cian and then around clearly confused as he asks "What did I miss?"

I leave it to Cian to fill him in on everything as I rest my arms on the counter and pop my head down on them feeling exhausted by everything.

"We've been fucking trying to call you" Cian snaps after he explains everything to Ashley.

He taps his jeans and sighs as he says "fuck I don't even know where my phone is"

"Well at least you're here now, eat and drink something to sober up because we're gonna need you" Cian sighs and Ashley nods his agreement.

I just watch the whole interaction between the two of them feeling even more unsettled but I have no idea why.

Something doesn't feel right and I put it down to the fact we haven't heard anything from Finn or Blake yet.

I just hope we hear something soon to ease my nerves a little.