#1 | The Aftermath - Phantom Rider Series

#29 | Stranger

Mila's POV

I was dragged backward across the parking lot, fear taking over me. I stabbed my heel into the stranger's foot and managed to break free. I turned, shock washing over me.

"Sergei, what the fuck?!" I stared at him in disbelief. This wasn't the Sergei I knew, the funny, chubby old man. He looked like a completely different person. His eyes were empty, and he appeared much more masculine and intimidating than I remembered.

"Get in the car!" he commanded, pointing to a large black van with tinted windows. I instantly recognized the van. At that moment, I knew there was no use trying to run. I would never get away.

I composed myself, gathered my courage, and walked toward the van. My legs were shaking, but I couldn't afford to show it. There was someone in that van who knew me better than anyone, better than Bill.

I slowly approached the van door, glancing over my shoulder as Sergei dissapeared in the car behind it. The van door opened, and light revealed an eerily familiar face. Ice-cold blue eyes stared back at me.

"Hello, daughter," his voice was as cold as ever.

"Hello, father," I suddenly felt like a kid caught doing something wrong.

"Get in, but don't you dare throw a tantrum. We're not alone here," he smirked, his pale, sharp face looking evil. His blonde hair shone in the light. As always, he was in a tailored suit, his large body filling almost the entire seat. But there was someone next to him.

I sat in the seat opposite them, and the door slammed shut from outside, making me jump. Shit, he'll know I'm scared now.

The person next to him looked equally tall but slightly slumped away. I couldn't tell if it was a man or woman. The person was completely covered in clothes, all black, with a hoodie covering their head, a scarf around their mouth, and dark sunglasses.

Clearly trying to hide. I kept staring, waiting for an explanation. My father didn't bother to speak as the car sped out of the parking lot. Then he turned to me.

"How's life going?" he asked.

I knew it was a trick question. He always knew how my life was going. There was nothing I could hide from that man.

"Your husband is worried," he continued, making my heart jump again.

"He's an asshole," I snapped, unable to keep up the charade.

"Aren't you the one that's unfaithful?" he retorted without hesitation. My words caught in my throat. Of course, he knew. What did I even expect? Matt probably ran to him to complain right away, like the little bitch he is.

"About that..." he continued. At that moment, I realized he was speaking to me in English. He never did that unless someone listening wasn't one of ours.

I looked at the stranger again, curious about what this was actually about.

"Daddy, I don't have time for this mind fuck. Can you get to the point?" I replied sarcastically, trying to grab the stranger's attention.

"Don't be rude, Mila," he said coldly. "Our guest might not like it."

"Oh yeah? Your guest should also be more polite and introduce themselves!" I insisted.

"Okay, take off the glasses," he sharply commanded the person next to him, clearly in control.

As the glasses slipped off the stranger's face, I couldn't believe my eyes. Panic froze me as I stared into the stranger's brown eyes.

"Bill?!"