Phantom Rider - The Aftermath | Book 1

Bound by Circumstance

Yekaterinburg, Russia

Matt stood in Victor's office, leaning against a massive leather chair, holding a glass of whiskey in his hand. His usual confidence was gone, replaced by a visible fear on his face.

"Victor, with all due respect, this is too much for me," Matt said firmly.

"You don't have a choice. Without the help of my family, you'll rot under a bridge somewhere in Romania without money or any connections."

"Why me? I don't want to do this. No woman is worth it!" Matt raised his voice.

"Are you saying that my daughter is unworthy?" Victor slammed his palm on the table.

"That's not what I meant!" Matt grew even more frustrated. "How do you expect me to raise someone else's child?"

"All you have to do is provide money, hire nannies to help and educate my heir. I'm not asking you to love him," Victor explained.

"Him? So you think it's going to be a boy?" Matt's face twisted with disgust.

"It's too soon to say, but yes, a boy would be a worthy addition to my legacy."

"What if he ends up looking just like him?" Matt's mind boiled.

"Are you afraid the kid will have brown eyes?" Victor smirked.

"What if that kid has the same attitude?" Matt grew angrier at the situation he found himself in.

"That's why the kid needs a father figure to teach them to fit into our society. If you start young, they'll turn out just fine."

"I see how well that worked with your daughter!" Matt didn't stop there. He knew Victor well enough to continue talking: "You can't control her, Victor. He has turned her into an animal. She'll tear people's throats out. If they're allowed to have a child together, I don't see that ending well for any of us."

"You've gotten smarter over time, I like it, Matt! But if she gets rid of a child, I don't see her making a new one anytime soon, especially not with you. Come closer!" Victor said firmly.

As Matt leaned closer, Victor instantly grabbed his palm and twisted it, making his bones crack and causing him to bend in pain.

"Now, listen carefully. This is my daughter we're talking about." Victor looked into Matt's eyes with a cold stare. "She will continue with the pregnancy and give me a grandchild."

"So you expect me to do what? Just raise it as mine?" Matt whined to Victor like a scared dog.

"Yes, unless you think Bill could do a better job at it," Victor smiled, knowing he had struck at Matt's already weakened confidence.

"I have no problem replacing you with him," Victor continued, digging into Matt's emotional wounds.

"Didn't you hate that boy?" Matt still fought back.

"There's no hatred strong enough in this world to pass up a great opportunity. He could be useful to me," Victor sharply interrupted. "So, from this day forward, that child is yours. If I hear any complaints from Mila, I'll peel the skin off your eyes and feed your organs to my dogs."

"How do you expect me to keep her in line? You know her, she won't play house with me forever. Eventually, she'll escape," Matt said, visibly frustrated and unsure of his power.

"Then make her believe there's nowhere to escape to," Victor suggested as if he already had a plan in mind.

"Also, she'll grow weaker every day, just take your time. " Victor smiled. "Oh, and one more thing: when that kid turns out to have brown eyes, make up some story about family lineage or pray that he'll have Mila's features. If that kid ends up looking like Bill, you'll have a problem because you look nothing alike."

"Great, thanks for making this even more stressful for me," Matt grinned his teeth.

Victor snapped his fingers. "I don't think you realize - your life is at stake here. One wrong move and you'll die in an accident. Don't worry, the media will portray it as a hero's death."

Matt swallowed hard, feeling cold goosebumps run through his entire body.

Victor never joked.