Chains of Obsession

17

♤Alexander♤

I was talking with Max and a few other of my men in my office as the door opened and angry looking Annabell came in.

I haven't seen her being mad since like forever.

I raise an eyebrow, taken aback by her unexpected arrival.

"Annabell?" I say, my voice laced with surprise. "What's the matter?"

She slams the door behind her, her eyes flashing with anger.

"You lied to me," she says, her voice tight with emotion.

I frown, feeling a ripple of irritation. "What are you talking about, Annabell? I haven't lied about anything."

She walks up to me, her hands clenched into fists, and jabs a finger in my direction. "You told me Emilia was here as your guest. That she was your friend. But that's not the case, is it?"

I tense up, suddenly understanding why she's so worked up.

"You spoke to her," I say quietly.

"Yes," Annabell snaps. "And she told me the truth. She's here against her will. You kidnapped her and are keeping her locked up. What the hell is going on, Alex?"

I scowl, feeling a pang of guilt mixed with irritation. I should have known I couldn't keep her in the dark about this situation. I know my sister. She can be stubborn.

"It's not what you think," I say, my voice hardening. "It's complicated."

"Oh, it's not what I think, is it? Then explain it to me, because all I see is that you have a girl trapped in one of the rooms in this goddamn place!" She retorts.

"Keep your voice down," I snap, my gaze sharpening. "You don't understand the full situation. Yes, I brought her here against her will, but she is not just some random girl. There is a reason why I had to do this."

Annabell's eyes blaze with anger. "And what is that reason, huh? What could possibly justify kidnapping a girl and locking her up like an animal?"

"She's Roses' daughter. We are so close. Her parents had done half of my terms already, half more, and they could get her back." I told her.

Annabell's mouth opens in surprise, her anger giving way to shock.

"She's... Roses' daughter?" she repeats, her eyes wide.

"Yes." I confirm, my voice firm. "And her parents are cooperating with us. They are following our requests, and she is our leverage to make sure they comply."

Annabell looks at me as if she sees me for the first time.

"You're blackmailing them," she says, her voice barely above a whisper. "You're holding an innocent girl hostage in order to get what you want."

I bristle at her accusation, feeling a pang of defensiveness.

"It's not like that," I say firmly. "We're not hurting her. We're treating her as a guest, giving her food and shelter. As soon as her parents have completed our terms, we'll let her go free."

Annabell stares at me, a mix of disbelief and disappointment in her eyes.

"You say we're treating her as a guest, but she's cuffed to a bed and guarded like a prisoner," she says. "How can you call that a guest? It's a goddamn prison."

I grit my teeth, feeling my patience wearing thin.

"It's a precaution," I say curtly. "We can't have her running off and causing trouble. We're doing what we have to do to get what we want. It's just business."