“This cannot be happening,” I said. “This is insane.”
“Relax, Emilia. Everything is going to be fine.” I turned around and let Viktor's hand softly graze my waist until his fingers locked in front of my stomach.
“Do you know who took him?” I asked, and for the very first time, I saw the trace of uncertainty mapped out on the face of my husband. He let his head fall and sighed.
“Tell me, Viktor. Do you know who abducted him?”
“No, I don't. But I assure you, I'll do everything I can to track him.”
“This is nuts!” My eyes were wet with tears that refused to trickle down, my knees went weak, and I felt my pulse pump through my body. My thoughts chased the wind, and almost immediately, I sniffled.
This could mean anything. Dad could possibly be at the mercy of another in the face of the excruciating pain the Bratva had planned for him all along.
“This can't be happening.”
“Emilia, please relax. Panicking won't be of much help.”
“I know that. But I don't trust that none of your men have a clue where my dad is.”
“I give you my word, my love. They don't. But we will find your dad.”
“How come you're so sure?”
“Because I'm Viktor Lobanov. I get what I want, how I want it, and I won't rest until we have a lead on your dad.”
Something about the way he said it made me skeptical. As he said, he's Viktor Lobanov. The very man who gets what he wants, how he wants it.
Although Dad was more of a hypocrite than a genuine father, I couldn't handle his absence. He was pretty much the only family I had, and I didn't want to lose him to a dreadful fate in the hands of Viktor. I wanted him in one piece. I still had questions to ask. Questions like;
Did you really love me? Did you ever love Mom? Why did you give me away when I was the only family you had? What on earth could you prioritise more than your own flesh and blood?
It was at this moment that I realized that I didn't resent Dad the way I thought I did. The thought of how he smiled at me before he left for work flashed before me. I could still inhale his cologne. The fake smile he threw at me while he tried so hard to hide his stress.
“Take a shower and sleep, Emilia. By tomorrow, you should receive some positive news.”
Viktor kissed my forehead and walked out of the bedroom. The lights were dim when I stripped off my clothes.
“He's dead.” I heard a voice say with strong confirmation in my head. “Daddy is fucking dead.”
“No,” I whispered, lowering my body into the warm water in the bathtub. “He's still alive.”
“Viktor abducted your dad, and he's going to kill him. He's going to fucking kill him if you don't do something.”
“Please, Stop!” My hands pressed my ears, yet I heard the echo.
“You won't get the answers. You won't know why he gave you out like a piece of candy. Daddy hates you, and because of that, Viktor is going to kill him like a buck getting shot in the woods.”
I grabbed a handful of my hair and pulled it out. My legs stretched, and my mouth opened wide to tell the voice in my head to fucking go away, when I heard Viktor's voice beside me.
“Are you alright? You look sick.”
I stood and walked out of the tub, looking at Viktor’s beautiful eyes. “Promise me you won't kill him.”
“Relax, we've not found him yet.”
“Please, Vik, promise me that you won't kill him. Promise me. I know that he has offended us in many ways, but I need you to promise me that when you find him, you won't kill him.”
His right hand cupped my face before he pulled me close in a warm embrace. “I won't kill him. And I hope whoever hashim doesn't kill him, or else I won't be able to grant you your wish. However, you can count on me for your father's safety, Emilia.” His hands caressed my hair lightly, and I felt assured.
