Chapter 19 - Rhiannon
Rhiannon slammed the bedroom door shut behind her, the sound echoing in the heavy silence that followed. The tension in the house was suffocating, but it was her father's twisted game that cut the deepest. She leaned against the cool wall, trying to catch her breath as the righteousness of her anger surged. Just moments before, she had stood firm—not as a helpless pawn, but as a force to be reckoned with. At least, that's how she had presented herself… until he crushed her spirit with his mere presence.
Who does that? Who orchestrates their own daughter's kidnapping simply to teach her a lesson about the harsh realities of the mafia? The realization hit her like ice water. Her father saw her as worthless, just a tool for his plans, yet here she was, aching to prove she had value beyond his narrow definitions. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't shake the feeling that she was merely a pawn in a game she had never agreed to play.
Adrian followed her into the room, concern etched on his face, and she felt a flicker of vulnerability amidst the anger that coursed through her veins. "Talk to me," he demanded, his fierce gaze burning into her.
"Don't follow me," she snapped, quickening her steps as she paced circles around his room, but he wouldn't be deterred. Fucking Nikolais, she thought to herself.
"Rhiannon, stop. We need to talk about this!" he insisted, his voice steady and firm. "You can't just shut down."
She whirled around, her eyes flashing. "You don't get it, Adrian! I thought I could handle this, but my father confirmed everything I feared! I'm worthless in his eyes, just a tool for his schemes. He orchestrated that kidnapping to show me I'm not capable!" Her voice cracked, revealing the vulnerability buried beneath her anger.
Her voice cracked, the weight of her father's disdain pressing down on her shoulders. Adrian stepped closer, his eyes softening as he absorbed her fury and pain. "You are not worthless," he declared, fierce conviction radiating from him. "You have more potential than anyone in that room cares to admit."
"He did this to teach me a lesson," Rhiannon said, voice shaking. "It's not just about the mafia, Adrian. It's personal. I've spent my life trying to prove I matter, and he just threw it all back in my face."
"No," Adrian argued, closing the distance until he was right in front of her. "He threw it back in his own face. He's the one who's blind to your worth." He forced her to meet his gaze. "If anything, he's the one who'll regret underestimating you."
"Regret?" Rhiannon scoffed, wiping a tear from her cheek. "My father doesn't regret anything. He sees me as expendable. He treats everything and everyone as chess pieces in his game, including me."
"Then let's change the game," Adrian suggested, his voice dropping to a low, conspiratorial tone. "We can show him what you're capable of. It starts here, right now."
She gazed at him, uncertainty flitting across her features. "What are you talking about?"
"Tonight, we meet with Mikhail and the others. You'll attend as my equal, not just as his daughter—" he took a deep breath and pulled her to him, dropping his forehead onto hers, "—but as a formidable force in both families' businesses. This is your chance to demonstrate who you really are."
Rhiannon blinked, evaluating the sincerity in his eyes. "You really think that will change anything? He'll write it off as a fluke. I can't just parade around like a trophy."
"No." He stepped forward, placing his hands gently on her shoulders. "You won't be a trophy. You will stand your ground. Show them both your strength and conviction. The position you want—" he lowered his voice, "—it's yours for the taking."
A flicker of hope sparked in Rhiannon's eyes, but she was quick to shield it with skepticism. "And what if it backfires? What if Dad makes it worse somehow?"
"Rhiannon," Adrian said firmly, leaning closer. "We're not playing by his rules anymore. We're playing by ours. I refuse to let you be treated like a pawn. You need to take charge of your narrative and prove them all wrong. Show them you're the bloodthirsty little queen you were meant to be."
Rhiannon studied him, the tension between them shifting slightly, uncertainty giving way to determination. After a heartbeat, she raised her chin defiantly. "Alright. I'll do it." Something within her stirred, fighting against the heavy chains of self-doubt. She took a deep breath, feeling her resolve strengthen.
Adrian's face lit up, and for a moment, it felt as if their connection deepened. "Just remember, you're not alone in this. I'm right beside you." His words wrapped around her heart like a protective shield. "You're stronger than you think, Baby. Stronger than any woman I know, and if we work together, then we'll leave them regretting ever trying to make you feel otherwise."
Together. The word hung between them, and a complicated mix of emotions cascaded through her. Was it just gratitude for having him at her side, or was it something more? A hint of love? Just as quickly as that thought came, she pushed it aside, focusing instead on the upcoming challenge.
***
Later that evening, Adrian's family gathered for dinner, a welcome distraction from the intensity of the day. Family gatherings grounded her, and she immersed herself in the banter and laughter, cleverly sidestepping any conversations about her father. Still, she couldn't shake a lingering heaviness deep within.
After dinner, as the women gathered for a chat, Rhiannon found herself laughing and sharing stories—moments that felt normal and just out of reach since her father's visit. When laughter turned into a cheer among the women, her heart lightened—but it didn't last. A sudden wave of nausea washed over her, and she excused herself to the bathroom once more.
Leaning against the sink, she looked at her pale reflection in the mirror. The dizziness intensified, and a sense of foreboding settled in her stomach.
"Just a bug," she muttered to herself, but as she splashed water on her face, a single question surfaced from the depths of her mind: when was the last time she had her period?
The realization crashed over her, icy and terrifying. Dammit. She fought to give the appearance of control, but already, a sinking feeling began to loom, as if she were plummeting into something deeper than fear, something she couldn't quite grasp.
She emerged from the bathroom, forcing herself to smile through the tremors of anxiety. With Adrian by her side and the warmth of family surrounding her, she had to hope that whatever was happening within her.
Walking back to the group, Rhiannon stopped near Adrian just as Mikhail turned to look at her. "My brother tells me you're looking to help out," he murmured, a casual arm thrown over his wife.
Rhiannon met his gaze, unflinching, her determination radiating from within. "I'm here to contribute, not just to observe," she said, her voice steady and resolute.
"I know it's not conventional, and most women won't work within the mafia, but I want something different." As she spoke, she felt the atmosphere shift around her. She could sense the surprise flickering across the faces of Adrian's brothers, and deep inside, a swell of pride began to build within her. This was a side of herself she had never fully revealed, but here, in this moment, she was ready to claim her space.
"Let's get to it, then," Viktor said, intrigued, his tone challenging. "What do you envision your role being within our operations?"
"I want to be involved in the Irish ventures," Rhiannon replied, her voice unwavering. "I may not have been raised in this world, but I know enough to discern opportunities, and I refuse to be sidelined anymore."
Fedya leaned forward, his expression dubious as he scrutinized her. "Is that so? And what makes you think you can handle it? This isn't just a game, Rhiannon."
Rhiannon could feel Adrian's frustration boiling just beneath the surface as he defended her. "She knows more than you think. Rhiannon's insights could provide opportunities we haven't considered."
"Insight alone isn't enough," Rhiannon interjected, her voice sharper than before. "I can bring fresh ideas to the table. It's time for the old ways to adapt to new realities, especially considering the dynamics between our families."
A tense silence blanketed the room, and Rhiannon held her breath as her words hung in the air. The intensity of their stares weighed heavily upon her; they were testing her, measuring her worth against the traditions they had upheld for generations.
Then Mikhail leaned forward, his expression contemplative. "We've seen your tenacity. We watched how you dealt with the earlier incidents surrounding the weapons deal. It hasn't gone unnoticed."
Rhiannon met Adrian's eyes, the spark of confidence she had fought so hard to hold flickering momentarily under the weight of their appraisal. But Adrian intervened, his voice steady and firm. "Rhiannon deserves a chance to prove her worth—not just to you but to her family as well. The Irish mafia has its own pitfalls, and having someone with her perspective can only strengthen our standing."
"Agreed," Mikhail said, raising an eyebrow. "But understand this—if you're to receive the responsibilities you're asking for, it will come with scrutiny. Your father won't be able to shield you from that."
The tension intensified again as her father shifted uncomfortably, and Rhiannon crossed her arms defiantly. "He wouldn't want to anyway. It's clear he wants me to fail," she said bitterly. "I want to prove I can stand on my own two feet."
"Very well," Mikhail replied, his tone neutral but still challenging. "You'll have a chance, but it will be earned through results. Show us what you can do."
With renewed determination flooding her features, Rhiannon nodded. "I promise I won't disappoint."
In that moment, Rhiannon felt a surge of empowerment; they were no longer hiding in the shadows of her father's influence. She was taking the lead.
For the next hour, they discussed ventures and strategies, Rhiannon contributing ideas that even surprised Adrian. She stood her ground and showcased her insights, compelling and fierce, while Mikhail observed her closely; she could feel the respect starting to form in the room.
As the meeting came to a close with decisions made regarding the Irish partnership, Rhiannon realized it wasn't just about holding her own; she'd made a real impact.
When the brothers began to rise, Adrian turned toward her, catching her eye as she leaned back in her chair, a victorious smile breaking free despite the seriousness they had just faced. "You were amazing," he said, pride swelling in his voice.
"Thanks," she breathed, allowing a shy, genuine smile to spread across her face.
As Adrian prepared to leave, she felt the exhaustion starting to set in, her heart racing with a mix of exhilaration and the remnants of anger. He closed the distance between them, taking her hands in his, locking eyes with her in a way that made her heart flutter.
"You were incredible," he said, his tone colored with genuine admiration. "You stood your ground like I knew you could."
The glow of victory began to bloom on her face, but she couldn't shake the weight of her father's harsh words. "That felt like a battlefield," she admitted, her voice trembling. "But did I really get through to them, or am I just going to piss him off further?"
"Rhiannon, you surprised everyone in that room, including me. You took control of your narrative. That's what matters," Adrian reassured her, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear, the warmth of his touch grounding her in the moment. "And your father? He'll adapt to this new version of you. It might take time, but your strength has planted a seed of doubt in his mind about underestimating you."
Rhiannon exhaled deeply, the pent-up tension from the meeting slowly fizzing away. "You really think so?" she asked, a hint of uncertainty creeping into her voice.
"Yes. He may not show it, but you caught Mikhail off guard. And now, it's up to us to consolidate that progress," he replied, squeezing her hands gently as he watched the spark in her eyes reignite. "Let's focus on the next steps for our families. Together."
They stood in the charged silence for a moment longer, the weight of their shared experience hanging in the air. Possibilities felt tangible, like a door creaking open to a brighter future. Rhiannon finally broke into a smile, her weariness peeling away as she looked up at him, excitement simmering just beneath the surface.
"You're right. This is just the beginning," she declared, her voice brimming with newfound determination.
"Absolutely," Adrian agreed, the enthusiasm in his gaze mirroring her own. "We'll strategize, find our footing, and ensure the alliance strengthens and evolves. I'll stand with you every step of the way."
As he stepped back, gauging her response, he leaned in to plant a gentle kiss on her forehead. The gesture lingered, and Rhiannon couldn't help but remember her thoughts in the bathroom. Would he still feel the same if what she suspected was true?
Ice-cold dread dripped down her spine. If it was true, she knew Adrian would be pleased, but would he still allow her to go along with everything they'd spoken about?