Chapter 27 #2
My brothers glance at each other as if my outburst has answered an age-old question. As if, after all this time, their suspicion regarding me and Eli has been confirmed.
And normally, I would deflect their accusatory glances. I would scoff at their insinuation. I would do everything in my power to protect our secret.
But I’m in too much pain to care.
I’m paralyzed by everything around me as I process Vin’s words.
Eli’s missing.
We don’t have any connections in Iraq.
They watch me cautiously, waiting for me to shatter into a million pieces.
But I won’t break in front of them.
My mom’s arm wraps around my shoulders. “I know this must be difficult for you to understand, sweetheart. It’s hard for all of us. Eli’s a part of this family. He’s one of us. But while we wait for an update, why don’t we—”
I don’t give her a chance to finish her thought as I remove myself from her hold and storm out of the room.
“Madeleine!”
“Let her go, Vin. She needs space,” I hear Alex say.
I return to my house, throw open the door, and rush into the living room. My fingers shake as I grab the remote, pressing button after button until I find the channel I need.
“Breaking news,” the woman reporter on the TV screen announces. “A soldier who was declared missing in action in Iraq is now believed to be a part of an ongoing hostage situation. Although the demands are not yet known, authorities are working to gather more information.”
I drop to the floor, tears smearing my vision.
This can’t be happening.
I let out a sob, my hands clutching my stomach.
This can’t be real.
This is just a nightmare.
One fucked-up nightmare I can’t escape from.
But it’s not.
It’s reality.
Reality being that Eli is kidnapped in the Middle East.
And there’s not one goddamn thing that me or my family can do to save him.
“Iraq is currently one of the world’s leading oil producers, generating over four million barrels per day.
Manacorda Enterprises, primarily operated by Alastor Manacorda, his brother Enzio, and their father Adolfo, is responsible for producing nearly seventy-five percent of the total oil distributed to other countries.
There has been no word yet from the oil tycoons regarding their plans for future involvement… ”
The words from the news anchor blur in the background.
I look up at the screen as an idea flashes in my mind.
An idea that I may regret.
But at this point, I don’t have any other option.
Pulling out my phone, I dial Reginald, who picks up immediately.
“Miss Alarie.”
“I need to go into the city. Now.”
“Of course. I’ll be there in five minutes.”
A few hours later, I find myself being escorted up to the top floor of Manacorda Enterprises headquarters.
The elevator opens, and my eyes find the man I need to speak with.
His guard, Tony, enters the room with me as I walk directly toward Alastor Manacorda.
He stands to his full six-foot-plus height, running a hand over his slicked-back blond hair before holding out a hand for me to shake.
The moment my hand is enveloped with his, it feels dirty.
This all feels wrong.
I’ve never had to seek help outside of the family before.
But I have no other choice.
“Madeleine Alarie.” He motions toward the chair across from him. “I have to say, I was surprised when my secretary told me you requested a meeting.”
I take my seat, smoothing out my dress. “Yes, well, it is quite imperative.” I watch Tony take a free seat to the side, opening a magazine as if he’s not here to listen to every word of our conversation.
Alastor steeples his fingers before him, leaning back in his chair. “How can I be of service?”
I glance at Tony and then back at Alastor. “Could we speak in private?”
Alastor flicks a wrist at Tony. “Give us the room.”
Tony sighs, dropping the magazine on the chair as he gets up and then walks back to the elevator.
As soon as the doors close behind Tony, I get straight to the point. “Your family’s responsible for exporting oil out of Iraq, correct?”
He leans forward. “Yes. We have an operation over there responsible for extracting crude oil and refining it. It’s one of the many countries we work out of.”
I nod. This is good. “I have a favor to ask of you.” He waits for me to continue. “A…family friend, Eli Lyon, is currently being held hostage over there. My family would normally take care of a situation like this ourselves, but we don’t—”
“Have any connections over there.”
“Yes. And since this is now in the hands of the government, we need someone who can pull some strings to resolve this matter urgently.”
“I see.” He taps a finger on his desk while maintaining his unwavering gaze. “So, just to clarify, you want me to be the one to pull the strings by making some calls and getting your friend freed?”
“Yes,” I answer matter-of-factly.
“Well, you’ve come to the right person, then. It shouldn’t be a problem. I know exactly who to contact for this sort of situation. I can have Eli released by the end of the day.”
Relief courses through me. “Thank you.”
His head tilts to the side. “And what do I get in return?”
I swallow hard, aware that this moment was bound to arrive. Nobody in my world does anything out of the goodness of their hearts. “Name your price.”
It’ll probably be some astronomical figure he presents to me, but I’ll do it. I’ll do anything to get—
“Marriage.”
My lips part, shock whirling through me. “Marriage?” I scoff, straightening my spine. “Be serious. I didn’t come here to play games.”
“Oh, Madeleine,” he starts in a condescending tone.
“I thought you were a smart girl. You came here because you know I can make one call and have Eli saved. But you also knew that I wouldn’t be doing it without receiving something of value in return.
” He chuckles. “A marriage to you would open more doors for my family than I could ever imagine. It would form a powerful alliance that the world has never seen before.”
My eyes narrow. “Why does it seem like the idea of marrying me isn’t a new concept to you?”
He gives a slight shrug. “It’s passed my mind once or twice. I’m not going to lie by not saying this situation doesn’t make things more convenient for me.”
I look out the side window, taking in the view of the city beneath us.
“It’s up to you how fast I make that phone call,” he muses. “I just hope it’s in time before anything serious might happen…”
His words hang thick in the air between us.
Eli’s life is on the line.
And there isn’t any time for me to think this over.
But there’s one thing he doesn’t know—one thing that might cause him to change his mind about helping me if he found out.
So, instead of telling him that I’m pregnant and risking everything, I say, “I’ll marry you.”
I hate the weakness laced in my words.
A sly grin grows across his face. “See, you are a smart girl.” He taps his chin. “But what’s going to stop you from backing out of this deal once good old Eli is back home?”
My brows furrow. “I agreed to marry you. You have my word. What more—”
He laughs. “You’ve been a part of our world for long enough to know how it works.”
I grind my back molars, feeling frustration bubble inside me. Why did I think coming to him would be a good idea?
“What are the stipulations?” I ask.
“Fairly simple. I’ll be generous and give you one year to follow through on your end of the deal by marrying me.
That way, we’ll have time to make the announcement and plan a proper wedding—one that will be on the cover of every magazine and tabloid in the world.
” His smile drops. “But if you back out of the deal, I can promise you that Eli will be killed.”
My heart thuds in my rib cage as I shake my head. This is ludicrous. “Do you know who my family is? You can’t kill—”
“You won’t make a fool out of me!” he snaps, his eyes burning into me.
“Your family may hold power in the northeast, but their name means nothing in the Middle East, unlike mine.” He exhales, rolling his neck.
“I am offering to help you, and if you can’t agree to the terms, then I’m left to wonder if you’re even taking this seriously.
So, if you can’t agree to the stipulations set, then there’s no deal to be made.
Which would really be quite a shame for your…
friend.” He presses a button on the top of his desk, and a TV in the corner of the room lights up, displaying the newscaster I saw earlier, repeating the same breaking news.
“Missing soldier in Iraq believed to be part of a hostage situation…”
“You knew,” I say incredulously, glancing from the TV to him. “You already knew he was missing before I came in here.”
“It’s my job to know everything that goes on where my businesses are concerned. You coming to me for help was just a bonus.” He shrugs. “I was going to let the man die, seeing that he is of no importance to me, but you just made things a whole lot more interesting.”
For the first time in my life, I feel powerless.
I’ve never not been able to take care of a problem myself.
I’ve never had to rely on an outside source.
But here I am. Ready to sign my life away.
Silence settles around us, thick and heavy, as I consider what I’m about to do.
“What’s it going to be, Madeleine?” Alastor looks at his watch. “I have a flight to catch back to Italy shortly, so…”
I press two fingers to my temple. “If I agree to this, you promise Eli will be safe? That no harm will come to him? And that he will be returned to either his family in England or to us in New York?”
He sighs impatiently. “Yes. I promise no harm will come to him. He will be delivered in one piece.”
A promise means nothing when a snake delivers it.
But right now, the snake is the only one who can help me.
“Fine,” I grit out.
“Good. I’ll have the call made before I leave, and Eli will be released soon after. I guarantee it.”
“Great.” I force a tight smile as I stand.