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Chapter Eighteen
VERA
Today is so very important for both Rhys and I. Ion has decided to make a special trip here to check on our progress, and I can’t wait to show him what it is that we’ve already accomplished.
Rhys and I have been on cloud nine for the past couple of weeks, taking down Glib’s men one at a time, making their darkest fears come to life.
If you assume we’re killing them, we aren’t.
I had the best plan come into my mind when our first hostage begged us to not return him back to Glib. We’d simply put them in the cage so that we could make money off of them.
After the first one, I didn’t expect we’d grab so many more, so my thought process changed quite a bit. The ancient Romans inspired me and once I told Rhys my idea, he just smiled like he always does and nodded. It’s not like I would’ve allowed him to keep me from doing what I wanted anyways.
These men might have been following orders in order to ensure their survival, but I don’t care. Truly, I don’t. They made a conscious decision to put drugs back out onto the streets, ending countless lives. Now they have to make a conscious decision everyday. They choose to fight to the death, or they choose to die. Either way, they never last too long. There’s always another man who is stronger, either mentally or physically. It keeps the crowd coming back for more and keeps my pocket heavy.
News of my antics have crossed the border to Russia, and rumor has it that they appreciate the way I conduct my businesses and are proud that they see I am not corrupt like most people are. I hate those who are corrupt, where the only thing that matters to them is money. I’m much different than them, where they spend money on drugs, sex, or fancy things. I spend my money on making sure my people have warm beds to sleep and food in their mouths. I give it to the homeless shelters, to the people who need it more than I do. There will never be another day in my life where I struggle, so why should I keep the money? My husband has more than enough to provide for the two of us.
Ion reached out to me privately and asked me not to tell my husband that he would be visiting. At first I didn’t like the idea of keeping something from Rhys, but I knew that this was my moment to show Ion that I am one of the Clans, and that even though I am a woman, I am valuable.
Rhys had told me that the Clans had operated behind the times for a long while, until very recently. Mariana was the one who started the changes to the structure of the Clans, and now us women are working our way into power. It’s been hard to convince the older Clan leaders that the woman’s voice is just as strong as theirs, but if I have anything to do with it, women will be heard more so than the men.
Fredrig comes from around the corner of the cage, I smirk at the metal rails and change I had added in. It’s not your common puppy dog fence, this is designed to keep the men in until there is bloodshed. “Ion is here to see you,”
I wave my hand in the air to let him know that I’ve heard him as I walk around the cage, heading to where I hope Fredrig has Ion waiting for me.
“Interesting set up you have here,” he comments. “I have to say, I wanted to see what you had developed here back when you and Rhys were being married, but there is a time and a place for everything. That was not the time.”
I smile, seeing that the Romanian King has an inkling for the darker side of the line I walk. “Well you are here to see now, and that is all that matters.”
He nods, bringing his hand across his face. “You are not like the other Clan wives, Vera, and your value is obvious,”
I stay silent as I wait for what seems like forever before he continues.
Ion makes his way around the grounds, looking at every aspect of the club. “We try to stay on the right side of things in everything we do, but there are times where this isn’t possible. I understand this more than my wife, Mariana, does. Now, more than ever I need to ensure I have a soldier who will get the job done no matter what it is I need. I believe you are a woman of the future, Vera, and I’m asking you to speak up at every Clan meeting. Do not let the old values hold you back from what you truly believe. You may have been an outsider who joined our world, but you are one of us now, and I need you to help us create change, especially now.”
I crease my brows together and search his face for answers, but I don’t find any. “Why is it so important to create change now?”
“Mariana and I have been blessed with the news of having a child, our first child, in fact.” At his words I am confused. They already have a little girl, a daughter named Bianca. “Bianca is my daughter, but I am not her biological father.” I want to ask so many questions, but I stay quiet, needing to know what else Ion is about to say. “Mariana and I have made the decision that the baby she is pregnant with will not reign the Clans when it will come of age. Bianca will, and with that, we will have a ton of backlash. Many will argue that it is not Bianca’s right to lead because she is a woman, and because she is not my blood.”
“Bastards,” I hiss out.
I receive a slight nod from Ion, showing me he feels the same. “I believe The Clans forget that Mariana’s bloodline is more powerful than mine, and without her, I would be just as the rest of them are. I would be no King to them without her by my side. So, why would our beautiful daughter not be their Queen?”
“She has every right to the throne as your new child does,” I firmly state. I hope that by doing this he sees I follow his cause and will support him in it.
“Thank you for that. I knew that you would understand. I believe that you and Rhys will share the same beliefs.” He pauses for a moment, the stare he’s giving me makes me realize that even if Rhys doesn’t agree, I’ll have to ensure he does.
“He will understand that change is coming,” I respond.
“Good, I am glad that you understand. There will come a time and a place where this will come to a vote, as this is the old way. I take it that we have your support.”
“Yes, I can assure you that the Albu Clan will speak in your favor when the day comes,” I say, this making me feel like I’m the most respected than I’ve ever been.
“Thank you. I appreciate your understanding. I will admit, I am amazed at what you have done here in the Ukraine, Vera. If anyone can make the world a better place for the people, it is you.” Ion flips his wrist to look at his watch. “I’m afraid that I must go. I have another plane to catch and should be on my way. Please extend what I’ve explained to you along to Rhys.”
“Rest assured, it will be done.” As Ion walks away from me I feel like there is nothing better than this. I finally feel like I am shown the respect that I’ve always searched for. I feel like nothing in this world will tear Rhys or I apart, or break us down. But I know better. It will happen. I am just wondering when the ball will drop because nothing in life is ever this easy.
