Chapter 27
Frayed Emotions
Damien
(Flashback_Six months ago)
"What do you mean she's gone?" Albert yelled, his voice thundering in the room. I bit back a wince, I could feel my ears ringing.
Albert had been on a rampage since he walked in, I secretly wondered if he was really worried about Elena or our alliance now that she was gone.
"She was supposed to be under your care," Albert paced back and forth, not able to stay put.
"My care?" I repeated, my eyes becoming cold. "She's not some little kid that I have to babysit and spoon-feed," I snapped, glaring at Albert.
He would do well to mind his words. Despite my seemingly calm exterior, I wasn't any less bothered than Albert, I just didn't show it.
My marriage to Elena was supposed to be the icing on the cake, Father would support me and our months of uneasy standoff would be over.
Just when I thought I'd had a weight lifted off my chest, this happened.
"Do you have any idea where she could be?" I snapped, glancing at Albert who was still pacing. "Any relative, cousin, friend, anyone."
I stared at Albert, my gaze steady and for a split second I saw his eyes flicker and then it was gone.
"I'll find out," he said, jumping to action. My words seemed to have given Albert purpose and he pressed some buttons on his phone as he walked out to make some calls.
"Hmph!" I snorted coldly and a feeling of disgust for him sprouted up within me. A father who couldn't keep his daughter in line, I should've known Albert would be useless.
But despite myself, I had a vague feeling Albert might have an idea where Elena could be. Useless he might be, but he was her father.
That counted for something, right?
I sighed, running a hand through my hair. Useless he may be, but I needed to borrow his name.
His family name held more sway with Father than I ever could. Father placed a lot of importance on marriage alliances, his own marriage too was an arranged marriage.
He hadn't stooped to setting me up with anyone, but he hadn't supported me either.
I could already imagine Victoria's glee when she heard that Elena had disappeared. She would be over the moon.
My phone suddenly rang, I picked it up immediately. "Hello, have you found anything?" I asked tersely.
"I haven't," Priest's first words disappointed me and my eyes dimmed. "I've checked every hospital in a round radius of five miles, she's not there."
"Well, find her then!" My patience snapped and I roared, veins popped out on my head. "I don't care what you do, or how you do it. She must be found."
"I'm on it," Priest's voice didn't waver despite my outburst, he'd probably seen worse.
The line went dead.
I exhaled slowly, trying to calm my nerves. It wouldn't do me any good to get worked up I thought, keeping my cell phone away. I needed to stay calm. I had to.
"Well…" I raised an eyebrow as Albert walked back in.
"She went to see my late wife's sister," Albert frowned, his eyes filled with displeasure. "I told that damn woman not to meddle in my affairs the last time," he mumbled under his breath.
"What do you mean the last time?" I hissed, glaring at him. "This isn't the first time?" I stared at him like an idiot.
"Where does the aunt stay? Have you contacted her to ask about Elena's whereabouts?" I spat out questions without a pause.
"Llona," Albert muttered. "It's a local town in the suburbs, it's miles from here."
Was this man an idiot? I pressed a hand to my face and gently massaged my brows. I could feel the little signs of a headache coming on.
"Call her!" I snapped, my patience already wearing thin. Who cares how far the town was?
"I…" Albert revealed an awkward expression. "She doesn't have a home number, we've not kept in touch since—"
"Enough," I waved my hands, cutting him off. If I listened to the man any longer I would lose it. I picked up my cell phone and dialed a number.
Priest answered on the first ring, "Hello?" He sounded gruff and I could hear the faint sounds of traffic in the background.
"I need you to get to Llona right now," I went straight to the point. "Confirm this address," I called out the address Albert scribbled on a piece of paper.
"Check it out, she could be there," I said.
She'd better be there.
"I can't believe she'd do this, the nerve," Albert groaned, no trace of his previous charisma was available.
I didn't respond, my mind already on other things. Soon Albert quietened down as well, and the room sunk into silence.
Beep! Beep! My cell phone rang suddenly, breaking the silence and startling me out of my thoughts.
"Hello?" I picked up the call immediately, my voice filled with expectation. "Well? Did you find her?" I listened into the cellphone and my expression darkened.
"What!" I couldn't take it anymore, "You told her why you came?" Albert stared at me curiously, waiting for me to finish.
I ended the call, remaining silent as waves of anger seethed within me.
"What happened?" Albert finally asked.
"Your sister-in-law turned my man away. She didn't say if Elena was there," I clenched my jaw.
"She dared…" Albert hissed and his eyes flashed with a dark look.
"Look for Elena," I began, staring at Albert squarely in the face. "If Elena isn't found, sooner than later," I paused, allowing my words to sink in.
"Then I would be forced to reconsider the terms of our alliance," I said coldly, staring at him. I knew Albert had gotten the message when I saw the blood drain from his face.
"You need to consider—" he tried to speak but I was done listening to whatever he had to say.
"Find her!" I snapped, cutting him off. "Or our deal's off," I hissed. I got up and stalked out of the room, slamming the door behind me.