Page 27 of Tainted Empire
As he uses his cane to navigate his way out of the room, I watch him in silent admiration. His confidence and acceptance of his situation are a lesson in grace and strength.
I stand there for a moment, reflecting on our conversation. Devon, despite his blindness, experiences the world in a deeply profound way. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the obstacles we face can lead us to discover strengths we never knew we had.
With a renewed sense of purpose, I turn my attention back to the archives, ready to delve into the musical stories waiting to be uncovered.
Chapter 16
Mikhail
As the private jet cuts through the skies enroute to Las Vegas, my mind is a torrent of thoughts, each more turbulent than the last.
The disappearance of Gabriette’s parents is more than just a coincidence. They vanished on a so-called final honeymoon and haven’t been seen since. It’s too convenient, too well-timed, especially considering the role her father played in her life before she was given to me.
A role she wasn’t aware of at all.
The fucker always had his own agendas. Sending Damian to spy on her was just one aspect of his manipulative tactics. And now, with him and her mother gone, the pieces start to fit together in a sinister puzzle.
He didn’t think we’d find out about Sophia being killed instead of committing suicide. It’s putting a big fucking spotlight on him, especially since Giselle and Marie admitted he put them up to everything.
I stare out the window, watching the clouds pass by, feeling the weight of the situation. Gabriette’s already been through so much, and now this.
Whoever helped play a part in drugging me, might be linked to her father because there’s no fucking way he could have planned this by himself. And if that’s the case, I need to find out how deep this conspiracy goes.
The plane begins its descent, and I brace myself for the confrontation ahead. Seeing my father in Las Vegas isn’t just a family visit; it’s a strategic move. He’s been in this game longer than anyone, and if there’s anyone who can shed light on the situation, it’s him.
I’ve been diving deep into her father’s dealings, trying to piece together his motivations, his plans. It’s like trying to navigate a labyrinth with no exit in sight. And the more I learn, the more I realize how little I actually know.
I step off the plane, feeling the dry desert heat envelop me. The city of sin and secrets awaits, a fitting backdrop for the conversation I’m about to have. I make my way to the car waiting for me, my steps purposeful, my resolve steel.
The drive to my father’s residence is a blur. My mind is focused on the conversation ahead. I rehearse my questions, anticipate his reactions, prepare myself for any piece of information he might reveal.
As I arrive, the familiar sight of the sprawling estate does little to ease the knot of tension in my gut. I’m greeted by the staff, but I barely acknowledge them, my mind too preoccupied. The guards nod at me as I pass, a silent acknowledgment of my presence.
Inside, I find my father in his study, a room filled with the scent of aged leather and tobacco. This is the man who taught me everything I know about power, loyalty, and the merciless world of the criminal underworld. His mismatched eyes, sharp and calculating, meet mine.
“Mikhail, to what do I owe this unexpected visit?” he asks, his voice betraying nothing of his thoughts.
“I need information, Papa,” I say, cutting straight to the point. “It’s about Gabriette’s father, the fucker Alberto. He’s disappeared, along with her mother. After everything I found out lately, I think he might be the one pulling the strings.”
My father leans back in his chair, steepling his fingers while his expression remains unreadable, but I see a flicker of something in his eyes. Interest? Concern? It’s hard to tell.
“Vanished, you say? And you think this has something to do with the recent attempts to destabilize your position?”
“It’s the only explanation that makes sense. The fucker has always been a schemer, but this... this is something else,” I say, then I dive into what I found out these past few weeks, while he listens attentively.
“... and I need to find out why he had drugged me and why he gave Sophia to me when he had plans for Gabriette to be mine in the first place,” I finished off.
My father nods slowly, a sign that he’s considering my words. “You might be onto something, Mikhail. A man like him doesn’t just vanish into thin air, especially not with the kind of connections and enemies he has.”
“Exactly, and why has he been so fucking quiet after we told him his daughter didn’t commit suicide,” I say, my frustration evident. “Fuck, he probably had Sophia killed to get her out of the way, but why the long game? Surely he must know he’d never win.”
He leans forward, steepling his fingers underneath his chin and sighing.
“Unless he had help from a common enemy of ours,” he says as he nods slowly, contemplating. “Alberto was never one to play a simple hand. If he’s behind this, it could be part of a larger play.”
“But why? What’s the endgame?” The question hangs in the air, heavy with implications.
My father’s gaze meets mine, a flicker of concern in his eyes. “That’s what we need to find out. If he’s gone into hiding, it could be a sign that something bigger is about to unfold. Or, it could be a diversion.”