Dark Romance: A Cruel Obsession

This time, Vivian chose to shake her head. “I want to believe you, Alajos, but I’m afraid. I’m afraid we won’t see that day, and I’m even more afraid that for the next year, two years, or even longer, our Dhanna will have to live under the threat of Mark’s death.”

Vivian was no longer compliant, her stubbornness causing Alajos a headache. “Dhanna is Capo’s daughter, destined to attract the attention of my enemies, not just Mark, but even the Bratva.”

Alajos couldn’t control his shout, “You can’t keep me out of these discussions because of this. She’s our daughter, and I’m her father!!”

The harsh reality of what Alajos said made Vivian want to argue, but she realized she couldn’t.

Tears welled up in her eyes as Vivian shed tears of helplessness.

“I’m sorry, Vivian, but you need to face the facts. The threat of death is like a dark cloud that will hang over Dhanna’s head for the rest of her life, she is destined to be under the tightest protection.”

At this point, Vivian was almost speechless, and Alajos embraced her, saying, “I’m sorry.”

“No, it’s not your fault,” Vivian shook her head. “I’m not blaming anyone, but as a mother, I can’t remain indifferent.”

“Help me, Alajos, let me be the bait.”

Finally, Vivian spoke these words, and Alajos’ expected reaction was one of anger, “No, I refuse!”

“You won’t find a better bait than me,” Vivian insisted.

“Don’t see yourself as too important, Vivian,” Alajos said with a stern expression. “You can’t be the key to killing Mark.”

“If I can’t be the bait today, Mark will kidnap Dhanna tomorrow, making her the key to breaking your defenses. Can you bear that?”

Alajos clenched his fists, gritting his teeth in hatred. “Dhanna is my weakness, aren’t you? You’re my wife, the mother of my child. Protecting you is as much my duty and responsibility.”

“Just having you say that is enough, Alajos.” Vivian gently touched his handsome face. “You’ll arrive in time, won’t let me get hurt, will you?”

“Vivian!” Alajos shouted her name like a warning.

But Vivian, determined as ever, refused to back down. “Let me go, Alajos.”

In the end, Alajos relented. Despite his anger and reluctance, he had to admit that Vivian was indeed the best bait.

Alajos was in agony, not wanting to agree to this request. He knew better than anyone the cruelty of the Mafia. However, he found no way to refute it. He stayed silent, but the visible veins on his forehead betrayed his suffering. Vivian returned to the apartment, and instead of immediately removing the security detail, he intensified surveillance for a few days, lulling the guards into a false sense of calm. Vivian couldn’t bear it any longer.

Vivian knew he was still worried, but this wasn’t the solution. So she took the initiative, arranging to meet Luzia at a downtown spa for a massage. She arrived half an hour early, decided to browse nearby first, and let the bodyguards follow her a little more loosely without attracting attention.

After Luzia was kidnapped by Lopaka, she moved back to live with her mother, and Mare had been protecting her ever since. Alajos had assigned a new bodyguard to Vivian. This bodyguard had been with Vivian for several days and had become familiar with her way of doing things. He consciously stepped back a few steps, following Vivian as she wandered through various luxury stores, keeping a distance of about three people from her.

For the past few days, their interaction had been this way, with no mishaps. However, this time, things went wrong. When Vivian felt the unusual atmosphere around her, she felt scared but quickly calmed down. The fish had taken the bait!

Meanwhile, Simpson disconnected the call and dialed Alajos’s number. “Vivian has been kidnapped.”

Instantly, Alajos felt his soul being squeezed on the sofa. He knew Vivian wouldn’t stay quietly in the apartment, but he had prepared for this. Festus quickly tapped away at the keyboard, making a clattering sound. “Target location locked.”

As Festus finished speaking, Alajos’s solemn voice resounded in the office, “Move!” Calmly, Alajos relayed the message to the armed teams hidden throughout Houston via the communicator. Emmert grabbed his gun, straddled his sleek motorcycle, and flashed a victory sign at Simpson. “Wait for my good news.”

Simpson chuckled and loaded the bullets into his clip. “Who’s waiting for whose good news is yet to be seen.”

Alajos looked up at the darkening sky covered in clouds. The sunlight was fading fast. It was time for him to set off. Vivian was waiting for him!

A cold splash of river water hit Vivian’s face, jolting her awake. She then saw Bryson’s calm, usual smile.

“Good evening, Vivian. My daughter,” he greeted her, his tone as calm as if nothing had changed, as if she were still Vivian Jones living in Los Angeles.

If it weren’t for the pain of the ropes digging into her flesh and the numbness from constricted blood flow, Vivian might have been fooled by his demeanor.

“Why?” Vivian asked in anguish. “Why do this? You already have unparalleled power and wealth. Why do you keep pushing us?”

“Joseph has been plotting my death. He wants to prove his ability by killing me to gain more support from Made Men, but as you can see, he can’t kill me,” Bryson said in a flat tone. “He is my best heir, and I am willing to give up this position for his glory, but not now.”

“Houston is a good choice, with strong armed forces and a large following. Kamden is not a good leader, reckless and simple-minded, a fool softened by women. The two sons he raised are as weak as him, unworthy to lead Houston’s powerful forces. Letting Joseph become Capo of Houston is the best choice.”

“This is all your wishful thinking! The political power in Houston was originally established by the Hargrave family!” Vivian retorted. “Joseph is not fit to be a great leader!”

“Shut up!” Bryson was enraged by Vivian’s retort, raising his hand to viciously slap her. “Joseph is your brother, your family. Alajos killed him, and you dare to speak up for him!”

“You have handed me over to Alajos, sacrificed me to help your good son Joseph seize Houston. You have abandoned me!” Vivian spat out a bloody mouthful, feeling nauseated by Bryson’s patronizing look.

“Daughters cannot be warriors. The family raised you, nurtured you, to await your growth and use your marriage to help your brother obtain stronger alliances and power. You should be proud of this, Vivian.”

Bryson’s condescending expression made Vivian sick to her stomach, her heart already cold and exhausted.

Tiredly closing her eyes, Vivian felt too weak to argue with him any further. “I wanted to ask you if everything that has happened since your severe injury was all part of your plan. Joseph died, Vilem became disabled, Los Angeles fell into chaos, our family became what it is now. Do you ever regret?”

“Regret?” Bryson found it amusing. Vivian also found herself ridiculous, how could she expect someone like Bryson to regret? It was absurd, too absurd!

“You will pay the price for your actions!”

“A price?” Bryson found it even more amusing. “By you? Or by Alajos? Do you really think you two can walk away unscathed? Vivian, you’re really so naive!”