In The Dark

Chapter 38

Ryder

"Harrison, I know it's probably not the best time to call you, but I need help."

"...Help? What kind of help?"

"Like I'm in trouble help. I messed up and I don't know what to do."

"Nicky, listen to me. Calm down. It can't be that bad."

"When Mr. Williams comes back it'll be more than my job, Harrison. You have to have me. They're going to come after you."

"No one is coming after you. What are you babbling about? Go to sleep."

"Harrison, if you happen to call one day and I don't answer--"

"Nicky, I'll fly over when I can, yeah? I promise you that no one is coming after you. If you're afraid for your life, go talk to Cynthia. Keep her company during her pregnancy for me."

"Harrison--"

"Night night, Nicky."

"Harri--"

And I should have listened to her pleas for help. I hadn't known that Zach had gone to Utah for work. Work should have rang a bell, but I was stupid, so I couldn't save her life. After all I've done to Ren and anyone else I hurt, I've come to believe it was pre-revenge. It couldn't have come at a worst time.

The plane ride didn't take very long. I slept through most of it, but I knew jetlag was going to be bad. We were told we'd arrive in Milan around 5PM. We were delayed in another city, so it wasn't until after six did we arrive. I was tired and so were Youngmin's parents. Vanessa said she was too excited to sleep. We booked two rooms in a hotel not far from the Russo Mansion. Mr. Woo said he still remembered how long it took to get there without even having to think.

I wasn't expecting much when we got to our rooms. Youngmin's parents went to theirs and Vanessa and I went to ours. I was going to go straight to be, but I guess the Lord wasn't on my side today. I immediately noticed another presence. Or should I say other presences. Was this a robbery? Was it Ty following me and coming in for revenge?

"Ryder Jackson," one voice suddenly said. I tilted my head in thought. I had heard this voice somewhere. "You grew up well."

"Elias?" I asked. "How...did you know I would be here?"

"I know a lot of things, Ryder." He turned in his seat at the counter and smiled. "...So, are you here for the parties?"

"Parties?" I chuckled. Nessa tugged on my arm and sighed. "Nessa, go put your things away. Join me when you finish."

She stood beside me for a minute longer before deciding to listen to me. Elias and I watched her as she disappeared into the bedroom. The other person at the counter turned in their seat and smiled at me. I almost confused him for Elias, but I knew about his twin brother, Mariano.

"It's nice to finally meet you up close," he said. "Did Cynthia not tell you about the parties? She might be the next Italian mafia queen."

"We all know that's not true. And keep it down...Nessa doesn't know about my relation to the mafia," I said. "Ren Chapelle is coming soon and I heard she can challenge Cynthia."

"Tough. We need your help first."

After convincing them that I'd help them tomorrow, the brothers left my room. I knew they weren't going to go far due to the fact that they can't with Cynthia in the city. They seemed more like her caregivers than undercover lawyers posing as competing businessmen. Enough talk about them. I was ready to get some sleep.