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Investigation

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Chapter 18: Investigation (Rhys's POV)

As we strolled into the Russo household library and found Nico, Matteo, and Damien all sitting in their designated seats, I couldn't help but notice just how much this felt like an intervention. Stella had no idea what she was in for but I had a feeling she would enjoy this. After all, she was getting her freedom back. 

Rightfully so.

When I got here early this morning to a very frantic Damien Russo, my priority wasn't to start tracking down the thief. It should have been yet for some reason, it wasn't. 

At first, I couldn't understand why Matteo and Nico had to be told at all. For all that mattered, Damien could easily have repaid the D'Angelos with two million dollars of his own instead of admitting that he lost their money. 

It was when I spoke to him that he finally explained that the two million was stored in hard cash and with it were unknown belongings of the D'Angelos. Nico refused to reveal whatever was stolen with the money but it was obvious how precious it was to them. 

I thought losing what was theirs would make Nico want Stella more out of vengeance. Since someone stole what was his because of Damien's carelessness, he would take Damien's daughter instead. Why they agreed to give up on the wedding was the one thing I couldn't wrap my head around. Whatever was stolen, they wanted it far more than they wanted this alliance with Damien. 

Their plans had changed. They were giving up on the wedding but demanding that Damien brought what was rightfully theirs back. Somehow, even while avoiding this wedding, Stella was becoming leveraged. 

And I couldn't fucking stand it. 

"Dad," Stella greeted, letting out a breath as she walked beside me until we stopped at the couches and coffee table which was to the far left of the room in the back. 

I took a seat on one of the two single-seaters beside Damien, leaving the last one free beside me. I couldn't help but notice the way Nico's eyes raked over Stella's body until she sat down and my jaw instinctively ticked until I reminded myself that she wasn't mine to keep from him or from anybody. 

"Mr. D'Angelo," she said, smiling at him. "Nico." That one didn't get a smile. 

"I hope we're not pulling you from work," Matteo said, offering her a polite smile. 

"No, I don't normally go to the office on Sundays," she replied, leaning back in her seat and crossing one knee over the other. "Is something wrong?" 

Her father cleared his throat. "Mia cara, we're thinking of holding off on the wedding... at least for now," he admitted, glancing at Nico who could only sit in his seat, fuming. He wasn't getting the money, the goods, or the girl. 

Stella blinked, her brows shooting up in surprise. "Why?" 

"There are some pressing matters to deal with at the moment," Matteo answered, "we think it would be better to wait for the right time."

"The... right time?" she questioned quizzically. "Has something happened?" 

Damien almost began explaining but Matteo never let him. "There's nothing for you to be worried about. What good would telling her do, Damien? Stella has her own life, let's keep our business and our mess to ourselves," he said before diverting his attention to her again, "I'm sure you know how our world works. Business is... everything," he shrugged. 

She nodded lightly in understanding. 

"There are a few obstacles in the way of this wedding right now. Instead of dragging you into this mess, we would much rather let you be. It would be cruel to trap you in a marriage." His words had a certain bite to them as he looked at Nico with rage, but he only ignored his father. 

"We're opening an investigation with Rhys to get this sorted as soon as possible," Nico said instead. 

Stella's eyes cut to mine. "You're opening this as a case?" 

"Officially, yes. It will be a legal investigation." 

"Into?" 

"Robbery," I answered before anyone could stop me. I wanted to see the look on Stella's face when she heard of the crime. 

Her brows twitched up as she took in a slow breath, mumbling under her breath as she exhaled, "Wow. Robbery." 

"But of course, it's nothing that concerns you, mia cara," Damien rushed out, "we want you to continue with your life. If anything happens, we'll let you know. Unfortunately, as of now, the wedding is canceled." 

She blinked a few times, staring ahead blankly at the coffee table before taking a small breath and looking at Matteo. "I'm sorry, I'm not sure what to say. I—" 

"There's no need," he replied reassuringly, "I just wanted to ensure you heard of this from us rather than somebody else. That's why I asked for you." 

A hint of confusion passed through her expression before she morphed it into her smile and nodded. 

"Rhys," Matteo said, drawing my attention away from Stella. "Take her home. We'll continue the meeting later." 

It was fairly obvious from the glares Nico and Matteo gave each other that the father and son didn't get along as well as they pretended to. Somehow, I saw that working in Stella's favor. Matteo seemed to be against whatever deal Nico and Damien had struck, the deal that dragged into this mess as nothing but collateral damage. 

At least one of them has a brain I won't be blowing up with a bullet any time soon. 

Standing up, I pocketed my hands and looked down at Stella. "Shall we?" 

She stood up, holding my gaze and after bidding them goodbye, followed me out. "Looks like you have quite the case on your hands, Mr. Romanov," she commented as we strolled out and toward the elevator. 

"Are you underestimating my capability, Ms. Almonte?" I questioned, leaning against the left wall while she leaned against the right. 

Blinking once, she shook her head and sighed, "What you can or cannot do has nothing to do with me. You know your capability very well. In fact, all of New York City does, I'm sure," she said with a soft smirk tugging at her lips. "I would wish you good luck but I'm afraid if you succeed, I'll be handed off to Nico again. I'd prefer it if that didn't happen." 

I took in a breath and stepped forward, closing in on her as I braced both hands against the wall, towering over her. "Are you asking me to deceive your father and let this robber get away with it?" 

She tilted her head back to meet my gaze. "I don't know the robber. If I did, I would wish them all the luck in this world. But I can't deny, if they get away with it, I can keep the freedom that I deserve. Wouldn't you agree?" 

I hummed lightly in agreement. "Unfortunately, your father is paying me to catch them." 

She held my gaze for several beats. "Will you really let my father give me away like I'm some pawn? Could you watch it happen?" 

"Have I done something to deceive you, Ms. Almonte? What makes you think I would care about whatever happens to you?"

 After a pause, she shrugged, "Just a feeling." 

"Just a feeling?" 

She nodded once again with a soft hum. "Prove me right. Please," she whispered gently. 

"I don't have a choice, my love. I can only prove you wrong," I replied, holding my arm in place as she let out a defeated breath and pushed it lightly. 

On cue, the elevator dinged as the doors opened behind me as she looked back at me. "Time to go." 

Dropping my head, I let my arms slide down and lightly cursed under my breath once she walked past me and into the elevator. Trailing behind her, I stepped inside, both of us standing in silence. 

"Since this will become a legal investigation, I'm obligated to follow protocol... which means everybody will be questioned. That includes you, Dorogaya." 

"Great," she muttered sarcastically, "let me know when. I'll keep some time for your interrogations, Mr. Romanov." 

"I won't be interrogating you." I glanced at her. "Only questioning." 

She met my gaze. "There's no difference." 

I stared at her blankly. 

She let out a light scoff. "How about you let me question and then interrogate you and then we'll see if you feel the difference, hmm?"

"Go ahead, Ms. Almonte." 

Her eyes narrowed as she turned to face me completely and stepped forward. "Why does it seem like you would let me?" 

"Because I would. Gladly," I answered truthfully. 

An amused smile formed on her lips. "Like me that much, do you?" 

"What do you think, my love?" I formed a fist, nudging her chin upward using my knuckles. 

She frowned lightly. "I think I just amuse you." 

"Precisely," I smirked. 

Releasing an annoyed breath, she went back to her spot and faced ahead as we reached the lobby. "You infuriate me, Mr. Romanov," she mumbled quietly. 

And she drives me fucking insane.

It took some patience and sleepless nights but no matter how long I spent dwelling over it, I only ever reached one conclusion and I accepted it.

Stella was my fate. Whether that killed me or saved me... was in her hands. But one thing I knew for certain was that I never believed in fate until her. Now that I did, I trusted it to always bring me back to her, no matter how much I tried to escape it.

We could despise it for the rest of our lives but Stella and I would always cross paths. 

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Chapter 18

I DISAPPEARED FOR SO LONG

BUT 

IN MY DEFENSE, I'M TRAVELING AND AM CURRENTLY IN DUBAI

I've been so busy on this trip so I haven't had too much time to write so just be patient pls, I'm also gonna be moving houses as soon as I get back but I PROMISE I will be updating more regularly since it's finally winter break 

love y'all

<333