Page 37 of Relentless Refuge

“I caution you to think carefully before you make any move you may later regret. You may think you have the upper hand now, but your loyalty has come into question and you will be dealt with from within your own Family swiftly.” My tone is calm and strict. If I take an action against him, his Family will retaliate and war will ensue. Isabella will come back to something she never wanted.

If he makes a move, I will have no choice but to defend myself, which means his Family will side with him and there will be all-out chaos. It’s not a good situation no matter what way you look at it, and I am furious that we are wasting time that we could be spending in finding her and bringing her home.

“Chase, come on, man.” Owen nudges him, but his eyes stay locked on mine. “Just back off. You’re gonna get yourself killed.” Owen seems to have more sense in his left thumb than Chase has in his whole body.

“You should listen to your brother,” I tell Chase, and for a split second, I think he will relent and back down, but two more of his Family members walk up behind him, then a few more.

So this is how it will go down. While their queen is being held hostage somewhere, they will attempt to overthrow me or put me in my place, and Isabella’s wishes will be completely disregarded. I knew I should have backed her up, even if the only way they ever respected her was to fear me. Well, it comes down to this, and now is my time to put them in their place.

I gesture at my men who move swiftly toward us, and Chase gives me a light push. Owen tries to hold him back, but Chase fights against him.

“Chase, knock it off.” Owen wraps an arm around Chase’s chest, and Nicolo walks up.

“This is unacceptable. Isabella needs us!” Nicolo sounds furious, and understandably so. I know my place is out searching for her, not here in this place fighting over who is in charge. Chase puts his own pride above any of it and may even risk her life. Who knows whether he himself orchestrated the kidnapping to set this scenario up? If she planned to meet with them, that means he knew she would be out and likely alone.

In the middle of the ruckus, a phone rings, loud, shrill chimes going off. Chase scowls and pats his pants pocket and his nostrils flare. He pulls the phone out and glances at it, and his eyes go wide.

“Who is it?” Owen asks, sounding frantic. I can see this Family really is divided, and I know half of them will follow Isabella, maybe more if I can just get rid of this instigator. But he looks surprised and angry as he stares at his phone.

“It’s her,” he says, barely audibly.

“What?” Owen asks, grabbing Chase’s wrist. He gasps at the phone and waves his hand. “It’s her! Shut up!” And instantly, theroom grows silent. Nicolo rakes a hand through his hair, and I watch as Chase swipes right to accept the call and presses it to his ear.

“Hey, Bella, where are you?” He sounds casual enough, as if feigning ignorance of the entire event. My breath catches in my throat, and I glance at Warren, snapping my fingers. If she’s called him, then Schuler can run a trace on her number and we’ll know exactly where she is.

“Keep her talking,” I whisper as I move toward the door and look into the hallway. Warren is on the phone now, calling the detective to run the trace, and I spin around and stand at the head of the room listening, along with everyone else in this room.

“Yeah, I understand that. Of course…” His gaze and a stern glare are turned on me, as if he is listening to her tell him evil things about my life or my reputation. I can see by this interaction that if this situation was orchestrated by him or he knew about it, he’s a terrific actor. I now believe fully that the enemy has her of their own accord.

“What? Of course…” His brow furrows, and he looks around at the men around him. Something has angered him more than he was only moments ago.

“What is it? What’d she say?” Owen goads him, tapping his shoulder urgently as if to say we need that information.

Chase’s eyes lock with mine, and I mouth the words, “Keep her talking.” I turn to look in the hallway again, and Warren is standing in the doorway now with a finger held up. I can hear Schuler’s voice talking to him, though I can’t discern what he’s saying, though I think he’s counting.

“Does he have it?” I ask, suddenly wondering why Isabella would call her cousin instead of me, and not just any cousin, but the one who openly rebels against her. She has to have her reasons for doing so, though they escape me right now.

Warren nods at me, and I turn my full attention back to Chase who now has a serious expression, stern like mine and determined. He isn’t happy about whatever it is she’s saying, but I get the feeling he understands that she’s giving him orders.

“Yes, ma’am, I totally understand. I’ll rally the Family now… Alright. I’ll call a Family meeting.” His eyes stay locked on mine as he says the word, “Goodbye.” Then he hangs up and puts his phone back in his pocket. There’s a pregnant pause as we all wait for his word on what Isabella said to him. I don’t know how she got her phone or what they’re doing to her, but my guess is that they’re trying to turn her against me.

“Well?” Owen prompts, and again he nudges his brother.

Chase’s eyes flick around nervously. He’s trying to decide whether to listen to her orders or defy them. I give him a hard glare and cross my arms over my chest, allowing him to deliberate a while. I suppose this is what mercy may look like to some. Isabella would be grateful to me for giving this small mercy to him when I’d rather just rip his throat out.

“What did she say!” Owen snaps, clearly very upset by how long Chase is taking to respond. I can see the concern etched on Owen’s brow. He loves her. To him she is like a sister, and that bond isn’t one so easily broken. He pushes Chase, who shakes his head.

“Her orders are to follow Marco and do whatever he says.” Chase’s jaw is tight and his nostrils flare as he speaks. He’senraged by passing this information along, but he is finally respecting her.

“She said those exact words?” I ask, finally feeling like things are moving the right direction.

“No, she said you’re a snake in the grass, a liar, and a cheat. She said you are trying to overthrow our family and that…” His words float off into the air unspoken. I can see the way they strangle him, lodging in his throat and rebelling against his will to speak them.

“She said what?” Owen pushes him again and seems very impatient.

“What else did she say?” Nicolo gets in on the conversation, now throwing his weight around. With Isabella’s backing, he seems more a man than previously. I am sensing a strange family dynamic I hadn’t seen before. They don’t respect him either. Maybe because he’s not blood to them.

Chase pushes Owen back and then straightens his shirt. His eyes are full of fire and violence. He can’t seem to look away from me, like I’ve poisoned her against them and there’s nothing he can do about it. He’s lost control in every way.

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