Disclaimer: I do not own Erik, daroga, or other references of Leroux's novel. They belong to the author that created them.
Chapter Summary: Phantom and Stacy share a phone call as Stacy finds out what the Mafia boss is planning, and she tries to warn William. This is a chapter that's a precursor to the whole Mafia versus Phantom.
Author's Note: Hello, everyone, I decided to give you another chapter this Christmas break. Enjoy this chapter. I do hope for more reviews for this chapter, though. I know it is three days until Christmas Day, but I just want two words (I like….or I don't) We are approaching the end of Part One of my story… The second Part is the best part of the whole. (better incidents and drama and lovely angst-y romance) Anyhow, please please leave a comment… sorry… watching the Osmonds singing… So, have fun with more Mafia interaction!
Chapter 17- The Dark Gets Darker
I clutched the phone I had 'borrowed' from Michael while he was in the operating room.
"William, I am at the hospital. I am sorry that I scared you earlier. One of Michael's goons frightened me because Michael had ordered them to take me to the hospital where he was."
William interrupted me with a curt, "Stacy, you should not have called me on this phone. They are monitoring my phone records to see if you would try to contact me."
"Well, I guess I will call you on a different ph-"
"No, it's too late. They know where you are now," he abruptly cut me off in my sentence. William always was the perfect gentleman to me and, knowing from experience, when he was rude to me, he was furious with someone else.
"My love, what happened?" I inquired with a sympathetic yet fearful voice.
Sighing heavily, he relented and told me, "Nicholas, my perfectly handsome twin brother, is here in Russia, as well as your supervisor, Jacob, and Kushoff. Together with Hugo, they have banded together in order to take you away from me."
At this statement, I lost control of myself and exclaimed, "William, don't let them take me away from you! I don't want to be alone! My kids are already gone!"
"Stacy, darling, I promise on my life that I will not…will not…let them take you away from me. You are my wife."
"Okay then, when are you whisking me away?"
"Soon, my love…soon."
"William, I will talk to Michael. Maybe he can do something to help us."
"Fine, sweetheart, but do not reveal too much and watch what you say. He is still a very dangerous man."
"I promise I will be very careful. I love you."
"I love you, too."
When we hung up, I sauntered quickly to Michael's hospital room where he was recuperating. However, I had to dodge some of his goons that were streaming out of the room. Staying around the corner of the hallway, I positioned myself a place to hear what was said.
Hearing what Michael had to say, I was extremely glad that I eavesdropped.
"I want you to keep Carol from the police chief, Jacob Jackson. I do not want anyone to know who shot me. It's my fault that she had a mental breakdown. Make sure she stays at the mansion."
I heard Michael pause before continuing.
"Vaughn, you have been with me for ten years, and I trust you. We have a problem with the Russian Phantom." He muttered an incoherent curse towards William in Russia, I believe. I listened intently as he continued on in his rambling.
"You see, Vaughn, ten years ago, the phantom's father, Claude Addams murdered my grandfather and to take over the corporation. When Claude died, I took my rightful place. I do not want the Phantom to attempt to become the leader of my organization that I have built. He needs to be eliminated."
"Sir, we have his weakness in your home."
"I do not want to use her or kill her, Vaughn. She has not done anything to deserve such action since she is completely ignorant of his past. Yes, it's true that she is his weakness, but my heart goes out to her. She has lost her children because of Addams. Addams is our main target. Stacy will be the lure, and then, when he comes…you know what to do, Vaughn."
"What if she gets in the way, sir?"
"Make sure that she does not get in the way. Now go, you have work to do."
I hurriedly walked down the opposite hall so the goons would not see me. When I believed they were gone, I knocked on Michael's door. He smiled slightly when I entered.
"Come and sit down, Ms. Addams." He extended his arm out with his perfect teeth shining as he smiled. I was quite sure that I could have fallen for him years ago had I not married my soul mate…and had he not been so dangerous.
Situating myself in the stiff chair, I attempted to gain Michael's trust, so that I could change his mind about William. To my eyes, it was utterly ridiculous for him to think William would want to be the Mafia boss, but apparently, Michael feared it.
"Michael, I am sorry that I could not get the gun away from Carol fast enough."
"Ah, don't worry about that. She just had so much stress earlier and just lost it. I want to be there for her like she was there when I lost my first wife."
"If you don't mind me asking, what happened to your first wife?"
"Not at all, she died from an accidental drowning. She fell asleep while driving and crashed into a guard-rail, plunging into the lake after she was knocked unconscious."
"I'm sorry."
"Someone cut the brake lines of her car."
"Oh, do you know who Franz Rovanachov is?"
"Yes, in fact, he recently invaded my territory."
"He's responsible for murdering all four of my kids. He's after me now."
Michael grasped my hand and for a moment, I felt compelled to hug him. With his solemn face, he stated firmly, "I will make sure he does not hurt you. Eh, he is a boy and a fool who needs to be taught a lesson. Obviously, he is stupid enough to tread into my warehouses and other private corporations."
Blushing, I mentally kicked myself. Why was I acting like a smitten girl? Coughing slightly, Michael took the hint and dropped my hand.
"I spoke with William a second ago."
His facial expression did not betray any emotion at my mention of my husband's name.
"Oh, is he coming to get you soon?"
Biting my lip, I questioned how to respond to the question, so I answered vaguely..
"Yes, but I am not sure when, though. Have you talked to him lately?"
I knew the answer, but I wanted to see if he trusted me. I soon received my answer.
"No, I have not." It was a simple answer, but it told me that he did not trust me.
Rubbing my arms, I replied, "Okay, well, I suppose I should go. You just got out of surgery and you need your rest, so bye!" As soon as I stood up, my fingers brushed his arm; Michael grasped my hand. I made the mistake of losing my balance.
I fell right into his arms. My inner voice screamed at my stupidity. Now, I was lying in the Mafia boss's arms! We stared into each other's eyes and he unconsciously brushed some strands of hair out of my face. Our faces were a breath's away.
Suddenly, his phone rang out next to the stand. Getting up quickly, thoroughly embarrassed, I handed him the hospital's phone.
"Hello?"
He listened attentively before responding, "Mr. Addams, your wife is just fine."
Fear…cold fear…burned my skin. I became unbearably hot. How could I betray William like that! I never let myself become vulnerable around any man except William. It was at that moment I knew I could not stay around Michael any longer.
Suddenly I bolted to the door and I heard Michael yell after me…then yell for Vaughn. Dodging into an empty hospital room, I dialed William's phone number.
"Stacy, what is happening?"
"William, you have to get me out of Michael's house! You have to keep him away from us!"
"Stacy, what are you talking about? I do not understand. What happened?"
His voice cut off as Vaughn snatched me up by my arm. I screeched and wrestled with him: biting, kicking, and scratching. I screamed William's name at the top of my lungs, hoping he would hear me since the phone hung of the counter.
"William, help me! He's going to kill you! You have to save me!" That was all I could say as Vaughn and one of the other thugs I saw earlier grabbed all my appendages and half carry and half drag me out of the room. My only coherent thought was that William would find me in time if Michael does not kill him first.
They threw me into a dark sedan and imprisoned me in one of Michael's eight rooms. From what I understood, they would lock me into this room until Michael was discharged and ready to see me, which appeared to be at least six hours away.
A knock at the door was the only polite gesture that I had received in a long while. One of Michael's employees brought in my two dogs. How did they come here?
I held them close to me, enjoying the warmth they gave to my heart. The man left me in peace with my animals. I regretted that I would not be able to tell William what Michael was intending to do.
Pressing my face against the pillow as I plopped on the bed, I tried to conjure up ways to escape. Michael would not be as lenient as he had been with me.
Suddenly, there was a tap on the window, and I quickly glanced towards the balcony and a piece of paper tied to a stone.
Slowly and gently, I opened the window to get the stone. I saw no one, but I did particularly witness a shadow of a man retreating back into the dark. I bolted back to the room when I grasped the stone.
When I sat at the large desk, I unfolded the paper. Sighing with a mixture of anxiety and excitement, I set the paper on the desk as the words were revealed.
He's coming!
Author's Note: All right, I do hope you know that I have a lot more tricks up my sleeve. Be prepared for more than you expected. The next chapter…someone confronts William the Phantom and the threats are made that will mark a beginning…So stay tuned for the next chapter. I would like to personally thank all of my reviewer's on my Reviewer's List:
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So, I hope that your name will be added to this list. Please review this story. It inspires me to write more. I update weekly and really want to know if this story is worth writing. I just want people to read this and enjoy it above all else. Happy Holidays with your family or whatever the holiday or case maybe. I pray that you all will have a pleasant holiday with your loved ones. I may not be able to update until January, so I hope this chapter has sufficed your tastes for now. Until then, I bid you all adieu.
Chapter 18- Woe To Those Who Loved Thee ….coming soon…
Quote of the Day: "Wise is the man, who imparts justice, but wiser is the man who demonstrates mercy." (me on justice)
Quote for Tomorrow: "Funny, how we feel safe one minute, yet terrified the next. Funny, how we claim to understand emotions, yet it never seems we do. Funny, how we love someone today and hate him or her tomorrow. Funny, how we do not appreciate someone one day and then that person is gone the next day. Funny, how we notice every little thing but never notice God in our lives." (me on life)
--Also, my time may be limited due to many things: animals, family, school, college work, I help the veterinarian in surgery (practice for my future --job), and other unforeseen events.--
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