Page 183 of Morally Corrupt

"Enough."

"Interesting... I'll be there soon." He says and hangs up.

What?

I don't even get to be mad because the doctor comes in with his army of nurses and they start asking me questions, taking my vitals and doing all sorts of things. I'm only halfway listening to what they are saying, too preoccupied with Bianca's whereabouts.

They leave and I retrieve my phone and start calling Vlad again. And again.

"Chill, Hastings, will you?" Vlad is in the doorway, holding up his phone and dangling it around as it rings.

He rolls his eyes at me and comes closer.

"You look almost human,” he says, scrutinizing my bandage. I don't want to question what he means by that, so I just go straight to the point.

"Where is she?"

Vlad's expression is no longer bright. He leans back and regards me in a serious manner.

"She left you,” he simply states and I frown. "Who would have thought she had it in her, right?" His mouth curls up in an attempt to smile, but it's not quite there.

"What do you mean?" I ask.

He moves again, and starts to pace around the room. I'd forgotten about Vlad and his inability to stay still.

"She thought you'd never remember, so she decided to spare you the unpleasant details of Jimenez's death. That fool.” He shakes his head. "She's too impulsive for her own good. I don't know how she equated you not remembering immediately after an obvious brain injury, to you permanently not remembering... But I digress. You know Bianca. Once she gets something in that brain of hers, granted, coke-free now, there's no stopping her.”

"So she just up and left? And you didn't stop her?"

"Why would I? I have to say, though, I'm impressed by her noble—admittedly stupid—actions. Who would have thought her capable of that, right?" He muses, and I'm getting impatient.

"So where is she?"

"She's in Moscow. I sent her to work for an acquaintance."

"So... She's fine?" I hesitate, trying to steel myself for the answer.

"Of course. Turns out Jimenez was bluffing."

I sigh in relief.

"So what are you going to do now?" Vlad asks as he settles in front of my bed.

"Go after her. After my doctor clears me..." I add reluctantly add.

"Hmm... You might want to reconsider."

"What do you mean?"

"Word's out on the streets about Jimenez's heir. You'll be targeted. Many people are trying to consolidate power right now, and you're just the thorn they can't wait to get rid of,” he chuckles.

I frown.

"So what do you propose I do? Fake my own death?" I add rather ironically. But the look Vlad gives me tells me he doesn't think so.

"Indeed. You do just that. Might work."

"You're kidding."

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