Page 90 of Morally Corrupt

"No… " I can hear a vague sound in the background.

"Mr. Hastings, just the man I wanted to talk to." When the voice comes through, I realize who it is. I frown, trying to think why he'd reach out to me. My relationship with Vlad is casual at best.

"What is it, Vlad?" I ask, a bit tersely.

"I have something of yours," he says and pauses. "Although she's a little damaged." Something of mine? Now that's unusual. But I'm curious, so I ask.

"What are you on about, Vlad?"

"Bianca, do you want to say something to your husband?" Vlad says, and my hands clench on the steering wheel. Why would Bianca be with Vlad? Then I hear a small "Theo…" followed by a loud wailing "Theoooo!"

My foot hits the brake without even realizing. I look left and right and decide to pull over to compose myself.

"Vlad? What's the meaning of this?" I can barely breathe, thinking of all possible scenarios. Her voice… Lord, her voice.

"I told you… your wife is a little damaged."

"What do you mean by that? Tell me?"

"Do you care?" he asks casually, and I curse under my breath. "Vlad, just tell me!" I demand, and he chuckles.

"If you want to know, you can come by. I'll text you the address. It's up to you." He hangs up the phone.

I'm stunned for a moment before I hit the wheel in frustration.

Please be okay, Bianca,is all my mind can process at the moment.

I don't even think; I copy the address and input it in my GPS, changing direction and heading straight to Vlad's house.

So much for a clean break

The entire way to the address Vlad provided, I'm wrecked with worry. What could have happened to her? Is she ill? Did she get herself into trouble? Is she in trouble with Vlad? How exactly do they know each other?

When I finally arrive at the destination, armed guards greet me, who perform a rudimentary search on me.

Of course.

Then, one of them escorts me into a very normal-looking mansion.

"Where is she?" I bark when I spot Vlad at the entrance. He gives me an amused smile and looks at his watch.

"It only took you a half hour. Any traffic violations, Mr. Law and Order?" I grit my teeth at his sarcasm. "I mean, never let it be known that I'm heartless." He cocks his head to the side as if thinking about something."Come, she's sleeping now."

He leads me towards a room on the other side of the house. I'm so keen on finding out what happened to Bianca that I'm not even taking any precautions, like assessing my environment or keeping my eyes on potential dangers.

Vlad opens the door to a small room, and on the bed, I see the figure of my wife, sound asleep.

"What's wrong with her?" I ask as I near the bed and take in her ragged appearance. Her hair is knotted and messy, her clothes damp and clinging to her form. Her face is pale, her lips chapped and dry. I immediately run my hand on her forehead, noting she is feverish.

"She's detoxing," Vlad answers, leaning on the door frame. "We had to sedate her because she stole a gun and attacked me."

"What?" I whip my head around to regard him.

"Come, let her rest. She'll be as good as new by the end of the week. You must have a lot of questions and as it happens, I'm feeling mighty generous."

He stands and motions me out, leading me to what looks to be a study. He shuts the door behind us and takes a seat at his desk, telling me to do the same.

For a second, there's only silence, and I see him staring very intently at a pendulum on his desk. Then, as if he remembers I'm still in the room with him, he turns to me and gives me a jolly smile.

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