Chapter 5

His eyes immediately searched for Fanny even as he greeted the two other men in the previous room.

"Boss, this is the girl I told you about." Andy quickly spoke, gesturing to her as she suddenly realized exactly who this newcomer was.

Christian and Andy greeted him with so much respect, he could just be the leader she had constantly heard of.

Fanny was really surprised that he just came to see Michel now. From the surrounding conversations, she understood that Michel was actually their boss's second-in-command.

"I can see that. Nice to meet you. What's your name?"

"Fanny, sir." She quickly said, bowing to him.

She could see that he was smiling at her, but the gesture somehow didn't reach his eyes. Oddly enough, he doesn't really say or do much, but his presence is quite intimidating.

It was as if he could command one of the other men to shoot her with a simple lift of his finger.

"I'm sure at least one of my men has told you this before, but now you're one of our members, Fanny. So I guess that makes sense. It's time for you to meet your new family." He said, looking at her from top to bottom.

Fanny swallowed.

She knows she's like an absolute slut after working nonstop with just a few minutes of closing her eyes on an occasional plastic chair. She was in real pain all over her body and had some bruises from being thrown in the car when she was arrested.

"Andy, I suggest you take her to her room so she can shower." He turned to Fanny. "I've ordered you to stay in the room across from Michel's so you can check on him."

While saying that, Vengo's gaze went to the hospital bed behind them, passed them, and looked at the sleeping Michel.

He was silent for a moment there, clearly affected by the sight of his mighty soldier lying there unconscious.

"Those bastards really shot him, didn't they."

Gathering himself, he clears his throat and strode quickly to the door, Christian, Andy, and Fanny's eyes all on him.

"Okay, I'll go. But I'd like you to join us for dinner tonight." He gestured to Fanny.

And just like that, the master left them with these leftover words.

—

"Shall I stay in the room across from him?" Fanny asked Andy as he started leading the way out of the east wing to another part of the house.

Now that she was walking, weakness had begun to take over her body and her head had begun to spin.

Fanny tripped on her legs a few times and quickly straightened up, but Andy still stopped to turn around and give her a stern look.

When he did, she still almost expected him to pull out his gun and kill her, but over the past few days, she'd learned that he was actually the least intimidating of them all.

Andy was the only one who stopped by regularly to check on her and Michel.

And even now he just stares at her and asks if she's okay.

Then she nodded, waiting for him to move on, he did.

Then he suddenly stopped and opened the door to a room. It was already dark by now but when he turned on the light, Fanny's mouth fell open in shock.

The bedroom is very large.

At least three times her size at home. But then again, she's already living in a tiny two-bed apartment with her dad, it's easy to get over that.

She looked around and saw the bed, taking up half the space in the room. A nightstand was placed on either side of the bed, and a matching wardrobe was to her left. In front of the bed was a bench with two pillows at either end.

There also seems to be a door which she guesses leads to an interconnected bathroom.

However, the best part is the beautiful setting, which overlooks the beautiful back garden. As Fanny stepped closer to the window and looked outside, a sudden feeling of disconnection overcame her and for a moment she felt completely confused.

How is it possible to find something so serene in a world fueled by violence, power, and cruelty?

It was a clear contradiction to her situation.

She is in a beautiful house, in this beautiful bedroom, but she is there against her will, surrounded by men she knows are in fact, murderers.

"Clean up and then I'll take you down to dinner. The closet has clothes for you." Andy's voice broke her thoughts.

Fanny turned and saw him standing in the doorway. His arms are crossed over his chest, muscles bulging.

There were so many questions she wanted to ask him, but she didn't know how.

So far, he hasn't given her any reason not to open up to her.

However, Fanny just doesn't know if she would cross any unseen boundaries if she asked him.

"Listen..." Andy began, immediately getting her attention when he didn't leave her alone in the room.

"I know others don't trust you yet. But don't worry, they will eventually."

"Others? Does that mean you do?" Fanny spoke hesitantly, hoping she wouldn't anger him by pointing this out.

Andy sighed heavily and licked his lips.

It was clear that he was debating with himself whether he should have allowed him to be transparent with her so soon.

"Look. I don't have anything against you. What you did to Michel..." Andy paused and swallowed.

It took a while for him to move on, but Fanny let him regroup, giving him the time he needed.

"I know it all seems confusing right now, but eventually you'll understand our family dynamics."

He was about to reach for the door and leave when her voice stopped him, making him turn to face her.

"Can't you help me get to know you guys more? I... I just... I'm afraid I'll make the wrong move and kill myself in this."

She saw the disbelief in his expression so Fanny stepped a little closer and begged.

"Please..."