Entwined With the Villainous Guardian
Chapter 168: Visitor

Chapter 168: Visitor

As Leander pondered, Lionel got a notification on his phone. "He’s here," Lionel showed him the text. "My dad wants me home. He NEEDS me."

Leander pressed his lips. He wanted to tell Lionel that his father might be trying to use this chance to bring him back to the family. But he didn’t know if he can speak about this to Lionel.

He’s his father and he should be standing by his father’s side if he needed him. Leander knew that Lionel’s father wouldn’t have sent this text easily. There must be a big trouble.

But will Lionel go to his father? He cannot blame Lionel if he does that. It would be a total waste of everything he did till then to stay away. But he will understand.

That’s what family does. They leave everything else and would stand for their family if they need them. Right? Right... That’s what he is doing.

Lionel bowed his head and stared at the text for some time. His eyes went side to side as if he was thinking deeply. Then his eyes lit up as he reached a decision.

"Leo," Lionel placed his hand on his shoulder. "I’ll go talk to my dad," he said with a slight nod as he was firm on his decision.

Leander let out a deep breath. In the end, Lionel couldn’t keep away from his family business. It’s like they are fated to be stuck in the family business even if they don’t agree with what they do.

What else can they do? Abandon their family in their times of need?

"And, Leo..." Lionel looked at Leander and his eyes shimmered with determination. "Isn’t Brie under your surveillance? Get her before my father gets her," he held Leander’s hand. "I will not let my father use her as a bargaining chip."

Leander let out a sigh of relief and nodded. Lionel still doesn’t want to enter his family business. So, he will help him as he asks.

"In case my father’s men come for her," Lionel’s sharp eyes trained on Leander. "Do what you got to do. My father cannot get her."

Leander clenched his jaws. He understood that Lionel is asking to open fire on Waldorf men if necessary.

But is Brie worth starting a war over?

"There will be no war, Leo," Lionel said. "I’ll be inside. There won’t be a war. I, Lionel Waldorf, give you my word, Leander Kastello."

Leander smiled and nodded, patting Lionel’s shoulder. In Lionel’s eyes, he saw the same determination he saw when he said that he would make a name for himself without the support of his family. Leander trusted him. And he was willing to take that risk for Lionel.

After all, his friend is also his family.

Lionel walked to the door. But then he stopped. "Do not let anything happen to Bellissima, not even a scratch. Don’t live to regret it," he said and walked out.

On face value, as the heir of one family to another, that was a threat. Even between friends, those words would imply some level of intrusive protectiveness of the one who uttered those words for the woman who is the wife of the other. It should have made Leander angry as Lionel took light of his protective instinct.

But he was not.

There seemed to be some deep meaning behind that almost derogatory comment. He definitely knows something.

Leander asked Steve to mobilize their men to get Brie to safety. He could sit and argue if Brie needed to be saved. She’s but one woman. But he had a lot to lose. His friendship.

So, he will do what his friend asks of him.

-----

Viviana saw Leander walking out of the house almost running. He was wearing his suit while walking and he didn’t even stop for his cats who came to greet him.

Viviana understood that he was leaving in a hurry. For some reason, she was scared. She didn’t know why, but she felt a shiver in every fiber of her being.

She was happy for almost a day. And she knows what comes after... Trouble!

Leander stopped by his car noticing her standing in the garden. Viviana ran to him as he looked at her.

"Stay inside. Do not step out," he spoke in a loud voice for her to hear and before she could even reach him got inside the car and his car raced out of the house.

Viviana couldn’t control the uneasy feeling in her heart. But she consoled her heart. Steve is with him!

The guards of the house rounded up on her, almost speaking without words, asking her to get inside the house. Well, they will have to listen to their boss.

Viviana walked inside the house. The door was closed and she stood in the living room wondering what was happening. It was almost the same situation when Leander disappeared for a night. But this time, his men knew where he went. But they didn’t tell her anything.

Viviana figured it must be something related to their business. Without knowing, she said a prayer for his protection in her heart.

Mary and Martha joined her in the living room. Mary suggested watching their shows, but Viviana was in no mood for watching shows. Martha tried to console Viviana.

"It’s normal. He leaves in a hurry at times and it’s nothing to be worried about," she said.

"Do they lock the doors from the outside and have fifty men guard the gates?" Viviana asked.

Martha was silenced by Viviana’s question.

"It’s because you’re here now," Mary said. "Capo values you more than any of us. In his absence, he left fifty men to guard you. Our Capo is fifty men in one body. You should know... You’ve been all over him, touching his chiseled chest and uh-huh..." Mary smiled teasingly.

"Oh, shut up," Viviana playfully hit that nosy woman.

Viviana knew Leander considers her as his property and he would find it insulting to his pride of something happened to her. But he doesn’t usually station fifty men at the gates.

And she was told Lionel left in a hurry too. Something must be happening.

With her hands on her cheeks, she waited and stared at the windows as the light falling on the drapes turn orange to red as the sun set, to bright white as the focus lights around the house were turned on.

*Beep*

She heard a loud horn at the gates. It was not the sound of horn from Leander’s car, but by the speed the car entered the driveway, with no one stopping, she knew it has to be Leander.

She waited eagerly by the door for it open. Clasping her hands together, without knowing she was smiling to welcome him.

But... the one who stood there was...