The Twisted Obsession
Chapter 82: The warning

Chapter 82: The warning

In that moment, a surge of panic washed over her, threatening to consume her composure. She fought to steady her breathing, to quell the rising tide of anxiety that threatened to overwhelm her.

Just as the silence stretched between them, Abby’s phone rang, the sound a welcome reprieve from the tension that hung in the air. With a quick glance at the caller ID, she seized upon the opportunity to escape the uncomfortable conversation.

"Sorry, Dad, I need to take this," Abby blurted out, her voice tinged with urgency as she reached for her phone.

Her father, sensing her discomfort, nodded in understanding, his expression softening with a hint of concern. "Of course, dear. Take your time."

As Abby hastily excused herself from the room, her heart pounded with a mixture of relief and guilt. She knew that she had lied to her father, and the weight of that deception weighed heavily on her conscience.

As Abby hastily answered the call, her heart raced with a mix of anticipation and trepidation. Frederick’s voice, familiar yet tinged with urgency, greeted her on the other end of the line.

"Abby, how are you? I’m sorry I haven’t called sooner," Frederick’s voice was filled with genuine concern.

Abby’s breath caught in her throat as she listened to Frederick’s words, the weight of their shared history hanging heavily in the air. "I’m managing, Frederick. It’s been a difficult time," she replied, her voice tinged with weariness.

Frederick’s tone shifted, a sense of urgency underscoring his words. "I understand, Abby. I wouldn’t have reached out if it wasn’t important. Your auntie has been growing suspicious, and there’s something else you need to know."

Abby’s pulse quickened at the mention of her auntie’s suspicions, her mind racing with the implications of Frederick’s words. She listened intently as he delivered the news, the gravity of the situation sinking in with each passing moment.

"The Harrison family is on the hunt for your father’s lawyer. He’s gone into hiding, and they’re desperate to find him," Frederick informed her, his voice edged with concern.

Abby’s heart clenched at the revelation, the weight of her father’s precarious situation pressing down on her like a heavy burden. She knew that she needed to act swiftly, to protect her family and secure their future.

"I understand, Frederick. I’ll do whatever it takes to find him before they do," Abby vowed, her determination firm.

As Abby hurriedly left the room, a strange tension settled between Remo and Mr. Falcone, thickening the air with unspoken questions and unspoken truths. Mr. Falcone’s gaze bore into Remo, his brows furrowed in deep contemplation as if trying to unravel a mystery.

Remo, sensing the weight of Mr. Falcone’s scrutiny, remained composed, though a ripple of unease flickered beneath his calm exterior. He met Mr. Falcone’s gaze squarely, his own demeanor poised and attentive.

After a moment of silence that seemed to stretch into eternity, Remo broke the tension with a gentle inquiry. "Is there something you’d like to say, Mr. Falcone?"

The older man’s expression softened, a glimmer of recognition sparking in his eyes. "The Quinns... don’t tell me your father is Richard Quinn? The mob boss in City X," he ventured, his voice tinged with a mixture of surprise and curiosity.

Remo stiffened at the mention of his father’s name, his own surprise mirrored in his features. Only a select few were aware of his family’s involvement in the underground business, a secret carefully guarded behind the façade of the Quinn empire. His brother Matteo had masterfully maintained their public image while operating in the shadows.

Stiffening slightly, Remo replied cautiously, "Yes, my father is Richard Quinn. How did you...?"

Mr. Falcone interrupted, his gaze intense, "I have my ways of knowing things, Remo. I’ve been in this game for a long time. Your brother may be the face of the company, but I know the real power lies in the shadows."

Remo, his guard up, asked, "Is there something you want to say, Mr. Falcone?"

Mr. Falcone’s gaze softened, a sense of gravity weighing down his words as he met Remo’s steady gaze. "Remo, I’ve seen my fair share of the darkness that lurks in the shadows. I’ve seen families torn apart, lives shattered by the very world they sought to control."

Remo listened intently, a knot of apprehension forming in the pit of his stomach as he braced himself for what was to come.

"I’ve known Richard Quinn for many years," Mr. Falcone continued, his voice tinged with a somber note. "He’s a powerful man, respected and feared in equal measure. But power comes with a price, Remo. And sometimes, that price is paid by those we hold most dear."

Remo’s heart clenched at the implication of Mr. Falcone’s words, the weight of his father’s legacy bearing down on him like a heavy burden.

"I don’t pretend to know the intricacies of your family’s dealings, Remo," Mr. Falcone admitted, his tone grave. "But I do know this – your father’s world is not one that I would wish upon my worst enemy. And I certainly wouldn’t wish it upon Abby."

Remo’s chest tightened at the mention of Abby’s name, a surge of protectiveness welling up within him. "I understand, Mr. Falcone. Abby means everything to me, and I would do anything to keep her safe."

Mr. Falcone nodded, a silent acknowledgment passing between them. "Good. Because if anything were to happen to her... well, let’s just say, my ghost would haunt you for eternity."

Remo swallowed hard, the weight of Mr. Falcone’s words settling over him like a heavy shroud. In that moment, he understood the gravity of his responsibility – to protect Abby at all costs, to shield her from the darkness that threatened to consume them both.

The older man’s expression softened, a mix of curiosity and something resembling recognition flickering in his eyes. "You’re not what I expected, Remo Quinn. The Quinns and the Falcones – our paths have crossed in ways you may not fully comprehend. Just be cautious, and remember, not everything is as it seems."

As Remo prepared to press Mr. Falcone for more information, the door swung open, and Abby re-entered the room, breaking the palpable tension that had hung in the air.

Remo shifted his focus from Mr. Falcone to Abby, a silent acknowledgement passing between them. Abby’s father, observing their interaction, leaned back, his gaze lingering with a hint of intrigue.

"Everything okay here?" Abby inquired, a note of concern in her voice as she took in the atmosphere.

Remo exchanged a quick glance with Mr. Falcone before offering a reassuring smile to Abby. "Just a little chat. Your father and I were getting to know each other better."

Abby’s father nodded, a subtle smile playing on his lips. "Indeed, we were. It’s always interesting to learn about the people in my daughter’s life."