Escaping The Mafia King

"Speak." Varys sat behind his desk as he watched the man fidget in front of him.

Whatever the news was, it wasn't good. His fingers curled into fists. Would he have to kill Hope?

"It's about her past, her ex." The man ended with a gulp.

Varys closed his eyes as the thought of that monster getting to be with his Hope for even a moment. "Go on," he said with a growl.

"I discovered some hidden hospital records. Well, not even hospital. Her doctor. I managed to loosen his lips." He chuckled.

"I don't care what you had to do to get the information. All I care about is the results. Now, stop stringing me along, and talk."

"She's had some serious altercations with that piece of shit when he's drunk. Broken nose, concussions, fractured orbital bone."

"He hit her?" Varys growled the question out. That pig of a man was going to pay.

That was HIS Hope. His, no one else was allowed to touch her, let alone hurt her. Then again, if that was the case, it was unlikely she betrayed him intentionally.

"Sir?" the squeak of his man grabbed Varys' attention again.

"What?" he snapped.

"You're about to break that bottle, I would hate to have to clean up that."

of his knuckles stood out against the wine bottle. The bottle he'd bought for her in hopes of apologizing and patching things up. "Thanks," he grunted as he

tight to his chest and strode out of the room. There was only one place

I wasn't finished," his man called

later. I've got a woman to meet," he

with three thuds before he unlocked it and jerked it open. Hope looked up from the bed, in much the same position he'd left her before. "What do you want?" she demanded as she dared

you doing with that abusive

then sighed. "It's a long story I don't want to get into, Varys.

but his entire

shot back. "Do you think I wanted that?" she sneered. The rage radiated off of her in waves that threatened to consume him. "You think I liked what happened?

just let him use you like a punching bag." The words were tar in his mouth. He hated

and shook her head as she stared at him. "You're an idiot and an asshole,

a gossiping maid that way. "You're the god-damn stupid

take advantage of it. But if you had trusted me, if you had let me know you were okay, I'd never have

fight drained out of him. "I'm sorry, Hope. I didn't know until that night, and once I found out all I could think

she too sighed and the tenseness

name sent a jolt through him. How could he ever think about having to kill her? Even if it killed him, he'd keep her safe. "We're both idiots?" he

couldn't help but smile back. "Do I

tried to run

safe. I just

"I can't let any other man around