Chapter 4: A Dangerous Game

"Get out," I shouted, but my voice trembled under the weight of Ben's frigid gaze. With an eerie silence, he closed the door behind him and got into the automobile.

He leaned back as if we were old friends and remarked, "Now, Rina, is that any way to greet family?"

With my pulse pounding, I gripped the edge of my seat and whispered, "You're not family."

Yes, but I might be. I could have all that beloved Martin has, even you, if he were to make one mistake. His comments were incisive enough to pierce, but his voice was dripping with laughter.

I took one look at the driver's seat. empty. I was left alone with a man who thrived on intimidation once Martin left.

"Ben, what do you want?" Trying to speak steadily, I asked.

He grinned more broadly. "Oh, a lot of stuff. I want you to know the truth for the time being, but power, control, etc. Martin is not who you believe him to be. I retorted, "I know exactly who he is."

Ben's black eyes shone as he laughed. "Do you? Has he discussed the agreement he reached with our grandfather with you? How could he guarantee that he would preserve the family's heritage in return for receiving everything? Or how he took advantage of you to get his job?"

"You're telling lies." "Am I?" His presence was oppressive as he drew in closer. Have you ever questioned why he picked you? A poor artist with no contacts and no leverage who is drowning in debt? Rina, it wasn't love. It was a calculated move.

His remarks touched a nerve, even if I didn't want to believe him. My composure was eroded as the doubts I had buried started to reappear.

"You're merely attempting to turn me against him," I murmured while holding onto the door handle.

Ben responded in a casual tone, "Maybe." However, you might want to question him directly. Find out why he wants to keep you close so badly. Find out what he is concealing.

Before I could reply, the car's rear door sprang open, revealing Martin with a deadly look on his face.

"Out," he said in a steely voice. Ben let out an exaggerated sigh and got out of the car, raising his hands in a faux surrender. "Castor, you're always so dramatic. I recently had a conversation with your beautiful wife.

Martin remained silent. His grey eyes were scanning mine for any hint of what had just transpired, and his whole attention was on me.

His tone softened as he said, "Are you hurt?" The tightness in my chest persisted even after I shook my head. Martin, what is he talking about? Is he being truthful?

He glanced back at Ben and replied, "We'll talk about it later."

Smiling, Ben retreated and whispered, "Oh, don't keep her in the dark too long." "Martin, secrets have a way of falling apart. And I'll be there to pick up the pieces when they do.

There was a hush that weighed more than words as he vanished into the darkness.

I was at my breaking point back at the penthouse.

As soon as the door shut behind us, I said, "Martin, tell me the truth." "What made you pick me? Was Ben to blame?

Martin's normal poise broke as he ran a hand through his hair. "Rina, it's not that easy."

"Then simplify it!" The weight of the night overcame me, causing my voice to break. "Did you wed me to keep your empire safe? to protect myself from him in some way?"

His silence was sufficient response.

Anger and betrayal tightened my chest as I turned away. "This is unbelievable. You misled me. You led me to believe that this was merely a matter of appearances, but wasn't it always about him?

"I didn't lie," he added quietly. "I kept you safe."

"Shielded me?" I turned to look at him. "From what? From Ben? or from reality?

Martin took a step forward, his eyes beseeching. "I made mistakes, Rina. However, I have always taken precautions to keep you secure.

"What is safe from?" With hardly more than a whisper, I asked.

His jaw tensed, and I briefly believed he would not respond. "Ben isn't just after me," he added. He is now pursuing you as well. And he will do whatever it takes to achieve his goals.

Tension and unresolved questions dominated the following few days. Martin was tense, yelling commands at his security staff and checking his phone all the time. I kept feeling like I was being watched in the meantime.

I was sketching in my studio one evening when I was startled out of my reverie by the sound of glass breaking.

"Martin!" When I called, no one answered.

With my heart racing, I reached for a palette knife and scuttled over to where the sound was coming from. Even though the living room was deserted, I knew I wasn't alone because of the broken window.

Before I could react, a hand clamped over my mouth as a shadow moved in the corner of my eye.

A voice screamed in my ear, "Don't scream."

My heart was pounding as I fought, but the intruder was too powerful.

I froze as the voice murmured, "Easy, Mrs. Bryan." Ben was the one.

As he let go of me, he added in a tone that was almost amusing, "You should lock your windows."

"What are you looking for?" I retreated and demanded. With a cold smile, he continued, "I told you." "The reality." I answered, holding the knife firmly, "You told me your version of the truth already."

With a step closer, he continued, "Ah, but there's so much more to the story." Did Martin ever tell you about our grandfather's fate, for example?

I scowled, terror and bewilderment mixing. "What are you discussing?" "To put it mildly, his death wasn't as natural as people believe."

Footsteps reverberated down the corridor before I could reply. "Ben!" As Martin walked into the room, his rage was evident in his roaring voice.

Ben grinned. "Just in time." Martin snarled and moved in between us, saying, "Get out."

"Or what?" Ben made fun of it. "You'll treat me the same way you treated him?" Martin's silence was louder than any denial, and the air fell silent. "What is he discussing?" My voice trembled as I asked.

Ben grinned broadly. "All right, Martin. Inform her. Tell her about the death of our beloved grandfather. Bring up the blood on your hands with her. "Enough!" Although Martin's voice was loud, he lacked his customary poise.

My thoughts were racing as I glanced between them. "What is he talking about, Martin?"

The sound of police sirens, which were getting louder by the second, filled the air before Martin could respond.

Ben backed towards the door with an unwavering grin. "Your secrets seem to be coming back to haunt you, cousin."

As the front door exploded open and armed officers poured into the penthouse, he vanished.

One of them declared, "Martin Bryan, you are being arrested."