More Valuable Than Money

(Author's Note; The story is written primarily in Josie's point of view, but from time to time, we will see things from Grayson's and Vladimir's point of view. This is because a lot more things are in play here, most of which Josie is unaware of at this stage, but it's important that you my dear reader are aware of them so you can understand the book.)

Grayson's POV

Stupid. Egoistical, nosy and oh so fucking stupid. I kicked at a daffodil and I watched it snap back into place, only serving to irritate me further.

I stepped into the lush garden and stepped on the flower, but still, it wouldn't stay down. I proceeded to stomp the living daylights out of that stupid, bright, flashy thing.

I wanted to shake that girl's stupidity loose. Stay out of this. That was all I fucking asked. For her to stay out of the issue until I resolved it in a few days.

Did she listen? Nooo. Not the mighty, smart, can do it all Josie. She didn't even give me a few hours before she started meddling!

I'd done my best to shake her off my trail, how was I supposed to know she'd end up calling out Vladimir Sedof? And in such a public fashion too!

Short of tying her up, I couldn't very well dictate her every move..... Wait. Tie her up! Why the hell didn't I think of that?

"Pretty sure that flower's dead by now." A soft voice announced dryly.

I whipped my head to the side and found Anna staring at me in bemusement. Beneath my feet was the remnants of what was once a yellow petal. I flushed as I walked out of the mini garden. "Sorry." I mumbled.

"Save it for my mum. Do you know how long she's been working on her garden?" Anna said reproachfully.

"I will apologize to your mum. Tomorrow." I added.

I was not in control of my emotions tonight. And Lord knew I wouldn't be able to control myself if I were to set my eyes on Josie this night.

"Why are you so angry?" She asked, her eyes shining with curiosity.

"Why I'm I angry? Why aren't you angry? Why isn't your mum angry?" I'm I the only comprehending the shit storm Josie just brought upon us?

Oh, yeah. Only Arthur, a handful other people and I were aware of the level of destruction Vladimir Sedof could wrought. But even then.... "You do understand that Vladimir Sedof is a powerful man right? A truly dangerous man and your sister effectively just embroiled him in a scandal on national TV?"

"I admit it was reckless, yes, but it worked didn't it?"

What the hell? Anna might be younger than Josie by four years, but she was the more level headed of the two. Not always, it would seem. "How exactly has it worked?"

"Vladimir has asked Josie to come, obviously, he wants something. If we can give it to him, then he'll release father."

These women?!

I held my breathe and slowly released it, mentally counting down from ten. When I was certain I wouldn't scream my head off, I glanced at Anna and asked carefully. "How certain are you that you can provide whatever Vladimir demands as his ransom? That's even going too far. Besides hearing one of the goons that kidnapped your father saying Vladimir's name, what certainty do you have that Vladimir kidnapped your father?" Her delicate features contorted into a frown and I pressed my advantage. "He's a businessman, not the most scrupulous there is, but a businessman all the same. Josie doesn't know it yet, but he has her backed into a corner. What if he isn't the kidnapper and decides to use your sister's guffaw to his advantage, what then?"

Anna opened her mouth and closed it several times, her features flashing through several expressions.

Finally, she settled on frowning at me before asking, "Are you saying that Vladimir Sedof didn't take my dad?" Oh, I knew Vladimir took Arthur. Just not for the reason they thought. What Vladimir wanted from Arthur Braille was more valuable than money and if he got his hands on it, we were all doomed.

It was clear as day that the idea that they could be wrong upset her, but I still felt a twinge when I saw a teardrop roll down her eye. I pulled her into a hug and tucked her into my side, where she belonged.

"I don't know Anna. We don't have any evidence pointing us in any direction, just a lot of conjecture. That's why I wished Josie spoke to me before doing what she did. This is not a time to make blind choices." I grumbled, feeling my blood boil once again.

I crushed Anna tighter to me, willing her calming presence to chase away my resurging anger.

"It's not like we have a choice now. Vladimir Sedof is involved now, whether we like it or not. Let Josie see him, whatever he tells her will clarify his involvement in this whole matter." She gazed at me with a fanatical light in her eye. "If he's not the kidnapper, he could be an ally!"

"He's no ally." I assured immediately.

"Then he's the one who took Dad. Don't you remember that you were the one who said not to involve the police because Vladimir is dangerous? Well now, we'll know what he wants from father and how to get it for him." She finished in a nauseatingly optimistic voice.

I loved Anna for always seeing the bright side of things, but in situations like this, where they needed to face reality, her strong insistence on justifying things to fit her happy world was a bit...... frustrating.

"I can assure you that whatever Vladimir wants is not something you can give."

Something in my voice must have gotten through to her as a new wariness emerged in her body.

"You're scaring me Gray."

"You should be scared." If they had any idea the danger lurking in their home, they would all be petrified.

How do I explain that it's not just that idiot's life that she just endangered by pulling that stupid stunt?

"What can we do now?" Anna asked in a small voice.

"We pray." And hope like hell that Josie doesn't inadvertently sign our souls away to the vampire king.