Chapter 214

In Chapter 213 of “Before Rain Touches Earth Memories Return With Gentle Warmth,” Mikhail experiences a surge of relief once Gemma’s paperwork is finalized, prompting him to leave the office and head to the shooting range. The sterile environment of his workplace feels stifling, and he craves the exhilarating atmosphere of the range where he feels most alive. He calls his friend Liam, eager to reconnect and enjoy the thrill of shooting, which serves as a temporary escape from his responsibilities.
Upon arriving at the range, Mikhail finds Liam waiting for him, and their playful banter reveals Mikhail’s reluctance to conform to his father’s plans for a more stable career. Instead, he embraces the idea of staying sharp for a potential return to the mafia. Their conversation takes a humorous turn as Mikhail shares that his father has hired a “babysitter” to keep tabs on him, which Liam finds amusing. Mikhail’s confidence in his ability to evade control is palpable, but the lighthearted mood shifts when Gemma unexpectedly arrives, demanding his return to the office.
Gemma’s authoritative presence catches Mikhail off guard, and their exchange quickly escalates as she reveals her ability to freeze his bank accounts if he refuses to comply with her orders. Mikhail’s frustration boils over, but he realizes he is trapped by her threats. Despite his anger, Gemma remains composed, focused solely on her job rather than engaging in a power struggle. This encounter highlights the tension between them, setting the stage for a deeper conflict.
Meanwhile, Cassian, Mikhail’s brother, receives a call from Liam about Gemma’s unexpected appearance at the shooting range. The news that she confronted Mikhail and introduced herself as his housekeeper sends shockwaves through Cassian, igniting a mix of concern and anger. As he processes this information, his protective instincts kick in, and he becomes determined to find Gemma and confront the situation. The chapter concludes with Cassian’s resolve to track down Gemma, hinting at escalating tensions and unresolved emotions in the story.
**Before Rain Touches Earth Memories Return With Gentle Warmth by Eli Dane Crest**
**Chapter 213**
**Mikhail’s POV**
As soon as Gemma’s paperwork is finalized and dispatched to HR, I feel an overwhelming urge to escape the confines of the office. My sole purpose for being here has been fulfilled, and I have zero desire to stick around and occupy a desk. The sterile atmosphere of the office feels suffocating; I need to breathe.
I grab my jacket, feeling the familiar weight settle on my shoulders, and make a beeline for the shooting range, dialing Liam’s number as I stride purposefully down the hall.
“Hey, Liam! Can you meet me at the range in fifteen?” I ask, my voice steady and confident.
“Absolutely,” he replies, his tone casual yet intrigued.
With each step, I toss my pistol into the air, catching it effortlessly with one hand. The sensation is exhilarating, almost like a homecoming. The range is where I feel most alive, where the chaos of the outside world fades away.
When I arrive, I spot Liam already lounging against the partition, his sunglasses perched jauntily atop his head. He flashes a grin that radiates warmth, a stark contrast to the office’s cold formality.
“You just got back from Nassau, and you’re already here? Don’t tell me you’re planning to shoot more bullets than you’ve already fired in your lifetime! I thought you were going to embrace a more stable career path now,” he teases, his eyes glinting with mischief.
I chuckle, slipping into my protective gear with a smirk. “I think someone’s been misinformed about my intentions.”
I take my position, line up my shot, and fire. The bullet pierces the bullseye with a satisfying thunk.
“I’ll be back in the mafia’s fold sooner or later. It’s wise to stay sharp until then,” I declare, the thrill of the shot igniting my spirit.
Liam shakes his head, a bemused expression on his face. “I heard your dad is pulling out all the stops to keep you under control?”
I scoff, reloading my pistol with practiced ease. “Did you catch wind of his latest scheme? He’s actually hired a babysitter to keep tabs on me.”
Liam bursts into laughter, the sound echoing off the walls of the range. “A housekeeper for his rebellious son? You’ve got to be kidding me! So, where have you hidden her? Come on, spill the beans!”
I roll my eyes, the corners of my mouth lifting in a smirk. “As if anyone could truly keep me in check. He thinks she’s going to monitor my every move and report back to him. Honestly, I think he’s fallen for some sort of scam. His so-called trusted housekeeper is probably still wandering around HR, utterly lost.”
Each shot I take lands perfectly, and Liam can’t contain his amusement. “You’re serious? He actually sent a woman to spy on you? What’s she like?”
I take a moment to consider my response, raising the gun again, aiming with precision. “She’s got a pretty face and a sharp tongue. Honestly, that’s about it. I don’t see her as a threat.”
Just then, I hear a commanding voice cut through the air. “Mr. Voloshin!”
My finger twitches, and the bullet veers off course, hitting the edge of the target instead of the center. What the hell? Is she really here?
I turn to see Gemma striding toward me, her footsteps firm and authoritative against the concrete floor, reminiscent of a drill sergeant on a mission.
“Do you have any idea what time it is?” she demands, her tone leaving no room for argument.
I raise an eyebrow, intrigued. “I don’t know, is that why you’ve come here?”
“No, I’m here to inform you that it’s not your lunch break yet. You need to return to the company immediately.”
So, she really tracked me down? I can’t help but let out a low chuckle as I fully turn to face her. “Well, well, the nanny has successfully located me. Perhaps my dad isn’t as poor at reading people as I once thought. But tell me, Miss Housekeeper!”
I arch my eyebrows, knowing that the title will irk her.
“What are you actually going to do if I refuse?” I lean against the counter, challenging her, anticipating a flurry of angry words or a dramatic exit.
Instead, she pulls out her phone, holding it up with a sense of triumph. A few lines of code illuminate the screen, and my amusement dissipates as she begins to speak.
“I’ve hacked into your system, and this right here is the control panel. With a single tap, every bank card you own will be frozen. Instantly.”
I narrow my eyes, skepticism creeping in. “You’re bluffing.”
“Try me!” she replies with a casual shrug. “Mr. Smith himself approved this. Even if you run to the board in tears, it won’t matter. Step out of line again, and your accounts will vanish.”
The coldness in her voice sends a chill down my spine. For a few tense moments, the only sound in our booth is the distant echo of gunfire from other stalls.
Liam mutters under his breath, “Damn.”
“You hacked into my accounts? That’s impossible!” I demand incredulously, but she tilts her head, a proud smirk on her face.
“Correct! Care to test me?”
The insult stings more than I’d like to admit.
I slam the gun down on the table, frustration boiling over. “You think you can prove something this way?”
Without hesitation, she tucks her phone back into her pocket. “No, I just want to do my job. I have no interest in proving anything else.”
Rage simmers within me, but I know there’s no escaping this predicament. If she can cut off my financial access, I’m trapped. Forget about rejoining the mafia; I can’t even step foot in here to vent my frustrations.
I rip off my protective glasses and shove them into my bag with enough force to rattle the frame. “This isn’t over,” I growl, my voice low and dangerous.
Her expression remains composed, as if she’s dealing with a petulant child. “We’ll see about that.”
**Cassian’s POV**
I’m buried in shipment ledgers, the numbers blurring together, when my phone buzzes with Liam’s name flashing across the screen. He rarely calls unless there’s something urgent at hand.
I swipe to answer, curiosity piquing. “What’s up?”
“Cassian…” He sounds rattled, disbelief coloring his tone. “You’re not going to like this.”
I lean back in my chair, a sense of foreboding settling in. “Spit it out.”
“I just saw your wife.”
My heart skips a beat, a strange stillness enveloping my chest. “Gemma? Where?”
“Yeah. I was at the shooting range, and she just showed up.”
His words tumble out quickly, as if he’s still processing the situation himself.
“She walked straight up to Mikhail, called him out for skipping work, and ordered him back to the company—”
“Ordered him back?” I interject, incredulity creeping into my voice.
“Yes! She introduced herself as his housekeeper.”
Liam almost chokes on the term, disbelief lacing his words. “Cass, I swear, I thought I must have confused her with someone else. But she was standing less than six feet away from me. I can’t be mistaken.”
For a moment, the only sound I hear is the relentless ticking of the clock on my desk.
“And you’re sure it was her? Did he mention her name?”
“Come on! I’ve known her since your wedding. I’m not blind, Cassian. That was Gemma.”
“Where are they now?” My voice is low, sharp enough to slice through the tension.
“They left the range already. She forced him to leave, and they’re heading back to the company, I think.”
I exhale loudly, trying to calm the storm brewing in my mind. “Give me the address, now.”
Without hesitation, he replies, “Sending it now.”
As the line goes dead, I set my phone down carefully, though my hand itches to crush it in frustration. Gemma… the thought of her twists in my gut like a serrated blade.
In the aftermath of the confrontation at the shooting range, Mikhail stands at a crossroads, grappling with the unexpected presence of Gemma in his life, and the stark reality of his circumstances. The thrill of the range, once a sanctuary, now feels tainted by the weight of her authority and the implications of her actions. Her audacity to track him down and confront him about his rebellious tendencies exposes a vulnerability he didn’t know he had. As he reflects on the power dynamics at play, he realizes that Gemma is not merely a housekeeper; she embodies a force that challenges his defiance and forces him to confront the life he has been trying to escape. The thrill of the gunfire fades into the background, replaced by a newfound awareness of the emotional stakes at hand.
For Cassian, the revelation of Gemma’s involvement in Mikhail’s life ignites a firestorm of emotions. The thought of his wife, once distant and shrouded in mystery, now stands as a formidable presence in the chaotic world he navigates. The urgency of the situation propels him into action, a blend of protective instinct and simmering anger driving him forward. As he races toward the company, the pieces of their intertwined fates begin to align, revealing the complexities of love, loyalty, and the lengths one will go to reclaim what is rightfully theirs. In this moment, the emotional arc crystallizes; both Mikhail and Cassian are confronted with their own vulnerabilities, and the choices they make in the face of these challenges will ultimately define their paths forward, intertwining their destinies in ways they never anticipated.
**What to Expect in the Next Chapter?**
As the tension between Mikhail and Gemma escalates, readers can anticipate a riveting showdown that delves deeper into the complexities of their relationship. Mikhail’s defiance against his father’s plans has already set the stage for a clash of wills, but Gemma’s unexpected authority adds an intriguing layer of conflict. Will Mikhail’s rebellious spirit be quelled by her surprising assertiveness, or will he find a way to outmaneuver her control? The stakes are high, and the shooting range encounter is just the beginning of a tumultuous power struggle that promises to keep readers on the edge of their seats.
Meanwhile, Cassian’s reaction to Gemma’s appearance at the range hints at deeper undercurrents that could shift the narrative’s trajectory. With his heart racing and a storm brewing in his mind, how will he confront the revelation that his wife is entwined in Mikhail’s chaotic world? As secrets unfold and loyalties are tested, the next chapter will explore the intricate dynamics between these characters, revealing unexpected alliances and hidden motives. Expect a whirlwind of emotions as past memories resurface, propelling the story into uncharted territory where trust is fragile, and every decision could lead to unforeseen consequences.
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