Bjorg sat in the armchair again and sipped his scotch. When they heard the chief's car tires going down the oak alley, he spoke.
"The good chief is a handy tool. The click in the trap, I could say."
"We did not plan a robbery, and you gave me the pieces," Yvonne affirmed with fire in her voice.
Bjorg laughed. "Of course you didn't. No greedy thief would say no to a billionaire and jump into bed with the driver. When I gave you the pieces I did not believe, not even for a moment, you would steal them and flee towards the sunset. I know you two are innocent."
Vladyk made a move to jump on the other man, but Yvonne's trembling voice stopped him. "No, love, please. Keep calm."
His tall and large frame shook with contained rage, but he heard her and sat back.
"You are smart, Vladyk, and that I didn't see. Yet you two let me down and jumped into each other's beds. After all, I pay you a small fortune. I deserve to enjoy what I bought."
"What the hell are you talking about?" Vladyk asked with a growl.
"Nobody tastes the goods I own before me," Bjorg declared, his amusement turned into icy words.
Vladyk stiffened and barked. "You don't own Yvonne."
"You are wrong, Vladyk. Because now, that your clever defense scheme backfired, I own you both. I have proof against you, plus a very important witness. The good chief would say you two accepted the punishment for your wrongdoings."
"We did nothing wrong. You trapped us."
"Details. I wanted both of you in my bed but you despised me."
Vladyk roared in bitter laughter. "I am not gay."
"And I am not prejudiced. I accept the pleasure of any kind."
Vladyk lifted his eyebrows, surprised.
Bjorg chuckled. "We Norwegians are an open-minded people. It surprises me to see you are homophobic, Vladyk."
The man blinked and said in his usual tone of voice. "I could never guess your feelings are this strong, Mr. Knaast, but it's not prejudice but preference. I don't swing that way."
"Potato, Potahto. But you two blew that bridge. You are in love and I don't mix with love."
Yvonne interrupted the two men. "Why did you do this, Mister Knaast? I don't understand you. You could have told us what you feel."
He gave her his exclusive attention, leaning with his elbows on his knees. "I am more comfortable when I have leverage over my employees. And I hated when I saw you two gang up against me. You ordered the copies out of fear. You thought I would accuse you of robbery with no other basis but gossip. Now, I proved you right and became the monster you imagined. You should not have distrusted me in such an offensive manner."
Vladyk and Yvonne exchanged glances. Bjorg turned the tables, and they became the aggressors. She shook her head. Pressing her elegant fingers on her temples, she muttered. "You have a convoluted way of thinking, Mister Knaast."
"Think as you wish, Yvonne. You are in my hands. You made yourselves my prisoners with no rights. And I chose your punishment so that it validates your fears. You will never get married. I forbid."
"What," Vladyk yelled, jumping to his feet as Bjorg turned his ice-blue eyes to the other man.
"Don't you try to run away, either? I am a powerful man. I will have you two wrapped up and sent to England. Then I will make all the pressure I can to convict you of things you would never do. Destroying your lives will not take one minute of my sleep."
"You can't do that," Yvonne whispered.
"Watch me."
She could not hold any longer. She sobbed, and Vladyk forgot his anger, taking her in his arms.
The driver looked at his countryman with horror. Bjorg looked so like himself. They could be twin brothers.
"What do you get out of this?"
"You will tire of each other. When it happens, you will fall on my lap. Trust I will receive you with open arms," the Knaast priest said with a chilling stare.
Silence permeated the air as Yvonne cried. "We are in love. You can't do that," she repeated.
"Watch me," the Knaast priest repeated. "And forget that trip to visit the family. You go where I want and when I tell you to do it."
"You don't want me to see my mother," Vladyk had to make it clear, and Bjorg nodded.
"Forget everybody but me and mine. I don't share."
"Share? What do you mean with that?"
"I don't share your time, your attention, your touch, your smiles, or your tears. You belong to me, Vladyk, and Yvonne. Your cage is beautiful, you will become rich, but never forget you belong to me."
"I don't understand you. Why do you want us around?" Vladyk replied. "We hate you."
Bjorg smiled. "Yes, and your hate is mine too. I hope it grows stronger day by day. You can bang all you want, but a wedding will never happen. Now, leave. I hate women with red eyes and running nose."
Vladyk helped Yvonne stand up. She felt weak with sorrow. The moral tribulation was a too heavy burden. They lost their lives to the evilness of the man and as that made her knees fail, she passed out.
The Allegiant had their weapons in their hands throughout the entire conversation. Keeping the Renegades away and stopping them from interfering with Vladyk's mind. The malignant creatures tried to blind the Norwegian giant with rage. Their goal was to make the couple's situation worse by punching Bjorg in the face.
The Allegiant blue and white flames bathed the room, contrasting with the red and orange hues from the Renegades'.
It was under the mythical glow that Vladyk picked up the tiny woman and left the office. He pressed Yvonne to his heart, carrying his most precious love.
Bjorg stayed in the armchair with a victorious smile on his lips as the two lovers left.
"I have them now. Such gorgeous slaves can gather a lot of loot. That silly love has an expiration date. I can wait."