Emilio answers on the first ring. "Boss?"
"Full security coverage on Madison. Starting now."
"Level?"
"Total. Every movement, every conversation, every person who looks at her twice. Round-the-clock, but keep it invisible."
"Timeline?"
"Immediately. Also, background checks on anyone new in the village. Tourists, salesmen, doesn't matter. They ask about her, I want to know their blood type."
"Got it."
"One more thing. She's top priority now. Any threat to her is a threat to me. Handle accordingly."
"Understood."
I end the call and make three more. By sunrise, Madison's cottage will have military-grade surveillance disguised ashome improvements. The village will see an influx of my people conducting "tourism assessments." Her illusion of independence will remain intact while she lives inside a world of my construction.
The morning passes with routine business. Shipping routes that need adjustment. Territory disputes that require clarification. A police chief who needs reminding about our arrangement. Standard operations that feel less critical than they did twenty-four hours ago.
Now there’s a dangerous shift in priorities that I'll need to monitor.
Franco calls at eight. "Heading to the american’s house now. Full electrical as discussed."
"Include the additional hardware. Make it look standard."
"Already in the truck."
In the afternoon, I drive to the village to inspect progress and see how Madison's processing her new reality.
I find her hanging laundry in the garden, looking exactly like the innocent American she was before I put my hands on her. Except for the slight mark on her neck that my teeth left. That's pure ownership.
She smiles when she sees me. Open. Trusting. Naive.
"Hi."
"How are you feeling?" I ask, though her careful movements tell me she's sore in all the right places.
"Good. Really good." The blush confirms she's thinking about why she's sore. "Franco's been working all morning. He says I’ll have real electricity by tonight."
"Excellent."
"Speaking of last night." She moves closer. "Did you handle the problem? The men from yesterday?"
Interesting questions. Most women in my world prefer ignorance about my methods. But Madison's looking at me with curiosity, not fear.
"It's handled. I took care of it."
She processes this information. "Thank you. It was scary how they threatened me."
"It won’t happen again."
She studies my face closely. "You're not just a businessman, are you?"
"It depends. What do you think I am?"
"Someone people fear. Someone whose business disputes end with people disappearing."
