“Dimitri, Mikhail. Meet me in the inner chamber along with my personal lieutenants.”
They came marching behind, and I heard the door shut.
“Good observation, Dimitri. We could all be making plans with the wrong ears inclined to us. So here's what I have to say. I need all of you to investigate this matter, and don't go lightly on whoever you find suspicious. If you suspect that someone is an insider to an alien source, report them, and I'll let them be judged the right way. If the person tries to escape, I give you the right to kill the snitch. I hope I've made myself clear?”
“Yes, Boss.” They chorused.
“Good. You can dismiss the rest. The meeting has ended.”
************
The sun was only setting when I saw the tiny crescent stand between the clouds and the stars. I held my half-filled glass of bourbon and sipped it. The clouds were cadmium orange, and the atmosphere made me think about the many ways I could keep my Emilia safe from the mess caused by her father. I didn't want to break her fragile heart with more bad news. What on earth did Romano do with all that money?
I know his political campaigns only cost him a few tens of millions. But borrowing from other politicians as well was insane. How was he going to repay us all that he owed when I took his daughter and married her, and the others are willing to benefit from me through her? No, there's no way I can let that happen.
I was still deep in thought when I felt something graze the back of my palm.
“How long have you been here?” I asked. Emilia didn't answer. She just sighed and looked into my eyes.
She’d never done that before. The way she held my hand gave me a wholesome feeling, and I knew that I wouldn't forget such a gesture. I guess she's finally opening up to me.
I drank my bourbon to the dregs and took my eyes off her for a second.
“You know, I thought taking you was punishment. But now I know that it's my ruin.”
Her smile had a hidden meaning I wished I could decode.
“Well, the deed has been done.” She said, right before I looked back at the horizon. I raised my tumbler to my lips, and I noticed I was out of drink, so I kept it beside the rail.
I leaned in close, and I saw Emilia's willingness. I felt our faces only inches apart. Her breath mixed with mine, although the reluctance in her eyes was obvious. If only she knew thelength I was willing to protect her, she would believe that I'm not the enemy. I never have been. And that was when a woman's voice came between us.
“A package has arrived for you, Miss Emilia. It's urgent.” One of the maids said.
“Are you expecting any package?”
“No.” She replied. The flesh between her brows creased in confusion.
My heart sped up at the thought of the package being something of harm to her rather than a thing of joy. So, I walked down the rooftop, and she followed gently behind me. I didn't listen to the sound of her sighs while we walked downstairs.
I received the package and signed for it. Emilia's eyes were hopeful, almost anxious to see whatever thing was buried in the box. To me, it could be anything. A bomb, or parts of her father's body. I already knew that the political rivals had abducted her dad. She wasn't ready to see what lay in there yet. Not unless I approved it first.
“Can I see?” She asked.
“No. As far as I'm concerned, it could be anything, and I don't want you to get hurt.”
“I won't get hurt.”
“Then go to the room, my love. I'll be with you shortly.”
The unwillingness in her eyes was expected. Regardless, she walked up the stairs and headed to our room. The box was wrapped in brown leather, and it felt light. I shook it again, and nothing sounded. Almost as though it was empty.
It took me seconds to unwrap it. And after I did, I saw a tie covered in blood stains.
I looked around and sighed. A paper was beside the tie, and I picked it up. The back was covered with blood, but the writing was in black ink.
“Collateral loses its value quickly.”
I turned back after I heard the sound of someone walking. It was one of the maids, so I glanced at the note again. Whatever the motive was, I believed that it had something to do with the political rivals. Nonetheless, I felt insulted. The audacity they had to call my wife collateral was something I wouldn't take lightly. Emilia had nothing to do with this, and she never would because I wasn't willing to let her suffer for a crime she never committed.
