"This is madness. She's not property—"
"She's collateral for your unpaid debt. Which makes her mine to dispose of as I see fit. Of course, if you'd prefer to settle accounts before the auction takes place."
"We don't have six million euros!"
"Then I suggest you find it. Sell something, borrow from someone who’s willing to loan you money. Because once those buyers arrive, once they see what they're bidding on, the price only goes up. Kozlov alone might offer fifteen million for the right woman." I pause for effect. "Think about what that says about your family's judgment. You had the chance to reclaim her for six million. You chose not to. Someone else will pay more than double that amount."
"You son of a bitch!"
"You have one week. After that, the buyers start arriving. And once they're involved, the situation becomes much more complicated."
I hang up before he can respond and immediately call Camilla’s father, Colombo.
"Hello?" His voice is hoarse with exhaustion.
"Colombo, this is Renato Vitiello. I'm calling to inform you about your daughter's situation."
"Where is my daughter? What have you done to her?"
"Nothing yet. Since neither your family nor the Rossis can meet her market value, I'm arranging private sale to interested collectors." I keep my voice matter-of-fact. "Men who specialize in rare acquisitions."
"Please, you have to give us more time! She’s innocent."
"Time for what? To continue avoiding your obligations?" I pour another scotch. "No, Colombo. Your daughter's value will be determined by people who actually have money to spend."
"How long before..."
"Before the auction? That depends on how quickly you find six million euros." I let him absorb the implications. "Premium buyers have very specific expectations. Meeting those expectations takes time. But I assure you, someone will pay. The question is whether it's you or them."
"What kind of men are we talking about?"
"The kind you don't want your daughter sold to. The kind that will make sure she never embarrasses your family again because she'll never be seen again." I drain half the scotch. "But that's not my concern. I'm a businessman collecting a debt. How I collect it is up to you."
The line goes quiet except for ragged breathing. "This will destroy our family's reputation."
"Reputation? Are you fucking kidding me? Your family's reputation was destroyed the moment you couldn't pay your debts. Now it's just a question of how much worse it gets."
I end the call, satisfaction settling in my chest. Both families will spend the next week in agony, wondering exactly when the auction will happen, exactly who's coming to bid. The uncertainty will drive them to desperate measures.
They'll find the money.
All I need to do is keep applying the pressure every way I can.
Matteo appears in the doorway. "Initial calls made, boss. All three contacts want more details about timing and viewing arrangements."
"Tell them I'll provide specifics once I'm certain the merchandise meets their standards. Could be next week, could be longer." I finish my scotch. "Make sure they understand this is a rare opportunity. Italian aristocrats don't come to market often."
"And the families?"
"Will be making frantic calls within the hour." I stand, checking my watch. "Which gives us time to establish new ground rules with our guest."
"You want me to handle the briefing?"
"No. This requires a personal touch." I head toward the door. "She needs to understand the stakes. Needs to believe this is real enough to put pressure on her families."
"And if she panics? If she breaks?"
"She won't break. She's stronger than that." I pause at the door. "But she needs to believe she's in real danger. That's the only way the families will believe it too. This is all for her own good. She might even thank me one day."
