“One of the warehouses was demolished, Mikhail suspecting Petrov’s men. We lost half the product. Get this. A portion of the merchandise was being sold to Don Pollizi, half being sent to your cousins in New York. Even while relations have been tense with Giovanni, Mikhail has kept his eye on the ball. What is that American expression your cousin loves to use? You’ve stirred the pot. It’s about to bubble over.”
The only way to catch the person who’d betrayed me. And I knew in my heart that while Don Pollizi had everything to do with the ambush and capture, there was more to the story. Much more.
“While I’m not usually a man to change his mind once a decision is made, this time is different. Given what we heard from Madame Dubois and from what you’ve learned, the pressure is building. Things are about to become much worse. We will do this the diplomatic way.”
“Meaning what?”
“Meaning I have a feeling the warehouse theft was just a warning. If the Petrovs were concerned about any significant damage to our regime, they would have captured every weapon in every warehouse.”
“So what are you thinking?”
“That the pressure is on to make the troubled alliance with the Pollizis work. They need to do something that will solidify an unbreakable alliance.”
He narrowed his eyes first. “You’re thinking a marriage between Mikhail and Rafaela was the reason for her being taken against her will. That would put an exclamation point on the troubled alliance that would filter into the United States with your cousin and at minimum increase his reputation.”
I shrugged. “Entirely possible, but a few pieces must fall into place. I wouldn’t blame Mikhail for thinking along those lines. Hell, I taught him that arranged marriages, while archaic, often worked to calm troubled waters.”
“But you don’t buy it.”
“I think it’s entirely possible the Italians believe they can still invade our territory. They could be working with the Petrovs. Or the Petrovs could be determined to find a way to break the alliance. We need to be very careful how this is played.”
“Then who sent you to prison?”
“Maybe someone who wanted to keep me on ice. If I had to guess, I’d say Don Pollizi was behind the situation. The question to the answer will be revealed. Have faith. Have you discoveredanything that would lead you to believe the lovely Ms. Marichetti is determined to gun me down?”
His snort was loud, obnoxious even though the club’s music was pumping through the walls and consistently opened doors. “Not really. Other than a brief look for social media. She has none. I’ve put out a few feelers, but I need to be careful.”
As with everything else about her, every action was a bit of a surprise. However, she was far more cunning than I’d originally believed. So much for innocence. Her manipulative abilities only made me crave her even more. “What else?”
“What I do know is she works a lot, two different part-time jobs, but mostly her world is centered around school. She has few friends and from I’ve been able to find, which isn’t much, she hasn’t dated anyone. Not a soul. As you’re already aware, her father even in retirement is still considered highly influential, although I must admit, I’ve found no real connections in Paris. But he is still indebted to Giovanni.”
“Yes, and would do anything the man asked. Keep checking into her past. Just in case. There could be a reason the Ghost was hired to kidnap her that we aren’t aware of.”
Kirill moved slightly in front of me. “In order to prepare a full dossier, I’ll need to utilize additional connections that were developed by your father and not often used by Mikhail. Even a single night could blow the surprise.”
“Mikhail is strong enough to handle the news and it could place the person responsible in a frenzy.” It struck me that even though I was still considered dead to some, to those who had a part in imprisoning me, they could be very worried that I’d escaped in the prison break. Terrified I’d hunt them down,which would make their actions unpredictable. Perhaps I should make a quicker appearance whether as a ghost or having been resurrected.
He cocked his head, studying me. “Betrayal. You think someone very close to you was responsible.”
“I do. When I return, every person working for me will face scrutiny.”
“Stash.”
In the few days since being born again, I’d also felt Kirill’s concern that someone inside my regime had provided enough information or promise to Don Pollizi to make the betrayal of our alliance palpable. “It’s possible. He has more of a reason to want me punished than anyone.” Yet not nearly as much to gain, which would add credence to the imprisonment being very personal. To make me suffer the way he had growing up. “Do what you can the old-fashioned way. Make phone calls to the school and contact her teachers if necessary.”
“When do you need the information?”
When I glanced in his direction, grinning, he groaned. “Before we land in Moscow.”
“What about the phone in the Ghost’s possession? When are you going to make the call?”
“We wait until I have a handle on the regime before making a call. I want Rafaela protected.”
“I’ll do what I can, sir.” He took the phone from my hand, pocketing it. “You know, on second thought, maybe I should have left you rotting inside that prison. Your obsession for this woman is… unusual.”
Yes, it was, and while my feelings weren’t anything I would apologize for, I also had no intention of losing track of what I was doing. His attempt at making a joke only brought ire. “From the odd silence and lack of activity, it’s as if she’s no use any longer or someone is well aware I escaped the prison.” Yes, I was leaning in an entirely different direction, the wheels of my mind turning at a much faster pace. As my father said, I had to be the master of my own destiny. I was tired of being dead.
“That’s difficult to believe but let me see what I can find.”
