“Yes.”
“That should have arrived, shouldn’t it?”
“Yes, but it was shifted to a later date because three more containers were added at the last minute, as the information from the MCSS explains.”
I nodded, looking back at the date written there. “August of next year. That is eleven months from now.”
“Yes, as stated,” Casmiro responded.
My frown deepened, and I turned my head toward Casmiro again. “Didn’t you tell me you already signed off on it? Why do they require my signature?”
“It is a huge shipment. Due to the added containers, they would need your signature as the overall overseer.”
“I see,” I said, uncomfortable as I read through the last lines of the document to the space that required my signature.
I looked up at the spokesperson, Armato. Eyes wide in anticipation, like his life was riding on the signature I was supposed to give.
Something was wrong.
I looked at Casmiro. “Did you confirm what contents are in these containers?”
“I tried, but they told me they were not allowed to say.”
“And who made that law?”
Casmiro cleared his throat, now looking uncomfortable and confused as he said, “You did.”
I turned my head toward Angelo for confirmation, and he nodded.
“I see,” I said, my gaze lifting to Armato. “The person who sent you to me, what position do they hold?”
Armato straightened up. “Federico Gennaro, the chairman of the MCSS, and his right hand, a Russian associate, Leonid Novikov, and their whole council.”
The Russian name was unfamiliar, but I recognized Gennaro.
“And this council consists of how many countries holding a seat?”
“Ten, sir.”
“It used to be five,” I said.
“Yes, sir.” Armato cleared his throat. “An invitation for theelection and induction ceremony had been sent to you to welcome the new club members two years ago.”
It was my fault for not being well-versed in the business of the MCSS. I never wanted to participate in the Society. They were just another part of my father’s business I had pushed to the side when I took the seat—another one I would have brought to the ground eventually.
“So, from what I remember, there’s Italy, Russia, France, Spain, the United Kingdom, and…?”
Armato looked about ready to melt on his seat. “The United States, South Africa, India, South Korea, and Thailand.”
My frown deepened, alarm bells ringing in my head. “They breached Europe?”
“Yes, sir, it was a huge event, a lot of—”
I snapped my head toward Casmiro. “Why did this information not reach me?”
Casmiro’s jaw clenched. “You had placed strict orders about delivering information for the MCSS, though I did present the issue despite that, but you did not acknowledge it at that time, Marino.”
“If I may,” Angelo spoke up, “the MCSS is a sovereign society; though you oversee their affairs, they are allowed to make decisions of this magnitude without consulting you, as per the rules you set in place years ago.”
