Chapter 63 Percy
Percy’s POV
I press the green icon and lift the phone to my ear, keeping my other arm wrapped tightly around Adeline’s waist.
"Richard," I say, my voice guarded. We haven't spoken for a while now, and I genuinely couldn't predict how this call would go or what he was going to say.
"Percy," Richard says, and his next statement catches me off guard. "I know about the toy car. I know about Mason Bernard and what's really behind his arrest."
I look at Adeline, who is watching my face with wide, fearful eyes. "What?"
"I know everything."
"How do you know about the package?" I demand. "That happened hours ago. It hasn't left the NYPD evidence room."
"There is very little that happens in this city that I am not aware of, Percy. You know that," Richard replies evenly. "I also know you just kicked Lucia out of your penthouse. Good. I warned you about her all those years ago, but some lessons you have to learn the hard way. Now, it is time to deal with the real problem. Bring the girl to my office. We are ending this today." Suddenly, Adeline is the girl. I could barely believe my ears.
"I am not moving Adeline," I snap. "The penthouse is secure. Moving her right now would be suicide."
"Kozlov has eyes on your men," Richard corrects smoothly. "Which is why I am not using your men. There is a heavily armored transport waiting at the rear entrance. You will not be followed. Do not test me, Percy. Bring her." He hangs up and I'm left staring at the blank screen.
"What did he say?" Adeline asks, her voice trembling slightly. "Is it bad?"
"It’s Richard," I sigh, rubbing the back of my neck. "He knows everything. He sent a car to bring us to his office."
Adeline swallows hard. I can feel her pain as she asks. "Should we go?"
I look at her and see her exhaustion. exhausted. She is clearly running on fumes. I own Royal and Associates. I have hundreds of employees, billions in billable hours, and a small army of security, but looking at her right now, I feel entirely inadequate.
"Yes," I say quietly. "If Richard is stepping in, we need to hear what he has to say."
Richard Akilov’s private holding company operates out of a skyscraper in the Financial District. His office occupies the entire top floor to ensure his utmost privacy.
When Tiny escorts us through the double doors, Richard is standing by the windows, looking out at the view of the harbor. He turns as we enter.
"Percy," he says, giving me a curt nod. Then his eyes shift to Adeline. In this moment, he's not the man that was happy to hear about our engagement. Surprisingly, there's also no anger or judgment in his eyes, just a terrifyingly thorough assessment. "Adeline, please have your seat."
We take the two leather chairs opposite his massive desk while he remains standing.
"I will go straight to the point. I called you both here to talk about Ilya Kozlov." Adeline and I exchange glances. "He's a very dangerous man, and you both are handling him with kid gloves. The law will not take care of men like him." I hear what he's implying, and I quickly shoot it down.
"Mason Bernard is talking," I argue.
"You are throwing a fishing net at a great white shark," Richard counters flatly. "The NYPD is bound by legalities. By the time they locate the warehouse Kozlov is sleeping in, he will be in a different location, and while you wait for the law, he is going to find a way to put a bullet in you or in her."
"You have a point to make?"
He taps the dossier on his desk. "I have spent the last three days mobilizing my own assets. They are tracking Kozlov’s money as we speak as well as his supply lines and his muscle."
I stare at him. "You are launching a private shadow war in the middle of Manhattan?"
"I am protecting my family," Richard says, his voice unwavering. "Kozlov is a rabid dog. He cannot be reasoned with or negotiated with. He must be put down, and I will ensure it is done quietly and permanently."
Adeline shifts in her seat. "Mr. Akilov... why are you doing this? It's clear you've changed your stance on our union."
Richard looks at her. "I do not approve of the chaos you bring to my son’s life, but you are the woman he has chosen to marry. That makes you my problem, and I solve my problems."
"Thank you, Richard," I say, feeling a genuine wave of relief. With Richard’s resources operating outside the law, Kozlov’s days are numbered. "We appreciate the help."
"No," Richard says.
I frown. "What do you mean, no?"
"My men will hunt Kozlov, but they cannot do it while trying to babysit the target," Richard says, his gaze locking onto Adeline. "As long as she is in New York, Kozlov has leverage. He will keep throwing bodies at your penthouse until one gets through."
Richard sits down in his heavy leather. "That is the condition of my involvement. Adeline leaves the country. Tonight."
"What?"
"I have an estate in the Swiss Alps," Richard continues smoothly. "It is completely isolated from the outside world. She will go there and cease to exist."
"Absolutely not," I say, standing up. "She doesn't leave my side. She has a job at Royal and Associates. We are not locking her in a tower."
"You are the owner of Royal and Associates, Percy," Richard fires back, his voice rising in authority. "You have an empire to run. You cannot run it while playing bodyguard to a girl with a target on her back. You will stay here, go to work, and maintain the illusion of normalcy. When Kozlov realizes she is gone and he can't find her, he will get frustrated. He will make a mistake. My men will be there to catch him."
I look at Adeline. She is staring at Richard with a blank look.
"No," Adeline says all of a sudden. "I am not hiding in a bunker in Switzerland while Percy is walking the streets of New York alone. If Kozlov can't find me, he will go after Percy to draw me out."
"I can protect myself," Richard dismisses her with.
"She remains with me, Richard," I snap. "I am not sending my fiancée into exile. I will hire more men and buy the building next door if I have to, but we stay together."
Richard sighs and looks at me with such disappointment that it stings deeper than any insult.
"You are a lawyer, Percy. Not a soldier," Richard says quietly. "Your stubborn pride is blinding you. Look at her and do it well. She is exhausted. You think keeping her close is an act of love? It is a selfish act. You are keeping her in a war zone because you can't bear to sleep in an empty bed."
The words hit me like a physical blow only because I knew he was right to some extent.