Chapter 65

Francesco

In the dimly lit bar, I sat on the plush armchair. Smoke curled around my fingers as I crushed the cigarette against the ashtray.

What more can this grieving man do than that?

I have searched everywhere for Brinda. Seconds have turned minutes, minutes have turned hours, hours have turned days, and days have turned weeks — Approximately three weeks.

Still, there has been no trace of Brinda.

From her house to the clubs. From the clubs to the hospital she once worked at.

No trace.

No whispers.

Just emptiness.

Behind me, Bullet sat on the floor, drowning in silent sobs. She thinks I don’t hear her, but I do. I just don’t care.

Mark is dead.

That was not part of my plan, but he wanted to kill me. What was I supposed to do?

Let him?

Watch as he pulled the trigger?

No. That can't be fucking done.

Well, what has been done has been done. Case closed.

I took another swig from the bottle, letting the alcohol burn down my throat. Then, slurring slightly, I ordered, “Come here, Bullet.”

She hesitated before pushing herself up. “Yes, Don.”

She stood before me, eyes downcast, fingers twisting together like she could wring the guilt out of her hands.

I studied her for a long moment, then chuckled. She flinched. Seeing her act innocent as this makes me remember the night I took her in. The night I bought her freedom but did her a favor. If only she knows…

I have to ask her some questions at least. For the past few weeks, she has been an epitome of silent cries while I have been on a hunt to find Brinda.

I can simply feel everything slipping away from my hand.

My empire.

My confidence.

My toughness.

My existence.

They are almost gone.

Slipping away to a place I never expected it to go.

I stood, nearly stumbling, my legs wobbling beneath me. “Tell me,” I drawled, swirling the liquor in my glass, “were you planning to put a bullet in my head? Or something quieter?” I clicked my tongue. “A knife in my back, maybe?” I tilted my head. “Or could it be…” I tapped my cheek, pretending to think. “Poison? Just like Brinda does?”

Her head snapped up, eyes wide with fear. She dropped to her knees. “It was all Mark’s idea.”

I smirked. “No, you were the mastermind.” My tone hardened. “I know everything that happens in my empire. Never forget that.”

She nodded frantically. “Yes, Don.”

Before I could sit back down, Danger burst into the room, breathless, his eyes wild. I frowned. “What the hell is wrong with you? You are a coward. Do you…”

I was still asking Danger some questions when Scar, one of Marshall's men stormed into the room. My senses heightened and the alcohol’s fog faded quickly.

“Why the hell are you here?” I questioned, raising an eyebrow while still clinging to the bottle in my right hand.

Scar didn’t respond.

Then, a slow clap echoed from the doorway. “Perhaps, I should be the one in the position to ask such a question.”

Marshall.

He stepped inside with five men flanking him, his smirk full of venom. But behind it?

Confidence. Overconfidence. I can feel an aura of overconfidence around Marshall. It felt as though he was been pushed by a powerhouse.

His eyes bore into mine and a smirk appeared on his lips — Full of evil.

“Old friend, am I right?” He smiled.

I inhaled deeply for some seconds. “It looks like today is a great day. Quite the unexpected guest. Do you mind taking a seat?” I ushered, politely as I could.

“Thank you but no thanks. Sitting with you makes me no less than a… Whatever. Where is the crypt key?” Marshall frowned, going straight to the reason he came.

After his demand, a laugh erupted from within. I laughed till I staggered backward and right there, I nearly fell but I was lucky enough that Bullet and Danger grabbed me.

“How foolish of me to have thought that you could come here to rekindled our friendship?

“Shut up! Don't act smart with me. Come off that.” His smirk vanished then he ran his hands in his hair.

I couldn't believe he saw through me.

I set the bottle down with a loud thud.

Something was different about him.

Something he wasn’t saying.

“Who is behind you? Your confidence these days have been unmatchable. You have also been lying low as if you have been plotting something huge. Tell me… What is it?”

“You don't need to know. Haven't you been the master of surprises? Haven't you always been the one to come up with stories? Why don't you just link this up? Perhaps, you can find the right answer. Now…” He dipped his hands in his pockets while he moved closer to me. When he was a step from me, he asked, his voice, authoritative, “Where is the crypt key?”

I held his gaze.

And in that moment, I saw it.

In his eyes, there is something deeper than greed.

Something I can't explain but there's a story. Something he is hiding from me. Something that can end me. Something that is related to what I am thinking. Well, if it is, I would be quite unfortunate.

A secret.

A leverage.

My pulse quickened. My mind ran through possibilities.

Danger checked a dozen times — Brinda wasn’t in Marshall’s possession.

But now, looking at him?

It was all so fucking clear.

Brinda is his captive.

My blood turned to ice.

Possibilities slammed into me like gunfire. Has she turned against me? Has he touched her?

Has he had sex with her?

Sec? I hate that word right now just as I despise Marshall.

I exhaled sharply, clenching my jaw.

I needed not to be told.

Brinda has been held captive by Marshall and I have to think of a way to save her. And that too, as fast as possible.