Chapter eight

MICHAEL’S POV

I saw Anna go through the two doors. The flashbulbs hit her face, but she didn’t blink. She held her shoulders straight and walked down the center aisle as though it were her room. I remained in the wings, fiddling my cuffs, and looked around the floor. I did not mind the applause. I was concerned about the audience, the note takers, and those who were already strategizing on the next step.

Twenty minutes after her speech, the donor meeting began. I went to VIP lounge, took a glass of water and checked the routing manifests on my tablet. Vance of logistics crossed over.

# CHAPTER EIGHT

**MICHAEL’S POV**

I saw Anna walk through the two doors. The flashbulbs hit her face, but she didn’t blink. She stood up straight and walked along the center aisle as though she was the mistress of the room. I remained in the wings, smoothing my cuffs, and glanced around the floor. I did not mind the applause. I was concerned about who was observing, who was making notes and who already was preparing his or her next step.

Twenty minutes following her speech, the donor meeting began. I walked to the VIP lounge, took a glass of water and checked the routing manifests on my tablet. Vance of the logistics was sitting opposite me, clicking his pen on a leather portfolio. He was attempting to play hardball, but his tells were so clear. Every forty seconds he looked at his watch. He continued to look at the entrance. He was waiting to receive somebody.

“You’re pushing the delivery window by three days,” Vance said. My warehouses cannot afford to stand idle whilst you divert freight along the south route.

Then employ additional shifts. I did not raise my eyes. “Or renegotiate your storage contracts. I’m not slowing my timeline because your inventory tracking is outdated.”

He leaned forward. “You’re playing fast, Alonzo. One slip and the board pulls the contract.”

“I don’t slip.” I put the tablet back and placed it on the table. I adapt. In case you are unable to follow, I will get someone who can. Your decision.

He looked at me a moment, and nodded. He put his pen back and rose. I didn’t stand with him. I saw him get out of the house and looked at my phone. Three calls by Matt missed. One text. Trace returned. Burner followed a shell company. Registered to Marquina Holdings.

Suzanne.

I tapped the screen, typed back a quick command to draw the financial links, and slipped the phone into my jacket. It should have been expected of me. She resented the engagement, she resented being relegated to the background, and she was so furious as to leak routing schedules to competitors. I didn’t panic. I have simply changed the security level of the freight drop and indicated her accounts to a silent audit. Business stayed business.

I got out of the hall. It was the end of the charity auction. Cameras were still waving around the stage. I headed to the bar and got a black coffee and looked around the room once more. Adrian Angelo was standing by the terrace door, conversing with two dark-suited men. He wasn’t drinking. He was watching. His gaze followed Anna who signed donor cards. He never even glanced at me. That was the issue. He didn’t have to. He had a prior knowledge of my position.

I went over.

“You’re blocking the staff exit,” I said.

Adrian turned slowly. He was dressed in a navy suit, which must have cost him more than my first automobile, and in a gold ring, which sparkled each time he moved his hand. He smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. Making sure that your fiancee does not lose herself in the crowd. She is so quiet all night. You two having trouble keeping up the act?”

We are doing all right. I had a taste of the coffee. You are the one who is pacing towards the service doors. Waiting till you are signaled or just rehearsing your exit?

I wait till it is mine. His voice was low, mellow and deep. Your little stunt does not make the debt any less. Your little stunt does not make the board any less. You are holding a girl who is already drowning in the errors of her father. Hand her over, Alonzo. Before you both sink.

I set the cup down. “You talk like you own the water. You don’t. You’re just treading it.”

His jaw tightened. He didn’t raise his voice. He didn’t have to. Play games, keep on playing. I will keep on gathering. Who will run out of air first?

And he walked off. His men followed. I saw them off, and looked at my watch. The event was very timely. Anna was to accompany me to the press corner to take the joint photo op. She wasn’t there.

I passed through the crowd and nodded at the donors and I did not pay attention to the reporters who attempted to pin me down with queries about the merger and the engagement. I didn’t slow down. I went backstage, past the light crew wrapping up cables, past the catering crew clearing dishes. The passage was less noisy. The noise behind me was subdued by the heavy doors to the main hall.

The phone of Anna was lying on a folding chair in the dressing rooms.

I picked it up. Screen was still lit. An unknown number is sending a new message. I did not read it because I always do it. I read it because I had to know.

Say to Alonzo that the box is open. You’re out of time.

My thumb was floating on the screen. I didn’t call her. I didn’t panic. I turned and walked back to the stage entrance. The press corner was vacant. The photographer was preparing to pack up. The security head was by the fire exit, monitoring his radio.

“Where’s Anna Basano?” I asked.

Gone ten minutes ago, he said. Came out the side stair. Said she had to get air.

I didn’t wait. I forced open the fire door, climbed the concrete stairs, two steps at a time, and entered the loading dock. It was a cool night. Long shadows are cast by the streetlights on the sidewalks. Her car was gone. The dispatch request was not indicated in the log of the driver. She was not signed out by anybody.

I drew my cell phone and called Matt.

Follow her automobile, I replied. Now. I do not mind the protocol. Find it.

I am already on it, Matt said. GPS pinge has gone dead. It is traveling at a high speed. It is heading towards the industrial corridor. Michael, that is not her normal path.

I began to walk to the street, already taking my keys out of my pocket. “Get two cars. I’m going. Don’t call the cops. Don’t call her father. Just move.”

I dropped the phone, got out of my car, and turned on the engine. Before I even looked in the mirror, the tires struck the pavement. I wasn’t guessing. I wasn’t waiting. I had stepped three steps forward, and I was not going to have any one take what was mine. Not Adrian. Not Suzanne. Not her father.

I only had to track her down before the box.