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And that was that.
Niccolo and Roberto drove away an hour later with a small group of foot soldiers to guard them.
Now it was just me, Dario, Alessandra, Adriano, Bianca, and Valentino –
And about 80 foot soldiers on high alert.
I pulled Valentino off patrol and stuck him in the safe room with the rest of the family. He complained bitterly, but I told him his safety was the highest priority. He finally quit bitching after an hour or two.
Over the next few days, I busied myself with preparations for when I left. I scheduled security teams so the family was as protected as possible – but I also had to make sure the men had adequate rest. Exhausted people make mistakes… and with all the danger around us, mistakes could be fatal.
I pored over our surveillance systems, trying to shore up every weakness. I drove myself twice as hard as any of my men.
I did it not only because it needed to be done…
But also to distract myself. To keep me from contacting Gunnar.
It didn’t work.
At least twice a day, I texted him, Any word on Rachel?
And every time, he replied, Nothing yet.
Niccolo returned three days later from Hong Kong – but Roberto wasn’t with him.
“Why didn’t he come back?” I demanded.
“He had things to take care of,” Niccolo replied.
“And what did you take care of?”
“Something that doesn’t concern you.”
He still hadn’t forgiven me for going over his head to get Dario’s permission.
“You’ll notice I haven’t gone after Rachel,” I pointed out.
“Yet,” he said sardonically. “Was that because you chose to stay – or because you just don’t have any information yet?”
Ouch.
“I’m still here,” I protested.
Niccolo snorted, then said as he walked away, “We’ll see how long that lasts.”
Everyday life descended into an eerie limbo. Calm, but with the ever-present threat of death.
We put Dario and Alessandra, Adriano and Bianca, Niccolo, and Valentino in rooms with no windows. I had the doors guarded 24 hours a day. Everyone took their meals together in the safe room, then returned to their individual quarters afterwards.
“I feel like I’m in prison,” Valentino griped.
“Come talk to me after three and a half years,” I quipped.
Our foot soldiers ceaselessly patrolled the house and grounds, but there were no new attacks.
Niccolo tried to contact Fausto and Aurelio, but neither answered his calls.
There was also no further news from Massimo…
