Page 46 of Donovan Blake: Adrenalin

Manny had initially thought the man’s eyes were icy blue, then realized they were grey. He’d never seen grey eyes before, and he found them extremely disconcerting.

“I have many treasures,” Manny replied, feigning a confidence he didn’t feel. “Some I can’t speak of for obvious reasons. I’m sure you understand.”

“Ah, yes, of course, but you don’t have to worry about my staff,” he said, gesturing to the three uniformed men standing in the room. “If it will make you more comfortable we will be discreet. You are hosting an Empress, are you not? Keeping her safe from harm?”

In spite of his money and stature, Manny knew he was out of his league. There’d be no playing games with a man like Kozlov.

“Yes, Alexi, I have that great pleasure, and she’s quite remarkable.”

“I saw her once. Sadly, at the time, it was not in my power to take her with me, but I have never stopped hoping one day that would change. Now, amazingly, it has. When I heard she’d been abducted I thought that was the end, then Boris Federov reached out to me through a mutual friend. When I spoke with him shortly before he was killed he told me she was staying with you, but there was another interested party. Do you know anything about that?”

“Another party? No, that’s news to me,” Manny replied, trying to think who it could be. “Perhaps Boris had planned to discuss it with me but was killed before he had the chance.”

“Ah, that could be. I must ask, do you have any idea who might have wished him harm?”

Manny had to suppress his smile. Perhaps Alexi would take care of Franco for him.

“Actually,” Manny began, choosing his words carefully, “I believe he was having some trouble. From what I understand, he was negotiating with someone and things weren’t going well.”

“Please! You don’t have to dance around the information with me, but I’ll make this easy for you. Are you talking about Franco Giancana?”

“I am. They had a falling out and things were becoming heated.”

“Good, now that’s out of the way, tell me, Manny, regarding the Empress, how can I convince you to part with her? What would it take?”

“But Mr. Kozlov, I love the Empress so much,” Candy suddenly interjected. “I can’t imagine ever parting with her.”

“Candy…” Manny said sharply.

“No, no, it’s perfectly fine. Your beautiful lady is allowed to speak her mind, and Candy, please call me Alexi—or Alex if you’d prefer. Tell me, what can I offer you? It doesn’t have to be money. Perhaps a yacht, or a car. Anything at all. Name it and it’s yours. ”

“I don’t know, I really don’t.”

“Take your time. Discuss it with Manny. You’d make me very happy if you could think of something. And Candy,” he said, lowering his voice, “I never forget when someone makes me happy, just like I never forget when someone disappoints me.”

“I’m sure we’ll have an answer for you soon,” Manny declared before Candy had a chance to respond. “I’m having a party tonight. A Masquerade Ball actually. Why don’t you stop in? I can take you to see the Empress in person.”

“Ah, what an excellent suggestion. Thank you, I’ll do that,” he exclaimed, rising to his feet. “Thank you for joining me. Peter will show you out.”

Turning around, Manny saw one of the men walk to the door and open it.

“It’s been a pleasure,” Manny said, reaching across the table and shaking Alexi’s hand.

“Mine too,” Candy piped up, “and thank you for a wonderful lunch.”

“I’ll see you both tonight,” he replied, taking Candy’s hand and kissing it. “Such a delight to meet such a beautiful woman.”

Placing his arm around Candy’s waist, he guided her from the room, but as they stepped out onto the deck, he couldn’t help but wonder if he’d just made a terrible mistake.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

The Masquerade Ball

Though Donovan’s pirate outfit looked like any other, it held secrets. Inside the eyes of the skull and crossbones across the hat were two shiny baubles. But they weren’t glass. They were miniature cameras. If he pressed his fingers against either side of the brim they shot a wide angle photograph.

He had also glued a tiny video camera inside the lining of his decorated vest. The lens peeked out among a myriad of sparkling rhinestones. To turn it on he simply pressed the middle button on his tunic.

As they stepped from the limousine he found it hard to keep his eyes off Phoebe. Dressed in a figure-hugging brilliant gown covered in fairy lights, sporting a sparkling tiara in her hair, and wearing white opera gloves, she looked like a seductive fairy from a sexy fantasy film.

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