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I rapidly typed my reply:

Text me even if you don’t hear from me. I’ll probably be in the meeting for a while.

He texted back a thumbs-up.

Then I called Mei-ling. She didn’t answer, so I left another message.

“I haven’t heard back from you yet, and I need to confirm you’re okay to leave with me tomorrow morning. I won’t be able to answer your call for the next hour, so text me your answer, okay? Alright – I’ll talk to you soon.” I paused, then added, “I love you.”

I texted her the exact same thing.

I waited, hoping to see the three dots that would let me know she was reading and responding –

But nothing appeared besidesMessage delivered.

I reluctantly put away my phone and mentally prepared for what lay ahead.

The town car dropped me off at the Syndicate building at 4:22.

I immediately made my way to the express elevator.

Han was there to greet me when the door opened on the 70thfloor.

His face was as expressionless as always –

At least the times when he was sober.

There were no pleasantries or greetings. Instead, it was straight down to business.

“I have to frisk you,” he informed me.

I frowned. “Why?”

“Xi and Gota requested it.”

That made sense. Niccolo and Lars would never allow a stranger into a room with Dario until they’d been searched for weapons.

I consented to the pat-down by raising my arms.

Han quickly and expertly checked my jacket, pockets, and legs for weapons.

Thank God I hadn’t brought my luggage with me.

After Han was through, he led me through the doorway into the maze of offices – and finally to the boardroom, which I’d never seen before.

It was big enough to accommodate a mahogany table for 20 people – ten to a side, with plenty of room to spare.

Strangely enough, though, there were only four chairs:

One on my side and three on the other.

Sitting on the table was a black office phone with a panel of buttons.

Behind the table, one entire wall of the boardroom was glass. Beyond it was a stunning view of Hong Kong Harbor.

But the table and the window were not the only imposing things in the room.

A dozen men were standing around in groups.

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