Page 274 of Roberto

“Gentlemen,” I said.

Then Mei-ling and I walked out of the room.

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Once Mei-ling and I were in the elevator, I hit the button for the rooftop.

She looked at me in shock –

And then she broke out into almost hysterical laughter. “OH MYGOD!”

I laughed, too – though more out of relief than anything else.

“OH MY GOD!”she shrieked again happily.

I took her in my arms and kissed her passionately.

The door to the rooftop opened, and we walked out into the sunlight towards the waiting helicopter.

“You’re going to turn that off now, right?” she asked nervously, gesturing towards the detonator still in my hand.

“A deal’s a deal,” I said as I twisted the key until the green light went out.

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The helicopter took us to Hong Kong International Airport without incident.

When we reached the private jet in Hangar 32, no gunmen were waiting for us.

We boarded the plane safely with virtually nothing but the clothes on our backs.

Though we were more than an hour late, the crew said nothing.

The stewardess checked our passports. I had mine in my back pocket, and Mei-ling had also brought hers.

The British pilot asked if we still wanted to go to Tuscany. I’d had to supply a destination when I’d booked the flight with the private broker.

“Ithinkwe’re going to a private airfield outside Florence, but let me confirm that.”

I borrowed Mei-ling’s cell phone and called Niccolo.

“Are you alright?”he asked frantically the second he answered.

“More than alright – I’m on the plane as we speak.”

“Good,”he said, his voice overwhelmed with relief.“You’re not hurt?”

“Not a scratch.”

“Excellent! Now – WHERE THE FUCK DID YOU GET 250 MILLION DOLLARS?!”

So hehadchecked the crypto account like I’d told him.

“Don’t get excited. We have to give most of it back.”

“What?! Why?!”

“I’ll tell you when I get there. Right now, the pilot’s asking where we’re going. Should I tell him home, or – ”

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