Page 37 of Marcellus: House of Drakos
“What if they have him at that hookah bar he co-owns?”
Now everybody was frowning. Especially Scottie. “Why would they have him there?”
Savannah looked at him. “Because that bar is on Saudie Street.”
Every one of Marcellus’s children dismissed such a tenuous connection. “That’s ridiculous!” Scottie said out loud. “I’m sorry, but that’s ridiculous!”
“It’s not even spelled the same,” said an equally annoyed Freddy.
Marcellus didn’t respond. He instead replayed his son’s abduction.
Their dismissals felt like a slap in the face to Savannah. She had hoped Marcellus would have at least entertained the idea. But he didn’t even look her way. But she wasn’t backing down. She said what she said and that was that. They could take it or leave it. She spoke what she felt. It was a weak connection, even she would agree to that, but it was still a connection.
“Did they give a timeline when they’ll be in touch?” Kalayna asked Scottie, dismissing Savannah too.
“They said within the next couple days. I’m assuming tomorrow, but that’s no guarantee. I don’t know. They weren’t specific.”
Marcellus watched the video until it ended again. Then he exhaled. They could tell his mind was working overtime. He looked at his children. They all looked dead on their feet with worries about work and even more so about their brother. “It’s late,” he said. “Everybody get some sleep. We should know what their motives are tomorrow or soon after. Is everybody here and accounted for?”
“Yes sir,” said Freddy. “Our mothers are in the guest houses and we’ll probably stay with them there.”
“What about Peggy?” Olivier asked. “How’s she taking it?”
“Her son has been kidnapped,” said Freddy. “She’s taking it awful. She wants an audience with Pop.”
But Marcellus was shaking his head. “Not tonight. Tell her I’ll see her tomorrow at breakfast.”
His children glanced at each other. The woman was hysterical with worry, and he couldn’t give her a moment of his time? Their father could be a cold bastard.
“Now everybody out,” Marcellus said.
Savannah was about to stand to go too, but he grabbed her arm before she could stand up. “Not you,” he said. “You’re staying here tonight.”
Savannah frowned. “Why? I’m not a target.” Then a terrible thought crossed her mind. He probably knew more than she did, she realized. “Am I?”
But Marcellus didn’t go into details with her. “Just to be safe,” he said.
No way was he letting her out of his sight until this matter was resolved. She was Niko’s longtime secretary. Until they knew motives, he wasn’t taking any chances. “Scottie, tell Bernard to come here.”
“Yes sir,” Scottie said as he stood up. He then glanced at Savannah again, with no warmth in his eyes whatsoever, and left the parlor with his siblings.
Marcellus leaned forward and placed his face in his hands. He let out a harsh exhale.
Savannah wished she could comfort him, but she had no words. Seeing that video had terrified her.
The doors opened again, and Bernard walked in. “You wish to see me, sir?”
“Yes, Bernard, this is Miss Savannah Richardson. Miss Richardson, Bernard is my estate manager.”
“He’s the one that escorted me to this room,” Savannah said.
“Nice to meet you,” Bernard said with a slight bow of his head.
“Bernard, escort Miss Richardson to the top floor.”
Bernard was surprised. The top floor was Marcellus’s floor that not even his children were allowed to venture onto. “Which room, sir?” he asked him.
“Mine,” Marcellus said without hesitation, his eyes glued to that video again.
