Page 40 of The Demon

My heart is still beating frantically and I watch as Malik tears off his own head covering and beckons to the flight attendant.

“Whiskey and whatever my companion wants.”

“Water please.” I smile my thanks, hating the way Malik just dismisses his staff as if they are no consequence. There is much I don’t like about the man beside me, but the part I crave overshadows the rest. We are two very different people in some ways and so alike in others.

We maintain silence until the drinks are served and when the attendant moves to the rear of the plane, I whisper, “Where are we going?”

“Club Mafia.” Malik drains the glass and immediately calls for another.

“Are you sure that’s a good idea?” I nod toward the glass and to my surprise, he just chuckles softly. “Probably not, but when you’ve had the day from hell, it’s most definitely required.”

“My father?” I must know because I’m not a fool and realize the explosion would have done irreparable damage.

“Dead.”

Malik grinds out and then says roughly, “Sent to hell alongside my own with any luck.”

“Oh.” I lean back and try to process what he’s telling me. However, I still don’t understand what’s going on and turn to him and whisper, “How did it happen?”

He accepts another drink from the attendant and when she’s moved away, he says with some satisfaction.

“Earlier today, I visited my father. He wanted to run over the plans for handing you back to your father.”

“I see.” My heart sinks when my fears are proven right, and Malik reaches for my hand and squeezes it gently.

“When I met you and learned of your history, I saw a way out for us. Two for the price of one and I’ve set it up so both sides will blame the other. Your father’s family will consider it a pre-planned attack and my family will think the same.”

“But they will know it was us when they find us missing.”

I am so afraid about that and Malik laughs, but there is no humor in it.

“They will be piecing the dental records together for months. The fact there were so many soldiers, crew and guests will make it a puzzle that will take months, if not years, to solve. They’ll believe we perished in the blast along with everyone else and we’ll be among the bodies unaccounted for who have sunk to the bottom of the marina.”

“So, we are free?” I can’t quite process what I’m hearing and Malik nods. “To a degree. All we’ve done is buy some time. We’ve removed ourselves from life and will use the time to figure out what’s going on.”

“The Mafia King?”

He nods. “Prior to our meeting with your father, I informed my own of everything we discovered. I knew he would waste no time in delving deeper so I installed spyware on his computer that downloaded everything he did to mine. Now I need to sift through it to unlock the mystery and the best and safest place for that is Club Mafia.”

“Where your friends are?”

I remember the story of his college days and the pact they made and feel anxious when I see the concern on his face, so I say gently, “What’s the problem?”

“Frankie.” He takes another swig of the whiskey and appears so tortured my heart lurches a little.

“His parents are waiting for me to bring him back and the fact I’m empty handed with no further information won’t go down well.”

I nod, knowing how important this is to all of them and I say with determination, “Then we will work it out together. I’ll tell you everything, descriptions, timings, any information I figured out and whoever this Mafia King is won’t be a match for you or your friends.”

Malik falls silent and I can tell his mind is working hard, so I leave him to it and head to the small bathroom at the front of the aircraft. Unlike Malik’s private plane, this one is a commercial one and even though it’s luxurious, it’s like traveling cattle class compared to his own high standards.

* * *

Fourteen hours later,after a stop for fuel, we touch down in Canada and I’m so tired I can hardly keep my eyes open, despite the few hours’ sleep I managed to grab on the flight. After thanking the crew, we leave the aircraft and I blink as another black car is waiting on the tarmac.

“Are you serious?” I roll my eyes as Malik nods.

“It’s standard. You’ll get used to it.”

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