Page 16 of Stolen Tutor

Nodding, I add, “I need a word with the shipyard owner now.” We quickly make our way out of my bedroom and off to assemble a few guys to go with us. If I have to end some people, I want it to be as simple as possible. No one steals a half-billion dollars from me.

Stepping back out onto the backyard patio, I approach Lucy who looks absolutely delectable. “Apply more sunscreen on your light skin, my sweet. I have to leave, so watch over Anna.”

“Of course, I will. Anna wants to go out for ice cream,” she adds, looking at her hands instead of me when she says it.

“Nice try.” I tap her nose with my finger.

“Sorry, sweet girl. Your uncle said no.” I turn to look at my niece and she’s actually disappointed which would bother me if I didn’t believe Lucy put the idea in her head.

“We have ice cream in the freezers. Have the chef prepare some for you both. I’ll be back later.” I kiss the top of Anna’s head and then leave. I want to drag Lucy into my arms and kiss her like we both need, but I have to maintain control, so I leave them without another word.

Vittorio and I slide into the SUV and drive down to the docks where my product should be and find the asshole waiting for me just as I expected.

He’s a fifty-year-old, greasy-haired, balding man with a potbelly and a poor taste for clothes. He looks like he should be running a shitty underhanded pawn shop, not a multibillion-dollar shipping company.

His security is weak, and yet he at first attempts to puff up his chest as he asks, “How can I help you today, Mr. Leone?”

My guards surround his security, pinning them with guns ready to let go. Vittorio and I crowd the owner. “Olivero, where is my shit?”

His pompous ass tugs at his too-tight and short vest before answering with an air of smugness. “Mr. Leone, according to our records, it was picked up by your team yesterday.”

“It sure the fuck wasn’t. I’m missing my goods, Olivero, so check your cameras this minute and give me the right fucking answer or it will be your last one.”

Vittorio pulls a gun out on him, and Olivero quickly pulls up his many surveillance cameras to see six men coming in and loading the large shipping containers onto semis. Still, not a single one of them is someone who works for me.

“Who the fuck authorized the release?” My patience is slipping by the second. Still, I don’t want a bloodbath here. I’d rather dump their bodies in a cargo hold and ship that shit off to be lost at sea within the next week if I don’t get my merchandise.

“Let me see,” he says, pulling up the file on his computer. “Strange. It hasn’t been entered yet.”

He stands and Vittorio blocks his movements. “I need to grab the paper copy.” I nod and he lets him move past him to a filing cabinet where he pulls out the folder.

Opening it up, it shows my signature, clearly forged that doesn’t match a previous signature, and a work order to haul out all shipments. “You need to get my merchandise back, Mr. Olivero.”

“How am I supposed to do that?”

“I don’t give a fuck how. You have twenty-four hours to figure it out, or you’ll be the next thing on this dock to come up missing, understand?” He trembles in fear, cowering down which is smart because I’m in a violent mood.

“Yes, Mr. Leone. We’ll get on it.” My men and I leave his office while keeping our eyes peeled to his office door just in case the asshole has his guards open fire. They’re all a bunch of rent-a-cops, but we can’t be sure how fucking stupid someone’s going to be.

“Boss, we’ve already set up a couple of spy cams just in case someone tries to get away tonight. We’ve also added a tracker to Olivero’s ride.”

“Excellent. Now, let’s go back to the house. I have other matters to attend to before I can join my niece for dinner.”

“Of course, Boss.” We drive back and find that on the way home, the piece of shit is already on the run. Fucking, Olivero. I’m going to have to kill him now.

“Do you think he’s the one who hijacked the merchandise or does he know he can’t retrieve it?”

“We’ll find out and string him up by his balls.” The moment we get into the house, my eyes search for Lucy. It’s foolish because we’re in a mansion and she could be anywhere and she can’t leave.

“Anything happen while I was gone?” I ask Mateo.

“The tutor and Anna had dessert by the pool and then came inside to change. They are in the library at the moment.”

“Thank you. Tell them to be ready for dinner in an hour.”

“Yes, Boss.” Mateo heads toward the library while I get straight to work in my office because a plan has been formulated in my mind. I make a call to my lawyer and accountant. With the details and paperwork started for the buyout to take place as soon as possible finally ironed out I look at the time.

“Fuck.” I’ve been in my office for two and a half hours.

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