Page 49 of Degrees of Control
“What does he want?” I ask.
“A minute-to-minute update,” he says, shaking his head as he types a message into his cell phone.
“Sorry, Sheldon,” I say.
“Any chance I can get you to turn on your phone?” he asks.
“No, I need to concentrate right now. I’ll talk to him when it’s over,” I say, leaning into the plush black leather seats for the thirty-five-minute drive to Vicenti’s. As we get out of the city and closer to the estate my heart begins to race. I try to slow its beat, breathing in and back out deeply. The driver finally veers off the highway and we follow a winding road that takes us through a dense path of palm trees. The vehicle slows drastically as we approach a guard station.
“Sheldon, are we okay?” I ask, taking in the men with machine guns standing outside of the small little station in front of us.
“Don’t worry, Kate,” he says as our driver speaks with the guardsmen for a few moments. The gates to the property open and we are waved through by the security men. In a half mile, a sprawling mass of contemporary white stone pillars and glass comes into view, set amongst palm trees, bamboo and green tropical plants which are all blowing in the warm ocean breeze.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
The doorman shows Sheldonand me into a grand sitting room. The sheer opulence of the room would have once intimidated me. The vast floor-to-ceiling windows give the impression of walls made of glass, overlooking the brilliant blue sea and palm trees below. It is not long before a dark haired man of medium height with a sprinkling of grey, lean and trim enters the room. He is wearing black dress pants and a tan-colored polo. His eyes are steely grey, almost the color of ash as he regards me. His laconic gaze is somewhat unwavering, taking me in.
I meet his eyes, capturing them with my own, trying to remember who I am, daughter of the head of the East Coast crime syndicate and fiancée to one of the wealthiest men in the world.
He holds out his hand and I extend mine thinking that he wants to shake hands, but instead, he takes it to his lips, brushing a light kiss over it. “You must be Katarina,” he says and his voice is gentle, not commanding as I would have expected.
“I am and you must be Vicenti, I’ve heard much about you in the past few days,” I say.
“It’s lovely to meet you in person. You are every bit as beautiful as your mother,” he says.
“Thank you. I appreciate you seeing me on such short notice,” I say, trying not to show surprise at the reference to my mother.
“I can’t think of anything I would rather be doing at the moment. In fact, you have my curiosity peaked,” he says, gesturing me to the couch.
“Thank you. I know your time is precious and I will get right to the point. I am aware that Chase has already shared some information with you recently, but I believe there is more that you need to be aware of now,” I say.
“I’m quite intrigued, Miss Meilers,” he says, a slight smile crossing his lips.
“May we talk openly in this room?” I ask.
“We can,” he says, nodding to the security man that has taken up vigilance next to Sheldon at the doorway. He and Sheldon depart, closing the door behind them, leaving the two of us alone in the large room.
“I appreciate that security has been dismissed, but in terms of satellite communications?” I ask.
“You can be assured my compound is completely protected,” he says.
“Good. I would not want what I am about to share with you captured on tape by anyone,” I say.
He raises his eyes in question. “Please proceed, Katarina,” he says.
“I’m sure you recall the shipment of merchandise confiscated last year on Alfreita’s ship.”
“I do,” he says.
“I also believe Chase has recently informed you that my father’s brother, Joey, was the one responsible for alerting the authorities about its location. Unfortunately, Chase was aboard the ship, meeting with Alfreita regarding an entirely different matter, but Interpol thought he was responsible given his financial status,” I say.
“Miss Meilers, while I greatly enjoy hearing you speak, this is not new information. Your fiancé and I have been in communication as of late and I am also aware that Alfreita kidnapped your mother in an effort to coerce Chase into moving product. This was a terrible mistake on Alfreita’s part. Carlos Larussio, as you know, is not a man to cross, especially where Karissa is concerned,” he says.
“Yes, I’m aware that Chase has been in contact with you, but I’m not sure, however, if he’s shared the situation he now faces or how that impacts you directly,” I say.
He gives nothing away, reminding me of that hooded and controlled look on Chase’s face when he is in the middle of negotiating a situation. “Please continue,” he says.
“As you referenced, Alfreita did kidnap my mother. Chase and my father were in the process of drawing him out of hiding this week. Joey, my uncle, found out that Chase and my father had discovered he was behind the leak last year and that he was systematically trying to move into your territory, attempting as well to take over as head of the Larussio family.”
