Page 52 of Drakhana's Secret
“Have you heard anything that I haven’t?” he asks, also growing serious.
“No, but I have a strong feeling that we will not remain at peace for long. I just want to be prepared. Especially now that I have more that I want to protect.”
“I can understand where you are coming from.”
“Which is why I want you to make a trip here to the settlement. I want you to assess the security here and what needs to be improved.”
“I will make preparations now. I should be there in the morning.”
“Thank you.”
“Gallant, I know this goes without saying,” he begins. “But you don’t have to be too worried. We’re much stronger now and we know what we’re up against.”
“I just don’t want us to fall into the same complacent traps that we have before,” I explain to him. “Just because we’re at peace right now doesn’t mean that will last. I want us to be ready for anything.”
“Do you want me to bring Arthur along?”
I grin. “That can’t hurt. Having two perspectives on defense is always better than just one. Then we move on to making the city a fortress.”
“One step at a time.”
I hang up. I know that I shouldn’t be in such a hurry, but I don’t want to be too late either. There is so much to do. I want all the defenses up and running before my offspring is born. I want to make sure that everyone—especially Sapphire—is safe.
I don’t even want to think of an attack while she’s in the later stages of her pregnancy. I push that excessive worry away. I promise myself to take things a day at a time.
First, we secure the settlement. Second, we train more warriors. Third, we set up the defenses within and around the city.
The next call I make is to one of my business advisers. He picks up on the second ring, as if he is anticipating my call.
“Anything I can do for you, sir?” he asks.
“I want us to start buying some business interests in LA and Las Vegas,” I say.
“Sir.” There’s a long pause. “You know that LA and Las Vegas are the territories of—”
“I am well aware of what I’m doing,” I cut him off. “I want us to have a foothold there so that we have ammunition that we can use if ever the time comes that they threaten us again. Call it an insurance policy.”
“I assume that you want to do this discreetly?”
“Yes. I want you to purchase some key businesses in both cities without the other side knowing.”
“That can certainly be done.”
I love my business advisers. There’s no task too big for them. That’s why the wealth of the earth clan has quadrupled in the last month alone.
“Email me the reports when they are ready. I also want a look at our latest financials.”
“Certainly. Expect everything in a couple of days.”
I end the call feeling more secure. I will not stop until I am sure that the earth clan will no longer be in any danger. I make this my mission in life.
“It seems congratulations are in order,” a female voice says from beside me.
“Thank you,” I say, giving Baba a sidelong glance. “I’m so happy I think I’m going to burst.”
“And yet you are out here making phone calls instead of celebrating with Sapphire,” she observes.
“I can never get anything past you.” I grin at her.
