Dangerous Numbers

Chapter 34

VITTORIO

Chaos spreads within the house. Men are walking up and down, preparing for our meeting with Juliano and Vokov. The sound of guns loading dominates the ground floor. Earlier, I had gathered Gianluca, Alberto and Paolo to the east wing for a briefing.

Paolo will stay here and Bianca and the rest of the field men will stand guard of the estate. Alberto and his team will take the perimeter of the docks and Gianluca will be beside me with a team.

I think I've covered every single detail but still the doubt of something left behind remains. Every thought in my mind is occupied by Alex. I can't stop thinking of her since the abduction. I pray that her training will allow her to endure this.

When the briefing ended, all left except me. I had an important call to make. When I go back, I spot a figure from the corner of my eye. A figure I've been a long time to see, and I was not thrilled now that he appears.

I turn to look at him, his eyes do the talking. Judging me, as I've already lost the fight. He moves his head in denial and walks back to his hole he calls an office. I'm sure Juliano knows about this.

"Do you think the old man will cross us?" Gianluca says approaching me.

"I bet he already did," I reply loading my gun and placing it behind my waistband. "In fact, I'm counting on it."

Gianluca's face changes as he takes half a step back. He didn't understand he doesn't dare questioning me. He continues as planned. Soon, everything is ready, and the men are standing still, waiting for my orders. I take a deep breath and stand in a place where everyone can see me.

"Tonight, we're walking into a big fight. It will be rough and bloody. Some of us may not live to see the light of the day, but we'll have got down with honour, among family. You all have my respect and utmost trust. You may see strange things out there but follow my orders and you'll be fine. May God bless us."

All of them nod and start packing the things into the cars already parked outside. I get up to my room and find a dark green ribbon Alex used to tie her hair when she was home. I bring the ribbon closer to my nose and sniff her scent, taking a deep breath. I bring it to my lips and then put the ribbon in my jacket pocket and head downstairs and out in the car.

Silence fell since the cars' engines started and we began our way to the docks. Many times, I was looking up at the mirror and expected to see her sitting in the back seat, smiling at me as she always did.

Gianluca wanted to say something, but he was holding himself back. I could see him from the corner of my eye.

"Come on, say it," I state as we have nearly reached the other end of the city and the docks appear in the distance.

"You're a bit strange tonight. Is anything the matter?" He asks hesitantly.

"All I can say, trust me. Even if it doesn't feel right at that moment." I reply.

"You know that already." He smiles softly. "We won't let it happen again."

I feel my body tense as the docks' gates appear in front of us. I take out a card from the door bottom space and pass it in front of the scanner, placed in a column on the driver's side. Beep echoes and the doors move sideways, clearing the way.

I stop the car right before warehouse 29.

"Everyone in position?" Gianluca says through his communication devise on his sleeve. "Everything is ready." He nods.

We get off the car and grab the gun into my hands, removing the safety. Any bastard that dares to shoot us before we reach the meeting point, I'll make sure I'll send him to hell.