Ex-soldier Birmingham-gangster bets his life on luck and illegalities, adroit wit and burning passion streaking his blood-stained fingertips as a dire quarrel commence between himself and the disturbed Dane who purloined his lover.
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NEWLYWED, FUNNY THREAT
THE CHURCH BELL TOLLED, filling the rest of the country in on the news of the newlywed pair. The ceremony had come to an end and the organ sounded, its pipes blew soft sounds that both put a smile on Ines' face and increased her heartbeat.
She had a lump in her throat and waved her hand at the people that cheered and wished their blessings to the couple, most of them unfamiliar faces but the joyful children tossing rice made her stomach flutter and lip curl upward.
A large hand caressed her thigh over the material of her gown and Ines looked from the crowd and into Nikolaj's eyes; into her husband's eyes.
She liked the sound of that; husband.
With an assuring, sweet gaze Ines felt her pulse slow and she leaned in to plant a passionate kiss on his lips, only to hear the crowd of friends and colleagues cheer. The chauffeur turned the ignition and the Hive sparked into drive and they were then on the course to their abode in metropolis city Frankfurt.
The wedding couple spoke of the future in the short ride. Of what would become of their companies and how they could lead the businesses in alliance. It was Nikolaj's wish and Ines saw no reason to objectify to his inclination, so Lenz Leather continued providing Hive Automatics with luxury leather, much like what had been done over the past year. She did not know of the illicit business Nikolaj dealt under his good name, practically raking it through the mud and had been doing so for many years, conveying illegalities and occasionally engaging in coercing political leaders and other noted people of prestige for the good of his business or self. All Ines knew was that she had been blessed with whom she thought to be the perfect husband. Unaware of his infraction she was truly happy and could hardly imagine the darkness beneath the seemingly innocent mask.
He treated his men with courtesy and good humor, and he was the kind of superior one would never complain about, that however, was for other reasons. Fear was an excellent motivator and that had Nikolaj discovered as well.
As the automobile took a turn down a familiar gravel road, the couple went inside where they were congratulated by the housemaids and hired servants for the evening, respectful nods and bowed heads sent their way. The obstreperous and youthful Dobermann barked and wagged its docked tail as it greeted them with joy, happy to see its owners after many hours of training. Considered its young age it was large and growing by the day. Motley was tenaciously loyal as well as an excellent guard dog, with a graceful gait and intelligent mind, a loving companion in every way.
About half an hour passed before the house was filled with guests, allowing the working people to carry out the last portion of peaceful yet stressing work before they would have to move out of the way. More people had shown in the residence to celebrate the pair than in the church due to Nikolaj's bizarre partnership with several collaborators and other men he had priorly worked with. He wanted to show off his success and even rub it in their faces, and concomitantly they were nowhere near important enough to be invited to the ceremony.
Many hours had passed and not long before dinner was served, Ines caught sight of her husband. In the midst of the crowd, he stood stiff, talking to a man with grit teeth and a hard stare. She recognized the man as one she had earlier conversated with, but the day's many impressions had wiped his away and she did not remember the name, only his aristocratic title. Nikolaj had done his best to cover up the irritation and nagging this man inflicted, but the facade had not been persistent.
"Well, then perhaps you might want to take another look at that beautiful necklace of hers," suggested Count Otto with a smug, suppressed grin on his face.
"What are you talking about, Otto?" sighed Nikolaj perplexed and shifted his weight, lifting the glass to his lips as his eyes went over the Count's shoulder. This was not how he had intended to spend his night.
Count Otto shrugged his shoulders and his face formed deceitful ignorance. He tugged on his coat and cleared his throat. "Now I'm no connoisseur but green diamonds are the rarest of the sort. I believe the Grand Duchess had her own stolen some years back and well your wife – congratulations, by the way – said that she received those two years ago. Now I have had the pleasure of meeting the Grand Duchess myself and as of just very few moments ago, Ines too, and I must say the diamonds, they do look similar," admitted Otto.
Nikolaj's face contorted into one of disgust in anger, a mixture of something threatening in his eyes and he stabbed his finger against Otto's hard chest. The gut of this man was unbelievable to Nikolaj. He had not even invited him to his wedding and yet he found the nerve to show and provoke the groom in such a contumelious manner. Had they not been surrounded by family and coworkers he might have just lost it right there, battering the nobleman's head with no mercy. Oh, what fun that would be. "You don't ever speak to my wife again, you hear?" said he in a drawl, his eyes boring through the Count's own.
At that moment he did not care should someone take notice of the hostile air, his mind was already envisioning what he could do to this evil man. The possibilities were infinite.
"It would be a shame should someone make the Grand Duchess aware that her beloved heirloom has resurfaced," finished Count Otto. He got the exact reaction from Nikolaj that he had hoped for.
The glare of another acquaintance made Nikolaj drop his finger from his nemesis' chest and he calmed himself with no further trouble. His pulse decelerated and grasped Count Otto's hand much to his surprise. In a rough handshake, it was clear to Otto that he was playing with fire and Nikolaj put on a smile for the people and leaned closer to the enemy, his strained voice speaking the kindest threat he had spoken in a long time.
"You leave my house right at this moment, or I swear to God, I will have you removed."
