Chapter Twenty-Six
Just as Donovan realized how deep his feelings for Phoebe had become the hotel phone rang. The shrill ringing almost made him jump. Marching across the room, he snatched it up from the cradle.
“Yes?”
“There’s a delivery for you, sir. Do you want us to send the driver over?”
“Yes, please.”
“Who was it?” Phoebe asked as he hung up the receiver.
“I think it’s probably your costume for tonight. I don’t know why the front desk didn’t just take it and have the bellboy deliver it or send the messenger over here.”
“Probably security, but why are you so upset? It’s no big deal.”
“Because I…because I was thinking about something.”
“About my question?” she asked, lowering her voice and walking towards him. “Why you said you’d be there for me?”
“Yes, but we can talk about it later.”
Not only was he unnerved, the moment had been broken, and he didn’t want to express what was in his heart when there was about to be a knock on the door.
“That sounds ominous,” she muttered. “Should I be worried?”
“No,” he said, softening his voice. “There’s nothing to worry about, and there’s the delivery,” he added as someone knocked.
Opening the door he accepted the garment bag and they headed into the bedroom.
“I can’t wait to see this,” she exclaimed excitedly as he slid down the zipper.
“There you are, a chandelier gown, and it actually lights up. But that’s not all it does. I’ll help you put it on and explain.”
“What’s this?” she asked, finding a small box at the bottom of the bag.
“That will be my glue.”
“What do you need glue for?”
“I’ll show you that as well, but first, let’s get you into this very special gown and see how it fits.”
“Can you at least tell me what you’ll be going as?”
“Sure. A swashbuckling pirate.”
* * *
At Manny Trubello’s estate the preparations for the big night were in full swing. Caterer’s had taken over the expansive chef’s kitchen, decorators were busy creating a fantasyland outdoors, and more designers were at work inside the house. But only a few rooms were dedicated to the event, and Manny had security ready to make sure no-one wandered where they shouldn’t.
But while there was controlled chaos at the estate, Manny and Candy were having a sumptuous lunch on board a magnificent Momentum Yacht
The invitation had been hand-delivered that morning by a tall, brawny man with a thick, intimidating accent, and had caught Manny completely off-guard. When he’d seen the name Alexi Kozlov on the gold embossed card he’d immediately accepted. He’d never met the man, but he’d certainly heard of him, and saying no to the infamous oligarch wasn’t an option. It was no secret Alexi’s passion was collecting the finest jewelry in the world, and Manny assumed Boris had told Alexi about The Alexandrite Empress.
Rarely did Manny feel uncomfortable, but when he and Candy had stepped on board the luxury yacht and were escorted to the salon, his heart had been racing. Now seated across from the infamous Russian billionaire, dining on exquisitely prepared dishes and drinking expensive champagne, Manny waited nervously for him to bring up the reason for the invitation.
“I’m sure you know why you’re here,” Alexi declared, leaning across the table. “I have been told you’re in possession of a much sought after treasure.”
Manny had initially thought the man’s eyes were icy blue, then realized they were grey. He’d never seen grey eyes before, and he found them extremely disconcerting.
“I have many treasures,” Manny replied, feigning a confidence he didn’t feel. “Some I can’t speak of for obvious reasons. I’m sure you understand.”
“Ah, yes, of course, but you don’t have to worry about my staff,” he said, gesturing to the three uniformed men standing in the room. “If it will make you more comfortable we will be discreet. You are hosting an Empress, are you not? Keeping her safe from harm?”
In spite of his money and stature, Manny knew he was out of his league. There’d be no playing games with a man like Kozlov.
“Yes, Alexi, I have that great pleasure, and she’s quite remarkable.”
“I saw her once. Sadly, at the time, it was not in my power to take her with me, but I have never stopped hoping one day that would change. Now, amazingly, it has. When I heard she’d been abducted I thought that was the end, then Boris Federov reached out to me through a mutual friend. When I spoke with him shortly before he was killed he told me she was staying with you, but there was another interested party. Do you know anything about that?”
“Another party? No, that’s news to me,” Manny replied, trying to think who it could be. “Perhaps Boris had planned to discuss it with me but was killed before he had the chance.”
“Ah, that could be. I must ask, do you have any idea who might have wished him harm?”
Manny had to suppress his smile. Perhaps Alexi would take care of Franco for him.
“Actually,” Manny began, choosing his words carefully, “I believe he was having some trouble. From what I understand, he was negotiating with someone and things weren’t going well.”
“Please! You don’t have to dance around the information with me, but I’ll make this easy for you. Are you talking about Franco Giancana?”
“I am. They had a falling out and things were becoming heated.”
“Good, now that’s out of the way, tell me, Manny, regarding the Empress, how can I convince you to part with her? What would it take?”
“But Mr. Kozlov, I love the Empress so much,” Candy suddenly interjected. “I can’t imagine ever parting with her.”
“Candy…” Manny said sharply.
“No, no, it’s perfectly fine. Your beautiful lady is allowed to speak her mind, and Candy, please call me Alexi—or Alex if you’d prefer. Tell me, what can I offer you? It doesn’t have to be money. Perhaps a yacht, or a car. Anything at all. Name it and it’s yours. ”
“I don’t know, I really don’t.”
“Take your time. Discuss it with Manny. You’d make me very happy if you could think of something. And Candy,” he said, lowering his voice, “I never forget when someone makes me happy, just like I never forget when someone disappoints me.”
“I’m sure we’ll have an answer for you soon,” Manny declared before Candy had a chance to respond. “I’m having a party tonight. A Masquerade Ball actually. Why don’t you stop in? I can take you to see the Empress in person.”
“Ah, what an excellent suggestion. Thank you, I’ll do that,” he exclaimed, rising to his feet. “Thank you for joining me. Peter will show you out.”
Turning around, Manny saw one of the men walk to the door and open it.
“It’s been a pleasure,” Manny said, reaching across the table and shaking Alexi’s hand.
“Mine too,” Candy piped up, “and thank you for a wonderful lunch.”
“I’ll see you both tonight,” he replied, taking Candy’s hand and kissing it. “Such a delight to meet such a beautiful woman.”
Placing his arm around Candy’s waist, he guided her from the room, but as they stepped out onto the deck, he couldn’t help but wonder if he’d just made a terrible mistake.