The sun was yet to fully rise when I arrived at Russo HQ . My early appearance in the boardroom caught the old folks off guard- I rarely came into the boardroom this early, but today was different.
The executive floor hummed in it's usual quiet murmur but I ignored it like I always did.
The boardroom was filled with familiar faces: department directors, financial advisors and a few senior investors who rarely came in person.
Even my father was present.
"Good morning son." He greeted.
"Morning." I responded without sparing him a glance.
"Good morning Mr Russo." the MD greeted me with his usual cautious respect.
"Morning." I said, slipping into my chair at the head of the table.
Quarterly projections, strategic expansions and upcoming partnerships were the main for us of the meeting.
But my mind was busy pulling pieces together.
Subtle anomalies in reports and discrepancies in overseas transactions were minor but didn't escape my observations.
"Mr Russo, your thoughts?" The CEO of international operations asked after outlining a potential joint venture.
"I want full transparency." I said evenly. "Every contract, every offshore account. No exceptions."
Heads shifted uncomfortable but I didn't care. Control was non-negotiable.
"Are you saying you don't trust us Mr Russo?" the CEO of international operations asked with raised brows.
"There is no such thing as trust in the business world Mr Voss." I responded matter-of-factly.
When dealing in the business world, you trust others at your own risk.
Mr Voss went silent and the meeting continued.
Halfway through, Adrian's warning rang in my head and suddenly the meeting felt off. Something was wrong somewhere- I was being watched.
Daniel passed me a folder discreetly under the table. One of our miles overseas hinted at a foul play tied to one of our logistic partners.
It took all the restraint in me not to get up from my chair and gun off the psycho who was staring at me through the glass from a building opposite ours.
I signalled to Daniel about the assassin's location and he nodded slightly before pressing an emergency button on his glasses which most people never took notice of.
I studied the faces around me, none of them had noticed the interaction between I and Daniel.
The tension in the room only grew thicker when they noticed my gaze. Their bodies stiffened. This was an environment where even the slightest misstep could unravel all you've ever worked for.
"On the personnel matters we need your approval for new hires in security and tech operations." the COO said.
I leaned back into my chair. "Approved. But I need daily updates. You know I hate surprises."
The other executives continued discussing while I tried to wrap my head around things, trying to connect the dots.
When the meeting adjourned, I stood, my eyes scanning the room, every executive knew the unspoken fact: nothing got past me. I gave a curt nod. "Meeting over."
Alone in my office I turned on my laptop. I needed to do a little research of my own.
Unfortunately, a knock interrupted me before I even got started.
"Come in." I said.
The door opened only for my father and his wife to step in.
"Vincent, your mother came to check up on you." He said.
Belle Russo.
It had been almost three weeks since I last saw her.
I scoffed.
"If I can recall correctly my mother is six feets beneath the ground Mr Russo."
"Stop with your sarcasm, Belle is your mothr figure and you should respect her."
She turned to my father.
"Stop scolding him Richard."
"See, she's still pleading for you."
"Pleading for me?" I smirked.
It was either my father was actually blind or he was pretending to be.
"You two should stop exchanging words." Belle pleaded."Are you able to cope with the Belmont heiress?"
"What if I'm not?" my brows furrowed.
"You can always break off the engagement. You know I'll always support your decisions." The utmost lack of truth in her words almost amde me puke.
" So you want me to not fulfill my mother's wish?" I turned the table against her.
"That's not what I mean-"
I interrupted.
"Or are you saying this alliance isn't necessary?"
"Belle that's not right." My father said to his wife.
I smiled inwardly. Served her right.
Just then another knock interrupted Belle's retort.
"Come in."
Daniel stepped in with two of my personal bodyguards behind him holding a man in hood hostage.
"Mr Russo, Mrs Russo." Daniel acknowledged before turning to face me.
"Is this the man?" I asked, although I already knew my answer.
Daniel explained.
"Yes, we caught him while he was trying to escape."
I stood from my chair and walked towards the man hanging between the two bodyguards.
I dipped my hand in my blazer in my blazer pocket and pulled out my beloved pistol.
"Do you want to question him?" Daniel asked.
"No he won't talk, he has the suicide mark on him."
Anyone in business understood the suicide mark.
If an assassin had it, it meant their task is to kill their target and themselves when the job is done.
"Don't tell me you want to kill a man before my eyes." Belle shivered.
I smiled wryly.
"What do you think?"
I cocked my gun and shot him just as my father opened his mouth to protest.
"We'll dispose the body." Daniel informed before following the two bodyguards out.
"Do you have any idea who sent him?" My father asked.
"No." I answered.
"I've warned you to stop investigating your mother's death it was an acci-"
I interrupted.
"Don't you dare say it was an accident, we both know the truth."
"For your own safety just give up." He advised.
"You've overstayed your welcome here." I said.
"Are you telling me to leave?"
"Yes."
"Just stay safe son." He said and before leaving with Belle following after him.
His words refused to leave my head.
He said the same things Adrian had.
"Just saty safe bro."
I wasn't going to let myself get discouraged.
I sat at the edge of my desk before taking out my handkerchief to wipe Rielle.
I put Rielle back into my pocket before taking out a cigar from my desk drawer.
I needed to take a smoke-badly.
Just then, Daniel entered my office.
"How have things been at the print magazine?" I asked him.
"Things have been going smoothly and Adrian is working quiet diligently."
"I didn't ask about him."
"Oh I know." He teased.
"And Scout?" I asked.
"Scout travelled this morning." He responded.
"Why don't I know about it?" I questioned.
"Today has been rough, it skipped my mind." He explained." She went to Philadelphia to attend a banquet tonight to finalize the interview with Will."
My heart skipped a beat at the mention of Will.
He was a known for being a notorious rapist who was lucky to escape being just because his father brined the right people.
"Why would you let he meet with Will alone in another city?" I could feel my features mould into a frown.
Daniel apologized.
"Fuck, that was a mistake on my part."
"Get the jet ready." I instructed." We're going to Philadelphia."
I just hoped we got there in time.