The Mysterious Mr. Miller

25. ENCOUNTER

We were to enter the gallery through the window of the kitchen where Sean’s men were already present. They helped us break in and from there, we went our separate ways and mingled with different crowds.

Although I knew nothing about art, I feigned interest in the discussion of a group of women in the hopes of getting some information. Sean was wandering around me, making sure I didn’t ruin anything with my stupidity.

The woman Bianca Machiavelli arrived a few minutes later and she was alone to our disappointment. She had jet black straight hair and sparkling blue eyes. She was in her forties according to Sean but she hardly looked a day above thirty because of how well she had maintained herself. She mingled with a few people, even waved towards the women among whom I was standing. Nobody could tell from her angelic smile that she was the wife of a mobster.

Sean motioned me with her head to follow him to the bar. We stood at a distance, ordering our respective drinks to the bartender.

“Paolo didn’t come.” Sean whispered.

“It was all for nothing.” I replied.

While the bartender was handing us our orders, I felt a menacing presence behind me.

“Get Frodo on the phone. Why hasn’t he delivered the thing I wanted yet?” The man said on the phone as he pointed at the bartender. He didn’t need to say much, the bartender knew exactly what he wanted.

I watched from my peripheral vision as he stood between Sean and me, muttering to the phone. He was a middle aged man, tall and broad, his features giving a hint of his Italian genes.

“What do you mean it didn’t fit in the box? Chop it up.” He said and I gulped.

Once he got his drink, he walked away, leaving me with a big ball of nerves in my throat.

“Please tell me by it, he meant some fruit.” I whispered.

“If that will help you sleep at night, sure.” Sean said. “I’ll go talk to him.”

“No, let me go.” I said. “He will recognize you.”

“Let him. He should know you are not alone.” Sean said with clenched teeth.

“You can display your masculinity later. Let me talk to him first. He won’t recognize me. I’ll be subtle.” I said and when Sean didn’t argue, I made my way to Paolo.

He was on his way out when I crossed his path, pretending that I had accidentally bumped into him.

“I am so sorry Mr…. I’m sorry I don’t recognize you.” I said. Behind him, Sean was watching me like a hawk and it was one of those rare occasions when he looked genuinely nervous.

“That’s fine. You don’t need to.” He said with a sly smile.

“You remind me of a friend. Are you Italian by any chance?” I asked while running my fingers through my hair flirtatously.

“Yes.” He smiled. “You also remind me of a friend. The only thing is, she was a natural blonde.” The smile wiped off my face and Sean got alerted as well. Paolo took a step closer to me and said, “You haven’t glued your wig properly.”

“I…”

“You know red hair and blue eyes is an exceptionally rare combination. I only know one person with those genes.” His voice grew menacing.

Not knowing what to do, I probably did the dumbest thing I have ever done in my life. I snatched the gun from my thigh and chucked it towards Sean, who caught it immediately and pointed it towards Paolo. Before I could register what was happening, Paolo pulled me towards him, twisted my wrist behind my back and turned me so I was facing Sean and my back was towards him. Something cold like metal nuzzled against my temple and my breath got stuck in my throat.

A chaos erupted around us and everyone rushed outisde. There were some of Paolo’s men dispersed in the crowd who rushed to us as soon as they saw what was happening. Thomas had also entered inside on hearing the chaos and now he was dealing with Paolo’s men singlehandedly.

“Well well well, look what we have here.” Paolo said and clicked his tongue. “Romeo and Juliet, ready to risk it all. Who should I kill first, you or her?”

“You won’t kill her. You need her alive.” Sean said and then took a few steps backwards. “The thing is, who do you need more? Your wife or her?” He took another step backwards and then went behind a pillar, dragging someone out from behind it. It was Bianca, who was trying to hide behind the pillar but now she was at gunpoint.

“I’ll kill you Miller, even if it starts a war between our families.” Paolo threatened as his hold tightened around me.

“I only have one brother. You on the other hand, two daughters, is that it? I am sure Yara and Ginny can live without a mother.” Sean said and by the look on his face, he was very capable of killing her.

Paolo’s hold loosened around me and he shouted towards his men, “ Stop.”

“Let her go. Talk to me man to man.” Sean said it like a warning.

Paolo pushed me towards Sean, who immediately released Bianca and held me in his arms gently. Relief washed over me now that I was finally in my safe place away from the gun and that man holding it. “Go away with Thomas. I’ll deal with him.” He whispered in my ears.

“No.” I shook my head.

“Go.” He glared and then slid me towards Thomas. My eyes blurred with moisture as Thomas dragged me away, ignoring my protests of taking Sean with us.

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