“Yes. Every detail of his plan.” Giovanni nodded. He picked up her hand and kissed her knuckles. “Don’t you see? You’re the victim. Now you can be set free of all of this, and all I need you to do is tell the truth. No lies. Just the truth.”
She nodded. He rubbed her back. Mira leaned over and dropped her head on the inside of his arm. “I’ll shower and get dressed. It’s time this comes to an end.” She rose. He caught her hand, brought it to his lips. She managed a smile then walked away. Giovanni glanced to the television set. His jaw tensed and his chest tightened with anger. This couldn’t have been Kei. If not him, then who?
****
The driver delivered him through the private gates of the airport to the runway. His jet had already been cleared for takeoff. Kei would land in Hong Kong well after he was missed. Kei grimaced. The fucking bastard had set him up, first with Cheung and now Mira. The media swarm would be crazy. He needed to get the hell out of the country before he was detained. Rethink his plan.
The door was opened and his driver peered down at him from under his chauffeur’s cap. “Will you need anything else sir?”
“No.” Quickly he hurried toward the tiny ladder that was lowered for him to enter. But before he reached the plane the loud wails of sirens sounded off, and Kei turned in time to see twelve police cars and two unmarked vehicles headed his way at warp speed. Kei thought to run up into the plane and get the pilot to lift off. But they’d never make it.
“Fuck!”
The cars surrounded him. The fucking agent with the FBI that had stalked him for two years exited one of the unmarked vehicles with a smug smile on his face. “Kei Hyogo you have the right to remain silent…”
****
Silvio Negali was a short man with a loud voice. He commanded the room. Even Mira was convinced of her abilities to right this ship after spending an hour of coaching under his instruction. He and Giovanni were in agreement. Mira would need to address the situation personally and the sooner the better.
The winter night was colder than expected for the southern region of Italy. Giovanni eased her coat on her shoulders. She wore her coat with large buttons on the front keeping it closed. Holding Giovanni’s hand, they walked together down the long driveway with his men surrounding them. Catalina had come outside to offer her support. She smiled weakly at Mira. It felt good to see them all so protective of her now. The reporters were in a frenzy as soon as she approached the gates.
Flashbulb glares exploded everywhere. Mira squinted against the light temporarily blinded. So many questions were thrown at her, the reporters’ voices drowned into collective noise. Mira put up her hand and silenced the crowd. “I would like to say something please.”