Chapter 2 - Cold Blood at the Threshold
The double doors slid open with a soft mechanical hiss. Alexander’s security detail stepped forward, weapons drawn under tailored blazers, but Alexander raised a single finger to halt them. Out stepped Donald, Alexander’s long-time head of covert operations, holding a heavy velvet coat and an encrypted tablet.
""Speak,"" Alexander commanded, not turning away from his daughter’s trembling silhouette.
""The Robas compound in Bellwood has been locked down,"" Donald reported, his tone devoid of emotion. ""Madeline Robas returned there thirty minutes ago with four private enforcers. Javier was seen boarding his black Mercedes SUV, heading toward their downtown club, The Velvet Vault. He’s looking for Clara, sir. He thinks she ran to an emergency room.""
""Get Dr. Mercer here immediately,"" Eleanor ordered Donald, wiping Clara's bleeding eyebrow with a warm damp cloth. ""A full forensic medical team. Document every bruise, every drop of blood. If they touch her again, I will kill them myself.""
Alexander walked over to Clara. Kneeling before the sofa, he gently took her bruised, ice-cold fingers into his warm palms. ""Look at me, Clara.""
The girl met his eyes. ""Dad... they took the signed deeds from my purse. Javier made me sign the transfer papers before his mother started.""
Alexander’s eyes turned glacial. ""Those papers are merely paper, little bird. But they will serve as their death warrant."" He turned back to Donald. ""Activate the debt recall on Robas Shipping. Freeze every shell account tied to their maritime logistics. Cut their port access by midnight.""
""Understood, Mr. Vance,"" Donald nodded. ""And what about Javier?""
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Alexander stood up, straightening his cuffs. ""He thinks he can drink away the guilt of selling his bride. I will pour him his last glass myself.""
Suddenly, the screen of Clara’s discarded phone on the coffee table illuminated. A text message popped up from Javier: Go home to your father, Clara, or the next video sent to your mother will end her heart.
