Bloodbound: The Alliance
Chapter 44 - 48

Chapter 44: Chapter 48

Akio POV

Osaka, Japan

The car door opens. I climb out, and I march to the mountainous staircase with my jacket billowing behind me. I look up at an opulent set of posts and lintels that support the main building, boosting the large and gently curved roof, double-tiered with coloured tiles, constituting more than half of the size of the whole edifice. The slightly curved eaves extend far beyond the walls, covering the expansive verandas. The giant-sized door is wide open.

After entering a network of hallways, I reach a place with multiple rooms that have moveable screens as interior sliding doors, consisting of wooden frames with translucent paper.

I stop at the expansive screen flanked by guards.

I unlace my boots, taking them off to place them aside.

I return to the entrance. The one guard slides the screen open, granting me entry.

I walk inside with my face turned to the floor in deference as I reach the end of the room. The oyabun is enthroned on an ornate chair. I kneel before him, bowing before I straighten until my back is ironed flat.

"Why are you here instead of Botan?"

I keep my hands flat on my thighs, my gaze fixated on the ground. "He sent me in his stead. He’s overseeing a transfer from the east coast. The cargo is secured with geo-tracking, but Botan insists, since he doesn’t trust the Iranians."

The silence that follows is like a noose around my neck, strangling me slowly.

"You lie well," he says with a chilling calm. "Because I already know that the cargo arrived several hours ago. I commend you for showing loyalty to your superior. All I want to know is why you felt the need to lie. What is Botan really doing?"

Suddenly too hot, beads of sweat accumulate on my brows and temples.

"He doesn’t tell me anything. Only what I need to know."

"It’s the girl, isn’t it?"

My eyes fly up in shock before I drop them immediately.

"I know everything that happens. There is no corner of this planet that my reach doesn’t extend to. I know everything, including what my most trusted does in his spare time. And no matter how little it is, he spends it watching her. Is she aware of him now?"

I yield a nod.

He inhales a measured breath. "His assignment has turned into an obsession. I tolerated it before because it held a purpose, but if that purpose is disrupting his focus. That is a purpose I can no longer afford."

"Forgive me, but you cannot kill her." I force myself to continue, shoving out the words. "The bond is too strong. You kill her and he will never forgive you. The only one that can break things off is her."

He grunts in accord. He’s quiet but attentive. He knows I speak the truth.

"I can use her against him," he contemplates. "Avara Du Pont is not like her father or her brothers. She’s... soft, innocent and knows nothing about the world around her. When she sees what Botan truly is and what he has done; she will want nothing to do with him."

He hasn’t dismissed me yet.

"The former federal agent... Simon Mansfield. Is it done?"

Sharing his frustration, I shake my head. "Botan revoked the kill order. He’s in our custody waiting on his arrival. I don’t know what Botan plans on doing with him."

A heavy breath blasts through his nostrils, sending a tremor through me.

"Botan’s judgment is one I deeply rely on. If it is askew, many things can go awry. His wellness and happiness matters to me as it would for a father, but if the object of his happiness endangers all we have achieved, it is a threat that cannot be ignored. And as for the ex-agent, I’m sure the cover story is in place. Initiate the protocol."

"But Botan said—"

One look sliced my words mid-sentence and I fall forward to curl over to place my hands before my knees, bowing until my forehead taps the backs of my hand.

"Consider it done."

***

Vance POV

Once again, we’re airborne, inbound to Morocco.

Landen is sleeping off his hangover in one of the suites, since he went out partying last night, knowing full well we’re leaving early to travel. The rest of us are dispersed amidst the primary cabin of the plane. Avara and Silas share a long couch, she’s reclining on it with her head resting on her brother’s lap, reading a book whilst he sleeps. Luciano is enjoying the bar, snacking on an array of options. And Mayor Du Pont occupies a corner, reviewing work files of some kind.

My father and I sit across from one another on individual units facing each other.

"Why didn’t you secure it in the vault?"

"I did." I hesitate when I remember what I did with it before. "But I had sent it to the jeweler to have it polished. When it was sent back to me... I don’t think I put it back."

"You don’t think?" He leans back into the cushioned armchair, shaking his head in indignation. "Nevermind its extraordinary value. That ring is a cherished family heirloom that has been meticulously passed down from one generation to the next." Frustration growing into fury. "And you don’t think you put it back? I never knew you to be so careless. That is the kind of response I would expect from Landen."

Guilt moors my gaze to the carpeted floor, chided like a child. "Well, it’s been quite a stressful period."

"Stressful," he repeats with a sharp spike in his tone. "Comfort breeds weakness. How can I trust you as my successor when each decision you make holds the weight of all I’ve built? One misstep, one careless choice could trigger a contagion effect of devastating loss with just one bad investment. And you got stressed out by being at your mother’s sacred place to spend time with your beautiful fiance—"

"Who you chose," I blurt.

"And I couldn’t have chosen any better," he says with equal speed. "Her beauty mirrors the kindness in her heart, a rare grace found only once in a lifetime. The only other I’ve known was your mother."

Stunned into silence, I still cannot will myself to meet his gaze.

"You aren’t a child, so look at me when I’m talking to you."

My eyes flicker from the floor to his penetrating gaze.

He masters his anger, and a controlled look settles on his face. "Until that ring is recovered. I instructed a member of my staff to collaborate with a local jeweler to acquire a suitable replacement ring. Fortunately, it will arrive on the day of the party."

I submit an uneasy nod. "Bahadur booked out an entire six-star hotel for all the guests. So I assume we won’t be staying there?"

His face contorted in a look of revulsion. "Of course not. I already bought a fully furnished estate in the imperial city near Marrakech. And it has large enough quarters to accommodate both staff and security."