Chapter 19: It's A Trap
1308 Words
Adrian
“What the hell, Dominic, you startled me.”
“I'm sorry.”
“How did you find me? F*ck! How the hell did you know I was here?”
“You've not been picking up my calls, Adrian?"
"Why would I? It's obvious you're not interested in doing the task at hand.”
"That's because it's dangerous, and you are endangering all of us if you don't listen to me.”
"And how did you come to that conclusion? See, Dominic, you've got to stop being scared. I know we've been on Victor's trail for some weeks, but the evidence is clear, they are right in front of us, can't you see?”
"It's a trap, Adrian.” Dominic dropped the bombshell.
"It's a what?”
"A trap.”
"You're joking, right? You think I'm out here for a joke. People's lives are in danger, we have full details, and you call it a trap?”
“I double checked the timings, the arrival of the buyers, their names, and their company schedule; they didn't tally at all.” Dominic's face carried both certainty and confusion. At this point, I was as confused as a toddler would be when given his first food to try.
“What do you mean they don't tally? Rebecca pulled out the reports; they were all solid."
“That's exactly what they want you to think, but trust me, it's all a game. Think about it, why would Victor want to lose the most valuable assets he'd gotten after years of searching? Why would he lose something who would turn in millions every month so soon?"
“Hmmm…" I muttered, nodding slowly. There was a bit of sense in what he just mentioned.
“But what about the data? What about the auction? We were there, or have you forgotten? Why would Victor lie about auctioning Ella out? Why would he risk lying to potential clients?”
“That's the issue, I can't tell exactly why he did it, but it all boils down to the same reason he set the trap in the first place."
"Victor is such a…”
"Smart ass. I mean, you don't expect him to be dumb and attain such a reputation, do you?”
"Phew.” I exhaled sharply.
"Come with me, Sir, I'll explain better in the car.”
"Come with you?” I asked, staring at my wristwatch. "We have less than an hour to save or lose Ella, Dominic. What you are about to show me should be in favor of the former." I warned him with a stern look.
"Trust me, you'll thank me later.”
"I hope,” I replied, dusting off the dust that had gathered on my pants. There was something in Dominic's voice, the way he spoke calmly meant his information was correct, but I had doubts, I needed more than just words of mouth, I needed analyzed proofs.
"This way, Sir.” He pointed to the left. At that instance, I remembered Kelvin; he must still be waiting for me, and where he was waiting was in the opposite direction to where Dominic was gesturing to.
"Emm.. I have unfinished business with Kelvin. I'd like to see to it." I said, turning towards where I had earlier told Kelvin to wait.
“Kelvin has left. I paid him off. It wasn't safe for him to be around here, by the way."
“You know about Kelvin, too? You never cease to amaze me, Dominic. Hope you have him something tangible.” I asked, walking past him to the car.
"He wouldn't need help for a year or two."
"Good.”
“Aleksandr Kozlov is the leader, as we know and as we have earlier seen, he has arrived with his team, right?” Dominic asked, pointing to Kozlov's image on his tablet as we settled in the back seat of the G-wagon.
“Yes, that's correct."
"Well, I dug up their weekly schedule and found out that Aleksandr Kozlov was supposed to attend an international investors conference in Spain. I went further to get access to the conference details, but it was private. I didn't give up, I had contact in Italy who helped me dig in deeply, and it shows Aleksandr Kozlov is in Spain currently as we speak.”
"You've made a valid point, but what if he sends a representative?”
“Well, I thought about that too, but Kozlov doesn't operate that way. He loves going to get what he wants himself, so he'll choose the best.”
"Hmm… interesting. Does that mean Ella works, and pictures won't do the work? If he sees her previous jobs, that should tell him if he wants her or not. What's the need of coming all the way down?”
“Hahaha. That's where you're getting this all wrong, Sir. Ella won't just be an artist, from the look of things, Victor will eventually give her out as a s*x slave.”
“What?"
“Yes, but it won't be now, and let's pray he doesn't turn her into one himself."
“That son of a…" I slammed the seat in front of me in anger. “If he dares to lay a single finger on her, I'll make sure he regrets the day he was born." I boiled furiously. I could tell my eyes were red already.”
“Hahaha…” Dominic laughed so hard, he almost choked.
"And what's funny? Why are you laughing, Dominic?”
"Wow, like, wow, wow, wow. The mighty CEO of the world's most recognized tech company is falling for a girl. She's pretty, right?”
"You're so unbelievable, Dominic. What has Ella's captivity got to do with my feelings? Come on, don't be a joker.”
"I knew something was up; I could see the love in your eyes.” He teased more.
"Shut up, just shut up,” I screamed. "There is nothing, absolutely, nothing of such, so get your ass to work.”
"You don't have to worry, my prince, I'll just remind you of this soon." He chuckled. Dominic is not just my head of security, but also my best friend. He knows what I've passed through in the hands of several women, but that is a story for another day.
“So with this, you're convinced this is all a setup, right?"
“Yes, Adrian, I'm 100% sure. But one question remains unanswered: why would Victor do this? Who is he targeting, or is he suspecting you?" Adrian turned and stared at me with uncertainty in his eyes.
"I can't tell, Dominic. Time will tell, I just hope it doesn't catch up with us unexpectedly.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah. I hope it doesn't." He nodded.
With Dominic's findings, I felt like a burden had been lifted from my shoulders. Although I had a few doubts still lingering in my head, I trusted Dominic a lot, and I knew he wouldn't compromise.
"We have to leave now, this place is too creepy to stay for a long time.” Dominic’s voice brought me out of my thoughts.
“Of course, let's go."
He stepped out, went to the driver's seat, and brought the car to life. “Shall we?"
“Yes, please," I replied.
As he drove off, I couldn't help but think of reasons why Victor would pull up such a stunt. Did he know I was coming? Or should I say, did he know I would come for Ella if I heard she was in danger?”
Still in my thoughts, I looked out through the window and saw something, someone lying helplessly in a pool of blood on the floor. His clothes looked familiar, and he looked like someone I
had met before, someone I met today.
“Holy cow, Kelvin!"
- Writer
