Gina had overheard a bit of his conversation. In her raspy voice, she interjected, “Sounds like you need a particular kind of help.”
Alex disconnected his call and put his phone inside his inner suit coat pocket. “I could use an Angel, who speaks Mandarin.”
“I’ve been called a lot of things but never an Angel. That might be nice to add to my resume.”
Alex turned serious. “You speak Mandarin?”
“Fluently. It’s one of the main languages of my country.”
He looked surprised given she didn’t have even a hint of an accent. As he looked closer, despite her African American features, he could definitely see Chinese features too.
“Surprised?”
“I’d be lying if I said no.”
“It must be my Harvard education. I went to college and grad school in the States, and I’m Gina.”
“Gorgeous and smart. That’s a lethal combination.”
“Flattery will get you everywhere.” She extended her hand.
Alex shook it. “Alexandro Manchetti and I’m going to press my luck and ask if you would be willing to assist me in a business meeting? I need a translator. The one I hired got sick and won’t be able to make it.”
She tilted her head, and her hair fell over her shoulders. “Ah…You’re in a bind. Maybe I can help. It all depends?”
Alex gave her his most charming smile. “Other than my company or family, I’ll give you whatever your heart desires.”
“Hmmm….how can I resist an offer like that? Of course, I’ll do it.” She pointed a slim finger at him. “You just remember your promise because I’m going to hold you to it.”
They walked into the restaurant and towards his associates. Sitting at the table was his General Counsel - Giovanni LaPezzia and several other Chinese businesspeople. They all stood when Alex and Gina arrived. Alex spoke. “Gentleman, let me introduce you to Gina…” He looked at her perplexed. He hadn’t gotten her last name. She supplied it smoothly as she reached out her hand to embrace the men at the table. “Gina Lee.” She then spoke in Mandarin. “It is a pleasure to meet you.”
Fabi interrupted his thoughts when he came into Alex’s office. “What’s up? Kathy said you needed to see me and that it was important.”
Alex turned the chair around to face him. “Gina paid me a little visit last night.”
He was shocked. “Gina who?”
“Gina.”
“What?” Surprise evident on his face. He frowned, “Why didn’t you say something this morning? And, what the hell is she doing here?”
Alex sighed. “Braylee picks up on every little thing. I didn’t want that energy in the house. Last week when I went out of town, I went to find her. I know damn well she had something to do with Luciano’s murder and putting her cousin Joseph up to it. I just can’t prove it…yet. That’s why I was there. Gina did what she always does and played the game of cat and mouse, so I was never able to see her. However, her need for feeling like she’s in control has made her predictable. I knew she’d show up to the States to see me. What I wasn’t expecting was for her to show up at my damn door last night while you and Cecily were out. We set the rules a long time ago, but she upped the ante with that one.”
“Alex, Cecily could have been home!”
He responded in a low deathly tone. “I know. That’s why I’ve had security tightened on you, Cecily, and Braylee. Mom’s in a virtual fortress at the family compound in Sicily, but I called her to make sure her eyes and ears stay open. Anyway, after her stunt last night, I don’t know Gina’s overall game plan. What I do know is that my security detail called to say she was at Cecily’s school this morning.”
Fabi’s jaw clenched. “Where is she now? Alex, this needs to be handled. I’ve lost a brother and so much more to that batshit crazy family. I refuse to lose Cecily too. She thinks her mother died during childbirth, and I plan for it to stay that way.”
“We’re on the same page. I’m working this from a couple of different angles. I need you to be aware of what is going on around you. Stay alert and not with just what’s going on at home.”
“That goes without saying.”
“Hear me clearly Fabi, the agents from the US Patent and Trademark office will be here tomorrow night. Luciano was killed because of the TNG2. As much as I want to handle Gina and her whole family, we’ve got to keep cooler heads. That’s why I haven’t shown up at her hotel room already. She’s here pretending like her focus is Cecily, but you and I both know Gina doesn’t have a nurturing bone in her body. She’s here because of the TNG2. To think she and her family would go to all those lengths to kill Luciano, and a failed attempt to take over our company only to just let it all go is naive. I sense one last ditch effort to sabotage us before the final approval of the patent.” Alex put the stress ball down on his desk and got up from his chair before walking over to Fabi. “It would break me if anything were to happen to you. I’ve lost one brother; I won’t lose another.”
Fabi put his hand on Alex’s shoulder and stared him squarely into his eyes before he spoke. “I promise you that will
