Chapter 18

Two days after the shooting, Khan wheeled Alice into the meeting room. Alice was on pain meds but still struggled with the pain in her leg and shoulders. Khan could only arrange for a two-day’s extension. He wheeled her toward the point of the table and took his seat.

Alice looked around the table at all the shareholders, who were looking at her with shocked expressions.

“Good morning, I am sorry I missed our appointment but like you all can see I had a little accident.”

“It seems like a big one by the looks of you. Why did you not inform us of this?” One man said out loud what the others were thinking.

Alice narrowed her eyes at him.

“I am still alive. If I died, then it's big deal. This is only a minor incident. So, let's stop with the unnecessary talk and let’s talk business. I will not waste anyone’s time. We are all busy people.” They all nodded in agreement. “So, you have requested this meeting. Is there something wrong with the deal we previously discussed?”

Mark Sanderson spoke first. “We want to increase the order.”

“We haven't even delivered the first batch and you already want to increase the product?”

“Yes, our dealers are quite eager to distribute the product. They already found double the client base we currently have,” Mark said

“What amount?” Alice asked while frowning at Mark.

“Ten thousand units.”

“Ten thousand units?” Alice asked surprised. “The first batch was three thousand. Ten thousand is more than double that amount.”

Alice looked at Khan and then back at Mark

“When?”

“The same time frame as the first order. We are only increasing it.”

“Why so fast?”

“We do not have to elaborate,” Mark said in a matter-of-fact tone.

Alice laughed out loud. “Mr. Sanderson if we are talking about increasing it with one thousand that is possible but ten thousand, that is impossible. We can increase it to one thousand but that is it.

“If you cannot give us what we want will stop our collaboration with AB Corporation.”

Alice looked unbothered at Sanderson. “We already signed the contract for the construction material, Mr. Sanderson. If you terminate the contract you will have to pay the cancellation fee plus the full amount for the first order.”

Sanderson narrowed his eyes at Alice.

“This drug is created by us. You cannot get it anywhere else, and what will your clients do if you can’t provide them with the drug, you promised them? I can guarantee they will not be happy. This will not look good on LLC Corporation. If you promised them a timeframe before discussing it with us that is unfortunately not our fault.” Alice said

“When is the soonest you can supply?” Sanderson asked frustrated

“We can supply the total amount over a period of time, but not all at once. I will talk to dispatch, and they will provide me with the dates. Another thing you have to keep in mind. Going forward in delivering such a big order will draw unnecessary attention and if we get caught you will receive anything, not even the three thousand you wanted.”

Sanderson looked at all the other shareholders and they nodded.

“Fine, but the second batch needs to be more than a mere three thousand.”

“Mr. Sanderson. Who do you think we are? Our family has been doing this for over a decade. We know what we are doing. We will not change the way we are operating just for your company. If we are too eager, we will get caught. We will deliver you ten thousand on our terms and time. Please remember you are not our only client.”

“Fine.”

“I am glad we can settle on that. Is there anything else?” Alice asks

Everyone looked at Sanderson and shook their heads.

“No, that is it. We will be waiting on your call.”

“Okay then. We will send all the necessary documents over for you for signature. Thank you for your support.”

They nodded then stood up and left the room.

 

Adriano Bernardi's empire exists of ten casinos spread around Italy and three strip clubs. AB corporation supplies building materials to the client with the drugs hidden inside.

 

Alice looked at Khan.

“Did you find out who wanted to kill me?”

“Yes, but you are not going to like it,” Khan said, then stood up and walked toward the window. He looked in a daze down at the people walking past. Alice turned the wheelchair in Khan’s direction.

“By the look of your expression, it is not good,” Alice said

“It is the same person who killed Kevin,” Khan said without turning.

Alice's eyes widened. Her heartbeat increased, ‘After all this time. Will he finally tell me?’ Alice thought to herself.

When he did not respond she rolled the wheelchair towards him. As she stopped next to him, she looked up.

“I am ready Khan. I have been ready for a long time now, and I think you also know that. Please, please tell me.”

Khan looked down at Alice seeing the anticipation shining in her eyes. ‘She is right. This is the perfect time to tell her. It is finally time for my next move.’ Khan was furious when Adriano wanted to adopt Alice. ‘Why did he want a weak pathetic child when he had me? Adriano raised me so why not make me his successor? Never in the history of the Barnadi clan has a woman been a leader so why did he want this bitch to take over?’ Khan wanted to kill Alice at first. He let them throw her into the dark room and tortured her, but she just wouldn’t die. ‘Then he thought. If this thing dies what will stop Adriano from adopting another bitch. If Adriano did not want me to take over the clan voluntarily, I will take it by force. One thing Khan has to give Adriano credit for, his people were extremely loyal to him. They would kill Khan if he killed Adriano. So why not use the bitch Adriano so desperately wanted to give everything and make her kill him. Ha, this was the perfect plan. This bitch was so blinded to the truth, she just would believe anything that came out of my mouth. Khan knew he had to move fast because he never expected Kevin to find her. If Kevin gets to her before the plan is executed Khan knew his whole plan would be ruined.’

“Khan?”

Alice called out pulling Khan out of his thoughts.

“Are you sure you want to know? It will change everything.” Khan said.

“Yes. Yes, of course, I want to know Khan. Tell me. I want to know.”

Khan turned to Alice and sighed.

“Adriano killed Kevin Alice, and he is also sending men to kill you.”

Alice looked shocked at Khan.

“My father Adriano? Why? Why did he kill Kevin and why does he want to kill me? I am his daughter. I know he adopted me but why now? Why wait till now to kill me?”

“Don’t you see Alice? You are not his blood. He is afraid he can’t control you anymore and you will take everything from him. You know Adriano, he can’t stand not being fully in control. He feels like he is losing his grip on you.”

Alice looked out of the window deep in thought.

“And Kevin?”

“According to the information I received, Kevin was adopted by his rival. They went against him, so he killed Kevin’s whole family.”

Alice sank her nails into the armrest of the wheelchair. Anger burst through her veins. ‘She wanted him dead, and she wanted him dead now!’

“I know that looked, Alice. I did not tell you the truth so you can act irrationally. You will get your revenge, but you need to follow our plan.”

“What is our plan, Khan? All you have been telling me is to keep training, get stronger and do what I was told. So, what is the plan?”