“Altai, the money will be due at the latest in a week—maybe in two,” the father says nervously.
“I’m not giving extensions. You can’t get the money anywhere.”
“I’ve got… in Italy…”
Altai bursts out laughing loudly, interrupting his father.
“You think I’ll let you leave the country?”
“You need this money, and I need time to get it. You know me, Altai—we’ve been doing business for a hundred years. I give you my word that I’ll come back no matter what.”
Altai looks at me with his eyes, and I feel uneasy.
This man had been part of the dark side of my father’s life—one I was forbidden to get involved with. They say he went through hell. The broken ears, the scar on his mouth, and the eyes—empty, devoid of emotion.
“Alright. Go to your Italy. But Rada will ‘rest’ on my base for now.”
“No way—”
“How come? You’ll come back. That will be incentive to hurry.”