The Billionaire's Mistake

MISTAKE 143

Chapter 143: President is taken

Through the haze, he saw the two guards sprawled motionless on the floor. The younger one's Vacant eyes stared at nothing, while the older guard groaned weakly, trying to move.

The rear doors of the van were pulled open. Dark figures appeared, only visible because of the glare of headlights and the slight flames of burning vehicles.

"Check them," a gruff voice commanded in Italian. "Find the president."

Immediately, rough hands seized him, dragging him out of the wreckage. Edward found himself face-to-face with a man in tactical gear, his face hidden under a mask.

"We got him," the man said into a radio. "Package secured."

Edward's mind raced. This wasn't a rescue, not one he had orchestrated. He was not stupid. IE was not safe for him outside. The safest place for him was in government custody. If this was not a rescue, this meant... "Wait," he gasped, his voice hoarse from the smoke. "You're making a mistake. Whatever you want, I will give it to you. Please."

The masked man chuckled darkly. "Oh, there is nothing you can give, Mr. President. Or should I say, Don Edward?"

Edward opened his mouth to speak again, to negotiate, to threaten-anything to regain control of the situation. But before he could utter a word, a sharp pain exploded in the back of his head.

The last thing Edward saw before darkness claimed him was the dark skyline of the capital, the city he had ruled both openly and from the shadows.

The Italian Parliament was in an uproar. What had begun as an emergency session to address

the fallout from President Edward Ricardo's impeachment had devolved into barely controlled chaos.

At the center of the storm stood Mario. She was honestly tired. Today could not get any worse.

"Colleagues, please!" She shouted, her voice barely audible above the din. "We must maintain order if we are to handle issues today!"

the rear of the chamber burst open. A visibly shaken aide

in the Prime Minister's ear. Many

stress, turned ashen. She gripped the podium, steadying herself, before

transport carrying former President Ricardo to the secure holding facility was attacked en route. The President..." she paused, taking a deep breath,

a heartbeat before the chamber

"Taken? By whom?"

this a rescue

our security forces

guns! They're making their

and theories flew

VIP gallery, journalists furiously tapped at their phones and tablets, the

still. Marcus Russo, the Attorney General, sat rigid in his

hard to tell

regain control of the chamber, Marcus rose from his seat. With deliberate calm, he made his way to one of the side

behind him, muffling the ongoing chaos in the chamber, Marcus allowed himself a moment of weakness. He leaned against the wall, closing his eyes and taking several

was thankfully empty; everyone's attention focused on the drama unfolding in the main chamber. Marcus pushed

found an empty office and private room and entered. Marcus locked the door behind him and pulled

heart but had hoped never to use again. The phone rang once, twice, and three times. Marcus was about to hang up when

his voice low

about?"

chase. "Don't play dumb, Ray. You know exactly what this is about. Did you have the

"I'm afraid I don't know what you're talking about, old friend. What's happened to

the crap, Ray. Ricardo's transport was attacked less than an hour ago. He's gone. Vanished. And we both know your Shaw family has the biggest grudge against

That's rich coming from you Marcus.

hit Marcus like a physical blow. Helen. He had hated the Shaw family for so long because of her death. He hates Ricardo even more when