The Bodyguard's
Taken

On one corner of St's city park. Petersburg, an old man sat on a minimalist bench holding a thick book. His right hand was engrossed in opening the book, until a long-mouthed man came standing before him.

“Good day, Mr. Romanov,” greet the man in the coat.

The old man who was none other than Stefan Romanov, immediately looked up and squinted. “Who are you?” asked the middle-aged man haughty. The tail of his eyes caught a round-shaped pin that reflected the sunlight. Stefan further sharpened his vision, so that he could clearly see objects made of silver and circular. On the object, there is a picture of a gun and a sword in the middle. The pin was embedded in the collar of the foreign man's coat.

“You can call me Damien,” replied the foreign man. Her eyes were hidden behind the fedora hat she was wearing.

“Damien? Like no Russian name,” thought Stefan while laughing mockingly. “I don't have time to talk to insignificant strangers like you!” The old man closed the book he was reading earlier, then got up from his seat. He intended to leave someone who claimed to be named Damien just like that.

However, just one step past Damien's strapping body, Stefan's arm was blocked so tightly. “At least listen to what I'm about to say, before you give an assessment of how insignificant I am,” infuriated the man with the fedora hat. Damien slightly raised his face, so that the dark brown eyeballs were staring intently at Stefan.

“Ka-you! Release!” Stefan started to panic. He tried to let go of Damien's fingers tightly gripped on his arm. However, the power of the young man was very strong, making Stefan choose to give up. “You obviously don't know who I really am,” the old man's hiss remains with his arrogance.

“Oh, that's very wrong. I'm very much aware of who you are. That's why I stand before you right now,” Damien said while facing Stefan completely, while releasing his grip.

“Oh yes?” Stefan's tone shook. He stared once again at the tall man before him intently. “Say, what do you know about me?” his challenge.

“That's a very easy question. You are one of Mr. Nikolai Volkov's best friends. It seems that you are also ambitious to get something valuable from the Red Wolf clan,” Damien replied with a wide grin.

“What do you mean!” stefan was getting impatient.

“What's behind your daughter's matchmaking with Volkov's descendants? I know the real reason is so you can taste a little bit of the clan's power and wealth. It's a pity that young master Volkov has made his own choice. All your beautiful hopes ended in vain,” explained Damien with a very calm intonation.

“You!” Stefan pointed his index finger right at the man's face.

“Do not get angry, Sir. You just admit that what I said is true.” Damien laughed loudly. “However, you don't have to worry, because I'm here to help. Yelena Romanov still has a great opportunity to be a companion of Karl Volkov, the handsome young master,” continued the man with a satisfied smile.

“How to?” Stefan is interested in the lure given by Damien.

“It's easy, Sir. Enough to eliminate the girl who became Karl Volkov's partner. If the girl is gone, then there is absolutely no reason for Karl Volkov to avoid another arranged marriage that has been planned for decades ago,” Damien replied calmly.

“You said as if killing Karl Volkov's wife was easy,” sneer Stefan as he shook his head slowly. "The girl was a descendant of the Clan de Luca. I'm sure you'll know and have heard how powerful the organization that rules the Italian mainland is. So, don't underestimate him, because he must have layered security." Now, it was Stefan's turn to grin with satisfaction.

"According to the information I have heard, he is also under the supervision of Adriano D'Angelo the chairman of Tigre Nero. I hope you also know how strong the organization is" Stefan said again, turning his back. He wanted to continue his intentions that had paused.

"You don't have to tell me about it all, because I already knew it. I had anticipated all the possibilities that could have happened. Preparation that is mature and perfect, will make this plan end with good results is also satisfactory," Damien replied that succeeded in making Stefan again stop the step. The middle-aged man was glued to where he stood, without facing Damien.

“Because of that, I volunteered to help you, Sir. To me, killing a young woman who is the wife of Karl Volkov is not difficult at all. Very easy, as easy as turning the palm.” Damien grinned as he patted Stefan's shoulder slowly, making the old man think deeply of the attractive offer he was given.

......................

Another reason for the blue-eyed handsome man to stay longer in Italy, is the plan of the competition which is now turned into a party to strengthen himself as the husband of Miabella. However, the event was not held in Casa de Luca, but rather in the Palace de Luca Palermo, Sicily Island.

"Are you nervous, Carlo?" miabella asked while tidying up the bow tie that completes the husband's different appearance. That night, Carlo looked the other in a specially ordered expensive tuxedo suit.

"The father-in-law will definitely beat me up, if I suddenly become like a loser because of nervousness" said Carlo who was not satisfied to look at the beautiful face of Miabella. That night, Mia's eldest daughter wore a red one shoulder sash long dress, with a thigh-length hemisphere. "You're so pretty. I hope this party will make you feel comfortable, Cara mia," said Carlo with a voice that sounded so deep.

"There are you near me, Carlo," Miabella replied as she softly kissed the husband's lips. "Come," he asked. The two of them walked out of the room with gallant and graceful steps.

Inside the spacious hall that was devoted to hosting big events, there were already many people in neat suits. Miabella seemed to be the only woman in the place, in addition to the servants who were busy downstream carrying trays containing drinks for the guests.

The invitation that had been spread first, was indeed given to the clan elders, as well as the people who held power in their respective organizations along with their sons who were about to fight for Miabella. However, as it turns out that in reality the girl ran away with Carlo, all of Marco's ridiculous plans are completely changed.

Seeing the presence of Miabella and Carlo there, Vlad Ignashevich who was busy talking also immediately approached them. The blond Russian man stared strangely, but tried to hide it through a friendly face. "Miss de Luca" he said as he grabbed and then kissed the back of Carlo's wife's hand.

"Hi, Vlad," replied Miabella. "Don't be too formal" he said again without a meaningful smile.

Vlad smiled, then turned his eyes to Carlo. "Master," he said as he shook the hand of the head of the Red Wolf Clan tightly. A firmness felt by Carlo. However, the youngest son of the late Nikolai Volkov only replied with a knotty smile.

Not long after, Igor and Grigori who were also deliberately invited there immediately approached. They stood on Carlo's left side and Miabella's right. Seeing the presence of the two seniors, Vlad also chose not to talk much. He immediately withdrew from before them.

"Always be vigilant, sir," whispered Grigori.

"You take it easy" said Carlo, who immediately led Miabella closer to Adriano and Marco. On one occasion, Marco immediately stood on the prepared podium. Although his mind was a bit chaotic, because he was embarrassed by the theme of the party that suddenly changed. However, as a clan head of a large European organization, he must remain calm and dignified.

"Good night, ladies and gentlemen" said Marco. "Thank you for your willingness to attend the event that we have designed for a long time. However, I as the person in charge, really apologized for having a very sudden change of plan" he said as an opening word.

"My niece, daughter of Matteo de Luca ...." Marco points his right hand at Miabella who appears very beautiful with long hair unraveling, but looks uncomfortable when all eyes look at her. He also gripped tightly onto Carlo's arm wrapped in a tuxedo.

"Calm down, Cara mia," whispered Carlo without any meaningful movement. The man simply stroked the back of the wife's hand that was still on her arm.

"My nephew turned out to have found a heart patch before the event we direct competition. On behalf of the great Klan de Luca, I represent to apologize for this and once again express my gratitude. In closing, I am proud to introduce the son-in-law of the de Luca family, Karl Volkov. The head of the Red Wolf Clan who came from Russia. Come here, Karl." Marco hinted for Carlo to approach him.

By force, he had to leave Miabella standing a few steps away from the podium. Carlo stepped up to get closer to Marco.

However, just as the man was about to give a word of welcome, suddenly a man dressed as a bodyguard pulled out his gun, then shot a large crystal chandelier until he fell. Everyone moves reflexively to avoid. However, it certainly caused a commotion inside the party hall, which was now becoming in a dim atmosphere.

"Bella!" carlo realizes that Miabella is no longer in her place.