The trip to the airport was longer than the trip to Marfa. While one took almost 2 hours due to weekend traffic, the latter took less than an hour because it was a private plane and fast.
Within 3 hours, they were at Marfa, the plane touched down and a ranch truck came to pick them up.
Jolanta was still sleeping but could wake up any time now so Rolph had her sit beside him with her body resting on his chest while Ben was transported in his cage. He was also fast asleep.
In another 20 minutes, they were at the main house and Grandfather was waiting for them.
Jolanta was handed over to the butler who saw to her wellbeing while Rolph followed his grandfather into his private office.
Once the door closed behind him, Rolph faced The Demonic…
" What have you found out?"
He was sure that while he waited on Jolanta, The Demonic had gone digging.
"You become more and more arrogant every time I see you child." The Demonic chuckled.
Not that he minded. After all he taught the boy to be like that and it has become second nature.
"Don't play with me Grandfather." Rolph grunted.
"Your uncle was here this afternoon. We can prove that he knew nothing aboút the kidnapping. She was snuck into his package. We will provide a scapegoat and that will be the end of it."
"Aaahahahhahahhhhaaaaahhaha….." Rolph roared. making Jan squint.
The laughter lacked mints. It was bitter and angry. An alternative to striking this old man across the face. And it stopped as suddenly as it erupted.
"You are joking right?"
Grandfather was so good. He even summoned Uncle Marek and helped him resolve the issue before they could have a face to face. He made sure Rolph never got a chance to query his uncle.
The same uncle that had tried several times to kill him. The uncle that had used the help of his friends to place multiple, untraceable bounties on his head on the dark web.
Rolph knew that Grandfather would protect his favorite son. The one that was as brutal as him. The one he wanted to place in the white house. He would do whatever was necessary to achieve that goal unless Rolph stops him…. He plan to
and he will. Because this uncle had crossed Rolph one time too many.
He was enemy number one.
"Adam will be arriving in the morning. You should prepare to welcome him."
The Demonic said in a dismissive tone.
He opened a pack of cuba cigars and proceeded to cut it open.
Rolph didn't need to be told. He left the room.
Rolph's quarters wasn't in the same building as The Demonic. It was at least a 10 minutes drive from Demonic's to Rolph's but in his present mood, Rolph made the trip in 4 minutes.
When he got home, Derrick was waiting for him.
The maids had laid out all his favorites on the dining table. It was a feast that could feed 20 and still go to waste but Rolph had no appetite.
Derrick knew not to wait for him. They don't dwell on such formalities and sentiments. He had his fill and should be sleeping but he was anxious to know what information Rolph will get out of The Demonic.
When Rolph stomped in, Derrick knew it was bad. He said nothing. Giving Rolph time to simmer down and start the conversation himself....
"Uncle is involved. Grandfather is going to help him cover it up and I am to welcome Adam Nowicki tomorrow morning like the good son-in-law that I am." At last he opened his mouth.
" No surprise there." Derrick replied. His face showed no emotion whatsoever.
"I can't just let this go this time around Derrick. I have to do something."
"Like what? Uncle is untouchable. Grandfather has plans for him and will protect him at all cost. What can we do?"
"There must be a way. There is always a way. I just have to find it." Rolph heaved.
"I will see if we can gather evidence against him in this case."
" The Demonic should have erased it by now."
" I ordered an investigation before he got wind of it. We should have the advantage." Derrick reassured Rolph.
"Good." Rolph stood up.
"Jolanta will soon wake up. I want to be there when she does. Let's call it a night."
"Okay boss"
Rolph started to climb the stairs.
"Rolph?" Derrick called out sounding worried but Rolph Ignored him and kept climbing the stairs.
Derrick signed and said a little prayer for the twink.
Rolph knew what Derrick was worried about but he had no assurance to give. He was too angry. Even though he wanted to keep this new slave around and treat him better than the last one, it was all up to the boy. Rolph had no patience when in a bad mood. But he would try not to kill this one. At least until he got his hands on that boy from the sea.
The boy's face flashed across his eyes and his body trembled in response. He wanted that boy so bad.
Rolph's quarters was a two story duplex. He and Hannah used to share the ground floor where the kitchen, guest rooms, gym and dining were, while Hannah occupied the middle floor and he had the last floor.
They still share the quarters but just like him, Hannah had left the ranch to go over-see family business in NewYork. She now stays with their Dad on some seaside beach house he visited only once.
It was about time he visited that lousy, saucy sister of his. If she were here, she would know exactly how to make him feel better. And she would help him with Jolanta.
He was really worried about Jolanta. Even though she could be brave and cold when needed, she was generally an easy going sweet girl and he does care for her as a friend. After all, they grew up together, spending every summer on the ranch from such a young age. All his childhood sweet memories had just Derrick, Jolanta and Hannah….and his mum whom he was finding hard to remember.
His mood became darker.
By the time Rolph got to his landing, he was winded.
'I have to install an elevator.' He thought to himself instead of him to accept that he was lagging in his daily exercise.
Unlike Hannah's part of the house that was filled with colors and modern designs, Rolph had rejected Hannah's offer of renovation four years ago and stuck with the original design.
Everything in Rolph's house was made with wood. Top quality timbers, aging but showing no sign of decay. The center glass table, the wine rack, the fireplace, the chairs padded with pillows, the ugly looking, shapeless, but somehow round dining table, the floor to ceiling bookshelves filled with mostly books he had never opened talk more of read and the floor.
Even though it was well padded with thick brown rugs, you can still hear the panels creak when walking around the house. And this time, the creaking seemed to have gotten louder.
'The flooring needs repair' Rolph noted.
He looked around the room. Just like everywhere he lived, this house too had minimal furniture. Just the basics. No fanfare, no color. Nothing to nudge your creativity. Everything was just brown.
Well, maybe it would make you think of chocolate or steak if you associate colors with food.
Rolph walked over to the wine rack.
It had no empty space. It was lined up with black bottles.
Czarna Pantera was famous for its wines. They made just two types and both can only be gotten at their restaurants and hotels all over America and on the ranch. While the wine could be gifted out to people close to the family, in essence; grandfather, his two sons and Rolph, you can not acquire a whole bottle and take it home. You have to open and finish it at the restaurant or hotel, or forfeit whatever remains. That was why it was only served in glasses.
The wine was called "Château Pantera (Blanche) and Château Pantera (Rouge). When asked why he mixed two languages, grandfather had explained to an acquaintance that the colors came in French because the language sounded classy and Americans love French wines.
The bottle was simple and as dark, smooth and shiny as the hair of a black panther, the logo was a picture of a black panther about to prance in a Savannah with silver colored grasses. But you will never see it on bottles you will find in the houses on the ranch. All the wine bottles there were unlabeled. People don't know why and he had never bothered to know. But one thing he was sure about was that the quality of the wines found on the ranch was different from the one sold in the restaurants and hotels. The wines on the ranch made him more horny and half a bottle use to knock him out. It was so good, it was the only wine he fed to his harem.
He picked a bottle, uncorked it with his teeth and took a swing.
Rolph looked around the sitting room. There were three bedrooms on each floor and in Rolph's case, one was his bedroom, the other was his red room and Derrick slept in the last room. All rooms were directly connected to the sitting room. His bedroom and red room were beside each other across the room from the entrance door while Derrick's room was next to the stairs.
Rolph headed for his room but as he was about to open the door, he changed his mind and entered the red room.