Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ Mafia ❯ Volume Fourteen, Chapter Fifty-Six: Black Pawn ( Chapter 56 )

It started with a pawn in the mail. So small. So black.

Mikhael looked confused.

“What is this?” He turned the wooden piece over in his hand.

“May I see?” Boris asked. Mikhael handed him the pawn.

“Thank you,” the Russian man said. He took a look himself.

“Hm…”

“What is it?”

Boris frowned. The gears started tuning in his brain.

“When did she receive this?”

Mikhael made a face. “What do you mean? This morning, why?” Boris turned to him with a grim look on his face.

“Boris?” Mikhael asked. The Russian man grabbed him by the shirt.

“What the--?!” Mikhael shouted.

“Listen, boy!” Boris hissed. “You can't tell anyone about this.” The boy started to speak.

“Hush!” Boris shouted. “Hush and listen!” Mikhael stared at him with big eyes. The Russian man took a breath.

“I don't know what's going on. But if this is who I think it is…” Boris shivered.

“What?” Mikhael asked. The man shook his head.

“Never mind! Until I get to the bottom of this, don't say anything to Valentina.”

The boy opened his mouth again. Boris cut him off.

“Don't. Say. A. Word!”

Mikhael pressed his lips together as he nodded. Boris breathed out.

“Good,” he said.

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But it was too late. For Valentina already knew. She already received another black pawn in the mail days earlier. And yes, the mob boss knew the significance. But did she tell anyone?

No.

And why is that? Valentina thought she could handle it herself. She did send someone to check the address. The thug looked at the envelope.

“You sure?” he asked. Valentina sat back in her chair.

“Yes,” she said. She took in a deep breath. The man gave her a curious look.

“Is it really her?” he asked. Valentina lowered her head in her hands. She was secretly smiling to herself. So it was true. Time to go treasure-hunting. She had heard the rumors. Her father kept the secret well-guarded. No one else had the full story.

That was until today. The mob boss lifted her head and snickered to herself.

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Meanwhile, Mikhael turned the pawn over in his hand.

“Where have I seen this before?” he asked the wooden object. He found himself thinking of his father. The boy didn't know why. His dad never played chess. But still…

Mikhael turned his head. Boris was on the phone in the hall. He had his back turned. Mikhael looked at the pawn. There was only one way to answer any questions forming in his brain. The boy took a breath.

“Well, time to go treasure-hunting,” he said to himself. Mikhael didn't know how he knew the treasure was attached to the pawn in his hand.

Black Pawn