Acension city

[Aconitum]

Acon chuckled on her end and licked her lips. "I have Herman Lovien's Resurrection diamond."

[Rayleonarde]

Giovanni chuckled. "That thing? Did Herman tell you where he got it? Who he got to make it? I've got hundreds of them, every one of my lieutenants has one. I'm wearing a necklace of the things right now. Pick another card, or we're done." He spoke through grit teeth. Ray's voice carried over, followed by yelps of pain.  Giovanni spoke up. "Leave him with something, boys! If he dies, we're sunk!" A few garbled words can be heard, followed by Giovanni speaking. "Well, if it's on a low enough amperage, fine."

[Aconitum]

Acon fraught to keep herself calm as she thought. "Good sir, what is it that you want most in this world? Eternal life? Women? Men? Anything other than money and I will get it for you." She hoped this plan would work.

[Rayleonarde]

Giovanni raised an eyebrow. "What's the catch?"

[Aconitum]

"Other than trading me Rayleonarde, nothing. You get this thing you most desire, I get Rayleonarde."

[Rayleonarde]

Giovanni chuckled, as one of his goons walked up to him, holding a piece of paper. "So, miss Aconitum Lovien, you're telling me that you're father is willing to give me anything for that traitorous pile of shit sitting in that cage over there? That's precious, I didn't know Herman had a heart. It's adorable. I tell you what, if you can get Herman to apologize to me for what he did, I'll be willing to renegotiate the price."  Ray shouted, barely audible over the phone. "Acon! Don't listen to him! He's dangerous! Even more than Herman!" A guard shouted at Ray, which was followed by a yelp of pain. Giovanni cleared his throat. "We'll meet in the Excelsior movie complex, at three p.m.  Tell your father, if he's not listening, to bring his checkbook." Giovanni hung up.

[Aconitum]

Acon's eyes widened when she was found out. She stared at her phone when Giovanni hung up on her. She was half tempted to call back.

*meanwhile, in the fortress of doom* Magnolia had left Frank and Satan's house to pay an old friend a visit. She snuck out of the shadows and crept up behind Giovanni, running spider fingers up his spin.

[Rayleonarde]

Giovanni turned, and grabbed Magnolia's paws. "Mags, you can't sneak up on me." He released her paws, before speaking again. "You're daughter called me, about that one there." He pointed at Ray, who did his best to avoid the guards, who were trying to taze him through the bars.

[Aconitum]

Magnolia raised a brow at Ray. "My my. What has my ex-husband gotten himself into this time? And he got Acon involved." She huffed. "What's the damage?"

[Rayleonarde]

Both Giovanni and Ray looked at Magnolia, confused. Giovanni cleared his throat, and spoke. "Forty eight million dollars, plus sixty two million for...early termination." He counted on his paws. "In all, one hundred million dollars."  Ray spoke up, looking at Magnolia. "E-Ex...husband?  I just met you a few days ago!"

[Aconitum]

She sighed as she fixed Ray with smile. "I meant Herman, Rayleonarde." Magnolia chuckled, thinking of how much he looked like her beloved king. She passed her eyes back to Giovanni. "That... is way too much money. How about a kiss instead?"

[Rayleonarde]

Ray shook his head, and sat.  Giovanni looked at Magnolia. "A kiss? Are you daft? I'm not willing to release my biggest investment over something so common."

[Aconitum]

Magnolia put in a fake look of hurt. "Not just any kiss! This will be a kiss from a proper woman. Herman's woman, might I add."

[Rayleonarde]

Giovanni chuckled. "Though the thought of kissing Herman's woman is a delicious one, I still can't let him out for that." He shook his head. "Ray's betrayal to us is one that must be payed, with money or blood, it must be payed." Giovanni nodded at Ray. Ronnie and a few other goons pulled him out, and set his left paw on the table. Ronnie drew a knife, and looked at Ray. "You're losing fingers fast, Ray." He held the blade over Ray's left ring finger, waiting for Giovanni to give him the go ahead.

[Aconitum]

Magnolia shook her head in slow amusement. "You two. Herman breaks knee caps, you take fingers. Why don't you knick him of the wrists a few times? That way, it's a race against the clock."