f o u r

Chapter 4 

He- Her?! 

Lucius Grey Point of view 

Requesting to meet with Sphinx was a risky move. He offers his service to all gangs, we are all aware, but when he gets a job he works hard regardless. And that means that in the cyber world he’s dangerous. So, asking to meet with him was extremely dangerous, he could easily leak all our information to cops or other gangs if we walk off path. Sphinx should be here any minute. 

I didn’t tell him the address because I understood he would be able to track me through the encrypted chat that he himself set up. I’m meeting him with my two most loyal members. They’re young but work well, also good persuaders when needed. 

Which is precisely why I trusted them to join me now. The gang members, who will be needed, will be informed of the plan. But under no circumstances will they meet Sphinx. I just need reassuring that he will hold up his end of the deal. 

We want to take out the second largest mafia in the city. We were the third wealthiest and largest, and I didn’t mind until Mario Sancho double crossed me. All the major mafias had claimed parts of the city, each owning their own airport(for cargo), train station (for nearby goods) and shipping docks. 

Majority of the gangs had no problems with one another. Until Mario and his ass-kissers had raided my drug shipment from Rio. I had been waiting for the shipment to arrive, and when it did, I sent a few members to bring it back to the gang house. Although when said gang members had been gone for over an hour my suspicions were raised. 

I had access to the dock’s cameras. Which vividly showed how Mario’s men and women (gangs no longer discriminate although women are scarce) could be seen with their emblem of a falcon on their denim jackets. 

As my two loyalist and trusted members enter my office I’m abruptly removed from my thoughts. 

“James, Zack,” I say monotonously as I nod in acknowledgement. 

I’m behind my large oak desk watching the security cameras of the back door for any sign of Sphinx. James glances at my maroon suit and raises his dark eyebrows. 

“Sphinx needed to see something distinct to trust us, like... oh he’s here, see.” I say turning the monitor towards them. 

“He said he would wear something distinct to be able to differentiate between a regular member and one another.” I explain matter-of-factly as I stand up moving past them towards the door to meet Sphinx. 

He was wearing a black hoodie as he specified. He hasn’t lifted his hood off and kept his head down with his hands in his pockets. He only glanced at my pants when I opened the back door for him. We’ve been walking in silence for the last 5 minutes as I lead him to my office. 

He’s shorter and slightly scrawnier than I expected, although he hasn’t stood to his full height yet; just hunching over. Opening my office doors, I direct Sphinx to the inside. He stands gingerly in the middle with his head down. I walk over to James and Zack who are leaning backwards against my desk, eyeing the newcomer warily. As I come closer, they stand up straighter. 

“So... Sphinx,” I say standing between the boys. Sphinx nods seemingly unsure. 

I glance towards the boys as in giving them the reign to take over, it feels too bothersome for me. 

“Please remove your hood then we can discuss the matter further.” James says sternly. 

I glare at him for his tone towards Sphinx, he nods his head in understanding. Sphinx’s head perks up at the mention of his name and begins to remove his hands from his pockets and pulls down his hood slowly. 

Revealing hi-her?! 

Sphinx is a girl? Unexpected... 

She’s got dark brown hair and eyes the colour of night, her hair and eyes contrasting to her light caramel skin. She lifts her head and squares her shoulder, standing more confident than before. Glancing around the office, she openly stares at the array of bookshelves before her. 

To say I’m shocked is an understatement, although I didn’t know what to expect but this was surprising. The boys seemed to find recognition in her face as their eyes widened slightly before returning to the stoic masks they wear. I remain to keep my face blank as I stare at her. 

“Sphinx, if you wouldn’t mind taking a seat, then we continue with the meeting.” Zack states gesturing towards the chair between the two of us. 

So far, she’s only looked at me then glanced around the rest of the office. But at Zacks words she glances towards him then James. Recognition is evident in her eyes, but she hides it well.