Chapter Three

The Mastermind

Janessa's POV

"It was Mr. Daniel... He asked me to do it. He was afraid that if his business went under, the mafia wouldn't help him, so he wanted to use Eric's fiance to threaten him.”

Just as I expected. That old guy was behind it all.

Xavier turned and then shot the man in the head, satisfied at the information. "I told you already, I'm not like Eric."

Roy whispered to me, "Cuz, this Xavier guy is way more brutal than the boss himself. And I've been with Eric since he took over, but I'm still just a glorified errand boy."

I shoved him. "Get away from me! And for the record, he became underboss based on his own merit. How long you've been around doesn't matter.”

"Whatever.... I still think it's unfair."

Xavier wiped the blood stain in his hands with a handkerchief and threw it away before approaching us. "Let's go now."

Roy and I nodded, and we followed him outside. Xavier's phone rang once again, and he answered it as soon as he saw Eric's name.

"Boss... We already know who the mastermind is; it was Daniel," Xavier spoke calmly and seriously.

"What perfect timing. We will have business with him later... Tell Roy to arrange the meeting place."

Xavier then looked at Roy. "You heard that, Roy?"

"Loud and clear," Roy answered with enthusiasm.

"Another thing, bring Janessa with you… it's still dangerous for her to be alone," Eric insisted.

I snatched the phone. "I won't. I can handle myself."

"What are you talking about? You can barely hold a gun properly," he scoffed.

I bit back a retort, knowing arguing with him was pointless.

"Why are you being such a scaredy-cat, Cuz?" Roy chimed in with a playful nudge. "I still remember Eric practically begging you to learn how to use a gun, and you always had some excuse to skip his lessons."

"It's none of your business. I have my reasons," I cut him off, glancing at Xavier, silently pleading he wouldn't reveal anything about my actual skills. I didn't want to explain myself further.

"Enough, Roy," Xavier interjected. He effectively shut down Roy's line of questioning.

We got into the car, and Roy kept complaining as we drove off. I looked out the window, thinking about what happened earlier, not realizing I dozed off. I still remembered how I pulled the trigger earlier, the feeling of Déjà vu as I heard it click. It was just like the last time when I was twelve.

It was a sunny day, and my dad was practicing shooting in the field. I was just passing by.

"Janessa, come here. I want to show you something," he called out.

I walked over, and he led me to a small, run-down house on our property. It was old and dusty inside. The supports looked unstable, like the roof was about to collapse. And then I saw the man tied to a chair, which gave me goosebumps.

"Dad... why is he here?" I asked, confused.

"He betrayed me, and people who betray me suffer the consequences," he said coldly as he loaded his gun.

Even though it was dark, I could feel him screaming in pain. My dad made me hold the gun. I tried to pull away, but I was too weak.

Dad guided me to pull the trigger, and the bullet hit the man's head. The screaming stopped. I went closer to check if he was still breathing, but there was no sign. I stepped back and fell to the floor in terror.

"I... I... I killed him... no... Dad, call an ambulance," I said, my voice trembling, my face pale.

I killed him...

"Why do I even bother with someone as useless as you? You can't even handle something like this without getting dramatic," my dad said coldly as he walked out.

He left me there, alone, to process what had happened.

Then I heard Roy's voice calling me, snapping me back to reality. I open my eyes and realized I dreamed about it again.

"Hey, are you okay? You were crying in your sleep."

I touched my cheeks and realized I did cry. I wiped my tears. "I'm fine. Just a bad dream." My heart was pounding. The memory was still so vivid.

That day still haunted me. How could I ever forget that day?

After a few minutes, we arrived. The negotiation was to take place in a derelict factory. Xavier helped me from the car, and we entered the crumbling building. Dust coated every surface; water leaked from the damaged roof, and puddles lay scattered across the floor, each step sending up a spray of dirty water.

Everyone gathered, bowing before Eric dela Cruz, a twenty-five-year-old leader of the River Blood Mafia, my current fiancé. He sat in his chair, opposing our business partner.

“Mr. Daniel. It’s been ages. I’m simply thrilled to see you. I do hope you brought something interesting to this little… gathering,” I said, settling into Eric’s armchair.

“Miss Collins… I didn’t realize you were involved. So the rumors were true; you’re already assisting your fiancé.”

“Mr. Daniel, you always were so resourceful, weren’t you? Prepared for everything. I’m simply delighted. Don’t you agree, Eric dear?” I rested my hand on Eric’s shoulder.

“Absolutely,” he said, his gaze briefly meeting mine before settling on Daniel. “Where were we?”

“The… government agent, sir.”

“Oh, right. The agent who took down three Mafia families. How… interesting,” he said, tapping his fingers thoughtfully against his cheek.

“An agent?” I asked curiously.

If this agent is so skilled, he might be targeting all Mafia families. I wondered who dares?

“Yes, princess. He’s skilled. A pity. He’ll be wishing he’d chosen a different path.”

Can he hear my thoughts?

Eric offered a hand, a silent invitation to rise. As we turned away, a glint of steel—a gun—appeared in his hand. One shot, clean and swift, silenced Daniel.

“Pathetic. Disloyalty is unforgivable. Consider it a lesson learned,” he stated, his fingers tracing the curve of my waist.

“Even me?” I whispered, gazing into his eyes.

“Especially you, princess,” he breathed, his smile both tender and menacing. “I’d keep you close, forever. Even if I had to break a few bones to do it.”

“Never,” I murmured.

Oh God, please help me. Was he even still the same Eric I knew?

Xavier didn’t look at me; his usual playful smirk was replaced by a stony expression, only a professional lapdog would do, as we walked outside.

“Just wait in the car, okay? I’ll be right back.”

I nodded before Xavier walked me to the car. “Xavier, you okay?” I asked.

Xavier went outside and lit a cigarette. He took a drag before saying, “Yeah, I’m fine. Just… not used to seeing you so close to him.”

“Xavier… I’m just playing along. I hope you know that.”

“I’m sorry… I just got carried away.”

Eric returned, sliding into the passenger seat beside me. He ruffled my hair with a smile. “Everything’s fine?”

“Yeah, everything’s… good.”

My phone rang. It was my best friend, Elaine Louis, the President’s daughter. I answered the phone, looking out the car window.

“Girl! Are you coming today? Let’s have coffee and talk! You’ve been ignoring me for days! Is this the end of our friendship?! No, no, no, please say no!”

“Hey, relax! I’m coming. I’m saving lives here, you know, as a doctor.”

“Yes, I know. Just don’t be late. Same place, babe.”

“Okay, okay,” I said, disconnecting the call.

Eric’s chuckle was warm and teasing. “Saving lives…”

“Eric!” I playfully shoved him.

Before I could say more, my phone buzzed again. Roy.

I answered, annoyed. “What now?”

"I'm at your apartment. It's a mess... looks like someone broke in. This place isn't safe anymore.”

I thought Eric took care of all of them. Guess there's more to this than we thought.

If someone had been there… They were sending a message.

And I wasn’t sure I wanted to know what it was.