2. Colton

~ COLTON's POV ~

* BANG! BANG! BANG! *

The sound of the bullets flying filled the air and Colton couldn’t help but smile. A single tear of sweat trickled down his face and down to his toned and tanned chest. In front of him, several hundred yards away was the practice target, a cutout in a shape of a man. Colton lowered the gun in his hand and saw that he had hit the target right in the heart with those three shots. 

“Nice shot,” Jackson clapped in approval.

“Practicing for the D-Day, are we?” Levi chimed in.

Jackson and Levi Rhodes were Colton’s cousins from his dad’s side. Ever since they were born, the three of them were inseparable. They grew up together and attended St. Jude’s Prep School all the way until they graduated. They were a mischievous bunch, always looking for trouble, and Colton was the leader. Now at 21 years old, just one year shy of graduating college, Colton decided to drop out to continue his father’s legacy while his cousins continued school.

At just twenty-one years of age, Colton had become a celebrity in his own right. He hung out with Hollywood starlets and rock stars and flew in private jets to have trips in private islands and yachts. He was always surrounded by friends and followers, and girls were always lining up at the door. Colton, of course, didn’t let this go to waste. For the past five years, he dedicated his time to a life of sex, drugs, and rock and roll. He did whatever he wanted, wherever he wanted, and with whoever he wanted.

Unfortunately, all that came crashing down last year with the news of his father’s death. Although he wasn’t ready, Colton had no choice but to step up and take over his father’s multi-billion-dollar empire. It was a huge responsibility for someone who was barely legal to drink alcohol. A lot of people expected him to fail, but just like anything else in his life, Colton always found a way to get what he wanted.

Behind those icy blue eyes and boyish smile, Colton was a cunning and cold-hearted businessman. He learned everything he knew from his father and his grandfather before that. All the men of the Rhodes family left this earth with a formidable legacy, and Colton planned to do the same. He was going to start making his mark in the world through this first lethal mission: killing Henri Ascott and ending his empire.

Just several generations ago, the Ascotts and Rhodes were mortal enemies. They were two large families who were fighting over business territories in the state of New York. Both families were determined to become the most powerful family in the city. Political wars, billions of dollars, and even blood were shed through this fight. 

After decades of fighting, the two families finally put aside their differences and called a truce during Colton’s father’s reign. His dad and Henri Ascott made a pact to keep the peace and divide their territories. This was New York City, after all. There was more than enough room for two powerful mafia families to live in.

During this peaceful time, everything seemed to be going great. The Rhodes family focused their attention on the business instead of the war, and they became even more wildly successful. Henri Ascott must’ve been unhappy about this because his empire’s growth didn’t peak as much as the Rhodes. Using Colton’s father’s trust against him, he must’ve figured out a sneaky way to kill Edward and made it look like an accident.

Colton’s jaw clenched instinctively every time he remembered this story. His father was his hero. He wasn’t going to let anyone get away with murdering his father and stealing his legacy. With a fire burning in his heart, Colton didn’t think twice about taking over leadership and leading this deadly mission. 

An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

“How are you feeling about this week?” Jackson asked as Colton went to grab a towel. He was referring to the big party Henri was throwing for his daughter’s eighteenth birthday.

Colton let out a smirk as he wiped his sweat with the towel, running the fabric along his toned muscles and tattoos. He had been standing outside under the sun all day, wearing nothing but a pair of black slacks, practicing his shooting.

“Feels great,” Colton replied. “Can't wait until that’s really him,” he motioned to the cutout with holes in its chest.

“You’ll get him, Colt,” Levi said reassuringly.

“Yeah, he’s gonna pay for what he did,” Jackson agreed.

Colton’s face remained cold and stoic. He finished reloading his gun and took his position again, aiming the gun at the cutout figure. Jackson and Levi were standing close behind him. They were at an open space, on the outskirts of the woods in Long Island, but those two were standing so close to him, Colton could feel their breaths hitting the back of his neck. 

“You know, I came out here so I could be alone,” he hissed. “What the hell are you two doing here?”

“We’re here to help you practice, of course,” Jackson shrugged.

“Yeah, we’re here for mental support,” Levi chuckled.

“It’s gonna be hard getting a clear shot of Henri Ascott, we just wanna make sure you won’t miss it,”

Colton’s blood boiled at the mention of that name. He gripped the gun on his hand tighter and took his shot.

* BANG! *

The bullet went flying and it hit the cutout straight in the head this time. Jackson and Levi responded with claps and hollers.

“See? I ain’t gonna miss it,” Colton shrugged.

“We know you won’t unless you’re distracted,” Jackson said.

“What the hell are you talking about? You two are the distraction here,” Colton rolled his eyes.

“But that’s the point!” Levi argued. “It’s gonna be a party, you’re gonna get lots of distraction, so you better get used to it,”

“Yeah, there’s gonna be of pretty girls in dresses, that’s your weakness, isn’t it? I heard his daughter is a good girl. A pretty and well protective doll....” Jackson added sportively.

“Shut up,” Colton shoved through the two of them and walked away.

“We just wanna make sure you’re fully focused, Colt,” Jackson followed quickly behind him.

“Everything’s resting on your shoulder,” Levi added, putting a hand on Colton’s shoulder.

Colton let out a scoff and a menacing smirk.

“Don’t worry about me,” he said. “I’ve been waiting a whole year for this. There’s no way I’m gonna miss this shot,”

With that, he turned around and aimed his gun at the cutout again. He took a moment to adjust his aim before pulling the trigger.

* BANG! *

The cutout burst into two with Colton’s final shot. Levi and Jackson roared in laughter and cheer as Colton turned around and walked away, fully focused and unfazed.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

- - - - - ONE WEEK LATER - - - - - 

Colton stepped out of the black SUV wearing a crisp black suit and tie. All the tattoos on his arm and chest were covered, and only the ones on his neck were peeking out. His jet-black hair was neatly slicked back and a smirk was playing on that sharp jawline. His icy blue eyes held a predatory glint as he stared up at the Plaza Hotel before him.

This is it, he said to himself. This is the end of the Ascott empire.

“Remember, don’t flirt with no girls,” Jackson whispered from behind him. 

“And don’t talk to no one,” Levi added. The two of them were standing closely behind Colton in front of the back entrance of the hotel. 

“Please, I know what I’m doing,” Colton chuckled drily.

Known as a notorious player, Colton always had a way with the ladies. Not only that he was a young billionaire in his prime, but he also looked like a mix between Ian Somerhalder and Paul Walker. He had to be inconspicuous for this mission to work, but it was hard not to notice someone like him walking into the room. Colton always had a certain presence about him, and girls just couldn’t stay away. Jackson was worried that this might derail their plan.

The grand plan was to have Colton enter the premises without anyone noticing and kill Henri when he was alone. Henri was a careful man, he had bodyguards everywhere, but if it was Colton who was approaching him, he wouldn’t have suspected anything. Colton would then leave with his cousins using their private jet, creating the perfect alibi that they were never there in the first place.

“Make sure no one recognizes you,” Jackson continued.

“Go in, get a clear shot, and get out,” Levi said. “We’ll be right over here,”

Colton let out a smirk. His cousins were clearly nervous, but not him. He was calm. Almost like he was enjoying this.

“Relax, I got everything under control,”

Colton shoved the gun to his back pocket as his cousins nodded at him.

“Alright. You ready for this?” Jackson asked.

“I was born for this,” he smiled victoriously.

Levi went to pull the back door open and Colton strode inside. His cousins stayed behind as he walked down the long, dark corridor. His heart was beating steadily as he fixed his eyes on the light at the end of the hall. The closer he got to the light, the louder the party was heard. Colton’s lips twitched into a half-smirk as he pulled out a mask from his jacket pocket. It was a white mask from the phantom of the opera. With his mask on and ready, Colton entered the light of the party.

They won’t know what’s gonna hit them.

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To Be Continued.