Chapter 2

“Please l-let me go!” The girl begged with fear in her tone and eyes as I gripped her hair together so she could know who is having an upper hand here. 

I was handling the traitor who leaked information of my gang just for some petty hundred thousands. That bastard. Did I not pay him enough? And worst of all he sold it to Ivan Salvator.

The Whole Cosa Nostra knows how bad our enmity is. It has been running since the era of our great grandfather. Ivan’s great grandfather cheated on mine and it created a rift between the two families.

Our families were once called The Great Allies, by how much strong influence we have around the world but his descendants kept on cheating with ours. I think it’s in their blood to cheat everyone other than themselves.

In the midst of handling the traitor this girl saw everything. And now we have to dispose of her, we can’t leave any witnesses alive, blame it on her fate to encounter us in the middle of the night.

Naturally I thought she was some spy sent by the enemies. It's not abnormal you get some spies in this field of work, be it a guy or woman both are the pawns for the powerful to use it how they please.

But her vigorous trembling is telling me she is no spy sent from anyone either way, I can’t let her roam around. 

“Take her away” I ordered and she snapped open her eyes to look at me with fear as I released her hair not bothering to stare at her anymore.

I took out a cigarette as one of my men beside me lit the lighter taken from his pocket as I blew in the smoke. 

“N-no no p-please I d-did not see anything please!” The girl screamed again as my guys covered her mouth with a chloroform handkerchief and she was struggling to break-free from their grip but soon the alcohol she inhaled decreased her struggle as she fell unconscious.

“Get her in the car.” I told them and they obliged my orders but as they picked her up a ringing of the phone echoed through the silent night.

“Boss, her phone is ringing” one of them passed me the phone and Aunt Mavis was written on the phone screen with a red heart besides the name. She has a family.

I silenced the phone as I exhaled the harmful air from my body and crushed the cigarette on the floor with my foot.

“Send the body in a courier to the Salvator’s estate with a special gift.” I said as they dragged the body away. After all, we must give a return gift. 

“Let's get going.” I announced and they dispersed to do the tasks given.

I sat in the car as I looked to my left where the girl was layed. What was she even doing in the middle of the night? Doesn’t she know it’s dangerous late at night? Blame her carelessness.

“Where to sir?” Jasper, my driver asked as I sighed resting my head against the car’s seat.

Jasper is not only a driver, he is also a fighter. All my men are no ordinary workers. They can fight if I tell them to and they can work like an average citizen for disguise if given orders to.

I make sure they are prepared for every circumstance. In our world every second counts as death.

 “Home.” I said. 

Can I even call that place a home where no one lives except the workers? Might as well call it a charge-free inn.

Even the only family I have doesn’t stay in our so-called home. All due to one incident that broke our brotherly-bond and for that I am going to take my revenge from whoever has caused our family to break.

The girl’s phone in my hand vibrated for the second time and it was from the same contact. I did not decline or answer it because it might raise suspicion and after a few minutes the call died down. 

I stared at the girl for a few seconds before deciding to unlock her phone. She looks like an average citizen that would never work herself  with any corruption even so, you mustn't believe it easily. Sometimes what you see is not what it really is. 

Her phone had no password or any security program installed so it was easy for me to unlock it. I went to her call log; the name Aunt Mavis was at the top while showing the number of times she called her. 

I scrolled the screen upward and a name caught my eyes making me frown  “Marcus”.

It could be another person with the same name but something is telling me it's not. I pressed on the contact and the number appeared. 

It's the same freaking number! I glanced back at the girl, thinking of the possibilities of what is her relation with him. 

Why does she have Marcus’ number? What does she want from my brother? How do they know each other?

Marcus, that fucking brat, so this is why he was distracted all the time during work. All because for a fucking girl. What trouble are you trying to stir now?

I know for a fact that he doesn't share his phone numbers with anyone. So either he gave her himself or they both are doing some business together that I am not aware of.

“ Jasper, find out who she is.” I ordered Jasper who was busy driving but I know he heard me clearly as I sensed his gaze through the mirror view and he obliged my words “Yes sir.”

The phone rang again and it was the same contact again. It's becoming disturbing. I flicked in annoyance and switched her phone off as I looked out the moving scenery from the car’s window.

Reaching the estate, I stepped out of the car. Rows of men awaited and they bowed upon my presence. I took out another stick of the cigarette with my custom made lighter I ordered during my stay in Shanghai a year ago, and burned the stick as I inhaled the cancer.

I must quit smoking knowing it’s harmful for health but I can’t live myself without it when I already got dependent on it, especially with all the fucking trobles coming on me.

“Get the girl” I signaled while breathing out the smoke as one of the guys near me standing in the line walked to the other side to get her and I walked into the house. 

The vast dim yellow hall came into view as the four maids working in the estate also lined themselves. 

“Welcome back master.” The elderly woman, Jessica greeted me with a warm smile. Her aged face even with wrinkles looked young. 

“ Marcus?” I asked as she slipped my coat off my body and folded it on her arms like a cloth hanger.

“Young master Marcus has not yet returned.” she replied and I hummed in acknowledgement.

“Get me a coffee in my room.” I ordered and walked away to the stairs.

Removing my suit, I loosen my tie and folded my sleeves and took out a leathered scroll  from the pockets of my suit and layed the suit on the bed.

Only one person sends a leathered scroll in this day and age. Simon D Kenz.

I opened the scroll as I read the writings. Even the writing is hand-written with ink. Does he think this is a Victorian era? That man never grows old for the past.

“ Hear ye, I doth extend my invitation to thee, to partake in the birthday revelry of Captain Simon D Kenzy. The celebration shall unfold at the grand Jared palace on the 1st day of August, at the hour of 18:30. Be it known, thou art required to present a companion in thy company, that thou mayest gain admittance to this jovial gathering. A matter of great import shall be proclaimed upon the culmination of the festivities. I do entreat thee to ensure thine attendance.”

Even the words are old english. Should I laugh or should I be amazed? Announcement? What might he be publicizing about. 

The knock at the door got my attention as I allowed them to enter the room “Come in.”

Jessica appeared with a tray of steaming coffee and Jasper along with her.

She placed the tray on the table and bowed before leaving the room.

I waited for Jasper to talk once Jessica was out of sight, he said “ The courier is sent to the Salvators like you ordered and we put the girl downstairs in the guest room.”

I hummed as I envisioned their reaction upon receiving the decorated gift being sent.

An eye for an eye.

“How long is Marcus’ mission?” I asked and walked to the coffee cup as I sipped on it.

“About a week. He is expected to return after a day or two.” Jasper replied and I nodded dismissing him as he walked out of the room. 

Marcus’ chick…. I must check her myself. I smirked at the idea that popped in my mind. How mad would he be if he knew I was playing with her.