Chapter 02

“What do you want Mr. Ash?” Professor Maxwell blurted, he was probably in his mid forties and new to New Falls. His countenance didn’t even bother hiding how much he hated my presence as I stepped into his office.

I smirked while I sat before his desk.

“I never asked you to sit.” His tone hardened and I scoffed, crossing my legs over his desk. He glared at my boots and back at me.

“Get out before I call the security on you.”

“Which security? The one I own?” My left eyebrows arched upwards in pride and he grunted.

“What do you want, young man?”

“Nothing much. I just came to greet my lecturer for the wonderful score he gave me in my test.” I toned with a heavy dose of sarcasm.

“Well if you call an F a wonderful score then thank you.” He retorted while I pulled out some fat wad of cash from my right pocket. I tossed it on his table.

“You know what to do Maxwell,” I said while I arose.

“First of all, you will address me as Professor Maxwell and secondly, I’m not like the other lecturers you can shamefully buy over with money!”

“I can double that for you.” I replied and headed to the door.

“Take your filthy money out of my office! I assure you that you’re never going to pass my course if you don’t take it seriously!”

I turned back at him, rewarding him with an icy glare. He wasn’t intimidated in the slightest and that even irritated me more. Did he not know me and the extent of my reach?!

I pulled out my packet of cigarettes and a lighter.

“No smoking in my office, young man!”

I scoffed while I placed one on my lips.

“I understand that you’re new Maxwell but like the saying goes, when in Rome do as the Romans do. I know you have a wife and a kid, a bright little girl.” I smiled. “Your wife works at the saloon across your house street and your little girl goes to Tulac School. Who knows, what if they don’t return home today?”

He frowned.

“I mean, your wife could meet with an accident and die on the spot and your daughter could be kidnapped by one of those gangs, you know how crazy they can be.”

“Are you threatening me?” He almost barked.

I scoffed.

“Not at all, Maxwell. I’m just saying life happens.”

He scoffed.

“When I got here, I’ve been told how dangerous you are but you don’t scare me Ash. In fact, I began recording our conversation ever since you stepped into my office,” he showed me his phone with an obvious smirk and I couldn’t help but huff at his stupidity.

“That’s a bummer, they forgot to tell you that I own New Orleans,” I said while I lit the cigarette on my lips. “Boys!” I called and my two guards dressed in black suits sauntered inside immediately.

“Give him a proper lecture.”

“What are you doing?” The Professor stuttered as my men approached him, before he reached for his phone, both of them started hitting him real hard. Raining his face with several blows while I leaned against the door, enjoying the beautiful scenery.

“That’s enough boys,” I said while I walked to him. I took his phone, taking a few pictures of his swollen face and lips.

“Here,” I tossed his phone back to his desk. “Tell the cops that Ash Luxton did this.”

He gasped while I dropped my cigarette.

“My score better be thrilling, Maxwell.” I quoted icily before heading out with my boys. As I threaded on the hallway, I could hear the silent talks of the ladies gushing and the guys, cowering in fear as I walked past them. My phone started ringing, a frown dawned on my face, staring at the caller ID, Leon. We were currently not on good terms and while I was still pondering on picking it, I slammed into her. My phone slipped but my left had quickly curled around her waist so she wouldn’t fall. Her jasmine scent basked all over me like a gentle wind and it drove me nuts. Her emerald green eyes were the most dazzling I’d ever seen. Her red hair perfectly complemented this innocent face of hers. I felt a current of sparks flood my insides, something I’d never felt before. Was it her beauty or something else because for the first time in my life, my heart was yearning. This face of hers was definitely new here, I thought as I watched her leave. I didn’t know why but I was particularly interested in this lady.

“Boss, your phone,” one of my guards handed me my phone but my eyes darted to the floor, citing her ID card.

“Isn’t that hers?” I commented and he quickly picked it before handing it to me. Indeed it was.

“Autumn Ivanka,” I muttered whilst admiring her smile in the photo. She was a fresher like I thought, all the more fun. I looked around but she was already gone. There was no problem though, I knew her class. Once I got there, I felt that beautiful feeling sprout within me again. Of all the ladies I've been with, she was different and that was what intrigued me the most. Every part of my body prompted me to know who this lady was and so I dropped my card too on her table.

Once I left the class, Leon called me again.

“What’s up?” I said dryly.

“We have a meeting, the usual location.” He responded in the same mannerism before hanging up. I heaved a light sigh, certainly something big was happening.

“You stay back,” I ordered one of my guards. “I want you to keep an eye on Green eyes.”

“Yes boss,” he bowed his head courteously while the second and I continued our journey outside. Meetings usually didn’t hold with the gang unless something bad was about to or happened. I wonder what it was this time.

Once we arrived at the location, I alighted from the back of my white Rolls Royce which was just in perfect sync with the gigantic white mansion. This place belonged to my father, Arthur. Technically, he adopted me. But the atmosphere surrounding this house was a gloomy one today, judging from the expressions of the maids and guards faces as I sauntered in.

“Where are the others?” I asked Emily, the head housekeeper, as I arrived at the living room.

“They are upstairs, in your father’s room.” She answered without looking me in the face and that was so unlike her. I quickly headed up the stairs and across the hallways till I arrived at his room. I didn’t even knock before entering the large room and there they were. Barron, a bearded ebony skinned man in his late fifties, dressed in his accustomed brown suit and hat. Damon, brown haired styled in a messy pompadour fashion with a snake tattoo imprinted on the left side of his neck. Leon, the ebony skinned man with a low cut and a perfect mustache to crown that annoying face. And at the center of them was my father, on his deathbed while they stood beside him.

My legs became too heavy to move closer. I gulped down my saliva trying as hard as possible to accept this ugly shade of reality. This man, who had taught me so much, raised me like my own was slipping into the cold hands of death.

“Ash…” my old man weakly called. My palms curled while my teeth gritted as I finally summoned the courage to be near his bedside.

“Arthur,” I called as I sat beside him while he smiled.

“I remember the good old days when you so badly wanted me dead,” the old man mumbled and I felt brimstone fire in me haunt further. I wish I could cry but this man had taught me the essence of keeping them.

“I guess you must be happy now,” he coughed and I exhaled deeply.

“You’ve grown into a fine young man and I am proud to call you my son.” He held my chin.

“You don’t have to leave now, old man. You can tell me this next year or probably the next two,” I replied and his eyes twitched as he wriggled his head slowly.

“Now is the perfect time,” he said but he was only trying to encourage me to hold those tears. “I can rest well knowing fully well the legacy of the gang is safe with you,” he said while he slowly handed me a rope necklace with a silver claw pendant. I gasped, this was his!

“As the new leader of the Silver Clawers, I know you will do greater things. Our people are safe in your hands.”

“Arthur,” I called and he smiled, a way of telling me not to reject it.

“I trust you,” he said. “Till we meet again, my boy.” He whispered and slowly, the life in his eyes faded out. His breaths ceased and I could no longer feel his pulse.

“I hate you Arthur,” I whispered while Barron patted my shoulder. Damon for the first time was quiet, he was usually the talkative, stupid and crazy one amongst us.

“Leader my ass!” Leon hissed at me before easing out of the room. I almost lost my temper at him but now wasn’t the time. It’s only been a few minutes since I became the new leader and I already have my enemies lined up for me.