3: A new boss in town.

**Evelyn**

Being beaten up by my enemies and then caught by the police and given a lifetime sentence with hard labor would be better than being on a date with Maxim. If one date drained me this much, how would I cope with being married to him? Could I still ask Father to look for someone else?

Sighing, I throw the sheets off of me and sit up in bed. Glancing at the alarm clock, I noted the time. It was 10am and I'd barely gotten up to 6 hours of sleep. After my date with Maxim, I came back home and wondered how I'd pull it off. Maxim was insufferable. Hence, I came up with a plan. After the marriage, when the business was in my hands, I'd set Maxim up and be rid of him. All I needed was patience.

“Evelyn?" My father's voice sounded from outside my door as he knocked hesitantly.

“Come in!" I yelled, leaning against the headboard. I was angry at Father and I'd make sure he knew.

"Zhizn moya, how was the date?”

"You didn't tell me it'd be Maxim Orlov, Father. Why? Or was this The Family's decision too? Father, you know there is no love lost between Maxim and I so why did you do this?” I asked, narrowing my eyes at him. Father sat beside me and cracked a small smile.

"He's the only one I trust, Zhizn moya. You don't like him but I do. He's changed. He's a better man now and he'll be your King while you his Queen,” Father said. I glared at him from the corner of my eye. Maxim hadn't changed at all. Infact, he was still the same egotistic idiot I knew all those years ago.

“Can we get somebody else? I'll even take him if he's your age. I don't care, just not Maxim," I begged.

“I'm sorry, Evelyn. Maxim will have to do. Now get up and go about your day. That lousy Italian on our turf, what's his name? The Mancini boy! He didn't pay his dues. They're incomplete plus he owes us a lot of money for the drugs we give him,” Father explained, finally standing up. No wonder he was here. I nod slightly and get up from my bed. Apart from Mancini, I had somebody else I needed to see.

I hurried through my bath then stepped into my closet to pick out an outfit. Today felt like a bloody day so I picked something I wouldn't miss. Red and black checkered skirt and a black baggy shirt. I put my gun holster on my thigh and then dropped my gun in it. Finally, I wore my infamous knee high boots and I was good to go.

“Hey, Evelyn, Boss man told me he gave you some business to attend to, need backup?" Sasha asked immediately I stepped out of the room. I shook my head.

“No. I'll do it on my own. I'll call if I need anything."

“Sure. Taking any guards with you?"

“No. Like I said, on my own. Just wait for me," I said, patting her on the shoulder. I didn't need anybody for where I was going. I got into my car and drove out of the compound, making my way to Mancini's Yellow House. That was what he called his bar/strip club. It was only open at night and then he had it all to himself during the daytime. Stopping in front of the club, I turned off my car and hopped out. There were two guards at the door and they wouldn't let me enter.

“Okay, let's do it this way, one of you go in and tell Mancini that Evelyn Karamazov is here and he should let me in or nobody and I mean nobody will leave this club alive. I'm giving you 45 seconds. Be quick,” I threatened and pulled off the safety of my gun. That seemed to trigger them into action.

"8… .7….6… 5…4—"

“Please, come in," one of the guards said. I smirked and entered the club. I scrunched my nose up immediately the stench hit my nostrils. This place stank. No wonder people didn't come here as much. Mancini was sitting at the back on a yellowed chair, smoking a blunt. I leaned against the doorway and eyed him.

“You know why I'm here, Mancini?" I asked, inspecting my nails.

“Your father sent some men before already. I said I have my dues to a guy. He threatened me and then offered protection and some extra drugs—"

“So are you trying to say we don't protect you, Mancini? And those drugs you've been squandering? You think we don't know you take more than we give?" I asked, starting to walk towards him. Mancini scrambled to get on his feet and grabbed a gun from the table.

“There are new bosses in town, Karamazov. I don't fear you any more.” And with that three men stepped from the shadows. Two with knives and the last with a gun. I pulled off the safety again and as I did so, a shot blazed past my ear.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you," the one with the gun said.

“So it had to come to this," I muttered as I raised my hand up as if to surrender but quickly shot one of the men between the eyes before grabbing Mancini and pressing my gun to the side of his head.

“One wrong move and I'm blowing his brains out. Not like he had much use for it before though," I command. The remaining two men pause. I smirk.

“Now, Mancini, you're going to tell me where you keep all your money. At least pay up before you switch sides."

“Yes, yes. It's in the safety box. There's a hidden compartment under that counter." He pointed behind us. I dragged us slowly to behind the counter and then made as if to grab the money but at the last minute, I shot the remaining two men and then put a bullet in Mancini's knee.

“You should thank God I forgive. I'll choose to believe you were forced into doing this, now pay the fuck up."

“Yes ma'am!" Mancini cried out as he scrambled to get the money. It was a lot. Good. After putting it all in a duffel bag, I turned around and began walking away, listening to Mancini's whimpers of pain.

“Fuck that, you should know me by now. I don't forgive," I said as I shot at him to finally silence his whimpers. Bring my phone out, I dialed a number.

“Evelyn, what's up? Need our help?" Sasha's voice filtered in through the phone.

“Yeah. I ran into a slight issue so I'll need you to get over here and clean up. I'll explain when I get back."

“On it, Evie."

I slowly made my way to my car noting that the men who were standing out front had fled. Good for them. Getting into my car, I turned the ignition and headed to the other place I had to be. Within minutes, I'd arrived at the cemetery. I walked in and headed straight to mom's grave.

“Hey, mum," I greeted, kneeling before her tombstone. “I know I know you don't like when I'm dirty but it's the business. You never really wanted me to get into it," I laughed out.

“I'm getting married in a few days. I wish you could be there, mum," I said, shedding a tear. We stayed in silence for a full five minutes before I stood up.

“Bye, mum—" That was when I noticed it. The rose with the letter attached to it. Its thorns were still attached to it. Slowly, I picked it up. It was a white rose and upon further inspection, it looked like it'd been dipped in blood. I pulled the note, not minding how the thorns pricked me.

Dear Eve,

We will meet soon, Eve. Wait for me.

Someone had been to my mother's grave. And they wanted something from me.