The atmosphere in Café De Royal's VIP section was filled with tension. The soft golden lights reflected off the dark leather seats, and the faint hum of jazz music in the background seemed almost mocking, given the gravity of the conversation about to unfold. Pachi was discreet as he personally escorted us to the section, aware that this wasn’t a casual meeting. His eyes met mine briefly before he left, a look of concern flashing across his face. I took a deep breath, trying to compose myself as I sat across from Carlos. We were no longer ordinary customers because of the people we now work for.He leaned back in his chair, looking far too relaxed for someone who had just turned his life over to a gang. His posture screamed arrogance, but beneath it, I saw the same man I had once loved—someone now lost in a world of false promises and dangerous alliances.“Carlos,” I started, my voice steady, though my insides churned. “You need to leave me alone. This, or whatever you're doing with
Lisa smiled at me, her expression brightening in a way that caught me off guard. "I’m so glad to see you two working things out again," she said, her tone light and cheerful as if we were old friends reconnecting.I stared at her in disbelief, my mind racing. Did she really think that? Did she not see how frail the threads of our past were, how easily they could snap? “You really think this is ‘working things out’?” I replied, incredulous. “When you’re done screwing Carlos, you can call me to continue the conversation.”Carlos shifted beside me, his jaw tightening. “Stop,” he said, his voice low and commanding.I raised an eyebrow, feigning ignorance. “Stop what, exactly? Being honest? Or are you saying I should stop calling out your bullshit?”Lisa shifted uncomfortably, her confident smile faltering as she glanced between us. The atmosphere was charged with tension, her earlier joy dissolving into a thin veneer of awkwardness. “Maybe I should just- -”Pachi stepped out from the back
As I sat on the edge of the bed with Nathan, the soft glow of the lamp casting a warm light over us, my phone buzzed. I glanced down and saw a message from Pachi."Don Chappo wants to see me," I said, breaking the comfortable silence.Nathan looked up from his tablet, his expression calm yet attentive. "He’s probably very pleased with how you handled the situation with the Stones." He paused, studying my face as if reading the mix of emotions there. "You can go see him in the morning. No need to rush."I nodded, relieved that Nathan didn’t seem alarmed by the message. But there was something else weighing on my mind, something I knew I needed to tell him before the night went on. I shifted, pulling my legs up beneath me, facing him fully.“There’s something else I need to talk to you about,” I said quietly.Nathan raised an eyebrow, sensing the shift in my tone. He set his tablet aside and gave me his full attention. “What is it?”I took a deep breath, steadying myself. “I had an inci
Walking into Don Chappo’s office, I could feel the tension in the air, though I kept my expression neutral. Nathan had insisted I bring bodyguards, and they were waiting just outside. But, as always, Don Chappo preferred private discussions, and I found myself standing in the dimly lit room with just him.The Don sat behind his massive oak desk, leaning back in his chair with a half-smile as I entered. "You’re becoming quite the force to be reckoned with," he said, his voice smooth but carrying an underlying edge. "Nathan’s lucky to have you on his side."I didn’t respond immediately, taking a seat across from him. His eyes followed my movements, assessing, calculating. "What did you want to discuss, Don Chappo?" I asked, cutting through the pleasantries.He chuckled, the sound deep and unsettling. "Straight to business. I like that." He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk. "I’m having... difficulties with a few of my bankers. They’re being more difficult than usual about s
As I headed back to the office, my phone buzzed in my pocket. Glancing down, I saw a message from Don Chappo. My stomach tightened as I opened it, wondering what more he could want after that tense meeting.The message was short but loaded with weight: "Look after Nathan. His family wants him dead."I stared at the screen, my mind racing. Why hadn’t he told me this in person, when I was right there with him? Why drop something this heavy over a text? It didn’t make sense, unless there was more going on behind the scenes, more than I realized. This was the second time he had said this.The thought sent a shiver down my spine. Nathan’s family… wanting him dead? It is not as if I have not heard it before, but I couldn’t wrap my mind around it fully, because the gravity of the situation hit me like a punch to the gut or I would say I am not fully involved.The car sped down the highway, but my thoughts moved even faster. I couldn’t shake the feeling that something big was coming, somethin
As I walked into the room, my mind was racing with the weight of the information Pachi had shared. I had to tell Nathan everything and make him understand that danger was lurking closer than he realized. But when I tried to speak, the words seemed to fall flat. Nathan, leaning casually against the wall, didn’t seem alarmed. His calmness in the face of everything was both infuriating and disarming.“Nathan, I’m serious,” I said, trying to emphasize the urgency. “You’re in danger. Your family, Don Chappo, the Stones, everyone’s playing their hand, and it’s all pointing at you.”He walked over to me slowly, his eyes studying me, but not with concern. There was something deeper and more intimate. Before I could say another word, his hands gently moved to the buttons of my shirt, unfas
Nathan’s hand was warm on my back as we weaved through the dancing crowd. The music pulsed around us, lights flashing, but our mission held a weight all its own. He wanted to see Steve with his own eyes, confirm the shadows of suspicion lingering around us.“Stay close,” he whispered, his voice smooth but sharp, as though he were already preparing for whatever game Steve might be playing. We cut through the crowd toward the central floor, weaving between dancers and bodies swaying in time to the heavy bass. Then, suddenly, there they were, right in front of us like the universe had orchestrated some twisted meeting.Carlos and Lisa.Lisa’s smile was unmistakable, that smug look she wore whenever she thought she held the upper hand. Carlos turned, and his face flashed with surprise, then satisfaction. They had seen us, just as we’d stumbled upon them. And they weren’t going anywhere.“Well, look who’s slumming it on the dance floor,” Lisa sneered, her voice slicing through the heavy mu
Nathan and I stepped out of the club, the chilly night air a welcome relief from the thick tension we’d left behind. He pulled out his phone, dialling swiftly. His expression was all business as he waited for the line to connect.“Don Chappo,” Nathan said when he finally answered, his voice low but firm. “I need to know…is everything still under wraps? No one should know about our business.”A pause stretched on the line as Don Chappo’s gruff voice finally cut through. “It’s tight, Nathan. Not a word outside of our circle. What’s going on?”Nathan’s grip tightened around the phone as he cast a quick glance over his shoulder, scanning the street. “We were at the club. Ran into some…unexpected faces. They’re circling, Don, and someone just hinted they might know more than they should.”The Don’s voice shifted, taking on a sharp edge. “Who are we talking about?”“Steve and Carlos,” Nathan replied, his gaze darkening. “And Steve insinuated he knew something. But you’re certain, no leaks?”
I was silent for a moment, letting her words sink in. I had always known Katrina had a tough exterior, but hearing the raw emotion in her voice made me realize how much she had been holding in. She wasn’t just fighting for herself or Nathan or even the business. She was fighting for her place in a world that had never given her the respect she deserved.But this wasn’t the way.“I get it, Katrina,” I said softly, my voice gentle. “But this isn’t the answer. You’re hurting Nathan, and you’re hurting yourself. Don’t let Alex control you like this. Please, just think about it. Think about what you’re really doing here. Is this really what you want?”Katrina’s face twitched, and for a brief moment, I thought she might break down. But instead, she took a deep breath, straightened her posture, and walked toward the window. She didn’t say anything for a long while, and the silence between us felt heavy, almost suffocating.Finally, she spoke, her voice much quieter than before. “You’re right
I sat on the couch, the envelope from Katrina trembling slightly in my hands. I had known this moment was coming, the threats, the subtle innuendos, and Alex’s sudden reappearance in our lives, but seeing the court papers made it all too real. The words on the document were cold and clinical, and yet they felt like daggers piercing through my chest.Nathan walked into the room, his shirt slightly unbuttoned, his face betraying the weariness of a man carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders. He took one look at my expression, and his eyes immediately darted to the envelope in my hands. Without a word, he crossed the room, sat down beside me, and gently took the papers from my hands.His jaw tightened as he scanned the document. His face, usually so composed, contorted in a mix of frustration and pain. “She’s actually doing it,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. He placed the papers on the coffee table and leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees, his hands clas
The morning had arrived with a sense of urgency, and the office felt colder than usual. Nathan and I had just arrived, and the moment we stepped inside, I felt the weight of what was to come. There was a tension in the air that was hard to ignore, everyone seemed to sense that something big was on the horizon.I made my way straight to Rose’s desk, my heels clicking against the polished floor with each step. Rose looked up as I approached, her eyes sharp and focused, as if she had been expecting me.“Mel,” she greeted me, her voice calm but with an undertone of alertness. She was always on top of things, and I knew that she’d have something important to share.“Rose, I need to know everything. Have you heard anything about Steve and Jesse’s meetings with Alex?” I asked, my tone low but urgent. I couldn’t afford to waste time. Every second counted.Rose nodded, glancing around the office before leaning in slightly, lowering her voice as she spoke. “I overheard them, Mel. Steve and Jess
Even as Nathan drove, I could see the tension on his face. It was one of the rare moments I have seen him in this expression. His usually calm and controlled demeanour had cracked, revealing a side of him I hadn’t seen before, a rare glimpse of uncertainty.His hands, typically steady on the wheel, were tight now, his fingers gripping it almost as if it were the only thing holding him together. The silence between us was thick with unspoken thoughts, and I could feel my pulse quicken as I tried to process the situation. Something was off. Something more than just Alex’s arrival, something deeper was gnawing at Nathan’s nerves.Just as the silence became too much to bear, his phone rang. I watched as his eyes flicked down to the screen before he answered with a single word, his voice unexpectedly clipped.“Chappo.”I leaned back in my seat, instinctively quieting myself as I realized the weight of the conversation that was about to take place. Don Chappo was no stranger to Nathan’s bus
As Nathan and I settled into the car, the hum of the engine barely audible over the quiet tension that hung between us, my phone buzzed in my hand. I glanced at the screen. Ali. My stomach tightened as I answered.“What is it now, Ali?” I asked sharply, not bothering to hide my annoyance.His voice was unsteady, almost hesitant. “I just thought you should know... Alex Sommer is in town. He’s been asking questions. Serious questions.”I couldn’t help the scoff that escaped me. “We already know, Ali. You’re not exactly delivering groundbreaking news here.”There was a pause on the other end, and I could hear him exhale deeply. “Look, I know I screwed up earlier, but this is serious. You need to meet with me. There’s more to this than you realize.”Before I could respond, he hung up, leaving me staring at the phone in frustration. I turned to Nathan, who was sitting next to me with his arms crossed, watching me closely. His expression was unreadable, but his sharp eyes told me he had bee
The car glided through the quiet city streets, the hum of the engine filling the silence between us. I stole a glance at Nathan, his jaw set tight, his fingers gripping the steering wheel with an intensity that told me he was deep in thought.I have rarely seen him this way. He was more concerned with his thoughts than with the beautiful lady sitting next to him. I know his brain is running through every option but I also know this must be about what Rose had told him.“Nathan,” I began cautiously, breaking the silence. “What did Rose say?”His eyes stayed on the road, his lips pressed into a thin line as though he were debating whether to tell me. Finally, he sighed, his grip on the wheel loosening slightly.“She came to warn me,” he said, his voice measured. “Alex Sommer is in town.”The name hung in the air like an uninvited ghost, chilling the space between us. I frowned, searching my memory. “Alex Sommer... your friend from years ago? The one you’ve mentioned a few times?”“Frien
The hotel was bustling, a hive of luxury and importance, but all I cared about was the man waiting for me inside. When I knocked on the door, Nathan himself opened it. His shirt sleeves rolled up, and his tie slightly loosened, evidence of a long day.“You’re here,” he said, his voice warm but laced with the weariness of his meetings. He stepped aside, motioning for me to enter.As I walked in, the faint scent of his cologne filled the air, grounding me after the chaos of my day. The suite was immaculate, a blend of modern design and subtle luxury. A small conference table at the corner of the room held scattered files and a half-empty glass of what looked like scotch. He must have just wrapped up his meeting.“I thought I would have met you at the lounge,” I said.“Nope, finished the meeting my dear,” Nathan replied.“Sit down,” he said, gesturing to the plush armchair near the window. “You look like you’ve had a long day yourself.”I didn’t sit. Instead, I folded my arms and got str
As I stepped out of the café, the late afternoon sun momentarily blinded me. I adjusted my eyes and moved to the sidewalk, but I froze when I saw Carlos leaning against a sleek black SUV with his men flanking him. His presence was as commanding as ever, and though his face held a faint smile, his eyes carried a weight that set me on edge.“Mel,” he said, straightening up and taking a cautious step forward. “I wasn’t expecting to see you here. But since you’re here, I guess fate gave me an opportunity I didn’t have before.”I crossed my arms, narrowing my eyes at him. “What do you want, Carlos?” My tone was sharp, with no room for pleasantries.He sighed, his shoulders drooping slightly. “I wanted to apologize,” he said, his voice surprisingly soft. “For everything that happened. I never got the chance to say it properly. I know I hurt you, Mel.”I stared at him, waiting for the rest of his speech. Carlos wasn’t the kind of man to show vulnerability unless he wanted something.“And?” I
The moment Katrina walked out of the café, I felt an overwhelming sense of relief. I needed a moment to collect my thoughts, but that reprieve didn’t last long. No sooner had I taken a sip of my coffee than I spotted Steven striding into the café, his eyes locked onto me with unsettling intensity.“Mel,” he called out as he approached my table. His voice carried a mix of sarcasm and disdain, enough to make the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.I sighed, setting my cup down. “Steven, what are you doing here?”“I could ask you the same thing,” he said, sliding into the chair across from me without waiting for an invitation. His gaze flickered toward the door where Katrina had exited moments earlier. “Funny seeing you here with Katrina.”I tensed, immediately on edge. “Were you following me?”Steven gave me a silly smile, leaning back in his chair with a casualness that belied his intrusive behaviour. “Call it what you want. I like to keep an eye on things, especially when it co