Chapter 4: The Loud Bang

It was pouring on Rayfield City, which was unusual weather in Rayfield City, especially during mid-June. The airport was busy as ever and people were coming in and out of the building. On the other side of the road, a long line of Mercedes Benz cars was parked, strange men in black suits crowded the pile and there was an old man who patiently sat and stayed in the car, patiently waiting.

“Sir, coach Jacob Jenkins is here.”

This time the old man looked up to one of his companions and whispered something before he left towards the building. 

Jacob Jenkins had landed in Rayfield City. Jacob was a former heavyweight champion in MMA but quit when his family was killed. Later on, he joined the McConnell family to find out the truth but there was no lead that would tie the family to his family’s assassination. So, he suddenly disappeared and was nowhere to be found until he resurfaced in Sol’s courtside during his debut match. 

“Long time no see, Jacob,” Leon muttered as he greeted Jacob outside the airport. 

“Leon.” Seemingly surprised upon seeing Leon but he had expected this to happen anyway. 

Leon looked at him as he extended his hand for a shake hand which Jacob stared for a while before he reached out and shook his hands.

“Are you still hesitating after all these years?”

“The death of my family has not been closed, master. And I have to be honest I still have no plan of keeping my peace with it.”

“I understand. Your pain, I understand that. And despite our history you have help me take care of Sol.”

“The young master deserves my service and nothing more. I have my reasons as to why I’ve volunteered to be his coach.” 

Leon had doubted Jacob’s intention of helping Sol built his career but as soon as he investigated the man he knew too well that Sol had a close relationship with Jacob during his youth. It was Jacob who taught him how to throw correct punches and had been his body guard over the years. 

And Leon knew Jacob wouldn’t do anything stupid despite his doubts in the family. His family died overnight and a year after he appeared next to Solomon in a foreign city, and how Jacob did that, no one knew about it. 

Leon looked at Jacob’s back as he walked through the rain and far away from him. He soon got into a familiar car and drove away. 

“I want to know what happened to Jacob after he left the family. All information must be in my table before I get back.” He instructed his assistant. 

With the growing terror in Rayfield City, Leon knew too well something was about to happen that would shake their world to chaos an before that would happened he must know the real enemy was. 

Sabrina picked coach Jacob in the airport and saw he was surrounded by a suspicious group of men in black suit, she was so curious but she swore not to care about his personal life except Sol’s dragged into it. She drove silently as she kept stealing glances to Jacob who pretended to be asleep next to her,

“Curiousity killed the cat, so ask me now.” He muttered coldly. 

“Who were those people in the airport a while ago?”

“Old friend. Suspect of my family’s murder. None of your business.” 

Sabrina nodded as she listened to Jacob. Her body stiffened upon hearing his reply and she decided not to dwell too much about it. One thing she knew was that Jacob Jenkins had once served the McConnell family and had a close relationship with Leon. How she knew about that was because she investigated the McConnell after her father died. 

The drive towards the hotel became silent and no one spoke a single word after the awkward conversation. They arrived at the lobby and Jacob went directly to the gym and saw Solomon practicing in the corner while Carl was watching. 

Jacob decided not to disturb Sol and directly went to the lounge and grabbed himself a drink. Sabrina noticed the changes in Jacob’s behavior and guessed that the person he saw a while ago was not an ordinary man. 

***

Night came to Carl’s mansion, he doubled check the files that was sent to his office today and found Salazar’s information lying on his table. For a long time, he had stared the document and finally understood the situation. 

Salazar was planning a revenge on Carl’s fighter, Solomon, for making him pay for his ‘theft’. According to his intel, Salazar wanted Solomon dead as a warning to Carl for ruinning his fun in the recent match of the King’s Game. 

He shook his head and tried to massage his forehead, when the alarm in the mansion rang wildly. He immediately grabbed the handgun under his table and went directly to Ethan’s room. Carl drew to the window and saw movements in the dark. 

Carl grabbed the sleeping Ethan away from his bed which alarmed the young man and resisted Carl’s hold. 

Carl had to knock him out for him to keep his guest safe. He hit Ethan in the head and instead of losing consciousness, Ethan was wide awake. He was now looking directly at Carl’s heavy breathing and sexy neck.

Carl grabbed him close to his chest when the mansion’s lights went out. This time the third alarm sounded and all automation directed a distress call to the authorities, sooner or later, police swarmed outside the museum and the man who was about to enter the mansion disappeared into thin air. 

Looking shocked and full of anxiety in his eyes, Ethan asked. “Does Salazar know I’m here?”

“They won’t succeed.” Carl coldly muttered and went to disable the alarms. 

Ethan followed Carl’s broad back as he invited the officers inside his house, he gave out the copy of the CCTV but to no luck the intruders broke into the cameras and deleted the files. It was a deadend job for the authorities and Carl immediately requested to a protection to Ethan. 

This breaking and entering became a hot topic over the next few days and no lead came out positive aside from the rumors Carl was harboring criminals or stolen goods which made a whole new lot of controversies for him. 

***

“I’ll have my first fight tonight.” Sol uttered as he joined Carl for a lunch. 

Lunch before his fight, Solomon invited Carl out for lunch to catch up and to fish out information. He knew something was wrong in the family and Solomon knew Carl wouldn’t say a thing to disrupt him in his fight. 

Carl arrived 10 minutes late together with Ethan, just like what he said before Ethan was under his protection until his suspicions were proved by the police only then Ethan would be provided protection. 

Right now, Ethan was stuck with Carl 24/7. 

“Remember to guard your blind spots, you’re too easy to derail.” Carl warned and then added, “Just like any other famous MMA fighter you have your weakness. So be careful especially tonight.”

Sol nodded at him and asked, “Did you fuck up that’s why I’m being target now?”

Carl gave a weak smile and he understood his brother too well. Sol sniffed out the idea that something was wrong in this competition and for the McConnell to drop out as investor for thi league was suspicious enough. 

“King’s game back in the city.” Carl swirled the drink in his wine and as he muttered those words.

“Dad’s influence had changed in Rayfield and business is not doing well recently.” Carl weakly muttered. “I might not be able to protect you in this match but you know–”

Sol grabbed Carl’s nape and drew it close to him, he laid his forehead gently against Carl and said while looking directly into his eyes, “Look, brother, your job is to manage the family well and my job is to win this competition and end that King’s game once and for all.”  

And all of a sudden, a loud bang was heard on their right… 

*bang!* 

And loud screams were everywhere…