Chapter Three

Janelle’s POV

I’ve always been a weird child, probably from birth. First I escaped my mother's womb with my hands, second while my friends and peers fantasized about fashion, games, movies, and boys, I preferred darker things like horrors, crimes, and life-risking adventures. Except of course when I fell for Truce King. 

But don’t get me wrong, every female I knew of was in awe of Truce’s beauty, plus, Truce King was never known to be a normal person.

Skin white and glowy as milk, face handsome and deadly cold, eyes forest green and fiery, and hair black as a Raven’s, flowing down to his back. He was perfection.

Speaking of Truce King, he might be a hint to this dark puzzle in front of me.

I stare at the stone-cold dead body of Theodore King, a man who I have called father for the past ten years, a man who I had grown to love more than my biological father, and there’s just one thing going on in my head. Bloody revenge.

Whoever did this to Theodore and my Father must pay.

The door of the morgue opens and I turn to see the middle-aged handsome Doctor who had battled to save Theodore’s life. He gives me a look of pity, but that’s an emotion I hardly feel at the moment. I feel rage clouding my very vision and threatening to burst through my veins.

“Doctor Gail.”

“Can I speak to you for a moment Miss Janelle?”

I nod and stare at Theodore one last time before I walk to meet Gail.

“Please follow me to my office. The information I’m about to disclose is a bit sensitive.”

Of course. I had ordered an autopsy for Theodore, and Gail’s action just helped me confirm that he was killed.

Doctor Gail opens his office door and I enter. He closes the door after him and turns the lock.

“Your father was Ronan James, right?”

My eyes widened in surprise. How does he know that? My family has lived in New York all my life and this is Greece. How does this doctor know me or my father?”

“How do you know that?”

Gail chuckles. “Don’t be startled. Your father and Theodore were good friends of mine and they visited Greece often on vacations. That aside, I called you to tell you about the autopsy result. Theodore was poisoned. He had been consuming the poison in drops so it didn’t show any effect until it became too much for his system.”

I thought it was something else, but poisoning? That’s pathetic. Theodore deserved better respect.

“What type of poison”

“Atropa belladonna. It was the same one found in your father’s autopsy. I believe their death is connected.”

Nightshade poison. A deadly poison for a deadly organisation.

I scramble closer. “What do you know Doctor?”

Gail looks at me, hesitant. “Nothing much aside that I believe this is all connected to the inner circle.”

The Inner Circle? This is the first time in ten years I’ve heard that name again. The last time was the day my father was buried.”

“What exactly is the Inner Circle?”

Gail shifts uncomfortably on his chair. “Your Father won’t talk about it to me, neither Theodore, but they mentioned it once or twice. I don’t exactly know what they do, but I believe they’re a deadly Mafia organization. You and your sister need to be very careful. They’re known to wipe out the entire families of their targets.”

The phone in my hand falls to the table, making me jump in fear. Death? 

Are me and my sister in danger?

Don’t panic, I whisper to myself.

“Is that all you know about them?”

Gail nods. “I did a thorough research but found nothing. Everyone seems to know nothing about them and the few that do would not talk. The last person I talked to concerning them asked me to stay away if I valued my life. I guess his exact words were “Whoever messes with the Inner Circle is asking for death.”

I sigh. I’m trying to think, but my brain is crippled with fear. 

You can’t do this to me, dear brain, I need an answer!

“Maybe you can talk to Truce King if you want more answers, though I doubt you’d ever be allowed into his presence. I’ve been trying to meet him for the past three years to no avail.”

Head snap up. Truce King?

Is this just nemesis or is this fate? The last time I saw him was ten years ago, yet I can hear the echos of my rapid heartbeat at the mention of his name.

But of course, Truce might be my answer. He knew about the Inner Circle enough to be asked to head the organisation, besides he was my father’s right-hand man.

But how do I meet a man I’ve come to hate for over a decade?

“I haven’t seen Truce for a while and I have no idea if he still exists. How do I meet him?”

“He still exists.” Gail chuckles. “But he’s a hard man to find. He controls and runs a billion-dollar winery in England, though his company is currently facing some crises. How to meet him is up to you.”

I sigh in frustration just as my phone starts to ring.

I pick it up from the table. The caller ID reads unknown. 

Is this another bad news or perhaps a member of the Inner Circle already looking for me? I need to contact Bella fast, she has to know what’s going on.

My phone continues to ring.

“Aren’t you going to pick it up?” Gail asks.

I swallow. “Of course.”

I answer the call with shaky hands. “Hello”.

“It’s been a while, J. Can we meet up? We need to discuss something important.” The familiar cold, deep voice says.

Speaking of the devil. There’s only one person who ever called me “J” aside from my father. Truce King.

I feel my heartbeat increase. The last time we had a conversation he was threatening me and now he’s ordering me to meet up?

Well, I can’t say no since I need him too. Maybe this is in my favour too.

“Where?”

“I’m in front of the hospital, waiting for you to come out. How long will you and Gail take? I hate my time being wasted.”

Of course, he’s still as arrogant and cold as ever. But how did he find me and does he know Doctor Gail? Do I even need to ask?

“I’m coming out now.”

“Good.” The line disconnects.

I turn to Gail. “It seems I’ve managed to find Truce after all. I’ll keep in touch.”

His eyes widen in surprise. “I hope to hear from you soon.”

I smile. There’s only one way to kill a viper, outsmart it!