Chapter -10

*Xavier's POV*

Giving Romano a ride home didn't turn out as I had speculated.

I had to admit, the Queen knew her strategy very well. She had planned every step meticulously.

She eliminated the elder Romano while sparing the younger ones. She knew how to instill terror among the populace—a calculated move.

Standing in Romano's compound, not a single person dared to raise their head, even though their guns were loaded.

She broke the Italians' resolve. They had no choice but to retreat and heed what Riker said as the Mafia Queen's envoy.

That's the game they play. No wonder she rose to prominence so swiftly. She understood the game and played it with thoughtfulness.

Two days had passed since that incident. The external world seemed unchanged, but madness filled the King's headquarters' interior.

With the Queen missing for two days, I expected slow days ahead. Yet, her second-in-command managed her affairs quite well in her absence.

They involved me in their illicit activities but didn't fully trust me yet. If I were in their shoes, I might not trust me either.

I hadn't done anything to build that trust yet.

“Xavier, that's you, right?” I snapped my head toward the voice to find one of the gang members approaching.

I nodded in response.

“I’m Remy.” He extended his hand. I took it in mine and shook it.

“Kyle asked me to send you to his office. You should go,” he informed me.

I glanced at the door I was guarding.

Remy noticed and said, “Um... don't worry about it. I'll be here until you return.”

I looked at him for a second before thanking him and making my way to Kyle's office.

I wondered why he had called me.

I knocked on his door and waited to hear "come in" before walking inside.

“...Everything is under control here. You can rest assured and enjoy the trip. Okay, I have to go now. Take care of yourself,” he was having a conversation with someone on the phone.

He spared me a glance before hanging up the call and focusing on me.

“I have your first solo job. Are you ready?” He watched me carefully, as if to gauge any second thoughts. I had none.

“What’s the job?” I asked instead. He smirked, satisfied with my confidence.

He pulled out a package from his desk drawer and slid it towards me. I picked it up.

“Everything you need is in here,” he informed me.

I looked down at the brown package in my hands.

Opening it, I found a gun and several photographs of a man. There was also a document with his name, occupation, and address: Dhyanesh Singh, owner of a record company.

I glanced at Kyle and asked, “What has he done?”

He seemed unimpressed by my question, but he must have known I wasn't like his usual men.

“He’s in league with Romano. I got intel that he’s plotting something big with a few others. Your job is to keep an eye on him and inform me of this guy’s every move,” he explained.

“Why the gun then?” I questioned. I didn’t see the need for it to do this job.

“Don’t underestimate him. He’s unpredictable. I can’t send a soldier unarmed, can I?” Kyle smirked.

“Got it,” I nodded and turned to leave.

“Take one of the cars from the garage,” he called out just before I exited.

So here it was. My first job. A chance to earn Kyle's trust. Exactly what I was looking for.

Opting for a motorcycle instead of a car, I rode to the address where I would find my target.

---

*Rebel's POV*

The room was engulfed in silence.

Not that it had been noisy earlier. An unspoken rule at the King's Mansion mandated 'eating in silence.' Beyond the sound of utensils clicking, no other sound was permitted. Not even a single word.

That's why I waited for everyone to finish their dinner before asking Angelina for permission for the trip.

She glared at me, lips pressed into a tight line. Prepared for the worst, I was nonetheless surprised when she agreed without argument this time.

She glanced at her son sitting next to me, then back at me, and said, “Only if you assure me he will be safe and agree to take bodyguards with you.”

Her gaze did not waver as she awaited our response.

I knew it wouldn't be easy.

I exchanged a glance with Ryan, communicating silently before reaching a conclusion.

He wanted me to accompany him because he knew Angelina wouldn't let him go alone. Having grown up under constant surveillance, I understood his disdain for the idea of taking bodyguards.

“We’re taking one bodyguard,” I negotiated boldly with Angelina.

She arched her brow, clearly not pleased.

“I take full responsibility for Ryan’s safety. He will return to you unscathed,” I added, providing the assurance she needed.

Ryan was her only son, and following Evan’s death, her concerns for his safety were understandable.

I cared for Ryan too and would not let anything happen to him.

Thus, I was momentarily taken aback when Angelina simply asked instead of pushing it further, “When are you leaving?”

“At first light,” Ryan responded, thrilled that his mother had consented to the trip.

Angelina nodded. “Then you should sleep early.” With those words, she stood up and exited the room.

I held my breath until she was out of sight.

Ryan embraced me in a hug, exclaiming, “Thank you, Reb! I knew only you could convince Mom. Love you so much!”

I chuckled at his enthusiasm and ruffled his hair gently. “Go to sleep if you don’t want to miss the trip.”

He stepped back, smiled warmly, and said, “Good night.” Then he left, followed by the other family members.

I sighed and leaned back in my seat, anticipating a tiring day ahead.

Though I didn’t entirely hate the idea of chilling out.