LUCAS'S POV I wanted to drive a bullet into Xavier's head the instant I heard that he called me over stepping. How dare him?Who the hell does he think I am? Sone kind of desperate fool. I dipped my hands into the side pocket of my suit and I rubbed my fingers around my gun. I always had it there, it stayed there just in case I needed to kill someone as soon as possible.Xavier had just disrespected me and the thought of that haunted me like the aftermath of a horror movie but in my case, disrespect burned my ego hard. In all my years of being a mafia lord, I have never come in contact with anyone who insulted me and went scot free. They all fired pathetic deaths.If it were back in Moscow that duch a thing happened, I'd have my bodys strip him naked and whip the living daylight out of him. After that, they'd take him into my coal room. The room was a room where the floors were made of hot, burning coal and he would be asked to walk over them.For the weaklings, they'd die there aft
LUCAS'S POV I endured the rest of Xavier's speech. It seemed as if the young lad still managed to scale through our first pull. The shareholders, those bunch of gullible fools, were busy nodding like puppets as they listened attentively.The silence in the room haunted me, I was expecting an air of mismatched voices, mumblings and mutters but this? Silence wasn't part of the plan for the first day.We were supposed to get the entire panel of shareholders to dislike Xavier but from his perfectly executed speech, it seemed the opposite was what was happening. I couldn't stand the sight of the president nodding impressively as he watched Xavier win the interests of the shareholders through some shitty speech.I tried to move my eyes away from that smile carved on his aged face but I couldn't. It haunted me, filling my insides with restlessness and rage. I could tell he was head over heels for the fact that his grandson was doing what his son couldn't do.I could tell the memories of Xav
XAVIER'S POV “Not now, not ever!” I watched as my uncle left the hall while still gripping Madame Browne aggressive. The tension that loomed in the air was as clear as the skies as confusion and uncertainty reeled into my veins.I had asked him why he started it but his response had me guessing. His eyes loomed with emotions that were extremely dark, greed, rage and malice glistening under the the green hue of his eyes. His stance and demeanor was heavy, filling my insides with fear.There wasn't a limit to what my uncle, Lucas, could do. From the proud smirk that graced his face before he turned to walk out of the door, I could tell he had a trick up his sleeves or were they many?With Madame Browne by his side, they were an heavy force to reckon with but I wasn't going to back down so easily. For whatever plan they had, I was going to supercede them all not because I looked to catch the interest of the shareholders, it was because I wanted to show them all who Xavier McKinney is.U
LUCAS'S POV When I got into my room, rage stomped into my mind as I collided into my chair. Following me was Madame Browne, striding casually like nothing happened.The proud smirk on her face only added to my anger as I raised my fingers and signaled over to her to come over to where I stood. She paced slowly towards me slowly, shaking like a winter leaf under the soft hues of the chandelier.She was scared— why wouldn't she be?She knew her offense and it was less nerving to realize she wasn’t hesitant to admit it. She made me receive the one thing I hated the most. Disrespect. I could have a person's tongue cut off if he/she disrespected me. Seeing Xavier publicly address me disrespectfully made me grumble slowly in rage.“Come here,” I mouth the words slowly a s she took the last step, still shaking. I raised my index finger and pointed to the floor, signalling to her to get on her knees.Slowly, I watched her go on her knees, lowering to the floor until I could reach for her hea
LUCAS'S POV I watched as my boys dragged her into the room, hearing her screams pierce through the air as I chuckled. This wasn't just going to be one out of the countless times I'd punished Madame Browne, it was going to be different.This time around, I'd make her wish she was dead.I waited until I could no longer hear the sound of her screams in the air before I turned, facing one of my men. “Get me a cigarette,” I said, watching as he rushed over to me with a pack of cigarettes.When he got to me, he bent his head in respect while I stretched my fingers and took one out of the pack cigarettes. After taking it, I turned back at him, “Where's the lighter?” I asked. The guards expression immediately changed immediately to shocked as he started shaking. I froze at the realization. He didn't bring along the lighter. “I said where is the god-damned lighter!” I yelled, watching as he started pacing backwards in fear. “I'm sorry boss.” He said, his words firm as I slid my hand into m
LUCAS'S POV Panic.That was the only word that could describe what I felt when I met the unwavering gazes of the lady in the tall red stilettos. They were just as red as the lipstick she had on, her eyes lingering over my blood covered fists.I had a lot of questions pulsing through my veins as I stared at her. Where did she come out from? Why did she kill the police officer? And most importantly, who was she? I tried to ponder on them but seeing that thinking wouldn't get me any where, I later resulted into just standing there for a moment. After some intensed minutes of staring at her, I decided it was best to cut off the suspense that lingered in the air.“W- Who are you?” I muttered, my lips quivering sofly as I moved my gaze to check back on the police officer that was sprawled on the floor.He layed cold, dead, skin paling out in seconds. Just as I was doing that, I felt her gaze on my back as I pulled my gaze back at her.She was dangerous.I began pacing backwards slowly, my
DISCLAIMER: This chapter contains scenes depicting physical restraint, included for narrative purpose. Reader discretion is suggested. LUCAS'S POV “What the hell?” I exclaimed, breaking into laughter as I stared at her. She had to be freaking joking. Marriage? Where the hell did she get the idea to ask me for such a thing? I never really saw Marriage as something that was worth investing in. It was all a baseless trap under a useless string called love. Unlike other people, I wasn't a fool.I was wise.Why have a lady for the rest of your life when you could actually bang as many hoes as you want while single?There were no logical answers to that question. It all resulted into baseless arguments and that usually makes my blood boil. My eyes darkened as I met Madame Browne's eyes. They stayed still, bubbling with unwavering determination. One look into her eyes and I could tell she was extremely determined. I could get her anything she asked for but marriage seemed to be far off
MADAME BROWNE'S POV “Let her go,” I heard a voice beam out from behind.The pain that revolved around my body was too firm to be overlooked. It pulsed through my veins, shaking my bones and feeling me with a nerving sensation that lingered. I felt like breaking down right there and then but then I remembered I signed up for this treatment I was receiving.That contract years ago gave him the right.I signed off my life to him.My master.His name lingered in my mind like a spell, replaying like a cursed melody. Upon his order, I heard the sound of his footsteps from behind. His men had fierce frowns on their face that spared no room for sympathy. They were all like this especially when on an order for their boss. They moved towards me and gripped the shackles that went round my wrist as they undid it casually.I heard their heavy breaths surging into my ears as the shackles clinged. The shackles on my wrist clattered as they pulled off, the pain that wrecked through the tissues in m
MADAME BROWNE'S POV He was there.Right there.Seated on the chair and cladded in all black outfits. His eyes sparkled under the soft hues of lighting from the chandelier. As I strolled towards the dining area, my heart thumped violently in my chest. My fingers clenched into hardened fists that were pressed to my sides. Sweats.Cold sweats clung to my forehead as I walked towards the table where he sat. I moved towards the table and once I was close enough, I took a seat on the chair and fixed my eyes on him. He had on a hat that shaded over his face and allowed dark shadows cast across his features.His eyes sparkled nonetheless. His gaze is as heavy as carrying rocks but in my case, the rocks were being dragged against my body. My chest fell as I heaved out a sigh and tapped on the table.“Hello?” I muttered and his fingers which I now noticed were cloaked in dark gloves pulled off his hat. A sense of fear washed into my veins as my lungs tightened and I choked on a breath.A low
MADAME BROWNE'S POVWhile in my unconscious state, I felt darkness wrap around me. I saw, felt and even heard nothing. Nothing other than that ding. With each time it came, I writhed, twisted and strived to get it to stop. I was sick and tired of it and to make matters worse, I was beginning to get scared to my wits as questions pulsed through my mind. Did I die? Was this all another version of hell? I was expecting an erupting volcano, heat and a little bit of fire but all I saw was darkness. Thick, dark darkness. I was about to ponder on a question when I heard a ding. I tried to move but my body wouldn't budge.I tried again and then again but with each trial, I drew closer to the realization that maybe I had died. I mean my body wasn't going to move anymore and the signs were beginning to police together.I was about to accept the finalisation of my current dilemma when all of a sudden, I felt the elevator shake. Panic surged through me and in a fit of fear and confusion, I trie
MR MCKINNEY'S POV If you are reading this now, you must've thought Madame Browne had died. Well, I wished she was dead too but not all of our wishes came true and the acceptance of the fact was the beginning of maturity.Don't be discouraged yet. There was still a lot of things coming for her that she just didn't know yet. You see, when I planned on getting someone to do something, I made sure to leave no stones untouched. Right now, I was seated on my chair with my arm crossed and my eyes fixed on the tablet in front of me. Right there on the screen was Madame Browne, fallen and weak with sharp fearful gasps rolling out of her lips.She was afraid.Don't get me wrong this was the only time I'd seen her this shaken to fear. Her hair which you'd expect tostull be tied up in some fancy bun was now let down in rough, messy strands that draped down to her back. She was currently trying to block the dings I was letting off stop but little did she know that I, Mr McKinney, was the one beh
MADAME BROWNE'S POVThe entire walk from my room down to the elevator was long because most of the minutes were spent pondering on the invite. I bit my fingers slowly as fear pulsed throughout me in sharp jolts. The guard who was sent to call me over there led the way since I was too shaken with suspicion and fear to go alone. As I followed his lead, I still couldn't let out the gleams of suspicion that clawed at my chest.Something was in the hallway. Something was watching over me, judging maybe even cackling as I made my way to the elevator with my steps as soft as feathers. The guards' back figure filled me with relief as I rubbed my chest and sighed.Several droplets of sweat trickled down my forehead as I paused and watched as he jabbed his fingers against the controls. The buttons by the elevator beeped countlessly for a long period of seconds but the doors didn't open.It was as if someone was in it but if that were to be the case at hand, the indicator had to be flashing red
MADAME BROWNE'S POV As I stepped out of the car, the cold wind justled several strands of my hair into the air as I struggled to keep my strands down. My fingers brushed off some blocking strands as I paced towards the door leading into the mansion. Two guards stood by it with firm frowns on their faces. “Thank you.” I muttered out loud to the driver who was probably engulfed in something else to respond. I made my way to the door and as I approached it, the drivers standing by it, pulled it open as I stepped into the mansion. I walked into the mansion and walked directly to the staircase. I made sure no one was watching before I placed silent steps up the stairs. The overhead lights in the room flickered brightly as I traced my steps up it. It didn't take long for me to arrive at the hallway leading into the elevator. I tapped on the buttons and as the door chimed open, I locked my arms and inhaled deeply as I waited for the ride to come to an end. My body was aching so much I n
MR MCKINNEY'S POV I stayed at alert all through the time the guards informed me she had stepped out of the mansion down till the car that drove her out veered into the mansion. My eyes widened almost immediately as my fingers roved over to the window panes as I adjusted to me to get a clearer view of the car.Just as it parked safely in the parking lot, the door to the room pulled open and as the cracks it made slashed through the silence in the air, I paused then flashed my gaze in the direction. I tilted my head and I met the blank faces of the two security guards I gave the task of relaying every update on Madame Browne's movements to me. The golden brown lighting in the room buzzed over their cold features as one of them stepped forward. “She's here, sir.” he mumbled coldly and just then, I heard a sound. It wasn't from the room but from the parking lot.If I heard it correctly, it was the sound of her driver's voice. I wasn't able to catch the exact line of words he used but I
LUCAS'S POV The moment Madame Browne stepped foot out into the restaurant, I felt my heart thump heavily in my chest. A cold shiver trudged down my spine as a sensation sprouted within me. I didn't know how to explain it but it was there. Blossoming. Growing. With my gaze fixed on her figure, I carelessly grabbed a bottle of wine and raised it to my lips. The sour taste of grapes washed down my throat as I stared back at her. She was pacing towards the table in a black dinner gown that wasn't too flashy but still blended in with the people in the bar.They all seemed discreet enough to not even flash a glance at us. Everyone had their attention fixed on the people they came to meet and nothing else. No stolen glances, no glaring eyes… nothing. It felt like we were all alone.I had to give accolades to my assistant. She really did know what her job entailed and delivered effortlessly. My fingers curled around the wine glass as I placed it back on the table and for a split second, sho
MADAME BROWNE'S POV AN HOUR EARLIERAfter the call with Lucas, he passed the phone over to his assistant who I surprisingly caught up well with and as he did, her voice blared out. “You can come over. I've fixed a dinner reservation for you and him to talk it all out and figure out the next step to take.”I nodded softly as I asked, “What time is that going to be in?”Her reply came in quicker than I was expecting. “In about twenty minutes from now, I'll send you the address.”Just as she said that, my phone buzzed in my grip and as I paused talking just to glance at my screen, a pop-up message from her number came up. I read the letters on the card slowly and after reading it, I replied her softly. “Okay. I'll be out in a bit, it actually isn't that far from the mansion.” I uttered the words and as I finished, I ended the call and raced over to my wardrobe where I picked the first dress I saw and zipped it down as I stepped into it. Pulling the gown back up, I ran my fingers over t
MR MCKINNEY'S POVI shouldn't have chased him away. He wasn't wrong but I just couldn't stand seeing him like that. For the first time in the entire decades I'd spent raising him, my little boy was making his stand and as much as I wanted to let him flap his wings I couldn't let him go out there and lose his life to Lucas.I knew who he really was and how dangerous he was and having him contend with Xavier would crush me. Lucas could have him killed within the blink of an eye and I'd lose the one thing I promised myself I'd watch over. Just if you weren't aware, I made a promise to myself after the death of his parents to take care of him and shield him from any form of harm and now…I guess he'd outgrown my tactics buti just couldn't let him out of my grasp. At least not now. Not when everything was a standstill and each and every move we made was being closely watched by him. Lucas.My heart palpited in my chest as I watched him turn his back and leave. A part of me wanted to hold h