Chapter 2 - Dylan Cross

She couldn't explain the expression on his face. It had gone from confident to confused, now it was like he had seen a ghost. Had he seen her before? Her heart started racing. Maybe she had swindled his friend and that friend had shown him her picture.

Then he smiled. She was half-relieved.

"Atlanta reminds me of my parents. I lost both of them there" he said with a sad smile.

"Oh, sorry to hear that" Chelsea replied.

"It's nothing. Welcome to Miami, the heart of Florida" he beamed. 

"Thanks. I hope to establish my business here. Jewelry" she replied, returning the smile.

"Oh. You're talking to just the right person. How about we continue this discussion in my office tomorrow? Would be more convenient for us" he said reaching into his inner coat pocket from where he retrieved a card.

"Here's my card. You can hit me if you want to reschedule" he added.

"Alright, Mr. Cross" Chelsea spoke sleekly. 

"I'll be getting back to my table then. Enjoy your stay at Golden Petals" he winked.

"Something tells me you own this place" Chelsea looked at him skeptically. 

He let out a laugh that she found strangely sexy. "I'd be lucky to own it" he beamed and walked back to his seat, retaining his domineering demeanor. 

Chelsea exhaled in delight. She was one step closer now. And she didn't even have to do anything! She began plotting how the meeting tomorrow would go.

¤¤¤¤¤

Dylan got in the back of his car and motioned for his chauffeur. "The Rendezvous" he said plainly.

Immediately the vehicle was in motion, he brought out his phone and dialed a number. The receiver at the other end picked and he spoke into it. 

"Vicar" he called the man at the other end.

"Pope" the man responded in the familiar deep brass voice that served as one of the basis for his appointment as the leader of Dylan's mafia cartel, 7 Daggers.

"Have everyone meet me at the Rendezvous" he simply said.

"Yes boss" The Vicar replied.

"Step on that gas, Hill" he exhaled. The chauffeur did accordingly, accelerating the speed of the vehicle. 

In no time they arrived at a massive building that had containers laying about all around it. The moment the car came to a halt, he alighted and hastened as he stepped up steps and onto the hallway that led to a large spacious room where over a hundred suited men stood in two divisions with their hands clasped behind them.

As he passed the middle of both groups, the suited men bowed and acknowledged him, each and every one saying with reverence "Pope".

Dylan walked to a large chair overlaid with gold which sat majestically on the podium facing the men. A well built man with a face that spelt decades of hustling and roughness stood beside the chair, bowing as Dylan sat on it. He was none other than The Vicar, Dylan's right hand man and leader of the 7 Daggers cartel.

Dylan paused for a while, taking in the atmosphere of reverence before speaking. "A year ago, we wiped out all rival mafia who did not agree to the new system installed by me. We slaughtered their leaders and carved the cross on the hearts of their dons. 

"However, we are aware of one don whose heart we did not harvest. Black Ceaza, leader of the then Black Romans Cartel" Dylan took a pause to let the message sink in. He got the intended results. Little murmurs could be heard from the suited men as they expressed conflicting views.

Dylan went on. "There was a necklace he always had on him. It had a specially crafted cross as a pendant. He had it on him the night he escaped our attack. Today, I saw that same necklace on somebody else, a lady at Golden Petals"

This revelation erupted another round of murmurs.

Dylan stood up at this point. All the murmurs ceased and grave silence descended, ruling immediately. 

"We all know the rule of the streets" Dylan broke the silence. 

"It's kill or be killed. Ever since Black Ceaza escaped our attack, I've always had the feeling that he's somewhere lurking, waiting for the perfect time to strike. 

"If my instincts are right, the lady should either be his sister or a sex worker who made away with his chain. Whichever, it hints that Black Ceaza is in Miami and that is a threat to the 7 Daggers."

"I will get information from this lady by any means possible. I called you all here to be very careful in all your dealings. Don't get caught by the wrong feds. If you notice any sideways movements, light every nigga up. Always secure your spots and know whoever coming in or leaving, you hear?"

"Yes Pope" they all chorused. 

"Also whoever's thinking of switching sides or snitching, might as well add his last wishes because even the Lord on the cross won't save you from me" Dylan finally warned sternly. 

"You may leave" he ordered and in no time the room was devoid of suited men. Only The Vicar was left.

"I double check every week, Ceaza isn't here boss" The Vicar said.

"I always trust my instincts. I have a feeling Ceaza is around and waiting strike. Double the security at all safehouses, reinforce the area leads, double the guns on every driver, handler and loader" Dylan dished out instructions calmly as he sat firmly on the royal chair, his hands gripping the lionhead crafted on the tip of both arms of the chair.

"As you instruct, Pope" The Vicar bowed lightly and motioned to leave.

"Be very careful, Victor" Dylan called him by his real name.

"You too, boss" The Vicar nodded and left.

¤¤¤¤¤

Dylan picked up the receiver the moment it blared. 

"Yes" he said plainly.

"There's a lady here to see you, Sir. A Miss Chelsea" a young woman at the other end replied. 

"Send her in" Dylan replied almost immediately. He dropped the receiver and adjusted his expression to be more welcoming. 

In less than a minute, his door slid open and a hotly dressed brunette walked in. Her hair was well attended to and she had eyes he could never mistake or forget. A night was enough to make a lasting impression on him.

Add to that the obvious necklace that added more to his headache the moment he saw it.

"Chelsea Landore" he stood up and extended his hand for a shake.

Chelsea took it and he motioned for her to sit before him.

"What would you have? Bourbon?" he asked with a smirk.

She rolled her eyes playfully. "I'm not an alcoholic, Mr. Cross" she replied. 

Dylan raised his hands in resignation. "Sorry Ms. Landore" he chuckled. 

"Actually I'm good. I just swung by for our agreed discussion" Chelsea replied, feigning formality. 

"Yes. The jewelry business" Dylan stood up. He leaned on his desk, peering into her eyes. He noticed them for the first time. The night must have hidden the glitter in them at Golden Petals. They held a certain wanting to them that made him almost conclude she just graduated from high school. 

"Would you like us to visit my jewelry store first or should we go for lunch?" he asked.

"Is this a date?" Chelsea asked skeptically. She confirmed her initial suspicions about Mr. Cross here. He was definitely a bad boy before touching this cash.

"I'm just hungry, honestly" he laughed.

Damn, his laugh is soooo sexy. Chelsea couldn't help smiling as she saw him laughed. "Okay, let's grab launch" she obliged.

Dylan grabbed his suit jacket from his seat and folded it onto one arm. He opened the door for Chelsea and watched her pass. He keenly observed her features and took in every detail. He couldn't deny, she was beautiful. He wasn't drinking today and she was still as hot as she was last night. 

Had she not had any ties to his nemesis, Dylan could swear he'd ask her out immediately. Sadly, he just needed to get close for information. Even if it meant laying down this Porsche body of hers. Heh, he laughed inwardly. Here's killing two birds with one stone. 

Make that three, she was going to patronise him for her jewelry business.