Chelsea opened her eyes and turned to Dylan on the bed. He was fast asleep. She had lost track of time but she remembered she had fallen asleep too after the sex. She also remembered the last thing she heard from him. He had answered her question in the way she expected. She had played her emotional card and it had worked. Originally, she feared it would have little to no success, given his hardened domineering demeanor she had grown so accustomed to. But he always surprised her. Either with an unexpected romantic gesture or a totally different attitude entirely. She watched him sleep, his subconscious appearance still striking her as hot and seductive. She motioned to sit up but felt his heavy hand curved around her back to her waist, gripping her protectively. She smiled and rested her head on his chest. "Are you awake already?" she heard him ask, his voice a little bit drowsy. "Yes" she replied, looking up at him. He smiled, his eyes still closed and breathed relaxedly, tighte
Dylan threw on his suit jacket as he walked out of his room. His phone rang and he slid across to answer it."I'm on my way" he said calmly into the phone, his steps a bit brisk. "We've caught two more" the caller on the other end replied. "Beautiful. I'll be there shortly" he replied and hastened up, heading for the exit. He saw Chelsea and Joyce walking out of a hallway and slowed down. He looked admiringly at Chelsea and smiled. She smiled back at him and bit her lower lip. He chuckled and winked at her before turning to Joyce. His expression went blank and he looked away. He walked hastily through the living room and exited the mansion. He boarded the Bentley Continental and the next minute found him driving out of the Cross Estate.¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤The RendezvousDylan's Bentley Continental drove into the premises and pulled up at the parking lot. He stepped out elegantly and walked gently towards the massive building. The several containers that laid about gave the premises an ille
Dylan stared at the quartet of lifeless bodies before him that lay at his feet. He exhaled and wiped his face subconsciously. "Call in some of your men" he said without turning to Victor and rubbed his hands against each other. Victor turned and spoke into his earphone. "Diego, Ricky, come in" he said and turned back to Dylan.In less than a minute, two suited men came running in. They stopped before Dylan and bowed reverently. "Observe these bodies thoroughly. Take note of their tattoos, check their bodies for any similar marks, their weapons too, study them carefully. Report your findings and analysis to the Vicar" he ordered."Yes, Pope" they replied, their heads still bowed.Dylan turned to Victor. "Walk with me" he said and stepped over the bodies, heading for the exit of the building.Victor followed closely behind him, walking with his hands clasped together at his back. As they walked outside the building, several suited men who stood outside bowed as Dylan passed them, no
Dylan sniffed occasionally as he was driven back to his mansion. He reflected on what Victor said and even though he feared the outcome he knew he had to do it. If she ran away with the money, he would definitely have her captured and brought back to him rather easily. Of course, his assigned man would be keeping tabs on her at all times. But deep down he would be scarred beyond healing. He would lock up his heart and never open it up to any female whosoever.He had tried to put his past and its ugly reminders aside to open up a new spot for Chelsea. Even though several times his memories pushed back in and his insecurities got the better of him, he allowed her prove them wrong time and again. This was just one more test. How she performed in it would determine if all she had been saying was just lie after lie, aimed at making him see her for who she was not. One thing he knew he had unjustly robbed her off was her freedom. She hadn't spoken to anyone she knew ever since he capture
Chelsea walked angrily towards her room. She ignored the courtesy from the guards whom she passed on her way. She hadn't been officially inducted into the cartel as Dylan's consigliere but they all had begun according her a certain level of respect. She got to her room and Joyce was sitting down expectantly. As soon as she stepped in, the elderly woman looked up and smiled at her. "How did you know I was coming here?" she asked, a little bit confused. Joyce didn't respond. She simply kept looking at her with the smile across her face."Wait a minute. You knew he would be mad?" Chelsea asked, a hint of irritation evident in her tone.Joyce nodded calmly. "Geez. For heaven's sake! You knew and you couldn't have told me? Why did you send me there in the first place?" she threw her arms into the air in exasperation and turned around. She scoffed and turned back to Joyce. "With all due respect, Ma, how does this whole family operate? Because sometimes it seems you all have different p
As Chelsea sat in her room, she reflected on Joyce's words. She saw the wisdom and truth in them and immediately regretted lashing out at Dylan. As Joyce had said, that would only amount to him becoming more aggressive and oppressive to her.She exhaled and stood up, immediately exiting her room. She walked along the hallway, her heart thumping as she navigated through the house, heading for Dylan's room. She took a while to remember what she had seen in the room, the strange and imperial grandeur that had graced her.Behind the door was a wide entrance the size of an office. It had sofa chairs on both sides and an office desk at a corner with a rotating chair behind it. The entire room was rather dark-themed and had more elements of black and grey than other colors. It was adorned with scarlet-red lights that glowed dimly from different corners. Several portraits framed in black refined wood hung about on the walls. The portraits were either paintings or pictures of powerful men and
Chelsea felt mixed feelings of confusion, shock and uncertainty. What Dylan said, or what he meant by what he said, seemed vague to her. She stood for some seconds, staring at him with doubt, not blinking or even breathing, to see if he would correct himself. "Sorry?" she asked, her expression becoming contorted as she sought either an affirmation or clarification. Of course, it was enough to ask. He simply smiled and gently placed the glass case on a table nearly. He gestured for her to sit down on a nearby sofa and she immediately obliged. He turned to face her and leaned on the table casually. "The job is quite simple" he began. "As my consigliere, consider this a chance to meet with some of the most powerful men in Miami and all of Florida" he added, smiling with a hint of sly. She kept mute, looking at him with expectancy for more clarification. "There is a man who will be expecting this package. His name is Prince Hakeem, an Arabian man of royal descent. He was here on a vi
"Alright. I'll do it" Chelsea said and stood up. "When's he arriving in Miami?" she asked.Dylan straightened up and exhaled satisfactorily. "Today" he replied. "Fine. I should get going then. Where will he be lodging?" she asked again, walking towards the table to collect the case. "The Imperial Place. That's where he'll be lodging" Dylan replied, observing her as she got to the table.She paused for seconds, inhaling and exhaling deeply. She stared at the package in front of her as though it was a symbol of judgement. She felt it strike her mind, aiding the ongoing dilemma within her. Would she deliver this job? Or would she take the ticket out and bolt away from Florida immediately?She heaved and finally grabbed the case firmly, gently lifting it off the table. It was surprisingly light. For something that contained a jewelry so powerful, valuable and expensive, yes, it was surprisingly light. She turned and walked towards the exit of the room. "Wait" she heard his voice and p
Dylan got to the mansion alighted the Urus. His entire clothing was roughed up and covered in blood. He looked around and noticed the Bentley Continental missing. He immediately had a bad feeling and dashed inside the mansion. None of the guards asked him any questions. This made him even more worried. He got to Chelsea's room and opened the door without knocking. It was empty. He found the safe open and empty as well. His heart began racing. He dashed to his room but he didn't see her in there either. He felt his knees getting weak. He checked the study and all then rooms on the down floor but he didn't find her inside any. He got upstairs and checked the accessible rooms and halls in the mansion but still nothing. "Chelsea!" he yelled. His voice echoed throughout the entire hallway, back and forth. There was no response. "Chelsea!" "Chelsea!!" "Chelsea!!!" Dylan slowly came down from the steps. He got to the base of the steps and sat down on the last step. His face was deje
Chelsea shuddered on hearing his name. Was this fate playing games with her? Just when she had finally gotten a shot at a happy life. Just when she had decided to start anew. Now her past had come to haunt her future. Why was life cruel? Dylan continued. "He just attacked one of my warehouses. He has challenged me to come face him or he'll destroy my name with the evidence and proof he has on me. I never expected him to stoop so low but I guess Ceaza has always been a scumbag. "I've already made arrangements for Joyce and Derek to be taken to a safehouse. You'll be safer here. I'll be going to face him off at the warehouse now" he added. "Why are you going? It's obvious he just wants to kill you. Why not send someone else? You have capable hands" Chelsea fired. Dylan smiled. "No. This is a personal battle that started years ago. I have to finish it myself" he replied. "I don't want anything happening to you, Dylan. Please don't go?" Chelsea begged. Her eyes became teary. She trul
Chelsea was dumbstruck. She had been expecting it but it still came as a shock to her. There he was, Dylan Cross, the King of Miami, the kingpin of the most notorious mafia cartel, the leading businessman in the city, on one of his knees, asking for her hand in marriage. It all seemed so surreal to her. She was stuck in a blur that she didn't know when time flew by. She returned to reality and saw Dylan still positioned on one knee, his hands holding out the box that contained the shiny diamond ring in it. He was patiently waiting for her answer. She was still contemplating. Was this what she really wanted? Was this really her way out from the life she had been living? To be a wife and mother now? Her life events flashed before her eyes. It was a big decision. One that would change her life forever. She had to make the right choice. As she was still thinking about it, she heard a familiar voice behind her and turned. "Aunty Chelsea!" It was Derek. He wore the same suit as his fath
Decorations were at their most glamorous. The lighting, the music and every aspect of the hall depicted a billionaire's taste. The guests had already started arriving. And true to Dylan's words, they were really the most prominent and powerful people in the society. Business tycoons, politicians, powerful billionaire families, and people of equal calibre were in attendance. In the garage, there were no cars less than the best of the best. Most cars there were even the only pieces ever produced. Customized and special editions. Chelsea stood from the balcony above as she observed the guests. She had her hair done at the last hour and put on her special dress that Dylan had imported without her even knowing. It was a white gown with designs of gold on it. She didn't even know when he planned and organized everything without her having a hint. What even surprised her more was the hall. She never knew the mansion had such an enormous hall within it. There were places she hadn't explored
Chapter 144 - An Introductory Party Two Months Later Dylan and Chelsea were now a public item. The news, social and other media carried it in droves. It was a blast. Different stories rose up. Several hypothesis were raised and conclusions drawn. It was a highlight for the city of Miami and Florida at large. Both the public society and the underground world were taken by surprise. They went to parties together. They shopped and dined together. They went on trips together. They practically did everything a couple did together. Always holding hands as they walked. They shared kisses in public. Even on interviews, Dylan always mentioned her name and called her his partner. There was never a shortage of pictures and clips on the media. The news also transcended the borders of Miami, Florida and America, reaching far across the globe. Dylan's cell and inboxes were flooded with calls and texts from both old acquaintances and new. Some were subtle with their questions while others went st
Inside The Hades Room Dylan held Clara's body as it gradually turned cold. Her eyes still stared at him with pure hate and intense resentment. He gradually dropped to his knees, his eyes fixed on the face of his ex-wife. She was beautiful, there wasn't a doubt about that. She had to be beautiful to be Dylan Cross's wife of course. But she also had a darkness in her that was too contaminating, it eroded her beauty. He couldn't quite understand why she hated him so much. People tend to accept society as it is and live with it. But she had to go out of her way to hate him and want him dead. Not that it was possible anymore. But still, she was once his wife. "But... you could have at least shot her in the leg. You could have rendered her immobile. You didn't have to kill her, Victor" Dylan said gently. It was plainly obvious he didn't didn't her dead. Maybe he still had a soft spot for her. "I'm sorry Pope. But I doubted that would have stopped her. I'd rather prefer you lose your ex-
Clara opened her eyes and met Dylan's cold stare. She could see the steam from the nose if the pistol. Her ears still whirred a little. She turned slowly and saw a hole in the space beside he head on the chair she sat on. A bullet was embedded in it. A real bullet! He had deliberately missed her head. Even so, this was unexpected. Did he really just shoot at her? "Is that supposed to scare me?" she mustered up the courage to say. Dylan smiled. "It wasn't meant to scare you. It was simply meant to warn you. My patience is simply a thread. And like all threads, it runs out. I'd hate for you to be the person who makes the last pull" he said calmly. He was so calm that it sounded too dark and evil. Clara knew it was best not to provoke him further. She was already aware that he didn't love her anymore. All he had for her was just out of regard for her being Derek's biological mother. That aside, she was just like any other lady in his eyes. She knew how bad he was when he snapped. Sh
"What did you say?" Dylan's pupils were dilated. Victor immediately turned around and saw Dylan already up from his sit. He had grabbed Nick by the neck, lifting him and shaking him vehemently. "What did you damn say, Nick?!" Dylan screamed. Nick was still dejected. His face still dropped downwards everytime Dylan shook him. He couldn't look Dylan in the eyes. He couldn't look the boss he had betrayed in the eyes. "It's the truth, Pope. Madam Clara was the one who hired us" he replied quietly. Dylan gritted his teeth. He couldn't believe his ears. The same woman he had once called his wife had sent an assassin to kill him. The same woman who had born his child. It sounded rather inconceivable to him. True, he was dark and bloody. He had done many despicable things to people. But this one outdid him. To think that Clara would go this far. And Nick just said "us". There were more? "Us?" he gently asked, his teeth still gritting against each other. "How many of you did she hire?"
Dylan and Chelsea laughed and discussed as they ate and drank, occasionally having their little disagreements and fights until one conceded to the other, of course always Dylan. He knew Chelsea would never accept defeat. So if he didn't, the argument would continue. He wasn't ready for that. After much pleasant talks and exchange of passionate words, Dylan felt it was time to do the deed. If he didn't do it now, the date would drag on for long and Chelsea would grow even more suspicious. He had to quell her curiosity now while still stalling for time so the assassin would make his move. Just as he reached into his inner coat pocket, they heard a loud sound. Bang! It was a gun shot. If Dylan heard well, it was a sniper. That was it! The assassin had taken the bait. He stood up abruptly, much to the confusion of Chelsea. His hand dropped the ring case and took hold of his phone instead. He brought it out and immediately dialed Victor. "Vic" he spoke into the phone. "Already on it,