Immediately they arrived at the hotel, they lodged in Dylan's VVIP reserved lounge. The second the door was shut, Chelsea jumped onto Dylan, grabbing him by his hair while her lips descended on his fiercely. He reciprocated the gesture by grabbing her waist and pinning her on him while he kissed her back with equal ferocity. He gently stepped backwards, guiding them to his exquisitely arranged room. The first thing that hit them was the fragrance of rose and cinnamon. "Was someone drinking in here?" Chelsea asked admist the kisses. She smelt a strong scent of brandy, adding all the more generously to the overall raunchy air that surrounded them."I don't know" was Dylan's simple reply. He was too engaged to give proper thought to the question or the scent that he failed to acknowledge. He stopped moving when he felt his legs meet the bed behind him."Whatever" Chelsea said conclusively and climbed down, pushing him onto the bed. Of course he fell freely without hindrance. He immedi
Skylands Hotel The entire hotel was vibrating with a high tempo of excitement and partying fervor. From the parking lot to the swimming pool to the interior of the hotel, everywhere was filled with people who were partying away with every ounce of excitement in them. Even the rooftop was not left out in the ardor. Chelsea had never seen so much people at a party. As she stood beside Dylan on a podium in the middle of the large spacious hall, she looked around, taking in the general appearances of the guests. Several men and women who dressed elegantly were present. They had all come to greet her and Dylan on the podium they stood, shaking and greeting him with respect while eyeing her with mixed feelings as they greeted her.Dylan had told her that most of them were 'business partners'. She of course knew what the term implied. These were men and women who were involved in one or more of the illicit businesses in the underworld. Some of them probably sold weapons, others purchased a
Chelsea woke up and slightly opened her eyes. She didn't perceive the usual fragrance his bare body exuded. She reached out her hand and felt the space beside her. It was empty. She immediately sat up and looked around the room. He wasn't inside either. Only when her eyes adjusted to the brightness of the morning did she notice she was in her room. The previous night, after they left the party, they had made out in what looked like a hotel room. She hadn't paid attention to the environment because all that was on her mind at the moment was a craving to feel Dylan inside her. They makeout didn't last long before he smashed the living hell out of her. Maybe it was the desire for pleasure that blotted her memory. Or maybe it was the champagne she drank at the party. She hadn't been tipsy over champagne before though. Maybe this was 'real' champagne. She stood up and walked into the bathroom to clean herself up. She stepped out of her nightgown and stepped into the bathtub. She exhaled
Chelsea exited the bathroom and walked into her room. Joyce stood in her usual position, hands clasped together behind her. She had her radiant beaming smile adorning her face. "Hello Chelsea" she greeted warmly. Chelsea smiled in return, drying her hair with a towel. "Good Morning, Joyce" she greeted in reply. "It's been a while" she added."Yes, dear, quite a while. It's not very easy to meet with the consigliere of a very powerful mafia cartel" Joyce replied and walked towards the bed, sitting graciously on it.Chelsea chuckled as she stood in front of the mirror, attending to her hair."When you put it like that, someone would think I'm one big important person. They wouldn't know that you're the overall consigliere of the entire Cross" she replied and turned to Joyce.The advanced woman laughed softly. Then she smiled admiringly at Chelsea. "How's it going?" she asked.Chelsea exhaled with a smile. "Smoothly so far" she replied and walked back into the bathroom. She finished dry
Cross Enterprises Dylan leaned on the desk in his office as he dialed Victor's number. The line rang for some seconds before Victor picked up. "Pope" he greeted as soon as he picked the call."Hello, Vic" Dylan greeted in return. "How's it going?" he asked."The first phase has been taken care of. I had one of my most trusted hands take care of a group of men who were their biggest sponsors" Victor reported. Dylan smirked. "Was the message clear enough?" he asked."Explicitly clear, Pope. He had it done in a casino. The power was cut and when it came back on, the men were sponsoring with blood oozing from their throats. Even the casino's manager had no clue of what happened all through" Victor replied. "Beautiful" Dylan commented. "The next phase will begin very soon. I already have another of my competent hands spying out their location as we speak. He would be reporting to me in a few hours with the necessary information. As deep as I trust him, we can even expect more than the
As soon as Dylan put the phone down, another call came in. He swiped to answer and placed the phone on his ear."Cross" he simply said into the phone."Good Morning, Mr. Cross. This is Omar speaking" the caller said from the other end. "Oh, Omar. How is Miami treating you so far?" Dylan asked."Very well. The Imperial Place has never been better" Omar replied. "And how is Prince Hakeem?" Dylan continued. "He's uhm... enjoying the hospitalities of Miami" Omar answered. Dylan smiled. He understood this to be that Hakeem was in the company of the exotic ladies provided by the hotel. He himself had been a recipient of such "hospitalities" at one time. "I see. I'm glad you royalties are being treated as you should" he replied. "We can't thank you enough for your generosity, Mr. Cross""Please, it's nothing" Dylan chuckled."Well, I called to inform you that we will be meeting later in the evening, preferably by 9 to discuss the business proceedings" Omar continued. "Splendid. What pl
Chelsea logged into her official mail account with Cross Enterprises and saw the scanned files in a new mail sent from Dylan's official mail. She downloaded the files and began analysing the data for the deal. What she saw impressed her. Selina had greatly improved. She was happy to be a positive influence on her. She made the necessary corrections on the terms and figures and forwarded them back to Dylan. She scheduled the mail to send the files later on. She schemed to do something else in the meantime. She had never forgotten what Bishop said on her first job with the cartel as a consigliere. Before they met with Stone, he had told her the man's weakness. "For men like that, their weakness is clear. Women. But only women who are smart enough can actually web them" she remembered him say.Now she planned on webbing him. He had seen her face so she wouldn't be going to meet him unmasked so as not to arouse any suspicions. She was going to see him with her mask on. As the Raven but
"I'm not a fraudulent lady. My supplies are legit and hundred percent effective. I even have a sample here with me" she said and reached into her purse, retrieving a sealed package from it.He looked at the package skeptically. Then he sighed. "It's not like I'm doubting your validity. It's just that I already uhm... have a supplier" he replied, chuckling nervously. "And if I'm to trust you, I haven't even seen your face. Though I can tell you're a beautiful lady" he smiled desirously. She smiled. "My mask is my identity. Only those who I have made and secured deals with get to see my face..." she replied and leaned forward, revealing a portion of her breasts for him to see. "... and possibly more" she added, smiling raunchily. She saw his eyes light up the moment he saw her cleavage. An intense desire arose in his eyes as she ended the statement. She knew he was getting closer and closer to giving in. She had already pushed him close to the edge. She just needed to give him a little
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,