The Rendezvous Dylan stood, leaning on a table in a dark room. The room was lit up in all corners but still held a hint of darkness to it. Only Dylan and Bishop were in the room. It was the room where they usually discussed high-end deals or certain business related to the cartel that only the three of them needed to know about.Dylan had his sleeves rolled up and his coat hung on a stand at one edge of the room. His fingers held a blunt stylishly as he sucked out of it and blew out puffs with effortless charisma. He leaned on the table with his back to Bishop.Bishop stood straight, looking at the several documents spread out on the table before him. Dylan had gone through them and wanted him to have a look. He was supposed to do so with Victor but he was nowhere to be found. They arrived and met the news that he had gone out almost immediately. Dylan reached into his pocket and brought out his phone. He dialed Victor's number and waited for an answer. None came. He returned his pho
Dylan gently let go of Victor's shoulders, his eyes squinting in confusion as his ears refused to believe that they had heard."The Mayor's what?" Dylan asked for reconfirmation. "Burnley is the leader of The Ironsides! He's been playing us the whole time!" Victor repeated his statement. "I don't believe it" Bishop said from his corner. He gently dropped the glass on the table and walked towards the duo. Dylan stood, staring at the ground as he tried to put two and two together. "Ask the dead man whom I sent to spy on the mafia cartel. He was made out and he paid for it with his life" Victor replied."Hold on a bit, guys. Back up a little. Let me get this straight. The Mayor, Burnley, that cunt, is the head of the fucking Ironsides? How in the name of Mary is that possible?" Bishop asked, not making sense of any of the information."I sent one of my trusted hands to spy on them, know their meeting place and retrieve essential information with regards to their plans and operations.
The Echelon Dylan sat calmly on an armchair opposite the Mayor's secretary who sat on the sofa, both inside an exclusively furnished suite. The secretary to the mayor breathed heavily, her hands quivering as she struggled to hold her phone still. Dylan had asked her to call the mayor and invite him over. She was to tell him that she needed to see him urgently. The Vicar and Bishop stood by the entrance door, awaiting to knock Mayor Burnley down the moment he stepped foot inside the suite."Why the fuck is your hand shaking?" Victor asked fiercely. "Is that how it shakes when you blow him? Huh?" he glared at her with an intent to kill."Make the fucking call and invite the bastard over!" Victor hollered, cursing with rage.The secretary shook and managed to dial the number amidst sobs. She looked at Dylan as the phone rang.Dylan looked back at her with a blank expression. The phone rang for some seconds. There was no reply."Redial" Dylan calmly instructed. She did so. The phone ran
Mayor Burnley opened his eyes to feel his hands cuffed far apart from each other, chained to the roof, his body suspended above the ground with his legs chained to the same ground. He struggled, pulling at the cuffs in a bid to free his limbs but all to no avail. He looked around the room he was chained in. It had a red theme with a number of metal tables and glass wall-cabinets lying around. Several crude weapons and modified vocational tools laid on the tables and different knives of varying lengths, shapes and colors hung inside the glass wall-cabinets.If he was just an innocent Mayor who only knew of the regular society, he would have been oblivious to the purpose of these weapons and tools he saw around. But given his corrupt nature and the vices he engaged in, he knew differently. He was well informed on such things. He even had one place just like this.He knew what he was chained in. A torture room. And given the familiar voice he had heard before he passed out, he knew just
"Why are you keeping him alive?" Victor asked Dylan as they rode in the Urus. They were headed for the Rendezvous where Bishop was to meet them.Dylan exhaled. "I don't wish for him to just die off like that. He has to suffer pain for his actions. I want him begging for death. Even then I won't grant him" he replied. Victor grunted. "He doesn't deserve to live, Pope. He doesn't. You've killed for far less. Don't tell me you still feel a certain sympathy towards him" he retorted. Dylan scoffed with contempt. "Sympathy? That is a strong word, Vic. I don't even feel sympathy to my business partners or staff. Why should I feel such for a traitor?" he asked rhetorically. "I know how close you both were back in the day. So close that you never believed me when I told you he was shady. Hell, you didn't even want to hear of it. Whenever I brought the topic up, you immediately dismissed it or tried to change the subject" Victor replied. "What's this, Vic? Why are you bringing this up now?"
After finishing the contents of their glasses, Dylan and Victor exited the private room and headed to the hall. They got to the hall and stood on the podium looking expectantly at the entrance as they heard the swerving and drifting of several cars that entered the compound. Dylan beamed as he already knew it was done. The Ironsides had been completely eradicated. They watched as men in black suits and white shirts walked in with their guns in hand. Some of them had blood stains on their suits and shirts.They all bowed the moment they saw Dylan on the podium. "My Daggers" Dylan said, beaming with pride. He was well pleased with them. "How many of the Ironsides survived or escaped?" Dylan asked."None" they chorused.One man in a leather jacket walked out from their midst and knelt before the podium, bowing to Dylan."Nick" Dylan called with approval. "Pope" Nick replied, standing up with a smile."You've made me especially proud today, Nick. I am well pleased with you. Consider yo
The elevator came to a stop and the doors slid open. Dylan walked out of the compartment without looking at or a word to Beatrice. He walked into a large hall filled with golden chairs and white tables, arranged at several spots with adequate spacing. This level of the hotel was reserved for VIPs and only very few people could afford its luxury. Even though they had a desperate manager, Dylan had to give it to The Echelon for their unrivalled excellence in design and furniture. Even The Imperial Place paled in comparison to the grandeur of The Echelon's interiors. The Imperial Place had already established a name for themselves as they arrived before most other hotels. Also their client service was exceptional and generally acceptable by the wealthy and other upper class citizens. The Echelon, on the other hand, was critically remarked for the high prices and outrageously insane charges for their VIP services. So even among the upper or the upper circle, only a few could actually p
Chelsea sat on her bed, a smirk outlined on her lips as she tossed a coin in the air and caught it. She envisioned the tribute she had demanded from Stone coming in every month. All she needed was someone she could trust with the responsibility of fetching it. It had to be a man among the several guards Dylan placed in the house. She needed to search among them to see whom she could assign the duty and trust to keep his word.Both as a high-ranking member of the cartel and the Don's own consigliere, she had earned the right to call shots and assign duties. If she wanted, she could even order for her own division of guards, men solely serving her purpose and interests. But she didn't want to be soaked too deep in the mafia business and loose sight of her main goal.She had already decided in her heart that the work she did on Stone was going to be her last. She wasn't going to request for any other jobs that would take her out of the mansion. She was just going to serve as she had origi
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,