Chelsea gently put on the strap on her right thigh and holstered a gun into it. She brought her leg down from the stool and her gown gently descended over her legs, covering the strap and the gun holstered on it. She walked to her dressing mirror and observed her reflection. She looked exactly like she used to whenever she donned the Raven persona. Her hair was packed into a doughnut with a pin inserted into it to hold it. Only one thing was left but obviously not to be forgotten; her mask. She picked up the black masquerade party mask that had feathers all around it and gazed at it. It was the most important feature of her persona, Raven. As she gently tied the lace attached to the mask behind her head, she reminisced on the instructions Dylan had dished out to her. She was to meet Omar at a hotel, The Echelon. Omar would notify the management that a female visitor putting on a mask would be coming to see him. The management was to let her through without questioning or searching.
She exhaled noticeably. Then she rested her hands on the table between them and leaned forward. "Now, look, Mr. Omar. If it wasn't for Mr. Cross' recommendation, I wouldn't even try to strike a deal with you. Even if I somehow found out by another means that Prince Hakeem is into this drug business, I wouldn't patronise you guys. It's only because Mr. Cross recommended you and vouched for you that I am sitting here trying to strike a deal with you."Everybody on the streets know that LSD sell for nothing more than five dollars per tab. And this is the vendor's price. Imagine a vendor purchasing for ten and selling for five. Is that even business?" she asked rhetorically. "A vendor selling for five means he either bought for three or three point five at most. No one does shitty business here in Miami without making reasonable profit. And besides, LSD isn't even a sought after drug here. The likes of fentanyl, heroin, meth and others along these lines are more lucrative and profitable.
Immediately she got home, Chelsea went straight to Dylan's room. Fortunately for her, there were no guards around. She gently knocked and he opened up almost immediately. She saw his body sweating a bit and squinted her eyes. His breaths were also a bit fast. He was putting on only his underwear. She successfully withheld her eyes from wandering. "What's going on in here?" she asked as she walked inside. Dylan chuckled. "I'm just engaging myself in a little couple of indoor exercises. You know, just staying in shape" he smiled as he replied. "Oh" she simply replied. He squinted his eyes and walked to her front. "Or are you thinking something else?" he asked with a knowing look. She scoffed. "Something else like what?" she asked and walked to the sofa, avoiding his eyes. She sank onto it and exhaled."I think you're in the best position to answer that question yourself, Ms. Landore" he chuckled and watched her sit down on the sofa. She looked beautiful in the dress she wore."I als
Chelsea walked into her room and collapsed on her bed. She inhaled and exhaled gently, reminiscing on recent events. She gently reached for the gun in her thigh strap and pulled it out. She closely examined it and sighed, dropping it on the bed. The more she thought about it, the more she knew she was in love with Dylan. She didn't want to admit it before. She had generally aligned it as basic attraction and classified her feelings as lust, dismissing them as just desires for sexual gratification. She never wanted to admit to herself that she loved him. If she did, that would prevent her from carrying out her original plans. She knew that she cared for him and really wanted to heal him of his emotional scars. After discussing with Joyce, she was spurred to do this even more. But her plans had always been paramount to her. Even though she had lied to Joyce that entering the mafia business with Dylan was the only way she could save him, she knew deep within her that she entered the ma
Chelsea arrived at the balcony and stood, hesitating a little. "Come on, I know you're there" she heard Joyce's gentle voice. She exhaled and went walked towards the elderly woman. She was sitting on a reclining chair, a book in her hand, looking ahead over the rest of the estate that was behind the mansion. Grassland, a beach, a river several palm trees and the rest of view ahead that made up the horizon. Joyce was always here whenever she wasn't busy running the house. She was either gazing at the view she was now or reading a book or knitting. Sometimes Chelsea wondered if the woman grew up in an European or Asian country. She was so into chores that even while she rested, she was busy. This time around, she was reading. She also admired her. The way she took care of the entire household. There was not a single person in the house whom she didn't know by name. Everyone, both the guards and maids were all free with her. They also loved and respected her deeply. Of course, it wasn
The Hades RoomDylan gently stared at the instruments and weapons laid out on the table. His eyes went from stun batons to spiked batons to stun belts but none appealed to him. The instruments all looked mediocre to him. It was the regular stuff, something that was used on regular prisoners. He needed something more intense and evil. Something to remind him of who he was, a merciless bloodlusted mafia godfather. He needed to give himself a reason as to why he wouldn't fall into the trap of weakness called love. He needed to be sure he wasn't losing his touch again. It felt like history was repeating itself. He was a very murderous and bloody man before he met Clara. Then she came into his life and made him fall in love with her. As their relationship grew, he began withdrawing from his violent ways, becoming more peaceful. He had Victor handle the gruesome and murderous activities. Of course, Victor was very glad to do so.Then when Derek came along, he got softer and softer, watchi
Dylan arrived at home and alighted from his vehicle. He gently made his way into the mansion, acknowledging the bows and gestures of reverence from his guards. As he got to the stairs, he saw Chelsea climbing down. "Good Evening" she greeted and passed him, walking towards the exit. Dylan found the attitude strange and squinted his eyes. Maybe she had a bad day or remembered something sad."Where are you going to?" he called after her.She stopped in her tracks but she didn't turn back to look at him. "I'm going for a business meeting. And don't worry, I'm not going alone" she replied and continued towards the exit. "Can't you spare some minutes and fill me in on this business meeting of yours?" he said gently, looking at her skeptically. "Dylan!" he heard a familiar voice call him from above. He looked up and saw Joyce standing on the upper floor that overlooked the entrance of the mansion. "Ma" he replied calmly. "We need to talk" she said and looked at him with a plain expre
Skylands Hotel The Bentley Continental arrived at the hotel and Hugo drove it to a stop, parking at an assigned parking space. He alighted the vehicle and opened the door for Chelsea. She put on her mask and alighted as well. She surveyed the surroundings and made for the entrance, leaving Hugo behind to stay at the car.She walked into the bar section and paused a little. As expected, the entire place was buzzing with customers. Several men and women were partying, dancing and drinking to their heart's content. Her eyes scanned the area and she saw Stone sitting in a dimly lit reserved corner at the far end of the bar. He was surrounded with guards, well armed and ready to unleash hell on whoever called for it. She wasn't making that type of call however. She wore a smiling expression and walked towards him. The guard maintained their position, not budging or making way for her to pass. She squinted her eyes and looked at them with a sense of skepticism. "Are you out of your sens
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,