FallonAs I left for the door, I met Aster's eyes. He was taking off an earpiece and we accidentally made eye contact. He embarrassedly avoided my eyes and cleared his throat."You heard us?" I asked innocently.He immediately caved in and apologized, "I'm sorry. The Manager handed me this when you went in.""The manager?" I frowned. "I need to talk with him, it seems. It's impolite to be wiretapping someone's private conversation.""Yes, ma'am. I'll immediately get him—""Let me borrow your gun before you go," I belatedly said before he left to get the manager. With hesitation, he brought out the pistol and handed it to me. I nodded and let him go.I looked around the security cameras and made sure they couldn't capture this moment. I quietly opened the door and saw Fox treating his arm. I signaled him to go out quickly.I whispered to him and at the same time, I shot the window at the end of the hallway."Bring fake bodies."This was my effort to drown the wiretapped audio because o
Fallon"I-I don't know what you're trying to say—" I stuttered, but he cut me off."You're searching for your half-siblings, not for revenge but to indulge information about the mafia?" He sneered and cocked the rifle. I took a step back in feigned nervousness. "I knew I should've said something the first time I sensed something suspicious with you."I shook my head. "I don't know where you're getting that information but you're walking on thin ice right now, Old Barry."Aster stepped forward and shielded me. With a serious tone, he said, "Drop your gun. You know what punishment waits for disrespecting the Mistress of the mafia. It doesn't matter who you are as long as you're not the Master. The punishment is cruel to anyone. Drop. The. Gun."But Old Barry did not budge. "Move aside, young Aster. You don't know who you're protecting. She's most likely a spy from the government."Whispers and mumbles erupted in the hall. I shut my eyes and frustratedly sighed.Aster continued, "He's co
FallonJett's words rang in my head until the next day. I realized I was successful in wrapping him around my finger. He's madly, blindly, in love with him. As am I, but I still prioritize my mission over my emotions. And so, I decided to pay Old Barry a visit in the basement. Jett had just gone in and I asked to go in after him since he and the boys have to discuss in their meeting room afterward, I can also keep an eye out for him. As I stepped down the stone stairs, I heard chains jiggling. I was greeted by a few metal cells, only one occupied, and a darkly lit room. A worn-out oak floor, cobble walls, and a blinking light bulb. How ominous. I looked around and inspected the area for security cameras or wiretapping. After making sure the place was clear, I pulled a wobbly wooden stool and sat in front of him. He looked up at me with a glare. This pitiful old man... I think I should end his suffering. "Do you feel bad for embarrassing me yesterday night?" He snickered. "They des
Fallon"Old Barry is dead."I woke up to that news. It surprised me how quickly Jaguar took action. Now, the mansion is busy preparing for his funeral. It wasn't a surprise to them that I didn't participate much, since we didn't end on a good note, but I did put some effort into looking for a black outfit. Two solemn days later, it was Old Barry's funeral.Jett was deadpan the past few days, probably in shock at what had transpired a little while after they dropped him off at the club. While I tried my best to look mournful.Nonetheless, there was one topic that piqued my interest for the past two days. It was an interesting rumor. Old Barry's daughter, Natalia Rodriguez, would be coming here for the funeral. It was a name that was never mentioned ever since I came to the mansion. When I asked Linda about her, she explained that Natalia was around Jett's age and was his close childhood friend.When asked about the reason for her disappearance for the past few months, Linda excused her
FallonI was mildly surprised when Natalia felt my stare and turned to my direction. Of course, she's also trained since she was young. It's not surprising for her to be hypersensitive. Our eyes met. My raven eyes met dark and stoic chocolate ones. Beautifully enticing, but dangerous. I didn't change my expression but I saw her lips slightly curl as she nodded at me. Without another glance at Jett, she went to me and stopped a safe distance away. "I'm glad to finally meet the new Mistress of the mafia. I'm Natalia Rodriguez, madam," she introduced herself, with that same monotone, and offered a hand. I didn't bother tilting my head up to match her and only moved my eyes. I don't know what her motives are. Though she came here to grieve for her father, I did hear her casually mention Jett as her first love. I have a feeling she won't come back to where she came from even when Old Barry's funeral is over. Nonetheless, it never hurt to get as many people's trust. So, I gently shook
FallonNatalia wore a pained expression as she talked about her old man. I somehow sympathize with her, remembering the days I realized my parents were totally... gone. We were similar in that aspect—just two lost kids who were left by their parents. But our coping mechanism is far different from each other.Natalia openly talks about her emotions. I keep it inside and wait until it dissolves. The problem is, it doesn't dissolve and I know, one day I will explode. So, all I have to do is avoid confronting my emotions again to avoid myself from self-destructing.Natalia sobbed quietly. I let my empathy surface as I consoled the grieving girl."I know you can heal from this in due time. Sometimes, we don't want to heal because that pain is the last strongest link we have to what we've lost... I hope you still choose to heal so you don't ruin yourself. Your old man wouldn't want that."She looked up at me and sincerely smiled. "Thank you, madam. I will," she said with earnest.I returned
Jett"She's making me really anxious, man. I could never expect what she does next," I complained. "Should I make her pregnant to tie her to me?""You mean you're not trying to? After all these months?" Ross asked me incredulously. We're in my office, the following day after I confronted Fallon. I frowned at him. "No, why would I?" I asked and his brows met. "What do you mean why? You need a successor and she's your wife! It's her duty to give the mafia a successor!" Her duty? That's ridiculous. I didn't marry her so she can pop babies out for me. Then again, I didn't marry her for the noblest reason. Still, it'd be too heartless to just make her my babymaker. Sure, she didn't mean much to me at first but after all these months, it's difficult to look at her and say her duty is to give me a successor. Aside from that reason..."You think I want to continue this shit? You think I want my son to constantly look over his shoulder because someone always has a gun pointed towards him?"
JaguarA smirk played on her lips as she lunged at me. I avoided the kick but I'm pretty sure it was heavier than it looks. She's petite and skinny, but I should do better than judge a fighter by how they look. Especially when she's so emotionally driven after she found out I'm her father's killer. I saw the power and strength that contained that kick and if I received that, I would be dead on the spot. She must be a close aide of Jett Rios if she's this physically capable. I was on the defensive for the first few seconds, trying hard to deflect or avoid her heavy and calculated attacks. She's mastered Muay Thai and Krav Maga since it's evident in her style, which is difficult to win against. Add the handgun that she's gripping tightly and sometimes using to strengthen her punches. I jumped and ran to the ruined couch for cover when she rained down bullets from her gun. I glanced at Fox who was quietly trying to lift his wheelchair. Our eyes met and he signaled at his wheelchair, im