Kora checked herself in the mirror one more time, making sure that the demure image she was portraying really stood out. Instead of her usual red lipstick and heavy makeup, she opted to wear a natural look to show off her rosy cheeks. And she wore a flowy and simple sage dress with long sleeves.“Being sultry doesn’t seem to get anything more than a flirty comment from him. Maybe I’ll get a better reaction with this,” she told herself as she smiled at the reflection. This always worked when she wanted to tap into some of the men’s overprotectiveness and bravado.Maybe Rein Evander was one of those men who thought that women couldn’t defend themselves.Kora continued to look around what seemed to be the smallest parlor in the manor. The off-white walls made the room brighter while black, suede chairs gave it contrast. Dark brown wood with gold linings served as furniture, completing the whole minimalist ambiance.“I’ll have to change a lot of things and add more color if I start living
“The people we’re paying in Customs reported about an incoming alcohol import tax hike so they’re asking for additional compensation. Since they are bringing in our products into the UK without much clearance, I’d say we give it to them.” Rein pored over the reports as their finance executive droned on and on about increasing taxes. She sat on Aidon’s right side of the conference table. But all she could think about was her dilemma with Kora. This was not a misunderstanding that could easily be fixed with a simple, “Hey, you got it all wrong. I meant something else.” If a man showed even the slightest intention of wanting to marry someone in the mafia, that was equal to proposing already. The man would have to expect a marriage within the year whether he wanted it or not. Aidon watched as Rein squirmed in her seat, her furrowed brows burning through the papers. He recognized that his niece wasn’t mentally present and let her be. This was the first time since the incident that Rein
“Sir, from what I’ve gathered, most of the rival gangs began to lie low after what happened to the Hives. They knew better than to mess with our affairs, especially since the gang completely disappeared.”“Not one of them acted up?”“None at all. I checked several times and it had been years since one of them tried to.”That was strange. Every information he had ran through Delian’s mind as the car decelerated. “It doesn’t make sense. Except for Sylvester Cobb and his men, no other groups ever again attempted to make contact with any of our members. And the drug and weapon deals all stopped right after Julius Dai was killed. Someone should have taken action by now.”Rafiq answered while parking the vehicle into the manor’s extensive garage, “That means the person or people we’re looking for is not associated with any of them. We’ve already investigated and determined that none of the city’s politicians and police would go against us. Which leaves us to outsiders or even the possibilit
Rein sighed. Of course, it all went back to the trust that was absent between them. This cycle had become too tiresome for her. If only she knew where his alliances truly lie, then maybe she could directly ask him what he knew to help with their mission.But alas, she didn’t. Although, maybe it was best to know him better after all. “Curiosity is a dangerous trait, Sir Delian…”Rein observed as his eyes grew darker at her statement so she continued, “But I’ve been taught that it is likewise important. It helps us learn and see possibilities that are usually invisible. So, I’ll make this easier for you. I’ll answer 3 questions truthfully if you do the same.”Delian kept his strong gaze at her and she could see the gears turning in his head. He slowly opened his mouth, “N-”Fortunately for her, their focus was taken out by a soft knock on the door. Delian growled, “What is it?”The knob turned to reveal the young lady who was getting harassed earlier. Her voice became quieter as opposed
“Thank you for your service,” another civilian commented with a bright smile as Rein pushed her way to the Ambrosia Pub. She tipped her cap to the person before heading straight to the bar. “Finally,” she thought after seeing the bartender come into view. Choosing the furthest seat by the bar, she dumped her luggage on the floor and leaned on the brick wall. “Two pints of your best beer, and keep ‘em coming please.” As much as Rein enjoyed seeing her hometown after years of being deployed to the most dangerous places, she never did like attracting any attention to her. She looked around the establishment and saw several other soldiers who also just arrived. Oh, how she wished she changed to a more casual fit first. “Any battle buddies to drink with?” The red-headed bartender approached, placing the tall glasses of lager on the lacquered wood. “Yeah, seems like he’s running late,” Rein replied, then quickly chugged the whole drink down in seconds, amusing the bartender and making him
"I don’t think you understand, boy,” the flabby man across him said in condescension. Oh, Delian Leofric understood well. This loan shark thought his financial skills were better than the mafia that he decided to skim off the money he sends them. Wanting to sound empathetic, the gangster boss said, “I don’t even profit from this anymore. I just do it since I know how people in Erebus are in need of money.” He pointed his golden-ringed finger at Delian. “Even people who work for you.” He almost felt sorry for the man. Some people like him, when given a small amount of power, don’t realize they’re still pests in the grand scheme of an underground organization. So easy to get rid of and replace. “Mr. Nikos, the police and justice system of this city also work for me. You know what happens after a few calls.” The boss’s nostrils flared and his face turned red. “If you think you could threaten me with that, go to your daddy and cry to him about it.” Cheers and ridicule were heard among
“Your newfound friend’s fine,” Aidon interrupted her thoughts. If there’s one thing Rein admired about him, it was his ability to read people’s minds. “If you haven’t stayed with him, it would have gone worse.” “How did you find me so quickly anyway?” She asked, wanting to keep her thoughts away from that man. “I made sure to arrive as discretely as possible.” Aidon gave a dry laugh, “My, my, Eirene. You forget who you’re talking to. Anyone who steps foot in Erebus is instantly under my watch.” He flipped through the newspapers and continued, “What did I tell you about surveillance? To make your targets believe there’s nothing going on, that they’re safe.” “And here I thought the King of Spies was losing his touch,” Rein quipped. “By the way, did they say if Leofric remembers anything?” Her chest did feel a pang of guilt for leaving the guy bleeding and passed out in the bar. Thankfully, Damon came right away so she didn’t have to carry him by herself. “If he did, what would you d
“Lou, you really don’t remember what she looks like?” Delian, fresh from the hospital, asked the bartender. “Aye lad, I told ye already. She had her cap on the whole time. And the cameras also didn’t manage to catch her face.” It’s been five days since that night, and all Delian managed to know was that she got in a black car with an obscured plate. He almost thought that she was a figment of his imagination after waking up with a bandaged head. “Thank God, she wasn’t,” was all he said when the night’s event was reported back to him. Though he was relieved, he was equally as frustrated for forgetting her face. The Swedes did fail in their attack, but they succeeded in doing worse damage to him. Speaking of the two, no further news from the foreigners was heard as they seem to have gone under the radar. The Stockholm mafia also feigned ignorance at the current events. But Delian was not interested in any of those. That was why despite the doctor’s stern advice for him to go home and