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
“Are you ready?” Aidon brushed the invisible dust off of Rein’s slim-fit suit as they both checked her reflection. It was finally the day she was to be introduced as Rein Evander, the prodigal son of the Evander family and Delian Leofric’s consigliori. It took a month due to the Swede accident, but they’re here now. “Yes,” she replied. There’s no room for doubts now. Doubts only bred mistakes. And she couldn’t afford to commit one, too many people’s lives were at stake here. Her father’s vengeance was at stake. Rein wasn’t ashamed to admit that when she took on this responsibility, she didn’t really think of its consequences for her country. "Oh, before I forget. Here.” The new right-hand man passed a dark mask to Damon. “Our family is known for wearing these.” If each mafia family had its own quirks, this would be the Evanders’. Their secretive moves and preference for anonymity were represented by the mask. “It’s fine if you don’t, just be careful who you talk to.” Even if Delian
“Most of us don’t know and can never fathom the sacrifice our forefathers made to put us on this pedestal.” Hector, together with the rest of the Leofric family, stood before the mafia members on top of their grand staircase. The event, in a regular person’s eyes, appeared to be just an affluent community’s celebration. But behind those expensive suits and lavish dresses were weapons of different types and sizes. In the Erinyes mafia’s eyes, it was a gathering of the strongest and most skilled people to welcome a newcomer. A newcomer who was deemed better than most of them to be chosen for the soon second-highest position in their organization. “To be able to acquire the power, wealth, and control of this city through their blood is something we could only imagine. So to you, the coming generation of our families,” he looked at each young member from all the clans, “Be strengthened by pain, honed with experience, and linked together through our deep fellowship. Only then could you d
“I’m sorry, little princess.” Delian gingerly caressed Althaea’s plump cheeks as she snuggled with a blue monster plush, drifting through a dream-filled sleep. “Don’t worry, she has no idea,” Danae spoke from behind him, her approaching steps light to not wake her daughter. “But she was upset that her Prince Charming had to leave early. She even threatened him that she was going to sleep forever like Sleeping Beauty until he came back.” Danae giggled at the memory. “So what happened back there, Del?” Her stepson didn’t know how to answer. Instead, he led her out of the room and took one last glance at the sleeping figure before gently closing the door. All he was able to say was, “Sorry I put Althaea in danger.” “You know, I’ve seen you watch him the whole night. Did he do something to offend you?” The truth was, right from when they met, Del was the offensive one. But Rein seemed to have the patience of a saint to not sock him on the jaw after the latest debacle. Was he supposed t