Lawless – Episode 13&14

RECKLESS 2

Lawless – Episode 13&14

→ Chain•Of•Obsession ←

[Book 2 in The Untamed Duet]

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No part of this publication may be reproduced, copied, or reposted in any form, or by any means without a BOLDLY written permission from ME.

Copyright © 2026

Naomi Cindy B.

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★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★

Stacy’s body jerked, a quick gasp escaped her lungs, shooting out of her lips as they parted.

Her folded knuckle left her temple, and her eyes remained wide, trying to figure out the ongoing.

Is she in heaven? Or hell.

She heard the soft purring of the car engine, and the expensive smell of the leather seat. Then the city view whizzing past the window.

All of these were enough to tell her she’s still breathing, and she’s in a car. A sweat dropped down her forehead, and she wiped it with a facial wipe before taking a breath.

That was a nightmare.

No—hallucinations.

The doctor called it hallucinations.

When she was pregnant with her baby, the doctor detected the abnormalities in the womb during antenatal, and she has been warned that her life was in danger.

He doctor begged her, pleaded, persuaded her to get rid of the baby cos according to him, if she stubbornly went ahead to birth the baby, she’d be pushed to untimely death later, but she couldn’t bear to kill her baby. Why would she kill the only hope she had, then and now?

She gave birth after nine months like a normal pregnant woman, and the baby came out healthy.

He started making intelligible sounds and talks before he even clocked a year, but nothing happened to her, surprisingly. She didn’t grow the thoughts of suicide.

She survived the predicted curse for six years, and now after six years, her curse is starting?

Well the curse should be ready too cos she won’t go down without a fight. She’s not gonna hug death and kill herself like Cove’s mother did.

Never.

And that’s why she had prepared pills for herself from her mum’s lab, and she has been taking the pills one per day till this day.

She pulled out the pill bottle and shook two into her palms, then she swallowed with the bottled water in the car. It’s normal to increase the dose when the symptoms start.

She’ll overcome this.

She’s mentally stronger than anyone she knows. If she’s not, then she wouldn’t have survived the bastard’s betrayal in the first place.

She wouldn’t have survived almost losing a baby, having her womb fertility altered and shit.

She’s strong as hell.

Her driver rolled the car into the hospital park.

She got down, pulled a bright smile and entered.

—

[Roxy’s Art Skyscraper]

Elmira and Zendaya were pacing restlessly when Roxy arrived, and even her arrival wasn’t enough to calm any of them today.

They couldn’t sit.

“So what’s got your tails on fire?” Roxy frowned, picking a cigar.

“She got a contract! The CEO made her sign a contract! She and her son are gonna become the face of Vogue for six fuckin’ months!” Zendaya shouted, pained.

“I don’t get,” Roxy lit her cigar.

“Stacy! She was given a contract instead of a fine!” Elmira snapped, losing her mind.

“That’s crazy,” Roxy smirked, unable to smoke. “Is the CEO out of his wits?”

“I do not understand!” Elmira yelled. “I was even forced to give her my pen to sign the contract!”

“And now you both will have to see her face during photoshoots?” Roxy chuckled, humourless.

“Why does it seem like you’re not worried about us?” Zendaya glared.

“What would my worry do? Would it tear the already signed contract?” Roxy rolled eyes.

“Daya, don’t you have connections with the President or something? Make the President kick her out of Vogue!” Elmira faced her.

“Where did you hear that shit from?” Zendaya’s face went sour.

“Now don’t try to get mysterious cos you couldn’t have bagged the Geng contract without connections with the President!” Elmira snarled.

“Oh, now you’re suspecting me?” Zendaya blinked. “You think I’mma have connections with the President and not inform my best friends?”

“Then how the f+k did you bag the contract?” Elmira questioned.

“Bitch, look at me!” Zendaya turned around. “No other perfect body in this country that can beat this and you know it! Give me a name!”

Elmira scoffed, but secretly.

“I’mma go use the restroom,” Zendaya sighed, getting out.

“Tommorow is my next exhibition, I can’t afford to snooze, but you both are hell-bent on making that happen, geez.” Roxy said smokily.

“You know you gotta do something! You gotta really do something about her!” Elmira urged.

“I’ll have to report her to my patrons from Macau, they’ll take her down. Can you both just calm?” Roxy shook her head, facing the window. “It’s my exhibition tommorow, and the patrons will come. I’ll do what I have to do.” She nodded.

“Good, and I’ll call my num for help too,” Elmira picked her phone and went out to make the call.

While trying to dial her mum, she saw the note of secrecy from Dorian Wesley and smiled.

She saw it since yesterday, and she has been anticipating to meet him.

He’s the President’s son anyways.

He might be her key to bagging a Geng contract.

–

Meanwhile, in the restroom, Zendaya didn’t exactly come here to take a leak. She came to make a call…

To her dad.

She took a breath to calm immediately he picked up.

“The girls are suspecting me of having the President’s support, and I really wanna tell them, but your connection with the President is secret, and I can’t burst things, but they’re getting really really suspicious especially Elmira, I tell you.”

“It’s not a must to have them as friends. Find a flimsy excuse to break your friendship with them and move on to the next level! You’re bigger than both of them!” Mr. Brown said.

“How could I break my friendship with them just like that?” Zendaya rolled eyes like he’s in front of her. “Yeah I’m bigger than them, reason why I have to keep them under my control. They think they’re controlling me, but I’m in charge.”

“Just be careful,” Mr. Brown advised.

“So…Stacy got a contract with Vogue,” she reported.

“What!” He sounded.

“Exactly, hear how absurd that sounds? I can’t just… process it. Why would Vogue CEO sign and her son?”

“I’ll talk to Kaylee about it. Just calm down.” Mr. Brown assured.

“And when are you returning from Washington? You still haven’t seen the President?” Zendaya asked.

“I’ll be back this evening. We can have dinner together.”

“I’ll be looking forward to it, Papa.” Zendaya hung up with a smile, then she went to her gallery.

In a file named ZENDAYA’S CRUSHES, there are saved pictures of Max and Louis.

She was chuckling as she scrolled, clicking and zooming, widening her crush on the two males.

Louis…

She couldn’t get his father six years ago, so she’s just gonna get the son.

And Max?

She just wants to have sèx with him and confirm if he’s great in bed like Kehlani would always brag, that’s all.

She has her eyes on the two of them, but she’s gonna start laying her trap for the closest one now.

She lowered her top sleeves, and since she’s not wearing a bra, the tits came spilling softly.

She made two photo clicks of the tits, making sure it didn’t capture her face. She sent them to Max.

With the text…

• You like my racks?

“He dare not like them,” she smiled confidently.

—

[Thiago’s Castle, Core Room]

Just like Ten reported earlier, the little screen is flashing with signal.

It’s a sign of the open flashdrive in Australia.

Shelby ain’t very smart after all. She fell into the trap with no one to tell her how dangerous it’d become later.

But it’s all good. After all, not everyone grows the smarts.

She might be from X, but her brains is still not a match for his own.

He was chewing gum slowly, smoking on a side as his fingers worked on the keys with sickening speed.

He set up the formation for destruction within ten minutes, then he stopped moving, staring at the meticulous screen.

In few days, Shelby will feel it.

In fact, she’s gonna start feeling the heat today cos she’s gonna open the first pod and the specimen ain’t gonna wake up.

He left the small screen and zoomed into Monroeville Hospital, watching Stacy inside it.

She’s currently sitting with Tasha in the hall. She’s hugging Tasha while Trinidad and Kehlani paced up and down in front of them.

Remo, Frank and Max are also with them, just sitting there.

There’s no sign of Louis anywhere.

Thiago zoomed into Montana Mansion, and as expected, Louis is inside. He’s in the kitchen, sitting on the tall stool, staring at the burning gas cooker with empty eyes.

Thiago’s feature darkened more with hate, starting from his irises.

His head went to the side, and a small smirk pulled his lips.

“This little bastard is trying hard to steal my spot when when I’m still alive. I don’t like it. I’ve never liked the idea of him.” He hissed.

“The bed, roses, candlelit path, chains and whatnot are all ready like you ordered…” Ten reported, coming inside with Eleven behind him.

“Get to the mansion now, and bring me that bastard.” Thiago said.

“You need blood transfusion first….” Eleven replied, staring at Thiago’s bloody arm bandages and pale lips.

“Get a mirror, have a stare at my facial reflection and tell me if I look like I have any patience left,” Thiago whispered, sharp like a blade, his expression cutting through Eleven.

The rogues stepped back, and in the next second, they were marching out of the room.

Thiago’s eyes returned to the screen, and this time, he left the mansion and started working on Jeremy’s house.

It’s gotta appear on his screen today no matter the mojo he hid it with.

In jail, Jeremy worked for the popular Macau mafia boss.

Jeremy killed ten prisoners for the Mafia boss, and he was made a millionaire cos of that.

Who cares if the ten prisoners were sinners? Who cares if they were bloody criminals?

He still killed, and people are gonna want to read this news till the end.

He’s gonna kill him, then ruin him even after death.

Thiago’s jaw grinded as he resumed chewing his gum, slowly. The lights from the screen bathed his pale face.

—

[Jeremy’s Mansion]

The mansion lights are all out, meaning Jeremy is preparing to go out. It’s almost time to meet Angela.

He should be gone already, but his helpline called again, and now he has to spend the next few minutes talking

“I’m meeting Angela, can you make it quick?” He said groggily, adjusting the hat on his head as he stood in the center of his living room.

“If you really wanna do this,, get Stacy out of your mind. You say you’re over her and only want her happiness, but we both know that’s a lie you tell to make you feel better. You’re still in love with her, and I think you need to take her out of your head completely if you really want this to work.”

“I can’t,” Jeremy flatly said.

“Oh but you can,” the helpline replied calmly. “Stop rendering help even if you’re close. We already promised to help you protect her whenever we can, so you should focus more on yourself! You’re human too!”

“Help protect her whenever you can? Then what happens whenever you can’t?” Jeremy glared.

“Stop worrying about what happens to her and start worrying about what happens to you if you fail to get your revenge on Kaylee and Dorian!” The helpline snapped.

Jeremy went mute.

“How many times has she friend-zoned you? She’s not in love with you and will probably never be! She hates the father of her son too as she should, and she doesn’t look like she’s ever gonna open her heart again, so what makes you still follow her around like a dog? Grow some self-respect! Leave her alone! If she wants you, she’d be the one to reach out! Let her reach out and don’t be too available like air!”

“Stop it…” Jeremy knotted his palm.

“I’m just trying to give you my—”

“Stop it!!!!” Jeremy yelled, veins crawling over his neck.

“Fine. Take my idea if you like, and don’t take it if you like. It’s your choice to make at the end of the day” The helpline said.

The call went off, and Jeremy sat back on the couch, rethinking his life with his fingers interlaced and his breaths heavy.

—

[Montana Mansion]

Just like Louis planned, he fell asleep after watching fire burn for nearly an hour. Fire has a way of calming his nerves, strangely.

So he just turned off the cooker and went upstairs where he fell in bed and drifted asleep.

A very deep sleep which almost echoed his breaths since he’s the only one at home.

And it was at this time the messengers of doom entered.

Ten and Eleven, masked with balaclava. Their entry was stealthy, and immediately they sighted no living thing in the living room, kitchen and playroom, they proceeded upstairs, each careful as they opened each door.

It was Eleven who opened the door to Stacy’s room, and that’s where they met Louis dozing off at.

Eleven entered the room fast. He revealed the numbing serum with him in a syringe and needle.

He raised the injection, intending to thrust it into Louis’s neck.

Ten quickly held his hand, and Eleven stared questioningly at him under their masks.

“What?” He gruffed.

“You can’t just thrust it into him like that, you’ll hurt him!” Ten cautioned.

“I don’t care, Ten. T hates this kid, and so do I. I do whatever T wants and I hate whatever he hates!” Eleven said, overly dutiful.

“Give that to me!” Ten snatched the injection from him and gently inserted it into Louis’s neck, releasing it into his system.

“Wait, did you grow a soft spot for him cos you somehow saved his life?” Eleven snickered.

Without replying, Ten hoisted Louis to his shoulder.

Louis remained still.

His eyes might be closed, but he’s aware of what’s going on presently.

He was truly fast asleep when they came in, but no matter how deeply asleep he is, he’d always wake up at the slightest sound cos of his sensitivity, so he knew when they came in exactly.

He just played them.

The moment he heard T in their conversations, he knew it was the Stove guy, so he was ready to go for the challenge. Even as the numbing serum hit his system and knocked him deep asleep, he wasn’t bothered.

He just slept, knowing that by the time he wakes, he’d meet the bastard Stove guy.

Ten carried him out of the room, and Eleven scoffed behind before following them.

—

[Y Group]

At 5pm, Scott clocked out. Work was faster today cos of you know who.

Kane made things easier with his weird simplification, and even the meeting with the board went smoother than before, excluding the incessant debates.

Scott feels better, and he was able to pull a little smile as he picked his suit from the hanger, ready to leave.

Kane entered the office, his smile widening as he came closer.

Scott’s smile faded.

“Leaving already?” Kane’s voice carried tease as he talked.

Scott didn’t miss it.

“Should I have slept here?” His brows made a knit.

“Heard you sometimes spent the night here when I wasn’t here.” Kane replied, the tease still there.

“You’ll forever remain an arsehole, yeah?” Scott hissed, walking past him,but he couldn’t go far.

Kane’s hand curled on his arm, and he pulled him back, making sure they’re looking at each other.

So many years, but Scott is still shorter than him.

Kane smiled again.

“Dinner? I know a place called Baby Treatment. They serve really nice dinners. Their broth is to die for, and the sauce? You’d wanna lick the cutleries…” He said, caressing Scott’s elbow, slowly, seductively.

“Are you flirting with me?” Scott asked the question loudly, his skin refusing to move away from Kane’s gentle caress.

It’s even leaning to his touch.

“Is it working?” Kane leaned in, but Scott turned him around suddenly, and he pushed his back with his palm, jerking him forward.

“Leave!”

Kane could only groan out instead of replying. Blood spread on that back immediately, and Scott gasped.

“Kane!” He rushed forward, wanting to peel his shirt off, but Kane held it to his body, not wanting him to have a look at the wound.

“Get your hands off!” Scott punched Kane’s hand off the shirt.

Kane’s hands fell off, and Scott didn’t waste a minute. Down the shirt went from Kane’s body, revealing his back wound…the gunshot wound.

Scott gasped, unable to blink as the wound played clearly in front of his shocked eyes.

“The shootout?” He muttered, touching the circle around the wound.

Kane cringed in pains.

“And you didn’t tell me?” Scott scolded.

“You were crying! You were hurt! How could I possibly tell you shit?” Kane replied, cringing again.

“We’re going to the hospital!” Scott snapped, using his suit to cover Kane’s body.

“Ain’t stepping the hospital again. I already went and got treated. I just need to rest!” Kane argued.

“And you kept coming to work?” Scott scoffed.

“Shit, cos I needed to see you always!” Kane snapped without filter.

Scott paused, and static charged the air between them with tension as they stared deeply at each other as if they’re gonna exchange eyeballs.

Scott’s heartbeats picked up again, reaching his eardrums, thudding violently he could swear it ruptured.

His Adam’s apple did the bobbing thing again, and a sweat line crawled down with it on his throat.

He gulped, but then gripped Kane’s wrist tight, getting over his thump.

“You’re coming with me to my house, to rest…” He said.

Kane couldn’t reject. He doesn’t even want to do that.

He followed him to the park, and he was tucked in the car by Scott himself. Scott told the driver to leave and drove Kane home by himself.

Scott’s Mansion is just like Kane imagined—minimalist in a loud part of LA cos Scott loves noise.

Scott has always hated the silence cos…..

Silence in the past meant his mother was trapped in the white room by his abusive father.

Silence in the past meant his sister Lynn was getting choked under the sheets by the turtlenecks.

It meant Scott himself was unconscious after sleeping on glass.

So…he hates it.

The mansion received them, and he made Kane lay on the couch…on his chest so his wounded back is up.

“Siri, play music.” He said.

And the programmed player began playing Dreamers by JK.

It’s his best song right now.

He got the kit and sat beside Kane, emptying the kit and wiping Kane’s bloody back with gauze.

Next, he began disinfecting with wet cotton held by forceps.

Kane continued his cringes everytime the wool touched the wound, and Scott tried hard to lessen his touches.

“You’ll have to endure the sting if you want the disinfectant to seep in.” He whispered, worried.

“Carry on,” Kane replied, stilling with his chin on the armrest.

Silence hung between them like a thick curtain, and it felt too heavy for either of them till Scott was pushed to break it off…

“What have you been doing in Germany since you left?”

Kane sighed…. “For those six years, I handled 30 private cases against women, together with Owen and Reid. We won every case.”

“No… girlfriends?” Scott asked awkwardly, pausing the forceps.

“I had a girlfriend before I came here for your father’s case six years ago, and….she waited for me, but when I returned to Germany, something had changed with me. I knew it. She detected it too when I shifted at any slight contact with her, so…we broke it off, and she began dating a popular actor a week after the breakup. I was happy for her, and since then…I took my work a little bit more serious… became a workaholic.” Kane explained, his back muscles moving under the wound.

He grunted a little.

“A workaholic, just like me…” Scott muttered, resuming the disinfection.

“Yeah, just like you.” Kane mumbled.

Scott dropped the bloody wool and began wrapping bandage around Kane’s wound.

Kane sat up, and Scott knelt in front of him to do it, avoiding eye contact in this position, cos he’s aware that Kane is staring at him.

Tension grew again, so big it could drown them both. Scott’s hands began missing the lining of the bandage, so he had to unwrap and start wrapping from the start.

“I really dipped myself in work too…” He started talking. “I worked 7am to 12am everyday, and sometimes I’d sleep over at work because… because I didn’t want to come home and be lonely. I had Remo and Frank and Max, but I even feel lonelier when I’m with them cos… they’re always all about drugs and women and sex, and I….I didn’t want to think out of the line to the point where I’ll just hookup with a random guy in the club. I don’t want random…”

“Because…..”

He finished wrapping the bandage, dropped his palms on Kane’s laps and looked up, eyes hooking.

“Because you only left this country six years ago, you didn’t leave my head. Sometimes, I even dipped myself in water to near-death, just to have a feel of when you used to submerge me. I once stabbed myself on the arm again…”

He showed Kane the stab scar.

“Just to feel when you stabbed me and the guys in the arm all-over again.”

“Fool,” Kane muttered, eyes lowering, softening so much.

“You’re probably here to solve another case and leave agai—”

“I’ll never leave,” Kane cut him. “I bought myself a mansion here and made sure all my upcoming cases for years will revolve around this city.”

“Really?” Scott’s eyes lit up.

Kane pulled him up from his knees, bringing him to his laps.

His arms went curled around Scott’s tummy, and Scott didn’t hesitate to snake his arm on Kane’s neck.

Kane lifted his chin easily, smiling…

“I’ll. Never. Leave.” He promised.

Scott gave him his pinky finger, and Kane chuckled before curling his orh pinky with it.

“It’s a deal.” Scott smiled.

With a large smile, Kane swept Scott completely to himself in large, suffocating hug which left Scott breathless, but who needs breaths?

Scott’s arms went busy around Kane too, face dipping into his shoulder.

He gave him a gentle kiss on the side of his neck.

Kane tightened the hug, inhaling him greedily, hungrily.

“What’s your real age?” Scott asked.

“I only have two years ahead of you, freckled sin.” Kane whispered.

“You’re 28?”

“Yeah….so….” Kane broke the hug to have a look at his face.

“Dinner at Baby Treatment?” He asked, rubbing Scott’s earlobes.

“That’ll be tommorow after you take a lot of rest.” Scott replied frankly.

“Of course,” Kane pulled him into another hug, and this time, he was the one who kissed Scott’s neck, adding a little bite to it.

Scott blushed, squirmed, using his thumb to rub the back of Kane’s neck affectionately.

—

[Australia, X Smallest Lab]

Shambles? Disarray?

That won’t describe the type of chaos ongoing inside this place.

More than twenty systems are on the floor, shattered and wasted.

Wires lay cut to pieces, both naked and covered ones. Cords are intertwined, destroyed.

Keys are like rice grains on the floor, and glass is part of the chaos too, then blood…

Blood from Shelby’s fingers.

Her fingers are bleeding cos she mistakenly cut herself when she was shattering the glass, and her blood is dropping in rivulets from her hand.

She’s in the middle of the chaos, standing like a defeated villain while the Scientists hid for safety at the corners of the lab, avoiding her wrath. Mio is the only one standing close to her, and that’s even two to three gaps apart.

The first human pod has been opened, but the specimen isn’t waking up.

No breaths. No movements.

The world is awaiting the news of success. The backers and Great Uncles are anticipating her excellence, so why must it be now?

Why must her failure come now?

What’s going on?

What did she not do right?

What did she wire wrong?

This specimen was a fine, healthy human when she entered the pod four years ago.

She signed the agreement to be the first specimen cos wanted to cheat old age with four years.

She’s supposed to wake up today looking younger than she was four years ago.

She should wake up with a baby-like face, but she’s not even moving.

All her devices and machines are beeping just right, but she’s not even looking like she’s alive.

She looks dead.

“What do we do, Your Excellency?” Mio asked cautiously.

“Thiago entered this lab, right?” Shelby asked.

“Yes, his rogues even shot a Scientist for refusing to give them the answer they wanted.” Mio replied.

“Little wonder he didn’t bother provoking me. He knew this would happen. He was mocking me with his calmness. I knew nothing about him goes for nothing.” Shelby muttered.

“What should we do?” Mio repeated the question.

“Report to the news that the pod opening day has been shifted due to miscalculations of my Scientists. Keep the specimen frozen, and let’s launch the OBSCURE app as mine instead.” Shelby replied.

“Your Excellency?” Mio frowned.

“Do as I said!” Shelby yelled.

“Yes, Your Excellency!” Mio bowed and left the lab.

“The Priest didn’t pray hard enough, reason why this is happening. I should end him and his alter servants.” Shelby muttered.

—

[Los Angeles, A Pub]

Jeremy didn’t expect Angela to be waiting already when he arrived, but there she was, wearing a hat just like him, sitting in his booked corner with a scared look on her face.

But she spranged up the moment she sighted Jeremy, joy blossoming on her face. She made to hug him, but he stopped her with an hand.

“It’s been years, Jeremy. You won’t even allow a hug? You’re still so uptight.” She smiled, giving up on hugging him and making do with just seeing him. It felt enough.

Jeremy say in front of her, and she took her seat too, placing her arms on the table.

“You look like you’re doing well for yourself. You even look more handsome, meaning you have something going on. I was planning to give you my debit card, but seems there’s no need.”

“Do you know the living one among Dorian’s rape victims?” Jeremy asked, straight to point.

“So you’re here for that, huh?” Angela said disappointedly, nodding. “Yeah, his first rape victim is still alive, but he did it in the dark when he was drunk, so he didn’t see her face. She escaped, and we couldn’t trace her till now. I don’t know her too.”

“Shit!” Jeremy slammed his fist on the table disappointedly.

“But I can give you the name of the club it happened at in San Francisco. You can go there and make research if you want.” Angela said.

“What’s the name?” Jeremy asked immediately.

“MasterD Club, just have enough money for inquiries.” She nodded. “Also, I cleared all loose ends of his rape cases, but before his accident that year, he was at a tattooist shop where he raped a girl too. You can meet the tattooist for info. His shop is just at the end of that road.”

“Thank you, Angel.” Jeremy said.

“And I kept the names of all his rape victims too. I kept them in a register. There are fifty names, and they’re at home if you wa—”

“I need them as soon as possible!” Jeremy cut in.

She smiled again.

“Sure, I’ll bring them to you tomorrow night cos I can’t send screenshots through my phone, it’s being monitored.”

“I’ll be on the flight to San Francisco first thing tomorrow morning, but I’ll come back before 8 at night. Meet me here at 8:30.” Jeremy said.

“I hear you, and do you know Dorian allowed your release on parole cos he wants you and CF to write him a hit song?” Angela smiled.

“CF? Thiago?” Jeremy scoffed.

“Funny, right? And now he’s planning to rape your sister cos you didn’t answer his call.” Angela said.

“I don’t care,” Jeremy stood. “Just get the list here tommorow at 8:30, ok?”

“I’ll do anything for you, and together, we can destroy Dorian and his mother.” She nodded.

Jeremy started going for the door…

“Did you hear? Stacy’s engagement with Dorian is next week. The official announcement will be made by President Kaylee herself tommorow.” Angela quickly said.

Jeremy stopped.

“You should save her if you can. He’s marrying her for his rape intents, nothing more.” She continued.

“Stacy will be fine without my involvement.” Jeremy said and stepped out of the pub.

Angela smiled, sighing.

“He changed, a whole lot.”

—

[Elite2 Hotel]

Elmira checked her face out in her pocket mirror for the umpteenth time, making sure everything is in line for the upcoming meeting.

The note of secrecy said she should be here by 7, but she has been here since 6:30, wanting to impress him with her seriousness.

After all, he’s her only ticket to bagging a Geng contract.

She snapped few pictures and posted them with the caption…

~ Geng on the way.

She was reading comments and smiling when she received a call from Max, and she rolled eyes before picking up.

“Yes, babe?”

“Are you aware that Tania is walking soon?” Max gossiped.

“What do you mean walking soon?” Elmira scoffed.

“She’s at Monroeville, getting worked in by a really competent orthopedic from Italy, and the surgery is almost done.” Max informed.

“What!” Elmira spranged up, and Dorian entered the room immediately.

“Are you that shocked to see me in person?” He arrogantly said as his guards took positions by the door.

Elmira ended the call and pocketed her phone, adjusting fast.

“Welcome, Riri.”

“Why the fûck is Angela not here yet? She left home before me.” He frowned.

Angela rushed in, panting like she ran here. She’s sweating a lot.

She nearly bumped into him, but she controlled herself and halted.

“I’m so sorry! Very sorry! I got constipation on the way and—”

Dorian raised his hand, meaning stop. She stopped.

After giving her a suspicious stare, Dorian settled down, and Elmira sat in front of him, smiling.

“Shall we get down to business?” Dorian smirked, checking her out shamelessly. The revealing cleavage, popping breàsts and hips that spread even as she sat on the chair.

Her modelling pictures weren’t lying. She’s hotter than sin.

He imagined her screaming, crying and begging him to stop while he raped her, and his cóvk sprang to life immediately.

He has indeed chose a pretty next victim.

He wants to rape her.

And it must happen before his engagement with Stacy next week.

Noticing how he’s gawking, Elmira shifted to the chair edge, pushing her breàsts up stylishly.

“I’m all ears,” she smiled.

Dorian could see the greed in her eyes. She’d be so easy to lure.

His luck.

“Let’s eat, first.” He said.

“As you wish!” Elmira smiled sheepishly.

Dorian snapped his fingers, and Angela got the cue to get the servers.

Minutes later, the servers lined up, awaiting orders.

—

[Monroeville Hospital]

Tasha was already losing her cool, and she has shed tears a lotta times, getting scared. It was supposed to be an hour, but since 11am, there has been no news about Tania.

This is 8pm.

Neurosurgeon Stallion—Frank’s father, has been assuring them that everything is gonna be fine, but it’s not so sure now.

It’s been hours.

Even Frank looks unsure, and that scared the girls.

Remo is the only one with a neutral face here like he’s so sure it’ll be fine like Frank’s father said.

Max isn’t here anymore.

Even Stacy has stopped trying to pacify Tasha. She’s panicking too just like Kehlani and Trinidad.

Trinidad’s panic is higher than the rest cos apart from Tania’s surgery, there’s Trevor’s call.

The gunshots she heard during his short call. Is he ok?

How could he call for the first time in years and she was immediately greeted by gunshots from the other end? She tried calling back several times, but the line doesn’t exist.

She’s shaking inwardly and outwardly right now.

When the theater door opened, letting Madame Morano out, Tasha was the first to run to her.

“How’s my sister! How’s she—”

“She’s fine. I took lots of business calls in-between the surgery, reason why it was long. She’ll be shifted to the ward in thirty minutes.” The wicked looking woman said.

“Meaning…the surgery went well?” Stacy said breathlessly.

The woman just nodded.

“Yes!!” Trinidad hugged Tasha, and Stacy hugged Kehlani.

Frank smiled slightly at Remo. Remo didn’t return the smile.

Madame Morano just walked out of the hall after giving Trinidad a unlikable look.

The girls were still rejoicing when Remo received a message.

• Hey it’s Jeremy. Let’s talk tomorrow in your club at 10.

“Why is this f+ka+s messaging me?” Remo muttered with a tight face.

—

[A Private Hotel]

Madame Morano was escorted inside by a trail of Italian guards who have the same key tattoo as her, and if dangerousness was a person, they’d be a monopoly of that word.

The air turned more and more acidic the closer they got to the insides.

They bought the uppermost floor, and the elevator opened for them just there. Madame Morano stepped out first, and her men followed.

The hallway is stained by blood, redness. Dead bodies of three guards lay helplessly on the floors, their suits out of their bodies and their shoes scattered around the hall.

Their legs were shot out of their bodies with their bowels. They’re hard to look at in this state.

Madame Morano stepped over the bodies with a straight face, her coat dragging the air as she went towards the room. The guards opened the door, and while they stayed outside, she stepped inside.

It’s even worse inside.

There are ten bodies on the floor inside. Not all of them are dead cos some are still groaning, but they all have bullets in their bodies.

There are more than twenty standing guards who aren’t wounded.

They stood powerfully, surrounding a male in the middle of the mess.

The tall male sat on a white couch stained by blood too, and he held a gun. His head is low, and his white singlet is stained by blood too it’s almost turned to red.

“Trevor,” Madame Morano called softly, but firmly.

He didn’t look up.

“Trevor Morano!” She thundered, and his face came up…

A manlier, more masculine representation of his sixteen year old self. Pink lips, luscious dark hair, chiseled, toned body. Dark aura.

“You killed thirteen of my men, thirteen cos there’s no chance of staying alive for the half-dead ones!” She snarled, getting a gun and shooting down the ones that aren’t dead on the floor.

She rounded up the numbers and threw down the gun.

“Now what?” She glared.

Trevor stood, his height intimidating. He’s so tall now.

“I stayed in Italy like you wanted for years. No calls to her, no pictures of me online, no connection to the people I know here. Now we’re here and you still won’t let me see her? I can’t even talk to her!” He yelled, voice a boom of baritone.

“Yes cos you’re not meant to be going after a old girl when there’s a girl your age waiting for you in Sicily!” Madame Morano yelled.

“Trinidad is just 25, she’ll be turning 26 this December!” He snarled.

“Yeah and you’re 22! She’s got four years on you! Even apart from the age, my son won’t have nothing to do with an investor’s daughter! Tomorrow morning, we’ll be flying back to Sicily and that’s final!” Madame Morano said.

“Not me and you. Even if I have to kill every staff of this building. I’m not going back to Sicily with you.” Trevor muttered meanly.

“Try me,” Madame Morano muttered back, pushing his chest.

“Wait for it, mother.” He smiled darkly.

—

[Montana Mansion]

Stacy looked overjoyed when the driver drove her towards her mansion gate, and she wouldn’t stop smiling hard.

Tania has been moved to the ward, and they’ll all be spending the night with her at the hospital.

She came to get Louis.

And it’s has been strange that he hasn’t been bugging her with calls since morning.

Normally, he’d have called like five times, but maybe he’s still mad cos of the small argument they had over his toy gun this morning.

That son of hers is petty. She can’t wait to see what he’s been up to.

The driver halted in front of the gate without going on, and when she saw someone in front of the gate, she had to step down, and she was stunned to see it’s Reid, beaming.

“Reid? Reid the swimmer?” She said surprisingly.

“Long time no see!” He grinned, giving her a light side hug.

“I’m guessing you’re in this city cos of the reunion? Why are you even in front of my darn gate?” She said cheerfully.

“I came for the reunion, for Kane, and also for you.” He shrugged.

“For me?” She blinked.

He stretched her a paperback document which she took skeptically. She opened skeptically too.

It’s the accumulated report on her father’s death case.

Her eyes widened.

“You’re my private investigator? What the fûck!”

“I knew you’d be surprised.” Reid grinned again.

“No, for real!” She chuckled, sliding a piece of her hair behind her ear.

But then…she noticed the lights in the house are off.

Why?

It’s night, and that’s more reason for the lights to be on cos her Louis hates darkness too much.

She rushed inside, and in confusion, Reid went after her.

“Louis!!” She screamed once she was inside, but the echo of her voice replied her.

This ain’t right.

“Louis!!” She ran upstairs.

In her room, in his room, in the upper playroom. No Louis.

“Louis!!!” She screamed louder.

“What’s going on?” Reid came in behind her.

“My baby! My baby is…” She skipped and sniffled, fearfully.

Her head feels like it’s not even on her neck anymore.

“Calm down, where’s the power room?” Reid asked.

Stacy rushed there instead of talking, and Reid followed.

Together, they checked the footage of the house, and they saw how the two masked men came inside….

Stacy covered her mouth with her palm, shivering.

By the main door when the masked men were about to go out, the other at the back showed his palm.

On the palm, FIND US ALONE was written with black ink.

The footage ended there, and Stacy’s phone buzzed immediately.

She has been sent an address, but she looked at it without letting Reid see.

“Stacy, you can’t do this alone!” Reid pulled her, but she broke free.

“You heard when they told me to come alone in the palm note!” She snapped, tearing out of the room.

Reid followed, and by the staircase, she took off her heels, using her barefoot for the run…

Out of the house.

“Stacy!!”

“Stacy!!”

Reid’s callings reached her ears, but none were answered till she entered her car and drove out.

Reid got in his car too and drove after her, calling the cops of that jurisdiction.

“A Pink Benz just drove out of the Montana estate right now. Stacy Montana is inside, going for a trap. Help is needed!” He shouted, making sure he kept his eyes on the road, but despite that, a stupid Cadillac driver drove into the road, nearly colliding with his own car.

He reversed before curling roughly in another direction, so the Cadillac collided with a pole instead.

By now, Stacy’s car is out of view.

“Damnit!!” Reid slammed his palm in the steering.

—

The location wasn’t hard for Stacy to get. When you have a son you want to protect with everything you got, directions will be the least of your problems. Also, she knows where these problems are coming from, so she’s gonna quell it herself.

She kept her shivering contained till she arrived in front of the vast hidden castle she had no idea existed till now. The main gate was opened for her, and she drove roughly into the estate, her knuckles nearly peeling with how hard she’s holding the wheel inside.

She has no time to study the environment, she just drove, and she knew she was driving on tar.

The screeching of her car mixed with the roaring of the angry skies.

Rain is sure gonna pour tonight.

Only the echo of her son’s name is in her head as she drove, and she didn’t stop till she saw the first building.

Her eyes were red, nerves ablaze, blood boiling as she jumped out of her car, impatiently.

“Cove!!!” She screamed, and that was the end for her voice.

Water from nowhere sprinkled on her. No idea where it came from, but she received a shower, and there’s surely something inside cos with the little that sprinkled in her nose and mouth, she lost her senses, and consciousness.

Lashes hugged tight, but before she could hit the wet ground, capable arms captured her.

—

[Next Morning]

Pink roses, candle wax, aphrodisiac, heavenly perfumes.

Was all Stacy could smell when she began regaining the lost consciousness.

Bit by bit, her senses realigned, and she could feel the softness of the form under her.

It’s a bed.

She’s in a bed.

A bed?

Bed?

A…..bed!!!????

She wanted to sprang up immediately, but not so easy, cos she has been bound by chains.

She chains pulled at her wrists and ankles immediately she tried, but she could inch up enough to see she’s not wearing her suit again.

She’s in her underwear now…

Singlet, and white shorts.

She’s in a bed sprinkled with pink roses, a room soaked with aphrodisiac and perfumes, floors sprinkled with roses too, and there’s a thin candlelit path.

“Louis!!!” She screamed, pulling against the chains again, again…

“Louis!!!”

Her wrists got wounded by the chains, but she kept pulling, letting the metal eat into her flesh.

“Louis!!!”

“Women are supposed to like roses in their favorite colors, candlelit paths and sweet fragrances, what changed?” The deranged voice sounded from the other side of the room. Her head followed the sound, and she saw his back.

He stood by a small table in that same room, and he’s adorning the top with home-cooked meals.

He wore a pink apron on top of his loose pants and armless shirt, and his bandaged arms look bulkier.

He’s not even looking up as he talked. He’s focused on his setting.

“Where is my baby? Where the hell did you keep my baby!!!” She yelled, pulling at the chains again.

“You must be hungry, Dollface. You stayed unconscious all night.” He muttered, scooping some pasta and meatballs into a plate.

“Where is my son!!!!” She screamed, metals hissing and rattling with her chains, clanging.

The bed kept dipping as she moved.

He finally looked up, face as soulless as it always is.

He walked up to her with precise steps and sat beside her in bed, scooping meatballs in the spoon and bringing it to her lips.

“You liked it when I fed you. Also, remember this was the last meal you ate from me six years ago?” He smiled brightly.

Her wrists and ankles might be shackled, but her knees aren’t, so she used the knees, pushing the plate away from him before spitting warm saliva on his face.

“Get your disgusting, irritating face off mine, and get my son here!”

Thiago looked at the wasted meal on the floor, then he touched his cheek, feeling the sticky sensation of her saliva. He said nothing.

He just stood, walked to the TV in front of the room which looked like it stood there for a purpose.

He turned it on, and a breaking news is right there…

📺 The first flight from Los Angeles to San Francisco this morning at 6am has experienced an unfortunate accident in the skies as one of it’s boarders met an unexpected fall. Jeremy Wolfe was pushed off the plane by unknown hijackers who seemed like they came just for him, and till now, his dead body is still not found. Searches are still ongoing…

Stacy’s eyes widened, and her struggle against the chains stopped immediately.

“No….” She whispered.

“I only had to pull a few strings, and he was pushed off the aircraft…. To his death. This is what he got for how you threatened me with your life cos of him.” Thiago said, standing tall in front of the TV.

“No!!!!!!!” Stacy screamed, shivers crawling up her bones. “No!!!!!!”

“Now, you’ll open your mouth and take what I have to feed you,” Thiago smiled innocently. “You’ll eat, or your son…that little bastard will be the next to be pushed.” He said.

Stacy’s tears stopped, and her heart skipped several beats as she looked up to meet his eyes.

“Yeah, your son is on the plane too. He’s with the hijackers. The hijackers are Ten and Eleven.” He stated heartlessly.

TBC.