Chapter 5
Amund POV
My fingers toyed with a casino chip. Casinos
and gambling establishments weren’t exactly Los Angeles's strong suit. The city
thrived on tourism, beaches, and a few scattered restaurants.
When I first proposed the idea of opening
casinos and gambling shops, my investors warned that it could lead to failure.
I told them that if I proved them wrong, they would get to enjoy their
profits—after all, there’s no sense in killing a business before it even had
the chance to succeed.
With an array of casino games and gambling
stations bustling with activity, and hotel rooms fully booked, I presumed it
was a success. New investors were brought on board the following week.
A tap on my shoulder pulled me from my
thoughts as I focused on the game. I looked up to see Siergo standing beside
me.
"The files are in your room, boss."
I scanned the crowded casino and spotted a
man. "Hey, call him over," I instructed, unable to leave my table.
Siergo summoned him. The man's expression
turned grave when I stood up. "Relax. Just play this game. You know how to
handle chips, right?" I flashed him a smile.
He nodded.
My smile faded slightly. "Don’t lose my
chips. I’ll be back."
He bowed and took my place at the table.
"You play well. I win," I said.
"Make it tough for him, guys," I
instructed the other players.
They chuckled in response.
I headed toward the private elevator.
"What do the files say?"
"Boss, there’s not much on her. Just a
regular girl who grew up in Washington."
"I thought she came from the
streets." She had an undeniable drive, a fire that couldn’t be tamed. Who
would have guessed she hailed from a place with minimal gun violence, drugs,
and crime?
"Which part?"
"Leavenworth. A small town with a
population of around 1,000. Not much to uncover about her. Her father was a
local officer, though."
I smirked. "So that’s where the fire
comes from?"
Siergo opened the door, and I stepped inside,
my eyes immediately landing on the file waiting for me on my desk. I nearly
rushed over to it, eager to discover more about her.
"She's nothing but trouble, boss."
"No, she’s my entertainment," I
murmured, flipping open the file in haste. Her photograph momentarily stole my
breath; I quickly turned away from Siergo to mask my reaction, the city lights
casting shadows across my face.
"Something wrong, boss?"
I glanced back at the picture. She was
undeniably captivating—someone to toy with when bored. The thought of her
chasing me around the city excited me, and I envisioned catching her each time,
teaching her a little lesson along the way. My fingers traced the band of my
jeweled ring, momentarily distracting me.
"Nothing at all."
"Any updates about her at the
station?" I wanted her to understand the extent of my influence over her
life. Eventually, she'd realize that she belonged to me. I looked down at her
photo. Yes, she definitely belonged to me.
"Well, it’s not good. The FBI has opened
a case, and it’s all her doing."
"Good." That case wouldn't concern
me for long. The moment they saw my name on that file, they’d shred it without
hesitation. Anyone with sense knew better than to challenge me. Except for her.
And I found that exhilarating.
"Good? She’s nothing but trouble. I
could eliminate her and her entire family if necessary."
I raised a hand to silence him. "Do you
doubt my power, Siergo?"
"Boss? No, never." I could hear the
tremor in his voice.
"Good. Then leave her be. Let her come
to me. Tell Sergeant Reynolds to have her hunt me."
"Boss? What are you planning?"
"I haven't had any fun in a while. I
want her to come right to me. I plan to engage in every single illegal activity
out in the open." I glanced back at her photo, captivated by her striking
features.
"Boss? Your aunt is on her way,"
Siergo said, pulling his attention from his phone.
I grimaced and walked to the liquor cabinet.
"What does she want?" I asked, pouring myself a glass of whiskey.
"She didn’t specify."
What could she possibly want? I had ensured
she received her little gift before the day's end.
I sat at my desk, unable to tear my eyes away
from her picture. Her beautiful blonde hair, those captivating Washington-green
eyes—I could see the whole state reflected in them. In person, I’d seen little,
but with a gun pointed at my face, she certainly had a way of commanding
attention.
She seemed to have curves hidden beneath her
police uniform. How could I entice her to shed it? Leaning back, I let the
chair rock slightly. It wouldn’t be easy to get her out of that uniform, would
it? I was a damn criminal, fully aware of my nature.
Unlike everyone else I had in my pocket—people
I could use for specific tasks—she was the only one who showed genuine
disdain for me. But what could I say? It was in her blood to despise bad guys
like myself.
Her father had instilled that mindset in her,
and I feared the indoctrination ran deep. But how could I reverse it? The
answer was simple: she would either submit to me when the time came or pay the
price.
I shut my eyes, briefly envisioning her
trying to take me. Gripping my glass, I considered approaching her right then
and there. I was captivated by her beauty, her smooth skin, her femininity, her
sweetness and yet I had more pressing matters at hand. I focused on gathering
her addresses, noting just how close she was.
I smirked, knowing she would soon receive a
visit from me.
There was a knock at the door, and I quickly
tidied my desk, sliding everything into the drawer. "Let her in."
Siergo opened the door for her. She stepped
inside, and I welcomed her with a hug. "Auntie, couldn’t you just call if
you needed something?"
"I do, but your right-hand man is the
one with the phones."
"Yes, I forgot. I don't have any use for
it." I motioned for Siergo to take her jacket and then guided her to the
couch.
"Would you like some liquor or a
cigar?"
"I want to understand why there's a cop
after us—especially a rookie. A case has been formed."
I brushed her concern aside. "That’s a
minor issue. The real problem lies with Fernando. Your son has been dealing in
weapons—our weapons."
"My son is a hustler, not a
traitor."
"Auntie, I didn’t imply he was disloyal,
but his actions provide me a significant advantage. This week, over dinner, I
plan to send a message to my own people."
"A message?"
I took a sip of my drink, feeling the burn
numb my tongue. Tonight, I intended to drink until I felt nothing. "Yes,
anyone who trades resources that belong to this family will face the same fate
as your son, but at my hands."
"Amund, not everyone wants to work in
the family business."
"And the streets are a better
alternative?" I retorted. "Auntie, the family legacy has only grown
stronger since Grandpa's time."
It was clear that the intricacies of this
business were lost on him. He didn’t possess the necessary mettle. It was odd;
I could trace my lineage back to him, yet he lacked the cleverness I inherited.
"I have everyone exactly where I want
them. These gangs only gain power because we allow it."
"My son wasn’t a traitor."
"He died as one," I murmured.
"Did you receive my gift?"
"Today. That was quick."
"I work fast when needed."
"Back to the case and the girl."
"I told you, Auntie," I said,
rising to pour myself another drink. "It's a minor concern. What can a
rookie cop possibly do?" My ego told me she was far more likely to end up
in my bed than posing any real threat.
"I want her dead."
The words cut through me like the rip of a
page from a book. They felt like a threat, and I wasn't good with threats. The
urge to reach for my gun and put a bullet in her head surged within me. A
double funeral for her and her son seemed justified, but she was my aunt. All I
needed was a bit of respect and patience to keep the darker urges at bay.
"Why? The girl hasn't done
anything."
"She's meddling."
"You think so?" I shot her an icy
glare, then directed my gaze down at my liquor. The taste was bitter, and I
loathed that my tongue was acknowledging the harshness. It only meant one thing,
I didn't like what I was hearing. "You may have the city under your thumb,
but—"
"Don’t you dare underestimate my power.
She won’t take us down. Now, go to bed."
"Don't speak to me like I’m a child.
Kill her."
"Auntie, you know I'll do anything for
you. Anything but engage in pointless killing."
She scoffed and grumbled under her breath as
she approached me. "Are you familiar with the story of the weak opponent
defeating the strong?"
I smirked. "This isn't a story, is it?
I'm not touching the girl, nor will you or anyone else in this city. If she
wants to chase me, let her. I want to see how long she can keep it up."
"This could lead to one big
regret."
I shrugged. I never claimed her pursuits
wouldn't have consequences. I was simply curious to see how far she would push
herself, and how much hell I could make her endure.
"Is there anything else you want,
Auntie?"
"Yeah, make sure she stays out of my
way."
"Don't worry, she isn't coming after
you. She's after me." I planned to hide in the shadows, watching her fall
straight into my trap, where I would have her exactly where I wanted.
Sinister thoughts swirled in my mind, each
more twisted than the last, and I couldn't help but smile to myself.
"Whatever you're thinking, put it out of
your mind."
"It's too late for that," I
whispered. She shot me one final glance before turning on her heels and
grabbing her jacket. I rifled through the drawer, my eyes drifting back to her
picture. She was undeniably captivating.
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