"Come on, try harder," he pressed. My blood boiled. A dispute between Anthony and Darcy would mean…

"It would be a foolish decision on your part, sir, precisely because you'd lose out on all your resources in the process of defeating him and you would destroy yourself eventually. By the number of favors you can call in, you'll last for a few years, but some of them will turn on you. You'll ruin yourself because of a stupid decision you made, and because his unsubtle spy couldn't handle his greed."

"Impressive, Mia, but that's where you come in. YOU get to save the day. It's your job to see to the fact that I don't ruin my chances and that's what you'll do till the very end." The nerve of the man!

"No sir, I shall not let some man I have just known and worked for a few days dictate my life. I joined in so that I could be a part of this intricate system you have built. I am honored that you have taken me in with a notorious title on my head, but I sure as hell won't risk my life because of your stupid decision when I know what the resulting the outcome would be. I took this job and will do it thoroughly. I'll take a bullet for you if it comes to that, but you can't ask me to voice my opinion and then proceed to tell me my duties. I know very well that you will not take my advice, hence I don't feel the need to be reminded what this decision of yours will cost me." My breathing came in pants, my hands curled up into fists. I was ready to punch something, his face being the most beautiful option at that moment.

"Very well, Mia." His expression was serious, hardness seeping from each pore. "I'm glad we get each other."

Taking the file in my hands, I stood up and left the room.

'Respect', Sean had said. That looked nothing like respect.

Sean stood outside the room, an apologetic look on his face.

"Let's go," I told him. He followed me without a word, knowing full well that I'd snap at him. It was a sane decision on his part.

"Get your seatbelt on," I ordered.

"Done?" He nodded in reply.

And then I drove off like a maniac.

I needed to punch something so badly, but I had nothing to do and nowhere to go.

I dropped off Sean at his place and continued on, my eyes locked on the rearview mirror. A black shadow of a car trailed behind me, inconspicuous enough to not notice, but it was there. After I was sure that it was tailing me, I took a shortcut home, speeding as fast as the car went, leaving the little fuckers behind.

.

My balcony remained vacant for the next two mornings. I peeked out from the windows sometimes, just to check if there was any car waiting, but nothing ever happened. There was no car. There was no suspicious person lingering around. I knew for sure that I wasn't paranoid, and the fact that Anthony wasn't foolish enough to leave me unattended when I was new and worming into the mob at such a fast pace. I thought so because he was cunning, and that evening when I'd sped like a maniac, trying to get away from the car I knew was following me, he'd gotten the call which let him knew that I was well aware that someone was following me. So, he must have been using other means to keep track of me.

The file Anthony had given me for studying was dealt with. I'd found out as much as I could about some new guy who stumbled across money when Anthony approached him. Anthony had found out about the dealer from somewhere; from one of his errand boys. The boy told Anthony the new guy sold the good stuff and had the potential of making more profit than even Darcy could imagine. I don't know how Anthony even thought that was possible. Maybe he was choosing second best alternative so that he can piss off Darcy.

I was supposed to make no judgment until I had psychoanalyzed the newbie, but I had my doubts. Socializing was one of my traits, or so I thought. I hated it, but I could put up a show.

Dressed in red, I looked like someone who would go to Realm all the time. But not like a commoner, someone powerful. I meant business with a wicked twist. My gun was tucked in my waist; my baggy top hid it perfectly. I kept my cell phone in my back pocket, and my watch was donned on my right hand. It looked silly but funky.

I took off.

.

The crowd at the club was smaller that night. The floor was half empty with only a few people chatting at the bar. Though not as much as usual, there were quite a lot of people. Looking around, I spotted Ron serving one of the side tables in the reserved areas. It didn't take much time for me to get his attention.

"Good evening, Ron." I smiled.

"How are you doing, Mia?"

"Good." It was good to see him, sort of. But I was more concerned about having him working around me tonight. "Are you serving the VIP room this evening?" I lowered my voice a little despite the fact that no one will be able to hear us. His curt nod was nothing short of relief for me.

I needed him there this evening. He was an integral part of my inquisition.

"Just keep the drinks coming," I told him.

"Yes, ma'am." He tipped his head to a side. "They're already here, waiting for the boss actually." With that, he walked towards the bar area again.

Thanking him in my mind, I took the flight of stairs to the VIP room, barely registering the guards outside the door as I burst in. Seven curious looking young men turned to look at me. I could imagine that I looked nothing like the strong, older man they were expecting to meet. I looked like a girl in her twenties on a night out.

'Catch them off guard' was the first rule of the night.

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