The Pawn - Alora.

The Lady, Alora.

Howard halted halfway and his face melted into a fat smile. Marcus who had thought he was coming for him, realised that he was on the safe side;

Marcus was seated at the rear of the table while Howard had sat at the upper side. And since the door was opposite the rear of the table, it was only reasonable for Howard to walk in that direction.

But then Marcus made sure to have a second thought on the manner at which his elder brother had glared at him. He knew that something was up, but he wasn't sure yet.

"Hi baby."

He heard Howard say to the lady. Howard reached out one of his hands and picked the lady's.

Then Marcus caught a weird reaction of the cousins who worked with Howard. He discovered that something a little funny was going on with them.

Marcus plucked his gaze from the cousins to the lady who had walked in. Her face looked a little sour, but then she smiled. The smile seemed a little forced.

WHAT'S THE MATTER WITH HER?

Marcus couldn't help but think for a while. But he couldn't get the answer he wanted. At least not yet.

"Father, I bring to you, my woman."

Howard was bowing to the Don. The Don didn't look impressed at first, but then he nodded.

"I take it that you are building a harem."

The Don joked. Howard laughed and the rest of the people in the hall joined them. Except Marcus who seemed to be a little carried away.

"I mean, Father, it never hurts. As long as they want to be a part of it."

Howard said.

"As long as they want to be a part or as long as they don't have a choice but to be a part?"

Horace was taking a shot at his brother. Howard took a quick glare at him. Horace rolled his eyes then looked back at the front.

"Come here, sweet Belle."

The Don called at the lady. The lady walked towards the Don. As soon as she got to the Don, he reached out his hand and she gave him hers.

He lifted her hand up and kissed the back of her hand.

"What's your name?"

The Don asked.

"Alora."

She said, her voice was somewhat tiny but seductive. There was such a airy touch to it. It was plain yet had a lot of qualities.

The Don nodded at her and she got what he went. She pushed her body forward towards him.

"Well Alora, you don't see to like my son."

The Don whispered into her ears. The lady was shook.

"Or do you?"

"Y--yes. Of course I do."

She was struggling not to make her voice loud, but then she had her fears but fumbled up trying to hide them.

"Treat him right then."

The Don was still whispering. None of the sons at the table could say any word. They dared not. They seemed to be used to it.

"I'll do my best."

She said trying to stand up tall. As soon as she resumed the upright stance, she took a glance at Howard who smiled at her and she smiled back.

She wanted to turn to leave but then hesitated,

"I admire you, Don. And I'm honored to meet you."

She said then pushed a lump down her throat. The Don glanced at her then pushed a smile.

The Don got up on his feet and she took steps back, even though she was not in his way.

"As the head of the family, you'll make sure to report the weekly data of your businesses to me. Until I say otherwise."

The Don added. Suddenly, a man hurried out of the room and towards the Don. The fellow pulled the chair out of the way and the Don headed towards the room.

"Take care, Don."

"I'll be with you in a while."

"We will do you proud."

"We'll always be here to make it happen."

"Fuck that spithead Benzino. I'll fuck him up!!!"

Everyone had something to say as the Don kept walking till the door opened and the old man was out of sight.

"Man, I've missed that old man. I wish we could go back to his old days."

Horace said out loudly. In his face was a fat smile. It was obvious that he meant what he had just said.

Immediately as the door to the room of the Don was closed, the other doors started to open and the women and their children began to teem the hall again.

"Here we go again."

One of the cousins grunted in displeasure. The fellow had a funny head.

"To the boy's Lodge."

Howard called at his siblings and they all put their hands on the table. Including Marcus.

"To the boys' Lodge."

They chorused and they got up on their feet. The men started to walk out of the exit of the hall. Towards a backdoor.

About three women with kids came to Howard.

"I'll be with you..."

Howard kissed the lady Alora on the cheek and went to meet the three women.

"You're adding another to us?"

A brunette lady with a little boy threw at Howard.

"Since when did I answer to any of you?"

His face had stiffened up.

"I'll tell you what. You all know the drill. You don't want to be a part of this anymore, you know what happens. You know the cost."

He grunted in displeasure, making an unpleasant sound deep in his throat.

"Anyone has anything else to say?"

Howard growled lowly at the women who shuddered. He was about to leave when one of them, a woman with freckles on her face,

"At least introduce her to us."

Howard turned to her with a fiery glare eating the corner of his face. The women tucked their heads in, but there was one of them who was reluctant. But eventually she did drop her head.

"Thought as much."

He turned from them, then he dipped his hand in his chest pocket. He brought out few dollar bills of the hundred denominations.

He squeezed them into the hands of little kids brought with the women, his children.

"Be strong for Daddy. Daddy's army."

He pet the kids, then turned to walk away. When he turned fully , the table was empty. Not even Alora was there.

"Where did they all go?"

He became worried all of his sudden, the corner of his eyes twitching in anxiousness.

He walked towards the exit, pushed the backdoor open then walked into a cold garden. The orange rays of the evening sun was slowly clearing out for dusk.

He hastened his pace till he could see a small building situated in the centre of the garden. He hurried to the door, pushed it open and stepped in.

He looked around, his eyes scurrying in the sockets. His eyes firstly picked the two cousins looking in a particular direction, talking. The two looked to be a little invested in what they were saying.

Howard traced their eyes to Alora giggling, and chatting with a young man. Marcus.

"Fucking punk!"

He walked-run towards Marcus and got to him. He pulled him by the collars, dragged him up, then pushed him with himself, forcefully leading him out of the building...