9 Chapter 8.

January 18, 2016

Luke's POV

After being dismissed by the boss, I walked to my room to call it a night. I passed guards on my way, nodding at them politely after their greetings.

In my room, I peeled off my clothes and stepped into the bathroom for a warm shower. After the shower, I brushed my teeth and slipped on a black shirt and matching sweatpants.

Through my balcony doors I saw it was raining in torrents, with the wind that accompanied it; it would no doubt turn into a storm. I was about to get comfortable on my bed when the lights went off. Seconds later the backup generator kicked in.

Not comfortable with the situation, I decided to find out if everything was okay. I opened my door and found Nicholas in front of it about to knock.

"What's the problem?"

"The power station is down because of the storm. I was just making rounds to tell everybody that the backup generator won't last long."

"Why is that?"

"Same reason. Its the storm, its too strong. We wouldn't want anything to happen to the generator now, would we?"

"Have you told Ophelia?"

"No. I was going to her room next."

I sighed. "How long do we have before it goes out?"

"30 minutes at most."

"Don't worry about Ophelia, I'll tell her. It'll save you time so you can inform the others."

"Thank you."

With that, he left.

Ophelia's room wasn't very far from mine since we shared the same living quarters.

I opened the door just to come face to face with a gun pointed at me.

"Ophelia, sweetie, put the gun down." I raised my hands in surrender. "Its only me."

"Luke?" She lowered it. "Why didn't you knock?"

A bad habit I was yet to overcome. Luckily she was dressed, in her favourite Batman PJs.

"I'm sorry, princess. I forgot."

She dropped the gun on the bedside table and sat on the bed.

"Fair enough. Why are you here?"

"I came to tell you that there's not going to be power till morning. The backup generator can't last because of the storm."

"Okay." She replied, before she started fidgeting with the buttons of her PJ.

One thing no one knew about Ophelia was that she hated rainstorms and she hated the dark, a childhood terror she was yet to grow out of but I wasn't going to stay with her if she didn't invite me.

I turned to leave. "I'm going now."

"Wait! Please Luke, stay with me." She pleaded with her eyes. "Please, stay with me till I fall asleep."

I would never refuse an offer like that. Never, but I hesitated.

"Are you sure, princess?"

"Yes."

I walked in and closed the door behind me, she was already on her King sized bed. I joined her.

"Pray your father doesn't catch me here."

She laughed. "He won't."

As she tucked herself under her sheets, I laid on the other side of the bed, careful not to come in contact with Ophelia. Her perfume was intoxicating enough, I didn't need any other form of temptation.

Just as Nicholas said, the lights went out. The room was cold and dark because of the storm. The windows and balcony doors rattled as the wind howled, occasional flashes of lightening lit up the room for only a few seconds.

I swore I heard Ophelia whimper when thunder boomed. Her restless movements confirmed my suspicion, she was scared. She tossed, turned, and kept moving from one side of the bed to another as if trying to find a comfortable position.

I scratched my head, not in confusion but because I knew what needed to be done and it meant signing my death contract.

"Ophelia, come here." I said, my arms open wide.

She didn't need any other form of invitation as she rolled over and hugged me, resting her head on my chest. She relaxed and took in a deep breath, breathing in my scent, something she was yet to outgrow. I put my head in the crook of her neck and did the same, she smelled like Jasmine and pretty stuff. I sighed and pulled her closer, squeezing her softly, an action that seemed to calm her beating heart. These were all things I used to do to comfort her when we were younger, much more younger.

As time passed, I couldn't stop my wandering hands from finding their way into her silky dark hair. Since I saw it that evening, my fingers had been itching to run through it.

Ophelia sighed, a sign that she liked the scalp massage.

"Luke, I have something to tell you, please don't freak out."

I thought she had fallen asleep.

"Yeah, sure." I replied still running my hands through her hair.

"I was followed today."

"Followed?" I asked, not quite understanding.

"Yes." She replied. "I went out into town today in your car and I was followed."

I stopped all actions immediately.

"You were what! Any idea who it was?"

At this point Ophelia started drawing random shapes on my chest.

"Did they hurt you Ophelia? Do you know who it was?"

"I noticed cars following me, since I drove your car I thought they were after you, so I took a quick stop in front of a shop and discovered it was the Daniel."

I didn't speak, a sign I wanted her to continue.

"He approached me anyway and we had lunch."

I tensed immediately, Ophelia was with that scoundrel all by herself?

She chuckled. "Don't worry Luke, nothing happened. We took the time to find out more about each other."

"Really? What did you learn about him?"

"He's a full fledged playboy, a flirt. I hate him very much and I cannot stand him, his mere presence sickens me."

"You said you were followed, did he stalk you all by himself?"

"No, three cars and six guards."

"Have you told your father?"

"Its not like he cares."

I lifted her chin so I could look her into her eyes when lightning flashed. "Ophelia, this is serious. Why would Baddo have men following you?"

She didn't say anything.

I went back to pampering her to sleep.

"Luke, I think we have infiltrators."

"Now princess, stop getting wild ideas. No one would dare betray your father."

She freed herself from the embrace and sat up.

"Speak for yourself Luke. I'm serious here."

I sat up. "Ophelia, you're tired, you're not thinking straight."

She ignored me and continued talking.

"Only one person knew I was going out today."

Her eyes widened in realization and she gripped my arm.

"I'm sure if it. Before I left, I bumped into Nicholas in the garage and I told him I was going out for a while."

I looked at her silhouette and wondered if she had grown horns on her head. "Nicholas would never betray this family."

"That's what I thought too. Which leaves the other three guards who were at the garage."

There was a minor possibility she was telling the truth.

"Who were they?"

"Simon, Robert and Jack."

Okay, that possibility was growing but I needed to be sure we were thinking the same way. So I asked, "What are you getting at, Ophelia?"

She huffed, knowing I had already made some connection.

"I might not be present for everything that happens here but I try to stay on top of everything. I know Jack was hired as a replacement for Seth. No background research done. A day later, two of our men went down in the street. He offered to bring two replacements. There were no question asked because my father trusted him."

"So you're saying they're working for Baddo?"

"I think so."

"Ophelia, we can't just act on thought alone. We need proof, facts."

"That's not a problem. I'll get you proof."

Oh no! I knew those words.

"Ophelia! Don't do anything stupid. Am I clear?"

"Crystal." She lay back on the bed, her back to me. "I'm a big girl Luke, I can take care of myself."

If I said another word, this would no doubt become an argument. And that, I didn't want.

I lay back and embraced her, tucking her into my body as we spooned, she was cold. I ran my hands over her arms to keep her warm. Her breathing stabilized and I was about to fall asleep when I heard her voice.

"Luke? What happened in the kitchen?"

It didn't take a rocket scientist to tell me what she was talking about.

"Look princess, I'm tired, we'll talk about it in the morning.

After that, I fell asleep.

----------------------

January 19, 2016.

Soft.

Something soft on my nose, it disappeared only to return to my brow, tracing it.

I opened my eyes slowly to see Ophelia tracing features on my face with her finger.

I smiled at her before it dawned on me. I slept in her room!

When she saw my opened eyes, her cheeks turned red and she took her hand away but I was fast. I gripped it and brought it to my lips, I kissed her palm, then each of her fingertips, making the colour on her cheeks turn two shades darker.

"Good morning, princess."

She smiled. "Morning, Luke."

I looked outside, the storm was over. The lights were back on but there was no sign of the sun.

"What time is it?"

"Just around five."

The guards should be swapping places now, if i wanted to leave her room and go to mine undetected, I had to leave now.

I climbed off the bed and adjusted the blankets around her.

"Goodbye." I placed a kiss on her forehead.

I opened the door and took a peep into the hallway.

The coast was clear!

Not a single person in sight. I eased out and closed the door as quietly as I could.

"Luke?" A voice called out behind me.

Oh God! Kill me now.

Forgive me all my sins and just take my life now. If you don't want to do it then let my death come through a bullet to the head or a fatal knife stab. Nothing painful and no torture.

I turned to face the voice.

"Boss, Its not what you think."

Antonio smiled at me, his eyes full of mirth.

I was a dead man.

"I'm glad you're awake. I couldn't find you in your room so I came here. Freshen up, get dressed and meet me in my office." He walked passed me.

Just like that? I wasn't going to die?

"One more thing." He turned around to face me, his huge frame took a superior's stance, with both his arms crossed behind his back. Even in his robe and house slippers, he still looked menacing.

I spoke too soon.

"I want to thank you for checking up on Ophelia, thank you for making sure your sister is okay."

With that, he turned on his heel and headed to his room.

He said it to make it sting, but he was right. Since my informal adoption into his family, I had become his son and she was my sister and that was all she was ever going to be.

------------------

I walked down the corridor towards the boss' office while munching on my granola bar, it was the only piece of breakfast my schedule allowed. That and the fact that Ophelia wasn't available to make breakfast.

I could cook. I really could, my only problem was that my food always came out burnt and I somehow always managed to set the kitchen on fire every single time.

I was wearing a navy blue suit today, it was darker than my eyes but complemented them perfectly. Whatever the boss had in store for me, it was really important if he had to come find me personally.

I knocked once and pushed the door open. Antonio had also changed into formal wear and was reviewing papers on his desk. I cleared my throat to notify him of my presence.

He looked up, "Good morning Luke, have a seat."

I sat in front of his desk and straighted my tie.

"Sleep well?"

I nodded.

He observed me quietly, his fingers intertwined, no doubt the event of the morning still on his mind. I wanted to defend myself, God knows I did but what could I say.

He had warned me of the consequences.

'Boss, I can explain. I slept in your daughter's room but nothing happened.' How could I prove that? Even the idea sounded stupid in my ears, how was it going to sound in his ears?

He broke the silence. "How is Ophelia fairing?"

This was an obvious trap, only somebody who didn't understand Antonio would fall into it.

He knew very well how Ophelia was doing, he spent part of last night with her.

I took in a deep breath, thinking through my words carefully so as not to put myself in trouble.

"She's doing alright but she's trying to get over the fact that she was followed yesterday."

From the expression on his face I knew it was not the answer he was expecting.

"Followed? By whom?"

"Baddo's men. Although only his son approached her."

His hands balled into fists. "That was not part of the agreement." He broke eye contact.

I leaned back comfortably into the chair I was sitting, happy that I had narrowly and luckily turned the tables.

"Ophelia thinks we may have infiltrators in the Empire. She recalls giving out information in the presence of certain mob members."

He looked at me, not uttering a single word. My cue to continue.

"Simon, Robert and Jack. Nicholas also but he was declared innocent after much thought."

"I thought as much." He said with a smile.

You what? I recovered from my shock and sat up straight.

"You knew?"

"Yes. From the very beginning they were hired. I knew Baddo was trying to get an insider into the Empire, I just made his job easier by not running background checks on his men because if I sent them away, I wouldn't know who he would use next."

"You willingly put your daughter in danger?"

Although these words came out a whisper, he heard them anyway.

He slammed his fists on the table. "I never knew they would come after my daughter!"

True but the wheels in my head were turning, Baddo was up to something. I just didn't know what.

"I'm sorry Antonio, I didn't mean it."

"No, I'm sorry for raising my voice. You spoke the truth."

We sat in silence, both thinking.

He broke the silence. "Why would Ophelia tell you anyway? Why didn't she come to me?

Oh no! The loop hole was around my neck again, I thought I had escaped.

I shrugged. "I asked her the same thing. She thinks you wouldn't care and planned on approaching you when she had gathered enough evidence."

"How did she plan to do that?"

"I don't know." I balled my fist. "That's the reason I'm telling you because I don't want her to do anything stupid."

"Knowing my daughter, she already has a plan by now but I do need to reassure her. She needs to keep away from those three until I know what to do with them."

I nodded.

"Anyway, the reason I called you is because we have a little situation at hand. My source has located the man selling out information about the Empire, he is one of our own."

I remained quiet, analysing the situation.

"In a matter of days he is going to be selling an important document kept in his care. I want the document retrieved and the subject in question brought here for punishment."

"Piece of cake."

He chuckled. "Its not as easy as it seems. He's going to give it out during an event, not an ordinary one but one for prestigious members of the society. It is not possible to gate crash this kind of party because of the high level of security and using force to gain entrance is not an option because this might alert our man. Long story short, I need you to get two invitations to that party."

"Just invitations?" I asked.

"I knew you were a smart kid. You see, before now I tried getting the invitations from our host but he was rude and refused to comply even with all the forms of persuasion I sent him."

"So, you need me to go and ask our host very nicely." I smiled understanding what he meant.

"Exactly. Very nicely". He smirked.

Which meant I was allowed to use as much force as possible. Weapons inclusive.

"Sure thing, boss. Any other thing I need to know?"

"Nothing much. I briefed Nicholas and the others on what they need to know. Your job is to interact with Robinson."

Robinson? No, not that man, anyone but that man.

Sensing my reluctance, he said. "That's why I sent you. He knows everyone in the Empire and I can not send an inexperienced member to him."

I sighed. "That's the reason why he refused to give you the invitations?"

"Exactly."

I stood up to leave.

"Be careful Luke."

I nodded.

I went into my room to pick out my baby, my newest toy. A mark XIX desert eagle, black, sleek and loaded, I took off my jacket and put on a shoulder holster, tucked the gun in and covered it with my suit jacket.

I walked out of my room, heading for the front door where Nicholas and the others waited for me in a car.

I spotted Ophelia on my way out and she saw me too. She looked smart in her white long sleeved button up blouse, red pencil skirt that ended above her knees and dangerously high red stilettos. Her long hair was neatly packed in a tight bun. She walked over to me.

"Going somewhere?" She asked smiling.

"Yeah, something I need to take care off." I hugged her.

When we pulled apart, she looked at me with worry in her eyes.

"What?"

"Is it serious?" She asked.

I huffed. "No, it isn't."

"Then why are you carrying a gun."

Busted.

"Jesus Christ, Ophelia. I'm not going to war. Everyone in this family carries at least two guns, it's just for protection." I lifted her chin. "Don't worry about me."

She nodded. "Be safe."

She walked me out to the car and watched me get in. She stood there even when Nicholas drove off.

"What was that about?" Nicholas asked, referring to Ophelia.

"Nothing. She's just worried."

The drive to ROBCORP was intermediate, neither long nor short. I'd lost track of time as I thought of the best way to handle this situation.

ROBCORP was a corporation owned by many elite families in the country, all overseen by Peter Robinson. His business was on the verge of crumbling because of a competitor.

The Empire.

I wasn't talking about the Mafia side. I meant the business side.

Many people did not know that The Empire was like a coin. It was two sided, the business side covering up the Mafia in legal terms but each side still independent of the other.

We parked our car in the parking lot. Nicholas turned off the ignition and turned to brief us. Apart from Nicholas and I, there were two other men, boys, in the car. Victor and Alex, identical twins.

Nicholas handed me an envelope.

"Boss says you should talk to the man nicely, if he remains adamant show him these."

I opened the envelope out of mere curiosity and glanced at the pictures. I wish I didn't, they were disgusting.

"Did you look at these?" I asked Nicholas.

He shook his head.

"Victor, you go with Alex and the underboss. Your job is to secure the elevator leading to the target's office until they are ready to exit the building."

"Alex, you're his right hand man. You've got his back covered if need be but remember, minimal violence."

"I'm going to head to the computer room to deal with the cameras. We all meet here after the mission. The car doors will remain unlocked. Any questions?" Nicholas finalized.

"None." I replied. "Let's get a move on it."

He nodded. We headed out and split at the entrance, Nicholas going his way, the boys behind me but not too close to arouse suspicion.

We got into the elevator the same time my phone rang. Nicholas.

"Floor 30. The only office on that floor, one secretary."

That was fast. I disconnected the call and pushed the button 30.

At every floor, the elevator came to a stop. People entered and exited the elevator casting glances at the twins who in turn flashed them their brightest smile.

They looked harmless and adorable but in fact were vicious killing machines.

When the elevator was empty on floor 28 Alex asked in his American accent. "What are we gonna do with the woman?" He was referring to the secretary.

"I don't know, honestly."

"Why don't you give her a nasty knock on the head." Victor added.

"That's right." His brother gave him a high five, laughing.

They were very annoying.

We reached our floor and the elevator doors opened. The perfect idea found its way into my head.

I looked the boys in the eye. "Watch my back."

Victor stayed back in the elevator, Alex followed me. I walked up to the receptionist and flashed her my brightest smile.

"Good morning, Miss." I let my Italian accent seep into every word.

Smiling back, she replied. "Good morning, how may I help you?"

"I came here with an associate to see your boss."

She eyed me up down, her eyes landing on the brown envelope under my arm. "Do you have an appointment?"

Damn! Why didn't I think of that before. I needed an answer, proto.

"Actually, I missed my appointment." I said, trying my best to look sad while giving her the eyes.

"You're the reason the boss is angry?"

I nodded.

She bought my story and looked sad.

Some idiot had missed his appointment and just given us an opportunity.

She looked sympathetic. "I'll inform him you've arrived Mr...?"

No, no, no. Not what I'd planned. She'd be forced to give a description of me. I needed the element of surprise and I also needed a name, fast. I looked around the hall and found a painting called Lubris.

"Lubris, Mr Lubris"

Alex shot me a look, the receptionist looked confused. "Mr Lubris?"

Shit, that's not the name in her file.

"That's my first name. I don't like formalities." I winked.

"Oh." She blushed. "There's no need to keep the man waiting, please excuse me."

No!

"Wait!"

She stopped.

I walked up to her and took her hand. "There's no need for the beautiful lady to stress herself. I know your boss very well. I'll introduce myself."

"No, that's not necce...."

"Please." I used the eyes.

"If you insist." She smiled and walked back to her desk.

I made eye contact with Alex and mouthed 'watch her'. He nodded and proceeded to flirt with the receptionist. I rolled my eyes, walked to the door, knocked once and pushed it open.

Ugly as ever, Robinson sat behind his desk with his shinny bald head, fat saggy face and pasty complexion.

"I told you Janet, I do not want any more disturbances." He spat out angrily, not looking up from his desk.

"It's funny how a little flirting can get you into places." I laughed and made myself comfortable on a chair facing his desk.

He looked up, his eyes widened in surprise. Then with hatred, he snarled. "You!"

"Yes, me. I'm happy to see you too." I placed my feet on his desk just to infuriate him the more.

"What do you want?!"

I pretended to think for a moment. Tapping a finger at the side of my head before snapping my fingers together.

"There's a party you're organising that I would love to attend."

"I told Antonio already, no! I'm not giving you an invitation."

"Why?"

"Because I hate you, I loathe your boss and moreover, I despise your company."

"That's harsh. I never thought it would come to this but maybe you will reconsider." I tossed the envelope at him.

He didn't even open it. "Like I told your boss, he can stick his money up his arse if he doesn't know what to do with it."

I cringed, wait till Antonio hears this from you mouth.

I rolled my eyes at him.

"Just open it."

He did. The colour drained from his wrinkled face as he held the photographs. I smirked at him. He turned beet red and tore the pictures.

"Get out!"

I laughed. "You think you're smart? You think I wouldn't make copies of that? As I speak to you those pictures are on their way to your wife, her lawyer and a big media house. The only way to stop that is to give me the invitations, its that simple."

I was bored now or at least I pretended to be, checking the time on my watch.

The truth was I didn't have any copies, Nothing was being sent to anybody and I doubt the boss had extra pictures. In other words, if he didn't give me those invitations, we were fucked.

He looked at me with fury. "You're despicable."

I smiled. "I find you despicable too, disgusting even."

He produced the invitation cards from his desk and threw them at me.

"It was nice doing business with you." I got up to leave.

He didn't reply.

As I walked to the door, I noticed movement out of the corner of my eye, it was so minute that it could be disregarded. I turned around in time to come face to face with a gun aimed at my head.

Although old, Robinson had a good grip on the gun. He smiled. "It's wonderful when you achieve your aims after business. In this case, mine is making sure you go six feet under."

Shit. It was now or never, I counted to three.

"One, two, three." I spun around, whipping my gun out of my holster, missing the bullet aimed for my head but not so lucky as two imbedded themselves in my shoulder.

Despite the pain, I didn't hesitate to take off the safety and empty my magazine into his arms, I shot into the table, aiming for his legs. He passed out or he died, I don't know but the bastard had it coming.

Still on my knees, paralysis was taking over my left arm. I carefully took off my jacket to inspect my wound. Despite my care, the pain had me cursing under my breath.

My white dress shirt was socked with my own blood and it occurred to me that the bastard's office was sound proof because if it wasn't Alex would have been here when the first shots were fired.

With the remaining strength in my body I stood up from the floor and opened the door.

The receptionist was laughing at something Alex said and whipped her head in my direction when she heard the sound of the door.

"Oh my God!" She screamed in horror.

"Shit!" That was Alex. "I'm sorry babe but you had this coming for a long time." He hit her on the head with his gun. "That's going to leave a mark."

I fell. Alex ran over. "I'm sorry, dude, I didn't hear nothing."

"Get help."

"Right." He picked his phone and dialed a number. "Bro, get your ass here now. We've got a situation tell Nicholas we need to exit the building, pronto."

A few minities later the elevator dinged. Victor immerged with a suprised look.

"What happened, man?" He directed his question at me.

"He got shot, fool!" Alex answered.

"No shit Sherlock, I can see that." He glared at his brother. "We need to go, Nicholas won't be here. He's waiting in the car."

He walked to the elevator.

Alex rolled his eyes at his brother and counted to five. "Where are you going."

Victor looked at his brother like he was mad. "Elevator, duh, and you should follow."

"You expect us to go through he elevator with him looking like this?" Alex pointed at me.

Victor finally understood. "What do we do?"

Too many people.

"Stairs." He looked at me. "That's the only way to go undetected."

He removed his jacket and draped it over my shoulder. "Just in case."

We made it to the stairs just in time but every step sent a wave of nauseous pain up my arm, blood was dripping down my fingers.

30 floors, why did his office have to be so high up?

I felt lightheaded, I had lost all feelings in my arm, except the excruciating pain.

"Tell me you got what we came for?" Victor asked me.

"What the hell, Victor? A man is bleeding and you're concerned about what we came for?"

"I don't remember asking you." Victor said but kept quiet nevertheless.

We reached the ground floor. Victor went through the exit to secure the area while Alex supported me.

"Clear!" Came Victor's voice.

"We've got to move fast." Alex looked at me.

I nodded in understanding and we bolted out and ran straight to the parking lot. The backdoor of the car was wide open. Victor sat in front. Alex pushed me in and got in besides me, as soon as he closed the car Nicholas stepped on the gas.

The car ride remained silent except for my occasional grunts of pain, sweat poured down my face and my blood dripped down my arm, pooling on the car floor. I could tell that my temperature had hit the roof.

Nicholas was looking worriedly at me through the side mirror, I needed to reassure them.

"I got the invitation."

Victor looked back at me suspiciously, then his features contorted in anger. "You went through all this for an invitation card?" He balled his fists. "What occasion is it? A ball in heaven?"

Alex slapped his brother at the back of his head. "Shut up!"

Nicholas visibly relaxed but he eyed my shirt. "How's the wound?"

"You do not want to know." Every movement made blood bubble out of it.

Alex got a call. He picked up and put the phone to his ear.

"Shit!"

"What?!" Everybody asked in unison.

"Police got alerted about the situation, and got a good description of us and the car through surveillance cameras, there's a road block upfront to delay us. We need to take the other route home."

The other route home was four times the distance it took us to get to ROBCORP. It would take us four hours to get home.

"You okay with this, boss?" Nicholas asked me.

My word was final. Even though I wanted to go home quickly, I could not risk the life of the boys and going to the hospital was not an option because we would be suspects.

"Sure."

With that he turned the car around.

As time went on, images kept running through my mind. Most of them were times I spent with Ophelia.

"Ophelia." Was the last word I said before the darkness enveloped me.