Chapter 1

Raylin's POV

I sat on the carpeted floor with silver bullets scattered around me as I pulled the trigger on the brand new gun that I stole from one of dad's men while he was busy showering, a perfect chance.

I don't do 'one-night stands' or 'silly flings'; I just followed him to his room when he wasn't looking. Lucky me, he went to the shower room straight away without noticing me at all. Or maybe he knew but just didn't care...

I grinned at myself for my achievement.

"What are you up to now, Ray egg?" Selena asked in a bored tone but her eyes showed a hint of mischievousness when she saw the bullet in my hands. I smiled slyly, "What do you think, Sillinator?" She rolled her eyes, before retorting. "Probably to shoot your ugly self, imagine, if that would ever happen how our lives pleasantly change. I wouldn't have to ruin my eyes by looking at a rotten egg every day." she sighed, "I could only dream."

I scoffed, "Have you looked at yourself? You look like a, a, big, fat, pink pig!" I internally cringed at my own inability to reply good comebacks.

"But, you are nothing compared to me, I attract so many suitors at only eighteen.'' First it looked like she wanted to spend time with me and now she can't help herself brag about her body. Selena is like female version of Gaston from beauty and the beast. And I'm probably Belle because I love reading just as she does, but having Selena begging me to marry her, is both disgusting and funny.

"I'd rather be blind." I muttered, walking out of the room, rolling my eyes something I do a lot when I'm around my sister.

I huffed.

I wish I was blessed with just as good genes as her. I might be jealous of her, but I couldn't help but be a bit self-conscious sometimes. Carrying caramel, silky hair down my back is the only thing I'm ever complimented of. Other than that, I'm just an average looking young lady, who sometimes feels like eating her own hair off for having such a caramel color. I grabbed a cranberry muffin from a tray, our chubby looking maid, Sarah, was taking hurriedly.

On the positive side though, I'll be having a prince charming awaiting for me, in the deep, stormy forest in the dark castle in the form of a beast. Isn't it romantic? I couldn't help but sigh dreamily, can't a girl have her fairytale come true for once?

I hid the silver bullet in my jacket, and ran with all the strength my legs could take me, to the backyard of the manor, that was empty most of the time, with nothing but blues of tulips, yellows, reds and a long stretch of green. And an old swing I used to sit on when I felt lonely as kid.

Slipping off my fluffy, kitty slippers, I stepped on the soft, freshly sprayed watered grass, which felt tingly below my feet. A small giggle left my lips, I spread my arms wide in the air, with a half-eaten muffin in one hand and swirled my way towards the old little thing and sitting on it.

Swinging like this, and enjoying my munchkin brought back childhood memories. I sighed. Those were the times, when I secretly stole all kinds of flavored muffins, and brought them to the backyard at evening, to enjoy myself which I did every single time while watching the sunset.

Once, I had stolen a blueberry and chocolate flavored ones, and was quick to hide them under my t-shirt if someone comes. As if on cue, my mother came in, scolding me where I had been all this time. But just staring down at my adorable self, she started laughing heartedly. "Those are really cute pair of boobies you've got there." she had said, while pinching my cheeks. I had replied grinning, "And yummy too."

Smiling to myself, at the old memories, and brushing off the crumbs from my hands, I reached out for the bullet under my jeans. Forget the old one, this is the new Raylin. I smirked, and held up the gun straight towards the age mark of the tree. I positioned myself, and pulled the trigger.

"GET YOUR ARSE UP RIGHT NOW!" I landed down with a loud thud. Selena had flipped me off the bed. I glared at her, "What the fuck is you issue?!" I sat up cross legged, rubbing my eyes with the edge of my palm. "I think I broke a bone..." I mumbled.

"As if I care." She had lazy smile on face. It's only like, what, seven in the morning? And her annoying mode is on, already. She stuck out her finger, trying to poke me at the sides. Her finger slowly, moved towards me, she pulled it back when I slapped her hand away from me.

She did it again. "Stop!" I scowled and climbed back on my bed. She creeps me out sometimes. I switched on my tablet and check for any notifications on my last blog, I'm a blogger on The Daily Times. It has become one of my habits to open my tablet as soon as I wake up.

After dressing up, I went downstairs. On my way to grab a croissant, I slapped Selina's head lightly who was stuffing up creamed pancakes down her throat. People often think that vampires only drink blood and nothing else.

But honey, that's simply trash. We vampires eat normal food just like everyone else does and as for the blood, we only need to feed once a month. Sure vampires who are obsessed with blood always have the urge to kill in order to feed. They don't care who they have to kill or hurt as long as they get what they want─ like sex drive or if we get on the psychic thoughts; rapists.

Those type are called level-E vampires or simply rogues in English.

I got up as I finished eating and went straight to my room. I switched on my laptop and start to draft another blog for the magazine. The title is 'Street life of the suburban', I wrote about the gang games played by the men, why the most dangerous street drugs used in trade for various purposes? ─ Like drug abuse, smuggling. The hierarchy and status ruling the world.

I think about the drugs used to abuse people─ heroin, cocaine, crystal meth, AH-7298, LSD, marijuana, flakka... etcetera.

Our world is called as The Underworld. We have a government for every nation. Might I add the governments here are just for namesake, they don't do much, it is the mafia that is actually in control. Whatever it demands, goes. Here, in Russia there are some powerful mafia families known; Volkova, Morozova, Sokolova, Ivanshova, Orlov.

I'm a Volkova, the next heir in line to the company. The Volkova are the currently reigning ones along with the others; together forming a set of rulings families. Now the Morozova are one of the most dangerous rogue clans in all Russia, they are part of the ruling set but we don't contribute in trading with each other due to one big reason, also because of some others too.

I heard my phone ring and looked down at the screen to see the caller ID; it was Tyler, my old buddy. I picked it up in an instant.

Raylin: Zdravstvyte douchebag!

Tyler: Hey! That's not how you greet a dear friend.

Raylin: You are not a friend, Ty.

Tyler: Don't bro zone me, doesn't matter if I'm a homo! Anyway, I'll be at your place by...20?

Raylin: You're always welcomed here little bro!

I could hear him groaning at the other end, and cut the call. I chuckled.

Tyler is my best friend since childhood. He has a strange eye color that seems to change every now and then. He's funny, kind, cute, great shoulder for you to cry on and everything a girl would want in a friend. He's like a brother I never had. He left at the age of thirteen to be trained for military and came back after five years. And we are together ever since.

***

"Hey, come on. Let's prank the butler." I almost jumped, when Tyler out of nowhere whispered into my ear. I had just finished drafting the blog and was getting bored and he happened, just next to me. "You scared me Ty." I shook my head playfully, "And no, I don't wanna get into trouble again, I already got into when I almost killed, Larry."

"You don't say!" he widened his eyes and put a hand to his heart feigning hurt, "Going to extreme limits is unacceptable, Ray, and you know it was my favourite place to answer the nature's call." he pouted, tracing his finger along the designs on my bed sheet. "Using the trees as a restroom is not acceptable too." I crossed my arms.

"It's good for the trees, have you got no brains?" He poked the side of my head.

"Um, stinking gardens are also not good for one's health, Mr. know it all!" I rolled my eyes.

"You never spray room fresheners in your bathroom after a hard poop session!"

"What the fuck Tyler, doesn't mean you pee near my rose shrubs, you are disgusting." I pushed him playfully. He rubbed his right shoulder blade and pretended to be hurt. I patted him on his back and smiled, "It's alright, doggie, and I have several other trees in my backyard to pee on."

"Apples, or oranges?" He asked as if I've got a whole farm in my backyard.

"Bananas!"

He grinned. "Just the right one, wait, you grow banana trees?"

"I don't know, I guess, but I'm sure meeting Michael in the ball coming next week, you wouldn't have to worry about any banana tree." I winked at him.

"That's definitely a very fancy way to invite someone to a ball." he rolled his eyes, and huffed. "I don't like him, Ray, what should I do to stop you and your sister to tease me about him?"

Smiling cheekily up at him, I replied, "Plant your own banana tree."

A pillow came flying towards and before I could duck, Tyler already had me in his clutches and started tickling me. "Bananas don't grow on trees, idiot. They are parthenocarpic fruits... "

***

His POV

I poured three shots of whiskey, handed it to Artur Grey, my lady client and one for myself.

"So, what d'ye have for me miss?" I smirked at her, she wore a black knitted veil covering her face vaguely. Her hands were clad with accessories including a couplet of wedding ring.

I knew who this lady was, the front face of the Russian fashion era renowned all over Underworld. And also the wife of my rival.

She's known for her fashion business─ aka the Richie rich lady who inherited it all from her parents and married one of the most dangerous men in Russian mafia trade.

Funny how she ended up in the hands of such a notorious devil─ the one I loathe with all my might. Well, coming back to business, let's see what deal she wants seal with me.

"It's pretty simple. But you have to go unnoticed from my husband, you know how powerful he is." She said, her words spoken with such elegance that even the Satan would be impressed.

"You don't need to brag about your husband showing what he can do. State your deal." I scoffed.

Everything about her screams class, elegance, dominance...fiery. I scowled at the thoughts, one daring woman she is. After all she is a queen of honor, such arrogance suits her very well.

"What exactly do you want?" I sighed and rolled my eyes.

"Hmm. This..." she slipped out a dark folder bind from her huge bag passing it on to me, I glanced her way then opened the file.

"A contract..." I muttered and proceeded to read it. I let out a laugh as my gaze fell upon a particular sentence in annex no. 4, but earned a slight glare from her.

Great women. They make it clear that no one tackled with their decisions, especially women like her.

I flipped through the pages taking in the necessary details, when I was done reading the contract I took a moment in deciding what to do next. A smile crept to my lips at the thought of pissing off my father.

If I signed this contract, I would have the power to wage a war among all the Russian mafia families collaborating with our rivals, if so then the rivals will come upon us waging another war. And...I will be nowhere to be found, all I want is to watch my father's empire crumble into nothingness.

I downed the whiskey shot and without wasting another minute I put my signature wherever needed and put the pen down.

The rye whiskey tasted quiet bitter than I had expected it to be it had a tinge of sharp taste. "So?" I prodded looking at the lady.

"Every deed comes with a price, I'm thinking what's yours?" she had a small smile on her ethereal face, I felt excitement come through.

"What would you offer me, cash? Shipping deals? The senator's life?" I pouted, I'm a very dangerous man she's playing with. I could be serious as well as sinister the same time. I'm unpredictable. Very unpredictable.

But here she is, wanting to seal a deal with me.

Another reason, no one dares to question me, even my father doesn't say much on my actions and decisions. Whether they're rational or not.

They have to listen.

"I know you haven't seen her in several years..." she pulled me out of my thoughts. I know very well who she's implying to, she dare not cross paths with me on that.

Although, I have two guesses of that 'her'. But, the second guess...not quite sure about it.

"I'll let you meet her, if you do this for me. That's my price." She said a smirk playing on her lips.

"How do you know her?" I glowered.

"I have my ways, boy." She replied in the same tone as mine. The memories with and without her swirled bitterly before my eyes. I didn't think of reverting the price, I gave a nod, a gesture of acceptance.

"Don't. Hurt. My girl. In anyway." It was all she said before taking away the file.

"I give you my word." I replied as she got up to leave not before telling me that a copy of the contract would be sent to me later this evening. "Won't you drink it?" I asked, gesturing to her untouched whiskey shot.

"No, I don't accept drinks from rivals." She stated and left.

"What a woman..." I muttered to myself before downing another shot.

I bet her girls are like her too. Too arrogant about themselves...too classy, I know how the first one was. Elena. Fucking. Volkova.

I rolled my eyes and looked at Grey, he had a witty smirk on his face. I could say, he was totally ready for this, and so was I.

I chuckled rubbing my hands together, enthralled by the aftermath of the upcoming war.

"Let's play a game, all of us." Grey spoke, who was silent during the conversation between me and the lady. I gestured him to continue.

He didn't say anything for a few seconds, thinking for awhile with a smug look on his face, "You handle the girl, I'll do the rest of the burden─ finding out the what she is hiding, because this Chevy wouldn't blindly give her girl into the hands of the enemy-- she has got have some  plan behind. Think about it, fingering up with those matters will leads us to older secrets ."

He paused for a bit, "Deep, dark secrets behind the enmity of our clans. We have come this far, to find out some way to end all of this."

"Exactly, why I love you!" I chuckled, grabbing the chair on which he was sitting on as my body hovered over his frame.

"I'm married." His smirk fell into a disapproving look, I rolled my eyes.

"That's not what I meant. I don't even like you like that anymore, so stop dreaming." I grumbled shaking my head.

"Thank god!" he dramatized in his chair.

"There is no god." I rolled my eyes causing him shake his head.

"So, at nearing moment..."

"We meet in Mongolia." He completed for me.

"I heard the Sokolov's daughter is getting engaged. We're invited." I brought the piece of information, slowly a grin crept its way on my face.

We're gonna have to play our cards right. One wrong move and everything is down. And I'm not gonna let that happen.

Because in the end, only one is going to win this game.

Every step we take, is another move in the chess board.

A trick played decades ago...

Someone started this bullshit, and I'm hell bound to finish it.

"I still want that shipwreck treasure, though." I grumbled causing Grey to lose his smile and hiss at me.

*****************