43. Introduction

Shirleen reapplied her make-up before they walked out the door her hand hooked in his, a smile on their faces, "Well at least he will be in a better mood from now on. We were getting tired of cleaning up all the bodies," Leshinka said mirthfully.

Adrian smiled looking at her, "Let me introduce you to the other three heirs. This is Juma heir to the Jaguar family, Musila heir to the Tiger family and the one who looks perpetually high is Leshinka from the Lion family," he introduced.

"A pleasure to meet you gentlemen," she said laughing.

"The pleasure is all ours my queen," Juma said bowing a hand over his chest and the other three followed his example using the standard greeting for the criminal underworld queen.

"I believe you all know her she is Shirleen Mokeira, heir to the phoenix family and my future wife," Adrian announced proudly before he begun leading her off to the ballroom and the others fell in step behind them including Eva and her ten assassins. Immediately she entered the ball room silence ensured as people turned to look at her and her entourage. Her assassins took their positions around the room silently as the people within watched fascinated. Angela emerged from the guests a smile on her face and she air kissed Shirleen's cheeks as if they were best of friends. "Come let me introduce you to this side of the world," Angela said leading them into the ballroom as people bowed placing their hands over the chests as she passed, Adrian still by her side. Angela drifted away after a while of introductions and Adrian led her towards his grandfather. "Grandfather I want you to meet your future grand daughter-in-law," Adrian said with a smirk on his face.

"I have heard very many things about you from this boy," his grandfather, Hilary, teased and Shirleen laughed.

"All good things I hope?" she asked.

"I don't believe he can manage to say a single bad thing about you even if he tried. He is too smitten by you," Hilary replied with a wink. "Boy go get me and the lady a drink. I wish to speak to her without your domineering presence around." Adrian chuckled and with a kiss on her forehead he left them.

"He is always so larger than life but when you call him boy he smiles with affection even though he is definitely not a boy," she said smiling at the old man who had a twinkle in his eyes full of mischief.

"He protested a lot when I started calling him that but soon it became part of a joke between us," Hilary said his voice full of affection. From then on Hilary did everything to make her laugh including telling her stories of Adrian when he was younger. The music and conversation were interrupted with a resounding crash and shouts as people close to the shouts tried to avoid the commotion. As one everyone turned to look at the source of the noise. She could see Leshinka and Musila push their way through the crowd that was moving closer to the commotion. There was excitement in the air at the idea of something interesting happening to alleviate the boredom of the guests and for the first time she realised she was standing in the middle of a room full of career criminals. Juma appeared next to her a smile on his face and with relish informed her, "You might want to stop your boyfriend from killing someone in the middle of this elegant party. If he kills someone and Angela is left to clean up, she will not be pleased."

"What? Who is he beating and why?" she asked confused and at the sound of a bone break filled the room she winced slightly. The bone breaking was followed by wails of agony which were silenced within seconds.

"Those grunts you hear is your boyfriend beating the shit out of two guys who were talking about your sexy dress and your very luscious figure in a way Adrian took offence. I was hoping to make it to you on time before the ass kicking begun with your boyfriend doing the kicking but there goes my luck," Juma replied trying not to laugh a feat that he was failing miserably at.

Hilary was already lost in laughter, "Go calm the boy before he goes into berserker mode and we are left here collecting body parts. I swear his temper could destroy countries."