‘Thank you, Anne. I am so happy.’
‘Don’t worry about it.’
‘Are you sure we can afford a dog?’
‘We have more than enough money. Trust me.’
‘I do. Is it safe to be out here?’
‘Yes.’
On cue, a vagrant wondered around the edge of the building, pushing a shopping trolley. The man nearly jumped out of his skin when he saw them. He hadn’t been expecting to bump into anyone here. Anne caught the look of opportunity in his eye. He slyly reached for a metal pole within his trolley. Anne had one hand on her sister’s elbow, as the two of them approached the bearded man. She carefully lifted her jacket with her free hand. The man’s eyes fell upon her sidearm. He dropped his head down, kept his eyes locked on his feet and continued on with his journey. Anne allowed herself a brief smile. This was her town now. Things were only going to get better.
***
Ariel tilted her head back and swallowed. It tasted so sweet. The landlord’s erotic moans echoed throughout the apartment, as he attempted to control his breathing. His trousers were now around his ankle. His manhood stood erect in the air. Ariel wiped the back of her hand across her lips. She had caught most of it when he had climaxed. The throbbing between Ariel’s own legs was incredible. It was like her most sensitive spot was aching to be touched.
‘Shall we go to the bedroom?’ she asked, with a naughty smile.
She got to her feet. At no point did she attempt to fix her dress or hide her exposed breasts.
‘We shall,’ he replied. Lust still etched into his face.
He got to his feet and caressed her naked breasts.
Ariel slipped her hand into his and began to guide him to the bedroom door when her eyes fell upon the clock. She did a quick double check, as her heart sank down into the pit of her stomach. The store would be closing in five minutes. River would be home soon.
‘You have to go,’ she blurted out.
‘Eh?’
‘It’s River. He will be home soon.’
The smile fell from his face and landed with a heavy splat on the floor.
‘Ok. Can I see you tomorrow?’
‘Only if you bring the condoms,’ countered Ariel.
He stepped forward and slipped his tongue into her mouth.
Ariel was now his.
***
Chelsea sat back into her armchair and sighed. It had been a long and exhausting day, but it was far from over. Nicola was cradled in the crook of her arm, sleeping peacefully. She looked just like Riley. This was his legacy. The beautiful baby daughter he had left her. With her free hand, Chelsea turned the page of Riley’s diary. Her lover had kept all his thoughts, ideas, dreams and plans in the book. She had finally caught up to the point where they had met. She read the entry that was one month into their relationship.
My love for her continues to grow with each passing day. I sometimes have to pinch myself to make sure I am not dreaming. She is everything to me. She is my world. I want to be with her forever. Chelsea makes me feel so happy. I never knew anyone could feel this happy. She is mine, and I will never ever let her go.
***
‘I will pick you up tomorrow,’ said River.
The snow was coming down harder now. Their cars were practically buried in the stuff.
‘Only if you are sure,’ replied Kerry, her teeth were chattering together.
‘I honestly don’t mind helping you.’
‘I really appreciate it,’ said Kerry.
In the distance, one of the other employees slipped up in the snow and cursed.
‘I will see you tomorrow morning then.’
‘See you then,’ she smiled. River went one way; she went the other. Kerry exhaled a deep breath of white mist. It was done. The first step of her master plan to seduce River and seal the transfer was complete. Tomorrow night she would complete the deal.
***
A dirty smile spread across the gunman’s face. The wide-eyed hostages looked on in horror, thinking the worst. Above them, from the office, came Jillian’s cries. Her high pitch moans echoed throughout the airport corridors. The female hostages, chained to the metal railings, buried their heads into their partner’s chest. Horrible thoughts of rape and abuse appeared within their minds. The gunmen’s lustful eyes didn’t help dismay such thoughts. Jillian’s screams grew louder, as JR howled like a wounded animal. The fear within the airport continued to grow.
***
Travis marched into Jasmines private chambers. A king size bed was the only bit of furniture in the room. A lush cream carpet covered the floors, as white walls with a hint of red created a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere. Soft instrumental music hummed gently from some unknown source. Jasmine appeared from her walk-in closet, which was equal, if not bigger, than her private chambers. Unconsciously, Travis found himself looking her up and down and then down and up again. Jasmine was completely naked. She was stunning. She was a goddess of a woman. He still had to pinch himself when he thought about all the times he had fucked her. Jasmine has given him her body in exchange for total loyalty, but sexual intercourse decreased once she became the head of the twelve families.
‘Did you hear the news?’ she asked.
‘Yes.’ He replied, licking her lips.
She walked over to the bed and reviewed the dress that awaited her.
‘The Riggs Crew are disbanding. Marcus Riggs wants peace.’
‘It is a good day for us.’
‘No,’ she said flatly, ‘it is not a good day for us.’
‘I don’t understand. Isn’t this what you wanted?’
‘I want control of North City.’
‘You wanted peace and security. That is what Marcus Riggs is offering.’
‘It isn’t enough, not now.’
‘Jasmine, we are leaking money. The council if divided. We need this deal.’
‘I will deal with the council. Anyone that defects to Marcus Riggs will be eliminated.’
‘But...’
‘Travis, I want you to set up a meeting with the twelve families. Tomorrow we will lay down my plans for the future of North City. If they do not join me, they will die.’
***
They exchanged a glance across the table. The silence was deafening. Melissa reassured him with that gorgeous smile. Marcus instantly felt a little better.
‘I will stop all funding to North City,’ said John Riggs. His voice was full of anger.
‘I have enough money,’ replied Marcus.
‘That will not last you.’
‘It is more than I need to accomplish my goals.’
‘This is my crew. My men are loyal to me. I will take North City back.’
‘You can try, as for your men. They are loyal to money, to drugs and to weapons.’
‘This means war, Marcus. Think about this.’
‘I have thought about this. I have thought about this for a long time. I am tired of being left out in the cold. Vince and JR were your prize children. They did nothing, but you gave them everything. What about Melissa? What about me?’
‘What about you? You always thought you were smarter than the others. You always thought you were smarter than me, but its all ego. I have power. I have an army. I have money. I have the South City Alliance supporting me. I will destroy you both for doing this. I will burn North City to the ground. I will not be betrayed by my own flesh and blood!’
‘You have already lost, father,’ added Melissa.
‘You little bitch,’ cursed Marcus’s mother.
‘Shut your mouth, you dirty cunt,’ snapped Melissa. ‘We run North City now. Your time is over.’
‘I will crush you,’ repeated his father.
‘No. You won’t.’
And with that Marcus hung up the phone.
***
‘Is this the place?’ Elizabeth closed the car door and approached the old warehouse. It was so dark that she could hardly see beyond the reach of her own hand. Why would
he want to meet her in such a place like this? It didn’t matter. This was vital information that would help Jasmine gain control of North City. Elizabeth shivered violently, as she fought against the heavy snow. The winds were picking up now, and the snow was coming down harder than before. It took her nearly a minute to make it thirty yards to the hanger. Rusty hinges creaked open, as she stepped inside. The place looked deserted, but she could see his car parked on the far side. That confirmed that this was the place. Unconsciously, she brushed the snow off her shoulders and knocked a few dropped from her beautiful blonde hair.
She began to head for the car.
It was then that it happened.
A hand was clasped across her mouth, as someone grabbed her from behind.
Natural instinct kicked in.
Elizabeth began to twist and turn, throwing elbows backwards, as she attempted to shake herself free, but the person was strong. A horrible chemical smell was consuming her nostrils. Only now did she realise that a wet cloth was being held over her face. The world began to grow dark, as her legs grew weaker. It all happened so quickly. Her eyes rolled back into her head, and she collapsed into the man’s grip.
***
With a great deal of difficulty, River rummaged through his ever growing selection of keys upon his key ring, as he carried three heavy bags of shopping down the corridor. He could have done the bags one at a time, but going all the way back down to the car was more trouble than it was worth. By this point in the day, he just wanted to sit down and get these shoes off.
He found the key he was looking for.
He looked up as the pale faced landlord walked by.
‘Hi,’ said River, but the landlord just rushed off.
River paused and looked back. He could have sworn that the landlord nearly broke into a run.
‘That was weird.’
***
The breaking news headline on every known television channel was the surprise statement by Marcus Riggs. JR sat upright on his sofa bed with a great big smile on his face.
‘Good move, Brother.’
Jillian was lying naked on the bed beside him.
She looked flustered and was covered with a light layer of sweat.
It had been a long time since she had fucked like that. It was no love making session. It was fucking, but it was good fucking. It wasn’t the type of sex she had with Liam when he was horny. He just put it in, did the deed and left her to it, but JR was different. He wanted to make her feel good. He wanted her to scream his name in the heat of passion. It had been a long time since someone put her sexual needs before their own.
‘What will you do now?’ she asked.
‘Kill half the hostages,’ he replied, in a very matter of fact way.
‘What?’
‘It will send a clear message.’
‘It is the wrong message.’
‘What would you do?’
‘I would wait. The hostages are bargaining chips. Your brother is trying to be seen as this strong leader. He isn’t going to blow that by charging in here and getting the hostages killed, but if you execute them, then you will force his hand. Our best move is to do nothing. It is a stalemate.’
JR thought about this for a long moment.
His eyes were glued to the news.
‘The world is watching,’ he announced. ‘My brother won’t do anything, will he?’
‘He won’t do a thing.’
‘You are an intelligent girl.’ His smile was consuming his eyes and ears. ‘You are right. You are absolutely right.’ JR moved, and he moved fast. One moment he was sat beside her and the next he was on top of her. Piercing brown eyes scanned her face. Jillian could feel her heart flutter a little. He had such an intense look upon his face. ‘We are going to be so good together, but for now...’ his words trailed off, as he slowly shuffled down the bed and beneath the duvet. ‘I am going to be very bad.’ Jillian grabbed handfuls of the bed sheet at the feel of his tongue licking her most sensitive spot.
***
The front door slammed shut behind them. Her hands instantly set to work at flicking all the locks and bolts in place. Malcolm had been so anal about security. The first thing he did when he moved in was add extra locks to the doors and windows. He always put her safety first. That was something she missed about him. He was a good man.
‘What would you like for dinner?’
Kerry looked up the stairs, as Sam disappeared onto the landing.
A deep sigh escaped her lips.
Why did her daughter hate her so much?
‘Samantha, what do you want for dinner?’ she shouted up the stairs.
Her reply came in the form of a bedroom door behind slammed shut.
It was Travis.
It was his fault.
Samantha’s attitude had taken a turn for the worse since he returned.
Kerry had to get out of this city.
***
Chelsea answered the phone on the second ring. She was never far from the damn thing these days. She wanted it close at hand in case the hospital called about Cassie. The voice on the other end of the phone brought a sense of warmth to her heart.
‘Hey, you busy?’
‘Kerry,’ she practically sang her best friends name. ‘I always have time for you. How are things going?’
‘Where do I start?’ Kerry chuckled.
‘What’s happened?’
‘It’s Travis... He hardly comes home anymore.’
‘Sounds like him.’
‘I know. I don’t know why I ever took him back in the first place.’
‘You did it because you love him.’
‘Do I? I loved Malcolm. At least I thought I did.’
‘You can love people in different ways.’
‘I wish I didn’t like him at all. He is turning Samantha against me.’
‘She still hasn’t settled down?’
‘No. She hates me more and more by the day.’
‘What do you plan to do?’
‘Leave,’ she said, flatly.
‘Where are you planning to go?’ asked Chelsea, her voice full of urgency.
‘I have been put forward for a transfer to an outpost town. I will be the manager of my own store. I will finally be able to get Samantha away from Travis.’
‘Oh, well, that’s good.’
‘You could always come with me.’
‘I...’ Chelsea’s mind returned to her mission of revenge. How could she possibly leave North City whilst Riley’s killers continued on living? ‘That would be nice,’ she decided to reply with. ‘Is something like that really possible?’
‘Chelsea, you are my sister. I want you to come with me. It will be a fresh start for us both.’
A smile split Chelsea’s lips.
She wasn’t alone in this world, was she?
She still had Kerry.
‘I would like that.’
‘Good. Once I get the job, we will all move out together. So, how is Cassie?’
That was the trigger.
‘Oh, Kerry,’ Chelsea broke down in tears.
***
It felt like the hangover from hell. Her vision blurred, as muscles drained of strength fought with all their might to sit her up. Elizabeth attempted to take in her surroundings. Where was she? What happened? Her eyes finally focused enough to reveal the inside of a large cold hanger. Instinct kicked in, and she reached for her gun. Metal pinched her right wrist.
‘What?’
She looked down at the handcuffs.
One end was locked around her wrist and the other against a metal support beam.
‘You are finally awake,’ said a familiar voice.
Danny was sitting at a workbench nearby. He was eating a sandwich.
‘What’s going on, Danny? Did you mother order you to do this?’
‘Ha!’ He laughed out loud. ‘My mother didn’t order anything. She thinks the sun shines out of your arse.’
Danny placed down his san
dwich and picked up a gun from the work bench.
‘Danny, wait,’ protested Elizabeth.
‘I really didn’t want to do this, but I have something that I need to do.’
‘Think about this, Danny. I am on your side.’
‘No.’ He aimed the gun. ‘You are on my mother’s side.’
He fired.
A sharp pain stabbed into Elizabeth’s arm. Wide eyes looked down at the tranquilizer dart sticking out of her skin.
‘What the...’
Her eyes rolled back into her head, and she fell back down onto the floor.
‘Sorry,’ replied Danny. ‘I have to destroy everything my mother built, starting with you.’
***
‘We want a cease-fire,’ said a voice from across the table.
‘It will be good for business,’ said a chubby man sitting opposite.
‘Anything that puts money in my pocket is good for business,’ added someone else.
The group laughed.
‘We should put this to a vote.’
‘You are fools!’ Jasmine slammed her hand down onto the table.
Silence filled the room.
A few of the other heads exchanged a look. It had not gone unnoticed by Travis. He was stood behind Jasmine like some kind of stone statue. His status was growing by the day. They knew he was good with a gun and not afraid to put people down like a vet with a sick dog. Jasmine sat back into her chair and sighed away the tension.
‘The Riggs Crew is in turmoil. John Riggs Junior is pulling that family apart. My spies had informed me that Marcus Riggs has broken away from his father. Do you realise what this means?’ she asked the question but gave them no time to answer. ‘His financial might has just been cut. His father is the head of the Riggs Crew. All their accounts are in his name. What do you think is going to happen when Marcus Riggs cannot pay his men, cannot pay for weapons, fuel or food? Do you believe that this is good for business? The Riggs Crew are supported by numerous consortiums, but they are loyal to John Riggs Senior. Marcus Riggs has just shot himself in the foot. In short, he is fucked.’
‘Marcus Riggs wants peace.’
‘Marcus Riggs wants an army,’ snapped Jasmine.
‘This war has gone on for too long.’
‘I have lost nearly three-quarters of my men in the last year,’ said another voice.
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