*Amelia's POV*
"Say please," I smirked as I watched the one they call 'Bone' down on his knees. His breathing was heavy, and his body trembled; I watched as his clothes soaked in blood, and I could tell he didn't want to give up. He turned his head up at me, and his long black hair slopped back. His eyes were filled with anger but so much determination; I hated that look. The look of 'I can do this'; 'No matter what, I'll be okay' and 'I'm going to get out of this' It's always I'll get back home blah... blah... BLAH. That worthless sad story they feed themselves, and I watch the thought come across each of my enemies' faces before I deliver them the bad news.
"Fuck you bitch." I couldn't help but laugh. It was all just too much fun. "Oh, how I love my job! The drama and the suspense. I mean. Don't get me wrong, sometimes it get's old, but uh...." I smirked as I watched him drop his head and press his hands to the floor. "You get my drift." "You think you're so undefeatable, and that very thing will be what gets you destroyed." "No. No, sweetie, let me stop you right there. I do not think I'm undefeatable..." I lifted his chin so he looked into my eyes, and I smiled before waving my ring at him. I watched fear flash in his eyes; I smiled more. "I know I am."
With one swift movement, I shoved my ring into his neck and watched hope slowly disappear from his eyes. "AHHHHHHHHHHH!" His screams rang out like a siren call, but it was something I had gotten used to. I slowly pulled my ring out and watched as his body fell to the ground. He clutched his neck as his body thrashed around for a minute before going still. I stood there watching the blood form a puddle around him before turning my back and wiping my ring. I slowly made my way to the window before looking down at my men outside and giving them a nod. Two started coming inside, and I looked at the rising sun.
Each day was still hard, knowing I'd never hear from my son again. Each day, I knew his killers were walking around happy and enjoying their lives while my son lost his. I took a deep breath, not even thinking of letting a tear form. Crying wouldn't bring him back or fix my pain. But taking the lives of the ones who hurt him, now that will be a sweet revenge. Cutting off loose ends of their gang was just a whiff of what I had in store. I pulled my ring off my finger, looked down at it, and gave it a better wipe. It was a 14K white gold ring shaped like snake fangs. My weapon on my battlefield and the stories surrounding it are legendary. Everyone knew that if they got a look at this baby, they wouldn't be walking away from me. Many knew they weren't just stories.
Two small holes at the end of each fang held the venom of the Inland Taipan. My secret weapon... I heard the doors open and knew it was just my man. I just listened to their footsteps as they cleaned up the mess I had left. It took a while before I heard footsteps approach behind me. "Amelia, we have finished." I nodded my head. "Good, let's move out."
Once we arrived back at our warehouse, I ordered the less-ranked men to patrol before joining my right-hand woman in our board room. "Talk to me, Claud." "Rachael, Tony, Charles, and there's an Emily." I sat at the head of the table before I looked up at each picture pinned on my bulletin. "Tony... he's gotten new members, I see." "Yeah, but not recruiting. He's merged his gang; they call themselves The Reapers." I looked at her as I couldn't help but laugh a little. "The Reapers, are you kidding me? Pfft, the kid has his father's thought process. What information do we have on them?"
"That's our problem. Right now, we are on little to none. We have a few members' information and the location of Tony's old warehouse, but we have nothing. It would be different if we were fighting him before. He's thought about taking Edgar out very thoroughly. Joining forces with another gang and changing everything, down to his location and connections... The boy knew someone would retaliate." "You're telling me our presence isn't a surprise." "It doesn't look like it." I let out a deep sigh before nodding. This isn't something I needed to be dragged on. My reputation was that I ended things, and I did it fast.
Tony would dare to play cat and mouse with his father's rightful woman. I'd make sure he'd pay, and he'd never forget the day he got to see my face for the last time. "Find more of his loose ends. Even if they refuse to give up Tony's location, I can bet not all of them would lose their lives for their higher-ups. I don't care what it takes to pull that rat out of whatever hole he's lying in. We find them, and we find them now!" I slammed my fist on the table before storming out and slamming the door behind me.
*Tony's POV*
I took a deep breath and squeezed my eyes before opening them again. "How can you just run through all this sweat!?" "I told you to bring a towel!" I watched as Rachael pranced around me before jogging back ahead. "Come on, keep up." "No, l-lets... take.. break?" She couldn't contain her laughter as she stopped jogging and walked to me. She took her towel and gently wiped my face before kissing my lips. "Okay, handsome, you have five minutes." I instantly smiled, feeling like all my energy had been replenished just with a single kiss. I took a few deep breaths as she stretched, and I looked around the park.
"Why do you do this to yourself?" "Well, I think. if I were overweight, you'd complain that I should do this." "Pfft, if you were overweight, I'd love you no more or less than I do now. You know what? Maybe I would love you more with more meat on your bones. Maybe YOU'D finally keep ME warm." "You little..." I laughed as she started to chase me. This time, I wasn't stopping. I ran right home, always looking back and checking on Rachael. I jogged straight inside and to the fridge. I yanked it open before grabbing two bottles of water.
I sat one on the table before cracking the other open and taking a long sip. Once Rachael ran in, she grabbed the other and followed to do the same. "Whew, I got to shower first!" "Ugh! Tony!" I laughed as I raced up the stairs and straight into our room. I ran to the bathroom and cranked on the hot water before stripping. Rachel appeared in the doorway and glared at me. "Come on now, Rach." "No, Tony, I always shower when I get home from my jogs. I need to get in now."
I smirked as I finished undressing. "Join me?" Her cheeks were a bright red; I knew it wasn't just from our running. My smile spread as I couldn't help but adore how cute and innocent she was. She was a strong and independent woman, but she was MY baby. I walked closer to her before pulling off her sports bra and tugging at her shorts. She couldn't hold her smile back as she slowly slid them down, and once they hit the floor, I lifted her into my arms as she giggled and carried her into the shower.
After breakfast and checking to see if everything with daily routes went well, we met Emily and Charles at the range. Charles and I stood back, loading our weapons as Emily and Rachel each fired some shots. "Bone is still missing." "Nah, he's not missing. We know where he is." Charles sighed heavily as I felt his gaze shift to me. "That's 10, now," "Yeah, I know." "So?" "So what, Charles?" "So what the hell do we do about this!?" My gaze shifted to him as the sound of gunshots stopped, and I shook my head. He knew now wasn't the time, not in front of our women.
Things had seemed to be quiet, at least for our girls, and that's how Charles and I intended to keep it. My newer recruits were disappearing, and I couldn't lie. They were easy to miss, with so many bodies coming and going. That's just how I knew Rachel already had too much on her plate. She didn't need to know that we were slowly being targeted. We knew it was no one other than Amelia, of course. We knew it, and it was only a matter of time before she hit harder. Even though the nightmares of Edgar have stopped, I know she has parts of what happened locked away. His mother is the key to setting it all free.
"WHEW! Now that's what I'm talking about!" I looked over at Rachel and smiled as she and Emily laughed. "Remind me never to piss you off." "Every day, baby." I couldn't help but smirk as she walked over and pulled me into a kiss. This was all I wanted. No stress or worries. When all of us are happy with each other. "You know, if you boys need some lessons, we can show you a thing or two." "You two?" Charles and I looked at each other, and I laughed as Charles chimed in.
"Show us?"
"That's right."
"Tell him Em'!"
"Pfft, there's nothing you two could show us." "Shhh, careful big boy... You may reap what you sow tonight." Emily walked straight up to Charles and rubbed her finger across his lip, and you could tell he was hungry for her. He quickly closed his mouth and shook his head while smirking. "Damn, Charles, she shut you up just that quick?" "Oh shut up, Tony!" We all laughed and loaded up another clip. After a few hours of shooting, we wrapped things up and spent time with the gang. Everybody was regularly supposed to check into the warehouse to check everyone was well; That was left up to Charles or me.
I sat in the office going over blueprints for a three-story family home. It was beautiful, with five bedrooms, six bathrooms, and a huge front and back yard. There was a grilling area, a pool, a playroom, and a bar. It was the perfect home for my dream family. Something I had envisioned for Rachel and me; I just have failed to tell her. I rolled the plans up, and I moved Rachels's mirror. I had the wall behind it carved out and turned into a safe so she would never suspect a thing. I set the mirror down and opened the safe before sliding the plans inside, and I turned my attention to the small blue box.
I took a deep breath before I grabbed it and opened it. Inside was a round 18K yellow gold round sapphire bridal ring set. The edge was double-twisted with prongs to hold each diamond and sapphire three-quarters of the way down each band. The middle sapphire was at least 7mm. Big and sparkled in the light. The wedding band itself was contoured to match the shape of the engagement ring. It was the perfect ring for my girl. I gently tilted the box back and forth, thinking to myself. How could I even be thinking about giving this to her? How could I possibly even think this was a good idea? I knew I was being selfish. I thought about how I felt only.
Rachel had lost Caliber the night he proposed. Who was I to bring up all of those old feelings? "Baby!" I heard Rachel scream for me as her footsteps came up the stairs. I quickly placed the ring inside before closing the safe and spinning the dial; I rushed to hang the mirror. Once she opened the door, I smiled at her. "Hey there." "Hey, you." She flashed me her beautiful smile, and her eyes gleamed. "I'm a bit hungry. Why don't you, Charles, Em, and I go grab some dinner?" "Sounds amazing, mon doux ange." I walked over and took her hand before closing the door behind us.
We said our farewell to everyone before going out to dinner. The night was filled with laughs and great food. It was always great to see everyone smiling. "Come on, man, let me have a fork full!" "You know. Charles, if you wanted pasta, you should have gotten pasta." "I keep telling him about ordering burgers!" We all laughed, and after a while, we finished eating before heading home. Once we arrived, I turned to find Emily and Rachel in the back seat, sleeping.
"Psst!" Charles turned his attention to me, and I nodded towards them. He nodded, and we climbed out, carefully grabbed both of them and carried them inside before tucking them into bed. Charles and I made our way back outside and to the garage. Charles opened the door, and we smiled as the light lit above our bikes. "Wanna ride?" "Hell yeah." We smiled, and he ran in, grabbing our keys before running back out. And tossing mine to me. I stuck my keys in and turned my bike on before pulling my helmet over my head.
I climbed on and revved the engine before we rode off. We went throughout the city, enjoying the lights and the compliments from strangers. We rode to a popular bar downtown and took seats at the counter. "Two whiskeys, please." "Just one, we got to get back to the girls." "Don't worry. Rachel will be waiting for you as soon as we get back." I rolled my eyes and shook my head before turning my attention to the crowd. It wasn't as packed as usual; the crowd was rowdy anyway. As I glanced through the crowd, I couldn't help but notice a girl over in the corner.
She was a little hunched over and seemed to be out of it. "Hey, I'll be right back." Charles gave me a nod, and as I moved in the direction of the girl, a random tall, slim man appeared next to her. She looked up at him, and he grabbed her arm, pulling her towards the back door. She seemed to struggle against him, and I turned my attention to Charles. "We have an issue." "Hm?" Charles looked over at the sigh and sighed as our drinks were on the counter. I watched the guy pull the girl out the door, and Charles downed his drink.
"Always something." He stood, and we pushed through the crowd and out the back door.
I looked both ways before seeing them stumbling to the end of the alley where a car was. I tapped Charles, and we both followed quietly. "Look, I told you I didn't know anything inside. Bringing me with you is a waste of time! He didn't want me when Edgar took me. What makes you think his dumbass mother would have a chance!?" "Sabrina?" "AHH!" We watched as the man struck her, sending her to the ground. "HEY!" We both ran over as the guy took off. I kneeled by Sabrina and gently moved her hair out of her face. "T-tony?" I gave her a gentle smile as I softly rubbed her cheek.
"Hey you, what are you doing out here?" "Being a damsel in distress, again, I suppose." I couldn't help but smirk as I shook my head. Even in a moment like this, she was cracking jokes. Drunk, but at least in good spirits, considering the situation. "Come on, let's get you up." Down the alley, we heard the man grunting and loud thuds. "Sounds like Charles caught him." "Heh yeah, I would say so."
I helped her lean on me as we walked over to Charles. "O-okay..." Charles raised his fist to hit him again. "Charles, save him. They were talking about Amelia. We take his car, and you go to the abandoned warehouse while I take Sabrina home before meeting you to deal with him." He nodded and pulled the man to his feet. "Keys." The man slowly pulled the keys out of his pocket and gave them to Charles.
I followed Charles to the car, and he tossed the guy in the passenger seat before getting in the driver. He gave Sabrina and me a ride back to our bikes. I got on mine before helping Sabring on the back. I started the bike before taking off and taking Sabrina home. Once I checked she was safe, I rode straight to the warehouse. Charles dragged the guy out of the car before we walked inside. I flipped on one light, and Charles threw the guy into a chair. "So you work for Amelia, huh?" He looked at the both of us, and I looked at Charles. He smiled, and he struck him right across his jaw. "Look, I don't like this part of the job, I'll be honest with you.
"What's your name?" "B-b.." "Billy? Bob? Brandon?" "It's Biggie," We both stood there before we busted out laughing as we looked his tall, thin body up and down. "Oh my gosh, please tell me he didn't say Biggie!" "Oh no, definitely said 'Biggie'" "You know what, Tony, I did hear Ozempic was an amazing medicine." I clutched my stomach as we laughed even harder, and after a few minutes, we calmed down.
"I'm sorry, Biggie, gotta laugh through tough times." I sighed, "I just want to know why you're after someone I care very much about. "You know why... You killed Edgar, and no one wants to kill you more than her. So much so that she placed a tracker on my car, hoping I'd lead her to you." With no other words or hesitation, Charles pulled out his piece and shot him in the head. "We need to get out of here now." I nodded, and we both ran outside. We both climbed on my bike, "Not how we came."
I nodded before taking off behind the warehouse. I rode back through the woods until I got to the old dirt roads. I turned my lights off, and we rode slowly. A way up the road, two cars speed past towards the warehouse. "1.. 2.. 3.. Go." I took off up the street, leaving no time for anyone to realize where we were. I wasn't even thinking of letting off the throttle. Nothing could stop me from keeping my brother safe and getting to my woman. I zoomed along the roads as Charles held me tightly. His grip wasn't of fear; he trusted me to get us out of this, and that was all I needed to know. I twisted the throttle again, sending us zooming back into town in no time.
We rode around for hours before we decided it was clear to go home. We parked our bikes in the garage and closed up before going inside. We cut all the lights before sitting in the hallway. "Well, that went well." I shook my head in frustration. "They are getting too close now." "Yeah, we can't keep the girls safe by lying anymore. Not with what the risks are. That snake bite is no joke." I looked at Charles, and he nodded. We knew we had to tell them, but Charles and I didn't want to. We helped each other up after a while and hugged each other. "Goodnight, brother." "Goodnight."
I pulled my tired body up the steps and into my room. I closed the door quietly before undressing and climbing into bed. I gently took Rachel into my arms before kissing her head. I never want a night without her. Or a night she'll have to be without me. I'd do everything in my power before I lose this.