Renee instinctively bristled back when he approached her, and Cyrus protectively shoved his sister behind him, to Lysander's relief. For a fleeting moment, the world seemed to hold its breath, and Renee was left grappling with a cascade of emotions that the sight of her ex-boyfriend brought, but then, if he is the leader of this guild, and if his name was Cullen, who is Caden?
"Stay away from her." Cyrus warned, not minding whatever trouble he was bringing to himself by going against Cullen. The young man simply paused at the foot of the stone steps, tilting his head a little so he could see Renee, and he smiled deviously, enjoying the multiple reactions her sweet, pretty face was expressing.
"Renee, baby." He began, shoving his hands into his pocket. "Come with me, and I'll explain everything it is you want to know." He beckoned her over, but Renee stayed rooted to her spot.
The rest of the members were too puzzled themselves to say anything, and they acted more flabbergasted when Cullen insisted she hugged him, going further to use the little quote, 'baby' on her. No one dared to interrupt, not when Cullen's was the strongest amongst them all combined, the only one who could match up to Cullen's strength was Lysander, and even he was quiet.
"That weapon of yours, Eric, bring it to me." Cullen ordered, demanding for the plasma gun in Cyrus's hand. Out of everyone present, Eric wondered why he was the one chosen to do this, and he hesitated.
"Bring it, or I'll throw you off that gate." He warned, and Eric immediately moved to collect the gun from Cyrus, offering a silent apology to him before going down the steps to give it to Cullen.
"How did you get this?" He asked, feeling the weight of the weapon in his grip, "one shot was all you had to give, and the monster went back to hell. It's not a normal gun, is it? Where can I get them?"
"And why the hell will we give out that information?"
"Cause if you don't, I'll throw you off the gate instead." Cullen smiled, and he climbed up the steps until he was standing face to face with Cyrus, looking him straight in his eyes. "incase you haven't noticed, this is my turf, whatever I say here goes. I own this building, and if I want, I can have all of them tie you up and throw you off the gate. Your screams will be pleasant to hear when monsters take a big bite out of you, but I'm not so evil-hearted, since your sister will probably miss you, so answer me before I change my mind."
The malice in his eyes only made Renee feel disgusted, and she realized she had been a fool for even engaging with someone like him, but this wasn't the Caden she knew, or the Caden who had been there for her before the mishaps began. If his actual name was Cullen, that means he is the ruler of the Mafia clan, and as unbelievable as it sounds, she really dated one of the most dangerous mafias without even knowing?
"What's it gonna be?" Cullen tilted his head, and he could see the uncertainty overcoming Cyrus's anger-filled eyes.
"If I tell you, will you let my sister go?"
"Depends on how authentic what you have to say to me will be." He shrugged, "If you tell me the truth, I can brush aside the punishment I arranged for her. I'll forgive her for ending things with me, and you both can stay here, be part of my guild. What do you say?"
"We don't want to be a part of anything, especially when it is run by you."
"I can fully accept that, but I'm afraid it's not a wise choice." He lit a cigar and blew the smoke into Cyrus's face, satisfaction clouding his visage, "I can let you go once you tell me where you got this weapon, but that means you'll have to walk out there."
He pointed at the gate that was ten meters away from them, showing him the horde of monsters waiting to devour anyone who leaves. The sight of them made Renee hold onto her brother's arm, recalling how uncle James had turned into one of these monsters right in front of her.
Her gaze moved to Lysander, and she saw him whisper a few inaudible things into Robinson's ear. The fine man with the monocle moved forward to stand beside Cullen, and his gentle smile barely bore a crack.
"It'll be safer to heed to the words of my brother." He began softly, folding his arms behind his back, "think of all the benefits you'll have by staying here, and don't worry, we never harm a fellow guild member, right, Cullen?" He casted a side glance at his brother, more like he was reminding him of why they can't harm a fellow guild member, and it wiped off Cullen's smirk, replacing it with a scowl.
"If it's about experience points, that can also be handled, because everyday, each member is set to collect supplies, and we share each collectibles amongst ourselves at the end of the day. If you wish to investigate other places that have nothing to do with the quest, that is also fine, as long as your partner has agreed to accompany you to wherever it is you choose to venture."
Unlike Cullen, Renee could tell that Robinson's words were sincere, and from the way he gazed at her, she could see he was telling her to take the bait and act wisely.
Releasing a breath, she slowly stepped forward, pushing herself out of her brother's protection. She glanced at Peaches who was also giving her the looks to think it through and go with it, and everyone else seems to approve, cause clearly, no one wants to be assigned with the task of tying them up and throwing them to the hungry wolves at the gate.
"Fine." She agreed.
"What?" Cyrus jerked his head at his sister, eyes wide-open at her answer. She didn't look scared, it seemed she had given this some thought, and her inexpressive eyes were trained on Cullen.
"What do you want to know?"
Cullen's lips quirked into a smile, and Lysander closed his eyes in relief. At least she wasn't making the situation any difficult for herself, cause if she proved stubborn, Cullen wouldn't think twice about fulfilling his threat.
"The weapon, where did you get it?"
"One of the tech-companies." She answered, and Cullen looked at Lysander with a broadened smile, as if telling him they had hit a jackpot.
"See, brother? I told you the tech-company should be our first target. You did a wonderful job bringing that place up." He returned to Lysander's side, putting an arm around his shoulder and pulling him close.
'God, if I could kill this man.' thought Lysander.
"And yes, before I forget," Cullen returned his gaze to Renee and her brother, "when I'm not around, these two own my turf, so you have to listen to their orders." He pointed at Robinson and Lysander. "Don't worry, they're harmless, unfortunately they don't have the same brooding darkness that I do."
"Is that a compliment?" Robinson arched an eyebrow, but Cullen dismissed him and only dragged Lysander into the house. It was obvious, from how he behaved with Lysander, that they shared a special bond, and Renee wasn't sure if she should be concerned about that.