Chereads / TRUE CRIMINAL EMPIRE / Chapter 79 - Further the New era

Chapter 79 - Further the New era

The sun dipped below the Miami skyline, casting a golden glow over the waves as Tyrone's Rolls Royce Cullinan glided along the private dock. The yacht was nothing short of extravagant—a floating palace equipped with all the luxuries that the Blanca Cartel's offshore wealth could buy. Its sleek lines shimmered under string lights that wrapped around the upper decks, casting a warm, inviting glow over the bustling crowd. Laughter and the clink of champagne glasses drifted across the water, blending with the beat of deep bass that pulsed through the night air.

The chauffeur stepped out first, pulling open Tyrone's door. Tyrone emerged, resplendent in a white, custom-tailored suit that fit him like armor, a symbol of the power he wielded. A diamond-studded watch—an exclusive piece worth half a million—glinted under the lights as he adjusted his cufflinks, surveying the scene before him. His presence alone turned heads; the guests whispered, awed and intrigued by the man who had transformed his empire into a force to be reckoned with.

He ascended the polished gangway onto the yacht, where Isabella Rodrigo awaited him, regal and composed in an elegant evening gown. She greeted him with a subtle nod and a knowing smile. Around them mingled a select crowd of power players—figures from the upper echelons of wealth and crime, international faces whose influence spanned continents. These were associates and allies, many of whom had benefited from Tyrone's vast operations.

Inside, the party was in full swing. Expensive cocktails flowed freely as guests navigated through plush lounges and open decks filled with curated decor, a blend of sophistication and decadence. Live jazz played near the aft section, while the main deck pulsed with upbeat music. Isabella led Tyrone through clusters of mingling elites, introducing him to key figures from her network, each interaction carefully measured. She was more than a business partner tonight—she was the host, orchestrating the connections, facilitating the introductions.

As the night deepened, Tyrone found himself in discussions with Isabella and a group of her high-ranking associates. They laughed, clinked glasses, and exchanged insights about future ventures, both legitimate and under-the-table. Isabella's words were smooth and laced with intention, hinting at new territories for distribution and fresh routes in which her cartel was eager to expand. Tyrone, calm and calculated, matched her enthusiasm, envisioning the empire that he'd continue to build with her support.

For Tyrone, this was more than a party. It was a declaration of status—a signal to allies and enemies alike that he had arrived. This yacht, these powerful people, and the prestige that wrapped around him all confirmed his rise. As he gazed out over the Miami skyline, glass in hand, he savored the view of his success, and the limitless possibilities the future held.

As the last of the guests drifted away, Isabella turned to Tyrone, dismissing the remaining associates with a glance. She let the noise of the party fade, and her gaze softened as she looked at him with a mix of curiosity and admiration.

"So, tell me," she began, her voice carrying a hint of playfulness. "How do you manage it all without ever getting caught? Men like you don't last in this game without serious protection or some secret I should know about."

Tyrone flashed a casual smile. "Let's just say I know how to stay three steps ahead," he replied, shrugging as if it was all in a day's work.

But Isabella wasn't done. She leaned in, probing a little deeper. "What about when you're not running the streets? Family, love, anyone special?" Her voice softened, a rare moment of intimacy breaking through the tough exterior.

He hesitated, his face hardening slightly. "Lost a lot of family in this game," he said finally. "My cousin Jamal… he was close. More like a brother. They took him out when he was just starting to make something of himself."

Isabella reached out, placing her hand on his. "I can't replace anyone, but if we're together, no one touches you without touching me too. And I don't take losses."

Tyrone felt a quiet but unexpected comfort in her words. She wasn't just an ally; she was someone who understood the stakes, who could stand beside him as he climbed higher. He nodded, his gaze meeting hers with a renewed sense of respect—and perhaps something more.

As the music thumped in the background and the waves lapped gently against the hull of the yacht, Tyrone leaned against the polished railing, watching the Miami skyline shimmer in the distance. He sipped his drink—some rare, expensive whiskey he didn't even bother to identify. The party was still in full swing behind him, but he knew the moment was coming when Isabella Rodrigo would want to talk. Sure enough, her shadow appeared beside him, and with a dismissive wave of her hand, she signaled her associates to leave them.

The air shifted as Isabella joined him. She was dressed in a sleek black gown that clung to her figure, her diamond necklace catching the soft glow of the yacht's deck lights. Her expression was a mix of curiosity and intrigue, the kind of look Tyrone had come to recognize when someone wanted something more than just business.

"You know," she began, breaking the silence, "I've been thinking about you." Her voice carried a playful tone, but there was an edge to it, like she was fishing for something deeper. "You've been running this game for a while now, moving product faster than anyone I've seen. Yet, no one's touched you. No raids, no betrayals, nothing. How do you do it, Tyrone? How have you not been caught yet?"

Tyrone chuckled softly, his gaze never leaving the horizon. "That's my little secret," he said, his tone as casual as if she'd asked him about the weather. "But let's just say I don't leave loose ends."

Isabella wasn't satisfied with the vague answer. She moved closer, her presence commanding his attention. "You make it sound so simple, but we both know it's not. Men like you don't last long in this game without serious backing—or some kind of genius strategy."

Tyrone smirked but didn't elaborate. He liked keeping people guessing, even someone as powerful as Isabella.

She tilted her head, studying him for a moment before changing the subject. "What about your personal life? Family? Love interests? Or are you one of those men who thinks feelings get in the way of business?"

The question caught Tyrone off guard. He took another sip of his drink, the humor in his expression fading. "Family… that's a tough subject," he admitted, his voice quieter now. "I lost a lot of people in this game. My cousin Jamal was the closest thing I had to a brother. He was young, ambitious, trying to make something of himself. They took him out before he had a chance."

Isabella's demeanor shifted, her playful tone replaced by genuine empathy. She reached out and placed her hand on his, her touch soft but firm. "I'm sorry to hear that," she said. "But let me tell you something, Tyrone. If we're together—if you're with me—no one touches you without touching me too. And I don't take losses."

Her words hung in the air between them, heavy with meaning. Tyrone turned to look at her, his dark eyes meeting hers. He saw something in her expression—a mixture of strength and vulnerability, power and loyalty. She wasn't just another cartel leader; she was someone who understood the stakes, someone who could stand beside him in a world where alliances were as fragile as glass.

"Appreciate that," he said finally, his voice steady but filled with a quiet sincerity.

They stood there for a moment longer, the city lights reflecting off the water as the sounds of the party faded into the background. For the first time in a long while, Tyrone felt something unfamiliar—a sense of reassurance. Isabella wasn't just an ally or a business partner; she was a force to be reckoned with, and in her, he saw the potential for something much more dangerous—and much more valuable.

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Nice start to volume 3, more action and drama to come so recommend and send power stones