Chapter 97

The faint light of the private lounge formed long shadows over the room as I reclined back in the leather chair, the fragrance of cigar smoke curling around me. The only sound to break the silence was the gentle clink of ice spinning in my drink of scotch. I was becoming antsy.

Carlos shifted restlessly across the table, his fingers tapping uneasily on the gleaming wood. His uneasiness was obvious, adding a bitter note to the tension of the evening.

Carlos mumbled, looking at the door, "He's late."

I kept quiet, letting the weight of the stillness to do the talking. Carlos had been with me long enough to understand that I didn't put up with delays or excuses.

The door finally creaked open, and a guy with a bloated and bloody face was thrust inside. Vincent, Gerard's friend, staggered forward, his legs hardly able to hold his weight.

With a calm but hard tone, I said, "Sit."

With ragged breathing, Vincent fell into the chair across from me. A drop of perspiration ran down his face, and he briefly glanced into my eyes before averting his gaze.

He trembled and rasped, "Victor. I didn't mean-"

I stopped him by raising a hand. "Remember to breathe. We both know why you're here."

Vincent gulped fiercely, his hands clutching the table's edge as though it would help him stay safe.

With a hint of desperation in his voice, he replied, "Gerard promised me security. He said you wouldn't find out."

I laughed quietly, a laugh without joy. "Gerard makes a lot of claims. Sadly for you, he does a bad job of keeping them."

I got up and paced the room carefully. As each step brought me closer to the inevitable, the sound of my polished shoes clicking echoed like a countdown.

"Vincent, you failed me. You thought that by siding with Gerard, you would be safe from me. Tell me, was it worth it?"

Vincent's words trailed off as his lips quivered. "I-I was afraid. Gerard promised to kill me if I didn't help him."

I put a hand on his shoulder and paused behind his chair. My touch caused his body to tighten, and he flinched.

"In your opinion, what will I do to you next?" I asked, my voice whispering like a thousand threats.

Tears poured down his bruised face as he broke. "Please, Victor. I'll do anything. Just give me a chance to fix this."

My lips were close to his ear as I leaned in. "Chances are no longer an option."

A simple nod to Carlos was all it took. There was a muted gunshot, and Vincent slumped forward, dead. Dark and final, blood gathered on the shiny floor.

I looked back at Carlos, who was wiping the gun's barrel with methodical effectiveness.

I said in a cold tone, "Send Gerard a message. Those who believe they can outmaneuver me end up like this."

Carlos winced as he nodded. "What about Ethan? Do I need to tell him of his part in this?"

I gave a calculating, icy smile. "Oh, I'll take care of Ethan on my own."

Ethan was standing by the window, his shadow set against the city skyline, as I entered his office. As I walked in, he didn't turn, but I could feel the worry pouring from him.

At last, he whispered in a hushed voice, "Victor. You weren't what I expected."

The click of the door closing rang across the room like a warning.

I continued, moving carefully across the room. "I thought it was time for a little... check-in. Ethan, you've been incredibly silent lately. I'm worried about that."

His look was intentionally bland as he turned. "I have been busy. You are aware of the situation."

I shook my head and laughed. "I wouldn't use the word busy. Perhaps distracted."

A glimmer of anger pierced Ethan's composed exterior as his jaw tightened.

"If Gerard is involved-"

"This is always about Gerard," I cut in, my voice sharp. "I just got rid of another of his fans. How many more must I deal with before you take charge and handle the necessary tasks?"

With his hands clasped at his sides, Ethan breathed slowly. "I'm working on it, as I mentioned."

"Working on it isn't good enough," I yelled, raising my voice. "Ethan, I need results. You are letting Gerard, who is a cancer, to spread."

Anger flared in his eyes, but he spoke in a calm voice. "You don't believe I am aware of that? I'm working to avoid this from becoming a full-scale conflict."

I loomed above him as I moved closer. "Ethan, war is already here. Whether you are on the winning side is the only question."

He kept eye contact with me, our tension igniting like a live wire.

With a tone of despondency, he finally replied, "What do you want me to do?"

I relaxed, my face softening just enough to hide the poison in my voice. "Get rid of Gerard. Permanently. Or I'll begin to doubt your devotion."

Ethan nodded despite his clenched jaw, the weight of my demand pressing down on him.

Later that night, as I sat in my office, the walls shimmered with shadows from the fireplace's dim glow. Carlos walked in with a somber look.

He gave me a file and stated, "We have a problem."

I opened it and looked over the pages. Richards was the one. The FBI agent's study into my operations had been getting bolder every day.

I put down the file, my face getting serious. "This guy is starting to bother me."

Carlos nodded. "What are you hoping we'll do?"

As I thought about my options, I drummed my fingers on the desk.

Eventually, I said, "Send Ethan a message. He'll take care of this problem. Permanently."

Carlos paused. "Do you have hope that he'll follow through? He's been nervous."

My lips curled into a slow, scary smile. "He has no other choice. Not if he wants to maintain my favor."

I felt the weight of my decisions bearing down on me as the night dragged on. But in my environment, hesitating was not a choice. Ethan would soon discover that.