I adjusted the tie around my neck and passed a smile to our guests. My stomach still hurt from the wound of the bullet but it was all right. Everything was fine as long as I lived. Through the crowd, I searched for Mr. Warren, my boss, the man I had dedicated my life to.
Something was not right. The air was too sticky and humid for my liking. The wine tasted of blood and I couldn't turn blind to my gut feeling. It had been two weeks since the police had attacked our ships just as the packages had been ready to be shipped. We had no help. Not even from the Sanders, the supposed friends of Warrens. I had not met them but their impression wasn't one of the best. It could not be when you waited for help while you bleeded out. I scoffed.
"Everything okay?"
My gaze met Rose's and I shrugged. "Where's Mr. Warren?"
She shrugged.
"Andy?"
"Theo, I am not my father or my brother's assistant. I haven't got a clue but I saw them go to Dad's office."
"At this hour?" I raised an eyebrow.
She folded her arms. "Is it normal for you to drink? You haven't recovered yet."
I waved her off. "I'm doing fine."
She stepped closer than my liking. Her scent invaded my nose, her fruity scent that could turn any man into slave. Her eyes were big like an owl and I cursed the stars for giving her this naive, curious cat look. Rose did justice to her name. She was beautiful. Her red locks made her even more irresistible. Alas she was the daughter of a man who did illegal business.
"Theo." My name slipped from her mouth like a prayer and I turned around.
We both knew the attraction was mutual. We had known since the three years I had spent with the Warrens but I couldn't. No matter how much she tried or I wanted, I couldn't kiss her and tell her how I feel. Because I felt nothing. She was a pretty girl with a brilliant mind but I knew nothing about her except her last name. She was my boss' daughter, my friend's sister. We had enough dirt on our hands. I wasn't going to drag her with us.
"I've been wanting to tell you something."
"Rose, no," I muttered and grabbed her wrist as her fingers rested around my fingers.
"I like you, Theo."
I opened my mouth but a movement upstairs caught my eye. In this majestic mansion, the guests were prohibited to the second floor. Only four people had access to it. Since Rose and I were here, that left only two possibilities – Andy or Mr. Warren.
"Theo–"
My jaw clenched. "You lied, didn't you?"
I tore my gaze from the two figures upstairs and glared at Rose. "You said they both were in the office."
Her eyes widened ever so slightly as her mind thought of an answer. I dropped her hand and so dropped my facade. My lips turned to a scowl and I climbed up the stairs. What was so important that they had to lie to me? And involve Rose in this shit?
"Theo, wait."
"Stay out of it." I didn't need to say her anything more. She was good at listening to others.
My steps were short but quick. I followed their shadows, my left hand resting on my waist. Then, I paused. What was I doing? Was I eavesdropping on the people who gave me food and money? Was I about to grab my gun? Guilt began to overpower my anger.
A door opened. I hid behind the tall flower pot as both father and son stepped out, ready to go downstairs. I watched silently as Andy's head bobbed to Mr. Warren's words. Once out of site, I slid down the wall and grabbed my head.
A lone tear rolled down my cheek. "What the fuck is wrong with you? You maniac."
Before getting shot, I had had a fight with these two over a land acquisition. One of the few legal businesses they had included hotel chains. Easy and simple to hide the work that happened behind closed doors. The land they wanted to acquire now under my supervision was completely out of negotiation. I had said a clear no to it but they fussed.
"Why? What is its importance to you?" they had asked. I still had not answer.
Sniffing, I got up and contemplated my next action. Blind trust or quick investigation? My feet knew the answer as I walked towards the 'storeroom', the storehouse of papers no one was meant to see. As I tried to unlock the door quietly, my gaze landed on the camera in a corner. Good. Let them see how far I would go to stop them. This was my first retaliation. It would be my last.
A file was wedged between two books, Emma and The Godfather, both favourites of Rose and Andy. I pulled out the file. As soon as the pages turned, my face fell. They were doing it. They were buying the land, forcing people who lived there out and betraying their word to me.
A sudden gunshot startled me and I looked out of the window. The party hadn't even started and people are rushing out. Tucking the file under my blazer, I walked out of the room and to the living area. As I ascended down the stairs, I looked straight at Andy who had a man pointing a gun at his head. I stood there, watching. My nails dug so hard into the skin that I was sure I had drawn some blood. I was beyond pissed at Andy for lying. But did I want him to die? No.
I threw the file and took my gun, aiming at the man and pressed the trigger. Without a word, I helped Andy up who looked at me gratefully.
"Who are they?"
"You fucking lied," I spat. "You guys promised not to buy the land."
His eyes slid to the fallen file. "You're still stuck on your dirty little past and dirty little ho–"
Without thinking, I pointed my gun at him.
"Admit it, Theo. You were left on–"
My finger hovered dangerously close to the trigger. I was too consumed by my anger to notice someone creeping up behind me. All I saw was a feminine hand decorated with rings and a knife. By the time, I spun and registered Rose's face, Andy grabbed my arm and twisted it. The gun was now in his hand.
"Andy, no," I heard Rose say.
A gunshot went off and I fell to my knees.
"DAD!" Rose screamed. "What did you do?"
