BRANDONThe Underground is frenetic when I arrive at the Wolf’s sanctuary. They’ve made the first floor a nightclub that requires an entry ticket.
A woman in a red leather suit with some tribal ink on her neck approaches me, showing me the way to their leader. I’m surprised that Oliver had set this place up for them; it makes me realize he is capable of bigger things, and that I need him now more than ever.
When he first introduced me to the idea of getting the mob to our side, I was hesitant. The Katrakis family had been working with these kinds of people for a very long time now, and it made them even more powerful. I didn’t want to consider it. I declined the idea whenever Oliver was pressing it to me. I believed the only people we could trust were ourselves.
But Oliver has been persistent, and he rarely insists on anything. He provided me every piece of information he had about them; how they worked, where they came from, their mission, and their purpose. Honestly, it was the very first time I got impressed by a gang group. Their work is admirable. They are filling the holes left by what the government couldn’t do for people. Although driven by brutal force, they only use iron fists against undeserving individuals—especially those on the corrupt side of the law. They are the opposite of those gangs our family members employed to reinforce their power.
The woman ushers me inside a room draped in black, floor-to-ceiling curtains and reveals another door on the other side. She unlocks the door using her retina. When the lock is triggered, she steps aside and bows her head.
“Master Lucien. The Wolf is waiting for you inside.”
“Very well.” I push the door open and step in.
I find myself in a spacious and luxurious office as I walk in. The room contains a long, gold couch on the marble floor and a mahogany desk across the room. Two women in black leather outfits flank the man in the center, and there are at least five men in black uniforms—similar to the men they sent to my house. Seated behind the desk is a man of my age, a cigar between his lips.
I’m impressed“Wolf,” I say.
“Ah!” The man stands, flashes a wide grin, and crushes the cigar on the ashtray. “None other than Master Brandon Lucien is here. It’s an honor to finally meet you.” He moves to me and reaches out a hand. I grip his firmly.
“Please have a seat.” He motions to the couch and sits first. “I know it’s not the perfect time to have a drink—given that Mr. Katrakis is still missing, but is there anything you like? Scotch, whiskey, wine?”
I sit across from him. “I’m good. Thank you.”
“Very well. I heard you needed my aid,” he begins. “But might I remind you? There are eight mobs in New York City, and we’re quite the youngest. I’m sure you know since you’ve supported us first, so you’re basically our chief. We’re bound to do what you wish.”
“I don’t need to be called that, and I have no plans to be a mob leader. When all this is over, you are free from our agreement.”
He leans his back and clasps his hands. “We know how to show gratitude. But anyway, the minute you told us about Mr. Katrakis, I sent men to search for him, but it’s not going to be easy.”
“But you know where to look,” I stated.
“Yes, to the lair where there are no Wolves.”
One of his men hands him a glass of red wine; he sips a little and sends the glass away. Cary and Stan were right after all. It’s just like they said. Now, I’m even more impressed.
“My cousin, Silvanus, entered New York City the day before Oliver was captured.”
“We govern twenty-six cities in the states,” he continues. “A pretty big world to look out for, yeah? But the Wolves operate in Brooklyn, Long Island, Queens, and of course, Manhattan. We also maintain an operation in Florida and a joint one in Seattle, so he’s unlikely to be here or there. Also, there are those who are in union with the Europeans, which apparently isn’t our territory to intrude on, but...”
I raise my eyebrows. I have little information on these people and how these groups work, but I don’t wish to fully understand them at all. The only thing I find fascinating in this is how the Wolves are different. All of them, including the ones our family associates with, are quite complicated. They all want to prove each other’s strength and capability by helping the family get away with whatever illegal things they do; they crave power so badly that they seek to impress the heads of the family, as being an ally of the Katrakis means money and power. This is one of the reasons why I was not interested in implicating them at first—only now because it’s necessary.
“...not impossible,” Wolf finishes. “We’re territorial, but not everyone is an enemy,” he says confidently. “Whatever help it is that you need, we’ll be more than willing to give. You and Mr. Katrakis have been our major benefactors for years. Anything you wish and need will be granted.”
“I need to see Oliver’s abductor face to face,” I tell him.
Wolf pauses, unable to respond for a moment. He’s surprised. “But I thought you didn’t want to be involved in the field?”
“Yes, but just this once. That’s why I need your assistance.”
Silence.
Jason eventually nods, his shoulder starting to relax. “Very well.” He shifts his head toward one of the women in the room. She moves over to us at a snap of his fingers. She is petite but with a toned physique, and she’s wearing a short, black, shiny wig to hide her hair.
“This is the Huntress, the one who spoke with you earlier,” he says. “Her name is Ari. She’s my sister.”
She holds her head high. “Master Lucien.”
“She is going to be your personal aid in this matter. She will accompany you in your mission,” Wolf adds.
“I don’t need a bodyguard,” I say immediately. “Why would I need her services?”
“The Huntress holds a black belt in mixed martial arts, a sharpshooter, has disassembled various time bombs, and fought against Xiao Li, one of the most skilled fighters and assets of the Triad, and served and saved a prime minister’s life. I’m afraid I insist. If you wish my Wolves to protect you, the Huntress would be happy to assist you. She is one of my best assets.”
That doesn’t sound right. He said she is his sister. His family. The way he introduced her sounds more like she’s some kind of an object than a person. Is this how they usually work in the mob? Disregarding family status? But my opinion doesn’t matter when the Huntress gives me a fierce smirk.
ALAYNAThe food I prepared for Brandon last night went back to my station untouched. Ms. Lennie said he came home at four-thirty in the morning, before I woke up, so he likely won’t need to be served breakfast. I don’t care when he comes back, but I hate it when food goes to waste. I remember telling him that before.
Casey is early today too. She catches me still preparing for Brandon’s lunch at my station. She’s been busy with her special online classes since we weren’t able to talk.
I’m reinventing the recipe I made last night as well because I don’t want to give up. Brandon has to taste this, whether he ordered it or not. The dish is Asian as my base is rice. I perfected it now, so I’m confident.
“That looks good. Can I taste it?” Casey asks, looking down at my new invention. Anyway, I’m already finished with Brandon’s request.
“Oops! I need to add more. Just one more touch.” I heat the Dong Po Rou on the stove. It’s a traditional braised pork belly, chopped into fine pieces, and the diced vegetable and green beans I sautéed earlier. I then mixed them all with the rice.
“Ooh!” Casey hums delightfully. “Smells freaking good too!”
I smile at her as I expertly toss the pan above the flames.
“Nice!” she says.
After tossing a bit, I place the pan down and reduce the flame. “All done.”
I give her a cup with a serving. Casey swallows first and finally takes a spoonful. She freezes as her eyes grow wide.
“Alayna...” she says breathlessly. “This is divine!” She looks at her bowl and eats again. “I can taste various flavors.” She takes more. “This is pure, pure heaven. I taste Thai cuisine in these diced vegetables.”
I cross my arms, nodding and smiling. “Yes, and?”
“This pork. It’s Chinese.” She chews again. “A little spicy. The beans... it’s Indian. But I still taste more. Wow. What would you call this?” She eats everything.
I chuckle. “I haven’t thought of a name yet.”
“Alayna, you’ll get rich from this, I tell you.” She laughs heartily. “Can I have more?”
I laugh back. “Sure.” I take the cup and give her more.
“You should make this more often,” Casey says. “Are you giving this to Brandon?”
“Yes. Do you think he’ll like it?”
“He’ll love“I’m glad. But anyway, can I talk to you about something else?”
“Mm, go ahead.” She continues to eat the rice dish.
“What do you think of Pauline and Brandon?”
“Oh.” Her eyes narrow as if thinking deeply. “What do you mean?”
“Do you think they will get married?” The question slips out of my mouth and I immediately regret asking it. But this is Casey. She’s my best friend, and she doesn’t judge; she always listens.
“You know about that now too, I guess.” She stops eating, and her face becomes concerned. “I don’t completely trust Pauline, and Brandon isn’t the way he usually is around her. I don’t know why, so if you to ask me, I don’t like it.”
I admit I’m happy with her answer—yes, it’s because we’re friends. But I’m sure Casey doesn’t think like that just because of me. She’s better than that.
“But it’s still his decision to make, right?” Casey goes on. “No matter how much I tell him that I don’t like Pauline, he’ll just do whatever he wants.”
Unfortunately, that’s true as well. “I suppose.”
“But he took care of you when you were sick.” She chuckles. “I guess he still cares.”
“That’s the case. He cares when I’m bedridden,” I joke. I lean on the counter and fold my arms. “Well, we already spoke of just being casual about our failed relationship, at least while we’re still looking for Oliver; maybe that’s just it.”
She nods. “But how about after, Alayna? We’ll find Ollie for sure, but how about after that? It hurts me to hear that you two are just going to call it quits so soon. Like it’s really over?”
“It really is.” I sigh. “I saw how he is with Pauline. He’s comfortable around her. He trusts her.”
Casey eats the last portion of her food and puts the cup in the sink. “I don’t know... I don’t feel like that’s just it, but that’s just me. What matters is what youHonestly, I don’t know. It’s as I told Cassius: I wouldn’t be confused if Brandon didn’t take care of me when I fell ill. He should have stayed reticent toward me. Well, like yesterday.
I think he has really moved on. I’m afraid I’m the only one who actually still feels anything about us. If he can move on and forget about me, I should too. And that’s giving myself a chance to look at other beautiful things.
“There’s something else I want to tell you about. It’s Cassius.”
“Right, there’s Cassius too.” Casey nods in acknowledgment. “He can be very charming, and my brother is very dedicated too, isn’t he? I should give him credit for that.” She smiles warmly.
I return her smile. “He is. All the time... all he does is to understand me and look out for me.”
“So yes, but what about him?”
“He kinda asked me about us“And you still can’t decide?
“But I didn’t turn him down. I can’t seem to do that to him, not now.”
“Hmm.” Casey crosses her arms. “You know, I wish for his happiness too, also yours and Brandon’s, so honestly, I don’t know what to say.” Her smile doesn’t reach her eyes.
“Your brother asked me for dinner tonight at the terrace, and um, I already agreed, so we might not join you later, but I’m still going to cook, though.”
Now her eyes slightly gleam. “Oh, that’s very nice and romantic.”
“It’s not romantic.” I chortle bashfully. “It’s just a friendly dinner. I don’t have to dress up.”
“Oh, come on, Alayna.” She pats my arm gently. “A girl has to dress up. I’m going to do your makeup tonight. What do you say?”
My cheeks flush. Of course, it will be nice to look pleasant for Cassius after everything he’s done for me. He deserves to be treated like a prince too.
“All right.” I bite the inside of my bottom lip, smiling. “I’ll dress up and have my hair done, and I’ll cook one of my best dishes.”
“Great! I love being like the fairy godmother, but, Alayna, aren’t we going to take that to Brandon?” Casey chuckles and points out the meal I prepared for him.
I gasp. “Oh, right! Sorry about that.”
“I’ll take it,” she offers. “You have to get ready! It’s basically a date.”
I blink. “But I still have dinner to cook.”
“Exactly! It’s going to be a busy day for you, so you better move now, chop-chop!”
I laugh at her enthusiasm. I help Casey put Brandon’s lunch on the trolley. “I got this. Go, do your work. Hi, Lennie!” She greets our head housemaid, who’s about to come into my station, then pushes the trolley outside.
“Alayna, dear?” Ms. Lennie says. A young maidservant is standing by her side.
“Oh, hello.”
“I’m sorry to interrupt. Nina has something to tell you.”
“Sure, what is it?
“There were two people at the main gate looking for you, miss,” she informs me in a smooth, quiet voice. “They said they’re your friends.”
I frown. Friends? I don’t remember having any friends in New York City. But they still know I’m here?
“Are you expecting someone, Alayna?” Ms. Lennie asks curiously.
“Not really.” I shake my head firmly. “Are you sure? I’m sure there’s a mistake. Did they leave a name?” I ask Nina.
“Yes, they gave me this.” She hands me a small card, and I read,
Dr. Jason H. Valentine M.D.Rutherford Medical City845-583-5597
I frown hard.
My mind echoes the name on the card, and my heart nearly jumps out of my chest as I realize who it is.
Oh my God!“These people, you said, are they still outside?” I ask Nina.
“They’ve already left, miss,” she says, “but asked me to tell you that they’ll be back.”
I hold on to the prep area to steady myself. I feel like collapsing... in joy, most probably.
They’re here...“What is it, Alayna?” Ms. Lennie asks curiously. Her forehead creases. “Do you know these people?”
As I laugh, a lone tear falls down my cheek. “They’re my friends... From home.”