Late that evening, Andrew arrived back at the hotel and took a shower. It was a long day of practice with the men, but they were advancing quickly. Starting tomorrow, there would be a good rotation with someone to guard both Roisin and Alexa each day. Andrew realized he really needed more men. His personnel were growing, and Durres was still a dangerous place. This was something he intended to change but simply killing every gang member would just insight others to come in. Liam had already told him that since he had sold his gray businesses for cheap, the crows were circling, preparing for a battle over the scraps of Durres from large gangs across the area. Without a force of his own to monitor and maintain order, it would be pointless to wipe out the existing structures.
After he dressed, Andrew found Roisin and Alexa and asked them if they would like to go for a nice meal. Both girls glanced at each other and nodded, smiling brawdly, but insisted that tomorrow night would
When Andrew was ready, he knocked on Roisin’s door, and hear giggling from inside. It turned out Roisin and Alexa had made fast friends and both were inside together. They came to the door dressed in long gowns with their hair in twin braids that met in a single braided tail at the back. Andrew and to choke on his words for a minute. “you two look lovely tonight” “Why, thank you” they both giggle, totally loving his discomfort. ‘Keep it in your paints mister.’ Commented Raya. ‘and here I thought you were wanting to live vicariously though me.’ Snarked Andrew. ‘hmm’ grumped Raya. ‘what’s up with her’ thought Andrew, pushing it from his mind, and asked the ladies “Well ladies, the night is yours, where would you like to eat? My treat.” Roisin had been thinking about this so quickly said “The Gold Dragon Palace! It’s an exquisite place that I have always wanted to eat at but never been able to!” “O, is it sup
At that time, in the other room, which was part of the Emporer’s Club, Jaxon was seated at the bar with his arm around a young beauty doing his best to impress.“My dear, I have just been promoted! Working for the bank of Dragrad, I can get you anything you want! My new salary is much more than before! And don’t you know, with such a promotion I now drive a model X! it is worth over $500,000!”“A luxury car hu? I have a friend who can take me for rides in his Wyvern car any time I want.” The beauty said, trying to pull away.Jaxon Sneered, disdainfully, “This car you speak of, is nothing compared to my x model! Look at mine, it's right out front!” and with that, he pulled out his key ring and tried to click the lock. However, the sound was not where he expected. He swerved his head and looked out the glass front windows and didn’t see his car in the front-drive!He clicked his keys again and saw a fain
“Did you hear what I said?” the waiter's cold voice said, as he reached for the intercom and called for security.Hearing security called Alexa tensed but Andrew and Roisin drew close to her and she took comfort in both of their presences.As several burly security forces came tromping over, one shouted “Who dares make trouble in the gold Dragon Palace?”“Clinton, it's those people, they are the ones causing trouble. I told them there is no seat here for them, but they refuse to leave. They seem to want to use force to break in! He even tried to call the boss by name and act like he called the President’s personal number, trying to intimidate me!”The security guard the waiter had called Clinton instantly became cold.Liam? No one had the balls to invoke the name Liam here in his own site, yet this kid dares to pretend to call him personally after hours? This kid had steel cojones!Clinton rolled up
As the ladies looking around, the grandeur of this box exceeded all expectations. It was ornately decorated with handcrafted woodworking of a dragon moving through forest scenes, and gold inlay. This table alone was likely as expensive as some homes in Durres.After Liam had drinks and some appetizers arranged, Andrew looked across the table at both ladies.“I must say you both look lovely tonight. I apologize for the struggles we encountered getting here.”The girls both blushed. “Thank you”“And Alexa, I understand you visited the training ground recently?” Andrew said curiously.Alexa shrank, thinking she was in trouble. “I, I am sorry, I just needed to get out.”“What? No! Don’t be sorry! If you need to get out, please, talk to us. I admit Miss Roisin and myself are often busy running from one place to another, but if you have needs, we will all work to accommodate. In fact, the
The next morning Andrew woke up early and took Alexa to the training site before anyone else arrived.Raya said ‘Andrew, I tell you this one has more strength than either you or she knows. Be careful, train her well’‘What are you not telling me?’‘you will learn in due time on your own. Even she does no know the extent of her strength, so it is for you two to learn together.’‘really? Leaving me in the dark like this?’‘just know she is strong.’ Concluded Raya.“ok Alexa. Tell me of your training. You said a monk worked with you. If you passed the first level, I have to assume your natural physical agility is high.” Said Andrew, evaluating her posture.“Well, yes. When I was young, I often broke things. The monks told me it was because I was dragon blessed. And that is why I became the dragon priestess. I was bas
Andrew deftly caught the blade, beaming from ear to ear. “It took Jackson over three months to get that one! Anika managed it about a month later. None of them got it on their first try.”Alexa was stunned at what she had just done. The motion had come so naturally and just felt… right.“But seriously, how often do you use knives? Don’t you all have guns?” she asked skeptically.“Guns still have their place, but ammo supplies are running lower every day. Plus a knife is silent, and never runs out of ammo. I would rather have my knife over your gun.” Andrew explained.“Really?”To demonstrate, Andrew grabbed a practice gun with paint bullets, and a flexible training blade from his bag. He tossed the gun to Alexa.“It works just like a real one, but its just paint. When the bell gongs, we go.” Andrew backed up almost 20 feet, and set a gong timer for 10 seconds.&l
Late the next morning, Arya Croft called Andrew. “Hello Arya, what can I do for you today?”“Hello Mr. Andrew. Two thinks if you are not too busy. Roisin asks that you visit the new construction site and help her verify something with one of the engineers. They may have a discrepancy.”“Ok, not a problem. Alexa and I are nearby at the training ground so we can swing by shortly after lunch. What else?”“A Miss Natalia Wyvrena who is the Regional director of the Bank of Dragard would like to meet with you personally. We spoke of them cooperating on a few projects and she would like to offer to be your personal contact for any needs.”“hmm, have we been able to use them for anything yet?”“As a matter of fact, they have been quite helpful on several projects we have going. While we have the cash on hand for each project, the bank has given us very good terms for running capital which ha
Andrew frowned and glanced at Alexa. “Alexa, how do you feel the men are?” “Umm, well they have been working hard. I think they are ready for some field training.” “Are you?” Alexa paled in realization at what Andrew was proposing. “I guess I have to be… stall them for ten minutes?” “tell the men they have five to get here.” Alexa opened her phone and hurriedly fired off a series of texts. When she was done, she looked up at Andrew, set her jaw and nodded as she set a timer on her phone. “For now, stay behind me, and we will see if they will talk. Give the men a chance to get here. When it starts, you stay at my side. Your goal is to keep them off me and finish any I leave. We will not kill this bunch if we can help it, I have other plans for them. Disable, and move on. Alexa… don’t hold back. Only hold back what you need to not kill. This is going to be brutal. It will take a lot of energy. Keep up and look for any opportunities they