Chapter Eight
It would be an understatement to say that Karen was stunned by those words of his. She was completely caught off guard and suddenly, she couldn’t help but think about him. She looked at his calm but still serious face and a tint of admiration surfaced in her mind, even though it was only for an instant. ‘He considers me a priority to him and my safety matters. Why though? He could simply just let the assassins kill me. After all, they were most likely sent by my brother and I think he knows this too. Yet…’ She thought to herself and pursed her lips. “Keep your eyes sharp, Karen. Don’t act like I’m holding you hostage.” His voice jolted her out of her thoughts. She wanted to flare up and turn this into a small argument but remembering that there were assassins after Jason, she just kept quiet. “I don’t get something though. Since they’re after you, why don’t I just go home while you deal with them… or let them deal with you…” She suggested but Jason shook his head. “Negative. You are my wife and if I let you go, you’ll be used against me. I have also thought of this possibility.” He mentioned but Karen was surprised. She leaned closer to him to whisper something to him, “We both know that the person who sent those men is probably my brother, so why would he hurt me?” Karen asked and Jason looked at her coldly, “Because there’s also a possibility that the person who sent them isn’t your brother. If they knew you were my wife, killing us both would be more advantageous for them.” He explained and Karen couldn’t help but feel an indescribable fear. She was fearful before, but thinking that the man who sent the men wasn’t her brother made her even more fearful. Jason slowly looked to the side as three of the men walked into the restaurant. One was dressed in a black trench coat and wore a hat. Another wore a suit and the third wore a brown trench coat and a hat He was also holding a newspaper and there was a cigarette in his mouth and they all walked to the counter. Although he was side-eyeing them, they also noticed him. ‘All three men have got silenced weapons in their pockets. If we wait here any longer, they would most likely take me out and if Karen tries to make any noise, they’ll quickly take her out too, given that those who sent them aren’t from Jared.’ Jason thought before turning to his wife. “I’ll go order for some tea.” He said to her and for some reason, Karen didn’t want him to go but the latter was dead serious. Jason took a deep breath and old memories began to resurface. One mustn’t think that Mr. Marco simply adopted him. After picking him up from the streets, he modified Jason and shaped him into someone extremely dependable. All the training he got came to mind and he knew what tactics to use against these people. ‘They have a gun inside their pockets and that newspaper will be their tool. However, they won’t act until they finally get a seat and settle down. If they were about to, I would know. Once I move closer to them, they won’t try to get me. However, they’ll get their order and take a seat. The moment they take a seat, their actions will begin. I must prevent that, and I need only a simple method.’ Jason planned it all out in his mind as he made his move. He also acted like he wanted to take an order while standing beside the brown-suited one. However, when he got there, he realized that he miscalculated. “Good morning sir, what would you… wait, Jason?” Mary, the lady behind the counter blurted and Jason’s eyes widened. ‘Shit… I forgot I work here.’ He thought to himself but decided to act calm. “Uhm… hey, Mary. What’s up?” he greeted shyly but the latter was filled with astonishment. “Huh? Have you any idea what the time is? Mrs. Angella is already fuming that you aren’t here. I called you a lot of times but you didn’t pick up the phone. May I ask if you still like your job, and you’re not even acting with urgency…” She ranted and Jason was slightly frustrated but he didn’t lose focus. “Sorry, Mary. I’m not feeling good today so I’m just here as a customer and not a worker.” Jason replied but Mary only scoffed. “You? Not feeling well? I don’t believe that bullshit. You’re always feeling too good. Even if you aren’t, you always push through. So, what’s so different about today? You even brought a woman with you.” She pointed and made sure to emphasize her last statement. Jason massaged his temples and was overcome with embarrassment. ‘This woman? I feel like I’m being scolded by my wife rather than my boss… you’re not even my boss.’ Jason complained to himself before his attention shifted to the men who were about to have their order. He decided to placate her as fast as possible. “Please just let me off this once. Here take this…” Jason said before passing her some dollar notes but Mary looked at him disdainfully. “What do you take me for, a fool?” She flicked Jason's forehead, mainly because she wanted to get revenge for the other day. “I will not be bribed… but I will cover up for you.” She added and Jason couldn’t help but smile. “Has anyone ever told you how sweet you are?” He complimented and the latter blushed inside but didn’t show it. “Tsk… whatever.” She uttered before bringing her lips closer to Jason and whispering to him, “But who is that woman you brought?” Jason was speechless and couldn’t explain what was going on between him and Karen. After all, Mary had always known him to be single, even though he never really claimed it. “Well, err…” he was just about to reply when one of the men butted in. “Do you two want to chat all day or will you answer the customers?” he said and Mary bowed apologetically. “I’m sorry sir. So very sorry.” She claimed before glancing annoyingly at Jason and returning to work. The latter heaved a sigh of relief before looking at the man. “Please don’t be offended, young man. My co-worker is usually distracted but she’s hardworking.” He defended but Mary could hear him and the side of her lips twitched uncontrollably. “You work here?” the man asked and Jason smiled. “Yes sir. However, I’m not feeling quite well today so I’m here to only grab breakfast.” Jason answered and the man didn’t speak anymore. “What about you sir? What work do you do sir?” Jason inquired and the man kept a straight face and replied, “I’m a businessman.” Jason faked surprise. “Wow… you sure do look like one. What sort of business do you run sir?” Jason asked again. “I run an insurance company.” He answered briefly without even sparing Jason a glance. However, unlike Jason, he wasn’t taking any caution. This was one of Jason’s goals… make your enemy lose their guard on you and believe you to be harmless. “Hmm… that’s pretty good. So, are you going to work or are you coming back from it?” he asked again but the man seemed to be frustrated with all of Jason’s questions. He took a sharp breath and faced him. “What do you think?” he asked with a slightly annoyed tone. “What do I think?” Jason said before lowering his voice a bit, “What I think is that a businessman who runs an insurance company wouldn’t walk into a restaurant with three other hard-looking guys with silenced pistols in their suits and pockets.” Jason claimed with a smile but he was waiting. There was silence between all of them and the other two men heard his voice. That was what he wanted. He had provoked the snake, and now he was waiting for it to strike. After a brief moment of silence, the man suddenly drew out his gun from his trench coat with swift motion and aimed it at Jason’s head but the latter quickly grabbed his arm and made the man’s wrist aim upwards as he pulled the trigger. POW! The bullet hit the wall above the door and people began to scream and get on their knees. Some even lay down while others vacated the restaurant. A man with a gun is a dangerous man. Jason paid little attention to the people around him and only focused on this fight. A single mistake could be the end for him. After the man pulled the trigger, Jason elbowed him in the face and broke his nose. The second man, who was wearing the suit, wanted to draw his gun but Jason kicked him away while using the first man as a meat shield and advancing towards the other two. As expected, they shot the man repeatedly but Jason kept pushing him forward and took the gun in his hand before shooting the one with the suit on the leg. “Aaargh!” the latter screamed as he fell and that was the opportunity Jason needed as he picked up a cup of hot coffee on the counter and poured its steaming contents on the face of the third man wearing a black trench coat. “Aaaagrh.” The man shouted and covered his face which was burning. Jason didn’t slack and made sure to kick him in the face and give him a few punches before shooting the second man, who was still on the ground but was about to aim at him again, on the hand, making him scream and drop the gun. Jason quickly disarmed him and knocked him out before facing the last one. He had recovered from his burns but he was partially blinded and could barely see. Jason kicked him on the belly before smacking the side of his neck and knocking him out. After which he quickly disarmed him. He didn’t waste time doing this as there were still three more men to deal with. He dragged the one that was still alive behind the counter and began to interrogate him. “Who sent you?” he asked but the man spat. “I’m not saying shit.” He claimed but Jason wasted no time on him and placed the gun nozzle on his generation-creating tool. Before he could shoot, the man began to spill the beans. “No no. Please not there. A man named Jared Marco sent us.” “How many of you are there?” He asked again but the man looked slightly confused. “It’s just the three of us.” He claimed but Jason couldn’t believe it as he pressed the nozzle on his balls this time and he was alarmed. “I swear. I swear on my mother’s life. I swear.” He yelled and it suddenly dawned on Jason. ‘If this team was sent by Jared, then the others probably have nothing to do with these guys and were most likely sent by another person, one who I might just have a clue about. If that’s the case, this changes a lot of things.’ He thought to himself before sighing deeply. “Thanks for the info.” He said before smacking the gun butt on the man’s head and knocking him unconscious. Before facing Mary, who was sitting there petrified and shaking in front of him he approached her and tried to calm her down. “Mary, listen to me… alright, I need you to go to get these men tied together and call 911, okay? If they ask you about anything, just claim that you don’t know.” Jason instructed before patting her head. She still looked shaken but Jason couldn’t be bothered anymore as he went towards Karen. She was his main priority right now. If his speculations were true, then they are both now in deeper trouble than before.Chapter Nine“How…. How did you do that?” Karen inquired but Jason wasn’t really in the mood to answer.“Long story. We need to get out of here.” He replied before pulling her hand and leaving the restaurant while staying crouched down. However, Karen’s mind was a mess. She was completely shocked by Jason’s ability. To her, she was so terrified to the point of seeing Jason as a savior who would get her out of this mess.‘He… he sensed those assassins before anyone could and he even fought three armed men and killed one of them. He’s skilled in combat. It’s almost like he has been trained.’ She thought before taking a glance at Jason’s face. The smooth facial contours and the depth in his eyes made her wonder, ‘Who the hell is this guy? What could he have seriously been through while our entire family was criticizing him?’ these thoughts ran through her mind but she did nothing but obey him. After all, it felt like she could only be saved by this man.They got out of the restaurant and
Chapter Ten Jason winced in pain as he pocketed his gun. He had been holding back due to Karen being with him and he didn’t want to fully unleash his abilities before her. Now that she was gone, he could finally switch to his killing mode. However, he looked at the wound on his shoulder and for some reason, the bleeding wasn’t stopping, only slowed. ‘Damn it… if I don’t treat this soon, I might as well be a goner. Imaging dying by bleeding to death… not exactly the kind of death I hoped to have.’ He laughed bitterly before returning to the tunnel. This time around, he walked on the tracks instead and used the darkness to his advantage. ‘To them, I’m running away. But they’ll be shocked to realize that I’m waiting here for them.’ He claimed before slowing down. He made sure not to use a flashlight, as that would put him at a disadvantage. Rather, he adapted to the darkness and he knew fully well that his pursuers would use flashlights, making him spot them as soon as he
Chapter 11Who the fuck did the boss ask us to eliminate? Hank was confused. For a moment Hank was in a crossroads of decision and wondered if he should go home, or try to kill this mysterious man for the boss. As he was still dwelling in his thoughts, Jason fired a bullet intentionally on Hank who ran for his life. Knocking down people on his part as he exited the subway back to the road above, he fled into the busy road.“Coward” Jason mustered under his breath amidst all the pain from his wonder which he had managed to endure the pain and the flow of blood.Getting to the top spot of the train station, he fell and one of the train station guards saw him and rushed to help him. Let me take you to the hospital mister, the guard said. Jason, Took his phone from his back pocket, and with a little strength said “Call my wife”. The guard with confusion replied “I don't know your wife”“Sir, can you hear me?” the guard asked, his voice steady but laced with concern.Jason nodded weakly,
The air was thick with the scent of jasmine as Karen stood on the veranda of the grand Marco estate, her heart heavy with the burden of her unspoken words. It had been months since Karen and Marco had truly spoken, and even longer since the incident in the train station. The tension between them was palpable, but Karen was ready to tire to adjust things with her husband.Karen had spent the last few weeks trying to reach out to Jason, who had distanced himself, retreating into the solitude of his apartment in the city.She had called, sent messages, even written him letters—each one filled with the hope that he would come back to her, back to the life in the estate.But Jason remained silent, his pain and doubts holding him back from returning to the place that held so many memories, both beautiful and painful.She knew the reasons for his hesitation. The Marco family was not just any family; the fighting, legacy, power, and expectations weighed heavily on Jason’s shoulders.But recen
Rose sat at the edge of the long dining table, staring at the empty chair at the other end. The silence of the room pressed against her chest as if the walls themselves were holding their breath.The grand chandelier above, with its crystal drops sparkling under the afternoon sun, cast fragmented light across the polished mahogany table. It was the same table where the family used to gather for dinners, laughter echoing through the walls. Now, it was just her and the weight of a conversation that had yet to happen.She ran her fingers along the embroidered edges of the linen tablecloth, her thoughts drifting back to the day when everything changed. It was sixteen years ago, but the memory remained as vivid as if it had happened yesterday. Jason, her eldest son, had stood tall, his eyes filled with a stubborn determination that matched her father do the terrible thing to them.Henry, Jason’s grandfather, had issued the ultimatum with the cold finality of a man who had spent his life b
Jared sat in his dimly lit office, a room that had witnessed countless deals, betrayals, and decisions that shaped the underworld he controlled. The walls were adorned with dark, expensive wood paneling, the shelves lined with books that were more for show than reading, and a large, imposing desk dominated the center of the room. Behind him, a large window offered a view of the city skyline, the twinkling lights casting long shadows across the room.The air was thick with the scent of cigar smoke, curling lazily from the ashtray beside him. Jared leaned back in his leather chair, the familiar creak providing a momentary distraction from the thoughts that weighed heavily on his mind.His hand, usually steady and controlled, trembled slightly as he reached for the decanter of brandy on his desk. The amber liquid caught the light as he poured it, the sound of the ice clinking against the glass loud in the otherwise silent room.As he took a sip, the warmth of the brandy did little to ch
Chapter 14Jared sat in his dimly lit office, a room that had witnessed countless deals, betrayals, and decisions that shaped the underworld he controlled. The walls were adorned with dark, expensive wood paneling, the shelves lined with books that were more for show than reading, and a large, imposing desk dominated the center of the room. Behind him, a large window offered a view of the city skyline, the twinkling lights casting long shadows across the room.The air was thick with the scent of cigar smoke, curling lazily from the ashtray beside him. Jared leaned back in his leather chair, the familiar creak providing a momentary distraction from the thoughts that weighed heavily on his mind.His hand, usually steady and controlled, trembled slightly as he reached for the decanter of brandy on his desk. The amber liquid caught the light as he poured it, the ice clinking against the glass loud in the otherwise silent room.As he took a sip, the warmth of the brandy did little to chas
The small bakery where Jason worked was a sanctuary of sorts, a place where the scent of freshly baked bread mingled with the warmth of the ovens, creating an atmosphere that was comforting and familiar.The bakery was modest, with wooden shelves lined with golden loaves of bread, pastries dusted with powdered sugar, and cookies arranged neatly in glass jars. Sunlight streamed through the large front windows, casting a soft glow over the checkered floor and illuminating the flour-dusted countertops.Jason had chosen this life deliberately, distancing himself from the chaotic underworld that his brother-in-law, Jared, controlled with stupidity and lack of manner. It was a quiet life, far removed from the violence and treachery that had become all too familiar.But despite the peaceful facade, Jason knew he could never fully escape Jared’s crazy thought once in a while. The failed assassination attempt at the train station had left him shaken, a constant reminder that danger was never
The air was thick with the scent of jasmine as Karen stood on the veranda of the grand Marco estate, her heart heavy with the burden of her unspoken words. It had been months since Karen and Marco had truly spoken, and even longer since the incident in the train station. The tension between them was palpable, but Karen was ready to tire to adjust things with her husband.Karen had spent the last few weeks trying to reach out to Jason, who had distanced himself, retreating into the solitude of his apartment in the city.She had called, sent messages, even written him letters—each one filled with the hope that he would come back to her, back to the life in the estate.But Jason remained silent, his pain and doubts holding him back from returning to the place that held so many memories, both beautiful and painful.She knew the reasons for his hesitation. The Marco family was not just any family; the fighting, legacy, power, and expectations weighed heavily on Jason’s shoulders.But recen
"Ben, are you okay?" Hilary asked, his voice low and steady.Ben let out a shaky breath. "Not really. I have no idea what's going on. They dragged me out of my own home in front of my family, accusing me of stealing our damn painting. It doesn't make any sense."Hilary leaned forward, his eyes scrutinizing Ben's face. "I need you to be completely honest with me. Is there any possibility that you could be implicated in this? Any dealings, communications, anything that could be misconstrued?"Ben's eyes flashed with indignation. "Of course not! Why would I steal from my own family? That painting means as much to me as anyone else."Hilary nodded, considering. "They're claiming to have evidence—financial records, communication logs. Any idea where that could have come from?"Ben hesitated, thinking hard. "No. Unless... unless someone planted it. I mean, I handle a lot of the family's business dealings, but nothing illegal. Someone must be setting me up."Before Hilary could respond, ther
The atmosphere in the Ravenelli dining room was already tense, but the sudden intrusion of the LAPD turned unease into utter chaos.As the police officers filed into the ornate room, their uniforms starkly contrasting against the opulent decor, the family members froze in shock. The lead detective, a stern-looking woman with sharp features and piercing blue eyes stepped forward, holding up a badge."Good evening. I'm Detective Laura Martinez with the LAPD. We're here for Ben Ravenelli," she announced firmly, her gaze scanning the faces around the table.Ben, who had been nursing a glass of red wine and a wounded ego from the earlier confrontation, looked up incredulously. "What the hell is this about?" he demanded, pushing back his chair and rising to his feet.Detective Martinez's expression remained impassive. "Mr. Ravenelli, you're under arrest for the theft of the Monalisa portrait and conspiracy to commit fraud. Please turn around and place your hands behind your back."Gasps fil
The Ravenelli Estate stood grand and imposing, its vast gardens meticulously maintained, with towering trees casting long shadows over the manicured lawns. Jason Ravenelli walked beside his mother, Mrs. Rose Ravenelli, his wife Karen on his other side, as they took in the sight of the estate. It had been years since Jason had set foot on this land, ever since his grandfather had cast him out. The memories of that day lingered, but today, he felt something different—something almost akin to hope.Mrs. Rose pointed out various parts of the estate as they walked. "The east wing has been completely renovated," she said, her voice tinged with pride. "We added a new library, and the garden has been expanded. You remember how your grandfather loved his roses."Jason nodded, his eyes scanning the familiar yet changed surroundings. "It’s different, but it still feels like home."Karen smiled, squeezing Jason’s hand. "It’s beautiful, Mrs. Ravenelli. I can see why you’re so proud of it."Mrs. Ro
"What's on your mind, Jason?"Karen turned to face him, her expression soft but concernedHe sighed, running a hand through his hair. "It's just... everything's different now. Being the Ravenelli heir—it changes everything. I don’t even know where to start."Karen reached out, gently placing a hand on his arm. "You start by facing it head-on. You’ve always been strong, Jason. You can handle this."Jason looked at her, appreciating the calm resolve in her voice. "I haven’t been back to the estate since Grandfather cast me out. It feels like a lifetime ago.""Maybe it’s time to go back," Karen suggested. "You’re the heir now. That estate is yours, along with everything that comes with it."He hesitated, memories of the old man’s harsh words echoing in his mind. "What if they haven’t forgiven me?"Karen smiled gently. "You don’t need their forgiveness. You’ve earned your place. It’s time to claim it."Jason lay in bed, staring at the ceiling as the early morning light filtered through the
As the night unfolded, Jason sat on the edge of the bed in their elegantly decorated bedroom, the weight of the evening’s revelations pressing down on him. The room was bathed in the soft glow of candlelight, casting flickering shadows on the walls, but the warmth in the air did little to ease the coldness he felt inside.Karen, with her golden hair pulled back into a neat ponytail, moved quietly around the room, her movements graceful and purposeful. She was dressed in a delicate, silky creamy lingerie set that clung to her curves, emphasizing her ethereal beauty. She had chosen it carefully, hoping that tonight, after everything that had happened, she could be the one to soothe Jason’s troubled soul.She approached him slowly, her bare feet barely making a sound on the plush carpet. Jason looked up as she neared, his eyes filled with a mixture of exhaustion and wariness. He had always been able to read Karen like an open book, and tonight, despite her soft demeanor, he couldn’t shak
A dancer had been entertaining him for a while, her laughter light and flirtatious as she tried to coax a smile out of him. But Ben's thoughts were far away, lost in the storm of emotions that churned within him. As the minutes ticked by, his patience wore thin, and the dancer's attempts at seduction began to grate on his nerves."Come on, Ben," she purred, leaning in close to whisper in his ear. "Why don't you let me take your mind off things?"But instead of responding to her advances, Ben's hand shot out, gripping her wrist tightly. His eyes were dark, filled with a volatile mix of anger and desperation. "Touch me," he demanded, his voice rough and slurred from the alcohol. "Make me forget."The dancer's eyes widened in fear as she tried to pull away, her playful demeanor vanishing in an instant. "I can't," she said, her voice trembling as she looked around for help. "Please, let go."But Ben's grip only tightened, his anger rising like a tidal wave. The events of the night—the rev
The night was growing late, and the revelers in the Marco estate’s grand ballroom were finally beginning to filter out, their excitement over the shocking revelation still buzzing in their conversations. Jason, however, had retreated to his private quarters, away from the eyes of the guests and the burden of his newfound status. The emotions of the evening weighed heavily on him—relief, confusion, and the simmering anger at how his life had been manipulated without his knowledge.As he sat on the edge of his bed, lost in thought, there was a sharp knock on the door. Before he could respond, the door swung open, and Jared Marco, his brother-in-law, strode in with the kind of arrogance that made Jason’s skin crawl. Jared was dressed impeccably in a dark suit, but the sneer on his face ruined whatever charm he might have otherwise possessed.“Jason,” Jared drawled, his tone thick with sarcasm, “or should I say, *Mr. Ravenelli*? Congratulations are in order, aren’t they? You’ve really out
My son, Jason Ravenelli, is the rightful heir to the Ravenelli Empire.”The silence that followed was deafening. Every eye in the room was on Jason, who still hadn’t moved, and still hadn’t fully processed the enormity of what had just been revealed. He had always known he was different, that he didn’t quite belong in the Marco family, but this—this was beyond anything he had ever imagined.Karen, her initial shock giving way to a wave of happiness and pride, grabbed Jason’s hand. “Jason,” she whispered, her voice trembling, “you’re the heir. You’re the Ravenelli heir.”Mrs. Marco, who had been watching from a distance, felt a sense of relief wash over her. For years, she had carried the burden of knowing the truth, of keeping the secret that Jason was not truly her son, but the son of the Ravenelli family. She had grown to love him as her own, but the weight of the deception had taken its toll. Now, at last, the truth was out, and she could finally breathe.As Jason stood there, stil