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The Shadow of Deception CHAPTER 51: NOT NOW
As I left for the office, the weight of the conversation with Sancho still heavy on my mind, I couldn't help but feel a sense of relief. I now have a better ally. If I could get the gang to be very skillful and professional, then that is a powerful tool at my disposal.I went to the bar to refresh myself before I got to the office. I wiped down the counter with newfound determination. The dimly lit dive bar had always been my sanctuary, a place where I could escape from the harsh realities of life. The patrons, rough as they were, had become a sort of family over the few months I had worked with Marvin. I wished Marvin had been there with me.I left the bar and went straight to my office. I was wondering why Marvin had not shown up when I saw Rose walk by.“Hello Rose, I thought you were coming to see me," I said.“No Cax, I was not, but since you have seen me here I am,” she said.“I thought we were friends. What happened?” I asked.“I should be asking you,” she said.“What do you me
The Shadow of Deception CHAPTER 52: TO TELL OR NOT TO TELL
I sat in the doctor’s office wondering what had just happened to me. It looked as if the lights were too bright for the heavy news I had just received. I was stunned, but I knew this could happen, yet I did not know why I allowed it to happen.I did not take precautions, my mind was racing with a thousand thoughts as Dr. Jake shared the ceiling with me. I would normally have looked for other options but my love for Marvin had affected my thoughts too. I laid down and my guard.“How long have I been pregnant, Dr. Jake?” I asked, my voice trembling. As if the doctor’s response would affect my decision. I had already made a decision and why I made that decision is what my whole system was struggling with.Dr. Jake looked at me, he smiled in a very compassionate and reassuring way. “I may not be able to tell you exactly how long, but from the test, I think you would be three weeks pregnant,” the doctor said.“Wow! That’s great,” I said, smiling at the news that it was still early.“Have y
The Shadow of Deception CHAPTER 53: THE JUNE CONTRACT
“Hello, Cax, I would love you to see Tessy about the marriage contract and please do your best to go through it,” Marvin said.“Have you changed your mind about delivering it to Miss June? It would be better to come from you,” I said. I did not want to do it since I now have a part of Marvin in me. It felt like I was betraying my unborn child.“No, Cax! I want it official, so let’s keep it that way,” Marvin said.“As you wish, it’s not a problem,” I said.I met with the lawyer and we went through the contract. As a woman, I felt it was so rigid. The contract states that Marvin does not owe her any ties, especially emotionally or financially, and that she was to do everything with her money and not to expect anything from Marvin. They were offering her five million dollars for two years. I thought to myself no woman would accept that.“Don’t you think that this is too rigid?” I asked Tessy, who was still reading out some of the items on the contract placed on the table in front of us.
The Shadow of Deception CHAPTER 54: SIGNED AND SUPPORTED
The negotiation continued, and I found myself playing a role that was far removed from the woman who had sat in Dr. Jake's office, learning of her pregnancy. I was deep in a world of intrigue and manipulation, a world that demanded a different kind of strength.June brought me back to reality when she asked, “Is it possible that there would be no emotional attachment and we would stay together for two years?” June asked.“You will not be staying together,” I replied.“Wow! I need to go over this all over again,” June said.“Why are you doing this?” I asked.“I like Marvin just like you do. And like you, I want to help him be the man he ought to be,” June said.“I see, I hope this is what it means to you,” I said,“So why did you come to me? You could have gone to any other close person. I mean you and Marvin just knew me,” Miss June asked.That was true. Everything around Marvin was happening too fast. What if Marvin was deceiving everyone so that he could use us to achieve his aim? W
The Shadow of Deception CHAPTER 55: SECRETS AND LOYALTIES
These days I sit in the office all to myself and most of the time thinking about what was to be my next move. Being pregnant was not one of my plans, but it has changed the dynamics of things. I have two security chiefs in the office. These days, they help me out with all the security tasks. They were outstanding. We were in the meeting when I got the call from the Contractor. “Guys can we continue later, I have to take this call,” I said as I excused myself from them and asked them to leave and come back later, my heart pounding with anxiety, as I closed all the doors and shut all the windows and still moved to a more secluded spot, away from prying eyes and ears. The call from the Contractor threw me into the reality of myself and the weight of my secrets bore down on me like an unbearable burden. “I have been expecting your call for weeks. You owe me but yet you refused to call me. I am not good at this suspense,” I said as I waited for the husky voice at the other end of the l
The Shadow of Deception CHAPTER 56: WEDDED
It was a very private wedding. Tessy and I were the only witnesses. Marvin had also made the priest swear confidentiality. The marriage certificate was attached to the contract by Tessy.There was no kissing of the bride as Marvin did not want to hurt my feelings. It was such a nice gesture. Everyone knew their purpose. We all played our scripts very well.“Thank you for doing this,” said Marvin as he held his newly wedded wife.“Thank you for the opportunity,’ June said.Opportunity! Why would she say that? I hope she does not have anything up her sleeve. If not, I would not hesitate to take her out. The background check I did on her indicated a very homely and soft person.I also hope I was right for our sake and the sake of our unborn child. A thought came over me. It was to tell Marvin here and now and damn the consequences.But I knew better, the empire I was about to build requires a lot, and keeping this secret was one of them. I have a few months to make this work before my be
The Shadow of Deception CHAPTER 57: MEETING AT THE TABLE
“Will you go to war with me when I call for it or will you stay? I have protected your legacy and kept out your wrong leaders. What will you do? Because I need you now more than ever." I said, looking at every member of the table one after the other in their eyes. I wanted to see and know their reaction.“'How do you want us to go to war with our employer? He pays fifty percent of what we earn. The factory only does twenty percent of that," Sancho said."I am glad you keep the records, so if you want a hundred percent you had better help me keep your position," I said, trying to make them see that not going to war with me is a loss for all and then a win for the contractor."Cassie, it is not our war and whether we like it or not, it is you that the Contractor will come for," Sancho said."Okay, let's say you are correct. So you think he won't come for the gang? Have you forgotten so soon, Sancho? I am a member of this table and I am number one in the ranking of the assassins. I kille
The Shadow of Deception CHAPTER 58: SHADOWS
I sat down for a meeting with Larry. Larry and I huddled together, trying to devise a plan that would protect my unborn baby and Marvin. We agreed on a strategy that involved keeping the Martinez Gang at bay while I sought a way to dismantle the threat from within.As the days passed and the threat from the Contractor continued to hang over our heads,The plan was risky, but we had no other choice. I had to find a way to keep him safe without revealing my true identity. It was a delicate balancing act, and I knew that any misstep could lead to disaster.The first step in our plan was to gain the trust of the Martinez Gang. I needed to be close to them, to have access to their inner circle, in order to protect Marvin and find a way to dismantle the Contractor's hold over us. Larry and I discussed the risks, and he reluctantly said that I had the gang's leadership. Though we were in the meeting together.“I think they are all given into you because of Sancho and I think that support wou
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- The Shadow of Deception
CHAPTER 132: THIS IS NOT THE END
I sat down in Marvin's office as we looked at all the options we had for ensuring that our future and that of the twins were secured. He was not sure whether I agreed with him or not as he presented his plans. I looked straight at him with no emotions, and I was wondering whether it was because I had become the most dreaded Mafia Lord in town or that I just couldn't marry him."You are still married to Ms. June," I said immediately after he finished his speech, "or do you want me to take care of that too?" I asked."How do you mean, Cassie?" He asked, not sure if he understood what I meant."She looks like someone in the middle of our dream,"I said."She works for you," he replied.I told Marvin that we might have to wait for Ms. June's contract to expire, or he could talk to June to cancel the contract and pay her off if he wants us to be together. He agreed to talk to June. We did not know why June didn't want to cancel the contract even when she knew she would be fully paid as agre
- The Shadow of Deception
CHAPTER 131: MY TABLE MY MOVES
I sat at the table as the head of the gang for the first time and this time was to sort out issues that were arising due to me being selected as their leader. I told them how I had led this gang to this particular height single-handedly and could, even in my pregnancy, still take on any of them.Larry came late due to the task I had given him and one of the table members wanted to raise an objection to that, but I was not having any of that. I told him to sit his ass down, and it brought the quietness I had wanted to drive home my message.Larry's revelation about Cally's involvement was unexpected and unsettling. I leaned forward, studying the information he brought. "Cally hired Jasper? What does he gain from orchestrating my kidnapping?" I wondered aloud.Larry sighed, "It seems like there's more to this than meets the eye. Maybe he sees you as a threat, or perhaps he's trying to disrupt our operations. I'll dig deeper to find the motives."I nodded, acknowledging Larry's commitmen
- The Shadow of Deception
CHAPTER 130: THE SUPREME LEADERTH
Entering the Martinez Gang Headquarters, the room fell silent as all eyes turned towards me. Sancho, who is the current head of the gang, stood up, relief evident on his face."Cassie, we were worried," Sancho admitted, his concern reflecting in the eyes of the other members.“What happened, and where have you been? We could not carry on without you when Larry told us you were indisposed,” Sancho said.“Sancho, do not worry about me. I am fine. It will take more than pregnancy to hold me down,” I said, knowing that everyone was expecting to declare that I was pregnant so that I would not be made the leader of the Martinez Gang.“It is the reason we want pregnant women to sit out of business till they are ready,” Sancho said.“And the men who got them pregnant?” I asked.“It is a man’s world, Cassie. Anyway, we were worried about you,” Sancho said."I appreciate the concern, but we have a bigger problem," I began, looking around the table, "I was abducted this morning and Jasper, Rose'
- The Shadow of Deception
CHAPTER 129: UNDETECTED BOSS
The car moved steadily through the darkened city, the rhythmic hum of the engine accompanying the weighty silence that enveloped us. My eyes were fixed on the passing scenery, but my thoughts were tangled in the web of recent events. The events of the unexpected abduction, the revelation of Jasper's involvement, and the unsettling connection to the Contractor."Larry," I finally broke the silence, the question lingering at the forefront of my mind, "How did you not know I was kidnapped?"Larry's gaze remained focused on the road, his features shrouded in contemplation. "Cassie, I... I didn't have a clue. The whole thing took us by surprise. We were on high alert after everything with the Contractor and the Martinez Gang, but this... It was a blind spot."His words carried a weight of genuine concern, and I understood the complexities of the clandestine world we navigated. The shadows held secrets and the clandestine maneuvers of those we sought often unfolded in unpredictable ways."B
- The Shadow of Deception
CHAPTER 128: IT WAS JASPER
"We have been paid to do a job. Why don't we just get on with it Must we wait for him? It is getting late, and we have not heard from him now. Guys, what do we do? This is a very great asset, and keeping her alive more than now puts us at a great risk," said one of the members of the gang, who seemed irritated that they were keeping me more than normal.I stood still at the back of the truck as I listened to their conversation. They were waiting for instructions to get rid of me and that was how I got my first knowledge that it was not the Martinez Gang. I needed my gun, or would I say that I needed any gun I could get my hands on?I was waiting for the perfect time to strike. I knew I had to be strategic because it was a fight where the guns were fighting with the object I had used to free myself."If Jasper was not coming, then let's kill the woman and ensure that he knows where we buried her body so that he can mourn her," said one of them who was already laughing at his own joke.
- The Shadow of Deception
CHAPTER 127: BOXED UP
“You are going to be here for a long time,” a voice of a man said. I was blindfolded, but I knew we were still in New York and that I was kept in a box, or the back of a truck, or a container. I tried to visualize where I was and who was coming and leaving the place I was."If I could see you, I would tell if you would die first before the rest of your gang, you silly thing," I replied. I was not going to allow someone who does not have the decency to reveal his face to scare me. I felt that they were already scared of me and that was why they blindfolded me. I also knew that this was not a kidnap for ransom, it was a kill-the-target situation. What they were waiting for was what I did not know. Maybe they were waiting for instructions from their sponsors, only time can tell.The person looked like a guard assigned there and, from the look of things, I think they are three. They had taken my phone and smashed it when we got there, but that would not stop Larry from using the locator t
- The Shadow of Deception
CHAPTER 126: STEPPING DOWN
Sancho called for a physical meeting. The Martinez Gang members gathered in an atmosphere fraught with anticipation. The air hummed with a mixture of uncertainty and curiosity as the announcement of Sancho stepping down as the head of the gang hung over us like a shroud. Most of them looked tired as we had been engaged for so many reasons, including our internal struggled with the Contractor.My role within the gang, though currently inactive due to my condition, still tethered me to its intricate web of relationships and responsibilities. Sancho, a stalwart leader, had been a significant presence, guiding the gang through tumultuous times. The prospect of his resignation sent ripples through the Martinez Gang, leaving everyone eager to understand the reasons behind his decision. I was not there to tell him not to resign, and I asked Larry not to let them know he was with a video camera installed in his glasses..In the dimly lit room, Sancho's commanding presence demanded attention a
- The Shadow of Deception
CHAPTER 125: NOT RIGHT NOW
“Why haven’t you considered my proposition? We need to train the kids in the best possible way we can. You also need to have a man in your life and above all I love you,” Marvin said.“What do you want me to say, Marvin?" I asked. It was the truth as I did not know how to respond to his request, yes, he was going to be the father of my kids but I did not know whether I needed him as a man. It was quite confusing because I had not taken the time to consider that this could happen.The question lingered in the air, creating a moment pregnant with implications. Marvin's inquiry about marriage carried the weight of sincerity, and I in response, couldn't help but revisit the complexities of their intertwined lives.With the echo of Marvin's question resonating, my mind retraced the complexities of my emotions. The memory of Marvin's secret marriage to June cast a shadow over the prospect of our union. Torn between love and the intricacies of their shared history, I faced the crossroads of
- The Shadow of Deception
CHAPTER 124: GETTING ALL
I sat in Marvin’s room as we plotted how to go about with the Callyb predicament. It was Marvin’s room where strategic decisions unfolded, Marvin and I plotted our next move, we intended to buy out Cally Industrials even when we knew Cally would never sell his company to us. The revelation about Cally's financial struggles became a catalyst, and we decided that a buyout might be the most strategic play in this intricate game of corporate chess.With my unwavering determination, I articulated the plan to Marvin, my partner in both business and life. "Marvin, acquiring Cally's company is our next logical step. It will not only eliminate a formidable rival but also position us as dominant players in the industry. We have the means, the strategy, and now, the insight into their financial vulnerabilities. It's time to make our move."I did not know if Marvin would buy into what I was saying because I knew that Cally would never want to sell his company. I hope he does if not the other opti
