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The Shadow of Deception CHAPTER 98: TELLING JUNE
It has been a long time since I slept comfortably in a good bed. I had stayed the past few days with Marvin planning and resting. Larry has been doing a lot, keeping it together while I rest.The muted glow of city lights filtered through the half-drawn curtains, casting an ambient glow on Marvin's luxurious bedroom. In the past few days, this space had witnessed both clandestine conversations and tender moments, a testament to the complex web of relationships that defined the lives of those who inhabited it.Marvin was not letting go of anything that he thought we should discuss, it was like a box of birds was opened, and the birds were all singing at the same time. He wanted to have enough information that convince him that the twins were safe.Marvin and I had made a conscious decision not to disclose the news of the impending twins to June. As the days passed, I found solace in the thought that our secret held the promise of stability for our growing family. Little did I know that
The Shadow of Deception CHAPTER 99: THE DOCUMENTS
The evening air hung heavy with tension as I went out to meet with Larry in a secluded corner of the Martinez Gang base. The dim glow of a single overhead light cast elongated shadows, accentuating the gravity of the conversation that was about to unfold."Cassie, what's eating at you?" Larry inquired, his eyes narrowing as he observed the turmoil in my expression. I was not a fan of June because I had always thought she had a separate secret mission.Taking a deep breath, I began to unravel the unsettling revelation that had been gnawing at her since the incident with Ken. "Larry, I think June might be involved in all of this, and I am certain of this," I said, hoping that Larry would believe without any further convincing from me, but it was not the case. Larry would always do his due diligence on anything and anyone.Larry's brows furrowed in confusion. "June? Marvin's contracted wife? What are you talking about?" He asked with so much concern as to what I was about to reveal.I re
The Shadow of Deception CHAPTER 100 : PARANOIA
I had doubts as the weight of every uncertainty weighs heavily on me. It looked like it was pulling down from being myself. I felt the walls of my destiny were choking me, and they seemed to close in around my doubts. I wanted to know more about June, Rose, her husband, Uncle Jonah, the Martinez Gang, and even Marvin. I could not tell what was happening to me as I suddenly felt that the babies and I were not safe in the ecosystem I found myself.I reached out to Larry and asked for a meeting. I felt he was the only one who would understand the circumstances I found myself in. I suddenly felt a need for protection for me and the babies. It was only Larry that would be patient to listen to all I had to say even if it was not making sense.I met Larry at the hotel. It was in the dimly lit corner of the hotel room I poured out my concerns to Larry, who seemed quite interested in what I had to say. He listened to me with every attention and did not interrupt until I had done speaking.“Larr
The Shadow of Deception CHAPTER 101: MY NEW TARGET
I sat in my room at the hotel thinking of how I could navigate the new phase of my life. Things were going to be a lot different as I knew that from next month, my belly would be protruding, and I might not be able to perform certain things at my optimal duty. I did not like the way I felt about it, but it was just the truth I had to face. I had just gotten a drink from the fridge when I heard a knock at the door.As I opened the door, I was quite shocked to see Uncle Jonah. He stood there waving at me, who seemed like someone who had seen a ghost. He wanted permission to come into the room. Though pregnant, I was still very prepared for anything and all things. I quickly held on to my lap knife.“No need for that, Cassie. I have come in peace and also to make you know something you never knew,” he said.“How did you get my location? That is the first answer that should come from your mouth,” I said.“Like I said, I come in peace and this information I have will benefit you and the fa
The Shadow of Deception CHAPTER 102: DEATH'S STAKE
I decided to meet with Rose to get more information about what Uncle Jonah had told me. So I called Rose to meet with me at an abandoned warehouse where I could get information without intrusion. I knew Rose was innocent and that her husband might have used her as bait or a mole to get to Marvin. I just have to talk to her to give up her husband and let her know that no harm would come to her. She was my very good friend.Rose came but something seemed odd. I noticed she had not dressed this way before. I was concerned about her dress choice as I noticed it gave her room to hide any weapon. I had never seen Rose dressed this way. it was only assassins who had images and identities to conceal usually do this type of thing.“Thank you for meeting with me, Rose. I am so sorry we had to meet like this. I didn’t plan it this way, but circumstances warranted it?” I said, sizing up the lady in front of me who looked extremely changed from the Rose I knew from the office.“It’s okay, Cassie,
The Shadow of Deception CHAPTER 103: HUSH HUSH
"Cassie!" Larry's voice cut through the chaos as he rushed to my side. The gravity of the situation sank in as he saw the blood gushing from my wound. I thought it was my gun hand he had shot, but looking at it one more time through the on and off of my consciousness I could see that he shot me at my upper chest. I just hoped and wished that he had missed my arteries. Blood was gushing down from my chest and my belly."Come on Cassie, don't let go, apply pressure on it," it was Larry's voice I was now hearing from a distance, though he was about to carry me in his arms.In a flurry of urgency, Larry scooped up me in his arms, his eyes flickering between concern and a steely resolve. Without hesitation, he carried me out of the warehouse, the weight of the consequences settling on his shoulders.I did not know whether I had killed Rose's husband too as I was in and out of consciousness by the time we got to the hospital and everything changed. Doctor Jake seemed frightened for the firs
The Shadow of Deception CHAPTER 104: ALL IS WELL
I woke up to find out that I was still in the hospital. I tried calling out to Marvin or Larry but with each call, there was a certain pain around my chest. The bullet had pierced through my chest and came out of my back. Doctor Jake walked in smiling.“You do not have to say a word, Cassie, you may still be feeling some pain. The surgery was successful, and we are glad you are out of a coma. You and the babies are safe. Rest a little bit while I get some more medication," said Doctor Jakes.Relief washed over me as the words echoed through the hospital room. It was a comforting balm to the anxiety that had gripped my heart. The assurance that my unborn babies were safe brought a wave of gratitude, and a flicker of a smile touched my lips.“Doctor, please I would love to see Marvin and Larry, I cannot wait to let them know everything is fine,” I said, as I found my voice, though painful, still came out quite well.“Cassie, they know, and they are still here. None of them have gone hom
The Shadow of Deception CHAPTER 105: FOUL PLAY
The next time I woke up in the hospital, I was very different. I felt better, but it was like the old me with little hurts here and there, but I was refreshed and better. Marvin and Larry sat on opposite sides of my bed. They had refused to go home, and it now looked like a competition about who cared the most. I loved the attention, I loved it, that anytime I woke up, I saw them by my bedside, but I knew it was selfish to let them keep acting up and acting strong.“Marvin, please, I need you to go and take your bath and get refreshed. You also need to keep the company going. When you come back, Larry will leave for the gang’s headquarters to assess what is going on there. We may lose at both ends if we do not act quickly. As you can see, I am getting better,” I said, trying to ease off the competition and get us going before any more damage.While Marvin was gone, the dim light of the room cast a subtle ambiance as Larry and I reconvened to discuss the Martinez Gang. The weight of ou
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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