The sharp crack of the gunshot echoed through the air, freezing everyone in place. Lisa’s scream pierced the silence as Grace crumpled to the ground, clutching her side.Blood seeped through her fingers, staining the pristine pavement of Western Steel’s entrance. “Grace!” Lisa cried, dropping to her knees beside her friend. Her hands trembled as she tried to stop the bleeding. “Oh my God! No, no, no!” Woodrow’s hand shook violently as he pointed the gun toward Lloyd, his face full of rage and desperation “You ruined me!” Lloyd moved swiftly, evading the next shot as Woodrow fired again. The bullet whizzed past his ear, but Lloyd was already closing the distance.He ducked low, grabbing Woodrow’s wrist and twisting it with precision. *CRACK!* Woodrow let out a scream of agony as the gun fell from his grasp, following his broken arm. Lloyd followed with a quick strike to the back of Woodrow’s knees, sending him crashing to the ground. “You’ve done enough,” Lloyd said coldly, hi
Lloyd and Lisa stepped into the Francis family home, the hum of conversation and faint clinking of glasses drawing them toward the living room.The luxurious cars outside had hinted at something unusual, even more so the tons of security guards that stood with those cars, but the sight that greeted them only deepened their confusion.Standing in the center of the room was Edgar Numa, dressed impeccably in a tailored suit. His expression radiated smugness as he gestured animatedly, speaking to Lisa’s grandfather, John, and her parents, Harold and Eleanor.Around him were several other men, likely more his guards, stationed near the door.The table in the corner was laden with extravagant gifts... fine wines, golden trinkets, and even a sealed envelope that Lloyd assumed contained the promised contract.Lisa frowned, stepping forward. “What’s going on here?”The room fell silent as Edgar turned to face her, his smirk widening. “wow... I know we haven't met, but I just know you're Lisa”
Lisa sat on the edge of the couch, her head buried in her hands as tears streamed down her cheeks.The family’s rejection weighed heavily on her, and she struggled to steady her trembling voice.“How could you do this to me?” she sobbed, her words muffled “To us?”John stood by the fireplace, his wooden cane resting against his leg. His gaze was cold, unyielding “Because, Lisa” he said firmly “this isn’t about you... it’s about the family" John began."With the new contract, we have leverage like never before, if you marry Edgar Numa, we’ll secure even more wealth, even more influence, and even more connections, that man can elevate this family far beyond anything Simon could ever offer”Lisa’s head shot up, her tear-streaked face filled with disbelief “I don’t care about wealth or influence! I care about Simon... I care about what we’ve built together!”“You mean the contract you secured on your own?” Harold interjected, crossing his arms. His tone was cold and patronizing “Let’s n
Despite the relatively quiet day, Morty sat slumped in his chair, tense as ever, his tie loosened, and his sleeves rolled up. His eyes kept fixed on the clock on the wall.He was expecting a call from his father.It had been nearly a month since Larry Flanagan, the chief of police and a towering figure in Hilburg’s law enforcement, had left for a much-needed vacation.In his absence, Morty had been put in charge of the station... a task that should have been routine.But then, the break-in happened.A group of masked men had infiltrated the police station, evaded the security, and stolen evidence right from under Morty’s nose. Since that night, Morty had barely slept, the weight of his failure pressed on him like a boulder, and the looming call with his father only added to his anxiety.The phone on his desk buzzed, and Morty jumped, his heart pounding. He hesitated for a moment before picking up.“Morty” his father’s voice barked from the other end, deep and frightening.“Dad” Mor
The Dragun Ash Club was alive with its usual chaos. The air was thick with smoke, the bass of heavy music reverberated through the walls, and the murmur of dangerous conversations filled the room. Underneath the haze, deals were struck, allegiances were forged, and enemies were quietly eliminated.Morty Flanagan pushed through the heavy double doors just after 9:00 PM. The club’s dim lighting barely masked the leering eyes of its patrons, most of whom ignored him. Without his uniform or badge, Morty was just another face in a sea of dangerous criminals.This irritated him more than he cared to admit, he wasn’t used to being ignored, let alone dismissed. For years, his badge had commanded authority, even in places like this, but tonight, he was just another outsider.As he walked deeper into the club, his irritation grew. He stopped abruptly and shouted at a nearby man leaning casually against the bar.“Hey!” Morty barked “Take me to Jacob... now!"The man turned slowly, his scarr
Jacob groaned as the shrill sound of his phone pierced the silence of his room.He squinted at the screen "Logan" he confirmed in annoyance.“This better be good” Jacob muttered, answering the call.“Jacob, we’ve got a problem” Logan’s voice crackled through the line, tension evident."For the last time, you call me Boss now, I won't tolerate this disrespect" Jacob said angrily.He could hear Logan sigh on the other side."Alright then... Boooss" Logan said annoyingly.“So what's the problem?” Jacob asked, rubbing his temple.“The cops... they’re raiding Camren’s place, right now.”Jacob sat up straight, his exhaustion evaporating. “What did you just say?”“Camren’s house, they're tearing it apart, taking all kinds of stuff, thought you’d want to know”Jacob cursed under his breath. “Alrigth...I’m on my way”****By the time Jacob arrived at Camren’s mansion, the scene was already chaotic. Police cars lined the driveway, their flashing lights casting eerie patterns against the toweri
The morning sunlight filtered through the curtains of Lisa’s room, casting a soft glow across the table where Lisa and Lloyd sat for breakfast. The clinking of cutlery against porcelain was the only sound between them, the silence heavy with unspoken thoughts.Lloyd glanced up from his plate, noticing the faraway look in Lisa’s eyes. Her shoulders were slumped, her usual lively demeanor dulled.“Lisa,” Lloyd said gently, setting his fork down. “What’s on your mind?”Lisa hesitated, pushing a piece of toast around her plate. Finally, she sighed. “It’s just... everything”“Everything?” Lloyd leaned forward, his tone encouraging.She looked at him, her brown eyes glistening with unshed tears. “Our marriage... it’s put such a strain on my relationship with my family, we can’t even sit at the same table with them without feeling like outsiders”Lloyd frowned, guilt gnawing at him. “I know... and I’m sorry, Lisa. I never wanted to drive a wedge between you and your family”“It’s not your f
The room at the Hilburg Grand Event Center fell into a hushed murmur as the tension hung thick in the air. Edgar Numa’s humiliation at Lloyd’s hands had captured the attention of every guest present, their whispered judgments a heavy cloud that now hung over the Francis family.John Francis stepped forward, his face pale but composed, attempting to salvage the situation. “Mr Numa” he began, addressing Henry “I deeply apologize for this misunderstanding... please, let us handle this matter privately... There’s no need for public disgrace...”Henry’s cold gaze didn’t waver. “Your family has made a mockery of this event, and my son... consider yourselves uninvited”The host of the event, a man of considerable social standing, stepped up beside Henry. “I’m sorry, Mr Francis” he said, his tone a low tune “We can’t tolerate this sort of behavior, your family will have to leave”"This is what we get for inviting a the Poor's to our event" John heard a group of people whisper"They don't b
Lloyd’s eyes narrowed, but his expression remained composed “We can still settle this, Don, you’re a businessman... let’s not turn this into bloodshed”Carlo smirked, a cruel glint in his eyes. “Your words mean nothing, ragazzo, You walk in here with arrogance, you insult me with petty bribes, and now you bargain for your life?” The barrel of a dozen guns remained locked on Lloyd and Ivan, their bodies caught in the suffocating weight of the moment.The guards stood tense, waiting for Don Carlo’s next order. His cold, disdainful gaze lingered on Lloyd as though the man before him were nothing more than a pest to be swatted.“You’ve overstayed your welcome” Don Carlo said calmly, his voice a quiet death knell “Take them to the spot, and finish there, Not here... It'll be too messy"Lloyd and Ivan didn’t resist as two guards stepped forward, guns pressing against their backs. Ivan gave Lloyd a sidelong glance, his jaw tight. Not yet... Lloyd’s slight nod was his only response.Black
The black sedan came to a stop in front of the Museo della Pizzaro, the grand Italian-styled museum housing some of the most prized possessions of the Pizzaro crime family.The marble exterior gleamed under the moonlight, and the air was thick with the weight of unspoken danger.Lloyd Bishop stepped out of the car, his black coat trailing behind him as he surveyed the area. Ivan followed, his eyes scanning every corner, his hand tucked into his jacket where a concealed weapon rested.The two men stood silently, watching the building they had been scouting for days. Guards patrolled the perimeter, their routes precise and calculated, as though every move had been rehearsed.Ivan broke the silence, his voice low but edged with doubt. “Boss, you sure about this? The place is locked down tighter than a vault”Lloyd didn’t take his eyes off the building. “We’ve done harder jobs before”Ivan let out a small huff. “You say that like we’re not two men about to walk into one of the most dang
The boutique bustled with shoppers, their voices a muted hum beneath soft background music. Lisa sifted through racks of elegant dresses, her fingers brushing against the fabrics. Though her face lit up with the occasional smile, Lloyd noticed the hesitance in her every movement, she would glance at a price tag, then quietly return the item to its place.“You like that one?” Lloyd asked, stepping closer as Lisa admired a pastel blue gown.Lisa shook her head, forcing a smile “It’s nice, but I don’t need it”“You’ve got the money, Lisa,” Lloyd said, gesturing toward the dressing rooms. “Try it on... or buy it, whatever you want”Lisa hesitated “It’s not about the money, Simon. I just… don’t want to seem wasteful.”Lloyd’s brow furrowed. “Why would anyone think that?”Lisa sighed, her shoulders slumping slightly“The first batch of funds from the Western Steel contract came in today, It’s enough to handle immediate needs, but there’s still so much to fix...""The company, my family...
Lloyd’s eyes remained glued to the name on the redacted document... Annabelle Bishop. His mother’s name stood out like a beacon amidst the sea of blacked-out text, taunting him with its presence yet offering no clarity. His mind was electrocuted.First his father had appeared in the Lancaster report from the police station break-in, and now his mother. The pieces of his past were aligning in the most unsettling ways, but the picture was still incomplete.He slammed the folder shut, his jaw tightening with frustration.“I need the full version of this report” Lloyd said, his voice sharp and commanding.Jacob flinched at the intensity in Lloyd’s tone.“Lloyd, I already told you... that’s everything Morty gave me”“Then get more!” Lloyd snapped, his frustrations mountingJacob straightened, trying to maintain his composure despite the growing tension in the room. “I can’t, Lloyd. The non-redacted version is under lock and key, and only Morty’s father, Larry flanagan, can authorize it
The Dragun Ash Club was quieter than usual, its usual raucous energy replaced by a subdued calm. Morty stepped inside, his civilian clothes blending with the shadows. He carried a thin folder in one hand, his grip tight as if he feared dropping it would undo all his efforts.The gang members inside eyed him warily but said nothing as he approached Jacob’s office.The atmosphere was thick with distrust, Morty could feel it in the way their gazes followed him, unrelenting and suspicious.He pushed open the door without knocking, finding Jacob leaning against his desk, flipping through a set of papers.“YO... WHAT THE FUCK?!” Jacob yelled angrily.“You don't EVER come in here without knocking!" Jacob cautioned.Morty nodded dryly as he closed the door behind him.Morty closed the door behind him, tossing the folder onto Jacob’s desk. “That’s because you always seem to know more than you let on, so I wanted to see if I could catch you by surprise”Jacob maintained his annoyed face as h
Morty’s voice hung in the air, heavy with accusation. “We were betrayed.”Jacob stared at him, processing the weight of the statement. The dim office seemed even darker as Morty’s words echoed in his mind.“What do you mean betrayed?” Jacob asked, his tone sharp.“I mean someone tipped off those attackers” Morty replied, crossing his arms. “The Bullhorn gang knew exactly when and where to strike, that wasn’t a coincidence... it was planned”Jacob frowned “That doesn’t make sense, you think someone on your side did this?”“Maybe” Morty said, his voice tight. “Or maybe someone on yours”The accusation hit Jacob like a punch to the gut. He stepped closer, his eyes narrowing. “Watch what you’re saying, Morty... I don’t take kindly to being accused of stabbing anyone in the back”By the look of pure rage I'm Jacob's eyes , Morty could see that he struck an unexpected nerve in Jacob.“I didn’t say it was you” Morty responded “But let’s not pretend the Draguns are saints, for all I know, so
Time seemed to slow down as Lloyd and Ivan saw the rocket inch closer and closer their car.They had to make a split second decision right there, or it would all over.In this tension filled moment, ivan decided to do something crazy.By hitting the breaks of the car, he raised the back of the car just well enough that the rocket missed the back of the vehicle by mere inches, exploding once it hit the floor and pushing the car forward at the cost of the boot.With their souls still in their bodies, Ivan would drive the car as quickly as he possibly could out of this region of the city.They were safe onc again.Llyods mind was filled with so many questions, so he decided to step out of the car and call Jacob and ask him again."Jacob, what the hell just happened there?" Lloyd asked in anger."The Bullhorn gang boss, they're a vassal gang of the Capital M gang, and that right there was Capital M territory""And why the hell should I care?" asked Lloyd, still trying to be defiant."Caus
The gray morning sky hung low over Hilburg as Lloyd and Lisa walked side by side, their pace steady but their minds in sync as to where they were heading. Lloyd glanced at the crumpled piece of paper in Lisa’s hand, its address scribbled hastily. The area they were heading to was unfamiliar to him, but the tension in Lisa’s jawline spoke volumes.When they turned the final corner, Lloyd slowed, his eyes scanning the decrepit building before them. The structure stood defiant amidst the decay of the neighborhood, its faded sign barely legible..."Francis Legal Services" The windows were cracked, and graffiti marred the walls. Trash littered the streets, and a group of thugs loitered nearby, their sharp gazes following Lloyd and Lisa’s every move.They probably would have tried to rob them if they looked any wealthier.“This was your law firm?” Lloyd asked, his tone betraying a mix of disbelief and concern.Lisa nodded, her voice soft “It was all I could afford when I graduated law
The heavy scent of leaking gasoline mixed with burnt rubber filled the air as Lloyd’s head swam, the world outside the wrecked taxi still spinning.His body ached from the impact, but he forced himself to stay still, his sharp instincts warning him to wait before making a move.Muffled voices drifted in from outside the crumpled vehicle.“You think he’s dead?” one voice asked, nervous and shaky.“Doesn’t matter” another replied, colder and more composed. “Boss Henry didn’t say to kill him... just to teach him a lesson, that crash’ll get the message across”“Yeah, but what if we overdid it? I mean, the car flipped like three times.”There was a pause before the colder voice barked “Shut up and take the pictures, he’ll want proof”Lloyd heard the sound of a phone’s camera shutter clicking. He clenched his fists, his blood boiling as the conversation outside continued.“Henry’s gonna love this,” the colder man said with a chuckle. “Big bad Simon Harland, taken down by a couple of car th