Heartless People |Book 1|

Chapter 3

THREE

"Murder is born of love,

And love attains the greatest intensity in murder."

~ Octave Mirbeau

LISA

"Someone is just a tad bit presumptuous." Nickhun snickered into phone. "She's already packed, Lisa."

And sure enough, when my car pulled up to the Italian-styled mansion, I watched as some of Kim's men placed suitcases, what I figured were Jennie's things, into a white suburban near the far side of the house. When they noticed us, they finished as fast they could and disappeared behind the tree sculptures that lined the back. They were all the size of Bambam and I couldn't help wonder how they would fit in with our people. This would be the biggest merger the mafia world had ever seen.

"She is just like the rest of them," I said into the Bluetooth. "In love with Daddy's credit card. But from the looks of it, she is no worse than Victoria."

"Or your mother," Nickhun said as the cars came to a stop. He couldn't deny his wife was a savage when it came to spending money. She held onto her plastic card with the Jaws of Life, and Nickhun, being the whipped bastard he was, couldn't bring himself to stop her. It would have been great if she actually spent the money on herself or the family, but no, she had to sprinkle it throughout the whole city, drawing unneeded attention at times. Bambam's wife, Mina, was the complete opposite. She would walk right past a starving child and buy herself another pair of shoes. I, just like the rest of them, would have to allow Jennie to shop herself crazy as long as I got what I needed.

Hanging up, I tried to resist the urge to grin like a fool. Just from getting out of my Audi, I could feel the tides turn in my favor.

"Lisa," my father said, stepping in line beside me. "You take the lead on this. I'll not interfere with whatever happens from this moment on. If you do this, you will have successfully cleared all obstacles in our way, and I will allow you to take my place as Ceann na Conairte. However, until that contract is signed, they are still the enemy. Should you fail, seek comfort in your mother, for you won't find any in me."

I wouldn't fucking think of it, I thought bitterly. Outwardly, I nodded and put my business face on.

Nickhun and Bambam mimicked my expression. We had talked about the different scenarios this could come down to and were prepared for them all. Bambam had four of his snipers outside, and Nickhun had jammed all frequencies that were not our own. We also had a car positioned less than a block away with men just waiting for the chance to clip the Kims' wings. They were the enemy until the contract declared otherwise. I was more than ready to get the papers signed and continue my blood ascension to Ceann na Conairte.

"Incoming," Bambam declared from my left, just as the doors to the mansion opened, revealing an older, jaded-looking man with a scar that ran from his forehead to his chin.

"Welcome, Manobans, to the Kim Villa. Mr. Kim is already waiting and told me to skip the formalities for the time being. I shall escort you to his office." The older man bowed as though he had come out of Downton fucking Abbey. I knew Nickhun would have a laugh about that later, but for now, we were working.

I nodded, not wanting to waste time with formalities either. We all knew why we were here, and there was no need to bullshit. Usually, my father walked ahead of us, but since I was point man today, I followed the old man inside first. The house was beautiful, rich with vintage ceramic tiles, one too many statues, and the overwhelming scent of roses. It felt more like a museum to ancient Rome than a home.

Finally, the old man stopped and didn't bother to knock before opening a door for us. Stepping in, for the first time in my twenty-seven years I was shocked. It didn't show on my face, but internally, I was shocked.