Beneath The Concrete Heart

Chapter 1:Ava Morales(edited)

Andreas POV

The stale air of my office hung thick with unspoken threats. I swirled the amber liquid in my glass, the ice clinking softly as I fixed my gaze on the nervous representative from Isis Global Corporation. He shifted uncomfortably under my stare. "Agreed. Jonathan Graham has become a significant impediment. A festering wound, if you will. So, Mr. Sanchez," I drawled, letting the name hang in the air like a question, "how do you plan on excising this issue?"

This was it. My chance. Securing a weapons and ammunition supply deal with Isis Global would catapult the Family to unprecedented power in the Underworld. We'd be titans. But Graham... Graham, that slippery son of a bitch, was a wrench in the gears. An FBI spy who'd burrowed his way into the heart of the network, a ghost in the machine. No one knew his face, his real name, or anything concrete about him. He was a phantom, and phantoms were the hardest to kill.

"Mr. Sanchez?" the representative prompted, his voice thin and reedy.

My mind raced. Graham was a priority one target. A virus that needed to be eradicated before it infected us all.

"Don't worry, sir," I said, forcing a calm I didn't feel. "I'll find him. And I'll make sure he can never cause you –or anyone else– any more trouble."

Just then, the heavy oak door to my office slammed open. Franky, my loyal bodyguard and childhood friend, burst in, his face a mask of grim determination. "Boss, we've got a hit on Graham. Confirmed sighting. We're in hot pursuit right now!"

A slow smile spread across my face. Finally.

I smirked at the Isis Global representative, a predatory glint in my eyes. "Well, it seems our meeting has reached a rather... timely conclusion. If you'll excuse me, I have an agent to deal with."

I grabbed my black trench coat from the coat rack, retrieving a pair of silenced Glocks and leather gloves from the hidden compartment. The representative was practically glued to his chair in fear. I paused beside him, close enough to smell his cheap cologne and rising panic. "You realize that means you should get the fuck out of my office," I snarled, my voice low and menacing, "if you still want to walk out of here in one piece."

A cold sweat slicked his forehead. He scrambled to his feet and practically bolted out the door, a pathetic display of cowardice that almost made me laugh.

Once we were outside, Franky had the blacked-out SUV waiting, engine idling. We sped off, tires squealing, towards Graham's last known location.

My phone buzzed. It was Tim, another one of my guys.

"Talk," I barked into the phone.

"We're under heavy fire, Boss! The Vipers are in pursuit of Graham. It's a goddamn bloodbath!"

Damn that LaRosa! That venomous snake wanted Graham for himself. A prize to be delivered to God knows who in the viper hierarchy. I had to get to Graham first. This was my hunt. "Franky, step on it!" I roared, slamming my fist against the dashboard.

Graham POV

Shit! Shit! Shit! If I'd known this damn briefcase had a tracker, I would have swept for it before I picked it up. Now, I was bleeding out, and every breath was a choked gasp. If I didn't get to a hospital soon, I was a dead man. Think, Graham, think! Aha! A solution, albeit a risky one. I'd swap bags. Find some unsuspecting mark to carry this hot potato for me, then come back for it later.

My gaze landed on a young woman waiting at the bus stop. Early twenties, maybe. Pretty, with long dark hair and wide, innocent eyes. Perfect. No one would ever suspect her of carrying a briefcase loaded with secrets that could bring down an empire. This was my only chance. I stumbled towards her.

Ava POV

"Oh my god, sir! Are you okay?" I exclaimed, rushing towards the man who was practically crawling in the bus stop. It late, and I'm only here because I went to check out a old warehouse that will become my new lab. That's so he can collapse and he had multiple bullet wounds. Without thinking, I dropped my bag and pressed my hand against the wound, trying to staunch the flow of blood. "What happened to you, sir?"

He gasped for air, his face contorted in pain. "Ah... I... I have a favor to ask. A big one. Please... take this briefcase," He grabbed the briefcase and handed it to me, "and run. As far as you can. Forget you ever saw me!"

He fumbled with something inside his jacket and pulled out a gun. Pointed it right at my face! I froze, paralyzed with terror. Then I took the briefcase and ran. I felt a stinging pain in my shoulder, sharp and burning, but adrenaline surged through me, and I ignored it, pushing myself faster. After what felt like an eternity, I stumbled into a park, my vision blurring. I blinked, trying to clear my head, and the next thing I knew, strong arms were lifting me off the ground. Someone was carrying me. A man, judging by the scent - a potent mix of spice and something sweet, intoxicating. The last thing I saw was the interior of a sleek, black car before darkness claimed me.

"HUH! Where am I ?. Ouchy." I winced in pain. I stood up and went to the bathroom. The room I'm in looks like those luxury master bedrooms I dreamt of having. I walked over to the mirror. I had a bandage around my shoulder and a giant black hoody. Luckily it was enough to cover me up past my thighs. Wait, who changed me out my clothes. Was that man, oh no no no no. What if he took advantage of me while I was asleep. Omg omg. I need to get out of here. I was pacing so much I didn't hear the door.

Andreas POV

I heard a movement in my room." Guess she's awake, Franky go check on her."

"Alright Boss"

"Franky, I've told a million times that you don't have to call me Boss when we among friends. We grew up together for God's sake."

A few minutes later, this woman is standing right in front of me. In my black hoody. "Good, you're awake."

I said. I didn't even bother to look up to give her my attention. "If you need anythi....."

" How dare you kidnap me, do you know who I am. People will come looking for me. Who gave you permission to touch me and where the hell am I?. Who are you?"

"Shut up" I said as I glared at her. I saved her life and she's worried if I had sex with her while she was unconscious. Women really are judgmental. "You're here for your own protection" I lifted my eyes to meet her's. "Don't make me regret saving you. You are now involved in the biggest Underworld war. Thanks to your little dead friend that gave you that briefcase".

" What?, you saved me. That still doesn't give you the right to keep me here. Let me go back to my family.

" Ava Morales, age 23, Works for William Green Plantation Research, Mr. and Mrs. Morales used to work for the same company before they retired and her brother Victor Morales is a studying for his doctorate in physical therapy" I said, watching her reaction with cold amusement.

"Thanks for the info, Rasta. Now what's our lead on Graham."

"Sir, Graham is confirmed dead. He bled out"

Okay, one less problem to deal with. All that's left is this woman and that snake LaRosa that's hunting her. She is quite annoying to have around and it hasn't been but a few minutes since she's woken up.

Paa

This bitch just slapped me. I stand up and back her up towards the wall. I place my hand against the wall pinning her there.

"You don't ignore me when I'm talking. Didn't your mother teach you manners." She managed to say something so stupid while scared. Color me impressed but I didn't allow myself to make it visible. I let out a sigh on her neck as I closed in on her ear

"Don't talk about my mother" A hint of blush was seen on her face. But I had lost any amusement