Love next door

CHAPTER SEVEN

DREW

I was already on my way home. I preferred night drivings, more peace. More quiet. I loved the dark. It had become a part of me.

I didn't have a colourful past. Mine was dark and gruesome. My hands weren't as clean as it appeared to be. Becoming an orphan at age fifteen and Olivia who was barely Five years old, I to live the hard way.

Forced into the streets to put food on our little table. I met Jude and we both became very close, as we shared the same predicament. He had an older sister that was sick and needed help with the bills.

We both started working for different underground bosses. Sold drugs, trafficked weapons, you name it. As long as it helped protect me and my sister then I was up for it.

At age nineteen I had my first kill. Before twenty I had soiled my hands enough blood to last a lifetime.

Few years later boss passed away with no child or wife but me as his only trusted alliance having worked for him for almost a decade. Before he died me put his business under me making me the next drug lord. I became boss, with Jude, my second in command.

I was stinky rich. I had everything, penthouses, mansions, clubs, businesses across the cities, everything.

Being boss came with a lot of privileges, including security. But one thing about these businesses was that once your weakness was discovered, it would be used against you.

I couldn't risk anything happening to Olivia back then. Jude and I talked about it and we decided to leave for a while till we found a successor to take over. That was how we left.

I had made more than enough money to take me through an entire century.
But I had to do something with myself. I had a thing for gyms, so I opened several ones at different locations. They were all doing well.

It was the second time we were moving to a new house, doing our best to keep a low profile.

Pulling into the side garage, I get down from my car after parking.
Noticing that the front door was slightly ajar, I take long strides, getting there in a mil second.
I only relax when I find Olivia sitting on the couch with popcorn in her hands.

"Hi brother" she says when notices my presence.

" What the fuck livia. I always tell you, Lock. The Front. Door. You never listen. Ever".

"Ohh. I must have forgotten to lock it properly, besides I just got in. I wa-"

"You just what?!" I asked

" Got in" she says not realising where I was hitting at.

" It's almost nine and you're just getting home?" I bark out. Protecting Olivia since our parents passing had always been my top priority.

" I'm not a kid anymore. I'll be nineteen in a few months!!. I can take care of myself alright." She says.

"I decide when you're old enough to take care of yourself". I say calmly.

" It's not like they're gonna barge in here and hurl me away. Isn't that why we moved, To be far from them?. They don't even know where we live!" she says, tearing up.

"Trust me Olivia you don't know the slightest shit about those people. They're everywhere. I'm trying my possible best to protect you but you're making it difficult." I say to her.

" I can protect my self!" She continues, folding her hands.

" Until you learn how to keep to your curfew and be back home early. You are grounded". I say, turning to go upstairs.

" You can't ground me" she says, following behind me.

"I just did" I say, reaching the staircase.

" You're being too hard" she says, her voice breaking.

" If being hard is what I have to do to keep you safe, I won't hesitate." I say. I didn't like her crying, but something had to be done to keep her in place.

"Come on" she says, I could see her throwing her hands up through the side of my eye.

"You're grounded, end of discussion. One more complain I'm taking your phone". I say to her as I get to the top staircase.

That did the trick. Livia knew me more than anyone, I didn't play with my words. If I say I'm taking her phone she knows I'm gonna take it.

All I hear is stomping of feet as I enter my room. Letting out a deep breath, I take off my coat draping it over the closest chair to me.

I run my hand over my hair, already stressed out. I still had protection and enough security but I couldn't take any chances.

I wanted a simple life for me and Olivia, far from the old me. All would be cleared in due time, but before that time I still had to find a successor for the cartel.

I pick up my phone to make a call.

" Boss" the person on the other end says after two rings.

" Is there something I'd like to know about the search?" I ask, walking to stand in front of my open window.

" Not yet Boss, we're still on it" he says.

" Is that what I pay you for, to be slow?. I need a reply from you by Tuesday or you could start searching for a new job". I say to him, my voice low and brooding.

"Sorry bo-" I don't wait for him to finish before cutting the line. If there was one thing I didn't have it was patience. I didn't like to wait.

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