I have never been surrounded with this much illegal activity in my entire life. To my left were people casually snorting lines of cocaine and on my right were some crushing pills under their alcohol bottles.
A conversation in front of me was about illegal shipment. I watched as Liam signed some documents before handing it to the bald man that smells like an ashtray.
"The deal is done?" Liam asked carelessly throwing the pen onto the table.
I looked at Harry who was holding a glass of wine. He looked so unbothered by everything going on around us. His eyes glazed over everyone before landing on me, a smirk settled on his lips and I looked away rolling my eyes.
I hated being surrounded by all this. Liam reached into his pocket and drew out a cigarette. "Anyone have a lighter?" He asked and the bald man nodded handing him a small lighter he brought out from his pocket.
"May I use the ladies room?" I asked politely standing up. I needed some fresh air because all these drugs around me was driving me insane. I hated drugs and more so after Liam's heart attack.
I didn't wait for a response as I rushed out of the exclusive guests only area. I had no idea where the bathroom not that I even needed to go. I just needed fresh air.
So I went down the same stairway we came up by and down the room filled with guests. My eyes spot the big open doors protected by two security guards.
Just as I was about to approach them, my arm was pulled. I groaned and turned around expecting to see Harry. Except it wasn't Harry. It was a man with black hair and dark eyes. He was wearing a guard's uniform. My heart started to thump fast as I stared at my clutched arm.
"Who are you?" Panic laced my voice as I stared at the stranger. Was I in trouble? My throat went dry and I started to feel myself getting sweaty.
"Follow me Olivia." The man said in urgent time. "Don't draw attention to us." He turned around and walked away from me expecting me to follow.
I stood dumbfounded for a moment. Do I follow him? I don't even know who he is? I can't get into trouble again.. and plus what if this guy was bad and I'm just walking into my own death trap? Shit like that would only happen to me.
He didn't turn around to see if I was following. He just kept walking and disappeared down a hallway. I bit my lip and against my own judgement my feet moved. Following the strange man down the hallway. My hands clutched the sides of my dress so I could hurry behind him. He turned a sharp corner and went into a room. My heart was hammering against my chest as I approached the doorway.
I peaked inside, the man's back was to me. He was facing the window and his hands were secured behind his back. I carefully stepped into the room and gently closed the door behind him.
"Who are you?" I asked sternly. My hand was on the doorknob ready to pull it open and make a run if he tried to do anything to me. I wasn't taking any chances especially when Liam nor Harry knew I was in here.
The man turned around and gave me a soft smile. "I'm Derek." He nodded and placed the gun he was holding down on the table beside him. His hands reached up and loosened the tie around his neck and unbuttoned a few buttons. "Had to disguise my way in here." He said waving to the guard's uniform.
I was still shocked at who he was. Derek. He was the guy who passed me in the streets and sneaked that letter into my pocket. I instantly familiarised myself with his appearance. How did I not recognise who he was before?
I remembered the contents of the letter my mother had written. I needed to trust this man in front of me if I wanted to ever escape this life. If I wanted to ever see my mother again, this man in front of me was my golden ticket.
"I know you.." I whispered.
He smiled again and nodded. He seemed to be around my mother's age. Late forties or early fifties I couldn't quite figure it out. When he smiled a few wrinkles appeared on his cheeks.
"So I assume you've read the letter?" He asked gently. I nodded and started to play with my fingers. A nervous habit of mine. "Look Olivia. We don't have much time here I need to tell you some very important things."
"What?"
"Liam has been trying to locate your mother. Did you know?"
"Yes. He told me he wanted a reunion with her." A disgusted look laced his mouth as the words tumbled from my mouth.
"Reunion? That sick bastard." Derek scoffed and tapped his fingers on the wooden desk beside him. "Your mother is safe don't worry. I have put her in a safe house. No one knows she's there."
I nodded feeling relief. That's all I wanted. For my mother to be safe. And this man in front of me was assuring me my mother's safety and I couldn't be more thankful.
"Now the next part.." Derek trailed off. "I want to take down The Circle."
"What?" I instantly spoke out.
Was he insane? The circle is one of the most powerful gangs in the world. They have millions of men and a single man couldn't take them down. They control governments and powerful politicians.
"Help me take down your brother.."
"No. This is dangerous." I shook my head staring at the man in front of me like he just did said something crazy. Which he in fact did. No one could take Liam down. It was just impossible and a suicide mission.
"Without taking your brother down you and your mother will never be completely free. If you escape you will continue to live in secret.. is that the life you want Olivia?"
I didn't respond because the answer was pretty fucking obvious.
"Help me take him down. This will grantee a safe life for you and your mother Olivia. Think about it. You know I'm right."
I pushed my hair away from my face bringing my cool hands to my cheeks. I was feeling overwhelmed. I knew he was right but what he was proposing was just impossible. How can I take down Liam?
"I've seen that your close with his right hand man?"
I looked up at him in surprise. "Harry?" I asked raising an eyebrow.
Derek nodded eagerly. "Yes Harry. I've seen you two out and it seems like you two are quite close? This true?"
Were we close? I suppose we were. Whatever close meant in this twisted world. "Yes." I nodded at Derek.
"Good. Because he will be the key in this plan." Derek smiled.
"The key? Harry?"
"Harry is Liam's closest person he shares everything with. If you can continue to be closer with Harry we can unlock everything. I've already caused some tension between The Circle and The Seven."
I waited for him to continue because I was quite lost in this explanation.
"I managed to hack into some confidential files of The Circle and sent it anonymously to The Seven right after Jason Ambasso's death." A shiver went down my spine at the mention of that man. "I believe now The Seven's new leader; Jason's son, is blackmailing Liam with this information. I can break down Liam's connections with other powerful groups so it's easier for us to hit The Circle. We can destroy them Olivia... for your freedom.. and for your mother.."
"Why do you want to help us?" I ask crossing my arms and narrowing my eyes at him. This was all too good to be true. He's already done so much but what was his motive?
He closed his eyes and a long sigh left his lips.
"For your mother. I love her."
//
Is Liv gonna be shady?? Hell yes
