Chapter 5
lucian
I closed my eyes, letting out an audible sigh as I stared at the beauty of the night in the city from the balcony where I stood with a cigarette hanging loosely on my lips. The smoke curled lazily into the air, a gentle contrast to the turmoil that lurked within me.
“Oh Haven Hills, my not-so-small city,” I mumbled, taking in another deep breath, holding the nicotine in for a moment before exhaling, the slow and calm sensation that accompanied it took me deep into the moment.
“Don, we have an issue…” A hoarse voice echoed behind me, interrupting the serenity I had going on.
I slowly opened my eyes, my blood boiling with rage as I turned my gaze to see whom it was.
“What did I say about interrupting my peace, Chris?” I fired at him through gritted teeth, my voice laced with venom.
“Uhm… Uh… Sir… It's…” he stuttered.
“Speak before I blow your head off this minute!” I sneered, rage evident in my voice as I spoke.
“Uhm… Sir, there's a situation from the east coast of the city,” he blurted out, bowing his head lightly.
The mention of the word ‘East’ made my anger subside. I turned my gaze fully to him, wondering what had happened this time, staring at him with furrowed brows.
“Did you say East coast?” I asked, taking in another drag from my cigarette.
“Yes, Don DeMarco.” He replied sharply.
“It's Lucian, Chris!” I fired sternly at him, “you can call my father that…” I spat at him, “Besides, why are you looking like this?” I retorted, taking a full look at his ripped shirt and trousers, and bloody body filled with claw marks similar to mine and a broken arm.
The look on his face was like he was going to slump dead anytime soon, but I cared less about that and more about the information he had.
“That's what I'm trying to tell you, Don,” he began, “I was part of the patrol team you sent to the East coast in search of the beast,” he said.
I raised my hands in the air, making him go mute as I took another look at him, “you mean to tell me the beast did this to you?!” I replied sternly, but he only responded with a nod.
“Arrrghhh!!!” I yelled in anger, slamming my hands to the mini table I had at the center, my heart pounding loudly against my ribs, biting down my lower lip in frustration.
“Did my father's men see any of you during this attack?” I asked sternly.
“No sir, they were fast asleep when we arrived, plus we were very far from where they camped…” he replied softly, his breath ragged and unstable.
“Camped?! Did you just say camped?!” I shot back at him.
“Yes, Don,” he replied with a nod.
“Were they sent into the woods for some stupid camping trip?!” I snarled, running my hands through my hair; the peace I once felt a few moments ago suddenly vanished.
I wondered why my father wouldn't just let me take over the ruling of the east coast; he was clearly doing a terrible job in handling the situation. That beast has been terrorizing the coast for years, and he seems to be unbothered about the whole thing! Was it until we started losing more men, until we ran short of them, that he was going to give attention to this? I wondered.
Each passing month, I lose a large number of men each time they were sent to the woods, and his stupid men were there on a camping trip?! I thought.
I flicked my gaze back in Chris's direction, “where are the others?” I asked softly.
“I was the only survivor, Don Lucian, but I made sure to cover my tracks; the bodies of the ones we lost have been brought from the woods to cover our tracks; they are downstairs.” He replied sternly, closing his eyes as he winced in pain.
I heaved a deep sigh of relief as I stared at him in pity. I walked into my room, picking up my phone to dial my chief of staff. “Arthur, report to me right now!!” I said, my voice echoing loudly through the room.
Minutes later, my door swung open, revealing Arthur dressed in casual wear; he bowed lightly the minute he locked eyes with me. “You sent for me, Don,” he said, his voice low but firm.
“Get him treated,” I ordered, “and make sure the bodies are properly buried.” I added sternly, but he only replied with a nod as he led Chris out of the room.
“Arthur?” I called softly, making them both halt in their steps.
“How many are there?” I asked, my voice firm and strong.
“Nine, my lord; he was the only survivor.” He replied.
I responded with a nod, forcing a lump down my throat as the thought of losing another member from my army made me sick to my stomach. “Make sure he lives,” I said sternly.
But he only responded with a nod as they both continued their journey.
I heaved a deep sigh of frustration; I needed to clear my head, I thought.
I picked up my phone, dialing one of my driver’s numbers, placing the phone to my ear. He picked up on the first ring as his voice echoed from the other end.
“Get the car ready, Cole; we are stepping out.” I said sternly, dropping the call as I headed straight to the bathroom. I came out minutes later, dressed in a casual t-shirt and jeans, and a pair of sneakers, styling my hair in a loose ponytail before wearing my cologne.
The minute I stepped into the garage, a troop of soldiers got into their cars prepared to escort me, but I quickly stopped them.
“It's okay, guys, I'm not going for a world war; two people are enough; I just want to grab a drink,” I instructed, making them all nod in unison.
“Take me to Eclipse,” I ordered the minute I got into the car, and soon we hit the road. Eclipse was one of the most popular nightclubs in the city, owned partially by me… It was my safe space whenever I felt stressed.
We got to the club, and walking down the hallway, everyone kept staring at me with a familiar expression on their faces - fear. But I worried less about that as my main focus was to get a very hot shot of tequila.
“Sir, the VIP is this way,” one of my men said, redirecting me to the VIP section.
I turned my gaze slowly to him, my eyes boring into his soul, making him quickly bow his head. “I didn't lose my sight, now did I?” I fired sternly at him.
“Not at all, Don Lucian,” he replied, his voice trembling with fear.
I moved my gaze away from him, heading straight to the local bar. I ordered several shots of tequila as I watched the ladies take their bodies away in front of me. This was the exact distraction I needed during this crucial time.
I took several gulps down my throat until I started feeling tipsy. Soon, I was done; all this while, I noticed an unfamiliar face that kept staring at me from the bar. It was the bartender, a beautiful young lady dressed in her corporate white and black clothing as she attended to people.
She looked different from the ladies I've seen in the city. The only thing I could get of her in my state was her glowing yellowish eyes, even in the presence of the lights in the room. I run this part of this city, but I've never come across such beauty in my entire life.
Who was she? I wondered.
I staggered my way upwards and steadied myself with the help of my men. I heaved a deep sigh of relief as I tried to leave.
“Hey you! Sir!” A sharp, tiny voice echoed amidst the blaring music, which was strange. I turned my gaze in the direction of the voice, locking eyes with the sexy bartender as she walked towards me.
“Where do you think you're going, huh?!” She fired sternly at me.
I just stood there, confused, wondering if she was actually talking to me. I turned backward, thinking there was someone behind me, but I was the only one present.
“Don't look at the back; I'm talking to you. You haven't paid for the drinks!” She retorted sharply.
I just stared at her with widened eyes, letting out a light chuckle before taking a step, but she quickly stood in front of me, blocking my way. She can’t be seriously asking me to pay for a drink I had in a club I owned, I thought.
“It might be funny to you… But it isn't for me…” She tried to speak.
“Woman! Watch your tongue… Do you know who you're speaking to?!” One of my men retorted, cutting in sharply..
“Oh please…. I know people like you; you've played this trick before and I ended up losing my salary. Posing to be some important person just to escape the bills, but not anymore, gentleman; I need my money, else nobody leaves!” She sneered, her voice matter-of-fact as she picked up the last glass of tequila, splashing it on my t-shirt.
I jerked my head up, staring at her in disbelief… Who the hell did she think she was? I thought, my blood boiling with rage.
“How dare you?!” I snarled, raising my hands mid-air in an attempt to hit her, but the defiance on her face as she stared at me made me have a rethink.
By this time, everyone in the room had begun to throw whispers in the air as they stared at the drama unfolding before them.
She's a stubborn one, I thought… I've dealt with several others like her in my lifetime, so she wouldn't be any different… I thought. She’s just doing this to gain attention, but I'm sure going to teach her that no one messes with Lucian DeMarco.