"Arghhh!" the man screamed as the bullet struck his chest. It hurt like hell, but the blood he expected to spill never came.
His wife rushed to him. He collapsed to the ground, clutching his chest; she burst into tears, convinced she had lost him.
"Relax — it's a blank. It's only going to hurt. But I do have a real bullet, so make sure the whole world knows what you'll do to clear my fiancée's name before tomorrow morning. I don't care about whatever deal you made with Silas or anyone else. I don't forgive being crossed." Andrian straightened to leave, but the woman grabbed his leg, pleading.
"But… he threatened me. Please help me." She held him tightly. Up close she could see he wasn't as brutal as he sounded.
"What did he threaten you with?" Andrian bent down and touched her arm gently.
"My son — he's been framed for murder. He didn't do it. I know my son; he could never kill someone. I need money for a lawyer or he's going to prison… Please help me."
'Hmm. Another problem to deal with,' Andrian thought.
"That's your problem to solve," he said coldly, freeing his leg and walking out with Kira and Mace following.
"Please… help us," she screamed as he left.
At the car, Mace opened the door and Andrian turned to Kira. "Take care of everything here. Make sure it goes smoothly…and about look into the woman's son and give me feedback."
"Yes, boss," Kira replied, bowing as Andrian got into the car. She watched him drive off, then went back into the building.
"Boss, are we going to Damien's house?" Mace asked.
"Yes. It's time we paid him back for the trouble he caused."
In no time they arrived at the Damien's house. Andrian stepped out, straightened up his suit, and went inside.
"Oh—sweet brother, welcome. It's been a while," the Damien joked, smiling across the room.
"Yeah and I'd like to keep it that way. I only came for the deal"
"Come on brother, let's have a drink."
"I'll pass"
Damien shrugged off his jacket, sleeves rolled up, and poured wine into two glasses. He slid one across the table while he held the other to his lips.
"Don't tell me you're still upset about what happened. Cheer up. Like I said, I promised to buy the company at a good price. So tell me, Damien — how much are we talking? One hundred? Two hundred?"
Andrian pulled back, frowning. "Seven hundred."
"Seven hundred? Andrian — you can't be serious. That company is finished. If you sell to me, you should sell while it's worth something. I'll do six hundred."
"Six hundred million or nothing," Damien continued.
"Damien, I still have a month to prove my worth. I can bring the company back up. But for now, you win. I'll find another way." He hesitated, then: "Seven hundred."
Damien chewed his lip, weighing the pros and cons. If he acquired the company he'd control the next board meeting, fund Silas for the new launch, and ride the product into profit. In a month he could likely make back what he spent.
"If Fidelia hadn't convinced me, I wouldn't be here," he muttered silently, turning away "It seems you are not ready. I'm done taking losses. Seven hundred — deal or no deal."
"Fine," Damien said, and signed the contract Andrian slid from a brown envelope. Andrian handed him a copy.
Only after the ink dried did Andrian smile. He raised his glass. "Cheers, brother."
Something about that smile set Damien on edge. '
Why the hell was Andrian smiling now?' he wondered as Andrian stood and left.
"For Andrian to smile like that, he must've done something," Damien muttered, pacing. He needed Fidelia to send the money so he could pay Andrian back.
His eyes fell to the contract. He snatched it up and read — properly this time.
Then he saw it.
"FUCK!" He slammed his hand on the desk, grabbed his glass, and hurled it across the deck. The glass shattered. Veins stood out on his hands; his body trembled with a fury.
....
Outside, Andrian made a call. Fidelia didn't pick up. He called again and then she finally picked.
Outside, Andrian called again. This time Fidelia picked up.
"You always make me call twice, don't you?" Andrian spat.
"You're lucky I didn't make you call three times. I wasn't near my phone — I was cooking. Anyway, why did you call?" Fidelia replied, sharp as ever.
"You're annoying. Anyways the deal's sealed. I just made Damien sign the contract. Go break his heart now."
"Nice. Sweet—well done." Fidelia's voice brightened, then a clatter sounded in the background.
"Wait…are you really cooking?"
"Yes. Is that so hard to believe?"
"Fidelia, get out of the kitchen. If you burn the house down I'll hunt you myself."
"Relax. Everything's under control. There's a fire extinguisher next to me." She cut the call off.
"Fidelia! Hello?" Andrian called, but the line was dead.
"Damn it." He snatched the car keys from Mace and slid into the driver's seat.
"Don't worry—I'll drive. You can go."