CHAPTER 63: 63

A Few Hours earlier.

I stood confidently, my formal suit exuding a sleek yet slightly rebellious vibe. The white, long-sleeved shirt I had on was crisp, and I’d left the top few buttons undone, revealing just a hint of collarbone beneath the sharp fabric. The shirt was tucked neatly into a pair of black trousers, a little baggy, striking a balance between casual and refined. A perfectly fitted waistcoat completed the look, accentuating my frame without being too stiff.

A sleek black bag was slung casually over my shoulder. Through the material, the outline of a double-barrel rifle was barely visible, adding an edge to my polished appearance. The rifle, however, wasn’t mine.

Amina was dressed in a similar formal style. She wore tailored black dungarees that hugged her figure, contrasting sharply with the simple white T-shirt beneath. Her braids fell perfectly down her back, her edges laid so neatly they added to her flawless look. Together, we looked like we were ready for anything our strengths and flaws balancing each other out, making us an unstoppable force.

"What’s her name?" Amina’s voice broke through my thoughts as we approached the casino entrance, causing me to pause.

I hadn’t asked, and honestly, I didn’t care much to know. "Ice," I muttered, earning another unfiltered look from her. But I wasn’t in the mood to argue, so I walked ahead.

The casino was buzzing with life. It didn’t matter if it was night or day inside, it felt like another world where time blended. Gamblers filled every corner, lost in their games, and I scanned the room, trying to figure out how to get her attention.

Should I join a game? That idea was risky. I had no idea how to gamble, and losing money or worse, ending up in debt was not on my agenda. There had to be another way.. I wanted to convince myself but there was none.

I strode through the casino, my boots connected with the polished marble floor, the sound swallowed by the vibrant hum of the crowd and the melodic chimes of slot machines. The air was thick with the scent of expensive cologne, smoke, and desperation intoxicating and electric. My eyes swept over the rows of tables, calculating as I searched for one near the CCTV cameras. If I wanted to gain her attention, I needed to make a scene one with great impact.

Then, a particular table caught my eye, the high rollers. I could sense it from the atmosphere. The players laughed amongst themselves, tossing chips casually like spare change. The man at the head of the table wore a confident smirk, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the green felt, daring the world to challenge him. He thrived on control and dominance, with a pack of arrogant players circling him like vultures. My pulse quickened, but my expression remained cold, unflinching. I didn’t belong here, and they knew it, but I was determined to make a place for myself.

"Amina," I signaled. I’d spotted the cameras, and it seemed she had too, already moving into position. I was left to handle my part.

My understated elegance contrasted with the flashy displays of wealth around me exactly the point. I wasn’t here to fit in; I was here to disrupt.

As I approached the table, I crossed my sleek black bag over my shoulder. The laughter grew softer as the players sized me up, their eyes sweeping over me, amused by a woman stepping into their territory. The lead player raised an eyebrow, his smirk deepening as if to say, ’What do you think you’re doing here?’ I returned his look with a smile, sliding into a seat, ignoring the unspoken challenge in the stares around me.

"Mind if I join?" My voice was smooth, but beneath it lay a quiet menace. I didn’t wait for an answer. The dealer glanced at the lead player for approval. He chuckled, a low, condescending sound that grated on my nerves.

"By all means," he said with a mocking flourish, "if you think you can keep up." The others snickered, amused.

My lips curved into a smile that never reached my eyes. I reached into my purse and withdrew a stack of chips enough to make even the seasoned players pause. This was more than a bet. It was a statement.

With deliberate motion, I pushed the pile forward, my fingertips brushing the cool surface of the chips before I let them go. The air around the table stilled as the lead player’s eyes widened, only for a fraction of a second, before he masked his surprise with another smirk. "You’re either brave or foolish," he drawled. "Challenging the house like that?"

"Maybe both," I replied, my gaze locked onto his.

The dealer shuffled the cards with machine-like precision, quick and efficient. Though my heart hammered, I kept my hands still, fingers lightly resting on the table. The players chuckled, clearly amused by my audacity. They didn’t expect me to last long, but I wasn’t here for that.

As the cards were dealt, I glanced at mine a king and a nine. Nineteen. Strong, but not invincible. The lead player flashed his cards at me with a taunting grin he had twenty.

"You still have time to walk away," he sneered, voice dripping with condescension. But I needed more time for Amina to place me in the limelight.

"I’ll stand," I said, unwavering. The game played out in slow motion. The dealer flipped the house card a six, followed by a queen.

I wasn’t much of a card player, but with these cards, I’d won.

For a moment, the table was silent. Disbelief hung in the air like smoke. The lead player’s smirk faltered, his jaw clenched as he stared at the outcome.

A victorious smile crept onto my face. The same players who had laughed at me were now speechless, their smug expressions wiped clean.

The man across from me finally broke the silence with a strained laugh. "Well, well," he said slowly. "It seems the lady has more bite than we thought."

"Sorry, not sorry. I don’t sulk like you do." I pulled the chips toward me, but the lead player suddenly grabbed my hand. I locked eyes with Amina, who gave me the signal.

"One more game," he said, annoyance creeping into his voice. But I wasn’t here to play anymore, and I wasn’t leaving my winnings behind.

"Let me think about it... Nah, I’m not in the mood." I brushed his hand away, as expected, pissing him off. He pointed a gun at me, and his subordinates followed suit. My calm demeanor only fueled his anger.

"You’re a very lucky man," I chuckled, placing the money in my bag. "No one points a gun at me and escapes the pit of hell, but I’ll let you off this time." I stood to leave when a bullet whizzed past, grazing my cheek. Warm blood trickled down my face, awakening something dark and primal. My pulse quickened, not from fear, but from something far more dangerous.

The taste of iron on my lips ignited a savage instinct I’d been trying to suppress.

"You asked for it," I scoffed, pulling out the weapon meant for Ice. I opened fire not to kill, but to create chaos, targeting the infrastructure and sending screams throughout the casino.

"Stop!" The one person I was waiting for finally appeared. I ran a hand through my hair, placing it on my waist.

"Holla," I greeted her with a smile. She chuckled, shaking her head with a sigh.

"Everyone, return to your business. You," she pointed at me, "let’s go." I beckoned Amina to follow. "Oh, one more thing," I said, turning to the men at the table. "They’ll pay for the damages." I smiled at her, and she sighed once more before leading the way.

I followed keenly trying to pick a thing or two from my surroundings with a little smile spread across my lips. If I needed her help then I needed to dance to her tunes and I doubt putting on a long face would help.

"You never seem to stop amazing me"her words cut through the air as we entered her office but her compliments weren’t what I was after it was her compliance. I took a second to observe her office and honestly it wasn’t that bad though it lacked in several ways. From a single glance one could tell how untidy she is from the books and snacks wraps littering the room and how hot tempered and impatient she can be at solving cases seeing the series of broken glasses across the room

"Is there no cleaner?" I wondered within taking a step close but not too close to her table since it was a litter dump "sorry about this mess..I’ll have someone clean it up.." I swiftly hid my expression of disgust replacing it with a smile like it was never there as I waved her off "it’s okay" I lied but her response was just a chuckle "I was in the middle of something and suddenly you appeared on all my screens.."she pointed to the other side on the room with four big flash screens "So I doubt it’s coincidentally" her eyes lit up a bit with a trace of curious and doubt.

Is this what we call karma?

After I was transferred to paris my first week at school wasn’t as easy as I had expected and for some strange reason I kept bumping into Ice. From the rumors around I discovered she was in the same department as me and was also leaving while I was being admitted but I unintentionally picked her interest after falsely accusing her of trying to steal my work..

But anyone in my position would have thought the same after seeing a creepy person snooping and taking shots of their unfinished piece.

And just like that I because her ’spectacle of fun’ as I love to refer to it as she would always come to school just to pick at me which I found childish..but thank goodness Tommy came to my rescue,but who would have thought I’d be needing her help?

"I usually picked at you on campus because I thought you were naive and innocent but never knew you are the killing mechanic everyone talked about in the dynasty" her hands left her pocket, running through her hair and then went back into her pocket an the corner of her lips continuously rised and dropped.

Little trail of white substance were on the skin beneath her nose and she contiously rubbed the bridge of her nose with her other hand that wasn’t in her pocket. My eyes caught the trail of white powder on her table which looked like it was hurriedly wipe.. drugs. "How about you offer me a seat?" I raised an eyebrow and she nodded pointing the chair before me, was this getting out of hand? Is this my cue to leave?

"I won’t beat around the bush,I need your support in making Alpha one the next heir" I broke the slience but got no reaction instead she lit up her stick taking a puff before throwing her head backwards. "Ive always wondered who the lady behind the veil was who would have thought it was you" her response was far from what I could imagine nor react to "Don’t be confused baby.. you must not be aware of the things going on in the dynasty so I’ll fill you in a bit.." she picked up the bottle of whiskey before us and filled her glass before taking a sip "Ever since the dining event in the dynasty, I’ve always been curious of who the woman that nasty man picked and no matter how much I’ve tried I’ve never gotten a picture of her face,it’s either she’s wearing a mask or he’s overing over her.. it almost like he doesn’t want the public to know the truth identity of his wife.."

"So what makes you think I’m the one?"

"What makes him keep close tabs on you?"

"Excuse me?" I retrothed as this was no longer going as planned. "You wore a leg chain all though your stay in school and surprisingly he also wears a similar chair around his wrist,you came to paris to study and surprisingly he comes back to paris where he once ran from,you get kidnapped by his Uncle and boom his uncle his dead in less than 24 hours.."

"Are you monitoring me?" I questioned since she was sounding more like a creep with every line she spat

"Wrong question baby.. your question should be what do I want from you" her eyes were filled with mischief as she set them on me. This was no longer an ordinary discussion it has turned into a game of chess and I had to pick my pawns calculativly if I need to win.

I suddenly had the feeling I was playing with fire,not just any fire one ready to consume me as well if I don’t turn it off

"What do you want?" I said not breaking eye contact with her and the side of her lips drewup into a smirk

"obviously.. you".