I pulled into the warehouse's parking lot and led Soldier inside. Stepping inside, the warehouse looked more abandoned than vibrant which really needed to change. If I were going to lead this goddamn gang the first thing I'll do is tell them to make a bigger one, a better one and make it look more like a base than a hell hole. Even coming in here makes me think it's haunted, which it probably is.
I unlocked the door to my new office and texted Joe and Richard in a little group chat and told them to meet me. After a few minutes of waiting I heard a knock on my door and I told them to come in.
"You wanted to see us boss?" Joe asked as he plopped down on one of the chairs.
"Any news?" I asked as I ran my fingers through Soldier's fur for comfort.
"Just the financial files you wanted to see," Richard said as he handed me a file. I opened it and skimmed through it to see that we surely do make a lot of money off of stealing other's supply and selling it as our own, but it's wrong.
"I'm turning the purpose of this gang around," I said as I threw the file onto the desk.
"What do you mean?" Joe asked as he inched closer on his seat.
"I mean instead of stealing the shipments, find out where they're getting them from. Find different breeders of drugs across the country or even around the world. Instead of human trafficking just work with the prostitution business but make sure it's women who are willing to do the work, and don't force them. Build hotels, restaurants, gas stations, just different businesses that could either be legal or illegal so if theirs a plummett in the gang shit, we can still survive off of the legal corporations we build. Gun trafficking is always an option, I mean I've already skimmed through that file to know that you guys have a lot of fun with that," I suggested.
The men looked at each other and back to me with confused expressions, "I'm saying stop trying to risk your goddamn lives because you're being petty and stealing shit from other gangs when you can create something else that they'll grow envious of," I explained harshly to them.
"How do you suppose we do that?" Richards asked.
I thought for a second before I sighed, "First, we have to look the part. I've only been here two times and I'm already getting tired of this place," I complained. "Get some construction workers to build a new base and come to me about design plans. I'm going to head to my brother's house and sort through his things," I mumbled the last part, trying to sound sad.
"Of course boss, we'll call you if we need anything," Richard said as I started gathering some files to look at.
"Also, I don't want anybody calling me Diamonds. Nobody can know my identity until I say so, alright?" I asked pointing a finger at them.
"But what about your appearance?" Joe asked as he stood up and helped me arrange everything.
"I'll figure something out, but for now, just call me Silver or boss, okay?" I asked as I was ready to leave.
"Alright, be safe," he said as they went down the hallways to their offices and I locked my own. I gave them a nod and walked side by side with Soldier to my car.
Once I got in I started the gps to my brother's house and raced all the way there, ignoring the honking of cars and called Williams.
W: Hello?
D: Hey Williams! Just checking in.
W: Gold! How are you honey? You ready for Friday's race?
D: Yep, practicing on the freeway as we speak.
W: Ahaha good luck! But hey, I gotta go I'll chat later sweetie, yeah?
D: Yeah, have a good day!
W: You too!
I hung up and continued following the route until I ended up on an abandoned street in the forest. I became cautious of my surroundings as well as Soldier who started growling at the uneasiness. I scratched his belly and continued to drive through the trees until a big beautiful mansion came into view.
The mansion had a long driveway leading up to it and I stopped at the large iron gates that said 'ILLIUM' in the middle. I rolled down my window to see a keypad and a fingerprint scanner for access to open the gates.
I looked at the sticky note Joe had given me earlier this morning and saw the six digit PIN code on the bottom. I pressed into the keypad and a loud buzzer went off as well as the gates opening. I drove through the gates and gawked at the large mansion in front of me.
I drove around the large fountain with a 3D diamond in the middle that was dried out. I got out of my car and saw the grass needed a trim in the front yard, but that's all that was here. There were no flowers, no mini statues of anything, there was just a front lawn and a mansion. Nothing more.
I looked up at the mansion and saw how lifeless it looked, even though it was large and extravagant it also looked dull and empty. The windows had water stains on them and and the trees surrounding the area had leaves falling from them, since Winter was near and all. If it weren't such a big mansion, I'd think it were a ghost town.
I pulled out my phone and dialed a maid service to clean up the house while taking my ring of keys out to find the right one to open the front door. Soldier sniffed around at first and actually sneezed with how much dust had built up in his nose and I just giggled.
The furniture inside had white cloth covering them from the dust and everything looked so dusty and abandoned, it was almost scary.
I walked down many hallways until I found Jewel's office and started rummaging through the filing cabinets and drawers until I finally found what I needed; the lease.
I called the lawyer who's name was on the bottom of the file and told him to meet me at the house as soon as possible.
Almost thirty minutes later I hear a knock on the front door and I rush over to get it. The maids and gardeners start getting to work immediately who was soon followed by my brother's lawyer.
"Hi Miss Illium, I'm Kevin Stokes, may I come in?" He asked politely. He had hazelnut hair that was brushed to the side with light brown eyes. He had a beige suit on and a dark brown leather briefcase in his hand and looked at least mid- 40's.
I looked down at the hand he held out for me to shake and I looked back up to meet his gaze, "You give me your respect and I give you mine, deal?" I asked arching an eyebrow.
He visibly gulped at my statement and nodded his head. "Great, come on in," I said shaking his hand and leading him to the office where Soldier was waiting for us.
I sat down in the rolling chair behind the glass desk and folded my hands on top of it, waiting for him to speak up.
"Ok, so you called because you would like to put this house under your name, correct?" He asked as he opened his briefcase.
"Yes," I said eagerly.
"Well, for us to do that we are going to need the original owner here for our discussion," he said nervously looking at me.
"Uh, he- he's deceased," I muttered. Ever since Joe had told me that Jewels just wanted to run this gang with me, I couldn't help but feel guilty because I didn't give him a chance. He just wanted to be a family again and I made that so much harder for us.
Kevin cleared his throat and pursed his lips into a straight line, "My apologies. I'm sorry for your loss Miss Illium-"
"Please, call me Diamonds," I insisted.
"Diamonds. Wow, I love your names," he commented as he took out a stack of papers.
"Yeah, my mom loves jewelry," I chuckled.
He chuckled as well before changing the subject, "Well, let's get started."
After an hour of talking with the lawyer, I had finally gotten everything that had my brother's name on it under my own. I walked into the living room after showing Kevin out and admired how much more beautiful it looked. The furniture looked modern and everything looked glossy, all the of the counters were a black marble and the floor was a white marble with black streaks blending into them. The back doors were made of glass and were open so I could see the gardeners working out in the gigantic back yard.
This mansion looks so big, I wouldn't be surprised if it were bigger than Kai's. But then again, Kai has a mansion for one person, my brother had this one for two, and I absolutely loved it.
Soldier ran out in the back yard and rolled around in the freshly watered trimmed grass and started sunbathing. Gardeners laughed at Soldier's behaviour and I chuckled with them. He ran around and did his business until he got tired and fell asleep on the living room floor.
As I sat down on the couch I pulled my school bag over to my side and took out my lap top so I could look into the security system of this house. Unfortunately, and stupidly, there was none. Kevin said that Jewels never actually spent time in this house so that's why it looked so lifeless, and so there was no point in a security system for him.
I had called Richards to send some members and scheduled for them to come to the mansion somewhere by the beginning of next week to set up the security system. To pass up the time I had looked through the blue prints of this house and found out that there were more rooms and bathrooms than needed, a theatre room, a fucking gym, and a control room as well. There were many other unidentifiable rooms but I'm pretty sure I'd find out eventually.
My IPhone's default ring pulled me out of my thoughts and I snatched it from the other side of the couch.
"Hello?" I asked since I didn't check the caller ID.
"Hey, where are you?" Liam asked on the other line.
"Why what's up? What happened?" I asked slightly panicked.
"Woah woah easy there tiger," I relaxed back into the sofa and sighed, "Just wanted to check up on you that's all," he said chuckling nervously.
"Oh, I'm chilling how's everything going with you?" I asked tiredly.
"Well, I'm at a meeting with Kai and Blake right now, but it isn't doing so well so I made the excuse of someone calling me and here I am," He laughed.
I heard loud voices in the background which made me sit up straighter, "Who's that?"
"Oh, Kai isn't too happy right now. Just some people tried making a stupid negotiation with him," he said as if it was no big deal.
"Give the phone to him," I demanded sternly.
I heard shuffling around on the other line and a loud 'WHAT?' but then more whispers and the phone fumbling around.
"Hello?" Kai asked harshly.
"And why are you taking your anger out on me?" I asked dramatically.
I heard a loud sigh on the other end, "Diamonds," he mumbled and let out a deep breath.
"Kai," I imitated his voice.
I heard him chuckle from the other line and sigh more happily now, "I miss you already princess," he admitted.
"Don't worry you'll see me later won't you?" I asked jokingly.
"I sure will, and I'm going to give you the best kiss you'll ever receive for pulling me out of that little quarrel," he said playfully which made my breath hitch.
"Kai Finnel you are one charming man," I mumbled softly.
"Only for you princess," he said happily. I could practically feel him smiling from here.
"Oh whatever lovebug, just get back in there and deal with your situation like civilized men. Or I swear to God I will send Soldier to pee in your bed tonight," I warned. At the mention of it Soldier sat up and barked in agreement before laying back down.
"God no, okay fine. I'll be on my best behavior. Bye princess," he said softly.
"Bye prince charming," I said biting my lip, and then I hung up.
That was the most softest he's ever spoken to me before, he was so gentle and sweet and it was so adorable. He truly makes me feel like a princess and I loved that about him. Under the deep blue there really is treasure waiting to be discovered in it's depths, and I'll squeeze through every crevice if I have to.
I started looking back at the blue prints until someone had approached me and stood in front of the coffee table. I looked up to see an Asian lady giving me a small heart warming smile, "Hello Miss, we are done cleaning now," she said.
"Thank you so much, can you call everyone back down here please," I asked politely.
She nodded her head but before she could leave she spoke up, "Though, there were some rooms that were locked so we couldn't clean them ourselves," she mentioned.
I looked up to her confusedly, "How many?"
"At least five or more," she informed. I nodded my head and she went to go call the others back down.
They all gathered in the foyer and I tipped them all $50 cash and dismissed them all. After they had left I went outside of the house and looked out in the front yard to see that it was indeed cleaned up nicely and watered well. The windows were wiped down and the dust never filled my nose anymore, they really did do an amazing job.
I decided that I would call it a night and head back home for dinner. I grabbed the files, blue prints, and keys and locked up the house before I got into Robin and went home. Soldier and I would come back another day for a house tour and figure out what more to do with the business. I needed to figure out a disguise and I needed to figure out quickly if I were going to make daily visits to the base and make some changes. Especially with remodeling and such.
As I was driving back home I saw an Apple store and an idea popped into my head. I turned into their parking lot and hurried in with Soldier in tow.
I looked around at the different devices until an employee came up to me, "I'm sorry ma'am we don't allow animals in the store," he said politely.
"He's a service dog sir, I've been in bad condition for awhile and he's very obedient," I explained just as polite.
He sighed and ran a hand through his blonde hair and looked back up to me with chocolate brown eyes, "Alright, you're lucky you're quite cute or else I would've kicked you out by now," he said rubbing the back of his neck.
"I guess I am quite lucky," I said nonchalantly and rubbed Soldier's head.
"Anything I can help you with..."
"Dia," I finished.
"Dia, anything I can help you find today," he asked giving me a nervous smile.
"I need a new phone, and an iPad if you don't mind," I said cheerfully.
"Of course, right this way."
After purchasing a new IPhone and IPad, I hurried on home, fearful that I might be late for dinner.
Soldier and I rushed into the house just in time to see them sitting down at the table.
"Dia, where've you been?" Blake asked as I sat down.
"Around," I replied blankly and signalled Soldier to eat.
"I missed you princess," Kai whispered into my ear as he rubbed my thigh.
"And I, you my prince charming," I replied jokingly in an old British accent which made him playfully roll his eyes.
After dinner and joking around with the boys, Soldier and I trudged our way upstairs into my bedroom.
We haven't gotten that much sleep today since we've been out dealing with shit for almost 24hrs, but I'm sure as hell going to get sleep tonight.
I roughly throw my clothes into the hamper and throw on a long t-shirt for bed. I shut off my lights and Soldier and I fall deep into sleep.
During the night I felt my bed dip and an arm wrap itself around my waist. I had an idea on who it was by their scent but I was too exhausted to say anything.
"Goodnight princess."