CHAPTER 21- GOLD MONEY

Five more minutes and Hades gave the order for the session to end. He got up and casually looked into his watch.

I have a flight at ten. I trust you'll take care of things here while I'm gone, won't you Davian?

He only nodded, blood dripping from his lower lip.

That's better.

After leaving his place, a heated argument arose between both Allison and Davian. He had even hit her in the process but was quick to sober up and apologize.

I said I'm sorry, I had no idea he would do something so barbaric.

And what did I tell you about my uncle?

To stay from him, I know. Personally, I can't even stand the sight of him. But last night just happened. I'm sorry.

He sighed. I'm sorry I yelled. He pulled her in for a hug. We're leaving this place.

What? Why? No!

Yes Allison, I can't have you getting hurt again.

But the summer holidays are not over yet.

Put someone in charge of this place, preferably a manager. We're leaving for New York before the week ends.

Mmm. She nodded.

And yes, we need to fix you up with someplace to work in since you no longer have one.

That'd be really nice but where.

He shrugged, smiling. How would you like to work for me?

Allison smiled. Nah

Why not.

I think I'd be too much of a distraction. She chuckled.

I can handle distractions.

Uh-uh, she moved her head sideways. Any other position than working directly under you Davian.

Alright Alright I'll see what I can do.

Is the pay good enough? Remember I still owe your uncle a fortune.

Trust me It'll be fine.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Hades could be seen seated comfortably in the private suite as the jet took to the skies, returning back to New York with his friend, Bruce seated opposite him. Two wine glasses in front of them. He placed a telephone on a call.

I'm on my way, Luke.

Is there anything else you would like me to do sir pending your arrival?

Hades looked down at the paper in his hands, containing three names.

Yes, there are certain people I need you to look up.

Ofcourse sir. Specifically you would want me to bring them to you afterwards.

Exactly. I'll send you the details after this call.

I'll be expecting them.

And one more thing,

Yes sir...?

His lips parted hesitantly, glancing an uncertain look at Bruce, as it reconsidering his next choice of words but he said them anyway.

I want you to keep tabs on Allison Doreen.

Bruce's eyes shot open In surprise at his statement.

In what way sir? Luke asked.

Keep a very close eye on her, everything she does, everywhere she goes. Don't let her out of your sight.

I could install surveillance cameras...

Perfect and connect them to my computers. I'll be expecting a feedback before the end of today.

Ofcourse sir,

That'll be all.

Have a safe flight sir.

Hangup!

Bruce took a wine glass from the table and gulped down the contents. He stole a look at his friend before finally letting out the question.

Keep a close eye on Allison Doreen? What's the deal with you Man? Bruce asked, a smug smile dancing on his lips.

Exactly why he didn't want to say this in front of Bruce. Hades thought.

I have a feeling danger could be lurking around her.

Danger? You bet it is. Bruce said, sarcastically implying Hades was all the danger in the world a person could have.... He wasn't totally wrong though.

What are you now? Some kind of stalker?

Hades cringed at the title. No!

Alright, I'm sorry but that seems to be exactly what you're doing right now. He chuckled. So what's the actual deal?

She was attacked at the resort.

Attacked?! His eyes shot open in surprise. How did this happen?

At some dumb cocktail party, He sighed.

What was the situation?

An attempt at rape.

That's awful!

Indeed.

Do you have any idea who the bastards were?

No....not yet but I will soon enough and when I do, I'll have each and every one of their organs cooling off in my freezer but until then, I need to keep a close eye on her.

Fair enough.

On my pet. He thought, her red hair plus those big blue eyes made him think of a ginger cat. Although he never really liked cats, too much feistiness underneath all that cute fur-ball and guess who else had that exact personality? Allison Doreen.

Standing by the window of the log beach house, Davian could be seen all alone, holding a glass of vodka and yelling into his cellphone.

YOU IDIOTS!

We're sorry Mr Lenshaw.

You're sorry? Well you can kiss the remaining payment goodbye.

But this wasn't entirely our fault! We followed the plan!

You...you followed the plan? He chuckled hysterically.

The plan was to stage the act in such a way that my scumbag of an uncle gets put in a compromising situation. In such a way that He gets all the blame for the rape so his reputation would be ruined and that would finally earn me a rightful upper hand in the company but no! What did the three of you do instead? You straight-up screwed your asses up! He yelled, enraged and frustrated.

We're sorry sir.

Keep your apologies to yourself. He said, sipping from the raw harshness of the wine. I and my woman would be leaving for New York in a few days. I advise you never show your damn faces here till the end of your wretched days.

Noted sir.

And yes, do well to lay low and stay out of sight. My uncle is nothing but a hardened lunatic disguised in a suit. I've already gotten my own share of his fury last night and not even Mother Earth would be able to save your asses if he were to get a hold of you.

We understand sir.

And if incase he does find the three of you,  we never met. Do you fucking understand?

Yes Mr Lenshaw.

Good, now piss off and never call me again. Imbeciles!

Hangup!

Davian finished the rest of his wine before smashing the glass tumbler on the floor in rage. God! He had screwed up bad! Well there were other ways to get rid of his uncle but something couldn't help but bother him. Why did his uncle care so much about Allison?

The relationship between those two wasn't anymore than debtor and collector was it? He shook his head. That was ridiculous! His sweet little Ally loved him too much and besides after all Hades had done to her father, she hated him to scorn. So how does this connect to him turning out to be her savior two nights ago? He couldn't figure anything out but in the meantime, He had plans for his uncle, big plans and this time He wasn't going to screw things up!

LENSHAWS' MINE SHAFT.

The meeting room underneath the gold mine was miles underneath the Earth. It was a medium sized room with a small cramped chamber hewn out of the rough stone of the mine. A dim light hung from the center of the room, its feeble light barely enough to cut through the dense shadows that lurked in the corners. The air was stifling, thick with dust from the tunnel's constant excavation, and the scent of sulfur hung heavily in the air.

A worn table, marked with the scars of countless meetings, dominated the center of the room. Hades had arrived just a few minutes late, two armed men guarding him. As he looked around the grimy underground room, he could already see the faces of his top associates in the mining business, all five of them seated around the table, leaving just the head of the table, vacant. His position. They all got to their feet once He appeared before them. All throughout those ten years of self imposed isolation, the gold mine was the only place He showed his face which was ofcourse, not frequently.

Have your seats. He said, curtly. Gentlemen, He started, I've called you all here today because something very displeasing happened to reach my knowledge. Our profits have been less than satisfactory lately.

His associated, all seasoned miners themselves, nodded in agreement.

Our profits have been declining for a couple of months now. We need to find a way to turn things around.

Well sir, one of them spoke up. You've been anything but current with us these days, if not you would have known.

Known what? What do I not know?

His words rang out throughout the room, each syllable dripping with a cold, calculating fury that was rising. The men shifted uneasily in their chairs, aware of the sudden shift in the room's atmosphere. Their boss might not like this.

There's a new competitor in the market.

Aren't they all? Hades smiled faintly.

And he doesn't play fair.

Theft? Hades asked.

An attempt has been made.

I see. In that case I need to know who this person this. No one plays snorkel on my court, absolutely no one. He said, calmly.

The details will be handed to you by tomorrow sir.

Yes I hope so. With that being said, let's move on shall we?

Just then a lackey walked through the doors. He stepped forward to Hades, head bowed, holding out a report in his hands.

Yes?

Sir we have an update on the men you requested information on.

Hades sat up, immediately. He snatched the brown envelope and tore it open. Trust Luke to always do a fast and efficient job. However, his hands gripped tightly on the documents once they came to his sight. Each and everyone of those three scumbags!

A photo of each of them, with their personal information written underneath. His grip on the paper tightened so hard that his knuckles were turning white. Each person on this simple paper made him reflect back to the horrifying scene that night. The way she shook and trembled with fear, no one should go through such a shock! His jaw was clenched, his voice low and dangerous as He spoke.

"I want every name on this damn list and I want them now!"

Warner Croft was the name of the new competitor in the gold market and although He had been making so much progress in so little time, He seemed to be a fair enough player so Hades had no second thought acknowledging his appointment.

Hades' living room was a luxuriously appointed space, with plush carpets and a grand piano standing proudly in the corner. A gold-framed mirror hung over the mantel of a polished mahogany fireplace, and a row of tall windows allowed the sun to stream through the room, casting a warm, inviting glow on the dark oak floor. The air was scented with the smell of polished wood and fine leather. Warner was already seated comfortably on the sofa when Hades came downstairs to join him. With jet black hair, a set of blue eyes and a commendable height, Warner shouldn't be older than Hades himself or only a few years older.

This is quite an impressive space you have here, Mr Lenshaw, Warner said, looking around in awe.

Thank you Warner,

I'm glad you honored my request. The other man stretched his hand and Hades took it in a handshake.

I'm always open to partnerships, that is ofcourse if they are worth it.

Oh trust me I have a feeling we'll end up being more than partners.

Hmm besties maybe? Hades asked, the sarcasm was not lost in his tone making Warner laugh. It was good to lighten up the mood during meetings but Hades wasn't laughing. His mind has been preoccupied since He received news about those three schmucks two days before.

I was going to say friends but that works too. Warner said, recovering from his laughter. Ooh that's a fine looking piece you've got there. He commented on Hades  necklace. It was a long silver chain with a small glass tube attached to its end containing some shinning grey particles.

Thank you. Hades said, putting the necklace back inside his shirt, he didn't usually let it out when he wore this prized possession on. I hear you're new to the business.

Not so.

How?

I've been working behind the scene for years now. I only inherited the mine last year after my father passed away.

Condolences. Hades said, emotionlessly.

And how has business been so far?

Well enough but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't looking for more.

More? What'd you mean?

Warner leaned forward excitedly. I mean, what if we could strike it even richer? What if there's a vein of gold out there that no one's discovered yet? His eyes gleamed with ambition. I've been hearing rumors about a place deep in the mountains, a place where the gold is so rich you can practically taste it in the air.

Hades' interest was piqued. He had heard similar rumors before, but had always dismissed them as wishful thinking. But there was something in Warner's tone that made him doubt his own skepticism.

You're not the first person to talk about this 'gold mine in the mountains',he said, leaning back in his seat. But no one has ever found it. It's like looking for a needle in a haystack.

I know, I know, Warner exclaimed. But think about it. If we find this vein, we could change our lives forever. We could have more wealth than we know what to do with!

Hades took a deep breath, mulling the idea over his mind.

What do you say, Hades? Warner asked, leaning forward eagerly. Could you see yourself partnering with me? We could split the profits equally, and we'd be twice as likely to find this vein of gold if there is one.

Send me the location where it'll likely be found and I'll send my team there in a day.

Perfect! And if we find this gold, we'll split the profits fifty-fifty.

Hades frowned a bit. This goon wasn't trying to play a fast one on him was He.

Seventy-Thirty. He said.

Wh...what?

I'm the one doing all the hard labor aren't I? Seventy-Thirty or the deal is off.

Fine, absolutely fine by me. The man smiled which made Hades a little suspicious.

Fine? Just fine? Wasn't he going to atleast try to negotiate? In any case, He was going to keep a close eye on Warner Croft.