64 Bronx City


    Chloe was forced outside the hall by two hefty-looking bodyguards. When they got to the entrance of the hotel, she was thrown out like a thievingmoner.


    “Stay away from this event, otherwise you will get hurt.” One of the security bodyguards warned. He was about to walk away when a blinding punchnded on his face. “What the f**k...” Another attacker jumped on him and started brandishing his face with bloodthirsty blows.


    “Finish him off! Albert boomed fiercely, as his adrenaline skyrocketed. “I want all of them dead! They darey their filthy hands on my princess?” His eyes were bloodshot. He quickly rushed over to Chloe, gently lifted her from the floor, and led her to his car. Without waiting to witness the kill zone he had ignited, he zoomed off.


    Unfortunately, one of Leon’s bodyguards died on the spot with twenty-four stab wounds inflicted on him. While the second one narrowly escaped death by the whisker with multiple stab wounds.


    Before anyone could say, Jack, the entrance of the hotel turned into a battle zone. Leon’s men of the underworld in disguise showed up from nowhere and took over the fight. Gunshots were heard all over the ce with people screaming and running helter-skelter to take refuge. The assaulters received immediate justice as all four were brutally shot dead. Leon’s men quickly cleared the scene after smartly removing all five corpses and the severely injured bodyguard. They operated so discreetly as though they were never at the crime scene.


    Leon was swiftly alerted of the mayhem outside the hotel and he sprang into action. After ensuring the evening party wasn’t disrupted, he left E in Tom’s care and some other disguised security details.


    The police were alerted and they arrived alongside some paramedics. But to their confusion and dismay, they found no corpse or injured persons. All they found were blood stters around the crime scene.


    “What the hell happened here?” A police detective by the name of, Bruce, inquired with an anxious expression stered on his face. He quickly rounded up some eyewitnesses to question them. Leon also availed himself to Bruce and answered all his questions smartly. Hepletely denied knowledge of whatever took ce and he gave them a solid alibi. Afterward, he was granted freedom to return to his wife’s dinner party.


    Bruce was led to the security house of the hotel, where he intended to request the security footage of the disruption that took ce earlier. However, Leon’s men had already acquired the security footage prudently. All Bruce met were snoring hotel security guards; who were tranquilized.


    .....


    Bruce questioned his hoard of witnesses but no one seemed to have a single video or picture evidence of what transpired. Those who managed to take pictures and videos couldn’t find their cell phones. Even the brave journalist who dared to capture the whole incident was found unconscious and his camera gone.


    “What is happening to this peaceful city of Amzone? Who the hell are we dealing with? Mafia? Drug cartel? An underworld gang?” Bruce asked his partner in rm. His partner Sergeant detective Wung, simply shook his head unsure of what to say to him.


    Currently, all Bruce had as evidence were unintelligible ounts of different eyewitnesses. Some even exaggerated the whole incident. Some imed that they were over thirty attackers with machine guns. Some imed that ten persons were murdered and five were severely injured. Nevertheless, one thing all the witnesses had inmon was Chloe Robinson instigated the whole charade.


    “Wung, I am leaving you in charge. Ensure all these witnesses are taken to the station and their ounts recorded. Do not forget the snoring hotel securities and the journalist.” Bruce instructed in an authoritative tone. “I will be visiting the Robinsons. I have to get more information about what went down tonight. Otherwise, the chief would be furious. Also, ensure the homicide team collects enough blood samples before clearing the crime scene.”


    “Okay, Bruce, be safe. Also, mind the questions you ask Chloe and call for backup if needed. I heard that Mr. Robinson is a ruthless man when ites to his precious daughter.”


    “Thanks, I will.” Bruce got into his car and left the scene.


    .....


    The dinner party ended smoothly with no other hups. Thanks to Leon’s intervention, everything returned to normalcy in the hotel. He didn’t bother letting E know about the incident that almost disrupted her party.


    After making some discreet calls and changes to his night ns, he left the city in his private jet with E by his side. Within a space of twenty-five minutes, they arrived safely at the beautiful city of Bronx.


    Bronx was a fascinating city that was one hundred kilometers away from Amzone city. If you wanted to drive down to it at an average speed of 80km/hrs, you would spend approximately one hour and thirty minutes by road. Most of Leon’s underworld operations were consummated secretly in this city. He had four specific and heavily fortified establishments which he liked to call the warehouses.


    When his private jet touched down at the Bronx local airport, a ck-tinted limo was already stationed and waiting. E and Leon both boarded the limo and were taken to a ssy fancy restaurant. He tried his best to keep up a cheerful disposition. Although, he was in turmoil within.


    Leon had been trying to avoid a direct misunderstanding with Albert, who happened to be one of his father’s good friends. Considering the state of the situation now, things were about to take an ugly turn. He knew that Albert would seek revenge. Hence, E wasn’t safe. He decided he would have to prepare her to be able to defend herself if the need arises. He knew that he would not always be there to protect her. He inwardly decided that after they visit Nana Esther, he would take her to a firearms training center. After that, he will take register her in a martial art institute where she would learn the rudiments of self-defense.


    “Leon, you’ve been tensed ever since you receive that call back at the hotel.” E gazed into his eyes lovingly. Shefortably adjusted her seat and tried hard to see through his forced smiles. “Do you care to share?”


    “I will, but not now.” He took her right hand and nted a kiss on it. “This is not the right ce or time.”


    Leon’s heart was heavy. He had nned to make this night special for E. He hadn’t expected that things would get out of hand with Albert showing up unexpectedly. He was greatly disturbed about whatever Albert was nning. He also knew that his father would be dragged into this mess. Albert’s four dead bodyguards would not go unanswered, and a bloody battle was imminent.


    “E, I know I’m ruining the night for you with my foul mood.” His eyes were apologetic. “I am sorry about that.”


    “Leon...” She ced her hand on his and gazed affectionately into his eyes. “You don’t have to be. If you’re feeling hurt, then I am too. We don’t have to pretend to ourselves. So, let’s retire to our suite.” Her loving gaze was filled with determination. “I want to cuddle you in my arms. I want us to talk. You can tell me anything as long as I’m not infringing on our contract conditions.”


    “Are you sure about that? I have other ns for this night.”


    “Yes, I am! We still have other special nights toe. Moreover, I am exhausted from today’s events. Let’s leave after dinner.”


    “That’s why I love you so much. You’re so understanding and caring.” He took E’s right hand and nted a kiss on it.


    After dinner, they retired to their presidential suite. Leon narrated to a puzzled E, about the crazy incident that took ce outside the Grandeur hotel. Although, he left out sensitive details. He had no ns of involving her or giving her slight knowledge about his underworld operations. The less she knew, the safer it was for her.


    “Chloe is her father’s kryptonite,” E said with a worried expression. She could perceive that there was more to the story than Leon was willing to share. However, she didn’t pressure him to talk more. Instead, she tried to cheer him up. “He would do the unspeakable to protect his wayward daughter. How I wish he could see the damage he is inflicting on his daughter. He is encouraging her in her wild schemes by supporting her wrongdoings.”


    “Yeah...” Leon paused for a while deep in thought. “You know what?” His face suddenly lit up as he gazed at E’s glowing skin under the well-illuminated room. “Let’s stop talking about Chloe and her shenanigans. I will personally handle this issue. I don’t want you worrying about anything. Tomorrow, I’ll tell you what I have nned for you. Also, we’ll be taking a flight to Ifub, to see my Nana. Until then, I want to make sweet love to you.” He moved closer to E and started trailing his fingers up her exposed thigh. “I have been dying toy my hands on you all day and night.” He pulled her into his arms and brushed his warm lips on her ears.


    E shuddered with excitement and expectation. She let out a soft moan as Leon’s lips started performing magic on her body.


    “Oh, E...” Leon slowly undressed her, while covering her lips with passionate and hungry kisses.


    After two hours of exploring each other’s world, E finally slept off, out of exhaustion. While Leon took a cold shower, dressed up, and left the room quietly. He made a quick call and took an elevator to the lobby. He smartly walked out of the hotel premises, where some of his bodyguards were on duty, and got into a ck-tinted SUV. The car zoomed off leaving a trail of dust behind it.


    “Boss, there is a big problem ahead. We have credible Intel that Albert is raising an army as we speak.” Sky’s voice was deep and hoarse.