Chapter 64, Gladius

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I stand in front of the mirror and watch the impostor in the reflection. Fraud. Fake. Sham. 

I finish buttoning up my maroon shirt, effectively fold a bow tie, straighten my color, put on my cuff-links and shrug on the jet black jacket. I make sure to gel my auburn hair back and not allow even a single hair to stand out of place.

Silently, I keep staring at the pretender - drill into his venomous green eyes and hope he feels ashamed. 

I've always been a con artist. At the orphanage, I pretended to be fine while the other kids mocked me. Someone would tease my scrawny figure and I'd laugh with them. Someone would rally the older kids to wrap me in my standard maroon blanket and kick me while I can't move, I'd smile the next morning.

Then I got taken in by the Northern leaders. I got raised by that lovely lady with her maroon lips and kind eyes. When I wasn't out hacking or spying or delivering messages, Miss Sauvage would teach me art. I loved painting in maroon.

When the North was murdered and I was promoted the new leader, Miss Sauvage had to officially adopt me. At my first gang meeting at the age of 17, I wore maroon. When I killed my first rapist, I wore maroon. When I tortured my first child murderer, I wore maroon.

And whenever I want to be myself, the orphan boy who didn't let the world stain him, I take off that maroon. 

Something tells me I'm not taking it off anytime soon anymore.

Jane has agreed that we postpone the wedding to after we at least wound the South. We won't have our full force until the wedding, but hurting them might give us the gap we need to finalize things and merge the gangs.

The date for the attack is already set. One week from now. There's a shipment coming in at the Blood Islands - exclusively for the South. They'll be stupid to try and get shipments from the docks.

So we fight them on their territory. The Blood Islands are a series of small, red-stained islands at the neck of the tiger's head. It's as South as you can get in Tygerwell and they'll never expect it. 

I look at the con artist in the mirror over again. I'll have to wear that maroon mask as best as I can tonight. Jane and I are having dinner with the Gladius gang tonight to discuss trade and new deals after the merging. 

Feeling ready for anything, I step away from the mirror and walk out of the room. Jane is waiting for me downstairs and I hook my arm into hers. 

"Good evening, Fiance," she greets - her brown eyes look dark with the black eye shadow, cat-eye eyeliner and maroon lips. She's wearing a skin-tight black dress that stretches all the way to the floor - her high heels make her tall. 

"Let's just get this done with," I reply and lead her to the dining room.

Gareth, Taminn, Enzo, Valentina and Marco are already seated at the grand, ten-seater table and stand when we enter the room. 

"Buonasera," Enzo and Valentina Biondo greet.

"Good evening," Jane and I return.

When we go to sit at the table, I make sure to take my seat at the head while Jane has to resort to my right hand. Marco Gambino, the Leader of Gladius, sits at the opposite end and stays his usual quiet self.

"I do hope you all enjoy the beetroot risotto that I requested the chef to prepare for us as a starter," Jane says with a kind, gentle voice. Maybe we belong together. We're both con artists.

"That sounds lovely," Valentina smiles. Her dark hair is pulled back in a tight bun, yet she seems relaxed. She has that charming Italian smile of hers and shares a look with Enzo every few seconds. 

"Thank you for your hospitality," Enzo Biondo says - his nose looks bigger when he smiles, but eyes stay the same dark, kind shade.

"It's no problem. Sterling has always had good relations with Gladius. You're practically family," Jane smiles.

"To be honest, we've never even met with a Sterling leader before. We were always meeting with Gareth here, your second in command," Enzo admits. He, as usual, does all the talking for Marco.

Taminn lets out a chuckle to make things seem a little more casual and through that, manages to light the mood. 

While Jane and her father explains to Enzo why Taminn kept his identity secret, I study Marco Gambino. He's large, dark haired older man with a big nose and beady eyes that I already know doesn't miss a thing. While listening to Jane, he rubs and turns the many rings on his fingers. All gold. All real. He's wearing a thick fur coat with his gang's famous sword symbol hanging as a necklace around his thick neck.  

He looks my way, but I don't look back.

"So, you can understand that after the annual Masquerade, we are hesitant," Enzo Biondo says and it suddenly catches my attention. 

I look back at the short Italian man. 

"Yes, well, that's part of why we are having a meeting. It seems that our former ally, the South, has risen to rebel against us. They want not only us, but probably all other gangs taken over. Sources tell me they have been preparing for years. They even went to my dear fiance's house to attack him.," Jane explains and then gets emotional. "You... you don't know how worried I was after finding out Xavier got attacked and shot. I cannot let them proceed in their plans. They have to be stopped. How would you, Valentina, have felt if your husband got attacked?"

Jane is, without question, a brilliant actress. Always playing the part she's reacquired to play.

"Enzo is always under risk... But I never get used to it," Valentina admits with sympathy. I watch her hand dart to her husband's and clutches it tightly.

I can't help thinking about holding Marigold's hand.

Despite Jane being a fake, I relate to what she's trying to get out of Valentina. I've known Valentina and Enzo Biondo for a while now. They really care for each other. Would sacrifice anything for each other.

I can sympathize with that because, without meaning to, I have grown to care for Marigold at such an intensity, I would risk nearly everything for her as well. 

Hacking into her phone so she can call no one associated with gangs was hard. Harder when it came to my number. But the part that almost killed me, was deleting our conversations. All the secrets and stories we shared while she didn't know who I was... All of it is gone.

It hurts knowing she can't contact me.

It hurts even more knowing I can't contact her ever again either.

In my entire life, I've only cried 2 times. Deleting Amber's number almost made it 3.

But this is for the best. She, without a doubt, would've been great in this life, but with Jane and everyone else that wants her dead, it's just too much to risk. I only hope she'll be happy with the puppy I got her. It breaks my heart knowing how alone Marigold will be, but maybe a golden ball of fluff will help her through it.

I would trade almost anything to have her next to me instead of thousands of miles away. 

But I won't trade her life so she'll just have to stay away.

And as always, I'll have to be the one to pay.

Pay for a kinder world with my own happiness. Pay for a safer world with my own wants and needs. Pay for a better world with, maybe even, my own life one day. It's the best deal I could get. 

The starters arrive and we all start eating. Marco Gambino, doesn't really touch his food and continues to observe all of us. When we're done with starters, and the waiters take them away, we sit back and continue conversation.

"So, what is it that Sterling is exactly requiring of us?" Enzo asks while swiping back his dark gelled hair lined with a bit of grey. I've hear the stories of this second in command and his leader. There's a reason Gladius members get to turn old. They don't go out easily. 

This time, Gareth is the one to answer. Considering he's about the same age as Enzo and Marco and has dealt with them before, it's a wise move. "We're planning an attack on the South next week. We can unfortunately not get support from all our members while Jane and Xavier aren't married yet. The marriage is set to happen, but we cannot risk it until the South is either weakened or destroyed. We'll need some extra men to get the job done," Gareth explains.

"We trade land for weapons, not people. It's a bit of a difficult request. Gladius' expertise was and will always stay on real-estate. Getting and selling land. If you expect us to send our men, we are talking about quite the price. Most of them haven't been in any fights. We like to stay peaceful," Enzo explains.

This time, I speak up and say, "Enzo, I understand most of your people don't fight and that your expertise are in land, but the rumors of a secret troop of mercenaries that Gladius controls, is not unknown. I know the Carro Armato group is not a myth. You use them to bring down the price of land before buying it," I explain.

Enzo stays quiet. I watch Marco Gambino lick his dry lips and rub his rings some more before he leans over to Enzo and whispers something in his ear. We're all waiting in anticipation as the leader of Gladius says something and Enzo nods throughout.

When Marco is done, he sits back in his chair again and continues fiddling with his rings. His bullfrog-like face stays in the same, bland expression.

Enzo looks back at us and smiles. "My leader says that Gladius is willing to lend the Carro Armato's for protection that the North provides, fifty crates of MP forty's that Sterling provides and a guarantee that our relations will stay good once North and Sterling merges to form the biggest gang," Enzo says.

I watch Jane go a little stiff next to me, but she quickly composes herself. "That's over six hundred guns. It's a very steep cost for a few extra men," Jane says.

Marco Gambino leans over again and whispers to Enzo. As expected, the second in command nods and then looks back at us. "My leader says that if you cannot provide the requirements, we will gladly accept the offer of one hundred crates of MP forty's that the South has offered us. We are merely asking for fifty out of respect for the years of partnership our gangs had," he explains.

I feel a little cold. The south has already started reaching out for support from other gangs... We might have to deal with more than we expected... This might even result in a civil war among gangs in our country. And a war of that scale will be considered a... a disaster to millions of innocents. The government would be too powerless to try and stop us - resulting in them joining and so everything will only escalate to something like a world war.

"Deal," Taminn says. I look over to Jane's father. His blue eyes are deadly serious and I feel like his dark brown hair has a few extra grey hairs from the news. He knows how serious this is.

"Father, I don't mean to be rude, but Xavier and I will determine whether we take the deal. I am after all Sterling's official leader," Jane explains. 

A loving daughter. That's what everyone is seeing here. Everyone idiotic enough to fall for Jane's act.

"But we do accept," I interject. Everyone is looking at me and I remind myself I'm wearing maroon. "We accept the deal. I will send forces out to protect your land after Jane and I merge. Jane will be sure to send your guns and you can be rest assured that when we become the biggest gang, you will have a high status among our alleys," I explain.

I sense Jane wants to appose, but she's smart enough to stay quiet.

"Eccellente! Then it is settled," Enzo says.

Dinner arrives and we all eat up while light conversation floats around. Gareth is asking Enzo about any plans he has for a family while Taminn and Jane are quietly arguing about the deal. All the while Marco Gambino stays quiet and watchful. I do the same.

When dinner is done and desert has been served, Marco leans over to Enzo for a third time. As usual, Enzo nods before looking back at us. "My leader asks who will be the leader among the two of you after you merge."

Both Jane and I stay quiet. I know I would've wanted to co-lead with Marigold if she was still the leader, but with Jane... I'd prefer having a larger say in things. Who knows what would happen if Jane had complete control over the largest gang in the world.

"It would make sense for Jane to be the leader. Not only is she the leader of the largest gang in the country, but she has been born and bred for the position. Unlike Xavier who's only had experience the last five or so years," Taminn explains.

"And in those five years, the North has grown double their size and gained a ruthless name for themselves. I've seen more people piss themselves at the mention of my name than any other gang leader," I point out in defense.

Valentina nods and Enzo seems to understand my stand point.

"Jane has been training every day of her life since she was ten. She has the right blood too. Unfortunately the Northern bloodline stopped after the mass murder at the Annual Masquerade a few years ago," Taminn continues.

Marco leans over to his second in command and says something again. Enzo turns to us and explains, "Gladius would be more comfortable with a male leader."

"I can assure you I'm more suitable than any male here," Jane says calmly. 

Oh, if she wasn't so good at acting, she would've thrown a table by now.

"Then  prove it," Valentina suggests.

"Sure. Will it be racing? Shooting? Fighting?" Jane asks.

"Being a leader is more than those. Gladius have not had much use of either of those things. It was planning, strategics and scheming that got us to being one of the top gangs. We want proof you can do those things. We know Xavier can with what he has accomplished. So far all you and your father have accomplished, no offence, is staying in hiding and from what I've heard, killing your own family. Gladius values family. Amber Marigold was a very impressive person to meet. She not only proved herself in her physical capabilities, but her planning and strategics is also noted. It takes a great force to merge West and East into Sterling. It is a shame you've felt it was necessary to kill her," Enzo explains.

I feel satisfaction at his words while Jane and her father try their best not to show their hand. I know for a fact that Taminn is not happy with 'Marigold's death' - his silent and violent attitude towards his daughter proves as much. And even Jane seems to finally understand the consequences of her actions. 

"My cousin would've challenged by rightful claim to the gang," Jane says.

"I'm sorry, Miss Marigold, but Gladius does not care for would have's and could have's. We look at facts. If you cannot prove your capability f control, Gladius would prefer Xavier Jilten as the only leader. If you can prove us otherwise, we would accept a co-leadership," Enzo continues. His gelled back black and grey hair give him a certain kind of maturity that  nobody here can mimic accept for his own leader who's still silently watching.

"You want proof that I have control?" Jane asks. I don't miss the slight twitch in her hand that she has glued to the table.

"Yes," Enzo says simply.

"Well, then Gladius would be happy to know that Xavier is not the only one making a ruthless name for himself," Jane says before clicking her finger.

We all watch as the doors to the dining room swing open and two men bring in a little girl. She has light copper hair and familiar dark, almost black set of eyes. Her hair is dirty, fringe is messy and eyes are wild. She's in a pair of torn jeans and wears a plain green shirt. 

"What's this?" Valentina asks while also staring at the small, probably ten-year-old child.

"Oh, just Kelly Katherine Rhodes. She's Owen's sister. When he betrayed me by leaving Tygerwell, I sent a few of my contacts to kill his parents and bring me his sister. I have no problem with doing what needs to be done. Even if it's not always the right thing to do. I can assure you that nobody in my gang would dare betray me ever again," Jane explains.

Valentina is looking worried along with Enzo. I hear Taminn suck in a breath and even Gareth looks surprised. She... Jane actually did that to someone from her own gang... What has happened to Owen? What has happened to Nessa that went with him? She told me she only planned a trip with Owen to see his parents, and I knew to expect her again within a week, but what if something has happened to her?

"You let me go right now, or I'll kick your ugly teeth in!" Kelly Rhodes threatens Jane. She looks deadly serious.

Jane resorts to laughing and waves the men away, "Take her back to her holding," Jane says.

"No! Let me go! Let me GO!" Kelly Rhodes shouts while being dragged away. She kicks and screams, but her tiny figure makes no difference. It takes all of my strength to not get up, bash Jane's skull in and help that little girl.

Not now, Xavier. Not here, I tell myself. Just get through this dinner.

We all sit in silence while Jane is looking smug.

Nobody knows what to do - how to react.

Another minute of suspenseful silence passes before Marco Gambino stops fiddling with his rings. He looks Jane over with those beady eyes and then surprises us all by smiling.

"Signorina Marigold would make a fine co-leader, no?" Marco Gambino says/asks in a deep voice.

Sup goldiessss!

Sooo, how was the chap? Pretty boring but necessary. I can promise y'all that the next chapter is going to be fun and happy and hilarious if all goes well. (Not trying to trick you again hehe.)

Wow, I can't believe we're getting so close to the end. We have 3 chapters left before shit is going down! Hold on to your ships and don't be too attached to any characters. Holly The Kraken is here.

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