CHAPTER 34

White Lion's POV

My office had a safe where I kept my money and my most expensive guns. The safe was hidden behind a huge landscape painting.

I had a library in here too which had more of my fathers books than mine. He was an avid reader and an intelligent man. It was something I took from him.

Books opened worlds of Knowledge for me something that was essential in my line of business.

I was sited on a high chair by a huge mahogany table where I kept my techs and other important documents.

Marcus was sited opposite me on one of the smaller visitors sit.

"Boss." Marcus called me a little loudly pulling me out of my thoughts.

I had been puffing out smoke, tainting the air when he had called me with worry laced in his voice.

I glared at him from the haze of smoke coming from my cigar. I had invited him to my office downstairs to discuss my plans with him, but I found myself zoning out of the conversation every now and then as thoughts of Mira clouded my mind.

She was alone in the room and I feared that she might try to escape and might even succeed this time around.

I just hoped that she would do as I had told her to. I didn't want to hurt her. I couldn't. I had never laid my hands on any woman and I definitely didn't want to start with the woman I love.

Love.

It was such a strong word to use for something I wasn't sure of yet.

The only reason I remained calm was the tight security I had positioned upstairs.

They were instructed not to hurt her but they were not going to let her go.

"I was asking what we should do with the Dragon gang, they are still asking for a meeting." Marcus informed, looking concerned.

He was tall, not as tall as I was but tall enough to look good in my chair. His hair was cut short and wavy, he looked more African- american than Nigerian. He hardly ever looked scary but he could do a clean job with ease and that was why he was the best because you would never expect him to be so bad by just looking at him.

His looks were so deceitful. A puppy on the outside and a tiger on the inside.

I blew out another smoke and stared at Marcus. "I was the one that called for a meeting with Ken and Jega."

Marcus sat up straight on his chair. His eyes widened in shock. "Why boss? You don't like Ken for anything and you hate Jega, why call them? We don't need them."

I inhaled in smoke and took it out through my mouth. "I want out Marcus." I said glaring at him through hooded eyes. I wanted to gorge out every bit of his reaction.

"You want out of what Boss?" Marcus asked, confusion evident in his demeanor.

"I want out of this life. I want to live a crime free life, I want out of the name White Lion."

Marcus stared at me, his eyes were filled with questions, anger and uncertainty. "Is it because of that girl, Marian?" He asked me. "Why do you. I don't understand." He stammered.

"Mira." I corrected. He was scared and I was too. Although we both feared different things.

"And yes, it is because of her. I want her with every fibre of my being and I have thought of a way to get her." I repeated everything I had said to Sophia to Marcus and he listened with apt attention while shaking his head in disapproval.

"You are not serious Boss, are you?" Marcus asked me with wide eyes. "This is insane! You can't do this. We need you! I need you."

"Marcus I tell you these things not so that you can tell me what to or what not to do. I need your support not your opinion. So are you in or out?"

Marcus laughed nervously. A tensed silence enveloped us as he stared at me with rage filled eyes.

But I knew he wasn't angry. He was only afraid.

"I am in. Always in with whatever you plan but I can't lead this gang with Sophia. She vexes me."

"Let's talk about that later." I chuckled, rolling my eyes. I took out another cigarette from the box and put out the one I was holding.

"Marcus. You can be King. You have what it takes." I encouraged.

He smiled at me but it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Whatever you say boss."

He was conflicted that I could tell but he wasn't ladened with so much choices anyway.

"Tomorrow is going to be a long day". I thought as I watched Marcus leave my office like the weight of the world was suddenly dropped on his shoulders.

Maybe it was, for my shoes were impossible to fit in. I did believe in Marcus though. He would do a good job.