ONE.

Jake Hendrix IV walked into Carlos living room. Everyone stopped talking that instant. They had their gaze fixed on the figure standing before them.

"Three months more, Carlos" Jake said. His sea blue eyes piercing Carlos gray pairs.

"Yes. Thank you..."

Jake walked out of the living room. He was not interested in whatever Carlos wanted to all. All he wanted was his money.

Jake Hendrix IV was 6'5" tall. His thick dark hair was messy. He allowed it to fall over his face, masking his deep sea blue eyes.

He was the leader of the RATTLESNAKES. A renowned gang in the State and its environs.

He had a twin brother who went by the name Jace and a little sister called Nicole. He lived with his siblings and Mom, who was his only surviving parent.

He had lost his father to an automobile crash when he was just 15 and by May, he turns 20 making it 5 years of being without a father.

When he left Carlos home, he drove straight to the casino. He had to inspect his shipment of drugs, which arrived the previous day.

Jace was already at the casino waiting patiently for him when he arrived.

"Paid yet?" He asked, trailing behind Jake.

"I gave him three months more to pay up" Jace nodded as they walked into the underground warehouse.

Jake had a look of satisfaction on his face after inspecting his drugs. He turned towards Jace, he said, "Link up Sparrow"

"I'll do that. Least I forget, Nicole is waiting for you in your office"

Jake creased his brow trying to remember why he sent for her.

"Wilder" Jace said coming to his rescue which was reciprocated with a smile from Jake.

Just as Jace said a few minutes ago, Nicole sat behind his giant desk, legs crossed and head held up high.

"Wilder needs to go down in a month time" Jake said. Nicole was startled by his deep voice, but she kept her cool.

She exhaled as the faces of the people she had killed since the year began flashed right before her face.

Wilder was going to be the ninth person she was going to kill since the year began.

Jake retrieved a picture from his cabinet. He gave it a brief look over before passing it to Nicole.

"That's him. Try having a romance angle with him..., I don't need to tell you your job. You can leave now" he waved her off, but Nicole didn't budge from where she sat. Her action made Jake squint his eyes.

"What?" He asked.

"I need some money"

Jake pursed his lips. Having Nicole as a little sister was a pain in the ass. She was always in need of one thing or the other.

"I don't have any. You can ask Jace" he snapped. On a second thought, he asked, "How much do you want?"

Nicole smiled, "Just $50,000. I need to change my wardrobe, or don't you want your sister to look good?" She pouted.

Jake glared at her. He wished he could deny her request, but he couldn't. Denying her request was equivalent to risking his mental health.

He quickly scribbled some figures on his chequebook, he tore the leaf out then tossed it at her with a large scowl on his face.

"Toss it if you want" she scoffed as she bent to pick it. Her eyes widened in surprise on seeing the figure. Jake had added $10,000 more to request.

"Thank you brother. You're the best brother ever" she kissed him on his cheek before scurrying out.

Jake spent the remaining 4 hours before dusk in the comfort of his office at the casino. During those hours, he was going through all the business records.

Jake Hendrix IV was a good boy until the death of his father. As the older sibling, he wasn't going to sit back and watch his mom work her butt off each day just because she wanted a comfortable life for her kids.

He started as a drug peddler to his godfather, Xavier Woods. After two years of working as a drug peddler, with the help of his godfather, he became a boss.

The RATTLESNAKES was birthed few days before his 18th birthday. It started with just four members, himself, siblings and his best friend Tristan.

Sadly, Tristan died in a gun battle between the RATTLESNAKES and a rival gang. The loss of Tristan made Jake temporarily insane. By the time he recovered, he chained his heart.

Although he was a Casanova, he never made any move to love again that was apart from his family.

A few months later, he recruited seven more members, making the gang even.

Jake, Jace, Hardin, Champion, Tyler, Nicole, Maya, Charlotte, Anita, and Jenny were the names of the members of the RATTLESNAKES.

With hard work and diligence, he purchased a hotel. He renovated the entire building, making it a sight of attraction for all.

Jake pulled up in the driveway of his mansion, which he shared with his family.

The aroma of roasted mutton hit his nostrils the moment he stepped his feet on the rugged floor.

"Hey Mom" he greeted, giving her neck a light kiss.

Trinity smiled as she fed him with the salad she was eating. She loved Jake to the moon and back and could go any length to prove it.

Whenever they went out together, many people can't help but compliment them. They all thought they were couples.

"Cutie" Trinity called, wiping the corner of his lips.

"Mom"

"Where were you all day?" She asked.

"I was at the casino"

Trinity heart fell. Jake was neglecting his Five-Star Hotel, which was patronized by the top men in the State.

"If you keep neglecting your hotel, everything you've worked for will come crumbling down, and I don't want that to happen Cutie" she mumbled while running her hand through his messy hair.

"Jace's is in control"

"I know, but you still have to monitor your business, Jace can't do everything"

Jake bit his lower lips. He tried looking at his mother's face, but he couldn't because he felt guilty.

This wasn't the first time, Trinity was telling him about his Hotel.

"Mom, I'll be at the Hotel tomorrow. I promise"

"You do?" She grinned.

"Yes mom" Trinity pulled him into a tight hug while he kissed her neck.

"Jake stop doing that to mom, she's not one of your sluts out there" Nicole scowled, glaring at him.

She had just returned from the Hotel where she worked in the Customer's Care unit and was greeted with that scene.