9- Room 003

Lorenzo POV

The next morning, I found myself in a room cluttered with towering stacks of books, weighty duffel bags, and arranged boxes.

I was going through records of our past missions, the ones that were successful and the ones that weren't.

"Moscow?" I murmured, tracing a line down one of our ledgers.

"Who was the leader of the Moscow operation?" I asked Conti who was standing beside me, his hands tucked in his pocket.

"Ethan," he replied, his voice steady.

A grimace tightened my mouth. "Ethan is skilled, one of our best. How did it fail?"

Conti's eyes darkened, and he hesitated before speaking. "From what I heard, he and Suzy had an argument, they fought, and the team split, some supporting Suzy, some supporting Ethan." He explained.

My fingers drummed against the table. "What about Summer?"

Conti's gaze turned curious, "Probably wandering around, boss if I may ask, why did you agree to help her? Are you planning on recruiting her into the team?"

"We will know soon. Get her here." I commanded.

Conti gave a curt nod and left.

My mind drifted back to when I met Summer, The main reason I bought her from Andrew was because Summer looked exactly like Kehlani. The same sharp gaze, Her eyes, nose, cheeks bone--everything.

Kehlani was my first and only love. I have never fallen in love with another girl after her.

Everything was going fine until a tragic accident took her from me, leaving a void that no one could fill.

Apart from Kehlani being my first love, She held a secret, and that secret was 'An heirloom pendant.'

Not just a pendant, Inside the pendant is a tiny map that leads to the late Grandpa Bryson's treasure. The treasure comprises gold bars worth $800,000,000, precious rare gems worth $ 7,000,000,000,000, an ownership document of a big and popular estate, and lastly, an island.

I sighed.

For years, We underground dogs had searched for the pendant; even Grandpa Bryson's successors and family are looking for it.

In Grandpa Bryson's will, it stated that anyone who finds the treasure will become its owner. No matter who, stranger or family.

My thoughts were interrupted by the Opening of the door, and Conti stepped in, announcing Summer's arrival.

Summer was looking gloomy and dull.

An effect of the alcohol or... was she thinking about home? Well if it's the latter, that's impossible because I plan on keeping Summer till I get hold of the pendant.

Without a word, I motioned to Conti, who presented to me, a small black box. I approached Summer, and released the collar around her neck. For a brief moment, I saw a flicker of relief in her eyes, hope ignited.

Puff!

She had no idea of what was to come.

I opened the small box and lifted a silver bracelet save for the embedded microchip.

I clasped it around her wrist, feeling the tension in her muscles tighten.

"This will monitor your movements," I said, watching her expression shift from hope to outrage.

"What's the difference between this and the collar," She scoffed, eyes blazing.

"The bracelet is more fashionable; you won't get this particular one anywhere. It is made just for you." I smirked.

"Am I supposed to feel grateful? This is nothing but a fancy leash, a tool for you to control me." She spat out.

"Trust me, it's for the best," I replied coolly. "I want to confirm something. If it's true, then I'll keep you by my side forever. If I'm wrong, I will let you go. But for now, I need to monitor your every move, there are people out there who will kill you the moment they set their eyes on you." I said.

She crossed her arms, staring daggers at me. "Hello! I don't have enemies like you. I have friends and family who love me. Who would want me dead?"

I finished securing the bracelet, activating it with a quiet hum. "Isn't it beautiful?" I asked, ignoring what she said.

"Ugh! Beautiful," she said sarcastically. "A stylish piece of slavery."

"Get ready," I said, ignoring her resentment. "We'll be landing soon."

"Landing? where?" She asked.

I met her gaze "Italy. My home."

...

Two hours later, We stood before my mansion, I call it my den. The gate was imposing, 13-foot high, crafted from clad iron, and adorned with my insignia.

At the center stood a statue of a large bull.

I glanced at Summer, I could smell her worries and concern.

Her eyes darted to several buildings, suites, annexes, and residential wings in the compound, spreading to the end, where there's a forest that we use for training.

Hefty guards are patrolling the perimeter, their figures threatening. Almost every guy is huge with bulging muscles and tattoos. They all paused and bowed as our vehicle drove passed them.

We stopped at another gate, guarded by two giant ladies. Upon recognizing the plate number "BULL 001" they bowed and opened the gate without hesitation.

All my vehicles have their unique plate number, "BULL 001." No one needs to be told; they all know it was me.

Summer was terrified seeing those gigantic ladies. I felt her body shifting close to mine. After we drove past the small gate, the driver drove around a fountain and finally stopped in front of the main house.

The moment I stepped out of the car, Thirty bodyguards dressed in black suits rushed out, they divided themselves neatly into two lines. Fifteen on both sides.

They all bowed their heads in perfect synchronization and I walked in their middle dressed in my usual white suit and the mask over my face concealing a big scar. Summer trailed behind with Conti, who matched her step for step.

Inside, I entered the elevator. Summer moved to follow, but Conti caught her wrist.

"This one is especially for the boss," he said with a grin. "Coated in gold, see?"

Summer threw me an incredulous look but relented, following Conti to the adjacent elevator.

Minutes later, we met in the sitting room; most of the furniture in my sitting room is in neutral colors: Black and white.

White Sofa, white table, silver Chandeliers, black plasma screen, white curtains, and so on.

I loosened my blazer, tossing it over the arm of the sofa. "Take Summer to her quarters," I ordered my voice firm.

"Where, Boss?" Conti asked. "The servants' wing? Trainee quarters? Or... the girls' apartment?" Conti asked.

"The girls' apartment" I replied.

"Wait..." I said, raising my left hand.

The girl's apartment is for whores; it's a building where girls are dolled up for sexual pleasure.

"I change my mind. Take her to room 003." I said, casting a gaze at Summer.

Conti stiffened, his eyes widening. "Boss, that room is..."

"Shh." I silenced him with a glare. "Do as I say."

"Yes, Boss," he murmured, bowing slightly. He turned to Summer, gesturing for her to follow. But the unease in his eyes lingered, a rare thing for a man like Conti.

Was he scared of what would happen to Summer once she stepped foot in that room, or was it another thing I was missing?

Conti wasn't one to care for others, least of all a newcomer like her.

Summer, oblivious to the weight of his hesitation, asked with innocent curiosity, "What's in room 003?"

"What or Who?" Conti's lips quirked in a grim smile.

"Who... who is there?" Summer asked.

"You will find out soon."