Chapter 13

[MAVERICK]

"I know what I saw and I know what I fucking said! A wolf. Her name's Agatha. We spoke briefly, and I think she's from Amoden. " Maverick raised his voice as he paced in Don's office. Charles, Don, and Mav spread across the office.

"Agatha?" Don asked.

"A wolf in Grimden? A wolf that's not Mav?" Charles folded his arms, this interested him.

"Yes. Agatha. "

"I know that name. She works for the Milo Brothers. She was there at the meeting the other day."

"Could it be the same Agatha?"

"I don't know. I'm meeting the brothers tomorrow to hand over the first batch of products. I was actually going with Junior while you handled the new shop and followed up the washed money and accountant business, but you'll just come with us."

"Zane can handle all that.' Mav said. "I trust him."

"We don't trust anyone that's not blood, son." Don said, a little distracted.

"Do you know what this means?" Charles spoke up. "If she's with the Milo Brothers, that means they're all wolves too. A fucking Pack just moved to Grimden and is into our business. Now, that's a real threat."

The three of them exchanged glances. Trouble was brewing, and all could tell that it was only a matter of time.

"We'll know tomorrow. " Don said before dismissing his two sons.

"Are you okay?" Charles asked Mav when he noticed how down he was. "Ken told me you left Kate to go. Y'all had a fight?"

"Yeah. Do me a favour, get me a key to a suite at Hell Hotel."

"What?"

"I'm not sleeping at my place tonight. "

"Whoa. That's serious trouble in paradise, man." Charles backed up. The smug face Mav had on told him Mav was serious, and he nodded. "Will do, man. Wanna talk about it?"

"No." Mav said and walked away.

*****

Mav, Charles, and their father stood in front of the car car they had come in with. 5 cars parked in alignment, all filled with RiverHound men armed with guns and dressed in neat tuxedo.

They didn't wait long before another set of fleet of cars voomed into the arena, and several men began stepping out. There were ten armed men.

And they made way slowly, as the two brothers stepped out. Maverick blinked severally from the discomfort from the lens in his eyes that presented a sky blue colour of his pupils. He hated them.

"You're late." Charles said. Standing beside Don. Maverick stood on the other side of Don as well.

"It's not nice to keep RiverHound brothers waiting." Mav said.

"But it is pretty bold." Charles said in agreement. He was always looking to make trouble, but he knew how to make people fear the RiverHounds as well.

The Milo brothers were identical twins, with an uncanny resemblance that made them almost indistinguishable. The only visible difference lay in their hairstyles: Joseph Milo sported a long, black mane, often tied up high, just the way Maverick actually parked his own hair most times, while his brother Japhet opted for a shorter, messier look. However, Maverick didn't need visual cues to tell them apart. He could distinguish between the twins by their distinct scents, a difference he anticipated savoring as they drew closer. A sly smirk spreading across his face, Joseph Milo stepped forward, his eyes locked on Maverick.

"Apologies." He said, his eyes moving from Don to Charles to Maverick, and then finally resting on him. "These must be yours sons, am I not right? Maverick? Charles?"

"Yes."

"That's right. You did your homework well. " Charles said.

"I didn't need to. Your reputation precedes you." Joseph said, and Japhet scoffed behind.

"That can only be a compliment. Only." Charles budged.

"Junior!" Don snapped briefly, without turning to Charles.

"I am Joseph. And this is my brother, Japhet." Joseph stretched his hand to Charles, and shook him uninterestedly, before shaking Maverick, and resting his palms and eyes on him.

Clearly, something was going on here, and Maverick suspected he more than just knew him.

"It's a pleasure. " Maverick simply said.

"So, what is this special product you have for me?" Joseph continued.

"It is called 'The Dust.' It is unadulterated and unfiltered and RiverHound is the only producer in the entire fucking world. So this is how it goes, we deliver whole products in bulk, you retail and we get 35%." Don said sternly.

"Apart from the wholesale payment?" Japhet finally spoke up.

"Yes." Charles replied, his hands in his pockets and looking unshaken.

"That does not sound right. 35% won't give."

"Well, thanks for your opinion, Japhet, but this has already been decided. I'm just reciting again as a reminder, so back off." Don said, and Japhet gave his brother a questioning look.

"Very well." Joseph inclined his head in a curt nod, first acknowledging Don, then his brother, Japhet. The latter's gaze was hesitant, but he ultimately turned back and gave a discreet signal to his crew, who lingered by the cars, awaiting instruction.

On the other hand and simultaneously, Don's gaze shifted to Maverick, who reciprocated with a subtle nod. The signal was relayed to Ken and Zane, who sprang into action, retrieving about five black duffel bags bulging with Dust from the car's trunk.

"Did you send the account numbers?" Don asked Charles.

"Yes. Yesterday." He replied.

Just then, the car door swung open, and a woman emerged, her presence commanding attention. Maverick's eyes widened in stunned recognition, his gaze frozen on her face as he easily conceal his awe while she walked forward.

The strides, same as the night before.

Long, swaying green hair.

Red eyes.

Maverick breathed out. He didn't know why he sensed a sudden familiarity with her.

"It's her." He said quickly, snapping out of the trance he was in and whispering to Don.

"Hello, Jade Killer." Her voice boomed when she spoke up, a certain level of cunning hidden in her voice, and Charles raised an eyebrow.

Mav could directly feel the heat of Don's scornful stare burning into him at the sound of Agatha's words, but he stared forward and hard.

"Fancy seeing you here." With a sarcastic tone, Maverick spoke up, prompting her to respond with a nonchalant shrug and a hint of a smile. Agatha's attention then shifted to the tablet in her hands, her fingers dancing across the screen as she tapped and swiped with purpose.

"Done. " Agatha nodded to Don and then to the Milo brothers before walking away.

"Damn, that's some fine-" Charles was whispering, unable to take his eyes of Agatha.

"Check it, Charles. " Don eyed him.

"Seen." Charles said after checking his phone. They had received the alert.

"Welcome to the family, and cheers to a successful partnership." Charles extended a hand to Joseph, who took it with a smile and passed he passed his hand to Japhet.

"Very well. "

"I look forward to seeing you at the Club Nine tonight. Let us drink and clink some glasses together to celebrate this beautiful beginning." Don smiled.

"Agreed." Joseph gave out a senile smile, before turning his back and heading for his convoy with his brother.

Maverick felt uncomfortable. Something smelled in the air, apart from the scents of everyone. It smelled dangerous and cunning.

Like a plan. Like a bad plan.

It felt like all his senses were warning him about something, but he just didn't know what yet.

And he will.