The Twins Obsession

CHAPTER 5

The dirt road that led us to the factory was rough, but it didn’t bother me as I loved going for a drive. I had lived on an island for a long, long time that as simple as sitting in the car seemed so enjoyable to me. I tore my gaze away from the wonderful view of the overthrown trees that helped block the sunlight and stared at my father. He looked so handsome and regal while driving, his posture laidback.

Dad was really lucky to have someone like daddy. I might be in the dark of what truly happened between the two when they were still in Russian, but it’s so obvious to everyone that they’re so smitten with each other that even after all these years of being together in an isolated place, it still felt like they’re just beginning their journey as a married couple.

Daddy caught me staring at him and smiled, amused. “What?” he asked. “Am I driving too fast?”

“No.” Quite the contrary, he was being very careful. Even if he was stepping on the gas, he was attentive, avoiding the large rocks that could make the drive jarring. “Do you usually drive this…slow?”

He laughed. Daddy rarely laughs. It’s kind of scary. “I learned not to when I’m with you guys.”

I raised a brow. “So, you used to drive like super…fast? With sports car? In Russia?” I asked, my eyes sparkling in delight and interest as I wanted to learn more about daddy’s life when he was still the Pakhan.

Daddy’s smile was wistful, his focus still on the road. “I have a few,” he muttered, his lips curling into a grin. “Your dad loves it fast.”

“And do you still have it?” I asked.

“They were sold and were given to charity,” daddy said.

That information shocked me. “And here I thought people like us are supposed to be the bad guys.”

“Not always. Lucas is working hard to pay for his past but…” He paused, his grip on the steering wheel tightening. “Nothing is ever going to change that. The only thing we can do is to let it go and live life as normally as we can. Even if we don’t deserve it.”

I stared at him, my mouth parting. “That was deep, daddy,” I said.

“And maybe you can understand why we’re very protective of you,” he said. Lifting his hand off the clutch, he took my hand and patted it. “We live for you and your siblings. And if something were to ever happen to you, I—”

His hand gripped mine and it hurt a little. Like Dad, he had calloused palms, hardened by years of being the respected leader of the Russian Mafia. Just touching him helped me realize one more time that they worked hard to do the impossible. If not for their sacrifices, we wouldn’t even be here.

I frowned.

I understand their fears, and I honored that but still…it’s hard for me to drop my plans to live life to the fullest just because I’m afraid that my parents’ past would come and haunt me in the future.

I was distracted when I caught sight of a gate in the distance. The view was obstructed by the trees, but as we drove closer and closer, I realized that it wasn’t just a gate.

It was a humongous one, towering the tallest trees in the forest.

Daddy stepped on the brake and waited for the gate to open. The loud creak of metals clanging against each other as it parted sounded so ominous. I craned my neck to look at the tall security fence that barricaded daddy’s factory from whoever’s dumb enough to try and come on this island. I knew for a fact that we had the best and advanced security system that daddy and Alexi invested in to ensure our safety from the enemies.

I eyed the surveillance cameras smartly placed in corners that would cover every area and blind spots the entrance had.

“Wow,” I mumbled, awestruck.

A loud beeping sound echoed in the forest, and it deafened me for a second. Daddy didn’t seem to be fazed by the loud sound. He drove in, ignoring the men stationed in their posts. They stood there, carrying their firearms out in the open.

I gulped.

This felt like we’re going in a very dangerous place and there’s no guarantee we’d come back alive. Though that logic was dumb as daddy owned this place and commanded those mean-looking guys that didn’t even greet us when we entered the place.

There’s another road that daddy drove on. The gravel road was smoother than the one outside, and I’m not bouncing as much as I did before. I calmed my nerves as daddy drove silently. I had many questions I wanted to ask him, but my throat was dry.

I thought it’d be interesting to know what kind of life daddy had before. But now that he’s letting me see a glimpse of what he’s capable of doing given the money and power he had, it scared me.

The view that I had been admiring a while ago transitioned ghastly even if the sky and the scenery hadn’t completely changed. There’s something in the air that felt heavy and foreboding, it sent shivers down my spine.

Daddy didn’t speak. He continued to drive quietly, his shoulders eased back against the leather seat of the jeep.

Rows of small buildings came into view. My eyes widened in utter disbelief when I saw what was beyond that huge and intimidating gate that kept all these hidden from me and my sister.

For a second, I briefly wondered if Clark had taken a step inside this place. Our parents were protective of my older brother, but not to the point of concealing important stuff like the family business and how the Mafia actually worked.

There’s another gated fence albeit smaller than the one that we passed by a while ago. I didn’t need to come and take a closer look to know that the steel mesh gate was protected by electricity. One wrong move and it’d fry someone to death.

Scary indeed.

Whatever daddy’s protecting, it seemed to be worth more than all these security gates and fences that he obviously spared no expense to build. They didn’t look like they were cheap, that’s for sure.

How did he even manage to assemble all this? I knew my parents were loaded thanks to their previous occupations. But still…this was mind-blowing.

Several men were patrolling the area. They wore a typical security uniform with white and blue accents on their clothes. It’s a rather fancy attire for someone working in a sketchy place.

The road had turned into concrete, going around the buildings that resembled a small city built in the middle of nowhere. The paths were long and wide with directional road signs to help people navigate the place as it’s very easy to get lost here.

The buildings looked all similar to each other with no windows that could help me see what’s inside. It’s grey and it’s drab and very intimidating too.

Daddy drove to the nearest production plant that he owned. There were several garage doors, but he steered the jeep to the farthest one. I watched the men do their guard routines, paying us no attention.

“Are all these people working for you?” I inquired.

“Yes.”

I gulped. “And…they’re all here because they need to hide from people trying to kill them?”

“Yes,” he said again.

I eyed the garage door, asking myself if it’s made of steel…or maybe something sturdier than that as it seemed to be heavier than normal. It slid upwards, revealing the dozens of different vehicles parked inside the biggest garage I had ever seen in my life.

“W-what is this place?” I stuttered, awed.

Daddy parked the jeep in its reserved parking lot. Turning the engine off, we both got out. It wasn’t stuffy as I’d expected it to be, although the smell of gasoline and rubber was still fresh in the air. It didn’t bother me as daddy took my hand and guided me to where we’re supposed to be going.

A man dressed in an office uniform hurried to approach us. He wore a tight white dress shirt tucked under his black pants that matched the polished shoes that squeaked against the grey rubber floor.

“Mr. Roman!” he called out, his smile crooked. “I didn’t expect your arrival today.”

“I’m touring my kid,” daddy said in a nonchalant tone.

The man’s gaze fell on me and he stared closely. He had bright blonde hair slicked back, deep blue eyes that hid behind his round eyeglasses, and bulbous nose that I think adorable and plump, pale lips. I wasn’t sure if he was sweating from the humid weather, or because he’s talking to daddy. He could be scary with his muscular build and green eyes that could see right through anyone and anything.

“Oh, it’s my first time seeing one of the famed twins,” he said, chuckling nervously. “It’s very nice to meet you. I’m Klein.”

“Hi. I’m Dylan,” I said, shyly smiling at him.

I was about to shake his hand, but daddy subtly pushed me back, blocking Klein from staring at me. “Dom is here. Report to him. I need to check the new training ground.”

Klein perked up, his smile still stiff. “O-of course, Mr. Roman. Right this way.”

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We rode an elevator that showed one of daddy’s facilities through the glass walls. I pressed my face closer to watch dozens of men sitting behind stainless steel tables, tinkering with some laboratory equipment. They wore white overalls and goggles, their focus on their work as no one was standing idle.

The hall they were in was spacious with the ceiling high above their heads. The elevator seemed to have two-way glass since no heads turned when we kept descending. Soon, the facility disappeared from my sight.

I turned to look at daddy. “What is this place?” I asked.

His back was pressed against the wall, his hands tucked in his pockets. “What you saw was the prototype lab for weapons development.”

My jaw dropped. I was aware of daddy’s business but not to this extent. I was kidding when I saw they had an empire hidden somewhere on this island, but this was beyond my expectation. To know that he’s developing weapons to be sold in the black market just…

Scary.

“What about the training ground?” I inquired, swallowing the stuck saliva in my throat. I struggled not to show daddy my distress, but I failed. Daddy’s face softened, probably regretting his decision to show me all these.

“It’s another project I’m working on. Co-sponsored by the Blaise.”

I raised a brow. “What?”

Why do I feel like this training facility had something to do with the twins in particular?

The lift stopped and the doors parted in the middle, revealing an endless corridor painted in white. The lights turned on when Klein stepped out of the elevator, illuminating the hallway. He clutched his iPad close to his chest. “A part of the training ground is still under construction, sir,” he informed daddy.

“What part?”

“The lounge,” Klein replied. “The jacuzzi tubs are on their way and will probably arrive at…” he stopped to check his iPad, “Monday, this week.”

Jacuzzi tubs? Why in the world does daddy need jacuzzi tubs for a training ground?

“That’s fine,” daddy said. “We’ll be using the shooting range.”

I gulped after hearing that. s**t, we’re really doing this, huh?

“The shooting range in the left-wing is being painted right now, sir. The one upstairs is available to use,” Klein said. “I already prepared everything you told me to.”

“Good. I’ll talk to you later,” daddy said, dismissing Klein.

“Thank you, sir.” It’s not strange for people to be intimidated by daddy’s presence, but to see people acting like he was some kind of king left a strange taste in my mouth. It’s as if I’m witnessing what it was like for daddy when he was still the boss of the Russian mob.

I shuddered.

Klein glanced at me one last time but quickly stepped into the elevator when he noticed daddy giving him a warning glare.

“I-I’ll see you soon, sir!” he snapped, his voice suddenly going high.

“He’s…skittish, huh?” I commented.

Daddy smirked. “That’s the price of working for someone like me. Come.”

I followed daddy and walked further into the brightly lit corridor. I found it strange that there were no doors, only the long hallway that led to God knows where.

“When did you start building this place?” I asked.

“The training ground is a new addition, though Alexi and I have been planning this for a long time now. As for the whole place, it started long before you were born,” daddy said.

That surprised me. “So, you meant to tell me you’ve been wanting to create this massive empire after you quit the Mafia?”

Daddy shrugged his shoulders. “Maybe.” A vague answer, it’s so like daddy. He’s still keeping things from me when he had already shown me his biggest secret.

“So, it just so happens that everyone who wanted to come here to hide has knowledge in research and development?” I asked sarcastically.

“Yes. I carefully screened every single one of them to know who and what they are. I’m not going to accept people here who can’t pull their weight.”

That sounded cold but daddy had a point. He’s providing them lodging and protection, the only way they could repay him was to work for him.

“How did Klein end up here?” I didn’t mean to judge, but a jittery man like him could not have been in the mob. Or maybe I was just surrounded by strong people all my life that meeting someone like Klein became rare.

“He had a debt.”

“Debt?”

“Thirty million.”

I gasped. “What?!” How did he end up having a debt of thirty million, that’s—!

Daddy’s smile was sly. “He started a company of his own and was stupid enough to borrow money from a loan shark. The company didn’t survive and the investors who believed he had it in him wanted their money back. Klein’s not the only one. Other people faced the same problem, and now they’re here working for me.”

“And is that really safe?”

“Only a dumb f*cker would try to chase them here,” daddy said. I immediately noticed the change in his voice and once again, he’s showing me another side of him that I haven’t seen before.

Daddy chose the right corridor and stopped in front of another elevator door. He pressed a button and it slid open. He gently pushed me inside and pushed another button to bring us to the upper level of this multi-floored building.

Everything looked crisp and modern. I wondered how much money he spent to build this facility.

“Matthias helped you with this place?” I asked.

“I offered him a place where he could train his men.” Daddy crossed his arm in front of me. “Of course, only those whose loyalty has been proven countless times are allowed to join. They would enter a program to turn them into the best hitmen and bodyguards that any Mafia group can use and hire.”

I thought for a second. “But…won’t be that dangerous. You’re letting them see the island. What if they turned on you and the Blaise?”

Daddy smiled at me, amused. Patting my head, he said, “it’d be best if you don’t know what will happen to them if they choose to go against me.”

I nervously gulped. The gleam in his eyes showed that he had confidence in everything he’s doing right now. Daddy was a man of power and control. His intelligence could never be compared. I’m sure he had already thought of a plan if ever those people they bring here try to do something that would cost us our safety.

He’s right. I didn’t want to know.

The elevator dinged and the door opened. It was another never-ending hallway in white and it’s beginning to scare me as it felt like we’re being in a loop. Every corridor looked identical, it’d be so easy to get lost here and never find your way out.

“This place is still under construction,” daddy said. “Matthias will be visiting soon to check the place.”

“Is he going to be with the Blaise twins when he visits?”

Daddy eyed me. “How did you know they’re coming here?”

“Dom told us.”

I heard him grumble. “That kid doesn’t really know when to shut up,” he said through gritted teeth.

I suddenly felt bad for Dom, but it’s not like I could lie to daddy. “Are you going to help them train too?” I asked. It’s possible. Hiro was trained by dad, and he spent years on this island learning how to take over the Blaise family once Matthias retires.

“Matthias doesn’t want the twins to delve into the Mafia business, but they’re still a part of the family. That means their lives are in danger too.”

I followed daddy into the hallway and as he made another right, he finally stopped walking and faced a door that had signage written in a stiff font Shooting Range.

“What? Are you going to teach them how to defend themselves?” I asked.

He entered the password for the door keypad. “Everyone in this business should know how to shoot a gun.” Pushing the door open, he let me in first. “And that goes for you and your sister too.”

The shooting range was vast, divided into sections. Daddy and I walked in as the door closed behind us. “Woah, this is…huge,” I commented.

“We have three indoor ranges in the training ground, plus two outdoors. I reckon it’ll be better for you to practice shooting in a place like this. It’ll be easier.”

“And not hot,” I muttered under my breath.

We walked past the control room where one part of the wall was made out of glass to overlook the whole facility. It had a very modern touch to it and a strong, manly vibe…which was weird because I’d been living my whole life surrounded by strong, manly men. If that’s even a thing.

There were ten firing lanes. Daddy pulled me to the third one, and there in front of me was a pistol laid on the desk. It looked scary but I didn’t show him I was intimidated by the weapon. There was also a bulletproof vest beside it, along with two electronic earmuffs to protect our hearing.

Daddy helped me put on the vest. “Is this really necessary?” I asked, annoyed that he was being fussy.

“Yes.”

“Fine.”

After he was done making sure I’m prepared to shoot guns, he stood behind me. “This is a new gun that we designed,” daddy said. “A semi-automatic handgun. It’s very lightweight, perfect for children.”

I stared at the gun. It didn’t look any different from a standard 9mm pistol. It was indeed small, making it easy for people to hide it in their clothes or bags.

I pouted at him. “And are parents supposed to teach their kids how to shoot guns?”

“They should,” daddy retorted.

“The kickback isn’t as hard as normal pistols, but you’ll still feel it. But don’t worry, it’ll only hurt in the beginning.”

He encouraged me to hold the gun and I did. It was heavier than I expected it to be. “It’s still heavy,” I complained.

Daddy chuckled. “Then maybe we’ll adjust the weight next time.”

He then showed me the proper stance to fire a gun, how to insert ammunition, how to handle it—he was very meticulous. I listened to every word he was saying, fascinated by all this.

“And don’t forget, shooting a gun can hurt people or worse, kill them.” Daddy made me look into his eyes and continued, “only shoot when you think your life is in danger. Never use it for anything except for protecting you and your loved ones. Do you understand?”

I stared at him. “Yes, daddy. I understand.”

He gave me a proud smile.

“So,” he said, straightening his back, “I’ll let you leave the island if you manage to hit the target right in front of you.”

I scoffed. “That’ll be so easy!” It’s not even a moving target.

Daddy smirked at me. “And you have to do it on the first try.”

That quickly wiped the arrogant smile off my face. “Wait, what?! I only get to try once!”

“You’re a quick learner, aren’t you? I’ll give you ten minutes to practice getting used to handling the gun. Then we’ll start.”

“No!” I yelled. “That’s impossible! I can’t do that, daddy,” I complained, my shoulders dropping in disappointment and annoyance.

“That’s the deal, Dylan,” daddy said, his smile devious. “You better not fail because I’m not going to give you another chance.”

I wanted to scream at his face.

Goddamn it!

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