Twisted Loyalties

Chapter 4: The War Begins

Before Ethan could continue, there was a knock on the door, and the door opened immediately.

A well-built, intelligent looking woman of above average height with high cheekbones walked into the room and her black eyes bore deeply into the soul.

Mia's heart skipped a beat when she realized who it was. Margaret Blackwood, Ethan’s mother, and one of the most influential women in the city. Her reputation for crushing anyone who stood in her way made Mia uneasy.

Margaret stared blankly at Mia and Tommy before she finally spoke. “Ethan,” she said in a sharp tone, “I see you’ve made your move.”

Ethan didn’t turn to face her. “Mother, we are still busy with something.

Margaret’s gaze hardened. “I am fully aware of that, but you have to understand that Viktor is not the only one who would like to get his hands on this situation. There are many others who would gladly pay a hefty sum of money for the technology that Tommy has discovered.”

Mia could feel a shiver run down her spine. How many people had they just angered? How many people would be coming after them now?

Ethan clenched his jaw, but his words didn’t quiver. “We are managing it, Mother. The matter is so sensitive and I do not need any input from others. ”

Margaret looked at him warily, her gaze flashing differently. “Look out Ethan, you are treading a dangerous path here, you know that? Let me remind you that if you mess up, I won’t be the one cleaning up your mess.”

With that, Margaret spun around and marched out of the room with everyone left sitting in rather awkward silence.

Ethan finally shifted his gaze back to Mia and Tommy with a sense of determination in his eyes.

“We have to act fast. Margaret was right, a lot of people will come after you if they find out what you know. We are running out of time.”

For a moment, Mia stood rooted to the spot, her heart thudding violently now that the seriousness of the situation was finally sinking in. They had become entangled in a world of power and peril that overshadowed even their wildest dreams.

Mia registered what he was saying but her mind was absent when Ethan started to explain the plan. She had to be strong for Tommy’s sake. However, with the uneasiness that she felt deep down, she knew that this was only the start of it all. The real menace was still out there waiting for the right time to strike.

And when it did, they had to be prepared.

Back in his office, Viktor Romanov started to think actively and was walking from one side of the room to another. Dimitri had just delivered the information earlier today – Ethan Blackwood had captured Tommy Anderson and the information with him.

The glass in Viktor’s hand caved in completely, sharp edges cutting into the palm of his hand.

Viktor felt blood trickle down on to the floor, yet he didn’t bat an eyelid. His anger was eating him up, and the suffering was what he could focus on besides the anger that was churning inside him.

“Blackwood thinks he can outsmart me,” Viktor murmured to himself, his words sharp as a spike. “But he has no idea what awaits him.”

Dimitri leaned against the door, his eyes fixed on Viktor with obvious suspicion. “What do you plan on doing next, boss?”

The light of greed glittered in Viktor’s eyes, looking like a man with a clear purpose. “We go into his territory. I want our team to focus on the fact that Blackwood can be brought down. We will attack him where he is most vulnerable. ”

Dimitri nodded, his mind registering all the orders immediately, “What about the boy?”

A wicked sneer appeared on Viktor’s face. “He won’t be safe forever, Ethan will mess up, and when he does; we’ll be waiting. But until then, we just ensure that everyone in the blackwood industries is busy providing us with information about his operations. Every single detail that you get is important.”

Dimitri nodded and turned to leave, but Viktor called out to him one last time.

“And Dimitri,” Viktor said dangerously, “make sure Margaret Blackwood understands her place. I won’t tolerate her meddling in our affairs.”

Dimitri hesitated but gave a brief nod.

As Dimitri left, Viktor looked back at the shattered pieces of glass in his hand and the blood still dripping from his palm. He clenched his fists, feeling the pain in his wrist that subdued his rage.

Ethan had incurred his wrath in the wrong way by messing with him and Viktor was going to ensure that he made him regret it, no matter what it took.

It wasn’t the end of the game and Viktor was poised and prepared to make his move. The question was, how far would Ethan, the successful businessman go to protect his loved ones?

And when the time of reckoning came, would he risk all to remain alive?

Viktor smiled in an evil way, and the readiness to fight gave him the steely gaze that reflected the cold killer. This was war, and the idea was to come out the victor regardless of who had to be eliminated in the process.

But little did he know, the events already put in place would lead to a showdown more explosive and dangerous than anyone could have imagined and when the dust settled, no one would be left untouched.