Against All Odds

CHAPTER 2

Note: Before reading, I just wanted to let you know that words inside quotation marks ("sample") mean they are being said verbally. While italicized words inside quotation marks ("sample") are being said in their minds or thoughts. This will apply to the entirety of the book. Happy reading!

Trigger Warning! Guns, Drugs, and Shooting are mentioned in this chapter.

Maximillian Perceval Blaise

"Sir, the weapons and equipment you ordered arrived 5 minutes late."

"Sir?" Maximillian's trader repeated, as he caught his boss being too deep in his thoughts.

"I heard you." A serious tone finally left his mouth. Max then goes to see the weapons for his next undercover mission to breach the Winehouse of his rival. Many misunderstand his jobs, but the truth is, what he does always brings more good than bad.

He finally checked all the M4A1 and Barrett M82 he asked for, and told his workers to get all of the weapons and equipments prepped for tonight. He decided to carry out his mission tonight, in all honesty, because he wanted to get his mind off what happened last week.

(Flashback...)

They sat down on the balcony and couldn't help but feel a little flustered about what had just happened.

"I cannot believe she kissed me. Right after wanting her so badly. I love her so badly, yet I can't risk what we have. We kissed. What are we now? Can I engage in something more than a friendshi-" His thoughts got interrupted when Astrid started poking his cheek.

"Why are you so lost in your thoughts Max? You alright?" She asked.

"How dare she ask me that?" Maximillian thought to himself, in disbelief. "Was that kiss nothing to her? Damn."

"Nothing Astrid. I'm fine." He answered.

"Hey Max? Thank you for being here for me all the time. I just want to let you know how great of a best friend you are to me. You are the best best friend I could ever ask for."

Max looked at her, trying not to show his face of defeat. "Right, best friend is what we are." He thought.

(End of Flashback...)

Maximillian called the armory director and decided to cut ties with their old supplier. His frustration and anger contributed to his already fuming mind. He hated late and irresponsible people, because to him precision is one thing that keeps his empire distinct from the others. Aside from cutting ties, he also made sure that the man responsible for the late arrival of the weapons was fired on the spot. Max was not risking anything for a few minutes. If something has to be done, it will be done.

Maximillian's right-hand man and best friend, Antoni Mahttia, approached him, wondering why the mission was being carried out tonight. "Perceval, listen. As per your father's request when he created this mission, this is supposed to be carried out by mid-November. What the hell is happening to you? You've been so absent-minded these past few days."

Max then answered, "Antoni, YOU listen to me." He pointed at Antoni. "Our rivals have been keeping and distributing hundreds of pounds of drugs to the citizens of Aildenmore. I have heard that tonight is the only time they take a break from it because of a management party. It is our time to sneak in, confiscate the drugs, and destroy everything. Do you understand?" Max explained.

He then left Antoni and went back to his room.

Max sat in silence, but his mind never stopped running with thoughts. He thought that maybe if he focused on something, he'd be able to keep his mind away from that kiss. He couldn't help but catch himself thinking about it, knowing he had liked her for so long, and Astrid didn't have an inch of a clue about it.

Hours passed by so easily, Max realized he had to start suiting up for the mission. Only 3 hours left and he had to save the city of Aildenmore, while destroying the monetary flow of their rival.

A little while passed by once again and his army of men went to their respective vehicles. The ride lasted about an hour, and they all started to go to their hiding spot. It's dark and everything is barely visible, which is an advantage for them. Max being in front, he was taken aback when he almost got caught because two men from the rival empire started doing their night check rounds. Of course, as slick as he is, he was quick to shoot both of them without a fuss, thanks to the silencer.

His team was surprised when they saw their boss attack 30 minutes earlier than the discussed time. But Max only had one thing on his mind, "It's showtime."

He proceeded to the dual door of his rival's winehouse, which was luckily already unlocked. He was about to go in when Antoni stopped him and volunteered to go in first, in case of any traps. He definitely stands by his title, and is a close confidant and trusted man of the Blaise Empire. He is the epitome of loyalty, possessing an unwavering dedication to the boss and the organization.

When Antoni finished his search and was assured that it was safe to go in, he signaled his team that it was time to find the drugs and burn the Winehouse down.

It wasn't as easy as they thought. The winehouse was empty.

The venue of the party wasn't far from the Winehouse, so Max signaled for his team to retreat to their original position while he tried to sneak up some information from the party.

When he got near the balcony of the building the party was in, he hid by the trees and tried to eavesdrop. He saw the right-hand and the secretary of his rival making, and decided to stay for awhile. "f*****g annoying." He thought.

"Hey Lana, you were wondering why the Winehouse was empty, right? Well, while we're at it, I just want to share how smart our boss is." The right-hand man of his rival laughed.

"He was so anxious about his drug supply that he decided to hide everything on the walls. That's just f*****g genius, Lana. If I wasn't loyal, I would've stolen everything by now. We'd be rich, mon amour." He added.

"Bingo." as Max left the trees stealthily. He went back to his team to report what he had just heard and didn't waste any time. They smashed and peeled the walls of the Winehouse to see the packages his father demanded.

After they took everything and placed it in the vehicles, they soon planted C-4 explosives, just enough to destroy the Winehouse. They got into their vehicles before detonating the C-4s, to make sure they left no mark of their presence.

Everybody was celebrating, while Maximillian, of course, was deep in his thoughts again.

They arrived at the armory to put back the undamaged guns and equipment. While the drugs went straight to cargo boxes to be shipped to his father, and deal with it. Max does the undercover garbage work, while his father does the dirtier work. Even though this operation was made to save Aildenmore, they're Mafias after all. Don Gio will sell everything to someone desperate enough to pay twice the value of the confiscated drugs.

Maximillian's father, Giovinatzzi Blaise, was once a charismatic and ambitious young man, who had risen through the ranks of the criminal underworld with ruthlessness. Over the years, he had a vast wealth and cultivated a network of connections that stretched far beyond the city's borders. Now, in the twilight of his life, he relished the control he wielded over his empire, which spanned legitimate businesses and hidden criminal enterprises alike. Because of his old age, Giovinatzzi passed down to his son the responsibility of dealing with jobs physically. Despite that, he still had an uncanny ability to anticipate his rivals' moves and manipulate situations to his advantage. His wisdom and experience gave him an air of authority that commanded the respect of his subordinates. Even the most hardened criminals, knowing the consequences of displeasing Giovanni, would toe the line and carry out his orders with unwavering loyalty. He walked a fine line between maintaining a veneer of legitimacy and discreetly conducting illegal activities. Behind the façade of legitimate businesses, such as high-end hotels, construction companies and financial institutions, Don Gio's empire flourished. The funds from these legitimate ventures acted as a smokescreen, obscuring the origins of the illicit wealth that fuelled his criminal activities.

Maximillian skipped the team party and went straight home to have some peace of mind. While he showered, he sensed that somebody was outside of his room. He quickly finished up and dressed himself to check if he was just mistaken.

He took his handgun and quietly approached his door. But before he could even put his ear by the door, a gunshot went through and hit him in the lower stomach.

The loud footsteps quickly sounded distant before he could open the door because the gunshot made him fall.

"What the f**k was that?!" He thought.