SHATTERED ALLEGIANCE

Chapter2

THE DEVIL'S PLAYGROUND

Vivian Vaughn stood opposite her father with her hands folded beneath her fully pumped breast.

“No father, I can't.” she said.

“How on earth do you expect me to kill the most dreaded man here in Los Angeles?” She added.

“Vivian, think! Remember the ordeal we had to go through all because of that deal.” Victor Vaughn pointed out.

“I know father, but…”

“...but what? tell me you are too dumb to know that only the bravest survives in this part of the world?” Victor cut in.

“They took you away from me, they bought you like a f*****g peice of furniture…can't you see?” Victor Vaughn added.

“It's the Reed's f*****g family we are talking about here, can't you see it's a death sentence? dad.” Vivian said, this time, pacing around the dimly lit room.

“How in heaven's sake can I make my old man see what I see?” she muttered to herself.

“I won't let you do this to me again…” she added, with a well of tears forming in her eyes.

“I won't let you have your way again, it's always been your way, your f*****g way!” she poured out.

“You don't care a damn about what I want.”

Victor was already getting impatient. He dipped his hands into his pants pocket, brought out a cigarette and lit it with the lighter he pulled out of his breast pocket. He took a long drag of the cigarette, came closer to Vivian and in a second, let the nicotine flow out right to Vivian's face, his face harbouring a cold look with a smirk playing by a side of his cheek.

“You have no choice, my darling. You'd have to do it either you like it, or not.” Victor concluded before walking out of her room, unexpectedly gently.

Vivian knew the meaning of that gesture. She'd have to choose between the wrath of her father, or face the dreaded Reed family. She saw doom ahead, but the confidence of her father was unsettling.

This wasn't the first time he had tried convincing her to kill Dominic Reed. Victor had always told her he had everything under control. She kept wondering what her fate would be if she had to face the wrath of either of the two most dreadful mafia bosses of Los Angeles.

“I cannot do this! I cannot kill Dominic Reed!!! It's too dangerous.”

With this, she allowed herself sink deep into the couch that laid by her bed side. The gracious night breeze made it easier for her to let go of her thoughts. There on the couch, she fell asleep.

********************************************

The night air was heavy with the scent of smoke and betrayal. Dominic Reed stood at the edge of the rooftop, gazing out over the glittering lights of Los Angeles. He knew that his time was running out.

Behind him, the sound of footsteps echoed across the rooftop. Dominic's eyes narrowed, his mind racing with possibilities. He knew that he had made many enemies over the years, but he had never thought that one of them would dare to strike at him directly.

As the footsteps drew closer, Dominic turned to face his killer. His eyes widened in shock as he saw the face of the person who had betrayed him.

"You?" Dominic whispered, his voice trembling with rage and sorrow.

The killer's face was twisted into a cruel smile. "You should have kept your promises, Dominic," the killer spat.

“You should have ran when you had the chance,” the killer added before pulling the trigger.

Dominic's body crumpled to the ground, his eyes frozen in a permanent stare. The killer turned and walked away, leaving behind a trail of blood…

**********************************************

Alex sat behind the wooden desk in the warehouse, sobbing uncontrollably. The pain of losing his ex-lover to death still lingered, and now he had to face the agony of losing his father. He felt his world crumbling around him.

The thought of Victor Vaughn being the mastermind behind his father's death made his blood boil. How Vaughn executed the plan inside his father's mansion still baffled him. Something wasn't right.

A mix of regret, anger, and frustration swept over Alex. He should have acted faster; his father had warned him. Alex took a drag from his cigarette, tears streaming down his face.

He wondered how his mother, Sophia Reed, was coping with the situation. She had endured so much in the past years; she deserved to be happy.

Just as Alex muttered a curse, Vivian Vaughn's voice snapped him out of his thoughts. "Hey, babe, I came as soon as I got your text."

Vivian approached Alex, placing her hands on his shoulders. "Vee, my dad is gone; I've lost everything...where do I pick things up from?" Alex sobbed.

Vivian tried to console him. "Shhh...you've lost just your father, not everything. You still have your mother, your brother, Vinne, and even me...you haven't lost everything, boo."

Alex explained, "You won't understand, Vee. Victor Vaughn is a man who never gets satisfied. He'll stop at nothing until he brings everyone related to my father down."

Vivian looked surprised. "Victor Vaughn?"

Alex nodded, wiping his face with his palm. "You look surprised."

Vivian replied, "Maybe a little surprised that your first suspect is my father."

Alex gazed at Vivian, unsure of what to feel. A few minutes ago, he was consumed by grief, and now Vivian was asking questions like a detective.

Vivian pressed on, "But why would my father want to hunt down every member of your family? Why exactly would he?"

Alex hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal. "Never mind," he said, attempting to dismiss her.

Vivian's voice turned firm. "Alex, what's going on between your family and mine? You said he was responsible for your father's death. Why?"

Alex sighed, knowing he couldn't avoid the truth. "Can you stop bothering me and let me mourn my late father in peace?" he asked, his voice harsh.

Vivian's face contorted in anger. "Oh, now I'm bothering you?" She stood up, her eyes blazing with fury.

Frustration took it's toll on Alex as he let out, “Maybe you need to be reminded who you are…”

“You are only a sort of repayment of some debts your damn father couldn't repay…so know your place and stop bulging me with your s**t” Alex poured out, obviously irritated.

Vivian stood there, motionless, as she forced out a tear from her eyes. She wondered if Alex was this cold, or it was all because of his grief.

Alex realized his mistake and tried to make amends. He walked over to Vivian, sat on the desk, and intertwined his hands with hers.

"I'll tell you what happened and what Victor Vaughn wants," Alex promised, looking into her eyes.

Vivian's expression softened slightly as she walked over to seat on the available sofa there. "Okay, I'm all ears."

Alex inhaled and exhaled, standing from the desk and walking over to stand in front of his father's portrait hunged behind Vivian Vaughn.

“Victor Vaughn and my father used to be business associates,” Alex started.

Vivian spun her chair around, facing Alex's broad back. For a second, she admired the man that stood before her.

“They had a deal together with the Lucheese Family Territory, a deal that was supposed to favour both of them,” Alex continued, still staring at his father's portrait.

“Victor suddenly felt insecured, he felt my father Dominic was trying to sabotage the deal and have it all to himself…” Alex explained, his voice low with a trace of anger lacing in his voice.

“...but why would he think a man as your dad would want to stoop so low to that extent?” Vivian asked, her voice tinged with skeptism.

“because of that motherfucker…” Alex said, this time his voice raising with obvious rage.

“Who? Who is this person and what did he do?” Vivian inquired, as she stood and went over to where Alex stood and placed her right hand on his right shoulder, resting her head on his left shoulder.

“James Walker, he had interest in the deal my father and Victor Vaughn were walking on. So as to achieve his selfish aim, he fed Victor with lies that my father was manipulating his way to having the deal all to himself.” Alex explained.

“Victor Vaughn was too gullible to believe James Walker. He accepted all the false facts James presented to him. He was such a fool.” Alex further explained. His voice still low and cold.

“Somehow, Victor Vaughn found himself in a huge debt with the Lucheese Family Territory that he couldn't pay. He came running to my dad for help and willingly offered his daughter, you as a repayment.” Alex explained further.

His voice lightened up a little as he chuckled. “You know, we never knew he had a daughter.”

“You remember that day you met me at the bar? I sensed you came from a strong mafia family, but I just didn't expect it to be from my worst enemy.” Alex added.

“So you guys took be as a collateral?” Vivian asked not minding what Alex previously said.

“Nah, your old man sold you to us as a repayment, there was no pressure.” Alex answered, running his hands through her hair. Somehow, he felt his grief leaving him.

“You know, one thing I just can't get over is how that you are the daughter to my father's murderer yet, I'm having a romantic relationship with you and I just can't help it. You are f*****g hard to let go.”

Vivian raised her head from his shoulder to look at Alex in the eye. She cursed under her breath. With her gaze still blaring at Alex, she tried to read his emotions. She wondered what manner of a man he was. A few minutes ago, this same man was looking sober and vulnerable, and now, so cold and emotionless with a little romantic.

“So what happened to James Walker?” Vivian inquired.

Alex scoffed, “He's been put in his place already, hell.” he said dryly.

Vivian wasn't surprised after all. No one dare messes with the Reed's and gets away with it. You mess with them, you get yourself a death wish.

“What happened to the deal?” Vivian asked. She knew she had started to irritate and infuriate Alex, but she wouldn't care.

“Victor decided they would both loose the deal, he almost succeeded though, but trust Dominic Reed.” Alex said with a boastful dry smile on his face.

“Dominic had his way of getting back the deal and he worked on it with the RPGH family.” Alex clarified.

“Now you know what your asshole of a father wants, are you satisfied now?” Alex asked, returning to seat behind the desk.

“Now I know my mission.” Vivian muttered to herself, her expression grim.

“Sorry, did you say something?” Alex inquired, his face puzzled.

“No boo,” she defended.

“Catch you up later.” She said as she planted a kiss by his left cheek. She walked over to the desk, picked up her bag and walked away.

Alex couldn't help but wonder how strange his new lover seemed. She was quite to inquisitive for his liking, unlike Emily Wilson.

“Well, what does she know? She's only a young inquisitive lady. We would deal with that later.” Alex concluded.

“Victor Vaughn, get ready for me. You and all your cohorts would feel my wrath like the plague of Egypt. Welcome to your worst nightmare!!” Alex added, this time, the anger in his voice so cold and and his face ruthless.

“Wait for me, Victor.”

“Just wait for me, Victor.”