SHATTERED ALLEGIANCE

CHAPTER3

IN THE SHADOWS

Vivian Vaughn stepped forward, with a flower in her hands. She dropped it on Dominic's grave, with tears threatening to roll down her cheeks, she knelt before Dominic’s grave muttering words to herself. She wished she could turn back the hands of time. She wished she had knew better earlier. And now, she was stuck between her old self and her new self.

Her old self of ignorance, and her new self of courage.

She had lost the one man that had welcomed her with an open arm. That man that had given her the attention her father never gave her.

Indeed, never judge a book by it's cover.

Who ever said there was no bit of good in a man?

Behind the cold demeanor and dreadfulness of Dominic Reed, she had seen love and compassion. She had seen care and warmth. Just don't cross the line.

Alex walked over to where she was kneeling, brought her up into a warm embrace and just then, she let the tears flow. She let the emotion she had been fighting so hard to restrain consume her.

She knew what it meant to loose a family member. She had lost her mother when she was only four years of age to lungs nocancer. But Vivian was too ignorant, ignorant to understand the happenings around her then. She only wept after a few days of not having her mother around her.

But now, the pain she felt was different.

Maybe guilt, or genuine remorse, or regret, but the feeling was intense.

Vivian stood there, side by side with Alex as she let her emotions consume her. Occasionally, she stole glances at Sophia Reed and she saw how broken she was. She must have loved her late husband so dearly. A woman as strong willed as Sophia in a state as she was presently was a pitiful being to behold.

“It's okay, love. Stop crying.” Those were Alex comforting words.

“I'd fix this, Alex, I promise.” Vivian assured Alex pulling out of his embrace and wiping her tears with the handkerchief in her hands.

Just as she was about to speak again, Alex interrupted her, “shhhhhhh! This is my battle, I'd fight it alone. I swear on my father's grave, I'd bring down everything and everybody Victor Vaughn has ever hold dear to him. I'd hunt him down till the very end.” Alex promised himself more than comforting her.

Just then, Alex discovered the absence of Marco his brother. He then led Vivian out of the garden they all were to her room. Laid her to bed, left her room but not without planting a good night kiss on her forehead. He then proceeded to Marco's room to see him.

Just as Alex was about to enter Marco's room, the voice of Marco speaking to the person on the other end of the call stopped him on his track.

“Alright then, I'd meet up with you shortly” Marco said while opening the door to meet Alex standing by the door.

Startled, Marco ended the call abruptly, a feel of shock and fear crept upon his face. He wasn't sure what he should do as Alex, despite being his younger brother was just like their father; not to be messed with. Dominic had chosen Alex as his heir because of his characteristics of being fearless and respected just like him.

Alex stood by the door of Marco’s room, motionless.

“Alex!! For how long have you been standing there?” Marco demanded.

“Huh, I just got here now….any problem with that?” Alex inquired.

Marco breathed a sigh of relief.

“No, nothing… what's up man?” Marco asked, trying to cover the lingering stare of shock on his face.

“Nothing… I didn't see you at the garden with the rest of us, so I decided to come check up on you.” Alex assured.

“You know you should be down there with the rest of the family,” Alex added.

“Yh, I'd join you guys shortly.” Marco assured.

Alex left Marco's room going through the hallway that lead to the living room where everyone was sitted offering their condolences to Sophia Reed. She looked pale from crying all day yet, she still looked elegant and beautiful.

Alex thought of what he had just heard from Marco's room.

“Who was Marco planning on meeting with?”

“Who was he speaking to over the phone?”

“Why was he shocked when he noticed me?”

These questions bulged Alex until his thoughts were disrupted by Vinne Ross, their most trusted servant.

“Boss, Victor Vaughn is here…” Vinne revealed, his voice laced with terror.

Alex’s eyes widened in disbelief. Victor Vaughn, the suspected killer of his father, right there in his mansion?

“What does he want?” Alex inquired.

“What else boss? I don't feel good about this..” Vinne Ross concluded.

Alex's eyes narrowed, his mind racing with questions. What was Victor Vaughn doing here? Did he have the audacity to think he could just waltz into the Reed mansion after what he had done?

Alex's jaw dropped as a realized he needed to ensure the safety of his family members, especially with his father's supposed murderer within.

Alarmed, Alex dashed to the Reed's mansion hall where the rest of the families and sympathizers were. He wasn't surprised to see both Sophia Reed and Vivian Vaughn standing side by side with looks of awe plastered on their faces as the news of Victor Vaughn's presence had spread like a wildfire in a matter of seconds.

Alex heaved a sigh of relief as he saw the Reed's mansion hall heavily guarded. He signaled and whispered to Vinne a few words.

Vinne Ross nodded and disappeared into the hallway, leaving Alex to prepare himself for the confrontation.

A few moments later, Vinne Ross returned with Victor Vaughn in tow. Victor's eyes scanned the room, his gaze lingering on Sophia Reed before settling on Alex.

"Alex," Victor said, his voice dripping with false sincerity. "I'm so sorry to hear about your father's passing. He was a great man."

Alex's eyes beamed with anger, but he kept his cool. "What do you want, Victor?" he asked, his voice firm.

Victor smiled, a cold, calculating smile. "I just wanted to pay my respects, Alex. And to offer my condolences to your family."

Alex raised an eyebrow. "That's all?"

Victor nodded. "Yes, that's all. Although..." He paused, his eyes glinting with malice. "I did hear that you're looking into your father's death. I hope you're not thinking of accusing me of anything...unseemly."

Alex's eyes locked onto Victor's with a silent chuckle escaping through his lips.

"I'm not thinking of accusing you of anything, Victor," Alex said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "At least, not yet."

Victor's smile faltered for a moment, before he regained his composure.

"Well, I'll leave you to your grief, then," Victor said, turning to leave.

But as he reached the door, Alex's voice stopped him.

"Victor?"

Victor turned, a questioning look on his face.

"You'd get my message soonest" Alex said, his eyes blazing with determination.

Victor's smile returned, but this time, it was associated with a loud outburst of laughter followed by an immediate silence. He took a drag from the cigarette in his hands, moved a few steps towards Alex letting the nicotine flow out right before Alex's face.

"I'm shaking in my boots, Alex," Victor said, before turning and walking out of the room.

As the door closed behind Victor, Alex let out a deep breath, his mind racing with possibilities.

He was so certain that Victor had a hand in his father's murder and he would stop at nothing to get his revenge.

But as he turned to face his family, he saw that Vivian was watching him, an undescribable look etched on her face.

"Baby, are you okay?" He asked, his voice soft.

Vivian nodded, forcing a smile onto her face.

"I'm fine." She said. "Just...fine."

But as he looked into her eyes, he knew there was more, but he concluded he wouldn't worry his head over that for now.

“We should take care of Victor Vaughn once and for all.” Alex said to Vinne, his voice laced with wrath.

“Prepare the car, we move right now.” Alex ordered, reaching for the gun at his back pants and checking the bullets.

“Since Victor has the audacity to bring his filthy self here, we are taking the fight to him right on.” Alex concluded.

“Boss,” one of the Reed's lieutenant called out while running in.

“What is it? Max.” Alex enquired emotionless.

“Victor Vaughn and your brother; Marco, just stepped out together in Victor's car…”

“What!!!” Alex exclaimed, his eyes widening in shock.