2. Black Snow

"You called, boss?"

Stone Black turned his face away from the window and found two of his top men, Angelo and Jet, walking in.

A brown-furred Rottweiler, that look more like a bear than a dog, followed them before sitting at Stone's feet.

Stone patted the dog's head before reaching for a cigarette from his desk and slipping it between his lips.

"Tell the others that we'll be going out tonight," Stone said while lighting the cigarette and taking a deep drag. "It's time we introduce ourselves to the dealers bold enough to operate in our territory without paying."

"I heard they're coming from Virginia, maybe from Abingdon or Ashland," Jet replied, leaning his back against a long table on the room's edge. "Those people need to learn to respect their hosts when come visiting."

"I'm sure they'll learn," Stone replied flatly. "After a bit of spilled blood."

Jet laughed while Stone took the cigarette from his lips and turned back to gaze outside the window.

"I admit," Angelo said, taking a seat on the sofa. “I quite like our new place” He stretched his arms wide, rubbing against the newly bought leather sofa's backrest before continuing,  "The location is good, and the view you get here is impossible to beat. Our old house in the city can never have this kind of view."

Angelo wasn't wrong. With almost a thousand square meters and a view facing the beach, $12 million was a worthy price for what he got.

Angelo and Jet could take one of the rooms on the ground floor while he had the entire second floor to himself.

Having a house by the beachh and being in this position had been his father's long-time dream. Now the man rotted in the ground, and all responsibilities fell on his shoulders as the only child.

Stone never thought he would get into this position at such a young age. He was only 25 when his dad died. Still very foolish, still very naive. Only thinking about wetting his dick wet with women and his knife with blood to understand about consequences and responsibilities. All that changed when one day he found his father murdered with his throat slit.

The first thing Stone did after taking over business was to get his revenge. He hunted those responsible for his father's death and made them pay.

Some say he went too far in his revenge, but a reputation began to form around what he did, and Stone found it useful. Better to be a man too terrifying than underestimated. As long as people regarded him as a monster, they were easy to control.

That was five years ago. Now, he was where he was supposed to be.

His brown dog pressed its large head against Stone's thigh, a nudge that could easily make a small child stumble.

Stone slipped his cigarette back between his lips before bending down and stroking the back of his dog's ear. He had had Otis since the animal was small, and honestly, he liked his dog more than most people.

"Martha and Molly will be back tomorrow, right?" Angelo said without looking up, his hands now busy typing something on his phone.

"Yes," Stone answered.

"Oh, thank God," Jet groaned while rubbing his tattooed face with his hands. "I can finally stop buying burgers and junk food. I miss Martha's cooking. And Molly must be bored not finding anyone to scold."

Angelo laughed and said something about Molly that Stone no longer paid attention to.

Martha was a woman who had worked for his family even before he was born. And her daughter, Molly, was considered by Stone and everyone who worked for him as a sister. Both were what reminded Stone of a family.

"Oh yeah," Angelo said, putting his phone back into his pocket. "What about that worm? When is he handing over his wife to us?"

Stone halted his petting of Otis's head and straightened his back.

"Next week," he said, pulling his cigarette out of his lips. "He said his wife suddenly fell ill and needs a few days to rest."

Angelo snorted. "Yeah, right. Sick my ass. He's probably thinking of wriggling out again."

"Don't worry about Henry Kettler," Stone replied. "He's not going anywhere. Just make sure our people are ready for tonight."

***

***

Jackie booked a five-star hotel ballroom for tonight's event and decorated the room with May's favorite flower, lily of the valley.

A live orchestra played softly from the stage, and guests enjoyed their time chatting and sampling various foods circulating around.

May knew that Jackie had worked hard to prepare everything. The least she could do was enjoy it.

However, the inner turmoil that had followed her since morning made it almost impossible for May to process what was happening. She just stood in the middle of the crowd, occasionally nodding and smiling when someone spoke to her without paying attention to what she heard.

Jackie, who was aware of the situation, finally pulled May's arm and led her to the terrace.

The sounds of music and conversations faded as the terrace door swung closed, enclosing the two women outside.

"You're too pretty to frown on your birthday, Princess Snow White," Jackie began, placing her hand on May's waist.

May looked uncomfortable with the childhood nickname.

Princess Snow White.

She hadn't heard that childhood nickname in a long time. Her parents used to call her that because she resembled Snow White when she was little. Wide eyes, snow-white skin, long black hair, and thick red lips. She’s not that pretty anymore.

May shrugged.

"I'm not frowning," May replied casually.

Jackie sighed.

"You barely touched your food and only said a few words to the guests," Jackie said, widening her eyes. "I know something is bothering your mind. What? Tell me."

Jackie crossed her arms in front of her chest and waited.

May just shook her head. "There's nothing to tell. I'm just... tired."

"May, I've known you for a long time. Do you think I can't read your mind? This must be about Sean, isn't it?"

May turned her face away.

"Did something happen?" Jackie continued cautiously.

"Is he cheating?" Jackie guessed. "Is that why he didn't come tonight?"

May quickly shook her head.

"No. Not like that," May replied, although she wasn't sure either. "I don't think so... he's just... busy. You know how hard he works. The company has been going through a lot lately. It's understandable if he doesn't feel like partying."

"Everyone is going through a lot lately, May," Jackie interjected. "It's not an excuse for Sean to miss his wife's birthday party."

May turned her gaze back to the terrace. The sparkling city lights in the distance looked like a field of gemstones. Truly beautiful. There was a reason why she asked Jackie to hold the party there. Sean might not come, but this was where she first dated Sean, and this was where she first fell in love with the charm of the man she eventually married.

"Huh..." Jackie suddenly murmured, "Speak of the devil. Look who just walk in."

May turn her gaze back into the room dan her face instantly lit up.

Sean! He change his mind afterall.

May watched her husband walked into the room with a bouquet of red roses in hand and looked around the room as if searching for something.

With a wide smile on her lips, May ran back into the room to greet Sean.

"Sean!" May exclaimed. "You came."

"Of course, I came," Sean said, extending the bouquet of roses towards May. "Happy birthday, Darling."

May's round eyes immediately curved into a smile. With a cheerful face, May accepted the bouquet from her husband and gave him a hug.

"Have you eaten already?" May asked, pulling her face back. "I can ask the waiter to prepare—"

"No. No," Sean cut her off. "I am not here to stay. I actually just came to pick you up. I... um... have a surprise for you."

"Oh?" May raised her eyebrows. "A surprise?"

"Yes, Baby." He gave a smile that looked awkward in May's eyes. Wide but not reaching his eyes.

Sean grabbed May's hand and led her towards the door. "Come. I don't want us to be late."

"But, Sean— What about the party—"

"Forget about the party," Sean quickly interrupted without looking back.

"What about the guests? What about Jackie?"

"Jackie will understand. Come on. I don't want him to wait."

"Who's waiting?"

"Oh, for fuck's sake, May, for once, can you not ask too many questions and just follow me?"

The roughness in Sean's voice made May startled. Her husband often spoke with a condescending tone when he was annoyed, but Sean had never yelled at her before.

Did something happen?

Not wanting to make him angrier, May resisted her urge to ask. Instead, she turned to Jackie and mouthed the word 'sorry' with her lips while following Sean's lead.