Chapter 64: Ghosts and Shadows

Chapter 64: Ghosts and Shadows
Eleanor
Merely days into the business and selling our product at a cheaper price than the rest of the Mafia groups, business was booming. Money was coming in and we were yet to even set foot on the ground. Knox was doing most of the heavy lifting with Anita as his foot soldier things were looking good, the attorney and Catherine were handling the money while I focused on the heist.
That evening we were having dinner as usual. The senior members of my organization were on that table. To give Knox more motivation we were both at the head of the table surrounded by the others. The attorney had dropped in to give updates on the heist and our financial situation, investment opportunities and threats.
“Today I ran into Jax” Anita said out of the blue, everyone else on the table froze except her she kept ripping meat from the bone using her knife and fork, “Oh come on guys it wasn’t a big deal”
“Told you they will come after us” Knox said cautiously.
“What happened?”
“He captured me and a few guys” she grabbed her glass creating tension that she seemed to be enjoying.
“Then what?” Catherine just like me couldn’t handle being in the dark.
“I promised to call him and set up meeting with the person I work for. The widow”
I exhaled sharply knowing there was no need to risk an early confrontation with Jax. He was a force to be reckoned with, tough as nails and I was convinced there was no way Anita survived him without a lucrative bargain.
“Jax wants the widow so we give him one” Knox joined in.
“No” I looked around the table for support, “Not now we have a heist to execute one shot”
“It’s not ready in the meantime we have a Jax problem. He won’t stop. I know the old bastard”
My attention turned to the attorney, I couldn’t count on Catherine since she had begged for some action and playing the widow seemed to excite her. Knox and Anita had made up their minds already.
“Sorry Angel”
“Fuck. I hate this democracy thing”
The attorney didn’t have to explain he saw it their way. I trusted all of them to have my best interest at heart and they did the same too.
“I think I am ready. My coming out will confuse Jax which is exactly what we need”
“This is dangerous”
“No Emmy. Everyone on this table risks their lives so I can dine like queen it’s time to get my hands dirty too. Jax wants the widow we give him one”
“I’m coming too” Knox announced.
“No engagement. You stay on standby to make sure nothing happens to her do you understand me Knox?”
He looked at me and smiled. I wasn’t smiling back. It was one of those times he differentiated I was talking to him as his boss and not his lover.
“I know what she means to you. I understand mum. I’ll take our best men”
“Good” I turned my attention to Anita, “and I assume you have a perfect place?”
“Yes mum”
“Drop the formalities. Get it done!”
Knox kissed my cheek before the three of them left the table. The attorney and I went upstairs on my room for further discourse about our plans and he seemed to be in a good mood which was good sign.
“What do you have for me?”
“Some good deals, property in places that can double your investments in a few years”
“Our investment” I walked to the board where the entire plan of the heist was laid out, he joined me sipping from a wine glass.
“Okay I like this approach. You ready for the last heist, the heist of a century?”
“Tell me all the loopholes”
What followed next was an argument of all possible things that could possibly go wrong and the contingencies I had in place to ensure that was not a possibility.


Later that day an armored caravan of vehicles pulled over at an abandoned building in the outskirts of the city. They met with Anita and her team who had scouted the area to ensure it was safe from any preying eyes, Knox opened the door for Catherine, dressed in a red suit with a black fedora and black shoes, a white blouse, red hot lips and a black purse in her gloved arms. In there was a gun in case she needed to use it.
“You even sense a fraction of danger press the button and shoot anything that moves”
“I’ll be okay”
“No you don’t get it. We Fuck this up she will never forgive me”
“Hey, dude” Anita came to her aid, “She says she will be fine, trust her if you don’t trust me”
“Keep her safe until I get there. Jax is a ruthless bastard he wants to eliminate the competition and his side bitch might be coming too”
“We will be ready boss” one of his boys assured before they jumped back in the SUV.
Knox nodded to Anita and she took out her flip phone as they drove off to hide she called Jax and shared the coordinates of their meeting place. Catherine was taken inside, a table was set with two seats and she sat with her back at the entrance, two guards on either side, other two at the entrance and Anita was outside waiting for Jax. As expected he showed up in record speed.
“That was quick”
“Well I couldn’t wait to see your pretty face again, where is she?”
“Relax”
He was accompanied by two SUVs and a van. Anita wasn’t stupid she knew what the van was carrying not to mention Knox and his team had observed the tire pressure. It was loaded if not with men with ammunition or both.
“What? I thought we had a deal”
“I don’t trust you. Tell me these are all your men” she could count six armed to teeth.
“Guys, drop your guns” he looked back at her and smiled, “I’m a wanted man it’s necessary to be protected at all times. Why should I trust you?”
“I don’t have a problem with you”
“Neither do I shall we?”
She led them inside confirming her microphone and signaling Catherine and her guards. So far there was nothing out of the ordinary with the van but she instructed the guard to keep and eye on it.
“Well, well finally. The widow is it? Nice to meet you” Jax asked confidently taking his seat, his men surrounded him. Catherine in a theatrical pose was still seated with her back at the entrance.
“You abducted my men to get my attention well, here I am” she distorted her voice.
“Turn around and face me you crazy bitch the streets are mine”
“Not anymore”
Jax didn’t wait for another words of defiance to pull his gun on her. Anita and the two guards did the same. Catherine sat there unmoved, her finger on the gun and red button.
“Typical Jax. How long has it been?” She turned around to his surprised face.
“No. No I shot you!”
“Hell is not for the likes of me”
“This can’t be right you died. I saw you get buried…”
His heart started racing and he broke a sweat, the gun was shaking in his hands, what was happening? Was he dreaming? He wasn’t on drugs.
“You saw what I wanted you to see. Now back to business, you don’t bother my men again or I’ll drag you to hell myself. The streets are not yours anymore”
Before Jax could say anything a blast was heard outside, Catherine pressed the button immediately and drew her gun.
“You set us up?” She was surrounded by her guards as they retreated to the exit.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about but I won’t mind killing you again”
“Then what? There’s more where this came from”
“More what?”
“Trouble”
Immediately the room was filled with smoke, Jax and his men shot aimlessly while gasping for air. When they stopped they realized lasers were pointed at each and everyone of them. His men from the van were also brought in their hands in the air and to his surprise, Axel’s men too. They dropped their guns in surrender.
“He send you to follow me?” Jax was furious.
“Looks like you were up to no good and you needed the help”
“Look how your genius plan ended us up?”
When the smoke cleared. Catherine was standing in front of them with a gun in her hands covered in a gas mask. Behind her it was Knox. He didn’t need a mask.
“Hello old friend”
“Knox?”
“Run when you still can” he threw a bunch of grenades towards them before they dissappeared.
The seeds of confusion were planted and so were those of doubt between
the partners. Their marriage of necessity was coming to an unceremonious end.