KEIREN
"Boss, we've got a situation with the shipments. There's been a delay and it's messing with our timeline."
"I see."
"Capo, this is serious."
"Mhm."
"Did you even hear what I said?"
"..."
"Kieren!"
I finally glanced up to look at my brother. My cold gaze met his.
"Why the hell are you screaming?" I snapped, the words left my mouth with a chilling force.
"Because you are not listening." Ronan retorted with blunt honesty.
"Of course I heard you. I'm just multitasking." I replied. My expression gave away nothing as I continued to multitask.
My focus elsewhere.
Ronan rolled his eyes.
"Multitasking? More like half-assing. We need to figure this out before it affects our business."
I leaned back in my chair.
"Relax, everything's under control. You worry too much."
"You sure about that?" Ronan countered, his expression skeptical and eyebrows raised in disbelief.
"Because the last time you said that, we ended up with a shipment of rubber ducks instead of guns."
I chuckled darkly.
"Hey, those ducks were a hit at the kids' charity event. Made us look like the good guys." Which happens almost never.
"Yeah, until they found out they were filled with cocaine." This guy has all the information of the world.
I shrugged.
"Details, details. Anyway, I trust you to handle it. You always do."
"What?" Ronan asked frustrated.
"Don't come to me for such petty issues Ron, just find out how and end it." I meant find out who and end him.
He sighed. "Yes, of course. I'll take care of the mess, as always. But next time, pay attention when I'm talking business."
"Whatever man, just get out. I am busy."
"Busy doing what exactly ? Shamelessly keeping tabs on the girl's every move, from where she goes, to where she stands, eats, and even... you know," he said, his tone dripping with disdain.
I pinned him with a glare.
"Yes, yes I am out."
What a nuisance.
But being a mafia capo has it's perks I guess.
From the moment I inherited my father's empire, I knew I was destined for greatness. The streets of New York became my kingdom, and I ruled them with an iron fist. For five years, I've instilled fear in the hearts of those who dare to oppose me. They call me Taipan, after the deadliest snake in the world, and for good reason.
Every corner of this city bends to my will, every transaction, every deal, every soul, under my control. My reputation precedes me, whispers of my ruthlessness echoing through the underworld like a warning. Those who cross me meet a swift and merciless fate, a lesson to all who dare to defy the Taipan.I am the undisputed king of New York.
I've always been known for my dark, cold, and ruthless demeanor, until I met her, who managed to break down my defenses in just a twenty minutes conversation we had two years ago.
After that one interaction, I became obsessed with seeing her again, knowing her, feeling her presence-everything. I didn't even catch her name before she disappeared. So, I've spent the last two years digging up information about her, stalking her, and occasionally sending her gifts as tokens of my obsession.
I turned my attention back to my phone. To be precise, her.
From the screen of my phone, I watched her, unseen. Every step she took, every gesture she made, I captured it all with a single tap. She was oblivious to my presence, but to me, she was the only thing in focus. Each movement she made only fueled my obsession, drawing me deeper into the shadows of my own desires.
I visit her whenever I get the chance to. And when I don't, I observe her from the screen.
Let me just get over with my one unfinished job, I'll come and see you Mia amino.
I quickly rang up Jayson, my go-to for information, to follow up on the details I asked for, the other day. It's about time I personally paid a visit to whoever's been interfering with our shipments lately.
After obtaining the intel, I summoned Ronan, to accompany me on a visit to our nuisance and deal with him once and for all.
We reached a dark alleyway and entered a building, the air heavy with the scent of illicit activities. Despite being no stranger to such enterprises myself, it was unmistakable that this establishment engaged in similar shady dealings I do.
We ascended a few floors and spotted a man, visibly trembling with fear.
"Hey there, you moron." Ronan greeted the owner of the house, affectionately.
Aldo's eyes widened in shock as he spotted me.
"Ta-ta-taipan!" Looking at the way he is trembling, he will most likely pee his pants in the next five minutes.
"Good morning Aldo, how have you been?" I grabbed a wooden chair and sat, this fucker was too short, my neck hurt from looking down.
"You've been quite the nuisance, meddling in my affairs. Your audacity knows no bounds. It's time to put an end to this game." I maintained a ghostly smile throughout.
Aldo sweated profusely while my brother enjoyed the scene.
"I-I didn't mean to-"
"Intentions don't matter. Consequences do." I cut him off with a chilling glare.
"Please, I'll make it right, I swear-" he stammered.
"Too late Aldo. But, I kind of pity you."
I sighed and turned to Ronan.
"Brother, I was thinking I'll kill him first and then proceed with the carvings, what do you think?"
"Wow, aren't you being too generous? Seems like you're in a happy mood today." Ronan said with a sardonic smile.
"Well that, I am." A smirk played on my lips.
"Please, it was a mistake-"
"Your mistakes catch up with you. This is where they end. Goodbye." I shot him through the brain.
Ronan handed me my knife immediately. My brother does not like wasting time.
I proceeded to meticulously carve into the dead body's face, starting with a line from the right eye to the left, then another line from the forehead down to the nose concluding at the nasal bridge thereby inscribing a distinctive T-shaped mark-symbolic of Taipan's unmistakable and sinister, signature.
"I gotta admit, it's kinda badass seeing you slip back into that mafia boss persona." Ronan said with a sly grin and admiration.
"Yeah mate, but don't you think, for someone who boldly interfered in MY business, he was scared shitless. It's more than a little suspicious." I said with a flicker of amusement and suspicion.
"Sí capo. I think the same thing. There might be someone pulling the strings behind the scenes. But don't you worry, I'll look into it as soon as possible." Ronan assured me.
I patted his shoulder.
"I know you will. But, Seriously, bro, do you ever switch off that business brain of yours? It's like you're married to the job. Get out and live a little." I teased my workaholic brother.
"I mean, somebody should work." He sighed exhaustingly.
Asshole.
"Anyways, I am out of here." I handed over the knife and gun to Ronan.
"Planning another visit to stalk the girl? Jeez, dude, just go already and get it over with." He nudged my shoulder.
"Fuck off."
With the help of the GPS I discreetly installed on her phone, I traced her to the animal center. It irked me to discover she'd been frequenting the place every Thursday for the past two weeks to tend to the animals. Yet, no matter how trivial her activities, I find myself endlessly captivated by her every move. Disguised as one of the workers, I blended seamlessly into the environment. My network of informants ensures her safety wherever she goes, while also facilitating my clandestine operations.
I stepped into one of the chambers and there she was, tenderly feeding one of the dogs. Each time I lay eyes on her, a sense of calm washes over me, as if she holds the antidote to my stress. Those honeyed eyes, cascading brown locks, and that radiant smile-it's as though I'm desperate to etch them into eternity, preserving her beauty forever.
Ah! It almost feels like I cannot breathe when she's not around.
What are you doing to me Mia anima?
You've truly become the living embodiment of your nickname,
The keeper of my soul.