No… it can't be…
Aiden's eyes flashed with rage as he stared at the photo on the wall of Cyrus's office. The muffled thump of the party next door pressed in through the walls.
The photo showed Aiden's father, Samuel, standing between a younger version of Cyrus and another man — a man with a large scar running down his face. That man looked exactly like one of the figures from Aiden's recurring nightmare. The one who had killed his father.
Aiden's dream was beginning to seem more and more like a memory.
"What's wrong? You look angry," Cyrus asked.
Play it cool, Aiden told himself. If you want to avenge your father, you have to wait until the time is right to strike.
"This man in the photo — I recognize him. Who is he?"
"That's Raymond Caster. He was a business partner of mine and your father's. Together, the three of us ran The Tiger Group," Cyrus explained.
"What's The Tiger Group?"
"The Tiger Group is the most powerful mafia syndicate in Chicago — a vast network of businesses and mob activity that spans across dozens of industries throughout the world. And it all belongs to you now. It's your father's legacy… and your inheritance."
Aiden was unable to believe what he was hearing. "My father ran the mafia?"
Cyrus nodded. "The Tiger Group made Chicago what it is. We're the ones who control this city behind the scenes: the politicians, the police, the newspapers — all of it. Sure, we may use some less-than-desirable means from time to time, but only because we need to. Chicago is built on corruption. If we weren't running things, some other gang would be. Ultimately, we run this town and make it better. And we have a duty to keep it that way. It's up to you now."
"M-me? How can I run a mafia empire?" Aiden stammered. "I'm just a delivery boy. An orphan."
Cyrus clutched Aiden by the shoulders. "Wrong. You're the son of a mafia kingpin, one of the greatest that ever lived. It's in your blood. Listen to me closely, Aiden. We can't let the Tiger Group fall into the wrong hands. We'll lose everything your father worked so hard for."
Aiden exhaled sharply. "What do you mean by 'fall into the wrong hands?'"
Cyrus released his grip and began pacing the room. "I am the last living member of the founders of Tiger Group. Both your father and Raymond are dead."
Damn. I guess that bastard died before I had a chance to kill him, Aiden thought bitterly.
"So, if they're both dead, are you running the Tiger Group?"
"No." Cyrus shook his head. "When your father died, Raymond took over operations. Then, before he passed away, he handed control down to his son, Maximilian Caster. Max is running things now — but you should be in control. It was your father's last wish that you take over for him."
Aiden sat down on a nearby chair, his mind racing. "So, let me get this straight. My father ran a gang called the Tiger Group, and then he—"
"Yes." Cyrus interrupted him. "He was murdered. We're not sure who did it, but one day, we'll find out. I know it."
Aiden looked into Cyrus's eyes. "Do you have any idea who killed my father?"
"No, sadly, I don't. Not definitively."
Aiden's mind began to race. If my dream is actually a real memory, then Raymond could have killed my father to seize control. He began to wonder if he should tell Cyrus about this. But no — he had only just met this man. Who knew if he could be trusted? He decided to hold back and keep the dream a secret for now.
Cyrus pressed on. "Frankly, the culprit behind your father's murder is only one of our problems. There's also Dominic Grayson — the boss of a rival mafia organization that's every bit as powerful as we are. On top of that, we believe there's a spy lurking within the Tiger Group."
Aiden furrowed his brow. "A spy?"
Cyrus nodded. "We're working on figuring out who it is. But in the meantime, you need to watch out for Dominic and his men. Chances are, he's already hunting you. If you're alive, that's a threat to his organization."
Aiden stood up and began pacing the room himself. "But I don't understand — if my father left me The Tiger Group, and you want me to take control… why didn't you come look for me after his death? I was raised all alone in an orphanage. I had to make my own way in the world. You could've saved me! You could've raised me!"
As Aiden's temper flared, Cyrus raised his hands. "Look, Aiden. We tried. Really. But when your father died, there was so much fallout over who would control the company. I was busy trying to preserve your legacy. By the time I was actually able to start looking for you, you had already grown up. We didn't know where you had ended up or what you might look like."
Cyrus glanced at his watch. "We're running out of time. It's dangerous for us to keep talking much longer."
He pulled out a thick stack of bills and pressed them into Aiden's hand. "Take this. You'll need it. Maximilian is out of town right now, but once he's back, we can discuss how to get you reinstated where you belong. For now, keep your identity a secret until we decide on our next move."
Aiden looked down at the money and felt doubt creeping in. "Look, Cyrus, I don't think I'm cut out for this. I mean, how am I supposed to run a group like The Tiger Group? I don't know anything about organized crime!"
Cyrus placed both hands on Aiden's shoulders and looked him in the eye. "Aiden, you can run the Tiger Group… because you are the Tiger. This is your legacy. It's time to take back what's yours."
Something shifted in Aiden's chest as those words landed. Cyrus is right. I was born for this. And this is what my father would have wanted.
The corners of Cyrus's mouth curled into a smile. "Don't be afraid. I'll be here to help you. Your father believed in you, and I do too. Now, let's go." He ushered Aiden toward the office door. "Promise me — for now, you'll lay low."
Aiden nodded.
"Good. I'll be in contact soon. Let's head back to the party."
Without another word, Cyrus opened the door and pushed Aiden out ahead of him. The noise of the party surged around them as they stepped back into the crowd.
Aiden's mind was still racing as he weaved through the packed room, his face completely flushed. What the hell just happened? Tiger Group? Dominic Grayson? What am I supposed to do now?
Before he could begin to answer that question, Derek and Ava raced back over to him.
Derek was practically grinning from ear to ear, eager to relish in Aiden's misfortune. "Well, let's see what the damage is. Did Cyrus give you the famous Shaw family greeting?" As he spoke, he mimed a punch with his fist. "Wait — you don't even have so much as a scratch on you!" Derek crossed his arms. "Cyrus, do you know this guy? What gives?"
Cyrus locked eyes with Aiden, signaling him to play along. He clapped a hand on Aiden's shoulder. "I didn't have a chance to mention this before. Aiden here is the son of one of my drivers — we go way back. His father has always served me well."
Aiden's face went bright red. Derek snickered under his breath. "A chauffeur's son? Oh, that is too much. Great catch, Ava."
Ava buried her face in her palms, beyond embarrassed.
"Anyway, I'm afraid I haven't been a very good host to my other guests. Please excuse me." Cyrus stepped away from the group. A few seconds later, Derek wandered off after him.
As soon as Ava and Aiden were alone, she sighed and pulled him toward the exit. "Come on, let's get out of here before you find another way to embarrass me."
Ava and Aiden sat in the backseat of the car, completely silent. The city slid past the windows as Aiden felt the weight of Ava's anger pressing down on him from across the seat.
Ava called to the driver in the front seat. "Head back to his place first, then we'll go back to mine."
"Yes, Ms. Stone."
Aiden arched his eyebrows. "So, how long do you plan on us living separately?"
Ava crossed her arms over her chest. "Forever. Is that a problem?"
"No. I just thought, y'know, if we're supposed to be engaged—"
"Let's get one thing straight here." Ava cut him off, fixing him with venomous eyes. "I don't like you, but, for better or for worse, we're stuck together until I figure a way out of this. So we're just gonna have to deal with it until this blows over."
"Got it. Hey — I have a great idea. These could be our wedding vows," Aiden chuckled, trying to lighten the mood. "I hate you, you hate me, but for better or worse, we're stuck together — until death do us part."
Ava frowned. But Aiden thought he could detect the faint ghost of a smirk at the corner of her mouth. It disappeared as the car pulled up to his apartment building.
Her eyes widened at the sight of it. "This is where you live?"
"Yep. It's not much, but it's home."
Ava looked visibly disgusted. "Now I get it… so, when you saw me, you thought, 'Hey, here's some rich girl I can use to get ahead in life.'"
"No, no, that's not it at all! I'm not trying to use you or anything. Believe me, I feel just as confused as you do about what happened."
Ava scoffed. "Oh, really? Then how did you get into my bed last night?"
Aiden froze. How did I end up in her bed? He had absolutely no idea how to answer that question.