Chapter 52: Chapter 52

52 Deal

Kenith didn’t like this one bit yet he had no choice. Big Joe had given him an ultimatum to find Arianna or his position was at risk. Moreover, Arianna was the key to his plan, he had to find her at all costs.

Unfortunately, the only clue to finding Arianna was to see Marcelo Luciano whether he liked it or not. They were the people he had last seen around her.

As soon as Kenith arrived at the club, he was stopped at the entrance where many others were waiting in line. However, he had drawn more attention because he had two of his people behind him as guards.

“Who are you?” The bouncer stopped him.

“I’m here to see Marcel and don’t tell me he’s not available because I made my research before coming and from my Intel, he’s in here,”

At that comment, the bouncer narrowed his gaze at him and observed him closely.

Kenith smiled, then tilted his neck to the side, exposing a hint of the tattoo on his shoulder causing the bouncer to exhale noisily.

The bouncer puffed his chest and stood up straight to increase his Size and tried to appear intimidating as he asked, “What business do you have with him? Do you have an appointment?”

“I’m sorry but I don’t have one,” Kenith said to him.

.....

“Then I’m sorry, you have no business with Marcel,” the bouncer refused him entrance, turning back to resume what he was doing when Kenith said.

“I indeed have no appointment but I’m sure that can be arranged once you show him this,” Kenith pulled out his phone, opened a picture, and handed it to him.

The bouncer expected that what Kenith was about to show him was important stuff, whether his face distorted when he saw it was a picture of a woman. A picture of Arianna.

“Really?” The bouncer snorted, “You think Marcel ain’t got many holes to f**k?” he was offended.

“Trust me, this p***sy is special,” Kenith tried to assure him.

“Well, it better be, because if the boss rejects your visit, I’ll put a bullet in between your head myself for wasting my time,” the bouncer threatened him, subtly showing off the gun that was strapped to his waistband, making sure no one else saw the weapon he carried.

The threat was well received, “Sure,” Kenith smirked confidently as the bouncer left to relay his message, another taking his place at the entrance.

Truthfully, Kenith was scared, not because of the threat that the bouncer gave him, but the fact that his entire plan depended on Marcel’s decision. Marcel’s people were efficient and had to be with Arianna, she couldn’t escape all by herself else he would have found her by now.

The bouncer took a long time to return and Kenith was beginning to think that Marcel was angered by his summon and had killed the bouncer as a lesson when he finally appeared.

“You’re lucky,” Was the only word the bouncer said and Kenith released a breath he didn’t know he had been holding in. It was successful, Marcel would hear him out.

“Come on,” The bouncer said, releasing the staunch on so Kenith could walk in. However, before the two men with him could come in, the bouncer stopped them and their faces distorted.

“You’re the only one permitted in,” The bouncer said in a gruff voice, his body poised to act if they tried to do something stupid.

“Stand down, they would do nothing to me,” Kenith told them before motioning to the bouncer assigned to take him to Marcel. They left.

The club belonged to Marcel and Kenith could see the huge difference between his and theirs. It was much more luxurious, organized, and spacious. He was envious.

They climbed up the stairs where he was led to the room having been searched thoroughly. The room had floor-to-ceiling windows and Marcel stood at the entrance, watching downstairs.

Marcel didn’t turn around even to him when he arrived, and that angered Kenith – he was looking down on him. However, as angry as Kenith was, he couldn’t do anything, not when he’s in enemy territory and needed his help in getting to Arianna.

So he intentionally cleared his throat to announce his presence yet that still didn’t cause Marcel to turn to him.

“Hi, I’m Kenith and I’m the -”

“How did you get to know Arianna?” Marcel interrupted him, finally turning to him. There was a lit cigarette stuck in between his fingers and he released the smoke into the air.

“Her father owes my boss money and was unable to pay up. I’m the collector and did what my job entailed. Fortunately, I found her useful as my boss’ wife. But of course, you know that,” Kenith saw through his plan. He was double checking his facts and also testing him at the same time. If he had lied, Marcel would have canceled this meeting.

“You’re smart, I like you,” Marcel chuckled.

“Then I’ll ask you this question then, What’s your relationship with Arianna? Where is Arianna? You have her don’t you?”

Marcel smirked, “I ask you just a question yet you ask multiple questions. Which should I answer first?” The situation was amusing to him.

“What is your relationship with Arianna?” Kenith chose to start from there. He added with a narrowed gaze, “Is she your lover?”

“Oh, how I wish,” Marcel laughed, “She looks like she would be fire on bed,”

For some reason, those words didn’t sit right with Kenith and his fist clenched. Arianna was his.

“Unfortunately, I need her for something important,” Marcel finally said.

“Something important?” Kenith was curious now. He could sense there was more to this story.

“Months ago, I had a truckload of my weapons stolen and it was all the work of a certain mercenary, the phantom ghost, Elijah,”

“Elijah?” Kenith was surprised. He had heard about the man but they never had an encounter before. Why would they anyway? They were just a small gang.

“Why are you telling me this?” Kenith still hadn’t figured out the whole picture.

“Because he’s connected to Arianna and I need Arianna to get to him,” Marcel revealed his plans to him.

“Oh,” Kenith nodded as it dawned on him, “You don’t have Arianna either,”

“Yes, I don’t,” Marcel admitted, yet added, “But I would soon. Isn’t that why you’re here, to strike a deal with me?”

Kenith stared at Marcel, the man might be annoying and arrogant, but he was a good businessman.

“You want me to find Arianna for you?” Kenith figured out.

“No,” Marcel corrected him, “I want you to help me find Arianna. In simple words, I want all hands to be on deck. I can find the girl on my own but it would take time which is quickly running out. The fact that you and I haven’t been able to find her so far confirms how sneaky and smart Elijah is.

“Elijah might be invisible but he’s got an inexperienced woman by his side. That should slow him down until we get to him. How does that sound?” Marcel offered a partnership deal with him.

“And what do I get out of this? You crashed her bachelorette party, allowing her to escape? How do you solve that? My position is on the line here,” Kenith asked him.

“My promise that your boss’ pretty little wife would be sent back to you in one piece after I’m done with her,” Marcel promised him.

“Really? Just that?” Kenith didn’t trust his promise one bit. If there was one thing he knew about businessmen, it was their shrewdness. Unfortunately, Marcel was both a Mafia and a businessman. He was much more lethal.

“I never go back on my promises, my word is the law here. But if you still don’t trust me and are unsatisfied with my bare words, we can draw up a contract,” Marcel said, his brows raised.

Kenith was tempted to go through with a contract immediately, however, this was a one-sided sword. If he trusted Marcel’s words and he kept to his deal, it would open more opportunities for better dealings in the future. However, drawing up a contract ensured the deal stood; however, the foundation for truth has been shattered.

“Fine, I’ll trust your words then,” Kenith choose the risky way. Sometimes, the most dangerous place was also the safest place. His risky choice had much more benefit for the future.

“You made a wise choice, my friend,” Marcel smiled at him, revealing white teeth that would charm the ladies amid the fact he was a smoker.

“Deal then?” Marcel stretched his hand which Kenith stared at warily before he took it.

“Deal,” Kenith accepted his handshake.

“Want one?” Marcel offered him a cigarette that he accepted and helped him light it.

“So how do we start?” Kenith asked.

“I search up, you search down,”

“What?” Kenith was confused.

Marcel only smiled, “We are doing it the classic way, baby,”