C17 The Dark Sides

"Yep. Here we are." Liam muttered, his eyes focused on the rearview mirror and the advanced camera sensors on the dashboard. Pulling over the Lamborghini Veneno carefully, it entered the empty gap of the narrow car park, its sensors ringing loudly as the distance between the bumper and the concrete barrier was cut too close. The fierce engine died after Liam pulled the handbrake back. "Like home, sweet home."

Liam got out of the driving seat, pressing the smart button on the advanced remote control to auto-lock the entire security system of his exotic car. The Lamborghini Veneno's doors slammed shut. Liam reached into his coat pocket, pulling out a special gold-colored access card.

He used the access card to the basement hotel elevator at the Walcher Hotel Tower. The elevator doors opened wide, and he stepped inside, pressing the button for the 7th floor. The interior of the elevator appeared classy, intentionally designed with the finest marble ceramic. The best Persian carpets adorned the walls, and the golden chandelier lamps provided. He really likes this place, whether it is the luxurious design or the pleasant scent that wafts from every corner.

[Ding!]

The place is crowded with visitors. Hotel Walcher Tower is exclusively for upper-class guests only, specifically for people with medals, official memberships, CEOs, businessmen, entrepreneurs, crazy rich individuals, blue-blooded descendants, jet-set conglomerate members, and private individuals.

The Walcher Hotel operates privately; it's not a public hotel. Where anyone can do anything without worry or in a shady way; everyone has a dark side, right? The law doesn't apply here, and civil can't be here. This place is called the highest black market business center, from stock trading, reclassification, exotic car exchanges, valuable paintings, or high-value antiques.

It's a place to sell confidential information, target identities, weapons, or tactical equipment that won't be available on the free or legal market.

Everyone talks in hushed voices, with elegant laughter, and in a polite manner. The row of seductive women's eyes glanced mischievously, whispered playfully, and displayed challenges as Liam walked past them.

“Mr. Coltrane. Welcome. Can I help you with anything?” Lark greeted Liam from the reception desk. His warm smile widened.

"How's everything? You look healthier than the last time I saw you. That's great. I have an appointment with Jasper, Lark."

Lark laughed simply, "Well, after the last time, I almost died from that gunshot wound. I owe you my life, Mr. Coltrane. If only you weren't kind enough to save my life. Impossible to be here now. Much better. Thanks in advance for everything."

"Don't feel indebted to anything." Liam replied, chortling briefly. "Partners should help each other, right?"

"You're a noble man, Mr. Coltrane. Oh, yeah. Mr. Jasper Miles. You can see him in the hall."

Liam giggled and said, "Thank you; I'll see you later, Lark." Liam took off his two leather gloves and walked down to the hall. The high skyscrapers, the Corinthian columns of decoration covered with gold, the marble material with stunning patterns.

The gold chandelier lights, the best red carpets, the glossy leather sofas, the soft colors of the walls, plus the elegant architecture.

"Well, well. Who did I meet today? Luckily, I was able to confront you, Coltrane."

Liam's footsteps stopped, knowing exactly who owned this arrogant voice. He sighed heavily. It's just bad luck for him to meet this irritating CEO. Interfering his business with Jasper. With a great smile, Liam turned. "Howdy, Mr. Wade. It's been a long time since I met you."

Rhodes Wade smiled smugly. His jaw muscles erupted from the restraint of his temper. His hands were twisted tight behind his back. "It's disgusting when I have to lose to you so many times.”

Rhodes Wade, CEO of Wade Enterprise. He's always doing everything to destroy Liam, even in a dirty way. He used to hire some mercenaries to kill Liam, but they never came back from the hunt.

When it comes to defeat in business rivalry, Liam prefers to compete fairly. He's thinking about the entire safety of his employees. Liam doesn't want anything to happen to them, especially until the innocent victim falls.

Liam chuckled, still maintaining his classy attitude. "Come on, are you still avenging me about the tender rivals? Business is business, Mr. Wade. You have to be smart and act fast if you want to be a winner."

Speaking of the expansion of Port Bristol, Liam won it easily.

"Shut the hell up!" Wade blew up. He challenged Liam arrogantly. “You're a bastard, Coltrane! Yeah, still. Just enjoy your victory. Now, I'll let you have fun; you'll see! Sooner or later, you’ll be dead!”

"I'm glad to hear it. I'm waiting for that. Why don't we just compete fairly? With pleasure, I'll fight you." Liam replied. Leave a respectful greeting to Wade and his friendly smile: "I'm sorry, I have a lot of business. Have a good day, Mr. Wade."

"Not that fast, pale!" Wade blocked Liam's way. Rebuking cigar smoke from his mouth into Liam's charming face. "Yeah, go as a coward. Since when did you turn into a loser, Coltrane? I wonder why a loser like you can be so successful in everything. What do you actually have, Coltrane? Tell me. Your dirty little secret?”

Liam shook off the cigarette smoke that hit his face, he chuckled in vexation. "Your mind is too far, Mr. Wade. I have no such way. Aren't you the one who always exaggerates? Anyhow, about the pay killer you hired to hunt me. How are they? Do not follow me anymore?”

Wade's face blushed red, and his veins of rage stood out on his neck. His eyes burned with exploding wrath. "Watch your mouth, murderer! It’ll be nice if I cut off your tongue! You think I didn't know the dark side of yours?"

Liam snorted, dropping his gaze. Then Liam's eyes darted, staring at Wade sharply. Tired of hearing Wade's insulting words? All this time, Liam remained silent. Now, his patience is burned out. If only there weren't any eyewitnesses going there. Maybe Liam's going to kill Wade right now, too.

Liam's identity, movements, and all his actions remained secure thanks to Jasper's help. Liam wants his dark skill not to spread across the business. Enough of a criminal network, just his name evolved into a terrible demon figure, a cold-blooded killer, or whatever they call it.

"It's not me who crosses the boundaries, but you often act irrationally. You better check your health more often, Mr. Wade. You're still young. Your future is long. You're brilliant and smart. It's a pity if you don't enjoy life. So, let's just stop it. I accept that cynicism. But remember, bad tempers are not good. You could have had hypertension or a heart attack that would kill you." Liam's whispered in a hunting voice. He insisted on the last sentence. The tone of firmness is full of cursing and hardening.

There was a darkest threat in Liam's tone of voice that suddenly forced Wade to stumble under the pressure of countless horrors. Those words hit Wade's heart so much that, for a moment, his breath seemed interrupted.

Liam scoffed. "You know that a heart attack is a 'Silent Killer' in the medical world, Mr. Wade?”

Wade's shuddered for no reason, and suddenly his face paled as if he had just seen the deadliest monster. He chocked, highlighting Liam's shiny, darkened eyes. Something creepy sits inside Liam Coltrane. Nobody knows it.

It forced Wade's frozen long enough.

Liam smiled sweetly, patted Wade's shoulder, pressed, and shook him. Then go away without a word.

Walking away with a wide smile full of victory and satisfaction, Liam enters the enormous door to the hall. The guard there opens the door for him.

At one of the tables, he saw Jasper writing something in his 'big book'. After a Marquess stepped away from Jasper's chair, they seemed to have made a deal.

Liam sighs when he sees the empty glass of cold vodka beside Jasper's big book, then he stops at Jasper's desk. "Didn't I tell you many times to stay away from vodka and start caring about your health?"

Jasper chortled, feeling red-handed. Remove the vodka bottle, and then take off his square glasses. "Liam Coltrane, sit down. I've been waiting for you since. You know, son? I'm sick of my personal doctor's excessively strict diet. You came faster? There's no big business in your company?”

Liam sat down on the couch, while Jasper raised his hand. Order a drink and Liam's favorite snack from the bartender. The bartender, who was wiping the crystal glass, also nodded.

"Yes, the business in the office is done. All my business is going well, stocks are rising, and the company expansion is successful. Thank you. My life is blessed." Liam stated this as he spread his smile. He's crossed his legs.

The bartender came to serve food and snacks, and he greeted Liam fabulously. "Howdy, Mr. Coltrane?”

"Thanks, Drew." Liam answered with a cheerful smile.

Drew went back to his bartender's table.

Liam’s taking a glass of a crystal-containing cocktail. Cut Eclat Godiva onto a plated plate. "It seems that thanking you will never be enough, huh? You saved me from death. Help me and give me a second chance in life. If it weren't you, I'd always owe you my life."

"Even the best secret agency can't solve your case. White-Collar's a bitch. For almost a year, the news continued to circulate in mass media, including newspapers, articles, telegrams, and television correspondents. When I witnessed all that, I knew the people of that government were making bollocks. Harassed the press and the victim's families. The case must be closed with a wrong suspect executed to death, no matter who the suspect is, guilty or not, it matters; they do it for the sake of dignity and honor. Such a bullshit, huh?"

Listening to Jasper's flattering speech, sparking a burst of temper in Liam's heart. He almost broke the Oki glass in his hand.

"They deserve punishment, Liam. I am the one who feels honored to work with you." Jasper answered with a head bent down for a moment. Continue writing the record in the 'big book'. "So, who's that lucky woman?"

"Woman?" Liam frowned, putting an empty glass on the table. "You mean, Alessia Dawn?"

"Yeah, the woman you are now deadly protecting."

"She's my future wife. You know that I have to protect her with all my might and soul. It’s love; for the first time, I feel so alive with her."

"Falling down by your own oath, huh? You told me at the time that there's nothing more crucial than revenge, right? Look at you. Now? People in love often behave stupidly and less rationally." Jasper lifted up his shoulder, closed his 'big book', and continued his delayed dinner. "But be careful; love can also tear you to pieces."

"Like you and Samantha, you've gotta be kidding me, old man." Both Liam’s legs move relaxedly. "Yeah, no matter what you call it. I'm a fool or idiot; I am now so in love with her. So crazy about her. It's out of control. At first, I just wanted to use her to get VXG out of Switzerland. Who's going to suspect a woman like that? I didn't expect it, but it was a boomerang for me. I love everything about her, even when she's upset. She’s so lovely, and hot."

"Samantha is an exception." Jasper chortled, make-merry. "I told you. Don't involve anyone else. From the beginning, I warned you that you have to move and act alone. Now, you're putting her life at risk. All the hazardous people are after you. She could have died without knowing anything. That's not fair to her."

"Don't worry about that. She’s trusted me. I know what I'm doing, and I know exactly what I have to do. Alessia’s safe with me. I have a great plan. But thanks a ton for your attention. You know me? I'm always serious about everything I say."

Jasper emphasized his word once again, sternly. "I warned you, Liam."

"What should I do? I'm sane with her. So, give me good luck, Jasper." Say Liam, reaffirming his last words. He finishes his snack. "You said you had information for me?”

Jasper opened his big book again, this time flipping to the back. He pulled out several photos from there.

Liam received the surveillance photos taken by Jasper’s agent that were circulating on the streets secretly. Liam’s eyebrow furrowed, not quite recognizing their faces; except for the photo of Darius Deck, Liam knows this son of a bitch well.

Jasper pointed to two piles of photos on the left and said, "These are two MI6 secret agents who are interested in your case. They’re clean, but under the command of a top leader named Sir Colter Olider. What do you think?"

“Yeah, this is great information, Jasper.” Liam’s eyes sparkled obsessively, and he giggled like a maniac.

***