Chapter 4: More Of His Age

"Is there something else?"

His frosted words were enough to send shivers running down the man's spine. His dark brown's orbs were sent firmly on the man's finger who refused to leave even after he had dismissed him.

"Speak, Jeffrey." The boy instructed him. Based on the way his lip were twitching, he could tell that he wanted to say something.

"Blake, I don't think that you should accompany your men on this mission." Jeffrey spoke up. Despite the fact that his words were firm, they still held a decent amount of respect for him. There was a reason behind as to why he didn't use the term 'Boss' while addressing him this time, and called him by his name.

Jeffrey had known the boy since he was merely a toddler. Seeing him occupying the same chair which once belonged to Blake's father, his former Boss, was enough to make him proud of the lad.

"And why is that?" Blake leaned his back against the back of the leather chair and questioned him.

"You do realize that those people don't belong to a simple gang. They are a part of a big cartel. They have the power to go against us. Even if everything goes according to the plan, there is no guarantee that things won't go out of our control." Jeffrey answered him. "And if…"

"Get to the point." Blake interrupted him. He knew that the man was just spinning a web of words instead of getting to the main point. "For someone who has been by my old man's side, you sure talk a lot. Or is it me who's ruining you?"

Blake knew that Jeffrey wasn't someone who would beat around the bush, especially not after serving by his father's side for years.

"I just don't want you to get hurt during the mission. Not after we have just lost your father." Jeffrey spoke up, his voice breaking up a little in the end.

Looking at his tear filled eyes from a distance, Blake shook his head in helplessness. He was indeed right and had a valid point. But at the same time, he also knew that the title which was now associated with his name came with a lot of responsibilities. And his men were his number one responsibility.

He knew the danger he was walking in, but he wasn't afraid to face it. He would never sit back at the base when his men are out there in the field carrying out his orders. That was not what his father had taught him.

"I know that you only mean good for me, Jeff. But you know Dad would have also done the same thing." Blake heaved out a long sigh.

"But your father never went up against them either. He knew it wouldn't be easy to take them down as they have a strong backing." Jeffrey shook his head as he refused to listen to him.

"It's not easy, but it's not impossible either. Moreover, Dad never had the support we have now. And the people we are going after aren't a part of the bigger picture. They just have some mysterious backer about whom nobody knows. For all we know, it could just be hearsay. " Blake stood his ground as he explained to him the pros and cons of the mission.

"And we have to stop them at any cost. There's no way that I will allow them to run a child trafficking cartel in my hometown, that too right under my nose." He continued. "So, I couldn't care any less about the dangers I will be walking in tonight. You do know that it took me more than two months to make the government say yes to this."

"I know, but I won't suggest you to accompany them." Jeffrey spoke up in response.

"That's the problem then, Jeff. I am not asking for your suggestion. I just hope that you don't end up forgetting your role in the play." Blake added sarcastically as he rested his chin on his propped up arm. "You can leave now." His tone was back to being serious.

Given no other choice, Jeffrey could only nod his head in a yes and head out of the room. He knew how headstrong Blake could be. Once he had decided on something, it wasn't easy to sway him from it. He could argue with him for the rest of the day, but he wouldn't budge from his words.

After he was left all alone in the room which was more like his office, Blake couldn't help but frown. He knew it wouldn't be an easy feat, but he also had no other choice. He would never allow monsters like those people to lurk in the shadows of his city. His father wanted to do the same before he died. It was his job now to put an end to it.

Beep! Beep! Beep!

The screen of his cell phone lit up as the sound of a car's horn filled up the room. The frown on his face only deepened after hearing the weird ringtone, but it didn't last for long as his eyes landed on the caller's name.

'The Great Adam'

He couldn't help but let out aloud chuckle as he picked it up from the wooden surface.

"You messed with my phone once again?" He spoke into his phone's speaker after connecting the call. He didn't bother himself with the pleasantries as the person on the other end of the phone was not only his childhood best friend. His voice didn't have the same seriousness from earlier, but rather was playful. He sounded more of his age.

"I thought it would be better. I wanted to pull you out of your forlorn state even if it was just for a little while." He got a cheerful reply in return. "And don't worry, tonight will be in your favor."

Blake couldn't stop his lips from curling up in a smile as he heard his best friend's words. He remembered sharing it with him, but didn't know that this would be the way that he would help him out.