ตอน 19: Devising contingencies

Tires squealed as their armored vehicle careened away from the flashing lights and chaos erupting behind them. Blake, despite Rose's stance on the police had called them anyway as they got to a safe distance from where the shooting was going on.

Now in the back seat of the armored vehicle, Blake was seated next to Rose trembling, eyes wild with shock.

"It's alright, Blake," Rose murmured softly, stroking his hair. She patted Blake lovingly on his shoulder. "We're safe now. Just breathe..."

Blake didn't know which to worry about. The fact that he saw a man's head drilled multiple times with bullets or how oddly calm his ceo was despite the scene they left behind and -Reggie.

Reggie was still there. Blake had little hope for the poor guy. He reasoned by now it was his corpse they'd be taking to a morgue. The driver had somehow by some struck of luck saved his life and now he felt bad for not being able to do anything.

He did call the cops though. But until he settled, Reggie's fate was as good as a coin toss.

Now they raced through darkened city streets, Rose barking orders to the driver up front while comforting Blake. Silent anger rose from the young woman's chest - this was too much, too insane. Who had the guts to do this?

When they reached a nondescript high-rise, Rose ushered Blake inside with an iron grip, signaling grim-faced guards. They entered an elevator through a hidden panel.

The rest passed in a blur until Blake blinked and found himself standing alone in an opulent penthouse apartment. Everything gleamed with understated wealth, museums' paintings lining the walls. His mind spun dizzily.

Moments later Rose appeared from an inner room, expression softening at the sight of Blake's bewildered state. "Please forgive the abrupt relocating," she said gently, taking his hands. "This is one of my secure safe houses. We'll remain here under guard until I determine the threat has passed."

Blake's lip quivered as the reality of their harrowing night sank in. "Rose, how...my God we could have been killed and your - what in hell's name is going on?!"

Her eyes flashed with protective ferocity.

"You are to stay here protected at all costs until I resolve this," she growled. "Do you understand?"

Shaken, Blake could only nod mutely. Rose's hands clasped Blake's shoulders, pale thumbs brushing his rumpled shirt gently.

"Good," Rose whispered. "I will hunt these vermin personally and they will wish for a death more merciful than I intend."

Blake recoiled at the pure predatory rage in the usual velvety tones. Rose saw his reaction and softened a fraction, smiling coldly.

"Rest, Blake. You are utterly safe here. I swear it on my life."

With that she swept out to make preparations, leaving Blake shaken in darkening solitude.

**********

Hours later, Rose sat in the safe house study, gloved fingers tented in glacial stillness while her investigator spoke.

"The assailants were indeed the two patrons you encountered at that casino you indulged milady. Cheap street thugs, the type to hold petty grudges."

Her lip curled in contempt. "Names?"

The investigator consulted a folder. "Marcus Stanley wore the green shirt you perhaps recall. Rico Santiago had the red cap. Both went into heavy debt to loan sharks when you cleaned them out at the tables. They hired a small crew to get back the cash."

Rose's gaze cut to sharpened ruby points. "How foolish of them to think a few mortal weapons could so easily pierce my guard," she hissed. "I shall make examples of their breed soon enough."

Her prowess at the casino obviously had earned foul notice. Some spilled immortal blood linked her too closely to Blake for comfort.

"Where are they now?" Rose's tone remained conversational, despite the rippling promise of violence to come.

"Both in holding awaiting transfer to Metro jail. Santiago took a few rounds from your guards they say. Messy but treatable." Her investigator paused delicately. "Shall I arrange for our own...handling milady?"

Rose tutted dismissively. "No need. I believe I'll preserve these lower life forms a bit longer. At least until after an overdue reckoning with the true demon I'm hunting..." Her eyes grew distant calculating threats beyond this puny assault.

"Just keep all current protective measures on Mr Shelton beyond any critique. And inform me the second any other unusual activity moves towards his orbit."

The investigator bowed low. "Of course milady. I shall be vigilant." He slipped from the room under her callous crimson gaze. Rose poured a blood-red wine, staring out at the flickering city skyline as the reality sank in - mere thugs had dared to target Blake, her most precious treasure, over a gambling debt owed to Rose herself.

The thought that such insignificant pond scum could so easily put Blake in the line of fire made Rose's fangs throb with rage.

She crushed the wineglass in her fist, ruby liquid dripping between her fingers.

They had caught her arrogantly off guard this time. But never again would she underestimate the threats, no matter how trifling, aimed at what belonged to Rose Shelley.

With preternatural focus, she pivoted her formidable mind to mapping strategies. This "Marcus Stanley" and "Rico Santiago" were located inside Metro jail awaiting transfer. Well then...

Rose stood and glided to her desk, ringing her assistant. "Cancel all appointments for the next week. I require solitude to devise contingencies."

"Yes Miss Shelley. Understood."

Now alone, Rose began drafting meticulous plans. First a covert security sweep of the safe house perimeter to plug any holes exploited by the attackers. Double the guard shifts, deploy extra technical surveillance. Cover all angles.

But more vital would be dissecting this threat at its core. The key players, their histories, all associates - Rose would pull every thread and knot to unravel the full tapestry of risk. Then precise, lethal solutions could be implemented.

With a grim smile, Rose envisioned the fates awaiting Marcus and Rico down at Metro.

Crippling loan shark debts owed to quite unsavory figures not known for patience. Embarrassing cellmate confrontations. Brutal prison yard beat-downs from aggrieved parties...

She would allow fortune and misery to run their own organic course for a time. Then, if these insects failed to self-extinguish, Rose would have no qualms about crushing them swiftly underfoot,Permanently.

Sitting back, she watched the city lights twinkle. Yes, there would be satisfying ways to cleanse Blake's orbit of any threat, no matter how small, in due course. Rose had forever now to plan...

This first minor assault merely reminded the shadow self she kept locked away - the ruthless apex predator answering to no pack. Let her reputation for cold brutality precede her then amongst the scavengers. The uncompromising CEO would leave no competition for her cherished secretary's safety.