บท 10: Vacation Part three
XAVIER POV
With the whiskey swirling gently over the ice in my grasp, I held on tight as I dispatched Lou and Rio to scout out the expanse of the cruise area. The boisterous horn of the vessel sounded a few times, marking its departure from the pier. The vessel gradually shifted its position, bidding farewell to the shore as it embarked on its expedition.
Sauntering towards the rail, I gazed out at the vast expanse of the blue ocean. Its tranquil surface belied the tempestuous turmoil that would soon stir it up into a frenzy.
The visit had been arranged two weeks prior, and with the vessel having docked only yesterday from its previous voyages, today was the only opportunity for Lou and Rio to venture out and explore the surroundings. Almost a full day has elapsed since their departure.
All day long, I've been eagerly awaiting the familiar beeping sound emanating from the door. Lou and Rio strolled in, one sporting a sour expression while the other appeared thoroughly amused. As I observed their continued banter about women, my eyebrow instinctively arched upward in surprise.
"Report"
As I retreated indoors, Rio deftly slid the glass door shut, ensuring our privacy. Our level boasted only two suites - one on the southern wing, and mine on the northern. To my surprise, Willy the leader of the wheels was not occupying it. A sense of unease washed over me as I contemplated the matter. As the hours ticked by, the meeting loomed ever closer, yet there was still no sign of their presence aboard the cruise ship.
I successfully secured our yacht on standby for potential evacuation.
"For now, we have obtained access to the security camera. Today, whilst perusing the premium bar, I happened to observe one of Willy's associates."
Lou meticulously documented his findings in a comprehensive report. After careful consideration, we arranged for a backup plan just five minutes prior to the ship's entry into international waters. Should my vessel be detected, the potential for a multinational incident would be significant, making it exceedingly difficult to navigate the waters undetected. Our objective is to maintain a low profile.
With a gulp of my whiskey, I braced myself to be on standby. As the acrid flavor lingers on my tongue, my thoughts wander to a realm beyond comparison. In the wake of my father's passing, I found myself thrust into a new existence for which I was wholly unprepared. In my youth, scarcely a man, I took on his role within the organization. Navigating the dissent of senior members who opposed my positions proved to be a challenging circumstance. Without hesitation, I dispatched all members who opposed me to their maker. I have been bestowed with the title "The Annihilator," a title that does not bring me any sense of pride.
"Boss, we have successfully identified the occupant of the south wing suite. It appears to be a female by the name of Dorothy Wyatt, who poses no discernible threat to our operations."
Rio briefed me on the particulars, revealing that there was no suspicious history and all transactions were conducted in cash. Our working hypothesis was that the individual in question may have been a paramour. It is a frequent occurrence for the paramour of an affluent married gentleman to relish their moments aboard a luxurious cruise ship.
"Be prepared for the unexpected," I cautioned, emphasizing the importance of remaining vigilant at all times.
"Regarding matters of the heart, it appears that Lou had an unfortunate encounter with a lady at the bar" Rio remarked with a chuckle, finding amusement in Lou's misfortune. The prospect of rejection from a woman seems unlikely for him. It is imperative that I encounter this woman in order to express my gratitude for the profound sense of humility she has instilled within him.
"Shut up Rio! Regrettably, her level of interest in you appears to be lacking as well."
Lou's acerbic retort to Rio provided ample evidence of the latter's unrelenting nature.
"Please send my warm regards to her during your next encounter. "
I partook in the merriment, hesitant to dampen Lou's injured spirit.
Rio shook his head, contemplating the possibility that she was deliberately avoiding them at all costs.
As I reached for the whiskey decanter, I couldn't help but comment on the appearance of my two companions. "That is because you two look like a couple of hooligans," I remarked, before deftly pouring the amber liquid into fresh glasses for Rio and Lou.
"Drink up," I urged, sliding the glasses towards my men. "May you both raise your spirits, for the capital is teeming with lovely women."
"There's no denying that she has an otherworldly beauty. Her skin radiates a luminous quality when it's kissed by the sun, and she's easily a perfect 100 in the looks department."
Lou rested his weight on the sofa, idly twirling his glasses before taking a deep swig.
"Let's shift our focus away from the topic of women for now. It's important that both of you bring your A-game today. We must remain vigilant as Willy has a tendency to be cunning and may not take kindly to being reprimanded for his illicit actions." I warned them.
As we pored over our plan for hours on end, exhaustion began to set in. The Captain's announcement only served to confirm our suspicions that Willy was playing games with us, fully aware that our resources would be severely limited once we crossed into international waters.
As the storm gathered momentum, its intensity grew, causing the terrace to become drenched as raindrops pelted the deck with unrelenting force. The sound of knocking echoed through the space. Our anticipation is solely focused on the arrival of Willy and his associates. I adjusted my suit, ensuring that every detail was in place. Concealed beneath the fabric was my trusted bulletproof vest. With my sleeves rolled up to the elbow showing the same tattoo i have with Rio and Lou, I strode purposefully towards the accent chair, settling myself down with a concealed firearm nestled beneath its cushions.
With a nod in Lou's direction, he swung open the door, revealing Willy and a handful of his associates. Rio halted their progress towards the suite, taking a moment to ensure that they were not in possession of any weapons before proceeding.
The question arose as to whether or not this particular matter was deemed essential. Willy strolled in, idly twirling his toothpick, as his men followed closely behind for a brief round of pats on the back. Rio cleared the space and proceeded to pace around the suite, taking in the room's details before finally turning to face me. I maintain my composure, observing his every gesture without flinching. My countenance remained devoid of any discernible emotions.
"Please, take a seat," I commanded him, a smirk playing at the corners of his lips. He adjusted his round glasses and took a seat opposite me. Beside him stand two of his men, their faces stoic and unmoving.
"Why a meeting?" he asked bluntly, a trait I found admirable. However, his tone came across as needlessly patronizing.
"Why is one of your girls working at the Capital?"
His demeanor betrayed no hint of surprise in response to my inquiries, and therein lay the answer. He was aware, yet indifferent.
"Dear Xavier, your youth is not a factor in this matter. Please understand that my decision is purely business-oriented, as I have a considerable number of dependents to provide for. The Golden Construction company has offered a substantial sum for the services of the young lady in question."
Silently, I gritted my teeth. As he displayed a nonchalant disregard for me, my jaw clenched tightly in response.
"Willy, my dear, rules are rules and they apply to all, regardless of age. As much as it pains me to say, prostitution is strictly prohibited within the capital." Despite my inner turmoil, I manage to maintain composure and keep my temper in check. One cannot expect a favorable outcome to arise from the act of shooting an individual in the head, regardless of any strong impulses one may experience.
He skillfully evaded my inquiries.
"Have we arrived at Hoyos yet? The island is truly enchanting, its beauty captivating and alluring."
Though Rio may possess a sense of humor, there exists a boundary he refuses to permit others to cross: disrespect.
The man strode forward with purpose, his eyes fixed on Willy, who found himself hemmed in by the imposing figures of the man's henchmen. "Oi," Rio barked, "my boss ask you a question!!!."
I grasped onto his sleeves, a desperate attempt to remind him of our shared goal to prevent a bloodbath. The location he had selected was teeming with innocent bystanders, and the potential consequences of our actions weighed heavily on my mind. The last thing we desire is for bullets to be unleashed, causing harm to innocent civilians.
"Control your dog, Xavier," he chuckled, his hand dismissively waving off Rio. The gesture irked me, as if he were asserting his dominance as the master.
"Willy, consider reevaluating your operations, lest you encounter the repercussions. I assure you, this is not a mere threat."
He let out a disgruntled sound before posing the question, "And what happens next? Will you be the one to bring about my demise, oh mighty annihilator?"
As he settled into his seat, a newfound confidence seemed to emanate from his very voice. I couldn't help but notice the way the light danced off the sliding glass, casting a laser-like reflection. Suddenly, without warning, the tranquility was shattered by the sound of bullets piercing the glass door, striking Rio in the shoulder. As the bullet whizzed past, he instinctively pulled back, while Lou shielded me from any potential shrapnel. As the deafening roar of thunder reverberates through the air, my senses are overwhelmed and my vision is consumed by a fiery red hue. The sound of the bullet is muffled, drowned out by the explosive force of the storm. With a swift motion, I pushed Lou out of my way and reached for my firearm. Without hesitation, I aimed and fired, striking one of Willy's men. With a swift movement, he darted towards the terrace, but not before my shot found its mark, striking his legs and causing injury. He was accompanied by other men who fired the gun from Rio possessions. Anticipating the dire situation, I swiftly plunged into action, bravely assuming the role of protector for my wounded comrade Rio, who lay prostrate and bleeding upon the ground. Lou emerged from the rear, grappling with the armed assailant, as I pursued Willy who had tumbled onto the deck. A sudden, searing sensation jolted through my left leg, leaving me with the unmistakable impression that I had been struck.
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