DRAKE JOHNSON'S POV

I was famished and angry as I sat in the meeting. We were having a board meeting with representatives from a prestigious company.

We've always wanted to crack a deal with them and we are few minutes away from doing so but the problem is that we've been in this meeting for four hours now going round and round trying to please them.

"We've seen all the presentations and plans for the deal but we are still not convinced." One of the representative complained as he tossed a document on the desk.

Anger and frustration filled my head because we've been trying to convince these people for the whole four hours and they've been turning us down making it seem like we are a desperate.

"Mr Sanders what's there that's not convincing ?!" George who is one of my workers pleaded with them.

"Well, the reso..."

"Mr Sanders." I cut him off as I spoke which left a scowl on his face.

"Do you realize we've been sitting here for four hours gerrymandering between folders and slides ?" I said slowly as I got up from my seat.

"Are you saying I'm wasting your time ?" He angrily asked me while his colleagues looked on at me with a nasty scowl.

"As a matter of fact, yes you are. You are not only wasting my time but the time of others sitting here." I motioned around the room showing the tired but shocked faces of my employees.

"Sir, what are..." George tried to calm me but I held out a hand to stop him.

"This meeting was meant to brief you about the plans for the deal but it has turned into a begging spree, we've explained everything to you for the millionth time, what else do you want ?!" I looked at Mr Sanders and his colleagues with annoyance and I tucked my hands in my pockets.

I didn't care any longer, if I would be losing this deal that I've been trying so hard to get but they are taking advantage of the fact that we are desperate and I'm not that cheap.

"It seems you don't value this deal any longer." He said as he closed the open files in front of him.

"I do, but you don't value it that's why you are taking us for granted. Anyway you can go if you're not interested, we'd move over to your rival company and strike a deal with them." I ended my statement with a sinister smirk knowing I've gotten their attention.

"You wouldn't dare."

"Your move." I shrugged as I let out a slight chuckle alongside my employees who were getting the game I was playing.

Mr Sanders and his colleagues shared a look for a while and did some small talks while I gave assuring looks to George.

"Okay, fine! We are willing to work with you." We all squealed for joy as he opened up the folder for us to sign.

"Pleasure is all mine." I said as I took a pen from the desk about to sign. They flashed me an annoyed look as they penned down their signatures.

After signing, Mr Sanders and his clique went out of the room and as soon as they were gone, all of us began giving ourselves high fives and fist bumps alongside our cheers of loud laughter.

"Oh Man! I can't believe you pulled it off." George said as he walked up to me with the papers in his hands.

"At first I didn't know what I was doing but later on, I took a hang of it." I shrugged with a huge smile as I made my way to the door.

I felt fulfilled and happy that I've been able to crack a deal with one of the biggest company in America that my father had always glamoured for. It has always been my target since I assumed my seat.

My mind was going to Skai, I need to tell her the good news and all of this would just put me in a good mood for the vacation.

Asides telling her about the good news, I wanted to hear her voice. I miss her voice even if she's still acting weird.

I threw my door open and I could feel George walking behind me as I paced to my desk to get my cellphone.

"Sir, you haven't dictated the memo to me yet. " He said as he settled his tablet on his palms.

"Ohh that ..." I trailed off as I searched my desk for my phone.

I finally found it hidden under a pile of sheets, I whipped it out and my face contorted because of the notifications I saw.

"Sir, I'm waiting."

"Hold on George, I've got 7 missed calls from Khalil and 1 from Skai." I said as I dialed Skai's number.

"Oh maybe something happened." He said as he rested the tablet on the desk.

"I pray it's good." I said as the line rang, it kept on ringing but there was no response.

I frowned at the screen before deciding to dial Khalil's number. A million thoughts ran through my mind as his line rang.

"Hello, Khalil what's up ?!"I said immediately he picked the call.

He was silent for a while and I could hear him sobbing, I narrowed my eyes as I took a seat at the edge of my desk.

"Khalil, are you okay ?"

"No Drake, Sekani is going to die !" He said as he let out a loud cry.

"Wha-wha-what do you mean die ?!" I got up from where I stood and gave George a shocked look.

"There's been an accident." My heart sunk deep as those words hit my ears.

"Stay there, I'm on my way. What hospital is that ?" I asked him as I reached for my jacket.

He told me the address as I put on my jacket while I stared at a distraught George.

"What happened sir ?" He asked me as he trailed behind me as I walked out of the office.

"There's been an accident." I said as I paced towards the elevator.

"I should come with you." He said as he increased his steps behind me.

I turned around and held him by the shoulder. "No don't bother, stay here and continue with the procedures for the deal. I'd be fine with James." I ordered as I turned around to walk into the elevator.

My mind raced to Skai, I wonder how she would be holding up with this news. I imagined her crying her eyes out in the hospital lobby shouting her brother's name.

I prayed nothing happened to Sekani, he's the one person that keeps her going even I can't compete with that.

°°°°°°°°°°

I jumped out of the car immediately it came to an halt at the parking lot. It was the same hospital I was admitted when I suffered poisoning which made my mind wander to dreadful memories.

James and I rushed into the hospital and I didn't have the time to talk to the receptionist so I made my way into the lobby while James did the talking.

My steps came to an halt when I saw Khalil sitting on the floor with his head in his palms.

His light skinned complexion has turned red and I could spot large stains of blood on his clothes.

"Khalil." I said softly as I approached him.

He looked up at me before rushing to give me a tight hug. I have never seen my brother cry since the day our father died.

My heart shook because Khalil is a strong kid and he hardly cries which means something else happened or he just really cared about his friend.

"Hey, calm down,I got you. Are you hurt ?" I asked him as I settled him in one of the chairs by the wall.

"No." He said coldly as he sniffed.

"Where's Sekani ?" He looked at me with worry and fear before he bobbed his head downwards.

I took a grip on his shoulder and shook him slightly. "Where is he ?" I asked this time with a faint voice that was gripped with fear.

"He's in the ICU, the doctors said he has a low probability of living." He said with tears prickling down his cheeks.

I let go of him as I pinned my palms to my head feeling distraught and hopeless. I looked over at James who had the same look on his face as he stood beside us.

"How did the accident happen ?" He asked Khalil as he narrowed down his eyes.

Khalil eyes balled out as he looked up at him then he turned his head towards me with his lips turned downwards.

I knew something was up and it wasn't just an accident because he was now hesitating to speak.

"What happened Khalil, tell me." I said as I adjusted myself on my seat preparing for what he's say.

"H-h-he w-was shot." I got up swiftly from where I sat as the words that left his mouth hit me like a storm kicked against me.

"How did it happen?!" James asked him as I turned my back with my fingers pinned against the bridge of my nose.

"Andre came back and Sekani attacked him." My heart beat rose as I heard his name, immediately one person came to my mind.

"Did he take Skai with him ?" I asked with my back still facing them.

I waited for a response but it was silence I received. I turned around to face Khalil who was trembling.

"He did, didn't he ?" I said with gritted teeth as I balled my hands into fists.

"Yes. He was with a gun and he threatened..."

"It's okay, I know what might have happened." I said as I took a seat beside him, I was in turmoil and my heart was racing but I couldn't show it to a disturbed Khalil.

"Calm down, take deep breaths and wipe your tears. Sekani would be fine and we'd get Skai back." I assured him with pursed lips as I shook him slightly.

I looked over at James as I got up from where I sat."Please stay here and watch over him and keep me updated on Sekani, I need to handle this." I told him before I gave Khalil a brief hug.

I walked away from him while James followed me, I knew he wanted to know what I meant by “handling this”.

"Sir, what are you going to do ?" He asked me with worries in his eyes.

"Get Skai back."

"I know but how are you going to do that ?" He asked me with a firm voice and a stern look because he knew I wasn't going to the police.

"What do you think ?"

"You would make matters worse, you can't go after a mafia alone!" He warned me as he pointed a finger at me.

"We've been involving the police since day 1 and where have we gotten to ?" I retorted in anger and shoved him backwards.

"James, I'm your boss and I order you to stay here and stick to what I've instructed you to do." I said before pacing out of the lobby.

My mind was flooded with a million and one thoughts, I would be blinding myself out of reality if I had said I wasn't expecting this to happen.

I knew right from when he sent Skai those photos, he was out to get her. I've been preparing for this battle and it's going to be a battle for Andre and I.

°°°°°°°°°°

I rushed into my room, I raced to the my study table and opened my laptop. I removed my clothes as I waited for it to power up.

I paced into my closet and whipped out a casual fitted shirt and a pair of leather pants.

After changing, I walked out and looked into my laptop,I opened up the tracking app that I use in monitoring Skai.

I navigated through the app and searched for her last seen, it gave me a red tag on her location. The location was familiar and I knew where that was.

Mike's house.

I angrily thought to myself as I shut the laptop. I walked over to my bed and knelt down by the side, I put my hands under the bed and brought out a black box.

My teeth clenched as I laid it on my bed. I've never opened nor touched this box since I got it. I opened the locks and brought out the revolver that was laying inside.

I picked it up and tucked it behind me before packing the box and pushing it under the bed.

I stormed out of the room with anger and I could feel my blood boiling because of the hot steamy of air that left my nose.

I ran through the stairs but I became angrier when I heard the siren of the cops. I opened up the door with full force and decided to block them out.

I knew James had called the cops because he was scared for me."Drake." Darius called me but I turned deaf ears to him as I walked faster to my car.

"What do you think you're doing ?!" He angrily asked me as he stood in my way.

"Doing what you couldn't do." I said calmly as I tried I shoved him out of the way but he resisted.

"Drake, if you go out there you won't make it !" He shoved me back. "He has men all over the country and did you really think he'd not be expecting you ?!"

"Well I'm ready for him and that wretched man, Mike !" My words made him give me a clueless look while Thelma began walking towards us.

"Yeah that's right, I tracked her to Mike's house. So if you don't mind I'm going to get her back." I said as I strode towards my car and Darius didn't stop me.

"You're pretty dumb, you know ?!" I turned around swiftly to see Darius smirking.

"Even if she was captured there do you think she's still be there ?! Even if she's still there don't you think they'd be expecting you ?!" I clenched my teeth as I looked away realizing the truthfulness of his words.

"It's worth trying." I said before walking away to get into my car.

I could hear him telling his men to get into their vehicles and follow me. I knew he would be on my case but I didn't care, I'd like to see things for myself firsthand.

°°°°°°°°°°

The whole cops surrounded the house with their cars while Darius, Thelma and I stormed out of our cars.

"Drake this is the farthest you can go, stay here." Thelma insisted as she put her hands to stop me.

"I'm not doing this right now." I brushed her off and walked towards the front door.

"She's right, if anything happens to you we'd be responsible !" Darius said as he stood in my way.

"And I don't care what happens to me, can we just go and stop the debates!" I growled as I gave them a stern look.

They both shared a defeating look before Darius walked over to me. "Just stick to our instructions and stay behind us." He said as they went ahead of me with their guns firmly fixed in their hands in front of their faces as they aimed for any attack.

Little did they know I was also armed with my own fire arm but I wouldn't show them yet, no one knows what situation I might find myself.

Thelma directed some men to check around the living room and the kitchen while the three of us went into the rooms.

W

e walked down the aisle of rooms and I could feel my heart racing as I imagined one of the door opening wide with someone popping out of it.

"That door is widely opened." Thelma words caught my attention as I looked over at one of the rooms where it's door was wide opened.

"Let's check there first." I suggested as I tried to move ahead of them but once again Darius stopped me.

"You stay back, remember ?" He gave me a warning look and I retreated myself.

We slowly approached the room. Darius went ahead, he leaned against the wall and he peeked into the room with the side of his eye while his gun was firmly fixed in his hands.

Thelma leaned against the wall on the other side of the door having the same position as Darius, I stood there as I awaited the mysteries this room held.

Darius went inside the room and all his guide went loose as he looked down on something while Thelma went in immediately and she had the same expression.

Fear gripped me as I saw a pool of blood beside their legs, fear was slowly engulfing me and it made me numb but I decided to shake it off and walk inside.

Behold, my fear was washed away when I saw Mike laying lifeless against the wall, a small part of me was happy he was dying.

"Serves him right !" I scoffed as I looked over at him.

"Don't say that !" Thelma corrected me as she put away her gun.

I heard a slight cough and I looked over at Mike, whose eyes were slowly opening up.

I rushed over to him but Thelma had her arms around me while Darius knelt beside him as he felt his pulse.

"Mike can you hear me ?!" He said as he cupped his face.

"Y-y-yes I can." He struggled to speak as he opened his eyes completely.

"Okay that's good, we'd get the ambulance." Darius said as he took out his phone.

"No, don't bother. It's too late for me, I've drained half of my blood. I just..." He trailed off as he looked up at me with regret in his eyes.

"Where is Skai ?!" I charged at him.

"S-sh-she's with A-an-andre." He stuttered as he tried to get his breath.

"Mike, that's enough. We'd get you to the hospital now." Darius said as he tried to pick him up.

"No! Leave me here. Even if I survive my legs are not going to be the same." He looked over at me. "Drake, I'm so sorry for poisoning you. If only I had known what I know now." I arched one of my brows as I let out a light chuckle.

"You were the one behind that ?" Thelma interrogated him with an annoyed look on her face.

"Yes but I was manipulated because of my condition." He said as he leaned his head backwards as he let out heavy sighs.

"What stupid condition ?!" I snarled as I took a step closer.

"I don't have time to explain the story, you'd hear them later if you get Skai. Andre and Becky have her and they are taking her to Spain." My eyes grew wide as his words hit me while Darius let go of him.

"Did you say Becky ?" Darius asked as he blinked his eyes profusely.

"Yes, she's been the one giving him information. Look, there's no much time, go after them now !" He tried to raise his voice but he was too weak to do so.

"How am I suppose to believe you ?!" I asked him as I narrowed my eyes down at him.

"Because I'm on the verge of dying and I would like to die knowing I made things right." I walked over to him and squatted beside Darius.

"I'm so sorry, I had no idea what I was doing. I was a victim of manipulation. Drake you're the only hope she's got." My strong look melted into a concerned look as I looked over at his legs that had several bullet holes.

"Becky, she's not innocent as she looks. I knew she'd always be out to get me after my father left everything to me." I looked up at him with my face contorted in confusion.

"Ma'am it's all clear but we have evidence that they were here." A cop came into the room as he called for Thelma.

"Let's see." She said before walking out with the cop.

"So you're telling me Becky is working with Andre, Becky is her best friend!" I said to Mike as I looked at Darius with a disappointing face.

"And she's my sister, I'm over the shock and you should be too, Drake and Darius go after them. There's no way he could have gotten on a plane now. Get them before they leave the country !" He ordered as he shifted towards me.

"How sure are you they are going to Spain ?" Darius asked while he dialed a number on his phone.

"That's the plan, he wants to marry Skai and where else would he do it of not for his home country. They thought I'd be dead by now but I had to live to tell you." Darius immediately nodded at him as he put his phone to his ear as he paced out of the room.

"Drake, I'm really sorry. Please promise me something." I pursed my lips as I gulped my saliva.

He shifted again towards me as he stretched his hands. I took hold of his hands so I could give him a balance because his legs seemed to be paralyzed.

"What is it ?" I asked as I peered into his eyes. He looked pale and bloodshot due to the amount of blood he had lost, truth be told he was using his last breath to speak.

"Promise me you would get Skai back before Andre kills her."

"Kills her ?! He wants to kill her ?"

"Listen! Promise me you'd get her back, because I know you love her so much and you'd do whatever you can for her." He said as his grip on my hands loosened and I knew he was giving up.