Dave's POV
So much has been going on with our shipments I can't even think straight at all. Ryan is one of my best friends and only family. We met since we were younger l, my father was his father's Consigliere/Advisor.
"Sir, I was able to find something about the attack on the shipment and would like you to have a look." My protégée, Cara, a seventeen year old orphan I found on the streets came with her laptop.
I took it gently from her and started going through the video. She hacked into the data from that day of the attack. Those fools thought that they would be able to outsmart us.
My eyes skimmed through the entire video and saw someone. "This is good, that face is familiar, where do I know him from?" I said to myself aloud.
"You can't remember that face on the streets?" Cara gave me a look of surprise.
"Am I supposed to?"
"Yes, he is who you made four fingers." She had a look of glee in her eyes and a hint of sadness.
My entire demeanor had changed at the revelation. I now remember why his face is so familiar.
"He was your mother's boyfriend that abused you?"
"Yeah he is, seems like he is in desperate need of some cash."
"Why would he be useful to "the Viper"? He was just some thug."
"He is more than a thug you know, much more. He is actually a former military, and was dismissed for inappropriate actions towards female counterparts who reported him."
"What? He doesn't seem like it."
"He has several identities, and is extremely good at combat and strategy. I saw the documents but he had a disturbed childhood, I think it's what made him who he is today."
"There's so much I didn't even know and would need to know about this. I think Ryan needs to be in the loop, now we might use him to find the real identity of the Viper."
"That's okay, will you be going over to his place?"
"Yes I would, keep the house in check with the boys. I need to go to Ryan's and see what we can do."
"No problem at all, I'll be gone by the time you're back."
I nodded and picked up my coats from the hanger by the door and walked out of my penthouse. I get paid pretty well since I'm also in charge of the tech side of Ryan's businesses.
I stepped into the car and rode about ten minutes in utter silence to Ryan's home. The guards nodded at me at the gate and opened it.
I stepped out of the car and walked inside ready to stress him out and frustrate him. I pushed the door open and the house was surprisingly quiet, so I headed to the one place I was so sure he'd be, his office.
I quietly walked up the staircase and to my surprise I saw Charles Thorn's daughter, his betrothed, staring at something in the office.
I walked up to her and saw something that knocked me off my feet. Monalisa was on Ryan's lap, kissing him and then he had just shoved her off.
Unfortunately, Elena saw it. She turned abruptly and ran into me, I held her arm to prevent her from falling.
"Sorry, I didn't see you there." She muttered and rushed away before I could even say a word.
Irritation sizzled in my veins, why the hell did he even allow that wench, Monalisa in his house.
I stepped into the office and she had a sly smile on her face, she knew exactly what she did.
"What the hell is wrong with you, Monalisa? First this meeting was supposed to be with your brother and you showed up. Now, you want to ruin my engagement?"
She had a disgusting pout on her face. If I didn't know what kind of snake she was I would have fallen for her charm.
Her arm reached out to touch his, but he swatted it away. "Baby, you deserve better, not some sheltered, naive girl with no experience in business."
Ryan kept looking at her in irritation. "Get out now or else I'll ask George to do it for me. Remember how he discarded you off the last time?" He threatened with a hard look.
She gulped and gave him a cold stare then walked out of the office with her purse, hitting my shoulders on her way out.
Ryan finally gave me a stare. "What brings you here, man?"
"I have more news about the attack. You remember, Cara?"
"Yes of course, what happened to her?"
"The guy that was abusing her, that I cut off his fingers is working for the Viper. She just revealed that he used to be in the army. I think you should call out intel there and ask more questions about him."
"I'd do that."
"You know that girl didn't deserve to see that right?"
"Look, it wasn't intentional. I had a meeting with Monalisa's brother, I guess I was dumb enough to fall for her schemes once again."
"I know this contract might not be the best start but just give this a shot and avoid that snake, Monalisa. I have a feeling that she is up to no good."
"Thanks, man."
"I'll be going now, but I need to check around the house for a bit."
He nodded and waved me off. I stood up with glee wanting to go see Rosalyn, someone I've always had feelings for. She seems so innocent and naive though.
I walked to her room, when I swung open and her eyes widened at the sight of me. "What are you doing here?"
"I came to see if you were okay?"
"I didn't tell you I wasn't." She said, giving me a bit of an attitude.
"Why are you being like this?"
She gave me a stink eye. "Really? You're asking me such after everything you did? You made me fall for you only for you to bed a new girl each week! I hate you!"
I pulled her towards me in a single move and kissed her so hard forcing her to give me access. She resisted at first but melted in my hands
in seconds.
A gasp made us pull apart and Elena stared at us with wide eyes, jaw hanging loose.