Two months. It took two months to at least shape our men. We weren't at the top yet but we were slowly getting there. We trained everyday, me included, and we were improving everyday.
Our use of weapons got even sharper. We didn't waste one single bullet, meaning that we never missed a guy. Of course talking about the skilled ones. Some still weren't at 100 yet they were stuck at 99. And that wasn't enough. Not where we were heading.
Our investors didn't treat us like we were the ones serving them anymore.
They didn't cancel their meetings with us. We did that now. They were starting to treat us like how they did at the beginning and like how they should have always been doing, with respect.
We were feared. Our employees-or Chris's employees, couldn't slack. Not when we had eyes staring at us from every corner. They made one mistake they were fired. Yes, it was harsh but we didn't have time for these mistakes and we didn't enjoy people laughing at us.
As for our family, even though they were family they couldn't slack either, especially when they were more important than the employees from Chris's companies.
In the mafia world, we were finally getting through to everyone that we weren't playing around and we meant business. We were rising to the top and that made Chris very happy. And that made me happy because that meant I would be leaving soon.
Another thing that was going to make him very excited was the fact that I was going to try my damn hardest on getting Danny on board on sponsoring us.
Lucky for me Daniela had called me to inform me the exciting news that she was coming to New York which I already had knew. But besides that she asked me if I could pick her up from the airport.
Of course I said yes and I was currently waiting for her at the bottom of the escalators. I wasn't a patient person so I was getting a bit irritated.
I glanced up at the escalators once again hoping she would be there but once again she wasn't.
I sighed, pulled out my phone and searched for her name to call.
Remember when I said we had practiced our fighting skills and everything that prepared us for anything? Well consider my training a success, because as soon as someone slapped my head, I turned around so fast, I twisted her arm behind their back and was ready to even break it.
But then I saw who exactly smacked my head so I let them go.
"Geez who's been abusing you?!" Daniela inquires while frowning at her arm.
I laugh softly. "I'm sorry but you know this is New York and you just never know the type of men that might hurt you." I shrug.
"True." She says still pouting at her arm.
"Oh stop being a baby and let's get you to your destination." I rolled my eyes.
We walk to the black sleek Jeep that was parked right outside the airport. I placed Daniela's bags in the trunk and climbed in the drivers seat.
"So how has life been treating you here?" She asked as she looked at her phone.
"It's been. . Fine I guess. What ab-"
"What do you mean by "fine, I guess." ?" She interrupted. She was looking at me now.
"Um it's been alright..." I laughed nervously. She tilted her head.
"But I mean it's like if you were on vacation, because you're not working and you can basically-" She frowns. I can feel her looking at me while I drive into the city. Traffic is bad, just exactly what I needed. "Rose, can I ask you a question, and you'll answer earnestly?"
I was fidgeting my fingers while we had stopped at a red light. "Um While here, in New York do you mind just calling me Lana? It's just me fooling around but you know I love living wild sometimes." I smile and throw her a small giggle.
She shrugs. "I mean yeah I guess. But you-"
"I only came to help Chris with a few problems. He wanted my. .advice on some things, since you know Fernando has passed away, he's given Chris. . .his fortunes." I informed her feeding her lies but only to keep her safe. She didn't need to know that behind my smile and my facade, I was a lair, a murderer, and a criminal.
She nods. "When will you come back to Georgia?" She asked with a worried expression.
"I'll be back soon not sure when, but you know I have to take some stress off of Chris's shoulder. But don't worry about me I'm fine." I give her my best sincere smile.
"Alright, But make it soon it's boring without you." She pouts.
I laugh, then instantly miss my kids from the pediatric hospital. The subject was going to make me tear up so I changed the subject to something that was important to me.
"So what's the meaning of your trip again?" I asked even though I already knew.
"Well-oh turn a right here." I turned into the street and there was even more traffic. "It's one of my cousin's party." She rolls her eyes. "Its a waste of my times of having days off at work. But I mean, I haven't seen him for awhile now, and I do miss him."
"You know I could join you if you don't mind. I wouldn't want you to go off on them for being in a sour mood. Or watch you from drinking too much." I was anticipating for her answer. I glanced at her and caught her looking at me.
Then she gave me a big grin. "You would do that for me? You would go to this party to watch over me?"
"Yeah of course I would. I cleared my schedule for you." I turned her way and she looked at me with admiration.
"Thank you." She said. "And its that hotel." She pointed into the direction of the biggest and only hotel in this part of the city.
"Alright I'm going to go get ready, and since my parents are probably there already, are you-"
"Oh I'll pick you up, don't worry. But what time should I be here?" I asked. She got out the car and I did too, to get her bags out.
"Hmm like at 6?"
"Okay. See you later." I confirmed, then got in the car and drove away.
~~~~~~~~~~
"It's the house on-"
I interrupted her with a look. "Daniela it's the only house with cars lining up in the driveway and streets."
She laughed and rolled her eyes. "You're right."
I parked the car in the street and pulled my black glitter dress, down.
Daniela dragged her heels in the pavement every time she walked closer to the house.
"Do you always come to your cousins birthday parties?"
"No, which is why I had to come to this one. I always make excuses to not come. Last time I made a lie that I had bad diarrhea. Him and I, kind of got distant."
I laughed and shook my head. I was curious to why and how they got distant. Was it the same situation as Chris and I?
We walked up the stairs and a big, buff, security guard was standing there.
Daniela nodded and so did the security guy. We walked past him only to find a big crowd in this Hugh mansion. It was nicely decorated and everything was pure white and gold. It was definitely a rich man's home.
"Oh Daniela dear. Over here." Daniella and I turned our heads towards her parents. We walked towards them but my attention was solely on Danny. He stood next to them while he threw me a pointed look.
More like a glare actually.
"Oh gosh. You two should talk. Both of you have many things to catch up on." Daniela's mother smiled and then looked at me. "R-"
"Oh Mrs. and Mr. Patterson, maybe they should catch up and why don't we go get a drink and catch up also?" I smiled sincerely at them.
They nodded and showed me to the kitchen. We did catch up a little of what's been going on even they knew about my engagement which was dangerous if people here found out.
God I just had to be so charismatic.
"Rose, dear-"
"It's Lana. I kind of changed it." I informed them and they nodded
"Well I didn't know that you didn't like your birth name" Mrs. Patterson giggled, "Well alright, Lana, how about we catch up later since we've been talking for twenty minutes and I haven't yet introduced myself to everyone, it would seem kind of rude. And since this chat is interesting why not catch up when you get back home? Huh dear?" She suggested
"Oh yeah of course. I'll keep myself busy." I stated. They left right after and I knew I had to somehow get to Daniela and her cousin.
I had seen that he suspected me, which wasn't good. How exactly am I going to meet him? What am I going to do?
"Oh ro-Lana! Come on I want to introduce you to my cousin." Daniela shouted.
Ha, didn't think it was this easy. Now I just have to talk to him without being suspicious and get him to close the deal.
Oh yeah no big deal. What a piece of cake this will be.