I’ve always been naïve my life, but I have never been so confused, just like what Kian is saying right now. The mere silence between us was suffocating me. My mind was shut down and the mere thought of Denver being a gangster never crossed my mind. He doesn’t look like one.
Gangsters are affiliated with the word ‘dangerous’. I’ve never met a gangster nor seen them in a fight. They are like the black sheep of society. And for all I care, they do have something to deal with rather than going into a fight whenever they want to.
I bit my lips as I was staring back at Kian who was adamant to know my reaction. All I could show him is how confused I am. He fixed the glasses that almost fell on his thigh before he suspires. He knew that I will be demented, and he needs to explain it, or else, I won’t believe him.
“You’re suspicious of me?” he asked, calmer than earlier. “You never thought that your husband might be one of those?”
I nodded. “I just can fathom the instances that he is a gangster, Kian. It’s hard to believe those speculations about him.”
“Yeah, I know.” He glanced outside the window and motioned me to go outside with him. I obliged and saw that the bridge was a perfect place to see the moon up close. It was full and shining golden amidst the dark sky.
“When I first hear his name, it’s stuck inside my head that he’s too powerful in our city.” I felt him behind me at a distance. His hands were at his back and his eyes are glued on the moon. “Having the surname ‘Velasquez’ and being the son of an elite army General screams ascendancy. You’re already aware how vast their influence is just by how they help in getting back your family’s company.”
“How come he’s a gangster? They are a well-known family in our city, and even here?”
“He’s part of an elite gang, with a purpose and mission.” He takes a gander at me with a serious expression. “A mission is given by people who control them.”
“You mean, he works in an underground organization?” I asked, voice weakened. “Their mission is for good, isn’t it?”
“That is what I do not know yet, Sha,” he whispered. “I am much more worried about you.”
“Kian…”
“You’re not just a friend to me, you’re like my sister. Worrying about your safety is also my priority.” He held both of my shoulders and stared down straight into my eyes. He looks so bothered, which I noticed infrequently. “Their enemies are after them, and they might use you to lure them out.”
“H-how did you know about this?”
“My father owns a unit for investigators and detectives. We legally gather personal information, so it’s not hard for me to know much about people.”
“I didn’t know that,” I mumbled. “You have Velasquez’s family’s information too?”
“It’s hard to navigate them as they do have their team, but I somehow have their data.”
I nodded before Kian remove his hand from my shoulders. I leaned my body on the railing of the bridge. Not only that, but I can help but be worried, too. The thing about gangsters is that there’s always a disaster. Even if their will is for a good cause, the opposition of their group is after them. And if I confirm it to Denver, my worries will worsen as I slowly have answers to my questions.
The gunshots I heard when Elijah called Denver, the van following me and Daniel, and the suspicious guy who is, unfortunately, my classmate. I need to be cautious. And also… the guy wearing a sleeveless shirt that night.
“I get it now,” I said. “A few months ago, just after I moved out from our hometown, someone was following me and Denver.” I looked at Kian who was waiting for me to continue. “I remember, a man who follows us has a tattoo on his arm.”
“What kind of tattoo?”
“A hawk.”
With the help of the moonlight, I saw how Kian’s face paled upon hearing that. He walks back slowly after distancing himself from me. He pursed his lips as his eyes turned cold and merciless. His jaw clenched for a second but he immediately hid it when he looked away.
“Kian?”
“You’re one of their targets?” He held his head as he looks down now. “No… This can’t be happening. Not even you.”
“What are you saying, Kian?”
“The thing about The Hawk is that they are merciless. They do not follow orders.”
“The Hawk?”
“They are known gangsters in Clivette University, but only a few students knew their identity... Jake Hart is their new leader. Though no one knows about him yet being this powerful, they are the counterparts of The Falcon.” He removed his glasses and put them in his pockets. He puts something on his eyes, and it’s weird to see him wearing contacts. “Let’s go.”
“Where are we going?”
“To a place where no one will find you.” He held my hand and guided me back into his car. He leaned forward and whispered something. “I promise, I will explain everything to you.”
I nodded but at the same time, I am terrified because of everything I found out. It was the first time that I sneaked out this late. I trust Kian wholeheartedly, but knowing that someone is waiting for me is bothering me. I want to know about my husband more, and this is the only way to do that.
The whole ride was an eerie silence for us. It was a long drive; I do not even know where we are. The road is already full of tall trees and grasses and feels like I am in a horror film. A mansion was the first thing I noticed when Denver stopped the car.
“It’s already 10:15. We prepared everything for you.”
“We?” I asked, confused.
“I’ll explain later, Sha.”
A maid assisted me inside the mansion. It was so majestic that I almost forgot what I’m supposed to be doing there. The overhead surface is filled with gold linens, the windows are tall with long brown curtains, and the overall color of the mansion was white. A long staircase on the right and rooms on the second floor was the first thing a person will see as per entering this grand mansion.
We went to one of the rooms on the second floor. The maid prepares what I wear before she leaves. I wear it then went to the king-sized bed on the corner. The window was shut closed, but the moonlight was still shining through it. It was the only source of light in this room until someone entered and turned it on.
“Sharmienne, you left your phone.” He handed it to me and I simply smiled at him. “I’m sorry if I dragged you here.”
“It’s okay. I was just surprised to see you earlier.” I looked down and played with my fingers. “Denver might look for me.”
“You won’t be showing up for a while, Sha. It’s dangerous to be with him yet. I will be the one to bring you back once this is over.”
“For how long?”
“I do not know yet.” He sat on the bed, not close to me, before he stares in my direction. “It’s your semestral break, so you don’t need to worry about your class.”
“Okay.”
I pursed my lips and hesitated if I will ask him. I suddenly remember that Elijah mentioned ‘targets’. One of those surnames is the Forthaliez which is Kian’s. Maybe Denver’s friends are also gangsters? Knowing that they mentioned those surnames that are quite unfamiliar to me.
“I remembered one of Denver’s friends mentioned your last name, and that was the time I asked you if you’d met my husband,” I told him.
“I see… They are gathering information about The Hawk. If you’re aware of that, then maybe their gang is not exclusive at all.”
“They just randomly mentioned it, even his friends,” I uttered.
He nodded. “You’re already aware of their existence, the only thing you could do is pretend as if you don’t have any idea about them.”
“Why? Is it treacherous for me to confirm this to my husband?”
“For the meantime, Sharmienne.” He handed me a metallic bracelet that has a small stone in the middle. It was tiny that it was not visible if not stared closely. “Put this on you. You can sense who are those people to avoid. It detects people with hawk tattoos, which means they are a member of The Hawk gang.”
“I will.”
“We need to help each other in order to protect those people who might get involve.” He gave me a meaningful look. “And that also includes your older sister, Carmienne.”
My eyes widened. I was about to ask him, but then someone entered the room. A familiar scent lingered around as I gasped when I confirmed it as someone called me.
“Long time no see, sis.”