Ryan fired his final round from his revolver taking down all the lined-up cans. Logan pouted, “I can’t believe with this much grey hair, you still manage to beat me every shoot out, Dad.”

“Not my fault, son. Just the best at what I do.”

Logan leaned on his father’s shoulders, “What you used to do.” He corrected, Ryan forced a smile. “Used to.”

It was their usual weekend shootout and it was among the few times the father and son spent time with each other.

After Logan’s return from England for his PhD, he threatened to run off if his father didn’t quit the underworld and he did. Capitalizing on his father’s love for him, he made efforts to legalize Morales Group into a legal stream of businesses to take over Blackwood.

Four years was all it took for Morales Group to take over Blackwood Heights and the international market. Making them the richest in the province and Logan was in charge.

“Boss!” Julian, Ryan’s right-hand man rushed in with a newspaper in his hands. “Senator Brandon has been murdered.”

Handing the newspaper to vibrating Ryan, “How is that even possible? I spoke to him last week.”

“That ladybird bitch got to him first,” Julian added.

“Shit!” Ryan kicked the air, “what about the container permit? Did he sign that before his death?”

Julian nodded negative causing Ryan to cuss even louder.

“Dad, what’s going on? What containers are you talking about?”

Ryan who had forgotten his son was present, straightened his face. “Nothing, son. How about you go to the car while I join you later?”

Logan eyed Julian before reluctantly giving them space.

“What’s wrong with Logan? When is he going to actually prove himself as boss?” Julian frowned.

“Hey hey!” Ryan hit him, “Keep Logan out of this. He’s good at handling the clean deals that keep the cops off our tails and I’ll appreciate if you keep it so.” Pacing about before asking, “What about our men? None of them have caught up with this ladybird assassin?”

“No.” Julian shook his head, “if anything they all seem a little scared to go after her. Fifty-one clean kills without a trace…that’s scary. The last message she left, gave the clue that Brandon was her last kill.”

“Last kill?”

“Yes, she inscribed it in his blood.”

Ryan nodded, “too bad, she would have been a good asset for the gang.”

They observed some seconds of silence before Ryan broke it.

“For now, move on to the next aide for the container approval. Those weapons need to touch down in Blackwood Heights in the next two days. I don’t care who needs to be silenced. Take Diego with you, he’s good with last-minute gigs.”

“Yes, boss.”

Ryan patted his shoulders before walking out. His steps halted halfway as he turned to Julian,

“Next time don’t share information in front of Logan. He’s going to conform to the gang soon…but for now…keep it clean with him.”

“Noted, boss.” He bowed slightly.

Pulling the door of the SUV, he hopped in.

“I hope I didn’t keep you waiting for too long CEO?”

Logan looked up from his phone, “no, dad. It’s the weekend anyway. The only job I have to do at the office today is some last-minute interview.”

Ryan tapped the driver to kick-start the vehicle.

“What interview?”

Logan leaned back on the seat, “Actually, Sarah just quit her job impromptu and now I have to hire a new assistant.”

“Sarah? Who’s that?

“Really, Dad?” Logan frowned, “you promised to do better with conversing yourself with the company’s details, and yet you don’t know the name of my former assistant?”

“Sorry, son.” Tapping Logan’s thighs, “Forgive your old man. I have so many things to figure out already.”

“You’re not that old dad and Sarah worked with me for four years.”

“So why’d she suddenly quit?”

“I don’t know.” Logan heaved, “She wrote something about security reasons and her pregnancy so I had no choice but to approve her resignation.”

“If you want her back. I could bring her back, you know?”

“How? By using force?” Staring at his father intently, “You promised to dissipate anything that has to do with the gang, Dad. Or were you lying?”

Ryan gasped, “Of course not! I’m just saying I still have some strings I might pull.” He shrugged his shoulders.

“I don’t need you to pull any strings.” Logan reaching for his office file, “I just want you to enjoy retirement and go through the company’s audit I placed on your desk at home.”

“Stop here!” Logan ordered the drive, letting him find a space in front of the company’s skyscraper. Leaning forward to receive a kiss from his father, “Have a great day, Dad.”

“You too, son.”

Stepping down from the SUV, two security guards rushed at him helping him with his office file. “Welcome to work, sir.”

“Thank you.” Lifting his wristwatch to his face, he said, “Do you know if the applicants have been waiting for too long?”

The guards threw each other a confused glance before nodding, “No, sir.”

Heading out of the elevator, he brisked past the empty desks of his staff, going straight to his office. The transparent glass let him see Linda, the branch manager waiting to receive him. “Good afternoon, sir.”

“Afternoon, Linda. Where are the applicants for the interview?”

Her smile weaned, her palms clasped against each other. “Actually sir, only one applicant showed up.”

“Wow!” He gasped before catching his breath, “How about you send in the applicant.”

“Yes sir.” She bowed lightly, doubling her pace as she walked.

Heaving a sigh, he settled in his office, opening up his file when a mild knock hit the door.

“Come in.” He smiled.

With every step her cologne swept all over the room, lifting up his head to meet her gaze. He thinned his eyes seeing her straight face and bouncy auburn hair, he didn’t need anyone to brief him that she wasn’t from Blackwood Heights.

“How about you take a seat? Miss-“

“Emily.” Her sonorous voice answered his mind's question. “Emily Grant.” Her hands stretched for a handshake, he took it. “Nice to meet you.”