It was the weekend and I was lying in the arms of Marvin without worrying if Ken was going to disrupt our togetherness. I was sure he knew about our feelings for each other. Although Marvin said he had kept the attacks and every other information from Ken, I knew Ken would be looking for anything he would take to Uncle Jonah if Ken was working for him.

“Marvin, you have not said anything about the financial records I asked you to check. Did you do it? What was the outcome?” I asked Marvin.

“Yeah, that, I have been really thinking hard because a lot of things weren’t adding up in the financials, and if you had not prior informed me about it. I would have been in a lot of trouble. I do not understand why the books look cooked up. Though the auditors are working on it, I would love to know what happened. Cass let them finish their investigation,” Marvin said while rubbing my pack with the back of his palms.

Marvin's concern about the tampering with financial books only deepened my anxiety. He had a right to know the truth, but the consequences of revealing it were too grave to bear.

As we lay in Marvin's office, the silence between us grew more palpable. The faint hum of the city outside was a stark contrast to the turmoil within. Marvin looked at me, his eyes searching for answers.

"Cass," he began, his voice gentle yet inquisitive, "I can't shake the feeling that someone close to us is involved in this financial mess and wanted me to be the bait for it. How did you find out about it?"

I hesitated, my heart pounding in my chest, torn between my loyalty to Marvin and the promise I had made to Shantel and her father. I couldn't bring myself to reveal that I had been the one to help Mr. Ross escape from the clutches of the Martinez Gang and, in return, I had forced crucial information out of him or threatened that I would rather kill him. Mr. Ross seemed like a nice man who was caught up in this web of deception.

Mr. Ross was the one who cooked the book to make Marvin take the fall, but could not finish the job when he saw his daughter’s love for Marvin. I could not tell Marvin because all this would reveal the identity that I had built over time.

"I...I overheard some rumors," I stammered, avoiding his gaze. "You know how people talk. I didn't want to worry you unnecessarily," I said.

Marvin nodded, but I could see a flicker of doubt in his eyes. I hated keeping secrets from him, but I knew that the consequences of revealing the truth were far too great.

Shantel had done everything out of love for Marvin, but her father’s actions had put all of us in danger. The Martinez Gang was relentless in its pursuit, and I knew that the danger was far from over. If Uncle Jonah has any affiliation with the Martinez Gang, which there is a likelihood that it would be so, then Marvin would need an army unless my meeting with Sancho went well.

Marvin's voice broke through my reverie. "Cass, there's something about this situation that just doesn't add up. I can't shake the feeling that we're missing a crucial piece of the puzzle." Marvi said, and looking at him he seemed quite confused about the whole scenario.

I glanced at him, my heart aching. I wished I could tell him the whole truth, and explain how Shantel's actions and her father’s association had inadvertently endangered us all. But my loyalty to Marvin was unwavering, and I couldn't bring myself to put him in any more danger.

"Marvin," I said, my voice filled with sorrow, "I promise I'll do everything I can to help you get to the bottom of this. We'll find out who's behind it, I promise."

He gave me a weary smile, his trust in me unwavering. Little did he know the web of secrets and lies that entangled us all. I could only hope that, in time, the truth would come to light without any more harm befalling those we cared about.

I knew I had to get to Sancho before the swearing-in ceremony of the new Gang Leader of the Martinez Gang. Sancho would give more advantage and I would know who placed the target on Mr. Ross.

“Do you think Ken has anything to do with it,” Marvin asked me as I was trying to wrap him all over me as we lay in bed.

“I would have loved that but I don’t think that Ken was involved. I think people close to you are the ones trying to bring you down,” I said.

"But why would anyone want to harm me so that they would do something like that? That could have made me end up in jail for more than fourteen years," Marvi said as if he was naive that his life had always been threatened.

"You can start with someone who has that level of clearance to manipulate the financial report," I said.

"I will wait for their investigation before I will do anything," Marvin said,

"Can you draw a list and let that list include me," I said,

"Cass, everyone knows you cannot interpret the financial books of anything, let alone the M&M industry," Marvin said.

"No, Mavin, please think, I am only asking you to use me as bait," I said, thinking of a way to let the world know of how corrupt Uncle Jonah was.

I was sure that after the audit report, Uncle Jonah would be exposed and Marvin would have one less adversary. I sincerely have to get into a position where Marvin's life or mine is not in danger anymore. I knew he could not marry me, but I was ready to give up my life for his. I love him and no one would kill him except me.

I have the Martinez Gang to engage and, on the other hand, I have Uncle Jonah, who I have now certified has been secretly wishing ill for Marvin and wanted the company by all means. I was going to ensure that Uncle Jonah was neutralized and was no longer a threat or danger to Marvin.