“Will you go to war with me when I call for it or will you stay? I have protected your legacy and kept out your wrong leaders. What will you do? Because I need you now more than ever." I said, looking at every member of the table one after the other in their eyes. I wanted to see and know their reaction.

“'How do you want us to go to war with our employer? He pays fifty percent of what we earn. The factory only does twenty percent of that," Sancho said.

"I am glad you keep the records, so if you want a hundred percent you had better help me keep your position," I said, trying to make them see that not going to war with me is a loss for all and then a win for the contractor.

"Cassie, it is not our war and whether we like it or not, it is you that the Contractor will come for," Sancho said.

"Okay, let's say you are correct. So you think he won't come for the gang? Have you forgotten so soon, Sancho? I am a member of this table and I am number one in the ranking of the assassins. I killed all his men from number five to number one. That's how I became number one for the Contractor and two of those kills were to help you all ascend to this table. Have you all forgotten " I said.

"I did not. In fact, you are right and that is why we need to be careful too," said Sancho.

"Well, if the Contractor does not come for you, I will come for you. But you know that there is no way he will not come for you lot" I said.

"What are you implying, Cassie?" asked Sancho.

"I saved your ass twice, the life of your family and I single-handedly set up this table you have today. Without me there would have been chaos in the Martinez Gang," I said.

"I know Cassie, you don't have to lay emphasis on that," Sancho said, trying to be clever.

"No, you don't know. If not, you will know which wrath you want to avoid. Mine or his," I said, putting him on the spot for a choice.

There was a lot of confusion that followed the quietness and silence after my speech. It was like they were agreeing without speaking.

"Then we need guns and a lot of them. And you had better be sure to do the needful fast. If not, we would be losing a lot of good men to this madness,” said Sancho. He was not quite pleased, but he would not want to go against me as everyone now knows who made this table work again.

The table voted in favour of my madness. It was another win for me. They wanted me to protect the gang and plan on how we would get the businesses if and when we severe our connection with the Contractor.

Larry was my man in the mask at the table. Everyone had to come with a

bodyguard in a mask. I am sure beneath that mask he was smiling and happy that I had returned to myself and my emotions in check. Though he thinks going head-to-head with the Contractor is bad for business.

Sancho and I had a private meeting. He wanted reassurance that I knew what I was doing or things would rapidly go southwards.

I asked him if I had ever missed one step since he knew. He acknowledged that I had been a superb strategist. I told him I was never going to fail, because the consequences of failing were far much greater than the consequences of getting it right.

"Sancho, thank you for believing in me. Trust me, when I am done we will make more money than we ever envisaged,” I said. I was glad that he saw what I was doing as a good plan to eliminate these forces and then start a new life with the gang.

I went to the car and told Larry to drive to the office.

"Larry, we need to speak, but not today. There are a lot of things I want you to know so that we can plan better."

We chose the evening of that day. Larry was going to check that things were the way we wanted them to be, as it seems we do not know when the Contractor may decide to strike so that we don't get outplayed by the Contractor.

I knew that the contractor would be expecting Marvin to die and the documents were handed over to him, but he would be surprised when I will tell him I could not get the job done.

When I am through with the Contractor, I will have to tell Marvin about everything.

I was happy to have Sancho on my side. It made the table members of the gang swing in my favour.

Rose came by the office. She said she had not been seeing either me or the Managing Director. She asked if Marvin had any girlfriends. I said yes and that they were planning to get married very soon.

I was curious and wanted to know why, but we laughed it off.

"Why should I even ask that question when I know the truth," Rose said.

"What is the truth please?” I asked.

"Everybody knows you two are a thing," she said.

"Good for them, but we are not a thing and I am his security aide," I said.

"You could not even say that convincingly. From a cleaner to his head of security in less than six months is awkward, don't you think so? Rose asked.

"I don't think so, you too should not," I said.

"It doesn't make sense to me, Cass," Rose said.

"But you were promoted too, so does that not make sense too?" I asked.

"I was because you were promoted and you are my friend," said Rose.

As Rose left my office, I knew something was wrong with her attitude. I understand that she acts like she does not have anything to do with Uncle Jonah, but I do not want to take anything for granted. So I asked Larry to look into Rose for me. She is becoming too curious and inquisitive for my liking.

I like Rose but I need to know if she is working for Uncle Jonah or not. I still do suspect her husband and Ken, but I need some more concrete reasons to make informed decisions.