Marvin suggested that both Larry and I be present when he confronted Shantel and her father at the hotel. However, Larry disagreed.

"Marvin, we have two other meetings today, you can handle this on your own. You don't need us there. Just sort it out with them." Larry said and he was looking at me as if he were reminding me.

I looked at Marvin, understanding the weight of Larry's words. It was crucial that we attend to our other commitments, and Marvin, in his newfound determination, could face Shantel and Mr. Ross without us.

We needed to meet with the Martinez Gang and also Senator Thomas for the job I am so certain I do not want to take.

"I agree with Larry, Marvin," I said. "You can handle this. We'll be here for you if you need anything, we are a phone call away,” I said.

Marvin nodded, grateful for our support. "Thank you, both of you. I'll handle it. Let's go to the hotel."

“You still want us to go to the hotel?” I asked.

“Yes, you should welcome Shantel. At least then you can go to anywhere you want to go from the hotel,” Marvin said, smiling.

As we made our way to the hotel, my phone rang, interrupting the tense atmosphere. I glanced at the screen and saw that it was Senator Thomas calling. Marvin raised an eyebrow, curious about the unexpected call.

"Why is the Senate President calling you, Cassie?" he asked.

I hesitated for a moment, considering how much to reveal. "It's probably related to some small matter he wants me to resolve. I'll take the call outside and join you shortly." I said, I knew Marvin was not buying that but I had to say something.

Marvin was not convinced and I was also startled when he called Senator Thomas, the Senate President. How come we missed that information? Why did Larry not check who the Senator was? A Senate president was too big a title to miss out. I was really displeased.

As I stepped away to answer the call, my mind raced with the complications that seemed to multiply with every passing moment.

I knew that the call from Senator Thomas would set off a chain of events that would deepen the mystery and thrust us further into the web of intrigue that had ensnared us all.

I was not in any way killing any politician. If he wanted Senator Alby dead he should send his men or look for another assassin. Though I knew that what the Senator did in kidnapping his child to get him to step down was wrong, I would not be responsible for killing Senator Alby.

“Hello senator, how can I help?” I said as I waited for the voice on the other side of the call to respond.

After a few seconds of silence, the Senator responded.

“I do not know how you work as I have sent Larry to you twice and yet no response,” the senator replied.

“Larry is here with me and we are on a very urgent mission. When we finish this, I will let you know where I could meet with you so that we can talk about this,” I said.

“I thought you said you have men and the resources to carry out the magnitude of any job, so why are you making excuses now?” the senator said.

“I do and still do. But your job is my responsibility, as I do not want any mistakes or slips. You are the Senate President after all,” I said.

After another silence of a few seconds, I could hear discussions in the background. They were contemplating something I could comprehend.

“Whatever you want to do, let nothing happen until you see me. Do you understand Senator Thomas?” I asked.

“Yes I do, get me the time and location for our meeting when you are ready,” the Senator said and hung up the call.

When we got to the hotel, Mr. Ross and Shantel were already there seated and waiting for us. It was kind of mixed feelings for everyone.

For Larry and I, we were just neutral, in fact, we were on top of the situation because we had controlled every event and happenings around us so much that we looked like the orchestrators of the whole thing.

For Marvin, he had his own feelings. He felt he was a pun and that he was constantly being used by those he loved or those in his circle. He may be correct, but he has also contributed to it by trusting a lot of people he should not have trusted.

For the Ross family, they were apologetic for their roles in Marvin’s life, and at the same time, they were so grateful to me and Larry for helping them out of a dire situation. Shantel felt she owed me a debt.

“So you all know yourselves and how you have affected my life negatively,” Marvins said.

“That would be unfair Marvin, everything you see happening here is and was because of you. Cassie is the one everyone should be thankful for, she has given up so much for all of us,” Larry said.

“I can clearly see that,” said Marvin sarcastically.

“You can not be this ungrateful, Marvin. Your Uncle wants you dead and we are all here to ensure you live. Do you even know what Cassie has to go through recently just to ensure your safety and protection,” blasted Larry.

“Is there something that I am missing, Cassie? And why do I get the feeling that Larry is always defending you and attacking me? What is the matter?” Marvin said, raising a few concerns about how he felt about the whole situation.

I had to come in. If not, they would continue this and the argument would go on and we may not have time to achieve the aim of our mission. I also know I needed to meet with the Senator and that can only happen when I have informed the Martinez Gang.

“Can you all please calm down, there is no need for all this. We are all here for a purpose; to ensure that Marvin is free from all this and to ensure that Uncle Jonah does not have his way by endangering all of us,” I said.

“Okay, I think we are done with the pleasantries. Could we start the work? Marvin, can you show me the financials, my dad will look into that while I ensure your data is cleaned up,” Shantel said, bringing out her laptop.

“Great, Larry, we have to leave for our meetings,” I said, turning towards Larry and waving my hands to him to move towards the door.

“Larry followed us outside, he was not happy. He looked confused about the whole scenario. He could not understand what exactly was going on as it looked like I was only bringing information to him when it had happened or was stale.

“Cassie, please don’t do what you are doing to me now. I have loved you from the word go. I feel there are a lot of things you are not telling me. I know that it concerns me and you are only protecting me by not sharing them with me, but I want you to know that I do not need that type of protection. I can protect myself,” Marvin said.