Bloody Hunters Saga - Red Moon Love Book 1

The Red Moon crowned the darkness. It was the night when creatures of the underworld would lurk and satiate their thirst. Howls ascended in the Mirval Forest on one side, and on another, growls penetrated the thick moldy trees shaking their leaves on the ground. An eerie wind mixed the sounds in a way that a human heart would be doomed to death.

Mika Reigna was running for her life under the strict watch of the Red Moon. She couldn't see in front of her, but she kept running. Through the forest, branches punched her solar plexus and played with her golden hair in a dark game. Her clothes got scratches and were ripped off in places. Blood from her neck would make its way on her white satin shirt like a thin snake. The creature gave the start of a life and death marathon when the clock stroke midnight.

A blackish mist covered the path for Mika to find no sanctuary. Icy shivers crawled on her body, dancing in a chaotic tune. With a bruised face from the cruel forest, dirty olive pants, one shoe lost in the escape, falling and rising again, she was running without looking behind.

The Devil was after her, at least that was what she thought. She only saw two bloody eyes, a pair of sharp fangs, and a towering, sturdy male body.

Mika's regret was she had fought with her mother for a silly matter right before she might end up dead. When her mother demanded not the see that young man again in her life, she stormed out of the house, slamming the door. A behavior she couldn't correct if the night demanded her soul.

The manly creature pursued her trail of blood with an unearthly speed. Mika's blood scent aggravated his senses, driving him crazy to the point of losing control. It was the fragrance of an exotic sweet rose that would tickle his nostrils and inserting the lust of devouring her. His raven-hued wavy hair strands were rebelling along his face, revealing his chiseled jawline. He still had the honey drops of her blood on his lips, tasting them with the tip of his tongue.

"Help me! Somebody! Open the door!" Mika screamed when she finally found a cottage in the heart of the wood, knocking frenetically on the door. No answer came. She searched the windows to see a light, something to give her hope. It was pitch-black inside and no noise would surface to let her in. "Why? Just why?" she cried, crumbling on the cold ground. Her breath was heavier with each effort she made. A pressing weakness reigned her body. "I can't die.... I'm only 18.... I.... haven't...," she protested with her last viable strength before she passed out.

Death reached the premises to encounter its prey. The creature saw the shades of the Red Moon waving over Mika's body like a signal of protection. He shook his head and looked again. His guts were trooping to have her as a heavenly supper, his mind was blocking him to progress on having her pure blood. It was one of a kind blood type. In his over 500 years of existence, it was the first time he had such a blood. The sight of her was that of an injured angel. "What have I done? Who's this girl?" The devil raged coming back to his senses. His scarlet eyes disappeared, and navy-blue ones took their place.

Thomas DiAngelo took the girl's petite body into his arms. Her heart was skipping a beat every two beats. She had long curled lashes, faded prune glossy plump lips, and porcelain skin. Her beauty was nobiliary. "I will save you. I didn't mean to." He whispered into the girl's ear that felt like a rose petal when he approached his cheek to her head. "You will not die because of me," he continued with a husky voice.

Though he didn't know who she was and how she crossed path with him on his own vast dominion, Thomas's heart, mind and body were prone in a familiar connection with her. His immortal heart awakened a warm feeling under the Red Moon's cold craziness. It was so long since this sort of feelings invaded his deadly being.

On his way back to his castle-like mansion, at the limit of the forest, a pack of gigantic wolves, with sparkling red eyes, surrounded them. Thomas stopped with the girl and stared at the black-brown creature right in front of him.

The wolf made a step forward and shapeshifted into a man with a muscular body, black-brown wavy hair, black olive eyes, bare chest and black leather pants, kneeling with his head down. He was the Alpha. "Master, we failed to contain you. This Red Moon was stronger. The new spell wasn't powerful enough to keep you in chains. You murdered two of our mates. That girl's smell, when her car crashed into the gate, drove you insane. We don't know how she found her way here. Ronald saw another car chasing her. When she hit the gate, that car drove away without checking on her. Luke and Vic are investigating as we speak." Drake felt guilty he couldn't prevent the rush of bad events that crowned the night.

"Drake, I'm sorry for your mates...." Thomas was sincere and hurting for the loss of his people under his madness. "I don't know her, but I won't let another one die tonight. Call the witch immediately! We will need her for this one...." His eyes moved at the girl in his arms who was at her last mile of life. Who is she? She's.... Special.... I feel her in my heart though I don't know her.... What's the meaning of this?

"We can take her inside the mansion, Master. You need to be protected from the Red Moon. We don't know if you will burst again. It's dangerous." Drake knew how ferocious and uncontrollable his Master was. He had lived with him for over 200 years.

"No need for that. I manage it now. Do as I say! I will take care of her. Send more people to help Luke and Vic." Though he was giving orders, Thomas's stare was lingering over the girl's face and body. How could I do this? She's no threat.... She's a weak, young girl....

"Your wish is my command, Master!" Drake turned to one of the wolves on his right and thundered in his Alpha voice. "Vilore! Take more men and go after Luke and Vic." The wolf bowed on his front legs and galloped with three other pack members to assist the investigators. "Mike? Go and fetch the witch! After she will deal with the girl, I will have a word with her for the failed spell!"

"Yes, sir!" Mike proceeded with the task.

The noises and words reverberated in Mika's head, causing her to attempt opening her eyes and move her limbs. She sensed her body in the air supported by muscular arms. What she could see, for the second she succeeded to have control over her being, was a handsome young man gazing at her lips. It was like she saw the most good-looking man in the world. She hadn't seen a more beautiful creature than he was. When she realized blood was on his mouth, a flash of what happened stroke her spine. Her jade eyes widened and fainted once again, giving a prolonged exhale.

"Hey! Wake up! Don't die on me!" Thomas was shaking her in his arms while reaching the mansion's living room.

The witch made her appearance right then with a commanding attitude, stare and grimace, rushing to the victim to assist her. "Put her on the table! Now! There is no time to lose!"

Thomas placed Mika's breathless body on the table and gave room for the witch to work her magic. "Just don't let her die, or else...." A deadly frown appeared on his face at the witch, revealing his predator fangs. I don't know why, but she mustn't die....

"Don't threaten me while I work if you want me to save her! Stay away! It's your fault, not mine! You bloody monster! Look what you have done! And you have the nerve to threaten me! Humph!" The witch was assessing the girl with an angry but investigating stare.

She placed two candles on the table having Mika in between. One was white and the other black. She spread her magical herbs on the body and lit the candles. "Alma sortis, Alma entris!" First words she started the ritual with. "What's her name?" She asked with her eyes closed.

"I don't know who she is or what business she had around here." Thomas answered with a submissive voice.

"But you want to save her?" The witch kept her eyes closed but her words had a mocking tone.

"Yes! She's innocent!" Thomas yelled, revealing once more his commanding Alpha.

"Since when innocence matters to you?" She mocked the vampire in a double voice laughter.

"Olivia! Are you going to save her or not?" Thomas flashed revengeful eyes at the witch.

The black-haired woman with fair skin, opened her green eyes and fired a glare at the vampire. "I save humans, but I can't stand when you do such things and call me in the middle of the night! She's infected by you now! Red Moon is the most infectious! I need her name!" Olivia hissed at him with her discontent.

"Save her now! We will discuss afterwards! Annoying as always!" Thomas had an outrage, pointing at the girl.

"Her name!" demanded Olivia.

"I don't know!" thundered Thomas.

Olivia took a silver knife from her black bag that had engraved 'Viva Sangre' in small rubies. "You're gonna pay me back for this, Master! It will cost you a fortune!" said the witch mounting on the table over Mika's body like she would on a horse.

"Just bring her back in human form. Price to pay doesn't matter. It's yours." Thomas agreed to the witch's terms.

"Don't forget your pledge, Master! Drake! Come here and keep her hands still! She's gonna go into shock for a few times, badly. Don't let her move once I start! No matter what happens, don't let her move and neither of you touch me or her until I say so. Just her hands, Drake!" She went into her ritual state.

"Understood." Drake did per instructions, enforcing his strength with his hands over Mika's.

"Aliarti Sangri! Hariti songeo Maila! Arias podenco humis plare! Horti deti, valgi seti!" The witch started chanting and rising the knife with her hands over her head, pointing its tip in Mika's direction. "Alehora, alehora, alehora!" Her eyes were closed. "Magri suna, magri astra, magri luna, magri huma!" She said right before she stabbed herself in the heart. Blood would pour on Mika's body. The witch had her mouth with blood from the injury. She spitted blood on Mika's face and on her lips. Her eyes were now a glowing yellow-dark orange. Olivia took the knife out of her own heart. "Sangri viva, Sangri soma, Sangri suri, Sangri Viva!" she ordered with a trembling but strong voice. The witch waited no more and stabbed Mika's heart with the same knife having her blood on it.

When the knife pierced Mika's body and penetrated her heart, she went into shock. Drake held her nailed to the table with all his might. A human wouldn't be a problem for Drake, but the ritual and the spoiled blood she had after being bitten by Thomas, under the Red Moon, would make her a supernatural being.

The girl's eyes opened. She had blood in them. They were no longer human eyes. Mika would scream as if a demon took her place. She tossed with force under the witch and Drake's restrain.

"Keep her still no matter what!" ordered Olivia before she passed out.

"What is she doing? Are you kidding me?" asked Drake not knowing what to do first: keeping Mika under control or helping the witch who apparently died.

"She's not dead. Restrain the girl." said Thomas while his eyes turned bloody again.

"Master? Are you OK?" inquired Drake worried at the sight of him. Red Moon was still up, and his Master wasn't a safe creature around others.

"I am," he replied with a sort of hiss in his voice, "it's her blood that's stirring me up, but I will manage." He assured Drake keeping his deadly stare on both the witch and Mika.

Mika went into shock a few times and gasped for air with such noise that awakened the witch. The witch kept her hand with the knife in the girl's heart all this time, though she was unconscious.

"Ala iacta daemo, ala ioris, ala vivi, ala huma!" chanted the witch while Mika started to calm down a bit.

Blood from Mika's eyes disappeared, remaining only in her iris's area. She started breathing normally. The young girl felt the pressure and coldness of the witch's knife. An atrocious pain made her scream as if a pig was butchered. "Don't kill me!" she begged crying.

Olivia pulled the knife out from her heart. "I am reviving you, darling, not killing you," said the witch on a comforting tone.

The blood from both the witch and Mika absorbed in their skin. The wounds made by the knife closed in a second.

"You will now go to sleep, dear." The witch announced Mika while the girl closed her eyes and turned her head on the right side into sleeping.

The candles went off by themselves and Oliva descended from Mika. "Take her in a bedroom," she said to Drake, "she will be sleeping until morning. This girl won't remember anything from what happened." She continued turning around to face Thomas. "You can tell her whatever related to her coming here. For the pay, I will let you know in the following days. I need to restore my energy. Don't disturb me, I will contact you." Her last words before she took her things and went for the exit. She had fine features for a woman. Her body was curvy and healthy. Men would fall in love with her at first sight.

"Contact me soon, witch. I need other things discussed with you for that business." mentioned Thomas while looking at Olivia's back.

"Sure thing, babe." Her footsteps left the mansion.

Drake carried Mika upstairs in a guest bedroom and put her in the bed to rest. When he approached to put a blanket on her, his heart started racing and felt hot. It was long since he had such a reaction to a female. In fact, he couldn't remember if he had experienced that strong of a reaction before and in such short amount of time. "Maybe it's the Red Moon that affects me...." He shook his head and left the room with Mika alone.

Downstairs, Thomas was sitting at the bar having a Jack on the rocks. Who is this girl and why do I feel the need to protect her?

"She is sleeping. I think she will be alright." interrupted Drake his master's thinking processes.

"Yeah? Strange...." said Thomas, having the remainder of the Jack in one shot.

"What's strange?" asked Drake.

"I never care about humans. If they get into my business and end up injured or dead, I am fine with it. Olivia was right. Since when do I care about innocence?" The vampire expressed his true feelings and thoughts. "What's so special about her? She's just a plain girl that happened to come across my estate and disturb me. I must have lost my mind. You know me, I am never like this. I respect humans, but I never walk the mile of saving them if I do something to them. I am cold inside all the time."

"Maybe because she's just a kid?" attempted Drake to clear the situation.

"I don't know. She is infectious. I can feel that." said the vampire pouring another glass of Jack. "Want some?"

"I should refrain from drinking tonight. Why do you think she's infectious?" asked Drake sitting on the chair next to his master.

"She draws you to devour her, but then to protect her. It made me go crazy at the smell of her blood. I am never like that. I have my well-established limits. I am who I am." stated Thomas while playing with his glass of Jack.

"Don't worry, Thomas. I will send her out tomorrow. I will make sure to tell her something plausible and take her home. She will not bother you again. On another side, you made me proud tonight." Drake had a change of mind and served himself with a straight Jack.

"Really? Why?" inquired the vampire with his right eyebrow raised and a grin on his face.

"You stopped and didn't kill her. When you start something like that, it's a dead end for the other party. I guess you still have a little soft side after all." said Drake with a warm hidden smile on his lips.

"Soft side? Ha-ha! Don't joke on that." Thomas cocked his head at Drake with incredulity in voice. He defended himself in front of him, but he knew Drake was right. Something changed in him and had a soft spot for that girl. At least, he wouldn't want her dead or injured.

No other occurrences happened that night. Mika slept like a baby, undisturbed, until morning, just as the witch predicted.

Sunlight danced on Mika's face when birds started singing to announce the start of a new day. She bruised the sheets on the bed, and woke up with a pillow in her arms, pressing it to her chest, like a baby holding a teddy bear tight. The tickle from the sunlight on her eyelids made her creep her eyes, and glance on the window. A blur was in place, as she was still sleepy, but she could see a magnolia tree in front of the window. Such calm and peace she felt that provoked her in a stretch and yawn, in a relaxing pose. Her entire being was telling her that she was in a place called home.

At least, that was what Mika envisioned. Nothing from the previous night met her mind. It was as if none of the horrors occurred.

I haven't slept so good in ages. My bed has become so comfortable. I finally feel like home.

"I see you have awakened." A male voice made its presence known.

"What?! Who is this? What are you doing in my room?" screamed Mika covering herself with the blanket, searching the room to see where the voice came from.

"My name is Drake Clifford. This is my boss's home." replied Drake, standing up from the armchair he sat on until Mika woke up.

"Your boss's what? This is my...." she protested before being fully aware that it was indeed not her own room. "Where did you say I am? What am I doing here? What happened?" asked Mika with concern and fright of the unknown in her voice.

Drake lessened the distance between him and her bed, dressed in a last trends black suit, white shirt and a black-blue tie, glaring at her messy hair and baby face. "Last night you crashed your car in the main gate, hit your head and started hallucinating. Seemingly another car was chasing you. The other car didn't stop. Our men saw you, and when they tried to assist you, you went crazy, ran on our estate in the domain's forest. When you reached midway, you collapsed. Probably because you hit your head in the accident. A doctor came last night at our boss's orders and gave you attendance. Everything is normal, no injuries. He put your actions on the shock caused by the accident. You will be fine in due time. I brought you here to rest and recover. Once you would gain consciousness, we should settle things, which we are doing now." Mika was with widened eyes and a dropped jaw still holding the blanket to cover her. "So, may I know your name?"

"I can't remember anything.... That's strange.... A car accident.... Chased by another car.... Became crazy.... That really doesn't sound like me.... Are you sure?" She was trying to recollect the events.

"Why would I lie to you?" Drake's eyebrows went up.

"No, I am sorry. I didn't mean it like that. I'm just not remembering what happened. Umm, my name is Mika, Mika Reigna." Her voice had a more relaxed tone.

"Nice to meet you, Mika, though the encounter is not in the best circumstances." He extended his hand to receive a handshake.

Mika stared at his hand for a few seconds. "Oh, yeah, nice to meet you, too, Drake." She accepted the handshake to Drake's smiling.

"How do you feel now? Anything bothering you?" He consulted her wellbeing with his eyes after last night's harm.

"No, I feel fine. Everything is good, even my sleep was the best since I can't remember." She checked herself with her stare and hands.

"That's good news. Your car is not in a good shape. We worried you might have some internal problems, even though doc said you are fine. Then, where do you live, who can we contact to report what happened to you? Your parents? We haven't found your phone on you or in your car. So, we had to wait until we could ask you about." Drake wanted to move things forward and take her to her own life.

"My phone? I forgot it at home after I fought with mom...." She stopped as she was reminiscing from the previous night in bits. "I argued with mom because of the will and ran outside. Our attorney's son was waiting outside to drive me to Brightstone, to take over my dad's company this morning. I refused to get in his car and took mine. I was furious because mom was against his counseling. She wants to wait for a few months. I cried a lot in the car because of my father's sudden death, and immediate responsibilities I have. At some point, a black car was flashing in my rear mirror, speeding behind me, and I instinctively turned the wheel to the right side of the road, crashing in a gigantic gate. That's all I can gather as last night's events." She was moving her eyes left and right attempting to recall more, but to no avail.

"My condolences." Drake took a grimace, a sincere one, to match his words.

"Thank you. A kind stranger. Hard to find one nowadays." Her eyes studied his face, standing up. "I have disturbed this house for too long. My apologies to you and your boss. If you can call me a taxi to take me to Brightstone, it would be great. I have no phone, but I have a credit card in my car to pay for the expenses. I will also pay for my stay here, doctor and gate repairs. I have the means for it, no worries. Just send me the bills." Mika's person was turning into a strong, confident lady, nothing like the previous night's girl. You wouldn't have said she was only a kid.

Drake was moved by this reaction and became interested in her. "You don't have to worry about all that. Nobody is asking you to pay for anything. It was an accident and we are all relieved no human lives were lost. There's no need for a taxi. I will take you wherever you need to go." He was glaring into her eyes with intensity.

"No, no, no. I never subject myself to be in debt to no one. I will pay for everything. Damages I made, will be cleared. That's how it should be, and that's how it will be. I accept nothing else as a settlement. I appreciate your kindness and help, but you guys are not obliged in any way to support my wrong doings. We have no relationship whatsoever. That's final." Her words hit the air with an unwavering will. She spoke like a true businesswoman.

"We don't need that. It's really fine." Drake waved his hand at her to match his words, being captured into the girl she was. Something was blossoming inside of him by each word they exchanged.

"I have decided, and nothing is to be different than what I said. Where are my clothes?! These aren't mine!" Her eyes flew into shock, realizing she was wearing a nightgown that wasn't hers.

"One of our maids changed you. Yours were dirty and ragged because of the accident and falling in the woods. No male touched you, other than me carrying you here to rest. The maid came and changed you afterwards. We couldn't let you sleep like that. She cleaned you a bit and dressed you." He cleared the situation fast as Mika was launching fiery spears with her eyes in distress. His heart was pounding over this, another thing that wasn't normal for one like Drake.

"The maid? OK! I don't like to be touched! Jesus! That's a relief. I really was a burden to you all. Can I take a shower and get my clothes back? I really need to get going. Some businessman is after my company since the news of my father's death hit the industry. Time is precious at this point for me." Mika asked with hurry, scanning the room for her clothes and the bathroom.

"We trashed your clothes; new ones are there. The maid bought you some similar ones this morning. You can use them, they are yours." Drake pointed at the armchair opposite to the one he sat on for a few hours, waiting for her to wake up.

"And the bathroom?" Her eyes were looking around.

"The bathroom is right around the corner, near the dressing room. You have everything you need in there. The maid also equipped the bathroom with all you would require. But if there's something missing, you can just ask her. I will send her here right now. I will excuse myself and let you change. She will bring you downstairs to have breakfast, then we will leave to Brightstone." He quickly instructed and exited the room, leaving Mika with no opportunity to say more.

She's bossy and inquisitive. Never seen a girl like her. She must be older than she looks. This girl wasn't even impressed by me. She's only down to business. Drake was going down the stairs to order the maid.

Twenty minutes later, Mika went downstairs, guided by the maid, to find Drake at a huge dining-table, waiting to have breakfast together. "There's no need for that, thank you. We should be going." She said, urging him to take her to a crucial meeting for her and her mother's lives. She knew things will get dirty at the company, and her presence there was vital.

"Why hurry? I didn't have a chance to eat as I wanted to keep company to each other during breakfast. That's only polite. Take a seat and let's eat. It will not take forever." Drake threw her a handsome smile and appointed her seat on the other side of the table, to face him.

"I...." Mika was intrigued in stare and grimace thinking that the road to Brighton was not a short one.

"It's all I ask you to do after watching you for a night. I have lost a night's sleep to keep a watch on you. Can't you grant me a breakfast for that?" His eyes were begging, and his lips formed a pout. "I have to at least eat, to have energy, don't you think?" He flashed a smile.

"Alright, but a quick breakfast. It's late." She gave in, considering he was kind of cute for a big guy.

"Quickest! Thank you! My boss went out early this morning with business. He said he's sorry to have missed you and wishes you all the best. He couldn't delay his agenda unfortunately." Drake started eating, somehow thrilled he was having breakfast with Mika alone.

"That's alright. I would have only been more ashamed and embarrassed for what happened last night. It's for the best. Help me send him my greetings and thanks for putting up with me and letting you take care of me. He did more than he was supposed to. Thank you all once again." She sat down and took a bit from the plate's content, not to offend Drake, but she had no appetite for she was bugged by what was going to happen later, still digesting previous night's events.

After a quick breakfast as promised, Drake took Mika to his car to drive to Brightstone.

"I couldn't thank you guys enough. You are good people. Hope we can remain friends. Of course, if it's a mutual desire." Mika found herself speaking halfway to destination.

"I don't know about my boss, but for me, it's same desire. You are an interesting gal, the kind I make friends with. Here is my business card. Call me whenever you need help, or a drink buddy. I'm in. Doesn't matter the time. I am at a phone call distance, wherever you might be." Drake's voice was friendly, and a genuine smile conquered his lips, having his shades on.

"I will. Thanks, Drake." She placed his business card in her purse, returning the smile.

"I will send your car to our car service and will give you the details. You don't have to worry about it. I will take care of everything. You just need to focus on your own business. We will speak after the meeting. I will wait for you downstairs, or if you want a man with you, I can go in as your personal assistant. It's your call. Either way, I am your friend in need anytime." Drake offered his aid in the name of friendship.

"I will go alone. But thank you. You are indeed a great friend, though we have just acquainted. Still, these are things I need to do by myself. That's a thing my dad taught me. Sharks need to be put down. Only a white shark will put a leash on them. Be that shark with no fear, they will obey and keep a distance. To be a great businessman, you need to be fearless, though you may be on the verge of bankruptcy. As long as you stay stern, everyone will follow you and things will take a normal course. You are the man! That's what he said, and I walk on that path always." Mika confessed with a lost gaze on the car's front window, remembering the moment when her father trained her. He had known he would be killed but didn't know when. So, since Mika was six, he raised her with business lessons all the time. She was to become the heir, she needed to be prepared. The burden would have to be put on her shoulders.

"It sounds like he thought he had a son, not a daughter. Still, it seems he was a great man and a good dad. I feel your love for him and that you miss him." Drake had his heart constantly increasing its beats and wanting to hear more about her. Every time she would say something, he would briefly take his eyes off the road and stare at her lips and to the depths of her glamorous eyes. It was like she was surrounded by a flashy aura calling for him to embrace her. Such peace grew inside of him while being near her. His being was telling him that she was home. Brightstone was an hour drive, but he wanted to never reach it. Being with her was all he wanted at that point.

"Truth be told, they thought I was a boy when mom was pregnant with me. I was a big baby. When the doctor took the tests to see the baby's sex, because of the fat I had in the genital area, he concluded I was a boy. So, they named me Michael. When I was born, they informed my father that I was a girl. He said it must be a mistake, they were supposed to have a boy." She giggled. "Anyway, they loved me, nonetheless. Took me to every sport he thought of, made me strong and knowledgeable, raised me like a boy in some areas, but let me be a girl for the right aspects. To be a lady with a man's strength. And I liked it. Never felt weak...." She paused, her eyes becoming teary, but only for a moment. "The only time I felt weak and powerless, was when the news of his death came. It was like I died inside. I didn't have the means or strength to do anything to get him back. My mom collapsed. Detectives had no choice, but to take me to identify his body. I went there, and...." She stopped for a second time as a ball of pressure stuck in her throat. "And I saw him on that cold metal table with a white sheet covering him. My dad, who was once the strongest man on Earth, tall and well-built, looked like a fragile creature, soulless, with his cheeks sucked. He had a two-teeth mark on his left side of the neck, and on his abdomen a big scratch as if a beast tore him. But they concluded it as a car accident. Still battling them on the case for that." Mika ended her story with sadness in her eyes that dimmed their sparkle.

"They took you? Such cold people! You were only a kid! They should have waited for your mom to come back to her senses." Drake was upset, but the story seemed familiar to him. She was right, it wasn't an accident. He knew better what kind of creature would have done that. The accident was only a cover, and the criminal had a high status to have such means to cover things up with police involved. It must have been someone from the nine families. Her dad went on something that ended like that. Drake was confused on who the person really was that offended one of the nine families to the state of getting murdered.

"It's OK. I am glad it was me and not mom. She would have died there to witness that. It gives me a feeling of happiness to at least keep her from that and leave her with only the pleasant memories of him." She displayed a sunny smile, keeping her eyes on the road.

"You are such a filial daughter. Incredible. You wouldn't say you are young. Your wisdom amazes me. Can I ask how old you are?" Drake's interest in her and her story was growing.

"You don't ask a girl her age! Didn't your mother teach you that?" She mocked him in a playful mode. "I'm eighteen."

"Eighteen?! Wow! So, you are young." He was perplexed. Not that I would have been less older than you, but you are only a kid for God's sake. His chest was pounding in attraction to her.

"Why surprised?" She smirked.

"No, just that your mind and speech are that of an adult. That's a good thing. Didn't want to imply anything else." He banned his real thoughts.

"Thanks, Drake. You are kind. Oh, there is my company! You can pull over here." She indicated a near parking lot, taking off her seatbelt, preparing to get out of the car.

"That's your company? Moridial Pharmaceutics?" Drake was hit by a shock inside. You've got to be fucking kidding me! This is Thomas's new target! The businessman is Master! This is not going to go well. I must go with her! An unknown panic captured Drake to the thought of the following events, and the strange pressure of wanting to protect Mika.

"Yep. That's me. Alright then, see you later, when I will finish. That is, if you are still willing to wait. I would love to pay for launch as a thanks for driving me here, my new friend!" She had an innocent smile, to show that she really wanted to continue their platonic friendship. In reality, she didn't have many friends, and Drake seemed a good guy.

"Wait! Are you sure you don't want me to go with you? It wouldn't do any harm to have an extra person with you. After all, you're the CEO there." Drake attempted to make her accept him going there with her. He had to be there with her.

"It's fine. I can deal with it. Just wait here. I will try to finish it as fast as I can. See you later!" Mika closed the car's door without allowing Drake to say more.

"I can't fucking believe this!" Drake yelled alone in the car, slamming the stirring wheel and taking his shades off. "I have to call Thomas, but he wouldn't reply in a business meeting. He shuts his phone. I can't reach the assistant, it's a delicate matter. What should I do? She's dead meat in there! Fucking think, Drake!" He panicked, trying to find a way to help Mika, but not disturb or offend Thomas. Last time he did that, thirty years in the past, Master tortured him, badly, for it. Thomas would allow him to do anything he wanted, but not to cross him or disobey his orders. "I have to go upstairs without letting anyone important to see me." He got down from the car and went on with the plan.

"Madam, here is the agenda and proposal. Sign here for taking over the company, and we shall go in the meeting to deal with the competitor." Instructed Mr. Vincent Polard, her late dad's attorney, who was head of the legal department and her dad's right hand in the past. Vincent Polard was a short plump guy in his fifties and had ginger hair with a start of baldness. He had small blue eyes, thin glasses, and blushed cheeks. A dark grey suit that would scream on him and a bit of a heavy walking were his signature.

"Your son informed me over the contents. Let me check them again. I also am aware of today's meeting with the shark." Mika was going through the legal papers again with keen eyes. "Shark" was the term her father used when dealing with people who wanted to buy his business and to all that weren't good to his business. H had said the same thing about Vincent at one point, that was why her mom was against Polard and his family. Her father hadn't said why he named him like that. So, Mika needed to be on guard with him, too, just to be sure. "There. I've signed it. Let's go and see this shark!" She stood up from her office with a dignified stance and attitude.

"Madam, please, be careful. This one is no ordinary shark. He's the big one. He has a sharp tongue and always gets what he wants. He will try to intimidate you, especially seeing you so young. And...." Vincent informed his now CEO while going to the meeting room.

"Don't worry. It's to my leverage for him to think like that. I will end this nicely for the company." Mika owned fire in her eyes, turning into a man CEO like her father had been.

Drake managed to get to the tenth floor of the company where the meeting was and saw Mika with a fat monkey guy hurrying to the meeting room. She's entering the room. Gosh! Thomas, please, be like last night, and take it easy on her! He placed himself on the corner of the wall in the opposite direction of the meeting room, waiting to hear and see if he needed to go inside as Mika's person to help her. He didn't care anymore of what his Master would punish him with. It was worth it, he felt.

"This is our new CEO, Mika Reigna. This is Mr. Thomas DiAngelo, CEO of Shutveil Chemicals, who wants to purchase our company, Madam." Mr. Vincent introduced the parties for the meeting to start.

Thomas was sitting on the chair like a lion in his kingdom until he saw who the CEO was. He stood up with an intense glare at her. He would never stood up for someone at such a meeting. "Who is she?" He managed to gather himself from the impact and ask.

"The new...." Mr. Vincent wanted to repeat, but Mika interrupted him.

"As you heard, Mr. DiAngelo, I am the new CEO. You may be seated now." She thundered with a strong voice, sitting down on her spot. "Let's start the meeting. You aren't the only one on my agenda today." She left Thomas perplexed of who she was and how she acted.

He eventually sat down but shaken as he had never been. The creature in front of him was the previous night's little girl, whom he had saved, turned into a lioness that day in front of him, not remembering who he was, and what he had done to her.

Mika opened the file for the meeting and read from it. "You want to buy my company, mister?" She said in an offensive manner.

"I do, miss Regina." He mocked her back, accentuating her family's name, suggesting she was acting like a queen in front of him, but being a miss, meaning a kid, as a fact, and not a madam as the attorney introduced her.

"I am glad you are acknowledging me as a queen, Mr. DiAngelo. Here is my kingdom, and it's mine all the way." She let him know she picked up his mockery.

"I didn't want to offend. I was just answering your question." Thomas, with same mocking tone in his voice.

"Tell me why you want this company." She leaned her back on the chair with a stance as her father had, ultimate businessman.

"It's a good deal and great asset to my group. Sure thing, this company must be a burden for such a young lady as yourself. You don't seem old enough to know all the streams of running a big company like this. Consider it as my help for you of relieving you of the headaches. You are at the age when you need to meet love and live your life, not to play chess with the big guys. The return of this business will be more than satisfying for you and your family to live on high horses for generations to come. I will make sure of that." Thomas was attacking her weak spots with a vicious smile.

"I thank you for your concern, Mr. CEO, but I can play more than chess with the big guys. As for your proposal, I have to announce you that it is rejected." Mika closed the meeting's file and stood up, ready to go, returning a wicked and full of confidence smile.

"Wait!" Thomas's voice went a level up that could be heard by Drake outside.

"Something else you need to add, mister?" Mika's back was at Thomas and her head turned just a bit to hear what he had to say. She didn't want to stay longer than it was needed. Another thing she had learned from her father.

"This company is mine. It's only a matter of time when my name will be on it. Why would you want to start a war, when we could just get along and everyone be content?" Thomas threw the "white glove" and "battle glove" on the table, with a twist of his head and a burning glare, for Mika to choose.

Mika turned around to face Thomas with fire in her eyes, jaw clenched, and pulling her shoulders back. She pinned him with her glare. "Bring it on, DiAngelo! I love a bloody war! My dad left me the company as he knew I am best fitted for the position to take it on brighter peaks. No one is to put his dirty hands on my father's blood, sweat and tears that are the foundation of this company! Now, you can take your shit out and find another prey! Here is a dead end for you! Hope I will never see you again in such circumstances! I must excuse myself as I have more important meetings to attend. Goodbye!" She went out, leaving Thomas with no words or chance to engage in a further discussion.

Vincent bowed his head in front of Thomas and walked after her to attend his new CEO.