Chapter 20: Another step towards failure.

Jimena and James were cuddling in bed, resting as they talked about the direction the Hahn family was taking.

“I don’t like the way you’re supporting Johnny Iverson, he’s dangerous and could be manipulating you right now.”

“James, if you don’t understand, I’m doing this to save Benjamin’s life. Johnny was going to take power anyway, and before you ask me about Bella, she has a weakness, that idiot gave herself to love without thinking about the consequences.”

“But didn’t you give yourself to love too?” James looks into his lover’s brown eyes.

“It wouldn’t go that far. What we have is just a cool affair”

“Have you ever thought about assuming our romance?”

“Please, let’s not argue today. This is the first time we’ve met since Anthony’s death.”

“Let’s face it, Johnny did us a big favor. But you still know he’s not trustworthy,and betray you at any moment.”

“If he tries, will regret.”

Meanwhile, Johnny was at his father's house to see him since he was bedridden:

"So how is your plan to take over the leadership of the Hahn family going?"

"Great! I even gained an important ally, but she will have to be discarded later."

"Your wife bitch is not is. Then who?"

"The widow of the deceased."

"Johnny, this is too dangerous. Break any deal you have with this woman." Sebastian gets agitated

"I can't. She has a recording of me taking Anthony's gun. So, until I figure out how to get rid of her without drawing attention to myself, I'll have to put up with it, but it's not all bad, she gave me excellent advice about Benjamin and maybe I'll achieve my goal sooner than expected."

"I hope I'm still alive by then."

"You will be, Dad, I promise." Johnny takes Sebastian's hand, who smiles weak and with difficulty breathing.

Three days pass and Benjamin schedules another meeting to talk to the “capis” about the results of the new ventures and routes, but what he didn’t count on was that his brother-in-law had acted behind your back.

“I’m here to introduce you to the new route: Fort Lauderdale.”

“It’s a great acquisition, boss. But what Johnny Iverson acquired is just as good.”

“What?” Benjamin looks surprised

“If you’ll allow me, ‘Don,’ I want to say that I acquired the port and a small airport in Deerfield Beach. It will be excellent for business and we can alternate as we discussed in the previous meeting.” Everyone was making comments among themselves, sitting in their chairs around the meeting table. Benjamin was completely irritated by the situation, but he kept his composure.

“A really good purchase that will be well managed by me. Congratulations, Johnny.” Benjamin shakes his brother-in-law’s hand, who smiles at him and it was then that one of the members spoke up.

“I think Johnny could manage the business of Deerfield Beach, he’s very competent for it. What do you think?”

“Since when did you decide to go over the leader of this shit? Answer me, Mr. Williams.”

“I just wanted to help, I thought it wouldn’t be a problem since Johnny is your brother-in-law and therefore an important member of the family or maybe you feel insecure about him

“Insecure? He’s just my sister’s husband who did me a big favor.” Benjamin is arrogant, not caring about the crooked looks he gets, ordering everyone to get back to their chores.

Benjamin leaves before everyone else, leaving Johnny behind, which was a big mistake since he uses his almost infallible gift of the gab to his advantage with bosses of various sectors of the mafia that Benjamin was now trying to command. James, while driving through the city of Miami, tried to advise the new 'Don'.

“Sorry sir, but I think you overdid it with your words today at the meeting. I understand your irritation, but if you’re not careful, you’ll end up strengthening those you don’t want and weakening yourself.”

“I didn’t ask for your opinion, James. Just investigate Mr. Williams for me. Can you do that?”

“Of course sir!” Silence reigned from then on

At home, Benjamin finds his mother who hugs him and asks why he is so irritated. He answers a little insolent and locks himself in the office. His thoughts were still racing when he remembers his father wondering how he managed it and lamenting that he was not such a good leader. Meanwhile, Jimena and James were talking in a corner of the garden.

“He showed himself explosive and arrogant.”

“If he keeps up this pace, Johnny will take over the leadership in less time than I imagined. My God, Benjamin.” Jimena exclaims, not realizing that Johnny had arrived and observed Jimena and James in the corner of the garden. At first, he just looks at her without malice, but then he realizes that James was always the one who passed on privileged information to her, deciding to keep an eye on the two from that moment on.

Entering his room, finds Bella talking on the phone with Chloe. He starts taking off his clothes piece by piece, starting with his tie, then his shirt, and when he gets to the button on his pants, Bella gets the message and hangs up the phone.

“Looks like someone is excited.” She makes a mischievous expression.

“You think so?” Johnny grabs his wife by the waist and gives her a wet and intense kiss, which was the beginning of sex that didn’t last very long, But Johnny knew how to make it feel good, and when everything's ends:

“Why did you arrive after Benjamin if you left the house together?”

“He’s mad at me because I bought a small airport and a port in Deerfield Beach. I just wanted to help.” Johnny lies blatantly.

“Argh! You couldn’t have done that, Benjamin is establishing himself as a leader and if you interfere it will be very bad for him, even if you had the best of intentions.”

“Okay! Let’s not fight about it. By the way, what were you planning with Chloe when I arrived?”

“We’re going to the beach tomorrow, do you want to come?”

“No. I’m going to visit my dad again. He’s gotten a little better, but he’s still to rest.”

The next morning, Bella woke up early and got ready to go to the beach, putting on a dark pink bikini that fit her well, shorts and a light blouse. In her bag she stored sunscreen, towels, clean clothes and, in the basket, some snacks for the picnic. Théo also got ready quickly, wearing swim trunks, shorts and a t-shirt. Now they were just waiting for Chloe, who took more than 20 minutes to arrive with the most shameless expression in the world.

“Shall we go?”

“Okay!” Théo replied with a big smile on his face. It had been a long time since he’d been to the beach.

When they got there, the two friends looked for a good place to sit. Once they got there, Théo ran straight to the sea, leaving his t-shirt and flip-flops in the middle of the path, causing Bella to pick them up. Just as she stopped and looked out to sea, she saw a surfer a little ways away, doing maneuvers in the middle of the waves:

“Dylan?!”