Chapter 75: Johnny and Rebecca, the Seal of the Alliance

At the luxurious Kicher mansion in Miami, the Christmas party was in full swing. Loud music, laughter and lively conversation filled the atmosphere. However, for Dylan Kicker, none of this seemed to matter. Sitting in an armchair in the garden, he was lost in his own thoughts. His serious expression completely clashed with the festive atmosphere around him. Among the crowd, only Oliver, his faithful advisor and friend, noticed that something was out of the ordinary. With a glass of whiskey in his hand, he approached and broke the silence: 

“What’s going on, DK? You made me organize this party at the last minute, and now you don’t even seem interested.” Dylan sighed, staring into space. 

“I lost the mood. I called Théo to wish him a Merry Christmas and... he told me something that messed with me.” Oliver raised an eyebrow, already imagining the reason.  

“Let me guess: does it have to do with Miss Hahn?” 

“Yes. Dylan ran his hand through his hair, visibly uncomfortable. “She’s dating that doctor... Dr. Carter Kwon. The same one who took care of Théo when we were all still together here. And to think that they met at the hospital that practically belongs to me! Does he know that it’s my money that pays his salary?”

Oliver couldn’t help but laugh sarcastically.

“And what are you going to do? Fire the guy? Or eliminate him altogether?”

Dylan gave his friend a serious look.

“I can’t do anything. If I try anything, I’ll only make things worse between me and Bella. But honestly, I didn’t expect this. I was taken by surprise.”

Oliver took the opportunity to be brutally honest, helped by the liquid courage of alcohol.

“Hypocrite is an understatement for you. Have you forgotten about Deanne? That toxic, out-of-control woman you brought into your home and made a point of rubbing it in Bella’s face? You tried to humiliate her, you despised the woman who was still open to starting over with you! And now you're here lamenting because she decided to move on? Let's face it, DK, you dug your own grave.”

Dylan remained silent, staring at Oliver. He knew every word was true, but admitting it was another story.

“This Dr. Carter guy is too nice,” Dylan said, trying to hold on to any argument. “Bella won't be able to stand being with him for long.”

Oliver laughed, almost mockingly.

“Is that what you're going to use as comfort? Okay. But, if you ask me, maybe a “nice guy” is exactly what Bella needs after you and Johnny.” He took another sip of whiskey, finishing with a provocative tone.

Dylan frowned.

“So what do I do, give up?”

“Of course not.” Oliver shrugged. “Be present, DK. This time, there's no Alexander Kicher or Anthony Hahn to get in the way. It's all up to you two. But be honest, follow your heart.” He stood up, adjusting his jacket.

“Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go back to the party and win over that redhead who won’t stop staring at me. I can’t have who I really want, so I’ll settle for what’s possible.”

“You know she’s from the strip club, right?”

“Of course I know. I invited her myself.”

Oliver walked inside, leaving Dylan alone with his thoughts. Watching his friend walk away, Dylan muttered to himself:

“Oliver, you should forget about this obsession with Rebecca. She never cared, and she never will.”

The emptiness in Dylan’s eyes intensified. He knew he had decisions to make, but for the first time in a long time, he felt the weight of his own confusion.

On the dance floor of a luxurious nightclub, Rebecca moved with intensity, completely ignoring the looks and advances of the surrounding men. Wearing a daring black dress that left very to the imagination, she looked like an indomitable force. Her loose blond hair danced along with her, while provocative smiles appeared on her face. However, when one of the men who approached to dance with her touched her body, she quickly showed a small sharp object that Oliver had given her some time ago for self-defense.

“If you don’t want to leave here hurt, you better step back, you idiot,” she said, with a glare.

The man laughed, clearly underestimating the threat, and tried to insist. Rebecca was already ready to react, but was interrupted by a firm and authoritative voice.

“Didn’t you hear the girl? Step back.”

The figure that emerged from the chaos was unmistakable.

“Johnny Iverson?” the man murmured, surprised.

"Yes, it's me. Taylor, take Maicon out of here." Taylor obeys, taking the man who keeps begging, but to no avail. Rebecca watches everything in silence until everything goes back to normal, the DJ continues with the music and people start dancing, drinking, etc.

“I can defend myself, you know?” Rebecca commented, putting the object in her bag.

“I don't doubt it. I just thought a triumphant entrance would be cool, like those in cliché movies.” Johnny smiled charmingly.

Rebecca arched an eyebrow and responded with a smirk.

“Well, if that was the goal, you achieved it.”

“How about a drink to celebrate?”

“Why not?”

The two of them sat down at the bar, ordered drinks and started talking, exchanging provocations as if they were old acquaintances.

“I never imagined I'd find you here today. I thought you'd be with DK, Oliver and the rest of your people on Christmas,” Johnny commented, twirling the glass of whiskey in his hand.

Rebecca shrugged.

“This year is different. I never felt like I was part of that family, and Alexander made sure to make that clear before he died. Everyone wants me gone... except Oliver, but he doesn't count. He needs to get over this illusion that I'll reciprocate his feelings.” Johnny let out an ironic laugh. “Are you lying that the big guy likes you?”

“Yeah. But they're going to have to get used to my absence, because I'm about to rebel once and for all. The only thing I might miss is DK... that ungrateful delight.” Rebecca sighed, taking a long sip of brandy. Johnny arched an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. “Do you like Dylan Kicher? That's a new one.” “Since I got to that house, I think so. But he never valued me. He didn't even look at me the way I wanted, and everything got worse when he met his wife, Bella Hahn.” “Ex-wife, you mean. She fooled me right, she even got me to sign the divorce papers.” Johnny shook his head, looking at the bottom of his almost empty glass.

“These two give us a lot of trouble.” Rebecca gave a bitter smile, her voice full of resentment. “But that will end soon. Our plan is about to happen. If Bella and her son die, DK will be devastated. It will be easy to take him down when he is fragile, and then we both lead the mafia without anyone else getting in the way.” Johnny smiled sideways, moving closer to Rebecca.

“Hey, how about we forget about these two for a moment and focus on us?” Rebecca looked at him suspiciously. “What exactly do you mean by ‘us’?” Johnny holds Rebecca by the hand and leads her to a private bathroom. Once there, they lock the door and Johnny starts kissing Rebecca’s neck and chest, squeezing her waist, lifting her body and sitting her on the marble sink, also lifting her dress and taking off the panties that were hanging on her right leg. Starting to penetrate her with strength and intensity while their mouths moved frantically, and at that moment they definitively sealed their alliance. Minutes later they both reached their limit and with just a mischievous smile they said goodbye, each one going back to their tasks as if nothing had happened.