Chapter 15

MIKHAIL'S POV~







"The person watching from the outside lines."





"Fuck!" I cursed out. The game was getting even more intense as we approached the end. I pushed the buttons of my controller faster, beating Jamie's car in the race.



The other guys screamed along with us at every turn waiting in anticipation for the winner as we neared the finish line.



"I'm sorry," I mumbled evilly before hitting his car on the track to the side. He cursed out loud trying to get hold of the car but it was already too late. The car crashed against the sidelines before blowing up. We all except Jamie burst into a fit of laughter, mine was a victory laugh. I high-fived the men who had supported me throughout the game while Jamie sucked beside me on the couch.



"It's not true, you cheated," he accused me, pointing at me like a child.



"Yeah, but that's the whole point of the game" I started smiling at him. He turned away from me, picking up the controller he had earlier thrown on the floor.



"I want a rematch," he insisted on restarting the game from the beginning. I wanted to join him back on the couch but was distracted by the sound of my phone ringing.



I signaled the men to keep quiet as I quickly picked up the call. "Boss," I greeted, Matteo.



"Mikhail, come down to my office now with Jamie and Tom," he said from the other line before hanging up. His tone sounded serious, meaning this was important.



"Boss, wants us to come down to his office," I said, delivering the message to Jamie who looked reluctant to leave his game but he joined me. On our way, We met Tom sitting alone on one of the bean bags in the living room using his phone. He stood up joining us as I called out to him.



"Any idea why he is asking for us?" Tom asked in his usual cool collected manner. Out of all the men working with us, he was the quietest one. Never say too much or joke around. I thought of the reason why Matteo kept him around so much. They had similar personalities only that Matteo was more intimidating and scarier.



"I dunno," Jamie replied, shrugging. "It probably has something to do with Red since I dropped her off at his office earlier before joining you guys." Red, was his nickname for Hazel specifically because of her red hair but I came up with a different name for her, and compared to Jamie's choice which she hadn't yet gotten used to, mine was horrible. I loved the way I was able to get a reaction from her just by saying the name.



Blake Hazel Woods was the most intriguing person I have come across since Matteo. She wasn't only just beautiful but was a whole different breed. She wasn't like the rest and by the rest I mean the usual stuck-up submissive gold diggers Matteo keeps around. She knows just how to push his buttons and that was what I admired most about her. Her fearlessness and confidence need to be studied.



Then there was Matteo's reaction to her annoying him. He could pretend to be all he wanted like he didn't have a soft spot for her, I mean the guy spent the last five months tearing down the whole city in search of her. Not to forget the many private investigators and cyber workers he employed to help with the search.



I was yet to know what happened between them in the casino. I want to know the reason for the hateful glances they give each other. Entering the office was like stepping into an electric field. The tension in the room was suffocating me even as I stood at the door. Matteo was staring at Hazel with a dreamy look in his eyes. I didn't know if Hazel even noticed his stare. Jamie was the last person to enter, shutting the door behind him and alerting them of our presence. They both snapped their heads toward us. I nodded in acknowledgment at Matteo before giving Hazel a dashing smile which she returned. She waved back at Jamie who waved at her before frowning at Tom who acted like she wasn't in the room, greeting only Matteo.

I took a seat on the empty chair beside her facing Matteo.



"Blakey," I greeted, smiling as she squeezed her face distastefully.



"Stop calling me that," she protested.



"Nope!" I replied, popping the p as I held her gaze. We stared at each other the whole time ignoring the people in the room. Someone cleared his throat, breaking our staring contest. I wasn't surprised to see it was Matteo. He eyed me angrily, his expression wasn't a happy one.



"James Francis Terrence is his full name," Matteo read out from his laptop screen "he's been charged for various crimes over the years but somehow he always manages to escape prison." I listened as he read out the information about Hazel's employer. The whole time he would look over at her making sure she was listening.



The man was practically an undercover crime Lord. He seemed to have connections with people of power. The military, police, and even the government are involved with him.



"And guys?" Matteo called drawing our attention. "Guess who is currently involved with those fucking Russians?" I already knew what was coming but I shrugged anyway urging him to continue.



"He is currently working for the Russians and not just any Russian but that fucking putting, Markov." This just confirmed his doubts about them. Either they think we are fools or they are just fucking careless.



"Yet he is talking about peace?" He sneered angrily. "Quel bastardo Markov osa fare pace Don con me, (That bastard Markov dares to make peace with me?)" In case you haven't guessed by now, Matteo had a habit of switching to Italian whenever he was angry.



"Merda!" Jamie swore angrily behind me "what do we do now?" Tom nodded, supporting his question.



All this while, Hazel has been silently watching us, well mainly Matteo. She had this dreamy look like she was ready to jump him right here. I couldn't blame her though that was usually the girls' reaction to our native language. I didn't think she understood a word we were saying.



"I'm going to make a few calls to inform the family back home. For now, Mikhail and Tom prepare to go out with me," he instructed "Looks like we have to make an impromptu visit to a certain club owner," he said while looking at Hazel.



"What about me?" She asked, staring back at him.



"You my dear, are going to be visiting the doctor with Jamie," turning to Jamie he said."And make sure that she returns with that arm of hers properly bandaged."



"If you think I'm going to sit at home like a damsel in distress while you go off to face Jimmy, then you are wrong."



"But..." I tried putting it in but she gave me a harsh glare that silenced me.



"I won't be taking no for an answer," with that she stood up placing her arms on her waist. I think we all noticed her hiss in pain from that little action. God, this woman was too stubborn.



Nodding his head Matteo stared at her before looking at Tom. As if I knew what was coming next, I turned just in time to see Tom hit her in the back knocking her out cold.



"Carry her carefully to the hospital and keep her there until I get back. Is that clear?" He asked pulling a pistol from his drawer.



"Yes, boss," replied Jamie as he signaled Tom to put her in his back. Matteo watched as he and Tom carried her out of the office leaving the door open.



"Was that necessary?" I asked, turning to Matteo who ignored me typing into his phone. Okay, I guess I was getting the silent treatment. I stood up following him out.











HAZEL'S POV~











I groaned as I felt a sharp pain in my back. My whole body felt like it was on fire as I sat up on the bed I was laying on. I look around the unfamiliar white room. I looked down to see my broken arm wrapped in a cast. I hissed as I tried recalling how I ended up here. Thoughts of the office, the guys, and Matteo crossed my mind.



"That motherfucker actually knocked me out?" I cried out in disbelief. Although I knew he wasn't the person that did it, he gave the orders. Tom was probably the only person to do something like that to me, I mean the guy disliked me from the very beginning for no reason.



"Hey," Jamie greeted as he entered the room. "I see you are finally awake". I grumbled under my breath ignoring him.



"Red?" He called out again with a worried look. I was tempted to look up but held back. I was going to be giving all of them, especially Matteo the silent treatment. Call me childish but they deserve it.



"Reddddd..." he drawled annoyingly leaning down to catch my eye. I turn facing the other side and he followed me. "Please talk to me, you know it's not my fault. I was just following orders."



" As always," I mumbled silently before laying back down on the bed backing him.



"I know you are angry, you have every reason to be but please don't ignore me," he begged behind me. That was what I loved about him, he always knew when to apologize even though he had known for not quite long. I can't recall the last time I had a friend not to talk more of a male friend that wasn't Nick. Now I have Jamie and Mikhail as friends. They were annoying most times but nothing I couldn't handle. I pulled the blanket over me to block out his voice before closing my eyes and falling back to sleep.