Saved By My Step-Brother

Chapter 5 - "Why is everyone in such a fighting mood today?"

"You didn't have to do that Dad," Eric hissed as Mr. Hawk's men entered the condo and began cleaning the scene. They had grabbed an electric saw and sliced her limbs apart in order to be able to place her into a black duffel bag. That was the reality of the business they were apart, and when they all exited the condo, Mr. Hawk tilted his head backwards.

"This meeting needs to speed up, because Olivia will get suspicious of my whereabouts," he calmly said.

Dave, James and Cole were all shocked by what had occurred an hour previous, and how Mr. Hawk had called men who immediately disposed of her body and cleaned the entire surrounding from top to bottom. When they left, there was absolutely no trace of blood, and all of them covered their mouths. Eric and Mike however, had witnessed murder before, since their father had always been a drug lord, and had brought them to different meetings in which he was forced to kill his own men. Not to mention, the first person they had witnessed killed had been someone very close to them, and was one night they would never forget.

Rami finally released his palms over William's eyes when all had been cleaned up, and William also freed his ears, but as he noticed everyone's facial expressions, other than the Hawk's family and the two drug lords, and that Ella was no longer there, he knew what had happened. Thankfully, he had not seen it, nor heard it, and even the gunshot had been concealed with a silencer, therefore had barely heard that either. James had seen a dead body before, with Rami being in a gang and having to pick him up numerous times from his dangerous adventures.

However, Dave sprinted to the bathroom, feeling vomit lifting from his stomach to his throat, and into the toilet bowl. Mike pulled a cigarette from his pants, and when he extended his hand towards Eric, Eric shook his head. He was angry by his father's careless decisions, and heartless reactions. His emotions were only revealed when he genuinely cared, and he did not care about Ella, therefore felt no remorse.

Eric bit his bottom lip with a scoff. "This is part of the reason why I left your business dad," he scorned, "because of s**t like that." Mr. Hawk rolled his eyes, with no care whatsoever. He believed he had his duty to maintain his business under control, and allowing her mouth to run without any control over it, was not smart. When he failed to respond, Eric widened his arms, "You didn't have to kill her."

"Alright, I'm not here to argue about whether this random b***h should've died or not," James argued, "we're all here for August."

Eric turned to Mike, hoping he'd help for some back up, "Mike, come on?" It did irk Mike that his father suddenly decided to kill her in his condo, but he did not care enough to make a fuss about it. Truth be told, he had not intention to see her again anyways, and as Eric searched his face for a bit of disagreement against Mr. Hawk, he couldn't find it. He scoffed, turning his head and leaning against his palm.

"Are we starting this meeting or not?" Sunzo yawned again, fatigue drooping his eyes.

Lotus glanced in his direction, "You seem a bit tired?"

"Not tired, just bored."

"Right," Mr. Hawk agreed, "only reason I'm here is because it's about my step-daughter, other than that I wouldn't have shown up."

Rami clamped his hands together, "So when are we going to run up on whoever and wherever August is?"

James smirked, "You're a bit excited."

"Well, let me us give you guys a run down of the timeline we figured out," Mike started, capturing all their attentions. Eric stared at him, and when he nodded, Eric took the lead.

"Basically, we believe Dante was the one that took August. They first met at the upper class ball dance six years ago, and stayed in contact afterwards. I believe that since I saw him with my own eyes." Eric jaw clenched as he remembered the manner Dante had stared at him. "After that, they met up a few times, and we believe Dante made her do atrocious things during the time they were acquainted. Soon enough, she was found in the hospital, for an attempted suicide."

"How do you know it was attempted suicide and he didn't shoot her?" James asked, consumed by this rundown.

Mike answered that, "I just assumed."

"Either or, it doesn't matter," Sunzo was growing annoyed, "I just want to know who were dealing with."

Eric continued, "She disappeared from the hospital, and left a note saying she was with Dante. She called Mike five years ago, saying that she was safe. However, only a few days ago, did she call him saying she doesn't want to die, and to help her." Mr. Hawk clenched his teeth, hating every time he heard that last part. August had mattered to him, and he had not expected for her to suddenly depart with someone she barely knew. It had caused such toll on Olivia, that their marriage almost hindered, however the manner they thrived was unrealistic, but had happened. "The only thing we know so far is that Dante's real identity is Dresden Elic Hawk."

Lotus chuckled in disbelief, "That little brat, he's back, ain't it?"

Mr. Hawk blew the smoke from his lungs, nodding his head before taking another drag of his smoke, "He came to create chaos, and he did."

Sunzo shrugged his shoulders, "If I was you, I'd forget she ever existed."

"No, I can't do that, not only is she the only daughter I ever had, her mother still cries when she hears her name. She needs to be found, just like I promised."

Mike nodded his head in agreement.

James however, was a bit confused. "Why is Dresden such a big deal?"

Mr. Hawk scratched his temple, turning to Lotus who chuckled, "He's not exactly a big deal, but he's caused a great deal of trouble on our businesses."

"He tried to kill my wife once," Lotus hissed, remembering the time his wife was left traumatized in the hospital.

Sunzo inserted his own side, "He has a lot of people on his side, and runs a s*x trafficking business. He has a lot of links."

"That still doesn't make him a big deal," James said in confusion, "I can name you so many people that have done that."

"That's why we f*****g said," Mr. Hawk repeated sternly, narrowing his eyes towards James who was taken aback, "he's not exactly a big deal."

When James fell silent, suddenly feeling a bit uneasy, Mike's arms widened, glaring at his Dad, "Why the f**k are you being like this today?"

"Olivia pissed me the f**k off this morning," Mr. Hawk admitted, "and I'm not in the mood to have to repeat myself and have some smart ass comments circle around."

Eric raised his hands, bringing the attention back to him, "Anyways, he's basically in the illegal business, so with all his links, we need as many people we can get to help get her back." James nodded his head, but did not respond, "The only thing we have is the word gladiators."

"She said ask Eric about the gladiators," Mike added.

Mr. Hawk raised an eyebrow in Eric's direction, "Was that a code word for something?"

"No," Eric shook his head, "I don't remember mentioning that word, ever."

"Then what could she possibly mean?"

Mike shrugged his shoulders, "Maybe it would make sense if we look for Dante."

James nodded his head, "We could start there."

"If that's the case," Sunzo leaned forward, "I think I know an event that we may be able to attend."

"What's that?" Mr. Hawk asked.

"The DST," Sunzo replied.

Lotus nodded his head, tilting it to the side, "He'll most definitely be there."

"DST?" asked James.

Mike nodded his head, "Dante's Slave Trade."

"But we have no idea when, and where it is going to take place, let along with whom," Mr. Hawk commented, and Eric pointed to him with a nod of head.

Dave raised an eyebrow, "So what the f**k are we supposed to do?"

"Obviously figure out about the DST," Sunzo calmly stated.

"How should we figure out when and where?" Rami said with disappointment, "And why the hell did she say gladiator?"

Eric placed his index finger on his lips, "I'm still trying to figure that one out. I wonder if she's telling us the location, Rome?"

"If we have to go to Rome to get her, I'm just sending my men," Lotus stated.

Mike rolled his eyes, "There's no way gladiator meant the DST is going to be in Rome, dig deeper Eric."

Suddenly the door bursted open, and the entire room fell quiet. They all heard clacking of heels entering, and when the person came to view, Mr. Hawk suddenly jumped to his feet. He had not expected that she would come this far, and find him, but what could he truly say, she was a woman with works of wonders.

Olivia met the gaze of a few people amongst the group, and cursed under her breath when she met the eyes of her own son, who waved nervously, attempting to smile his way out of trouble. She hated when he was in Mike's company, which did not stop him from hanging out with him, but she was also aware of who Rami was, and by the simple look of Sunzo and Lotus, she knew this meeting was not for any legal matters.

Olivia had also grown, and had matured along the six years that had gone. She had dyed her hair a dirty blond, and attracted many more eyes when marching along the streets. Additionally, she began working as a kindergarten teacher, and enjoyed her job, which also allowed her to learn more about herself that she did not really know. Her relationship with Mr. Hawk had grown better, and after their marriage, they had started their lives together for good. He was much more honest with her, maybe not the the smallest detail, but he did mention when he left for a deal, and would come back home in a few days. One thing she hated though, was finding him laid across their front porch, with injuries all over his body.

Oftentimes it was knife slashes, or bruises, however in rare occasions, it would be a gunshot wound that he forced Eric or Mike to take care of, since the hospital would inquire too much, and he could not let his identity be revealed. They made it work though, but she wished he found a much better work than this illegal business. However, at the moment, she was not concerned about the meeting he was having, she was much more concerned about what he had said. He said he was going to the grocery store, but has forgotten that she could see his location on her phone. Nonetheless, she even found her son with them, which angered her even more.

"Hey babe—" Mr. Hawk attempted to greet warmly, which was instantly interrupted by her shriek.

She tightened the grip on the strap of her purse, "What the hell is this?"

"Hey mom," Mike, Eric and William all greeted in unison uneasily in the same tone, knowing they were all going to get yelled at. They had started calling her mom, and it did make matters easier.

Olivia's head sharply turned towards Mike first, and she said, "You brought William here? With grownups?"

Mike shook his head, "Actually I didn't."

"I don't care who did," she screamed, "I told you to stop hanging out with him, Michael. He's just a kid."

"I don't tell him to f*****g follow me everywhere," Mike said, annoyed, "and you're yelling at me like I'm sixteen."

"Because you're not listening to me—"

After a scoff he retorted, "Yelling at me doesn't make me want to listen to you, at all."

"You—" she hissed but was interrupted by Mr. Hawk who sent her the charming smile that he knew she could not resist.

He reached her, and purposely placed his palm on her waist and gripped firmly, causing her to take a deep breath, and calm herself down. Something about Mike always made her rage, and it was usually Mr. Hawk that stopped them from fighting.

Sunzo stood to his feet, "I guess this meeting is cancelled then. Next time, make sure our location is private," he murmured, turning towards Mr. Hawk who smiled apologetically, scratching the back of his head.

Olivia raised an eyebrow, "What is that supposed to mean—"

"Liv," Mr. Hawk said much more sternly, placing his fingers against her jaw and gripping forcefully, closing her mouth. "You need to calm the f**k down." Her eyebrows furrowed deeper as he said those words, as if to say who the hell do you think you're talking to? and he challenged her gaze, frowning as well. "Let's go home, you kinda ruined the party."

"Wow, thank you so much Mrs. Hawkens," Rami said sarcastically, annoyed by her appearance, "And I was actually growing interested in this meeting."

"It's Hawk," Mr. Hawk turned his head sharply and pointed towards Rami whose mouth instantly slammed shut. "Get it right or don't say it at all."

"Why is everyone in such a fighting mood today?" Mike laughed, reaching in his pocket for a cigarette.

"Because my husband keeps doing things behind my back," Olivia snarled, "and if you would have answered your phone, you would known that Allen came by today!"

Instantly when that sentence left her mouth, the entire room feel dead quiet; one could hear a pin drop. Mr. Hawk's eyes darkened, and his muscles stiffened irregularly. Olivia knew she had made a mistake saying it so suddenly, and it had simply slipped from her tongue, but the manner Mr. Hawk's features changed, she wished she hadn't.

"What did you just say?" he growled, placing his palm on her shoulder.

Mike raised an eyebrow, "August's Dad?"

"Allen?" Eric repeated, confused by his appearance.

William's eyes however widened, and instantly excitement caused him to jump to his feet. However, when he noticed the aura surrounding Mr. Hawk, he kept his distance.

Mr. Hawk finally hissed, "What the f**k did he want?"

She gulped, turning away from her husband's narrowed gazed. However, he was not going to let this one go. With a sigh, she finally admitted, "With a police report. He's charging me Drew, I'm scared."

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