Daniel and Karen snuggled in the young man’s childhood bed at the old Jones family house. He found it humiliating, having to take refuge with his lover in his mother’s home as if he were a child trapped within an adult’s body. But he was severely low on options with no money for another apartment. The rules of Mar-Jam Academy prohibited them from staying with Benjamin at its dorms. And Daniel’s pride prohibited him from seeking any aid from Charles. So, as mortifying as it was, Sandra was the best option.

  "Well, this is terrible," Daniel said.

  "Too true, but I've learned hope is most potent during times like this," Karen said, tightening her grip on Daniel.

  Groaning, Daniel took a daily Saturn newspaper off the floor, hoping to get his mind off his woes with some reading. But as his eyes fixed on the headline, they widened with shock. “What the?” Reading the paper proclaiming the knight as a hero for saving lives from the fire from yesterday.

  “Something wrong?”

  Daniel threw the newspaper away. "Karen, the big man's goons are behind this mess.”

  “The emerald flames were indeed a telling clue,” Karen chuckled.

  “This isn’t funny.” Daniel placed his hand over his face. “If only I could clone myself, I would have the time to search the city for the weapons factories and find a job."

  "The answers will come, love. But we must remain patient and pray."

  "I can't take patience anymore. I need to do something like—"

  Sandra entered the room with a big tray of food. However, as she saw Daniel and Karen snuggling, she averted her gaze from them as her face blushed bright red.

  "Sorry, sweetie. I'll leave and won't come back for three hours."

  Daniel slapped his forehead in embarrassment, uttering a groan of intense anguish.

  Karen laughed. "Don't worry, Mrs. Jones. We weren't doing anything naughty."

  Sandra's face returned to regular color, and she hurried over to the couple as she heard Karen.

  "Good to hear, and please, Karen, call me Sandra.” She presented the food tray to the couple. “I hope I made these eggs how you like them."

  "Thank you.” Karen sat up on the bed. “Love, let's eat this delicious food your mother labored to make. And we can worry about our problems afterward."

  Daniel took a deep breath, nodded yes, and sat beside Karen. The two took up plates of food off the tray. And they shared a satisfied moan, tasting it.

  This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

  ***

  A sinister meeting assembled in the creature's penthouse. The patriarchs of the Santini family, the monarchs of crime for the past hundred generations, were dragged into the room by the servants of their family’s mightiest foe as they were defeated. Andrea, an Italian man of twenty-seven with olive skin and dark hair, was brought before him with his grandfather Lorenzo. And forced to kneel to their enemy, the big man of crime, the reptilian creature Marcus Tyrant. Andrea looked at Marcus with searing hate as he saw his scaly form and blood-red eyes in his black business suit. He was like the dragon of legend St. George slew, reincarnated in humanoid form.

  "You were indeed a formidable opponent, Lorenzo Santini. But the final victory belongs to us.” Marcus stooped down to look at the Santinis. “But I am a reasonable man. Merely surrender all your valuable assets, and your family may live."

  "N-never, tyrant. You killed my son. You want to steal our family legacy. I'll never stop fighting you until I d—"

  Lorenzo clutched his chest in pain. Andrea hurried to help him, but Marcus looked at him, reeling on the floor with cold apathy. However, it quickly turned into a fiery rage.

  "The new frontier is upon humanity, and it started the second nuclear weapons became an option.” Marcus angrily pushed Andrea away from his grandfather, grabbing the top of his head. “I am the big man of planet Earth and not just this city. I will rule this new age with immeasurable and inquestionable might. So surrender, or your grandchildren will die."

  Andrea charged Marcus, but Lorenzo stopped the attack with a gesture from his free hand. Still clutching his throbbing chest with his remaining hand, Lorenzo nodded to Marcus's offer. And with a signal from their master, Marcus's servants escorted the two out of the room.

  As Andrea and Lorenzo left the room, James entered in their place. He was a young, muscular, dark-skinned man who towered over everyone, including his father, Marcus, at seven feet one inch.

  James looked at the santinis in shock as he approached Marcus. "Father, you're letting them live? Why?

  "A fundamental rule of business, my son, is never to waste valuable assets. I can dispose of the santinis if they cause trouble. But for now, their skills are needed for certain assignments."

  "I think I understand now.” James rubbed his chin. “But father, I came to tell you the gold acquisition assignment is ready."

  "And you prepared our forces by yourself?"

  James nodded.

  Marcus’s vile mouth grew a smile."You have made me a proud father, my boy."

  “Thank you, sir.”

  ***

  A limo drove up to the Wayne apartment building. It was a high-end skyscraper of two thousand seven hundred and seventeen feet. It was one of many in a chain that spanned several countries. The building stood as one of the city’s most luxurious establishments, the prized jewel of its tourism sector, offering fine cuisine, spas, and recreational activities. Housing many influential figures from America and abroad.

  Daniel, Karen, and his family quickly left the limo. The young man gazed skyward at the splendor of the tower. ”Nice.” Karen and Benjamin followed his lead, looking at it in astonishment.

  “It’s gorgeous,” Benjamin said.

  “Isn’t it Ben?” Daniel chuckled.

  “But what are we doing here, love?”

  “I’m glad you asked, angel.” Daniel gestured to the front doors. “Welcome to our new home.”

  “You lie.” Karen proclaimed.

  “Would I lie to you?”

  Karen shot Daniel a raised eyebrow and playful smile.

  “In any case, I’m being serious. My girl, the best girl, deserves the best place to live.”

  “Is that so?” Karen asked.

  “Yes, and I have the papers to prove it.”

  “But how—“

  “Details, details.” Daniel kissed Karen.

  Daniel grabbed Karen's hand, dragging her to the building as the others followed close behind. But Charles hung back for a moment, gazing at the building with untrusting eyes, wondering how Daniel could have possibly afforded a room at such an establishment with no job. However, finally, he followed in to seek answers and, if necessary, shield his family from the worst.