Daniel kicked the door open to his cozy new apartment as he carried Karen in his arms. And the others quickly followed in, scanning the luxury room in amazement. Every part of its one thousand and two hundred square feet was pristine. It had two bedrooms, a kitchen, and a living room with a beautiful couch as the only piece of furniture. Its floor was cleaned and polished to the point of a clear reflective surface. The room lived up to and even surpassed the hotel’s good name.

  As Daniel let Karen down, she hurried over to the couch, lying on it with a smile. "This is divine."

  "Glad to hear it, angel, because every inch of this place is yours."

  Charles looked at Hope and saw how she hid behind him, scared of upsetting Daniel again. "Karen, I have to ask. How can you be this guy’s partner, let alone take anything from him? He did cheat on you more than once."

  Daniel shot Charles a glare.

  Charity fired a similar glare to her brother’s. "Charles."

  “You know I’m telling the truth.” Charles shot back.

  "It's okay, Charity. I won't pretend those things didn't happen. But he's shown me he's learned from his mistakes and is a better man for them.” Karen giggled. “Also, it doesn't hurt that he's incredibly handsome."

  Daniel’s glare at Charles swiftly disappeared, replaced by a smile at Karen.

  "But where did he even get the money for this place?" Charles asked.

  All the eyes in the room turned to Daniel as they waited for his response, seeing him sweat bullets.

  "W-well, if you need to know, rich boy, I got it from a legal bank loan."

  "But little brother, they wouldn't allow a loan this huge unless your collateral was—” Charity thought for a moment, realizing the answer was Jack’s heirloom. “You said you wouldn't sell it."

  "I didn't sell Pop's heirloom. I plan on using the prize money to settle the loan."

  Charity slapped her forehead."Charles, please give my brother the money to cover his loan. I promise I'll pay you back later."

  "I'll do it for free. Unlike him, I respected your father."

  As Daniel heard Charles, he looked at him with another glare, this one many times more furious than the last. His breathing intensified like he was once again lifting the two thousand foot buildings from the fire disaster. And the veins on his forehead almost burst with hate.

  "I won't take a cent of your stupid money. I'm sick of living off people and not providing for my girl.” Daniel banged his fist against a wall. “Besides, Pop always said a man embraces responsibility. So what do you think this is?"

  Everyone looked at Daniel with concern except Charles. He gazed at Daniel with disgust. As Daniel saw them, he calmed, dropping onto the couch, small tears escaping his eyes.

  "Little brother, I remember Daddy also said a strong man embraces his vulnerabilities, not lashes out against them."

  "I just need one of you to believe in me, please."

  "I believe in you, brother," Benjamin said.

  "Me too, love," Karen said.

  This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  Karen and Benjamin swiftly went to hug Daniel, and he reciprocated, gripping them tightly.

  ***

  The sun set over the city, and at Norio's house, the police chief prepared to leave for duty. But his wife Charlotte, Caucasian, slender curvy body, emerald eyes, and long curly orange hair, came to see him off jovially fixing his tie.

  "Can't have the city's hero looking untidy." Charlotte finished her work with a small giggle.

  "Valiant knight is more of a hero than me. I'm just an ordinary man."

  "An ordinary man with integrity is a hero in my book."

  "Sometimes I think you're too kind to me."

  Charlotte kissed Norio. "Please, give yourself more credit."

  “I’ll try for you, Charlotte, but no promises.” Norio gently ran his hand against Charlotte’s cheek.

  Charlotte kissed Norio again. She savored the taste of her husband, kissing him once more. As his taste entered her mouth, she savored it more, going to kiss him repeatedly. As her kisses grew more aggressive, Norio pushed her away.

  "Charlotte, please, control yourself. I have work to do tonight."

  "I'll make it quick, my love."

  Charlotte tackled Norio to the floor, quickly having her way with him.

  ***

  At Daniel's apartment, he sat at a table with a typewriter in front of him. He had prepared his station to aid him in crafting his prizewinning masterpiece. Close by was a fresh stack of thirty blank papers, a beer, and a plate of chicken and rice Karen had lovingly made.

  "Okay, all I have left is to write the ending, and I'm golden." Daniel took a drink of his beer.

  As Daniel moved his hands toward the typewriter, they shook like a leaf. As they were about to touch the keys, they stopped. His hands refused to heed his commands. He quickly realized he had contracted the bane of every artist, the dreaded writer’s block, and slammed his head on the table.

  "I'm just nervous. Ten minutes of relaxation will make me good to go."

  A few hours later, Daniel remained in the same position by the table in front of the typewriter.

  "What have I done," Daniel screamed.

  Karen soon left their bedroom in her short silk nighty, seeing Daniel by the table, noticing he still hadn’t touched the dinner she had made for him. And she quickly walked over, wrapping her muscular arms around her lover.

  "Having a bit of writer's block, love?"

  "The problem is I'm a loser."

  Karen put her mouth to Daniel's ear to speak. "If you want to feel like a winner that bad, I suggest you come with me.”

  Daniel lifted his head off the table, smiling as he heard Karen. But it hastily left him, replaced by his face folding into a frown.

  "I want to, but I can't stop until I finish this. I want to be a winner fair and square for you and Pop."

  Karen looked at Daniel in shock. "O-of course, come in when you're ready."

  Karen let go of Daniel and walked to their bedroom. Still, she stopped at the doorway, looking back at him.

  "As beautiful as this place is, I would have been happy sleeping in your childhood bedroom at your mother's house."

  As Daniel heard Karen, he turned his gaze onto her, cracking a misshapen smile. And Karen saw, blowing Daniel a kiss goodnight before returning to sleep.

  Later, police sirens filled the air. Daniel rushed to a window to see what was happening. He looked out of it and saw a small army of cops heading in one direction. And he hurried over to the closet, getting out his armor.

  ***

  Norio directed his police officers at the train station. The Prince station was on the city’s edge on the border to the woodland to the north. Quickly, hundreds of officers got into position. Working with incredible efficiency, forming a perimeter around the area. The officers formed a circle that stretched several meters wide with a single opening leading back to the city. An opening that allowed transportation of their valuable target but also forced any would-be attackers onto a single easily defended street.

  As Norio saw his people complete the parameter as airtight as humanly possible, he released a relieved sigh. But glancing at Elena, his heart skipped a beat from witnessing her ominous grin.

  "Elena, I've never seen you smile like this on the job. Did someone tell a funny joke?"

  "I just couldn't help but notice that on your shirt and neck are Charlotte's favorite shade of lipstick."

  Norio blushed."Put your eyes on your post, not me."

  The horn of a train filled the air like booming thunder. The locomotive quickly stopped at the station, warming the cold night with steam from its engine. Its doors soon opened to allow the workers inside to remove scores of gold bricks with forklifts. Loading the bricks into armored cars at a slow but steady pace.

  Tommy looked at the gold bricks, astonished. "There must be at least a billion dollars here."

  "To be exact, the US reserve sent 1.1 billion. So be on your toes, Black," Elena said.

  “Please, god, let this work,” Norio said, wiping a nervous sweat from his forehead.

  On the roof of a nearby building, James watched the operation at the train station with binoculars, activating his walkie-talkie.

  "Begin the mission. Hit hard and fast."