UNDER HIS RULES

Sam leaned back while massaging his temples. He couldn’t count how many cigarettes he had smoked just to dissipate some of the anger towards someone who used to be close to him. Fortunately, their closeness was limited to physical encounters and pleasure. They rarely shared stories or engaged in lighthearted conversations like AnaBella did.

The ruler hadn’t forgotten their meeting with Bella back then. She was a beautiful woman, akin to a queen bee, drawing the attention of the opposite sex. They would gaze at her, seek her attention, and desire to possess her. Sam knew that. But he wasn’t interested in making Bella the queen in his life. He merely placed her, a girl desired by many men out there, by his side. Perhaps it was because of Sam’s treatment that Bella became arrogant. However, since Bella came into his life, Sam rarely had the desire to touch other women. It was just fleeting moments to fulfill his needs. Most of what Sam desired could be matched by Bella.

And then… Beatrice came.

In truth, Bella’s presence didn’t affect Sam much. After all, Bella had no significance in his life. Even though Sam owed her his life once, it didn’t mean Bella deserved his forgiveness, did it? The one who should bear that burden should be Eland. Why did Bella often mention it? Was it because Sam didn’t want anyone to know what happened to him back then?

Sam sighed in frustration with his thoughts. If Bella were in front of him right now, he would crush her without mercy. It was unbelievable that Bella’s presence in Flown had caused such chaos. And Bella’s intentions exceeded his tolerance.

It was a dark night in November. The rain poured heavily in the Southern region. Sam was driving at high speed. His body was drenched, but he didn’t care. He needed to meet Alfred at that time. There was something he needed to confirm about his business. Hugo was in the North region, and Jack couldn’t leave Flown.

Eland hadn’t joined him at that time.

In Sam’s eyes, Eland was still a wild wanderer, but he was disturbing enough. He didn’t take sides with anyone but created unrest in his territory. And from the rumors he heard, Gerald’s territory also frequently experienced disturbances from Eland’s group. Sam didn’t know where that group’s initiative came from.

So Sam wanted to give Eland a lesson to remember. Sam, as the ruler, didn’t hesitate to crush their small group. But before that, he needed to ensure one thing: Alfred had no involvement with Eland. He didn’t want to confront Quassano. For the sake of his father’s name, he would never forget the ultimatum he received.

“Quassano is an ally. You must take maximum advantage.”

If it weren’t for his father, Sam wouldn’t have agreed to meet him that night. He didn’t want to delay things further as it would only prolong the matter. Once his business was done, he would eliminate the small pebble named Eland. Alongside Valdo and a few loyal subordinates and weapons experts, they headed towards the place where Eland was rumored to reside. In the middle of their journey, the storm grew stronger, making it more difficult for them.

“Shall we proceed, Boss?” Valdo asked amidst the pouring rain and thunderous lightning that kept striking. The light made the atmosphere even more tense as they pulled over right at the edge of the forest cliff border.

“Proceed,” Sam replied, unwilling to delay any longer.

Valdo nodded obediently, accompanying the roaring sound of the engine as if it had no fear of the raging storm. Alfred’s residence was indeed a bit overwhelming for them. Coupled with the pouring rain at that time.

The Quassano family mansion was surrounded by pine trees. They had to navigate a winding road that resembled a snake, quite long and steep. Sam became more attentive, focusing on the road ahead. He didn’t want to drive a car, but he needed to travel quickly. His red motorcycle was the right choice.

What Sam remembered was pressing the brakes hard. After feeling his body propelled too high, he released the brake lever that was still tightly clenched. A loud impact hit him from the right side. The motorcycle he was riding tumbled dramatically several times. The friction on the asphalt caused sparks to fly, and the motorcycle collided with a tree on the left side of the road.

“Damn it!” Sam cursed, refusing to accept it. He didn’t care if his hands were in pain. His head was protected by the helmet that shattered on the right side. Fortunately, no rocks fell from the location where he had suddenly pressed the brakes hard.

The motorcycle, which had rolled and was in ruins, hadn’t come to a stop yet. Unfortunately, the subsequent explosion pushed Sam back.

Valdo, seeing his leader rolling on the asphalt, quickly stopped the motorcycle. Along with all his subordinates, they pulled over and approached Sam.

“Boss!”Content from NôvelDr(a)ma.Org.

“Get out of here, you bastards!”

Valdo grew suspicious. “Boss? What’s going on?” He quickly pulled out his gun, as did Sam’s men. They became more alert, scanning their surroundings.

A group of sturdy men blocked their path, armed to the teeth.

Sam realized they were being shot at, specifically targeting their motorcycle. It happened right at the bend, where the cliff on Sam’s side was the steepest among all the winding roads leading to Alfred’s place. What he didn’t anticipate was their overwhelming number. Sam had gathered information about Eland and his group, but they were not supposed to be this numerous, and their weapons were not ones Sam recognized as easy to acquire.

“Gerald,” Sam whispered through clenched teeth, ignoring the pain in his right shoulder. He calculated the possibility that this attack was related to his visit to Alfred’s mansion. He would discuss it later, after dealing with Gerald’s messenger dog this time.

He unsheathed the sword on his back, accompanied by a deafening gunshot that split the night. Valdo quickly provided cover for Sam and launched a counterattack against these seemingly formidable opponents. The inevitable fight ensued in the rain-soaked forest.

Gunshots resounded continuously. Moans of pain and curses accompanied all of them as they fought against blows and punches.

Sam’s sword was stained with blood, but he paid no attention to anyone attempting to hinder him, especially if they were responsible for destroying his beloved motorcycle. He would make them pay, without a doubt.

Unfortunately…

“Argh!” Sam growled in pain as a bullet pierced his right shoulder. The pain that he had ignored earlier suddenly surged along with the searing heat of the lead piercing his skin. The burning sensation inside nearly brought him down, but no, Sam couldn’t afford to lose.

“Damn it!” The sword swung again with a great fury of anger. It made him blindly charge into his enemies, forcing them to retreat.

“Boss!” Valdo ran towards Sam, not staying idle while seeing his leader being injured. He shot back at the attackers until the previous assailant collapsed helplessly. For Valdo, the measure of retaliation was death for anyone who dared to act brutally. After all, they were the ones being attacked. “Ompong has contacted Hugo to come here immediately,” Valdo informed afterward, to which Sam only nodded in response.

He had to focus on his opponent, even though one by one, they had fallen helplessly. Sam was not someone who underestimated his opponents. When he looked to his right where…

“Watch out!” Sam immediately pushed Valdo, who became the target of the gunfire. The shots found their mark on Sam’s back.

The ruler fell into Valdo’s arms. The young man stared in disbelief at what had happened. “Boss! Boss!”

He never expected this attack to injure his boss, despite their fierce resistance.

“Go meet Alfred. Tell him… someone has interfered with or affairs.”

“No!” Valdo refused to leave Sam in this condition. “We’re leaving now.” Valdo quickly supported Sam. However, he also had to make sure he wouldn’t get shot.

The street had turned into a wide shooting range. Valdo looked around; several of his men were also lying helpless. He was furious. Very furious. But who did this?

Moments later, from an unknown direction, the sudden attack received a response.

Someone rapidly approached them. “Hey… are you still conscious? Come on, let’s get out of here.”

Sam looked at the young man with a furrowed brow. “Eland?”

“Yeah, that’s me.” The man immediately took some of Sam’s weight. “My friend is driving here. I think you should postpone tonight’s visit.”

What caught Sam’s gaze was the bloodied sword he held in his hand. “Since when were you here?”

“No need to know. Your safety is paramount. It wouldn’t be funny if the Twin Dragon Ruler died here.”

One of Sam’s assailants rushed to attack but was easily defeated by Eland.

“Bella! Hurry!”

***[]***

“While Flown is on guard duty, Eland,” Sam commanded as he handed over the newly acquired files. The damages and reports he received from Ferdi regarding Gerald’s attack in Flown had been included in the local police administration.

But did Sam care? Not at all.

The recent visit from Ferdi had only added to his headache. There were many things Ferdi mentioned about the whereabouts of Jimmy and Gerald, including the turmoil within Quassano.

“They’re at the top of the wanted list, Sam.”

Sam, who had no interest in the connection between Jimmy, Gerald, and Alfred, finally reached a turning point. They all collaborated to attack for their own interests. Sam began to piece together the pattern in which the three hypocrites united. According to Eland and Jack’s accounts, Bella aimed for her personal desires, using Jimmy and Gerald to fulfill her goals.

Unfortunately, that woman was foolish enough to return to Flown without any protection. Whether it could be called good fortune or a calamity, it was because of Jack lying there, thanks to AnaBella.

“I’m going to find Bella, Boss.”

“Eland!” Sam quickly stood up. “I need you to be in Flown.”

Eland’s eyes sparkled with discontent. He stared at Sam without hesitation, who returned the gaze without hesitation. Eland hadn’t forgotten how intimidating Sam’s gaze was, especially when they first locked eyes. Unfortunately, Eland lost. The chilling aura and Sam’s way of speaking made Eland finally bow down.

“Okay,” Eland sighed in resignation.

“Ferdi will stay on guard around Flown. I’m sure he won’t break his word.”

“My sword is enough to protect Flown,” Eland retorted with a hint of displeasure. “I hate the police.”

“Hate but still able to work together,” Sam grinned. “I’m heading to headquarters.” He tapped Eland’s shoulder with confidence.

“Before you do anything to Bella, do I need to meet her first?”

Sam halted his steps, turning to Eland, who now raised his eyes again.

“Don’t let your hands be stained with Bella’s blood, Eland.”

Eland fell silent.

“Anyone with ill intentions towards Beatrice, especially, will face my reckoning.”