One of Michael's men said, "Sir, you need to leave; this place is a trap."

Michael was desperately attempting to get out of the burning vehicle with one of his trusted men. They were ambushed by the Russians, who are trying to conquer their territory, as they were trading goods.

No one dared want to go to war with the McKinley Family, one of the well-known Mafia in the United States, in New York City.

He frantically pulled Kevin out of the burning car while yelling, "No, I won't abandon you Kev, you need to get out there before this car explodes.""

"Michael, come on bud your safety is my top concern, go on run," Kevin raises his left arm and grabs his wrist. “I can leave this place, so save yourself."  Kevin grinned at Michael, his best friend and boss.

Kevin's arm was lightly punched by Michael, who also said, "You swear you'll return to the manor alive." Kevin gave him a smile. He got to his feet and bolted. Michael knew very well that his best friend wouldn’t get out there but suddenly he heard gunfire from behind him as he fled.

He turned around to see Mark, one of his father's trusted men, pointing a gun at Kevin, who was lying dead.

Mark turns to where Michael is standing, but as he turn to where he last saw him, he has already vanished without a trace.

____________________

“Bro—“

“Broth—“

“Richard, Brother!” Linnea slammed her hands against his brother's desk.

While sitting in his office chair, thinking so intently about something, Richard flinched at what Linnea did. "Brother, I've been calling you so many times, you're spacing out since after we ate at the Noodle Bar earlier," She said.

He covered his eyes with his palms and took a deep breath. "I apologize, little sister. I was pondering my upcoming project. You are well aware that I have to create a new car design by the end of the month.”

“Are you certain that's what you were pondering? Do you not worry about anything else?” Linnea asks him suspiciously.

Richard got up from his seat, got in front of Linnea, he smiled at her, and caressed her chicks. "Certainly, Linnea, my project was the one I had in mind. So, please, don't worry.” He assured her by smiling at her.

Richard laughed at Linnea's reaction, "Alright, come one now," but she is still suspicious. "Do you feel hungry?”

"Yes, I grew so hungry from calling you so many times," He laughs at her remark, and they leave his office together. He asked her what they should eat, and she suggested Chinese food.

As they awaited the delivery of their food, they settled into the living room to watch television and movies. But minutes later, the doorbell rang. "Coming!" Linnea said.

“Hi and thanks for bringing our food, Sir.” Linnea exclaimed as she opened the door, but she was mistaken; it was her brother's best mate Lloyd, not the food delivery.

“Seriously, Linnea? Do I really seem to be a delivery man to you?” He chuckled as he patted her head.

“I didn't even know it was you, I was so hungry now that I am eager to get our food for dinner,” Linnea replied, blushing with embarrassment.

“Yeah! Yeah! Indeed, little one.” Linnea frowned at Lloyd's remark. He simply smirked.

He yelled as he entered the living room, "Hello, Richard where are you I'm here your good best friend Lloyd Crusade." A pillow that Richard threw straight off his face met him as soon as he walked inside their living room.

“I told you to call me or leave a damned message, didn't I?” He grabs Lloyd's shirt and violently shakes him off.

As Lloyd entered their house, the delivery of their meal arrived exactly on time, so Linnea was occupied paying for their meal while Richard and Lloyd were arguing like children.

She proceeds straight to the kitchen and sets the table after paying for their meal.

"Brother Richard, Llyod come here right away in the dining room the food is served." The two men walked to the dining room a minute after she called them, still arguing with one another as they took their seats.

Linnea sighs heavily, gets up from her seat, and smacks them on the head. After receiving a smack from her, both men groaned. “Please refrain from fighting in front of the food."  said Linnea."

"We apologize, but as you are well aware, this is merely a way for us to express our love and friendship."  Llyod spoke to her as Richard scowled at his friend's remark.

Linnea questions Llyod about the sudden visit to their house when he was present yesterday at their mother's funeral while they eat dinner. He told her that he would like him to see if they were both fine. She told him that she greatly appreciates his visit and that she is grateful that he is always with her brother in these types of situations.

“Nahhh!” He gives her a sincere smile and says, "It's nothing Linnea, you know very well that your brother and I are best friends."

After their small talk over dinner, Linnea excused herself and informed them that she had classes the next day and would be going to bed. She received good-night wishes from the two men.

As soon as Lloyd heard the door slam shut, he knew Linnea was in her room. He asked Richard, "So, is it true that you've seen him?"

Richard texted Lloyd earlier with information about the young man he seen earlier.

“Yes!” He sighs heavily. "I didn't think he knew who I was. But I can see he has a hunch.”

Lloyd replied at him with a hum, “Well, you need to be careful if you really don’t want to get involve with them now.”

"I am completely aware of this, and I cannot put Linnea in danger due to my actions."

He asked him, "Are you still blaming yourself for what happened to my brother?"

"You know very well that I do blame myself for leaving your brother and allowing that bastard kill him," Richard said to Lloyd.

"And you are well aware that he will be upset with you for blaming yourself in such a way. My brother made a wise choice, as we both know. You wouldn't be alive right now if he had allowed you to save him from that burning car."  Lloyd told him the truth.

Richard frowned, still holding himself responsible for the incidents of thirteen years ago. "I am well aware of this, Lloyd, but as you know, that jerk caught me by surprise. He stabs me in the back."

"Yes, I am aware! You're lucky though since he didn't even confirm whether you were indeed dead or alive. He basically leaves you at the alley."

Lloyd's comment made Richard chuckle. "It was true, and if Linnea's mother hadn't seen me in there, you wouldn't meet me."

“True! True!” Lloyd chuckles.

"However, I did not anticipate that your father would ask my father for permission to allow your family to leave the Mafia, eh?"

Lloyd look at him and smirked “You know that my father was devastated of what happened to my brother and to you. He thought you were dead also, but when I told him you were still alive and see you personally he is thankful that his son’s best friend and boss is alive. You know that he is a proud to my brother, and our family still loyal to you.”

"I am aware and grateful that my father allowed you and your family to leave the mafia. Also, it's wise that your family changed your last name as soon as you left my family's side."  Richard gave him a smile.

"Well, enough about my brother and my family. You know very well that he will become angry with you if he is alive right now and is with us, right?" Richard looked at Lloyd with displeasure when he said something to him seriously.

They exchange a brief moment of silence before laughing together. “You’re very aware of what your brother will do to me, huh?"

"Of course! So, let's return to the actual issue. What would you do if they spotted you sooner rather than later?"  Lloyd asked him.

Richard briefly closes his eyes and sighs heavily. "You need to do me a favour; search for a location where neither Linnea nor I will be found. I cannot involve Linnea in my family affairs, nor do I want her to know that I am also the son of a Mafia boss."