Jasper. 

Of course. I found that I wasn't even shocked by Damian's revelation. Before Thomas, Jasper was the top dog in the Blackcroft empire. Efficient, persistent, cunning. And ruthless. It would make sense for him to eliminate his top competitor the moment he could. I remembered now, how after Thomas' death, Jasper had persuaded the higher administration to give over all of the Black and Tan data Thomas had accrued. And just like that, he was back in power again. Back in control.

"I see," I said at last.

Damian was looking at me warily, with what appeared to be a tinge of anxiety. "You - you seem to be taking it well. I'd imagine you must have a lot of hatred for Jasper at this point."

And can you blame me? This was the man who crippled my father, killed my first love and was now the single destroying force in my life. Hatred would be an understatement. Hatred was not enough. Yet at the same time, I could not blame him. Because that was the law of the underground. That was the law of my people.

To take when you can, and to give only when you know you'd get something back.

"You're not going to do something stupid, are you? Hayley?"

"I'm not." I heard how calm I sounded. "I mean it, Damian, when I say that I'm going to take down Jasper. That man has done enough. It's true that I have no idea how to even start doing that but it's what I want to do. It's what I need to do. For all the people he's - we've - hurt."

Damian appraised me for a long moment. Finally he said, "This world has made you soft, Hayley."

"Maybe it has. Maybe - I'm no longer the girl who left Blackcroft, the girl who wanted to rise up and be the first female kingpin of my family's criminal empire. Maybe all I want now - is a simpler life. But what's wrong with that? Not everyone needs to be someone." I threw up my hands. "I don't even know what I'm saying anymore."

The bus came to a stop and I got up. "Hacker dude thinks you're Thomas, for some reason. If he texts you again, try not to lose your temper and wiggle some information out of him. We know he's from Black and Tan - he's pretty much made that clear from how much he wants to destroy us. Try to provoke him, make him let slip some information. We'll go from there."

"Okay. What are you gonna do then?"

An image of Brandy's tattoo flashed through my mind. I shouldered my bag determinedly.

"I'm going to have a conversation with our local queen bee."

|*|

"So? What have you found out from our darling Mr Hood?"

Jasper took a languorous sip from the glass of red wine he held in his hand. It was the first time I was in Jasper's apartment - a luxurious penthouse suite in the heart of the city, on the tallest floor of the building. No surprises there. Jasper did always like to lord over everyone, both figuratively and literally. 

I'd always imagined Jasper's home to be a black dominion of darkness and despair and strange, creepy sounds - kinda like a bat cave - but there was a lot more color than I thought. They popped against the background - lush red cushions on a cream couch, a vivid jade vase beside the black TV, and the surprising African art dotting the walls. Though it must be said, that the art mostly consisted of large predators devouring horses and deer. 

I shifted uncomfortably. Not only had Jasper dictated that our meeting take place in his residence, he had also made me wear another dress, a pure white long-sleeved with lace trimmings along the edges. He himself was wearing a tuxedo, with a signet ring on one finger. 

I jerked at the hem of my dress. "Why did you make me wear this?"

"Because white is one of my favorite colors. You look lovely, by the way."

I raised an eyebrow. "White is your favorite color? That's surprising, considering how you're mostly all gloom and doom."

"I like how easily you can see blood staining and blossoming against it. Now. What have you found out from the Hoods, sweetheart?"

God, I hate that name. It was forever ruined for me now. Instead of being a symbol of endearment, Jasper had turned it into a derogatory term. 

I cleared my throat. "Well, I found out a lot actually."

"Oh? Pray tell." Jasper downed the glass and poured himself another.

"Let me see ... well, Kaylan plays the violin, not very badly, actually. Mrs Hood is a tiger mother who wishes to live out her dream of becoming a professional violinist through her son. She's also very dramatic and has serious anger management issues. Their house is very nice, by the way, but the garden could use some upkeeping - "

The wineglass slammed against the table. Jasper's cold black eyes looked colder than ever. 

"Do not mock me."

I allowed myself a little moment of triumph for having gotten briefly under his skin.

"Well?"

"They are planning to move overseas, but Mr Hood hasn't informed the rest of the family yet. I've also confirmed that Octagon is Black and Tan's headquarters, and men from there regularly visit Mr Hood. He has a long history of defending and abetting Black and Tan; he's pretty much in it deep and that explains why Black and Tan finds him so valuable - because of him, they've been getting away scot-free for years. They pay him really well."

"What about the will?"

"It's currently at Octagon. Kaylan had a chance to read it before it got stolen though - "

"How? I would imagine it must be locked away very securely, and Mr Hood doesn't seem to be the type to share."

"He picked the safe." I felt oddly proud and couldn't help the smile that came to my lips.

Jasper saw it. Leaning forward, he picked out a red apple from the fruit basket and with his other hand pulled out a switchblade. Idly, he began to cut out slices. 

"Well? What does the will say?"

I raised my chin defiantly. Jasper was not going to like the answer and I was determined to be smug.

"Uncle Edward will be made don, and Uncle Ian will be vice," I declared. "My father will be treasurer." And then purely out of spite, I added, "You weren't mentioned anywhere."

Jasper was unmoved. Piercing an apple slice, he brought it to his lips.

"Will they, now," he mused. "Anything else?"

I remembered the Beretta. "Mr Hood has a gun. I also found papers hidden away in his study. I didn't take them so he wouldn't miss them, but I snapped photos. I've sent it to you already."

"Ah yes, the Octagon documents. I printed them out and they're on my desk. Will you get them for me? They're in my office - past the kitchen, second room on the right."

I opened up my mouth to state that no, I absolutely would not, and didn't he have feet? but something about the glint in Jasper's eyes told me it wouldn't be worth the fight. So begrudgingly, I did as I was told.

Jasper's office was a large room facing the eastern skyline, and it probably had the best views in the penthouse. Pinpricks of light zoomed on the highway far below, and in the distance I could see the city skyscrapers glitter with the lights of those still hard at work. The Octagon documents were labelled and placed neatly on his table, a gorgeous slab of marble with an elegant, ergonomic work chair. 

Standing there, I contemplated rifling through his stuff. But Jasper was a man of secrets, and anything of value he had I was most likely not going to find within the next minute or two, by which he would have come into the study to demand the reason for my delay. So I took up the Octagon documents, cast a last look around the room and went out.

Jasper was already on his third glass of wine. He scooted closer as we checked out the documents together, and that was when I realized that he was in a slight state of disarray. Jasper was a man of meticulousness, so things like a rumpled collar and a shirt corner untucked, both of which he now bore, stood out like a sore thumb and was completely not in line with his usual behavior.

"Let us see. The first few papers are all the building blueprints - layout of each floor, the entrances and exits etc. This is terribly useful to us, of course, and I've already forwarded them to my men with instructions to plan our breach and escape routes. Then we have profiles on Octagon's top leaders - businessmen mostly, wealthy investors and the like. They're either genuine men who have no idea they're being used as a front, or the top administration of Black and Tan. It is most likely that they're a composition of both. Nothing very important, just basic information on their background."

Slender fingers picked up the last pieces of paper. "These though, are the goldmines that we've been looking for."

Jasper spread the papers over the table. They were five in total, each accompanied by a black and white photo. Three men, two women. One of them looked vaguely familiar.

"Isn't that - "

"Indeed. You've seen him before in the photos I showed you on Octagon. Oliver Griffith-Jones. The British man who asked the supervisor to erase the surveillance camera shots. According to Mr Hood's documents, he works as a management supervisor. Supervisor of what is never clearly stated. Then we have Blake Jones, an unassuming name paired with an even more unassuming face. Says here he's a junior associate, with a 'focus on capital market transactions'."

Jasper tapped the third photo, a brawly-looking man with cauliflower ears. "Jesús Dimaggio. He looks like he could send you to heaven, alright. Head security. And our two lovely ladies - Maggie Adams and Park Seol-Hee. Accounting and sales."

He leaned back. "What strikes you the most about these five Octagon employees?"

I thought for awhile. Slowly, I said, "They seem to be holding moderate to low positions in the company. Except for Jesús. Why then did Mr Hood bother making profiles out of them?"

Jasper snapped his fingers. "Exactly! So either they are actually the real head honchos of Black and Tan, or they're the people who frequently contact Mr Hood for business. Either way, having these profiles and those invaluable blueprints have largely increased our knowledge, and hence our percentage of success. Well done, you." And Jasper clapped me on the back.

"Um. Thank you?" It was the first time Jasper had complimented me, or really, said anything positive in my direction. Coupled that with his oddly enthusiastic behavior, I was sure that something was up. Is it the wine?

"Uh, are you okay, Jasper?"

"Okay? I am more than okay! This is spectacular progress! And it's all thanks to you. Really, you've put me in rather a fantastic mood. Have you had dinner?"

Vaguely I shook my head. Jasper jumped up and began making his way to the kitchen, wine bottle in hand. 

"Well then, we shall have dinner. I'm thinking broiled salmon, with brown rice and vegetables. I'm trying out a Mediterranean diet at the moment, and it's all been coming along rather well ... "

I sat there, stunned. Okay. Something is definitely off. This was not Jasper. It couldn't be. First the joking, and now making dinner? Something cold and panicky clutched at my heart. Bollocks. He found out about Thomas, didn't he? 

I sat immobile, heart thudding. Dimly I heard the humming of Tchaikovsky's Waltz of the Flowers in the kitchen.

Jasper Blackcroft did not show friendliness. My ninth cousin, once removed, was not a man capable of genuine sincerity - unless perhaps, when he was pointing a gun at your head telling you how it would be a pleasure to dispatch of you. And if it was true that he wanted something from me, he could easily coerce and not persuade. 

Therefore, there was only one explanation. He was setting me up for a fall. Waiting for the right moment to pull the rug out from under me. Come to think of it, he now has no use for me. I'd squeezed out information from Kaylan like he asked. And I was the only Blackcroft besides him now who knew what the will contained. If we did manage to recover the will, Jasper was sure to destroy it and forge something in his favor. And if that happens, I'll be the only one who can say his claims aren't true. I'm a liability.

For half an hour I sat in dread as Jasper bustled around in the kitchen, preparing for dinner. My eyes fell on the switchblade. Carefully, quietly, I slipped it into my palm. 

Jasper called me from the kitchen. Heart thudding in my mouth, I stood up.

"Ta-daa! A Mediterranean diet, as promised. I've paired it with a good bottle of pinot noir, and this will be quite a feast. Let me pull out the chair for you, sweetheart. There we go."

Jasper raised his glass. I raised mine in return. The switchblade was hidden in my lap.

"To - success. And power." The glasses clinked.

The dinner was delicious, seasoned with a precision I'd come to expect from Jasper. We made light talk, and he actually inquired about my studies. Twice he brushed my fingers. 

"There's something I've been meaning to say for awhile." I watched the salmon come apart easily on Jasper's plate. "I must apologize for my behavior toward your father."

"What?"

"Oh you know," Jasper said, waving his fork around. "Breaking your father's arm and all that. In my defense it was necessary, but still terribly uncourteous. What a first impression to give your father-in-law, am I right? So I suppose, for that - I apologize."

What game is he playing now? I clenched my jaw.

"Then say it."

"I beg your pardon?"

"You wanted to apologize, right? Then say it."

Jasper gave a little laugh. "Idid just apologize, Hayley."

I shook my head. "No. I want you to say the actual words. Say them."

Our eyes met in a deadlock across the dining table. Jasper was expressionless, but I could tell from the twitching in his cheek that he was irate. He set down his knife.

"Very well." The next sentence sounded as if it had been grounded out of a milling machine. "I. Am. Sorry."

I tilted my head in a sort of haughty acceptance. There was silence as we resumed eating. Next to power, pride was another thing Jasper held dear. Making him apologize was the second triumph of my day.

The last scrap of rice was eaten off the plate and the last sip of wine taken. I couldn't take the suspense of waiting and not knowing anymore. If my fate was to be decided, then it would be now. 

I pushed back my chair and stood up. "It's a school night. I should leave now. Is there - anything else?"

Behind my back, I gripped the switchblade tightly.

Jasper opened his mouth like he wanted to say something. Then he too, pushed back his chair.

"Very well then. Let me drive you - "

"A cab will be fine. I don't want to trouble you."

We walked to the door. As I made to slip on my shoes, Jasper raised a hand. 

"One more thing."

Here it comes. I waited with bated breath.

Gaze steady, my fiancé said, without any hesitation, "I would like a goodnight kiss."

That's - unexpected. For a second I thought I'd misheard him. "I'm sorry, what?"

"A kiss. It is what couples do, no?"

I couldn't help it, I let out a snort of laughter. "Yeah - no."

Jasper stepped closer. "I insist."

"Well I insist otherwise. Weren't you the one who told me you had no plans to do any sort of 'couple activities' with me when we were in private? So don't!"

"I changed my mind."

Jasper moved closer and I stepped back, suddenly aware that he was not kidding at all. The glint in his eyes that had disappeared over dinner was now back.

"I said, no." 

"And I say yes."

Firm hands caught me by the wrists and next thing I knew, Jasper's lips were pressed hotly against mine. The stench of wine on his breath was unmistakable - how many had he had? Four? Five? It didn't matter. I pulled away and slapped him. The sound echoed.

Fury and outrage surged within me as I spat, "What the hell is wrong with you!"

Jasper's eyes blazed. "Your future husband has the right - "

"Go screw yourself, okay?" I sneered. "We all know this is nothing but a charade. I feel nothing for you. You are nothing to me. As far as being your little play date and attending your little parties, that I'll do - but beyond that? You can forget all about it. If you touch me, one more time, I will scratch your smug, prickass face!"

For a minute there was silence. For a minute Jasper was immobile and emotionless.

Then in abrupt, violent fashion, he had me by the throat and slammed against the door. The impact sent my ears ringing. Rage coursed through his body as he all but screamed, 

"You belong to me! No one else! And you will obey me!"

I reacted instantly. The switchblade came up, and I heard a yell of pain. Blood oozed from the shallow cut on Jasper's cheek as he staggered backward, palm cradling his jaw.

I was breathing heavily. "I warned you." My voice shook. "I warned you. Don't come closer!"

For Jasper had taken a step near. The switchblade came up. Adrenaline made me tremble, but my arm was steady as a rock. 

"I swear to God, Jasper. If I could kill you - if I had the means to - I would. I swear I would. You must know that. You should know that. After all you've done, how could you even think - "

I didn't finish. Jasper didn't respond.

"Okay. Okay." I edged toward my shoes, guard up. I slipped them on. "I'm leaving now. If you come after me, I'll scream bloody murder. And you wouldn't want to attract your neighbors' attention, do you? I'm sure they must be just as rich and influential as you to live in such a place."

Still he said nothing. There was more than a lack of emotion on his face; it seemed to me that Jasper had gone dull. I made my way to the door and opened it, not once looking away from him. Even as I stood outside to close the door, I watched him through the narrowing gap. The second the door shut I took off running.

The last thing I heard from Jasper was the sound of what seemed like a wine bottle smashing onto the floor.

~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~

A whole year.

Remember that time I said I hadn't updated in seven months, and how that had to be a record?

hahahhahahahahahhahahahhahaha

anyways how's quarantine going on for you guys

I've become a quaranqueen lording over my bedroom on my throne of blankets and pillows -