Chapter Seven
Nicholas Marino had made up his mind—he was going to quit the Brotherhood.
"I have to get a job," he told himself.
But on second thought, he faced a bitter truth: in the Brotherhood, you don't quit. You might change duties, adopt a new role—but walking away entirely? That's the fastest way to quit living.
So, instead, he decided to shift responsibilities. He submitted his credentials to his superior, Versace, the man who could open any door—and close them forever if needed.
A week later, Nicholas received an invitation from Kock Merchant Bank for an interview. Needless to say, he got the job. His brilliance and work discipline quickly propelled him up the ladder, and within a few short years, he rose to become the Director of Operations. But Nicholas was never one to settle. He wanted more.
While working in the bank, Nicholas started probing quietly—curiosity was second nature to him. It didn't take long before a bombshell found its way to him: Cherry Kock, the wife of Steven Kock and heir to the Kock empire, was the subject of his last operation—the mission that nearly cost him his life.
Ever since that discovery, he'd been obsessed with meeting her.
His opportunity arrived during the 45th Anniversary Gala of the Koch Organization, an event expected to draw every power broker within and beyond American borders. It was the kind of event Nicholas had been trained to exploit.
He went to work, deploying his old skills with surgical precision. Through careful manipulation, he infiltrated the planning process. Trusted associates of his were planted among the event's ushers, servers, and even security personnel. Each had a defined role, all woven into his carefully laid plan.
The big day came.
The gala, hosted at the Kock family country estate, it was nothing short of breathtaking. Everything gleamed—the guests, the wine, the laughter. The best of America's elite were in attendance, each corner of the venue dripping with wealth and elegance. But Nicholas wasn't here for the glamour. His eyes were focused on one thing: Madam Cherry Kock.
Cherry had been looking forward to the gala for weeks. When the day arrived, she turned heads. Her flowing silk gown, stitched with golden thread, hugged her graceful figure. As she stepped out of the black limousine beside her husband, her presence illuminated the grounds like rays of sunlight.
Steven, taking in the splendor of the night, leaned toward her and whispered, "An evening with the stars."
Nicholas had anticipated every detail. He had prepared a message—a subtle but potent note—disguised in a delicate red rose. Several duplicates were in place to ensure proper timing, with instructions not to deliver more than one.
The sun rose and fell as anticipated. Cherry excused herself during the event to visit the exclusive restroom wing reserved for the Kock family. On her return, she was met by Usher 003, a strikingly pretty young woman who smiled warmly.
"Ma'am, anything I can help with?" the usher asked.
"I'm good, darling. How are you?"
"Pretty fine, ma. I have a gift for you."
Cherry raised a brow. "Oh? Is that so?"
The usher stepped closer and handed her a single red rose. But it wasn't the flower that caught Cherry's attention—it was the message discreetly tucked inside. She slid out the tiny scroll and read:
"Queen of Hearts, I once put my life on the line for you. I will do it again if I must. Congratulations, ma."
Moved and intrigued, Cherry asked for a pen. Usher 003, ever prepared, handed one over. Cherry scribbled something, slipped the note back into the rose, and returned it with a faint smile before walking away, unaware of the storm she had just invited into her life.
Later that night, Nicholas received the note.
It contained Cherry's personal contact.
That was the key—the one he needed to unlock every door of desire he had buried.
It didn't take long. Soon, Nicholas and Cherry were engaged in a secret, passionate romance. What she lacked in her marriage to Steven, Nicholas provided in abundance—attention, affection, danger, and devotion. Their meetings were planned with military precision: unlisted guest houses, disguised identities, secluded corners of the city.
But secrets, like bubbles, don't last forever.
Years passed. Earth-shaking changes swept through the Kock Organization. None more devastating than the death of David Kock, the patriarch of the empire. But the real earthquake was yet to come: Steven was not the biological father of Brian.
Nicholas sat alone in his penthouse apartment, the city skyline glittering before him, the truth whispering through his mind like a ghost.
If Steven isn't the father...
He stared at the whiskey glass in his hand, his reflection distorted by the golden liquid.
Who is the father of Brian? he asked, not expecting any answer.
He remembered the night of the operation, the night everything nearly "went Gaga". Cherry was the subject matter of that operation. He was to eliminate those who attempted to kill her. That mission changed him—and now, it seemed, it may have left behind a legacy. A reference point on which many graphs can be sketched.
Nicholas stood up, heart pounding, a man reborn with purpose.
"These are interesting times," he whispered to himself. "And I'm willing to throw everything into the ring".