“We need changes with some clauses. These clauses don’t affect the security of the gang or its identity, but we want the percentage share to be increased by 10%. We are taking up most of the risk in this deal along with the identity and the risk of getting caught. Unlike you, the python gang is well established and famous in the nation,” Dominic was cold and void of any emotion, and Aaliyah sat back, impressed.
This was the first time she was seeing him dealing with some gang, and she liked it so far.
“By 10%? Isn’t this a bit too much given how we have decided to share 30% of the profit when everything is ours?” Mr. Hudson said, wiping the sweat from his forehead, and Dominic’s gaze flickered a bit.
It was obvious something was wrong. The subordinate was sweating too much, and Dominic was sure it wasn’t because of him. It was as if some higher-up was watching, just like Nathan was watching them.
Turning up the partition, Mr. Hudson looked at Matthew to get some advice since their boss was still not here, and Matthew was the only person in the room apart from the gang that dealt with settlement and contracts in his business.
“If I were you, I would make it 4% at most. If they agree, say yes, or cancel the deal. They are using your incapability to leak your identity as their weapon,” Aaliyah said without a doubt, and Matthew nodded.
“For the first time, I agree with her. Anyway, when is your boss coming? We don’t have all the time in the world,” Matthew said, and Hudson looked at Aaliyah, who looked like she was losing her patience now.
Meanwhile, Dominic thought he could use their identity to their benefit. It was a question of 100s of millions. So a 10% increase in the percentage will benefit them greatly. Besides, right now, Hudson looks like he is scared of something. So maybe he will give in easily.
The boss will come to sign the contract only, so he won’t create a fuss regarding that. It was a tough risk, but he was willing to take it.
“Dominic, there is something you should know. On the other side of the partition -” Samantha couldn’t complete her words as the partition opened again, and she stood back.
“4%. That’s the most we can go. As much as your reasons sound good, we don’t let people take advantage of our identity security,” Hudson paused.
“You looked like a good gang to deal with our other business with the government, but if you are trying to rip us off, you don’t know what you are losing. So, 34% or nothing,” Hudson looked at Dominic resolutely, and the latter looked at Benjamin before nodding.
“Fine. Let’s do it. Also, clause no. 12 says that three of our most trusted men would be allowed in your secret base. Make it seven. We will provide the details of all the members to ensure you they are loyal to the gang by their experience,” Dominic said, and Hudson nodded.
“Okay,”
After discussing all the clauses, Dominic signed the contract, and Samantha and others bit their lips, not understanding how to feel about this situation.
From what they saw, Aaliyah knew about the eagle eye gang and had come here to threaten their boss. She was acting completely different from the girl they know too.
Chances are, she might try to harm the boss, which might lead to a great controversy since the blame might be shifted to them because of it happening during their meeting.
“We are happy to collaborate with you, guys. When is your boss arriving? Is he deliberately trying to hide from us?” Dominic asked, and Mr. Hudson smiled awkwardly for the first time.
“He has arrived downstairs. He must be here at any moment,” Hudson turned to look at Aaliyah from the corner of his eyes, biting his lips when her eyes dropped to a glare.
Playing with the gun in her hand, she immediately stood by the door as soon as it opened, pointing it at the person who entered, shocking everyone.
However, to her shock, the person who entered wasn’t the boss. He was his subordinate.
“Years of experience have taught me to never enter a room recklessly,” Aaliyah heard a familiar voice, and heat rushed to her head.
“You!” Aaliyah growled, making her presence known to everyone, and Dominic raised his brows in shock.
Aaliyah was here. Since when? Was it when they left to discuss things, or has she been here the whole time? Why didn’t she say anything till now?
Meanwhile, kicking the subordinate from in front of her, she raised her feet to kick the other subordinate when her leg was captured by the boss, making her raise the upper half body to land a punch when the boss held her fist with a smile.
“I won’t let you win this time,” Aaliyah growled before hitting his abdomen, making him stumble back and lose her hand. Placing his hand on the side of the door, he twisted her leg, making her push back on the wall to free herself.
Dominic couldn’t see the man, but it was clear Aaliyah was angry at him and wanted to fight.
It wasn’t the kind of anger where you kill someone, or she had used that gun long ago, but the kind of anger where you just want to vent your frustration.
“Aaliyah,” Matthew started from behind her, but she just glared at him, making Dominic look at the other man, who he had failed to notice.
“Come on,” Matthew hugged Aaliyah from behind, pulling her away as she flailed her legs and arms in the air, making angry sounds, and as funny as it looked, Dominic’s expression turned even graver.
“Leave me alone!” Aaliyah growled, and the boss looked at the girl before shaking his head at Matthew, who let go of her, and as soon as Aaliyah reached him to punch him again, he held her hand before pulling her and hugging her tightly to his body.
“What the hell is going on here?” Samantha scrunched her brows.
“The more I look, the more confused I am becoming. First, Aaliyah came, then she threatened the subordinate with a gun, waited for their boss, threatened him, and then fought him. That guy with her tried to pull her back, but let go and now the boss she was fighting with is hugging her?”
Samantha looked at the scene, and Dimitri hummed.
“We will only know the truth once she calms down,” Bryce commented.
“Let go of me! You! I hate you! Don’t hug me as if you love me all of a sudden,” Aaliyah pushed him back with as much force as she could, and the boss stumbled back, pretending to be falling on the ground, making Aaliyah hold his hand and pull him back.
“Be careful. What are you -” Aaliyah huffed and crossed her arms when she realized she was showing concern, and the boss chuckled.
“Sweetheart, stop pretending to be angry. You know you can’t stay angry at me ever. We will deal with this later. I am here to have a meeting,” Harry looked at the other side of the partition, his face covered with a mask, and Aaliyah nodded.
“I am not going anywhere, or you’ll run away again,” Aaliyah huffed before sitting beside Hudson, glaring at him, and he looked like he was about to cry before he shuffled away from her.
“Get away from her,” Harry said in a calm tone, but anyone in the gang could see the underlying threat, and Hudson didn’t waste a single second to stand and move as far as he could, making everyone press their lips into thin lines as they could barely control their smiles at the helpless person.
“Mr. Dominic, Mr. Benjamin, it’s a pleasure to meet you,” Harry shook both of their hands, and they looked into the eyes of the man, who was wearing a mask.
“We are about to sign a collaboration deal. Is the mask necessary?” Benjamin asked, and Harry just chuckled, not answering his question.
Seeing the contract with the sign in front of him, Harry turned to Hudson, who nodded before signing the contract.
“Well, I hope we have a good time in this partnership of two years,” Hardy shook hands with them before looking at Aaliyah, who looked like an angry cat.
“I have some personal matters to deal with. Let’s dine together next time,” Harry turned around, but Dominic’s words stopped him.
“How do you know Aaliyah?” Dominic asked, and Aaliyah seething with anger, looked up.
“Aaliyah? You mean, Lea? And why would you be interested in knowing how I know Lea? Do you guys know each other?” Harry looked between Dominic and Aaliyah, and before Dominic could say yes, Aaliyah stood from her place.
“I don’t know this guy,” Aaliyah turned around and walked straight to the door without explaining further, shocking everyone from the python gang, even Nathan.
“Really?” Harry looked between Dominic and Aaliyah, suspecting something as he saw Dominic’s gaze darkening.
“He is my teacher. Happy?” Aaliyah practically pulled Harry out of the room, and everyone looked at Dominic, whose aura clearly defined terror.
Nodding at everyone, Benjamin walked out of the room, not even bothering with his brother, and everyone followed suit.
Meanwhile, Dominic sat back in the chair with a sigh.
What could be Aaliyah’s relationship with that boss for her to lie like this? It was suspicious how she accepted his gang background so easily but it looks like it was all because she was already associated with the most secret gang in the country.
Dominic was indeed her teacher, but he thought they had gone past that zone already.
So why did she lie?
Is it all for that trip, and now she doesn’t want to stay associated with him? This reminds him, she hasn’t once called or texted him back since they returned from the trip.
What was going on in her head? Dominic pinched the bridge of his nose, wanting to let out the heat piling on his body in the form of anger and frustration.