"Are you sure I can stay here, Jack?" Eland asked to confirm. The doctor said there was nothing to worry about from the recent gunshot wound Jack had suffered. It didn't hit any vital organs, although there was significant bleeding that made Eland anxious.
If it weren't for Bella being in Flown, there wouldn't have been that shootout. But if Bella hadn't infiltrated Flown, they wouldn't have known about Bella's wicked plan along with those two cowards, Gerald and Jimmy. The attack on Jimmy's mansion should have been carried out with one hundred percent intent. Not leaving a single one of them alive.
Goodness.
"I can. I can sleep soundly here," Jack joked casually. Then he waved his slightly chubby hand. "Go, Eland. I can handle it myself."
Eland sighed. "I won't bring wine to your room tonight. Don't complain."
Jack laughed triumphantly. "I'm not the one addicted to tequila."
The man in the casual white shirt just grinned. He walked away from his friend's hospital room, leaving behind many messages. They couldn't afford to be careless in guarding and monitoring Jack's room. All possibilities of an attack were possible, right?
Considering the downfall of Gerald and Jimmy was imminent, Eland was certain that they wouldn't hesitate to cause trouble. Especially after hearing Ferdi's words, which he paid attention to even though he didn't trust his assistance. Whistling softly as he walked through the bustling hospital corridor, he didn't care about his surroundings because his purpose at the hospital was already fulfilled.
Tomorrow, after overseeing Flown, he would return here. Ensuring Jack's recovery was going well. His phone vibrated, catching his attention. He quickly reached for it, seeing Anne's name on the screen.
"Yes?"
"I've obtained Bella's latest position."
Eland clenched his fist tightly. His jaw tightened quickly. He could hear the grinding sound of his teeth. Ignoring the many people passing by around him, he just needed to regain his composure. Somehow Bella's face appeared in his mind, haunting him.
Not in a romantic sense between two individuals of opposite sexes. But an expression full of hatred and dislike had taken over him since Bella declared her enmity. Although he had clearly warned her about why they were in the Twin Dragon Clan. No, Eland had no intention of betraying Sam from behind.
If he wanted to, the opportunity was wide open from year to year.
Why would he do that when under Sam's protection, he rediscovered a life that was once pitch black? Getting involved with a large organization under Sam's command was not his desire. However, the demands of life where his friends needed to eat.
The incident on that stormy night was the turning point for all of them. Although he was certain Sam wouldn't easily forget that incident, what Eland obtained was equally significant. That's why he didn't want to betray his loyalty to anyone other than Sam.
But Bella? How could she end up on the opposite side now? It made no sense to Eland.
Jealousy? Good Lord! Since the beginning, when Sam approached Bella, Eland had warned her. The ruler wouldn't use his heart to act. For Sam, women were just mere entertainment. Unfortunately, Bella refused to listen. Perhaps she was blinded by the grandeur that came with being by Sam's side.
"Where?" Eland asked, trying to contain his emotional turmoil.
"Outside the borders of the South and North. Southwest, near the border of Savannah District."
Eland fell silent for a moment. "Savannah? The desert that borders directly with the sea?"
"Yes."
A thin grin appeared on Eland's face uncontrollably. "A perfect hiding place. Have you informed the Boss?"
"The Boss is preparing everything that's needed."
The man squeezed his eyes shut. "I can't go there. Damn it!" Eland cursed in frustration.
"I'm sure Brother Sam has special considerations."
"How many troops are being deployed?"
Mr. Ferdi just confirmed that his men are joining the ambush. Since Jimmy has been designated as a suspect. And the Twin Dragons are fully supported by Quassano."
Eland felt like riding his motorcycle at high speed to headquarters. Getting ready to restart what Sam had been holding back for so long. If only there weren't so many things to consider, the Twin Dragons would have planned numerous retaliations against Gerald a long time ago.
"Damn it!"
"Flown can't be left unattended, Brother. Besides, if you go too, what will happen to headquarters?"
Anne's words were true.
"That's all I can tell you, Brother. I need to prepare first."
"You... be careful, Anne."
Eland knew he shouldn't be talking like this. But Anne was his friend, right? Anyone who is present and living in the headquarters, declaring their loyalty to Sam, is connected to him even from a distance. Living together and existing within the pulse of the Twin Dragons, it didn't matter to Eland to show a little care.
Although he seemed cold, unapproachable, curt, and appeared to dislike disturbances, Eland was someone who had a significant amount of concern in his friendships.
"Yes. Thank you. Brother Eland too. Oh, by the way, I changed all the passwords in Flown. Including the warehouse."
"What's the password?" Eland asked immediately. He took out another phone to synchronize all the connected passwords.
"Beatrice Quassano."
***[]***
Many people came to renovate Flown again. Eland simply sat and monitored from the second floor. There was no loud music pounding that would make his heart rate race. No smell of alcohol and cigarette smoke except his own.
When he arrived an hour ago, many of Sam's subordinates had come to fix the messy area. Broken tables and chairs were being replaced. Scattered shards of glass had been cleared away. Before everything returned to normal, Eland wouldn't open Flown to the public for a few days.
Although Sam wasn't concerned about the operational matters of Flown, this place couldn't be left unattended. Jack's shooting incident had attracted the attention of the police. It would be troublesome because there would be many questions later on.
"Boss," called one of Sam's subordinates, whom Eland recognized as Musa. He quickly climbed the stairs. He was slightly out of breath, and in his hand was a hammer that Eland assumed he forgot to put back in its place.
Eland only looked up. In his hand, he held a glass of his favorite Tequila as a companion. He gazed at Musa intently. The curly-haired young man immediately looked down, not daring to challenge Eland's gaze for too long.
"The convoy of Boss Sam's vehicles is starting to arrive."
Eland stood up. He quickly extinguished his cigarette, including the contents of the glass he had just been drinking. "Direct them to the main warehouse."
Sam's house or headquarters indeed had a warehouse full of weapons. But one thing was for sure: the warehouse in Flown was much larger than the main headquarters. That's why security at Flown should never be lax for even a moment.
All the weapons were available there, both registered and unregistered—most of them obtained by Sam through various illegal means. Like it or not, Alfred Quassano, the shrewd businessman, also dominated the arms trade where Sam had to suppress his ego and cooperate. Otherwise, there would be too much unregulated arms trade in the Southern Territory.
Eland descended the stairs, followed by Malik. "You continue the work after directing them all to the main warehouse."
"Got it, Boss." Malik quickened his pace and called his other colleagues. Meanwhile, Eland took a different direction, as he had to open the main gate using the code accessible in Jack's office. Because he knew what was hidden underground in Flown, Eland couldn't force himself to join in the ambush of Bella.
The place Eland referred to was at the back of the four-story building owned by Flown. From the CCTV surveillance, Sam's convoy could already be seen. Eland immediately picked up the headset hanging next to Jack's computer screen. He entered several codes given by Anne, including the main code to connect with Sam.
"Boss?"
"Took you so long," Hugo retorted irritably. "You were probably sleeping."
"I'm not the one who has to stay up all night to babysit the Boss's horseplay."
"Your Bastard!"
"Eland, were you informed of the password?" This time it was Sam speaking.
"Yes." Eland synchronized his device. A click was heard on their headset connection. In the main car, where Eland was certain Hugo and Sam were present, everything was connected to headquarters and the room he was currently in.
"Come to Papa, Queen!!" shouted Hugo with excitement as the cars drove in. Other vehicles in the convoy, mostly motorcycles, followed suit.
Eland couldn't help but be puzzled by Hugo's behavior. Why did he have to be friends with a guy who seemed foolish, but when Hugo was given the Maximus Caliber 32, everything could be taken care of with a single instruction?
A true professional sniper.
"The key is on the right side of the red box. Jack had nothing better to do than move the key there," Eland informed with a wide grin. From his CCTV screen, he could see a row of luxurious cars from Sam's collection, as well as heavily armored and bulletproof vehicles. He could also see Hugo quickly getting out of one of the cars and approaching one of the collections.
"I'll use this one, Boss."
"Whatever." Sam walked towards a corner where Eland immediately entered another password. Shortly after, the door slid open slowly. His beloved weapon was there; a white-sheathed sword.
"Get down, Eland. Anne will be arriving in your room soon. There's Uti at headquarters who will be taking control."
"Boss... you're not joking, right?" Eland widened his eyes.
"This sword needs its master."