Ivan Smith: The rise of the elemental werewolf

Chapter 7

"Who?” Ivan demanded.

“An organization we've been trying to track for a while. We are not sure yet but my people are on it.”

Ivan was less than satisfied with that answer. Her people were on it sounded way too much like what rich people said to appease their subjects when in fact their people were not on it.

“Are your people competent?”

Ivan asked.

“it goes without saying.”

“I'd like to talk to them. Get more details.”

“I don't think that's necessary, Ivan. I have everything under control.”

“I'm not waiting around for people I don't know to find my shooters and my mother's near assassin. It's either you put me in the loop or I call the wedding off.”

Leah stared at Ivan in disbelief, but then sighed and nodded. It was only fair he had access and knew how the issue was being taken care of.

“Very well then.”

“Great. Let's go.”

“Just one second.” She drew closer to him that she was barely a breath 's air away

“I don't take very kindly to ultimatums, remember that next time.”

Ivan shivered. For someone so slender, she was quite intimidating.

He was certainly not afraid of her, definitely not, but there was something about her that made you think twice before crossing her.

“What are you waiting for?” She asked, once outside the conference room.

Ivan followed.

The car ride was tense. Leah was upset, at least that was what Ivan thought.

He thought about saying something, but his words kept failing him.

By the time they reached Dalton's security, the sun was already starting to set.

Ivan stepped out of the car, and stared at the tall building before him.

From the outside, it looked ordinary, like every other sky scraper in the city, but Ivan knew what went on in Dalton's security. They were more than a private security company, they were an entire network of underground syndicates. The old man had prepared him for this, but he never truly believed any of it was real.

Not until now.

“Come on. The future chairman of Dalton enterprises shouldn't stare so hard.”

Ivan followed Leah, falling into steps beside her.

“Miss Dalton. Welcome.”

A young looking woman appeared. She was wearing a vest and had a gun tucked in her belt.

“Sara, hello. Where is Dante?”

“On the third floor waiting for you, ma'am. Would you like your usual coffee?”

“Yes Sara. Thank you.”

Leah said and walked right past her. Ivan followed.

She did not fail to notice the look Ivan was getting from everyone else.

“Everyone's staring.” Ivan said.

“People usually stare when they see a handsome man.”

“You think I'm handsome?” Ivan asked, trying to lighten the mood.

“It's a fact. I'm sure Grandpa factored in your attractiveness when he chose you as my husband “

“You sound just like him.” Ivan noted. He wasn't sure whether he admired it or feared it.

Leah turned to look at him.

“That's not the compliment you think it is.”

They stepped into the elevator, and Leah pressed the button for the third floor.

“What do you think those men wanted from me?”

“My guess is they know what you're capable of and wanted to find out.”

“So, they didn't want me dead.”

“If the MCA wants you dead, you'd be dead.”

Ivan knew what he was getting himself into when he had agreed to help Master Sinzu, but sometimes he wished he had simply ignored the old man.

‘Who are the MCA?’

“Monster Curse Association.” Leah answered.

“They are powerful people. Their mission is to stop supernatural beings.”

“And I caught their eyes?”

“We still are not certain if they were responsible for what happened to you.”

The elevator door opened and they both stepped out. Leah took the lead, leading Ivan through the walkway of an open plan office

It looked like a precinct. Only cleaner, more spacious and even fancier

The entire wall was glass and every single man looked like Superman, the women were pretty and Amazonian.

And the short ones were seductive and looked like you'd let them ruin your life.

There had to be about sixty of them.

They all bowed sd Leah walked through.

Leah took a turn and entered another hallway.

A door immediately opened and a buff blonde guy with eyes so blue it could make the sky feel inferior, smiled.

“Miss Dalton, welcome.”

“Thank you, Julian.” Leah smiled at him.

Ivan noticed the way Mr blonde and blue-eyed eyes lingered on Leah before he ushered them in…

“Julian, meet my fiance, Ivan Smith. Ivan, this is Julian Monroe, he used to be my bodyguard.”

Ivan nodded.

He extended his hand for Julian to shake. Julian took it but not before hesitating.

“Nice to meet you, Sir. Welcome to Dalton PI Enterprise.”

“Pleasure.” Ivan withdrew his hand.

He didn't fail to notice how Julian’s eyes found Leah again nor did he fail to see the look of longing in his eyes.

Ivan took a seat.

“So, Julian, please explain what you've found to my fiance.”

“Of course, ma'am.”

Julian pulled a file from the table and placed it in front of Ivan.

“We believe the men who attacked you are connected to the MCA. They have been monitoring Dalton Enterprises for months, but recently, their interest shifted to you.”

“Why?” Ivan asked.

“Unclear, but they are an underground syndicate that specializes in the dark arts.”

“What?”

“Let's just say, they are an interesting bunch.”

“What does this have to do with me or my mother?”

“We are still working on that. My best theory is that they probably heard about you from prison. Maybe one of their informants informed them of what you are.”

“That’s not possible.”

“Why not?”

“Because, I didn't have any powers in prison.”

“You didn't, doesn't mean you couldn't easily be sniffed out by the right people.”

Ivan leaned back into his chair as he started to realize that everything he thought he knew was crumbling.