Ivan Smith: The rise of the elemental werewolf

Chapter 8

Ivan left the building unsatisfied, but now in contact with Julian and his team responsible for the information gathering.

He needed to know everything about this. If he was going to take over, he had to be familiar with everything.

“You've been quiet. Are you alright?” Leah asked half way into the drive home.

Ivan looked at her. “As okay as a man that was almost shot.”

“Technically, you were.”

As they rode, Ivan suddenly told the driver to stop.

“Whay are you doing?” Leah asked.

“My old work place.”

Leah glanced at a small quaint bar on het left and frowned.

“You worked there?”

Ivan nodded. “Among other jobs.”

Leah looked at him with equal parts sympathy in her eyes and disgust.

“Don't look at me like that. I loved my job. It was honest, and I made above minimum wage. Tips.”

“Did you make up to thirty thousand dollars a month?” Leah asked.

Ivan laughed, but quickly realized that she wasn't joking.

“I don't even think the bar made that much in a year.”

Ivan stepped out of the car.

“Wait.” Leah reached for his arm.

He looked back at her.

“I'll be five minutes.”

“I'm coming with you.”

“You don't have to.”

“I want to. If you're going to be my husband, I should know things about you.”

Ivan stared at her for a long while before nodding.

She stepped out anyway. Ivan sighed and led her into the bar.

The moment he pushed the door open, the familiar smell of alcohol, fried food, and cheap perfume hit him.

Nothing had changed. It was like the last three years hadn't happened.

The same cracked leather seats. The same faded signs on the walls. The same old television hanging above the counter.

Even the bartender looked exactly the same.

“Holy shit.”

The bartender's eyes widened when he saw Ivan.

“Ivan? You're fucking with me?!”

Ivan smiled.

“Hey, Marcus.”

Marcus came around the counter and grabbed his hand.

“Where the hell have you been? We thought you were dead.”

“Something like that.”

Marcus laughed, but his eyes moved to Leah.

“And who's this?” he asked, barely able to keep his jaw intact.

Ivan glanced at Leah.

“My fiancée.”

Marcus's mouth fell open.

“Your what?”

Leah smiled politely.

“Fiancée.”

Marcus looked at Ivan again. “Uh, aren't you married or something?” He whispered, but it was useless since Leah had heard him perfectly fine.

“Long story. Me and Selene are divorced now.”

“Well, good for you!”

He said, then his eyes drifted towards her again, and he grinned.

“Damn. You really disappeared and came back rich.”

Ivan laughed.

“I wasn't rich when I left.”

“Apparently, you made up for it.”

Marcus looked Leah up and down before giving Ivan a knowing look.

Ivan rolled his eyes.

“Don't.”

“I'm not saying anything.”

“You're thinking it.”

“I'm always thinking something.”

Marcus leaned against the counter.

“So what happened to you?”

Ivan's smile faded slightly.

“Long story.”

“I've got time.” he said, eager to hear my story.

“I don't, unfortunately.”

Marcus nodded.“Fair enough.” he shrugged.

“Damn, let me pour you a drink. What will the pretty lady like?”

“Oh, I'm perfectly fine.”

Leah waved him off. She was ready to leave the place but for some reason, Ivan didn't want to.

She watched patiently as Ivan and his friend interacted with each ouch other.

Leah walled around for a moment, all she could think about was going home.

The day had been long and so was the entire two weeks leading to to her wedding going to be.

Ivan’s eyes once agon drifted towards Leah as Marcus made another remark about her.

He was sure Marcus had fallen in love, but he didn't blame him.

Leah was a masterpiece of a woman.

“Anyway, I should get going.” Ivan finally said.

“Already?” before Ivan could give an answer, the sound of a car pulling into the front of bar caught their attention.

“Boss is here.”

Ivan froze.

Boss Leo was here. The man that had made his life hell for three years

The bar was owned by two brothers. One of them liked him, and the other they called boss?

He hated his guts.

Leah walked towards him just as Boss walked in.

Boss was a tall and lanky man with an of arrogance that Ivan thought was unfiting.

Leo's eyes landed on his, and his eyes narrowed.

“You!” He pointed, his eyes hard.

Ivan smirked, watching as he walked towards him.

“Before you open your mouth, you are not getting your job back. I have no need for an ex convict in my establishment “

Marcus gasped behind them.

Guess the cat's out of the bag. Ivan thought.

“Hello, Leo.”

“How dare you call me by my first name?” Leo spat, his hand already folded into fists, ready to swing

“Relax, Leo. I am not here to beg for my job back.”

“Good, because you're not getting it, and no I won't be lending you money, neither will I let Cain give you any money. Shit like you…”

“That's quite enough from you, Mr Cole.”

Leo paused and his eyes landed on Leah. His cheeks turned a bright red.

“And who are you?” His voice softened.

“I am Leah Dalton. Ivan is my finance.”

Leo laughed.

He didn't believe it.

“Ivan ? Your fiance ? Honey, are you confused or something? Don't tell me you hired a prostitute to pose as your woman just to brag to me.”

Ivan wasn't sure when he had made the decision, but one minute, he was cool and poised just like master Sinzu had thought him. The next, his fist was connecting with Leo’s Jaw.

Leo was on the floor, holding his jaw, and dry heaving.

Shit!

Ivan exclaimed .

He had spent years trying to control his inner anger and Leo had unravelled it in tow words.

“Are you okay?” Leah asked. For a second, Ivan thought she was asking the man in the floor in pain. When he finally noticed her looking at him, he smiled weakly, and said. “You should have seen the other guy.”