Rise of the Rich and Powerful Jamie Ashford

Chapter 8

The phone call was unlike anything Ray Fenix had experienced. He'd been in the presence of powerful men, criminals, and gangsters, but this—this was a game-changer. The name that appeared on his phone's screen was one he'd heard only in hushed whispers: Don Atorro, the head of AS99's North America operations.

Don Atorro was an enigma, a near-legendary figure within the organization, a six-star general of the mafia world. Ray Fenix, by comparison, was nothing more than a mere captain, a foot soldier commanding a few hundred men, with dreams of one day rising through the ranks—he was four levels away from gaining his first star in the organization’s ranking. 

But Atorro? He was three levels away from the apex, from the true rulers of AS99. The 99-Degree Supreme Lords, who are nine in number—the ones whose mere presence could command entire continents—were the legends, and the Ashford clan, rumored to be their true masters, controlled it all. Only a born Ashford can be the Supreme Leader, as rumors had it. 

Ray’s hands trembled as he silenced his men, the weight of the call sinking in. His legs buckled beneath him, and he dropped to the floor, still holding the phone to his ear. There was a moment of stunned silence before his voice cracked out, his words low and respectful, as if he were in the presence of a god.

"Yes, sir," he murmured, his body instinctively lowering to the ground. His voice trembled as he spoke, and every inch of his being screamed with the reverence due to such power. "I understand."

The call ended, and Ray’s men stood frozen, waiting for instructions. After a long pause, Ray slowly rose, but he did so not as a captain commanding his men but as a man completely unmoored. He turned to Jamie, who watched with a calm that made Ray’s stomach churn.

"Young Supreme Leader," Ray said in awe, his voice almost reverent as he dropped to his knees before Jamie, his forehead touching the ground. His words seemed to echo in the room, resonating with a power that sent shivers down the spines of his men who were the only ones with him and Jamie inside the store. "I... I must show my respect."

The room was silent, such silence that could be felt from a mile away. Even the women, who had once mocked Jamie but now felt pity for him, were completely still, unsure of what was happening inside the store. For a moment, the entire world seemed to pause, as if holding its breath. Ray had instructed everyone to leave the store, he wasn’t one who carried out his operations in the sight of spectators. 

Jamie stood still, unsure how to react. He knew enough to understand that something far bigger than he could have imagined was unfolding before him. His voice was calm, yet tinged with curiosity as he asked, “Why are you calling me that?”

Ray Fenix, trembling and still kneeling, did not dare to look up. “I... I don’t know the full extent of it, but... Don Atorro—he’s... he’s recognized you,” Ray stammered. “The order came from the highest level. I... I’m not authorized to explain, Young Supreme Leader, but you’re... you’re not what you seem to be.”

Jamie’s mind raced. He had known there were secrets hidden within his family’s history, but this? This was a revelation. "What does this mean?" he asked, his voice demanding more than just answers.

Ray's gaze remained fixed on the floor, his voice barely a whisper. “It means you are not just anyone. The AS99 empire... they see you, and they bow to you. I have never... I have never seen anything like this. But I... I serve you now… we all serve you now.”

Jamie took a deep breath, his mind processing the enormity of the situation. He had always known he was destined for something more, but now it seemed his inheritance ran deeper than he could have ever imagined. It wasn't just wealth; it was power. The kind of power that could bend men like Ray Fenix to their knees.

“Stand up,” Jamie ordered, his tone firm but not unkind. “I don’t need you groveling.”

Ray and his men rose, still shaking with fear. “I am at your service, Young Supreme Leader. Whatever you ask, I will do.”

Jamie thought for a moment. He had been planning his next move since he left the hospital, but now, with the AS99 organization at his disposal, everything had changed. He had the power to reshape his life, to take revenge on those who had wronged him and his mother. And it was time to begin.

“I want you to go to Mick Dalton,” Jamie said, his voice cold and deliberate. “Shut down his nightclub and bring him to me. I’m going to make him pay for everything he did to me.”

Ray nodded quickly, his fear of Jamie's power evident in his every movement. "It will be done, Young Supreme Leader. Right away."

“Good,” Jamie said. “Now, take care of the rest of the store. Send the ladies outside away, I don’t want any questions about what’s happening here. Get the manager in here and order her to let me pay for what I took. And not a single word from her.”