The Hand of Death

Chapter 5

His words had barely left his mouth when Roman reached across the table and flicked him on the forehead.

“Watch what you say.”

Baby looked up at the sudden movement.

Jonas gritted his teeth, forced a smile at her,

and turned back to Roman.

“I apologize,” he muttered.

He waited until Baby returned to her food before looking at the tablet in Roman’s hands.

Thirty minutes ago, Roman had asked him to gather every piece of information he could find about the Elwood family and meet him at the nearest café.

Jonas still didn’t understand why.

Roman had lived with those people for seven years. Surely, he already knew enough about them.

What could a file tell him that he hadn’t learned while living under the same roof? But Jonas kept his questions to himself.

“How much is the Hale family worth now?” Roman suddenly asked.

“A shit ton of-” Jonas stopped when Roman raised his eyes. He quickly corrected himself. “A considerable amount. They’ve gone from being an unknown family to the third wealthiest in the country in just fifteen years.”

“Is that so?” Roman tapped the tablet with one finger. “Then fifteen million won’t do much for them.”

His lips tightened, and he fell silent.

Jonas watched him, but Roman offered no explanation.

After a while, Roman turned off the tablet and stood up.

“Baby and I need a house, but I want us to choose it ourselves. For now, book us a hotel suite.”

Jonas immediately nodded.

He took out his phone to make the arrangements and personally drove Roman and Baby to the hotel.

After making sure they had everything they needed, Jonas prepared to leave.

Then he noticed the tablet Roman had left with him.

A drawing was displayed on the screen.

At the top were two simple words.

THE ELWOODS.

Jonas stared at it, and a chill ran down his spine.

He knew that drawing style.

Twenty years ago, Jonas had been a loudmouthed kid who was always getting into trouble. One day, he picked a fight with the wrong people and found himself surrounded by a group of older boys.

If another kid, a few years older than him, hadn’t stepped in, Jonas would have been beaten to death that day.

That kid had was Roman Moretti.

Jonas didn’t hear from him again for the next ten years.

When Roman finally showed up, he sought Jonas out and told him he wanted to build a gang network.

At the time, Jonas thought he was crazy.

Roman was twenty-three and had no experience in the streets. How could he hope to build a powerful gang when others had been in the business since they were children?

But Jonas soon learned that Roman was different.

His body was built for a fight, but that wasn’t what made him dangerous.

It was his mind.

Once Roman set his sights on something, he wouldn’t stop until he got what he wanted.

And as an artist, he had a habit of drawing out his plans before making a move.

He would sketch the people, companies? gangs, or families he wanted to bring down. Then he would work out how to destroy them, step by step.

Every move had a purpose and every weakness could be used against his target.

When Roman began taking over different parts of A City, he went straight for the gang leaders.

He found their weaknesses and used them against them until their power crumbled.

He did it again and again, leaving once-powerful men with nothing.

Some lost their money. Others lost their influence, their friends, and the respect they had spent years building.

Roman didn’t need to kill them with his own hands.

He destroyed their lives until they were no longer anyone.

For some of his enemies, death would have been easier than living with the shame he left them with.

That was how Roman earned his name.

The Hand of Death.

And just when their network was about to become the most powerful gang in A City, Roman suddenly handed Jonas control and walked away.

Seven years had passed since then. Now, Roman Moretti had returned.

Jonas looked at the drawing again.

The Elwoods had no idea what was coming.

If Roman had already started drawing plans for their downfall, then their days of living comfortably were numbered.

Jonas was still lost in thought when the phone in his hand began to ring.

He looked at the screen.

The moment he saw who was calling, his expression changed.

He hesitated before answering.

“Jonas King, I know you just dropped off Roman and his daughter in front of a hotel.” Aaron Hale’s voice came through the phone.

Jonas tightened his grip as Aaron continued, “You haven’t told him anything, have you?”

Jonas remained silent, lifting his eyes in defiance.

A few seconds passed before Aaron let out a mocking laugh, his voice turning cold. “Play your cards carefully if you want to keep living, you fool. Did you think I left you alive all these years for nothing?”

Jonas felt sweat gather on his forehead.

He knew what Aaron was capable of. He had seen what happened to those who dared to stand against him.

“Keep an eye on Roman,” Aaron continued. “Whenever he leaves the suite, I’ll have some men surround him. I don’t know if he’s still as burly, but fifty men can do the job. While they’re keeping him busy, I’ll have another group at the hotel handle that vermin of his.”

“Didn’t you say he had a six-year-old daughter? If you had done your job well and found him on time, I would’ve gotten rid of her while he was still in prison.”

“Forget it. There’s never a bad time to stab someone in the back. And since he thinks I’m still on his side, this should be easy.”

Jonas’ fingers tightened around the phone.

Aaron laughed softly as though physically seeing his reaction, his voice returning back to the charming one everyone knew as he casually threatened, “Jonas, if my attempt to kill Roman fails tomorrow, I’ll know you ratted me out and I’ll massacre the family of your boys. So think twice before you disappoint me.”