Chapter 1
Alex Grayson stared out through the BMW's tainted window in silence. An almost silent classical music by Eric Carmen–all by myself, was playing at the car's stereo. Alex listened to the song without wanting to, he could relate to the song, literally.
All his life, Grayson has always been alone–except for hunter. When their parents died in a car crash, he was turning fifteen, Hunter was seven. The news came like a hurricane, once, in waves, and so sudden.
The teenage boy was now left with his little brother who was too young then, luckily, Mr William Grayson their father had left a very substantial amount of wealth both in money and property. This of course was meant to make life easy for Alex and little Hunter, but no, with the money, came something else.
Alex came to realize that his father was involved in an underground cartel organisation–the red fox. He was superior in rank and only the organisation baron was more superior than him. William Grayson was second in command.
Immediately after their parents burial, men dressed in grey identical suits had approached him and claimed to be working at his father's ‘company’. They said they wanted to talk about his wealth and discuss how they were going to hand him and hunter their parents wealth. Later, the men took him to another man.
He himself seemed a bit different from the ones in suit, he was prominent with a sense of authority, he was abit overweight, large frame with quick legs. His fat Face, framed with a sharp protruding nose looked deadly, he had a thick moustache stuck beneath his nose and one could tell he was on his mid forties or early fifties.
It was this man who had revealed everything. Once in, the man had said, there was no turning back, he, Alex Grayson was to succeed his father as the right hand man to Radcliffe Winchester the overlord of the red fox organisation.
Life took a different turn from then, eight years down the line, here he was going to a party invited by the man he despise so much. The red fox organisation has a modern day tradition of having at least one ball every year. Radcliffe was the one who had always hosted the party.
Every red fox member is mandatory to be there, especially the overlords like Alex. Each town is assigned an overload who oversees the organisation business and report to Radcliffe.
Alex was the overlord of West Virginia, his brother Hunter was his second in command while Logan and shearer were among the few in his circle of trust.
Logan, his driver suddenly stopped the car stemming Alex from his thoughts. He checked his watch and opened the car's door before stepping out of the car, the nights fine breeze brushed past his face as he straightened his suit.
Logan stepped out of the car and leaned on it.
"Should you call someone to pick you up tonight" he said in a thick British accent making Alex to turn facing him.
“huh?" He muttered with a raised brow.
Logan sighed irritably. "I told you I'll be going home tonight, Cassy delivered twins yesternight”
Alex face brightened before it was suddenly replaced by a scowl. “And you are telling me this now?”
“Didn’t think it mattered”
“Didn't think?”
“You were too engrossed with your plan on Rebellion against Radcliffe. I think it's about time I quit the–”
Logan was interrupted by Alex as he walked straight towards him. He raised his right hand and placed it on Logan's shoulder.
“Listen Logan, I'm happy for you and Cassy, I care for you, you are family to me which is why I refuse to let you go”
“But”
“You know the code Logan” Alex said firmly
“You said it's bullshit”
“It is. But Radcliffe owns Red fox, if you resign you die, Cassy dies, the twins die. And I can't protect you, you know that. Now is not the right time”
Logan heaved an exasperated sigh before whispering a ‘fine’.
The ball room was full to capacity, almost a hundred men in number-all red foxe’s agents. A huge golden chandelier filled the whole room with its light while the sound of the orchestra carried well throughout the entire hall.
“Alex Baldwin Grayson” the deep voice of his hearted enemy echoed from across the room as Mr Radcliffe walked smiling toothily towards him, by his side, was a young maiden, a rose in the making.
Her long copper hair was tied into a perfect ponytail leaving only few strands free, her lips were red, almost unnatural while her body was fitted in a cream trumpet gown with flares at the thigh.
“Mr Red” Alex greeted Mr Radcliffe by his formal name while tearing his gaze from the girl.
“call me Radcliffe, I like it more” the man said forcing a laugh. Noticing Alex glanced at the girl, he immediately introduced her.
“Ohh, this is my daughter Sarah. Sarah, this is Alex Baldwin Grayson”
Alex frowned at the mention of his surname. He had grown to hate it.
The young woman, sarah beamed Alex a smile while extending a hand in greetings.
“Nice to miss you” Alex kissed her knuckles.
“Well, I'll leave the two of you alone to be familiar with each other” Mr Radcliffe said before walking off to talk to other visitors.
Alex seemed confused with his words, why should he be familiar with his daughter who in the first place never knew existed.
“He is marrying me off” Sarah offered.
“Congratulations” Alex said with a dull smile.
“To you” she sighed and chuckled at his facial expression.
Alex seemed as if he had seen medusa walking right in front of his eyes.
“What did you say?” he asked thinking maybe he heard something he shouldn't have heard.
“My dad is marrying me off to you, today's party was also our engagement”
“why on earth would he do something like that” Alex muttered fuming.
Red’s voice soon echoed across the hall as he took to the podium.
“Ladies and gentlemen. Today offers a great day to me and the entire organisation. We mark thirty years of our domination. Red fox has been standing against every stone thrown across it, every wind that blew against it and every wave that washed against it. Today, is also my daughter's happiest day ever as she is going to be engaged to one of the few men I trust the most. Alex Grayson”
Alex and Sarah stared at each other each one in his own thoughts. Sarah felt happy, she knew Alex from the very start and had been the one to push for the engagement. She had met him once when he visited their home but he had not noticed her. Ever since, she had grown restless and nagged her father about him.
For Alex, his thoughts were scattered with anger, rage and contempt. Not that he disliked Sarah, but because Red had once again chose the course of his life, he knew red all too well and wouldn't defy him. He stole a glance at Sarah, she was beautiful but not his taste. But he had no choice, here was his soon to be wife who he had met on the first day.
Alex and Sarah had be the one to go at the centre of the ball room to dance, the music started soft and slowly increased in temp. They had few conversations and he learnt that after the engagement party was over she would be flying to England to finish her studies at Cambridge.
Well, that will give him time to prepare for a wife.
