Fallen Actress' Comeback: Torn Between the Director and the Mafia Lord-Chapter 36: The Deal: I’ll Humour You

Chapter 36

~Author’s POV~

The area was still unsettled after the gunfight. Police sirens hummed in the distance, and a few people peeked from hiding spots.

Hidden behind a van, Zevran’s man kept his eyes fixed on Xavier as he watched him approach his car with a woman and a child, still in his disguise.

Xavier carried a little girl in one arm, her tiny hands wrapped around a massive teddy bear that blocked her face and part of his. Beside him walked a woman — the same one he had kissed inside the mall.

The goon blinked. Then his jaw slackened just slightly. The man stiffened when Xavier’s head turned, and he quickly ducked, pressing his phone to his ear.

"Damn... that’s really him."

He snatched out his phone and dialled quickly, waiting for the call to connect. keeping his voice low.

"Boss... boss."

— — —

Up in his penthouse, Zevran sat comfortably with the city lights spread out beneath him. The place was wide, open, and lined with glass, but he barely noticed the view — he was focused on the call that had just come in.

He had arrived minutes earlier with the crates and the briefcase of money, while three of his men remained hidden at the scene to observe.

Zevran pulled out a thick brown cigarette, bit the filter, and flicked his gold lighter. The flame danced briefly before he lit it. He inhaled deeply, rolling up his sleeves and loosening the first three buttons of his suit jacket.

A knock sounded. One of his men stepped in carrying a tray containing a champagne bottle, a crystal glass, and an ice bucket.

Zevran didn’t look at him. "Speak," he ordered as he answered the call.

"Boss, it’s Xavier Xander. I have eyes on him. He is with a lady and a young girl."

Zevran froze mid-pour. "Are they his family?"

"We’re not sure. Could be a disguise, a close friend, or—"

"I don’t care what your guesses are on who she is."

"Yes, yes, boss." The man cleared his throat. "But... judging from the way the little girl was hugging him, I’d say he knows them."

Zevran’s gaze sharpened into that black, cold, predatory look.

"Then they may be family," he murmured.

He took a slow drag of his cigarette. Smoke curled around his face, softening nothing.

"Watch them. I want a background check on the woman and the child. Send me everything you can get on her. Once we know who they are... we act."

"Yes, boss."

The call ended.

Zevran exhaled hard, leaning against the glass wall as the city lights glittered below him. His attention shifted to the metal crate and the silver briefcase of money beside it. His grip tightened.

"Xavier Xander..." His lips curled. "First, you broke my brother’s hand after beating him half to death, stole my goods, and ruined a perfect deal."

He scoffed, took another drag, letting smoke curl past his lips, and stared out at the sprawling city with a hand tucked in his pocket.

"Fine. I’ll start by ruining everything good in your life, starting with that little family."

Just then, his phone vibrated. He took it out and checked the caller ID, rolling his eyes.

"Crimson Steel"

Zevran clicked his tongue and answered.

The second the line connected, Steel’s furious roar exploded through the earpiece.

"ZEVRAN! You snake! You absolute bastard! Both the money AND the crates are gone! How the hell do you expect me to believe you weren’t in on this?! Who else would benefit more from this mishap, huh?"

Zevran said nothing. He simply watched the skyline, letting Steel rant like a wild dog.

Deep breath. High-pitched whining. More accusations, insults, curses, all pouring out like boiling water.

Finally, when Steel paused to inhale, Zevran spoke calmly.

"If I wanted to cheat you, you’d know. The attackers were Xavier Xander and his men. Not me. And why the hell would I work with someone who wants drugs off the streets?"

Steel scoffed sharply.

"You expect me to believe—"

"He killed our men," Zevran cut in, voice icy. "He beat my brother so badly, broke his hand and left the idiot crawling to the road in the dirt like a dog to get help. Why would I work with that?"

Steel groaned loud enough to distort the line. "I want them dead as much as you do, but patience is a luxury I don’t have!"

Zevran rolled his eyes and took another drag of his cigarette, then blew smoke from his nose.

"Then learn. Take classes. Meditate. I don’t care."

"Zevran, don’t piss me off," Steel snapped. "You’re doing NOTHING. Don’t tell me you’re scared of the Xander Family. Or maybe you’re just a hypocrite—"

Zevran’s grip tightened on the phone. Veins popped on his knuckles and at the side of Zevran’s temple. Then he smiled slowly, razor-thin.

Still, he smirked when he caught his reflection in the living room mirror.

"For the sake of business," he said calmly, "I’ll ignore that insult. But unlike you who charges into traps like a toddler, I operate differently."

Steel hissed. "Differently? You mean the shitty strategy that got your men slaughtered and your brother beaten like a chicken?"

Zevran’s jaw clenched.

"Oh? Did that sting?" Steel taunted. "Did you just realise your advice sucks?"

Zevran inhaled sharply. "Had my younger brother not acted on his own, ignoring my orders and manipulating my father, none of this would’ve happened."

"My thoughts exactly!" Steel snorted. "You’re lucky Lord Xander didn’t return your brother’s head in a box, or hang it on a pike. Better yet on your father’s gate. You know he’s done that before."

Zevran smirked, tapping ash into the tray.

"You’re bratty today, Steel. Fine. I’ll humour you. But since you like running your mouth, the price for your shipment just doubled."

"WHAT?! Hey, wait! I was kidding! Let’s stick to the original—"

"Tripled," Zevran said coldly, putting the phone on speaker.

"Tri—?! Are you mad?! I’m your senior in this game—"

"Quadrupled. And keep talking. The more you talk, the higher it goes. I’ll just confiscate your deposit too as compensation."