“Your men have made a mistake.”

Premier Kontonicolas had already expected that Revolution Templonuevo would hold a personal meeting shortly after seeing the youngest daughter of Stefano Garza. He had no valid explanations to offer either. He was the kind of person who had never used such petty excuses just to relieve himself from further punitive actions.

Drixie Washington was the one who boldly committed a fault, and went against her superior’s orders. It only meant one thing in the face of a Templonuevo—that he was not fit to lead a squad.

Premier was way older than Revolution, but age never mattered, and would never be an issue to their world.

Everybody knew their place and standpoint.

No one was allowed to question their superior’s command, or else, who knew what could happen? Precedence was strictly enforced in their lot, and it should be exercised at all times. Perhaps, you could say that it was not a matter to be taken lightly.

The consequences were grave, not to mention that most of the leaders tended to be bloodthirsty.

“I am aware, Sir.”

Premier looked compliant and prepared more than ever. After all, this was the first time in his tenure that someone in his stead had been a flop. It would have been a different story if the situation was a genuine error, but Drixie, one of the most-trusted members in the squad, came out to confess.

Emotions were the root cause, resulting to the intentional failure of the game plan. Therefore, he was not planning to defend his men’s washout operation. He was stern about this.

Revolution was straight-up sick in the brain.

You could say that it was normal for him to mock his underlings.

“I recall that you were the one who insisted to keep my paws off the youngest Garza, Kontonicolas. Can you imagine how disappointed I am right now?”

Premier thought that issuing an apology would be futile, especially right this moment. With his head still bowed down, he answered, “Disappointments are to be expected in our line of work, Sir. My squad’s actions need no vindication. I am all set to face the consequences.”

Revolution did not bother to hide his amusement. “You are rather calm about this, Kontonicolas. I have an interesting notion in mind that you were trying to protect Daphne Garza. Was I wrong?”

Premier was positive that the last question was a taunt.

He was not going to fall for it.

The way Revolution uttered her name with so much familiarity, he would not deny that it was bugging him. His words were absolute, and the current head of the Templonuevo family sure sounded smug just now.

“I would appreciate an explanation, Kontonicolas,” Revolution stated coldly. “Do not further disappoint me.”

Premier took this chance to finally lift his head up, and meet Revolution’s burning gaze. The latter looked alarmingly serious.

At the age of thirty-eight, he had already been of service to countless clans, and the Templonuevos’ austerity was certainly off the charts. Nothing could go past unnoticed.

He shook his head, and that alone, made Revolution raise an eyebrow. The demand was written all over his superior’s face. Revolution was not asking for a simple commentary.

Premier gave him a small, yet respectful nod. “I will not apologize for not telling you this from the beginning, Sir. I have no regrets as well.” Looking back, he was not able to conceal the admiration he felt for a certain someone—which eventually crawled up his face. “I have served the Garzas several years ago. Admittedly, the duties were light and simple. I worked on the inside to fabricate a pleasant appearance on the outside.” He trailed off, not wishing to divulge any further.

“Anything else?” Revolution looked certain about this. It was immensely evident; he was impatient for the information he had been meaning to hear from Premier.

Anything.

Something that would pique his interest.

Or meet his expectations.

Anyone.

Perhaps, a someone.

Someone who could lighten the mood.

A name?

“Daphne Garza was a client. I was once her personal bodyguard.”

In Premier’s mind, he detonated the bomb.

Surprisingly, he was meet with silence.

Revolution pushed his swivel chair back from his desk. No one heard any word from each other for the next few seconds. Revolution stood up and turned around—to face the glass window of his office. Despite the fact that only the two of them were present in the room, it somehow felt like that a partition was set into place, wherein one part was destined to watch over the other—and in this particular circumstance, it was Revolution who had gotten the upper hand.

His advantage was considered constant.

It was unchanging—and would be for a huge span of time.

Revolution was able to read Premier’s expression, and the latter would never have the chance to take a closer look at his elated countenance.

Premier watched him light a cigarette, and the first thing that came to his mind was…

Is the lord unhappy about what he just heard?

“I see.”

Premier stared at Revolution’s back, his eyes blank and void of feelings.

He waited—and waited.

He just had a slight idea that the boss would make an announcement any moment from now, and the anticipation was grilling him to death. Each second was agonizingly painful now that his secret was out in the open.

Technically, he was not trying to hide that kind of information.

It was just that, it never came up on a daily conversation.

No one even bothered to ask, and he was not the type to share his experiences to basically anyone.

“I merely do not care about who you are, and what you have done. I do not intend to linger on the past, Kontonicolas.” Revolution turned to him with an offish grin across his militaristic face. “In fact, I am delighted that you did not hesitate. I am not bothered that you had once worked for this clan’s sworn enemy at all. As long as you are of use to me, I will utilize that potential out of you.”

The way he instigated those words…

It was nothing, but the plain, cold truth.

Premier bowed his head down once again to show his respect. “I am honored to have been given the trust to continue working for you, my lord.”

Revolution let out a low chuckle. “I do not know what your goals are. I am not interested in squeezing them out of you, too.”

“I am grateful for your understanding,” Premier said firmly.

“Do not get the wrong idea, Kontonicolas. I am a forgiving person as long as you do not stand in my way. That is all there is to it.”