Chapter 005

"How in the hell did I get into this?"

Before I could stop myself, the words escaped my lips, and I instantly felt regret for them. It didn't matter, though. I had recently learned something that made everything I had previously believed to be false. A game. A joke. My life had been completely upended by a man I had slept with, and he was no mere stranger. No, he was Yemi Alex Kings, and I had recently discovered that he was the heir to the Ganza Mafia, one of the most formidable and dreaded families in the world.

I continued to sit on the edge of the bed, replaying the earlier chat as the gravity of the situation set in. Yemi's mysterious comments were still circling around in my head, leaving me with nothing but questions.

He had said, "You'll understand soon enough." "This goes beyond what occurred the night before. It goes beyond that.

However, that was prior to me getting the call.

My phone had buzzed on the counter as I was sitting in my flat trying to think. A number I was unfamiliar with. Something told me that I should pick it up, even though I nearly didn't.

On the other end, a deep, velvety voice had responded, "Toyosi." “I hope all is well with you.”

I went cold. I felt sick to my stomach. I recognized the person.

"Yemi," I said softly. "What is this? Really, who are you?

He laughed, and it was the sound of a man who was in complete control and understood precisely what he was doing to me. "Toyosi, you'll find out soon enough. But for now, pay close attention to what I have to say.

I was unwilling to listen. Even though I already knew too much about him, I didn't want to know any more. Despite my instincts telling me to end the call and leave, his voice drew me in like a magnet.

"What's happening, Yemi?" I asked, letting my displeasure show. "Why are you treating me like this? You took me to that hotel, but why? What do you actually want?

After a brief pause, he resumed speaking, his tone abruptly growing solemn and deeper.

"You're not understanding, are you?" "I said." "I'm more than simply a stranger you met at a party. One of the most potent criminal organizations in the world is run by my family, my own family. I am also their heir.

My heartbeat quickened. I was having trouble breathing. I must have heard something. "What are you?" I let out a gasp.

"The Ganza Mafia's heir," he reiterated in a chilly, cunning tone. More than half of the underworld is ruled by the Ganza Mafia. You've been hearing rumors about the Ganza Mafia for years. And you're caught up in it now.

His comments hit me like a freight train, and for a few seconds I was unable to speak because my mind was racing. The Mafia Ganza? People had always discussed the name in whispers since it was too risky to discuss in public. They ruled with an iron fist and were involved in everything from the sale of drugs to the dealing of weapons.

Yemi was also their heir.

"How?" At last, in a trembling voice, I asked. "What kept you from telling me? Why didn't you speak up?

With a note of remorse in his voice, he answered, "I couldn't." "I had to conceal who I was." You needed to see me for who I am, not for what I should be. However, things have changed since then.

"Modified?" I repeated. "What do you mean?"

I could hear the weight of his words as he stated, "Toyosi, I need you." "You must realize that you are no longer only a part of my existence. You belong to this world. Regardless of your feelings about it.

My mind was racing. a component of this world? What planet? I couldn't even begin to understand this world of peril, crime, and secrets.

He went on, his voice now full of desperation, before I could reply. "Toyosi, this is about more than just us. It surpasses both of us in size. Some members of my family will stop at nothing to steal what is rightfully mine. Those who wish to see me fail. I'm not able to accomplish this alone. You must have faith in me.

I was at a loss for words. My mind was still absorbing what I had just discovered, and my heart was still pounding. How is this possible? How had I found myself here, caught up in the Ganza Mafia's web, with a man I hardly knew whose life was more perilous than I could have ever dreamed?

"You have my trust?" I said it again, my voice shaking with a mixture of terror and incredulity. "After all that has transpired?"

He whispered, "Toyosi, I never wanted you to be a part of this." "But there's no turning back now."

I was chilled by the finality in his words. There was no turning back. There was no way out, and I was already deeper than I thought.

I needed to know more, though. I needed to realize what I was getting myself into.

With trepidation, I inhaled. "Now what?"

Yemi's voice became almost possessive as he stated, "I'll explain everything soon." But for the time being, avoid anyone who might have any connection to this reality. Never put your trust in anyone. You'll discover that everyone is observing everything you do, and you won't even be aware of who is doing it.

The weight of his words was pressing down on me, causing my thoughts to whirl. I no longer knew who I could trust. Not even me.

He said, "I'll see you soon, Toyosi," and hung up, leaving me speechless.

With the phone still in my fingers and my thoughts whirling, I stood motionless. The Mafia Ganza. An heir to the rich family. An underworld of criminals more dangerous than I could have ever dreamed. I was caught in the midst of it all somehow.

However, there was more. There seemed to be a larger scheme at work, something I didn't fully comprehend, but I could sense it in my bones.

And then there was a knock on my door before I could even start to deal with the gravity of this new reality.

I was unsure about opening it. However, I had a gut feeling that I wouldn't be able to dodge whatever was on the other side for long.

I walked carefully to the door, my fingers shaking on the doorknob, my heart thumping in my chest.

I inhaled deeply before opening it.

And Yemi Alex Kings was there in front of me, looking every inch the strong, menacing guy he had just shown himself to be.

With intense eyes, he uttered, "Toyosi, you're not escaping from me."

I suddenly realized that I had already gone too far.