"We got this. It's Archibald's. Maybe we can use it to get to Mr. Aiden. We can seduce him by setting up a fake meeting. He'll think it's Archibald's."

Michel let out an exasperated breath as he took the device and spun it in his hand. It seems to be unlocked, which seems to be at least something.


"We have to act fast. The escaped bastard might be telling Mr. Aiden about what happened when we talked. Charles, let's step outside for a minute. I need to talk to you." Michel spoke sternly as he turned towards the door, with the second commander following him.

Though, they were soon stopped by a small voice.

"Michel," Rosabella called weakly, gulping as she watched the Black Roses leader turn to immobilize her with a menacing look.


"What?"

Biting her lip, Rosabella did her best to keep her nerves at sea level, grateful that the brandy she had drunk earlier helped her do so.


"I don't want Fanny to know... you know... what I did." She stammered, hoping she got her message across.

Keeping eye contact with her and then turning to look at Charles, Michel crossed his arms and took another steady breath.

His first instinct was to make it clear that she wouldn't be judged by anyone in the family as this would be very hypocritical. But when he thought about her words, he understood what she meant.

Michel himself did not know how Fanny would react to the news. He wants to be honest with her, but he also knows that whether or not Rosabella wants to share this with her is up to her best friend.

"Charles, when we brief the others, we'll know exactly what happened. Only you're alone and it was you who shot Archibald. Rosabella was never there, understand? Not yet?"

Charles nodded, grateful to his boss that while Michel was angry, he still wanted to help them.

"But you know, Rosabella was seen by one of these assholes. So if we couldn't get to him in time to silence him, everyone would know. Fanny included."

—

"Don't close one eye like that, it will completely kill your frame. Here, do it like this?" Kaylin stood behind Fanny and adjusted the outstretched arm holding the gun, pointing it at the cardboard mannequin.

"Now shoot."

Fanny fires a bullet, knocking off the person's head a few inches.

She let out a frustrated groan and lowered her arms, looking frustrated.

They've been at the shooting range for about two hours now, and while she's made some progress in that short amount of time, she still feels that she has a long way to go.

Kaylin has actually been quite patient with her, not even criticizing her outfit for seeming thornier than the powerbomb she was after.

Fanny wore tight jeans and a white tank top while Kaylin still wore a leather jacket and tight black pants, teamed with a pair of sexy lace-up heels.

"Ok, when you want to aim straight, try to point the gun slightly away from the target, like an inch or two to the right." Kaylin was instructing and standing beside her, using her hands to show the movement without actually holding the weapon in her hand.

"That's right, exactly." Kaylin nodded as Fanny followed the advice.

"Now shoot."

And Fanny did, landing the bullet right in the middle of the makeshift mannequins.

"That's it. You can do it." Kaylin shouted, causing a few other people at the shooting range to turn and look at the two girls curiously.

Fanny lights up and jumps on the spot, overjoyed at her success.

"That's right. Shoot it in the head."

Kaylin turned her head and laughed, pushing Fanny as she did a little fun dance.

"Okay, okay. Can we have a drink now? I think I deserve it."

As the two settled into a stall at a nearby bar that Kaylin knew and declared completely safe, It didn't take two minutes for a bottle of vodka and two glasses to appear on their table, Fanny frowning in confusion as she watched Kaylin pour both glasses.

"But we didn't even order this one."

"Oh, they know I'm here, don't worry." She slid a glass toward Fanny.

Taking the drink from Kaylin, she winced as she drank it quickly, feeling completely surprised by the fact that the girl across from her had already filled the glass to take a second drink.

She wanted to comment on it, but quickly decided to decline, guessing it was pointless when it seemed like the most normal thing to do as a member of the official Black Roses.

Thinking back, Fanny suddenly realized that only Charles would refrain from over-drinking. Even Rosabella started to have more since she lived in the mansion.

Thoughts ran through Fanny's head and as she continued to stare curiously at the girl sitting with her in that dark, almost empty bar, she felt that this was the perfect time to make things public. that she wanted to know about Kaylin.

"Can I ask you something?"

Kaylin chuckled. "I'm not surprised you have questions, but it's better not to talk about Michel anymore."

"Not necessarily."

"Alright." Kaylin shrugged.

Fanny took the vodka bottle and refilled her glass again.

"Why did you choose this life? Others seem to have... I don't know... either fall into it or was born into it. And you? You chose it. Why is that?"

Kaylin's gaze immediately collided with Fanny's at the question. It seemed to hit a chord with the Black Roses member, as for the first time, she suddenly appeared completely serious.

Kaylin didn't say anything at first, just had another drink as she cleared her throat, running a hand through her long wavy hair.

Although, what Fanny didn't understand was that Kaylin was preparing to answer her.

Kaylin wants to give the leader's girlfriend exactly what she wants to know.

Kaylin's story. Not many people know that. In fact, only the leader of the Black Roses himself did, but somehow at that moment, Kaylin wasn't too bothered about keeping it a secret anymore.

She doesn't know exactly what made her feel this way if it's because she knows that Fanny has been through enough bad things herself, but she doesn't want to wallow in the reasons either.