The Last Blow

by Taylor R. C.

  A LAST BANG

  By the alias of Taylor RC

  summary

  Synopsis3

  Prologue4

  Chapter 016

  Chapter 0213

  Chapter 0320

  Chapter 0429

  Chapter 0549

  Chapter 0661

  Chapter 0774

  Chapter 0885

  Chapter 0993

  Chapter 10108

  Chapter 11123

  Chapter 12131

  Chapter 13140

  Chapter 14147

  Chapter 15164

  Chapter 16180

  Chapter 17200

  Epilogue208

  Acknowledgments210

  Synopsis

  The world was good or bad, white or black, a duality that was part of the same coin, but that a lot of people insisted on saying no, but for someone who grew up watching the parade of small tragedies from the perspective of the world around them it was highly different.

  For Gisele Lancastter the world is gray, there was no "good" or "bad", there were only choices to survive, which could lead to paths that some would say unacceptable, but she never cared what others would say. From an early age she had to choose and did not think twice about embracing her manipulative nature, it was always an easy game for an orphan girl with an angel face who grew up to be a perfect scammer.

  Life until then was satisfactory as well as boring, Gisele wanted to change, she wanted more than a few months of calm after each blow, so when the opportunity arises in the name of three men Ryan Codes, James Watts, Michel Hassani she finds herself in front of her last big blow to totally change your life, however, even the best plans can fail when the heart starts to take the place of reason ...

  The cards will be released and a new stroke will begin!

  Prologue

  "The most insignificant things are sometimes more important and it is usually through them that we get lost ...".

  Fyodor Dostoyevsky

  There were inexorable truths in life, the simplest of all; One day you lose! James Watts knew the meaning of that truth. When he got up that morning, his head was once again, like every other day of the week, shuffled and heavy. He managed to get up by leaning on the furniture, going to the window, pulling the heavy curtain, entering nothing new in the landscape.

  Another miserable day in your existence ... James daydream not happy. Happiness, in fact, was a luxury item for him, which was somewhat inadequate considering how rich he was, he could buy everything, absolutely everything, or not everything.

  God must have been very angry with him, at least he thought, since he punished him in the worst possible way. Did he have a more cruel punishment than that of staying alive when the only thing that had ever given him reason was taken away? James believed not to. Blaming that universal divine being was the only way to not go crazy for good, but deep down, a little voice told him; It is not his fault, it is only yours, and only yours! And of course it was.

  - [1]Sir. Blackcastle?

  With the perfect team, his butler knocked on the bedroom door. He told him to come in, however, it sounded more like an animal growl. A man in a gray suit and unbearably polished shoes entered the room. The hair with signs of age appeared, however the gray eyes still carried the youthful liveliness, and the mind too, James could attest.

  - I need something for my head!

  - I thought so.

  He held out a tray with a glass of water and a pill. James hadn’t even seen that the figure brought it with him, he just accepted it, taking it all at once, really hoping he wouldn’t throw up, not because there was some decorum in relation to his butler, deep down he didn’t think it could appear even worse in Pottes’s eyes, the little man had seen him in far worse situations.

  - Something for me, Pottes?

  He asked, walking away, the butler nodded, collecting the clothes and bottles of liquor on the floor of the room, as well as the remains of cigars.

  - If you're referring to Jack, not yet.

  James stopped the bathroom door in time to turn and see the butler's grimace as he took a glass off a century-old mahogany table in that mausoleum.

  - He shouldn't have come back, by my count, I've been getting drunk for twelve hours is enough time for him to have come back with what I asked for!

  - Obviously the drink does not affect your ability to count Sir. Blackcastle - Pottes said elegantly, as if he were not full of garbage in his arms. - However, I believe that killing people is time consuming work ...

  - Should I have done it myself?

  The man gave a very respectful nod.

  - No, a baron never gets his hands dirty!

  Chapter 01

  Knowing how to enjoy life was for a few; Too few! Smiling, she dropped her foot on the gas pedal.[2]Maserati GranCabrio and increased the sound to the touch of "Blue Monday" from New Order. He absorbed the speed and luxury of his newest toy, which a banker provided. London might have been in that listless state - cloudy and closed - but nothing could shake that good mood. Making a sharp turn and then she entered the reserved area of a very expensive hotel and got out of the car afterwards, passing the reception, pulling eyes.

  - Hello, I have a reservation, in the name of Gisele Linsey!

  Or actually, Gisele Lancastter, the name given was a pseudonym to keep the real dala identity under wraps, with the lifestyle that using fake names was a common routine. She presented the identification, the girl behind the counter blinked before putting a smile on her face. Gisele thought it was no longer a lack of time, after all there was a special client, the owner of the presidential suite.

  - Oh sure Miss. Linsey, we were waiting for you. - She waved to one of the employees. - take the lady to the apartment three thousand and twelve!

  The boy smiled and led her, Gisele told her that her bags would arrive soon, and hoped they would be installed before she got out of the bath, obviously gave a generous tip. When she was alone in the most luxurious space she let herself laugh again, crossing the anteroom that divided two rooms, the room on the right and the main room on the left that led to a dining room. She went straight to the bathroom immediately needing a good bath in aromatic salts and roses.

  It was drained. Had to stay in[3]Monaco for longer than he thought necessary, but it yielded good fruit, in fact, very good. To be more exact a hundred thousand dollars, a luxury car and several jewels, and of course it could have paid more, however, Gisele was not in the mood to sleep with anyone in this service. He was a good size, what he had achieved only with sweet looks and promises, it was quite silly how Mr. Carter fell, a man of life must have had more experience, but the question was; everyone wanted romance, everyone wanted to find the perfect person, who molds themselves to their most intimate dreams and desires, so when they think they succeeded, they went blind.

  Gisele took advantage of her bath and half an hour later she left, found everything of hers already in the closet, the jewelry bag on a table, as well as the standard combination of the password to the safe next door. She opened the case looking at the emerald necklace she had taken from Carter's own safe, his wife certainly wouldn't be happy. Saving the pieces and adding a new combination to the safe, I had to take a break before getting rid of those pieces, however, I was going to prepare the ground and talking to some acquaintances. The room phone rang a moment later, and she answered it.

  - Hello!

  - Mrs. Linsey, there is a person who wants to see you, identified himself as Mr. Shaw.

  - Okay, send it up!

  She threw herself on the couch waiting, when she heard a knock she ran to the door, found the figure with brown hair shaved very low, blue eyes and a friendly smile, wearing an Italian suit.

  - Apparently the harvest was good, is
n't it really bad?

  His voice was provocative but wistful.

  - Something like that, good that it came as soon as you got my message ... - she said and then pulled him inside in a hug. - I missed you, Benett!

  Benett Shaw was his partner in that network of scammers. They had known each other in Los Angeles eight years ago while they both spent two friendly businessmen behind, had earned enough to spend for almost a year, of course along the way they dragged more blows, it was inevitable almost like breathing for them, who had already been brothers, married, widowed, boyfriends, even father and daughter, today they were just good friends and partners.

  - And I from you, stayed away a long time!

  In fact, she had rushed out of New Zealand when she learned that her brother, Oliver Storm, had been shot, after that a lot of water rolled over and then Benett told about the event in Monaco and she decided to go and try her luck, despite not having nothing at hand. Their way of working was different today, he identified targets, collected information, then made her aware of an attack, but lately Benett had focused on London, said he had a big move because he was attending a high circle of people with a lot, a lot of money, and if they managed to hook one of these would be the last blow to live the rest of the “rotten rich” life.

  - The important thing is that I'm back, I brought you gifts!

  She said going to the bedroom and picking up a bag, when Benett came back he was sprawled on the couch, without his blazer and taking off his tie becoming more comfortable.

  - What did you bring for me? He asked, smiling.

  - Open it!

  - Oops ... - his exclamation was even more happy when he opened the box he took out of the bag. - A watch[4]Montblanc!

  - In white gold and silver!

  The man's blue eyes shone with satisfaction.

  - My goodness, you did very well even in Monaco.

  - You could have gotten along too. - She said sitting next to him. - But now you just live to flatter your high London circle!

  Benett put on his watch while making a face of exasperation, which made Gisele laugh, but she waited calmly for an answer.

  - I'm taking care of our future, my dear!

  - And we already have something? - His expression became predatory before the question.

  - Of course we have, I'm not a waste of time, I managed to sift this damn city and I have my elect, our elect ...

  - Oh then the dirty work will be mine? Because you only hear them say elected, that is, men and you never do the job with them!

  He gave a soothing smile that made her roll her eyes. Gisele didn't bother to be the bait, it was easy, it always was, since she was a little girl she learned how the world worked from an early age, women were sexualized, abused, they were nothing more than an object for men, so she discovered how to use it to her advantage , and whenever a "service" was finished, it was well done, as it was a way of teaching a lesson, but it was becoming tiring, it was not because she was good at manipulating that she liked it.

  - Their bank account is still the highest, equal rights have not yet reached everyone.

  - So you are wrong Benett if you think those rights have already been achieved somewhere, every day is a jungle, and it is proven in our relationship where it is always me who slap my face!

  - Then, he had forgotten how sharp his claws are.

  - The world is cruel dear. Didn't your mother teach you?

  - Yes, he did when he left me.

  Gisele laughed. She knew his story, as well as yours, both were abandoned, but in your case, she had Oliver, however much they had gone to opposite sides, for a long time it was just the two of them against the world, it was a difficult time , both had to sacrifice themselves, lose good parts along the way. Gisele was happy that he had found happiness on someone's side, Beatrice, the woman was steel, and would be the ideal partner for her brother.

  - Well, tell me more about our options, after all I have to find out about it!

  - Don't worry baby, you will, but exactly today. Benett smiled. - I will put you in the game in style!

  The woman cannot smile contentedly, because if she had a job to do, she expected it to start as soon as possible, slowing things down was never in her nature.

  Let the games begin!

  £££

  "Crime does not pay"...Gisele gave bananas for this maxim. O[5]A red Audi A5, rented especially for the occasion, opened the door for her to step out in front of a staircase in one of London's most luxurious event halls and enter the front door as a guest, as was perfectly written in her invitation. For others, “crime” does not pay, for her, however, it was a stepping stone. She smiled sideways and made her way up to the top of the stairs, which was somewhat literal, since tonight she was there to "go up" once and for all.

  The photographers stacked in front of the place did not give her much credit, there were more important people and it was not as if she wanted to appear, one of the rules of that game was never to let yourself be photographed publicly, this hindered when covering tracks. She entered the place leaving her invitation at the reception, following a central corridor, covered by works of art on her wall that she would have liked to evaluate, that was an evil that she had to correct, she was always thinking about the value that could sell a work of art. art. She followed the dark red carpet that contrasted with the same color in her dress, but a few shades more open. Gisele listened to Ben E. King's song “Stand by Me”, in a more current version.

  She entered the crowded place, rich, it was important to stand out, since it was an event for “charity”, which made her want to laugh out loud. Gisele was sure that the vast majority of those people were just there to feed their own empty egos with the story of who was altruistic, their patience for this type of event was as short as the fuse of a bomb about to explode, so I would be very happy to spend a few of those pseudo good Samaritans.

  - A ray of light in my dark night ...

  The male voice at her back made her stop. Benett. When she turned around, she found the man standing with a glass in his hand and a three-button suit, it was divine, and she smirked.

  - How lucky you are then! - He approached looking from head to toe.

  - Wow! It looks magnificent ... Red is definitely your color. - he turned his attention to his hair. - Did you have time to cut them?

  - It was time to change, new job, new look ...

  - This is my girl. - he said, holding out his arm. - Let's start to work?

  - Obviously, it was time!

  The two mingled among the people who were watching exposed paintings, sculptures and other objects that were going to be auctioned at the end of the event, of course, neither Benett nor Gisele wanted to know about it. Their target went beyond mere luxury items, they took the path of a stairway that led to a balcony that gave view to the entire internal space of the hall, it was the perfect vision plan, so they could speak the will of the “prey” that they would do.

  "Look over there in the left corner, next to the Roman sculpture ..." Benett pointed out. - Michel Hassani, the son of a banker and the founder of a cosmetics company, their estimated fortune is reaching billions.

  Gisele observed the guy, blond, tall and with a very easy smile. Typical rich man ... She blew out a bored breath.

  - Daddy's little boy with everything he wants, he is an easy target, he can be controlled without problems, of course the mother will be a problem.

  - Exactly, but it is still a great option, it is about to take the mother's place in front of the companies.

  - We could make a cashier two ...

  She said and drew a satisfied laugh from the man beside her.

  - How diabolical you are ...

  - Let's not pretend it doesn't turn you on!

  Benett shrugged, sighing and agreeing.

  - No, we won't, so if you don't want to relive our period of colorful friendship it's better not to provoke ...

  - Difficult, my diabolical mind will be used all night!
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  - May God help me then! - He crossed himself before continuing. - Another target, Ryan Codes, the guy at the bar with the busty blonde.

  - I'm not his type. Gisele frowned and looked at her breasts.

  "You make up for it in enthusiasm ..." Benett said, and she didn't hesitate to jump on his foot, eliciting a painful groan. - There, I'm sorry!

  "Go on ..." she said, glaring at him.

  - He owns a technological security company, but he has had other business networks in different branches for years, that is, he wins on all sides, his fortune is already in the billions!

  - Family?

  She asked assessing the figure with black hair, it was not tall, but it was enough to spend, although the woman's taste was for big men, preferably taller than she, it was easy to forget to be delicate when your “opponent” ”Didn't bother him in any way.

  - Dead ... - Benett smiled happily. - But you have a sister!

  - Next?

  - Yes, he's his lawyer ... - Gisele rolled her eyes and motioned for him to continue. - Ah Gisele, we have already dealt with worse things, but maybe I can not fix it, she is not married and even if she were ...

  - Then I'm diabolical ... - She laughed. - I still think the first one on the list is the most favorable, is there still someone else?

  - Yes, an interesting sticker, to be excluded once or twice from the list.

  - Special reason?

  She questioned watching Benett sweep the place, frowning, he didn't seem to be meeting anyone he wanted, clearly, however, he gave him his time.

  - The son of a bitch is slippery! Arching her eyebrow, she agreed.

  - Interesting ... - He chuckled. - Now I understand your difficulty in finding him.

  Benett looked at her with a smile, certainly to minimize the fact that he did not find what he wanted, but not with an air of abandonment.

  - I will talk to you first before I face the “oxen”.

  - Please continue with your explanation, I am looking forward ...

  Gisele said leaning on the balustrade with his best expression of interest, his friend rolled his eyes in exasperation, he was well aware of his debauchery.