Chapter 180: More rejects on Jon’s base.

Chapter 180: More rejects on Jon’s base.


The cavernous lounge at Jon’s base hummed with low voices, laughter and the occasional clink of glass against glass. The billionaires club had gathered, as they often did, to unwind, to test each other’s luck at cards, and to remind themselves that even if the world was in ruins, they still had the means to enjoy comfort.


Jon had even employed some appealing young women to serve them drinks, light their cigars and dance while the men enjoyed their game.


Kris Scott leaned back with a grin, lifting his glass of amber liquor. "Well gentlemen, I’ll be damned." He said when Trevor announced that Hades Quinn had arrived. He swirled the scotch like as though the revelation itself were a vintage to savor. "Finally, finally, he is joining us for game night. We have never needed him now more than ever."


Murmurs rippled around the table. Some eyebrows rose; others like Silas tightened into cautious frowns. Hades Quinn was not a man that left his base without a purpose. He was after something.


Jon, seated at the head, tapped his ring once against the table. The sound cut through the noise. His voice was calm but firm. "I did not invite Hades; he’s not here for cards and whiskey. We also know that he is not here to make new friends."


"Maybe that Sunny wife of his kicked him out." Sheldon laughed.


"Or he is expanding and looking to conquer Jon’s territory." Kris suggested.


Jon had a feeling that neither of those was the reasons as to why Hades had come calling. "Maybe there is trouble on the mountain."


The mood shifted immediately, turning heavy. Was there a problem on the mountain that he had come to inform them about?


Cory leaned forward. "He could be here for business. Maybe he is finally going to accept the alliance proposal and build a tunnel that allows us to go back and forth between each other’s bases."


"His wife is wearing the boss pants on that base, if she is not with him then it’s probably something else and nothing to do with danger." Karl commented.


Before Jon could say something, the creak of the outer doors echoed through the hall. The billionaires rose almost in unison, their curiosity pulling them outside. Cold air swept in as they stepped out in the open.


Hades had been allowed to drive all the way to Jon’s main mansion. The cars had stopped right outside the doors.


He was already out of his car, was waiting for them, broad shouldered and unreadable. Soldiers flanked his sides, guns in their hands, scowls on their faces.


As the lights on the watchtowers focused on them, Jon realized that Hades had brought company. Four Quinns stood with him, faces worn out. Avenn, Brigitte, Ambrosia and Nora.


Jon knew every member of the Quinn family, so of course he recognized them.


Kris muttered under his breath. "This confirms that it’s not a social call."


Hades’ gaze swept over them like a blade. "Apologies for the unexpected late visit. Let’s get down to business, Jon." He said flatly. His voice carried no warmth, no hesitation. "I brought them to stay. We are overcrowded in Fortress Four."


"Hades please..." Brigitte pleaded.


A gun clicked and she shut her mouth.


The men exchanged glances, their practiced composure breaking for the briefest of seconds. A whisper of unease moved through them.


Jon folded his arms, his face unreadable. "Stay here? At my base?"


"Not again." Silas said quietly


Hades didn’t flinch." Yes here. I brought more supplies and weapons to pay for their rooms and food. Plus, one of those upgraded cars that you wanted so much."


Sheldon raised his hand quickly, almost too eagerly. "In that case I volunteer to take them in. You can trust that I will keep them safe at my base. When do I get the vehicle?"


Jon’s hand shot out, slapping Sheldon’s arm down with a sharp crack. This startled the Quinns and even Sheldon himself. Jon’s jaw tightened as he stepped forward.


"Of course I will take them in, what are friends for?" His eyes never left Hades. "But I want to know their offense. Why else wouldn’t you boot out strangers but your own relatives if overcrowding was a problem?"


All the members of the billionaire’s club had the same thought as Jon.


For the first time something like fire flickered in Hades’ eyes. "Betrayal," he said, the word cutting the air in half. "And betrayal, I do not forgive."


There was no room for discussion in his tone. Without another word, he turned on his heel, leaving the prodigal Quinns behind in Jon’s care.


The four looked back at him once, some with sorrow, some with anger. But Hades didn’t not look back. His departure was final, the crunch of his boots fading into silence.


The vehicles set off, leaving abruptly, just as they had come.


Jon waved his hand and the prodigal Quinns were taken away to be given the rules of the base, places to sleep and something to eat.


The billionaires stood for a short moment, each feeling the gravity of what had just transpired. Then, as though compelled by habit, they drifted back indoors.


The fire had burned lower, but the scotch was still warm. The game was ruined.


It was Sheldon who broke the silence, his voice sly but edged. "Tell me, Jon. How long are you going to let him dump his discards at your doorstep? Fortress four doesn’t want them, why should you?"


Jon chuckled, but it was a harmless sound. "Funny, not too long ago, you were ready to take Hades’ deal yourself Sheldon."


Sheldon’s smirk faltered, but only for a second. "That is different. These are Quinns. His own blood, he will always care for them but what about the others that are brought over because they have caused trouble on his base?"


Across the room, Jon’s brother Silas shifted forward in his seat, his face shadowed frustration. "I have been saying this for some time now. Letting in rejects is a risk. You build walls and then you invite cracks into the foundation. It won’t end well."


Jon waved his hand dismissively, as though batting away a fly. "Not tonight, Silas. I’ve heard enough of your warnings."


But Jin, the quietest of the group, spoke then, his tone grave. "Your brother is right. These people were thrown out because they were disobedient. If they did wrong there, they will do wrong here."


Cory drummed his fingers on the table, relentless. "And you know what, he will keep bringing more. More traitors, more problems. Yes, the supplies are tempting, but every gift comes with a thorn."


The fire popped loudly in the hearth, throwing sparks into the tense silence.


"So, what do you suggest I do? I cannot refuse Hades, I need him....no we all do!" Jon clenched a fist.


Sheldon leaned forward, his eyes gleaming with an idea. "There is another way. I move my people to Jon’s base. It is big enough for all of us. In return we transfer all our rejects and Hades’ cast offs to my base.


We seal off the tunnel and let them rotate there together. Problem solved. Hades, does not have to know about this."


The room went silent. Then one by one, the men’s expressions shifted from skepticism to intrigue. Heads nodded. Murmurs of agreement passed between them.


Jon watched them all, his face unreadable. He lifted his glass and drank, there was nothing wrong with Sheldon’s proposal, he was just protecting himself and his people, just like Hades was doing.