The Ace

During their wandering around, Ace was constantly stopped by various fans asking to sign stuff and take pictures, he agreed to all of them, and took the time needed, something they seemed to certainly appreciate. For the most part, everything was fine, even if there were a few weirdos that had questionable requests, or acted in an outward manner. However, there was one instance where Ace got spooked. He was speaking with his friends, making their way to the area where they would play, when Ace was stopped by a girl speaking Russian. It was not part of a language he had to learn - yet, but he knew enough about greetings and formalities to get around, and yet, what she said he recognised from a file his grandmother asked him to study when his meetings with the crime gangs started. She put a hand to her chest, and saluted in a Bratva manner. At this point, Ace widened his eyes then rest.i.tuted them to normal, keeping his face steeled.

"Why are you here?"

She came up to him with a smile, and Ace tensed, ready for a fight, as he did always, he had taken notes of various escape routes, and he could see that she did not have a weapon concealed in her clothes, at least not a gun or a bulky one. Yet, when she got close, she handed him a T-s.h.i.+rt and said: "Sign it please, I am a fan."

Ace got the T-s.h.i.+rt and the hidden note in between the folds, he signed it and handed it, asking if she wanted a picture, she laughed and declined, then walked away. That was their first meeting.

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"Damm, who the h.e.l.l was that", Ace said, admiring her disappearing figure

"Does not matter does it, she is gone", Abby said grumpily

"Nah, she was just a fan, that's it.", Ace shook his head

"Well that's good, I mean, I'm sure she would want to-", Harris began

"Don't", Ace said, motioning at a fuming Abby

They kept talking as they walked, mostly Harris teasing Abby about her crush, and Ace acting as if he had heard nothing. They finally got to the area, where one of the people in charge walked up to them, smiling, "Hey, are you guys here to partic.i.p.ate?"

"Yeah", Harris nodded, a big excited smile on his face

"Ok, take this and just sit down, you will be called to play when you have to, the rules are simple, you swap attack and defence every round, to the first one that reaches three rounds won. There are prizes for the top three, so do not worry, the chances of winning something are quite high, not that you have to worry, with him in your team.", he pointed at Ace, smiling, most streamers would not partic.i.p.ate in the tournament, and if they did, it was usually with other well-known players, but here he was playing with people that he could not recognise.

The three laughed, they were not really well known - or at least their faces were not, but their gamer tags were, they were the winners of the random tournament, by far and large the best team in the tournament.

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"And with a defuse, OneMorePlz secures the round and the win for Team Tam! Ace jumping around celebrating with his knife out! Well, what a show! They definitely deserve the win, they did not even lose a single round! They steamrolled the compet.i.tion.", the caster was speaking excitedly, most people were tuning in through their devices or through the big screens around the compound. Or they could be in the actual arena where it was all taking place, most people were cheering, happy for a good match, but some were dejected at the fact that it had not even been a struggle.

The truth was, that they could not even complain, while the

"You know, you guys might get invites from some pro teams. Harris, you are not even that old still, you could play for a few seasons."

"Bah, I have no interest, as of now, I have enough money to live comfortably, marry, and have a nice family. I am not looking for stress.", Ace grinned at this, Harris's parents had died, but they had a sizable fortune, and with the chunk of living insurance Harris had also gotten, he had enough money to live very comfortably for the rest of his life.

Abby however, seemed more excited at the prospect, "Hmmm, I would consider it, but it is still too early to even think about it, I want to at least finish High School. My parents would have a heart attack if I did not.", Ace nodded, he understood that feeling.

He hoped he could spend more time with his friends, but he had things to do now, he said goodbye to them, and left the compound. He unfolded the piece of paper, and plugged the coordinates on his phone. He then walked the five minutes it took for him to get to a restaurant that had mob hideout written all over it. The waiters were all muscled, regardless of s.e.x, and from what Ace could see, they were all packing.

"Good afternoon, I am here as appointed by her.", this was what it said in the paper, Ace thought it was ridiculous, but he followed directions.

The waitress nodded, and led him to a separate room, where various people were sitting and enjoying various beverages and what seemed like sweet bread.

As he came in, most stood up in respect, but a few stayed sat down, those were the ones he would have to watch out for, they either did not like him, or believed themselves to be powerful enough to at least be on equal terms with him. At this moment, he cursed himself for not knowing Russian, for all he knew, they could order to kill him, and he would be none the wiser, 'Oh well, tough luck for me I suppose'.

"Good afternoon Mr Goldsign, I hope you are doing well.", the main honcho, the one sat at the head of the table smiled and motioned for him to sit next to him in an empty chair. He then poured two gla.s.ses of vodka. Ace had no intent to drink, but when one of the main chiefs of the Russian Mod pours you some vodka as a show of friends.h.i.+p, you drink.

"Na Zdorovie", they both said it, clinked gla.s.ses, and drowned the alcohol. Ace clenched his jaw, the vodka was strong, Ace did not drink, but even he could tell, it felt like drinking bleach, the only difference being that bleach would not be so harsh on his stomach.

"You are a good drinker, for one so young.", the man smiled and Ace laughed, "No, I am just good at resisting pain.", he smiled cheerfully as he said this, and Ace noticed a few people s.h.i.+ft uncomfortably, and the guards loosen the b.u.t.tons on their expensive suits.

The man widened his smile even more, "I suppose you have an idea on why you are here, but I want to make myself clear, no harm will come to you under my roof. Regardless of how our conversation ends, I have too much respect for you and your family to harm you after I have invited you to my home."

Ace nodded, "Thank you for that, I look forward to favourable business."

"So do I, so do I", the man took a breath and then began, "So, as I am sure you are aware, your grandmother will soon build something that could bring a few select people a lot of money.", Ace nodded, "We wish to be part of that group. And for that, we have things to offer. We and the Irish have made a deal. We plan to form a coalition. We will ensure to supply the Tower with alcohol. Do not worry, we have spoken with the j.a.panese and the French, as well as with the German. They will all supply what is needed, we have of course made separate deals with other suppliers around the world, mainly individual vineyards in Spain, and various alcohol producers in Asia. We believe this will make it easier for your grandmother. We will guarantee quality alcohol, the best we can offer, and she will be able to buy it from us. It should help lower the prizes as she will buy in bulk, and it should be profitable to both parties."

Ace thought over this, he had no idea why they had come to him first, most likely a show of good faith to the heir of all of this, but what they were talking about was a lot of money and a lot of power. By buying everything from one supplier, it would allow them to keep the prizes favourable to both, and the relations.h.i.+p would be good, they would need his grandmother, and she would want them, since they could make trade easier and cheaper. He had doubts about how they had managed to make agreements with so many parties, but that was not his problem.

"I understand, and yet I have a question, how will this Coalition be led?"

The man nodded and smiled expecting this question, "You are truly smart, your grandmother's line never disappoints. We will hold the major shares, since we are the prime investors, but various organisations will have a small part in the share, however, they only want to see results, they have allowed us to take more shares as long as we can secure a deal."

Ace nodded, this was good, almost too good to be true, the Russian had pretty much just said that they had full control of the Coalition, one did not simply allow someone to make a deal when so much profit was at play.

"Thank you for your honesty, I will speak to my grandmother. To be honest, this could be very profitable for everyone involved, so I have no doubts she will agree. I will speak of your hospitality and your cordiality, I look forward to our collaboration."

At this, everyone in the room had easy smiles on their faces, Ace had just told them that this deal was as much as confirmed. They would all swim in profits soon.

The man laughed, and poured two drinks, "Na Zdorovie!"

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Ace ended up with the Russians for most of the afternoon, he sent texts to all worried parties saying he was fine. They had invited him to party with them at night, the girl that had given him the note - Irina, made it clear she was interested a few times, but as of one, Ace was too tired, and plus, he had to speak with Veronica or his grandmother.

He made his way back to the compound, there were still a few hours left until the first day ended, and he still had to collect his freebies.