Clearwater University Library

A few days after Eris had swung by, Leores found himself nestled in the university library, the air thick with the quiet murmurs of students deep in their studies and the soft rustle of pages turning.

He was on a mission, diving into the history of the Alpha Sigma Omega fraternity, hunting for any juicy tidbits that might point him toward some scandalous secrets.

His gaze flicked across yellowed newspaper clippings and dusty yearbooks, trying to fit the pieces of this mystery together.

"Seriously? It looks like these guys were just a bunch of college pals who wanted to score," Leores muttered, slamming shut the last book he’d leafed through in frustration.

“Nothing in these yearbooks is even remotely interesting… Looks like it's time to dig a little deeper,” he sighed, stuffing his notes into his bag and heading out of the library, his thoughts weighing him down more than the stack of books he carried.

Clearwater University-Night

A few hours later, under the cloak of night, Leores found himself slipping into the principal’s office.

Thanks to the basics of his assassin training, bypassing the security guards felt like a walk in the park.

The real challenge lay in dodging the cameras and getting past the fingerprint scanners.

He had managed to snag the principal’s fingerprints from a coffee cup during their earlier chat and had a USB stick packed with hacking tools ready to go.

“Man, I must be too accustomed to high-stakes missions because breaking in here was a total cakewalk,” Leores chuckled to himself as he plugged the USB into the computer.

With a few deft keystrokes, he began his hacking spree.

Once he breached the school’s website and located the archives, he quickly downloaded everything onto a flash drive, adrenaline buzzing through him like a shot of caffeine.

“Alright, let’s see what kind of secrets these frat boys are hiding,” Leores muttered, his eyes glued to the screen as it flickered to life, granting him access to the restricted files.

After downloading the treasure trove of information, he unplugged the USB and slipped out of the office, quickly pulling on a pair of gloves before diving into the file cabinets.

His fingers moved like lightning, skimming through the documents at a speed that would leave most people dizzy, but for him, it was a breeze.

He stumbled upon a hefty stack of incident reports, each one emblazoned with the fraternity’s name.

Curiosity piqued, he opened the first file, revealing a hazing incident that had gone terribly wrong.

As he skimmed through the details, a chill ran down his spine. The account was gruesome, but it lacked any mention of the names he was hunting for.

Undeterred, he flipped to the next file, then the next, each one more disturbing than the last, painting a dark picture of the fraternity’s hidden past.

“What the hell… Half of these guys are still in school after committing sexual assault, battery, beating, and the like?” Leores muttered in disgust, keeping his voice low in the stillness of the office.

He continued flipping through the documents, each one peeling back the layers of the fraternity’s so-called brotherhood, revealing a much darker truth.

“Why… Why is the school covering all this up? This isn’t just frat stuff; this is straight-up criminal,” he murmured, his heart pounding as he scanned the papers, a mix of horror and anger boiling within him.

He set aside the files about the dogs and grabbed the overall incident reports.

They were all neatly organized, as if they were nothing more than mundane homework assignments.

But as he examined them, something felt off.

Despite the polished façade, the overall student drug use had skyrocketed since the fraternity’s inception.

Curiosity driving him, he opened one of the files and began to read.

Each case was more disturbing than the last, painting a chilling picture of the insidious grip the fraternity had on the campus.

“I don’t know what’s going on… But I’m definitely going to dig deeper,” Leores whispered to himself, his mind racing with the implications of what he had uncovered.

He snapped photos of all the pertinent files with his phone, carefully slipping everything back into its rightful place.

He knew he couldn’t let this slide; exposing the corruption festering within the fraternity had become a personal mission.

With his tracks covered, Leores made his way back home, his thoughts a whirlwind of the shocking information he had gathered.

This could change everything, but first, he needed to sift through it all to make sense of it.

Hughes Household

Once home, he sank into the couch, the glow of his computer screen illuminating the dim room as he dug into the digital copies of the files.

The evidence was undeniably damning, but he knew it wasn’t enough.

He needed to find a way to directly connect the fraternity to the crimes they’d committed, to prove that their influence stretched far beyond the campus walls.

“Alright, these digital files don’t have anything on the dogs like the physical copies do. They’re definitely more careful with their digital footprints than their actual ones,” Leores thought, his eyes scanning the documents with laser focus.

“And it looks like everything went haywire about two years before Lishcelle and I joined the college,” he murmured, noticing the alarming spike in incidents from 2016 to 2018.

His jaw tightened as he pieced together the timeline, determination coursing through him.

Just then, Maes walked in from work, his tie loosened and his suit slightly rumpled.

He noticed Leores on the couch, a tense look etched across his face.

“What’s going on, kiddo?” Maes asked, his eyes darting between the glowing screen and Leores’ intense expression.

“I just realized that Clearwater has a lot of skeletons in its closet,” Leores replied, still fixated on the screen, the weight of his discoveries heavy on his shoulders.

Maes’ expression turned serious as he approached, curiosity piqued.

“What kind of skeletons?” he asked, leaning over Leores’ shoulder to catch a glimpse of the documents that had him so engrossed.

Leores spun his laptop around so Maes could see the screen.

“This is just the tip of the iceberg. The Alpha Sigma Omega fraternity is tangled up in some serious business, and it’s all under wraps. Check out these incident reports,” he said, anger lacing his tone.

Maes’ eyes widened as he read through the documents, his expression darkening with each page. “What the hell… How did you get your hands on these?”

“I broke into the principal’s office and hacked the computer. I also skimmed through some physical files that weren’t in the digital archives,” Leores replied, as nonchalantly as if he were discussing his favorite video game.

“The school’s been burying the truth, and I can’t just sit back and let it slide.”

Maes let out a low whistle, a mix of admiration and concern in his gaze. “That’s pretty risky, Leores. What if you’d been caught?”

“Oh please,” Leores said, slightly offended.

“I’m a former elite assassin. This was nothing.” He flashed a smirk, though the seriousness in his eyes remained.

Maes sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I know you can handle yourself, but this is different. This isn’t just about taking out a bad guy; this is about exposing a powerful organization that’s been operating right under the school’s nose for years.”

Leores closed the laptop, his mind racing. “You’re right, but if we don’t do something about it, who will? These guys are getting away with sex crimes—literally.” He looked up at Maes, his eyes blazing with fierce determination.

“I took down an entire cartel by myself when I was a kid. The only difference here is that I can’t just kill the people involved. Not without solid proof and some legal backing,” Leores said, his gaze steady and resolute.

“We need to figure out who’s been covering for them, who’s in their pocket. There’s got to be someone powerful enough to keep this all under wraps for so long.”

Maes sat down next to him, contemplating for a moment before a thought struck him. “Have you thought about looking through the personnel files? One of them might have been a former fraternity member.”

Leores nodded thoughtfully. “It’s the next step, but first, I need to ensure this isn’t just a bunch of college boys getting out of hand. There’s something more going on—something deeper, something orchestrated.”

“Like what?” Maes asked, his curiosity fully ignited.

“There was a spike in students getting high around the college from 2016 to 2018… Not just weed, but hardcore stuff—crack, heroin, meth. It’s like they were using the fraternity as a cover for something else,” Leores mused, tapping his fingers rhythmically on the laptop.

“That’s not possible. The only person who runs drugs in this whole city is Mr. King, unless he’s changed his hustle,” Maes replied, skepticism lacing his voice.

“He only deals weed with college kids. Crack, heroin, and meth are for the hoods, but they never come near schools of any kind. We made a deal to be responsible about where he sells,” Leores countered, his tone authoritative, as if he were laying down the law of the underworld.

“This is bigger than Mr. King, and it’s definitely not his style.”

“Maybe you should pay Mr. King a little visit, just to see if he knows anything,” Maes suggested, his tone a mix of caution and curiosity.

“I just might. I cut all ties with him when I got to college, but I need to make sure,” Leores replied, nodding as his mind raced with possibilities.

“But first, I need to find someone willing to talk. Someone who’s been hurt by the fraternity, someone who knows the truth but is too afraid to speak out.”

“But who?” Maes frowned, his gaze thoughtful. “These frat boys aren’t exactly known for leaving loose ends, especially if they’re connected to something this big.”

“I have the incident reports, so I’ll look up the names and try to find one of the victims,” Leores said, formulating a plan.

“Someone who’s been through their hell will talk, especially if they know it’s for a good cause.”

As Leores sifted through the digital files, something surprising caught his eye. “Ohh, they just fucked up big time,” he said to himself with a smirk.

“They forgot to delete the financial transactions, and it’s a goldmine!” He looked at Maes, excitement bubbling in his voice.

“The college paid a settlement from a lawsuit filed by a teacher who accused them of rape, and it’s all connected to the Alpha Sigma Omega fraternity.”

Maes leaned closer, his eyes narrowing in concentration. “So you think they’re using the school’s funds to cover their tracks?”

“Not just that… She’s still working at the college after the fact,” Leores said, a mix of disgust and anger coloring his tone.

The revelation of the college’s complicity in the cover-up hit him like a sledgehammer. “They paid her off and silenced her. This goes higher up than just the frat.”

Maes leaned back in his chair, his expression grim. “We’re dealing with some serious players here, Leores. You’re going to need more than just a few incriminating files to take them down.”

Leores picked up his laptop, determination etching his features.

“Don’t worry, I’ll get it done. This will all come together.” He stood up, his eyes glinting with resolve. “But first, I need to get some sleep.”

Clearwater University-Afternoon

The next day, Leores approached the college counseling center, where he had arranged to meet with Mrs. Vanessa, the teacher who had accused the fraternity members of rape.

She was a petite woman, her tired yet resilient demeanor evident as her eyes searched his, looking for any signs of deceit or danger.

At just 22 years old, Vanessa had been working at Clearwater since she graduated college and became a professor.

She embodied innocence, with her blonde hair neatly In a bun and glasses that accentuated her youthful appearance.

Once a bright spot in the school, her life took a tragic turn one fateful night.

Fortunately for Leores, Vanessa was his professor for ethics class.

He had noticed that she was particularly cautious around her male students, a justified reaction given her past.

This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

He knew he had to approach her carefully, ensuring he didn’t scare her off or make her feel uncomfortable.

“Professor, may I talk to you after class? I’m having trouble with the topic today,” Leores said, adopting a gentle tone, striving for sincerity.

Mrs. Vanessa nodded, curiosity flickering in her eyes.

After the last student left the classroom, she turned to Leores, forcing a smile. “What seems to be the trouble, Mr. Dixon?”

“It’s just the overall uses of ethics. What can we really do with this skill?” Leores began, attempting to appear casual.

“I just don’t see the practical applications.”

Mrs. Vanessa studied him for a moment, her expression shifting between skepticism and concern. “Ethics is about making the right choices, even when the path isn’t clear. It’s about doing what’s right, even when no one’s watching,” she said softly.

“That’s the thing—sometimes there are no right choices. We just go through life hoping we made the right one,” Leores replied, his voice blunt yet trying to soften the edges.

“But what if we know the right choice and just can’t make it?”

Vanessa’s smile faltered slightly. She sensed there was something deeper beneath Leores’ questions.

“Sometimes, Mr. Dixon, we have to trust our gut and stand up for what we believe in,” she responded, her voice gentle but firm. “Even when it’s hard. Even when it’s dangerous.”

Leores felt a surge of determination. “I agree, Professor. Sometimes you have to fight for what’s right, even if it means confronting your fears." He locked eyes with her, hoping she would understand the gravity of his words.

“So…” Leores sat down in a chair backward, facing her. “Mind if I ask you a very hard question?” His expression was serious, a rare sight for him.

Mrs. Vanessa nodded, her curiosity piqued. “I’m here to help, Mr. Dixon. Please, ask away.”

“Did you really think it was the right call to take a settlement after accusing a student of rape?” Leores asked, his voice low and even, diving straight to the heart of the matter.

Mrs. Vanessa’s eyes widened, her cheeks flushing with a mix of anger and fear.

She had never discussed the incident with a student before and felt uncertain about Leores’ bluntness.

“What are you implying? In fact, how do you even know about this?” she replied, her voice shaking slightly.

“I have my ways, but I just want to know… Why did you take the money to be quiet? And why do you still work here?” Leores pressed on, his eyes fixed on hers, searching for the truth.

Mrs. Vanessa took a deep breath, her hands trembling as they gripped the edge of her desk.

“They threatened me, Mr. Dixon. My family, my career, everything I had worked for. I didn’t have a choice,” she confessed, her voice barely above a whisper.

“What did they say they would do?” Leores asked, his tone calm but firm.

Mrs. Vanessa looked away, tears brimming in her eyes.

“They said they would ensure I lost everything, that no one would ever believe me again. They had so much power, and I was just one person,” she explained, her voice quivering under the weight of her memories.

“Have you ever told someone about what happened?” Leores’ voice softened, but his eyes remained resolute.

Mrs. Vanessa met his gaze, surprised by the compassion he showed.

“No, not really. I was too scared, too ashamed. I thought if I just moved on, it would all go away,” she admitted, her voice trembling as the burden of her secret weighed heavily on her.

“Did it?” Leores asked gently, his tone filled with quiet understanding.

“No, it didn’t,” she whispered, the sadness in her voice revealing years of suppressed pain.

“But I couldn’t fight them alone. The college, the fraternity—they all turned their backs on me.”

“If they did, then why continue working for the same people who let this happen to you?” Leores questioned, his curiosity genuine.

Mrs. Vanessa sighed heavily, her expression filled with resignation.

“It’s complicated. I love teaching, and I didn’t want to let them take that away from me. Plus, I thought if I stayed, I could keep an eye on things, maybe even help other girls if they ever found themselves in the same situation.” Her voice carried a heavy sadness that resonated with Leores, highlighting the struggles she faced daily.

Leores sighed and approached Mrs. Vanessa, his 6-foot frame towering over her petite 4’11 stature.

He could sense her fear, the lingering shadows of PTSD from her past, but when their eyes met, she saw something different—a glimmer of hope and sincerity that had been missing for so long.

Leores knelt to get on her level. “Look… Being sentimental isn’t my strong suit, and you know that. But I think you need something simple that might help… If you want it?” His voice was low, almost a whisper.

Mrs. Vanessa’s eyes searched his, looking for any hint of deceit.

All she saw was a flicker of compassion. “What do you mean?” she asked tentatively.

Leores opened his arms. “I think you might need a hug. I have a feeling nobody gave you one after what happened.”

Surprised, Mrs. Vanessa hesitated for a moment, but then she accepted his gentle embrace.

It was a simple gesture, yet it carried the weight of understanding and support she had desperately sought.

As they pulled away, she felt a sense of relief, a small crack in the dam that had been holding back her emotions.

“Better?” Leores asked, his voice a bit softer than usual.

Mrs. Vanessa nodded, wiping away a tear. “Yes, thank you, Mr. Dixon. I didn’t know I needed that.”

“Sometimes it doesn’t need to be so complicated,” Leores said gently.

“I want to take down the people who did this to you. The statute of limitations on your crime hasn’t passed yet, so there’s a way to seek justice.”

Mrs. Vanessa’s eyes searched his face for any signs of doubt or insincerity, but all she found was a firm resolve that mirrored her own desire for justice.

“How do you plan to do that?” she asked, hope beginning to blossom in her chest.

“I can’t tell you here, but meet me at the coffee shop downtown,” Leores said, handing her a piece of paper with the address and time. “Come alone; no one can know about this.”

Mrs. Vanessa took the paper, her eyes wide with a mix of fear and hope.

She nodded, her hand trembling slightly as she clutched it tightly. “Okay, I’ll be there.”

“Good, stay safe, okay?” Leores said before walking to his next class, his mind racing with thoughts and strategies.

After Leores left, Mrs. Vanessa remained in her classroom long after he was gone, the piece of paper with the coffee shop address clutched in her hand.

She had never told anyone about the rape, not even her husband.

The thought of reopening that wound was terrifying, but there was something about Leores that made her feel she could trust him.

As she sat in silence, she couldn’t help but notice how attractive he was.

Those piercing gold eyes seemed to look right into her soul, and his lean, muscular build exuded danger and power without being bulky.

Realizing she was fantasizing about a student, Mrs. Vanessa shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts.

“I can’t believe I’m thinking about this now,” she whispered to herself, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment.

Downtown Baton Rouge

A few hours later, Leores stood outside a very familiar building, one he thought he would never return to since he was 14 years old.

It was the place where he had first worked for Mr. King, where he had made his initial deal.

“Geez, this is a pain. I forgot how much I really hated coming here. I thought once I left, I would never have to look back,” Leores murmured to himself as he stepped into the dimly lit interior.

The scent of weed mixed with expensive cologne filled the air, bringing back memories he would rather forget.

He scanned the room, noticing the sharp eyes watching him from various corners.

The place was filled with men in nice suits, but he knew better; they were all gangbangers at heart.

He approached the front desk, where a receptionist sat, her fake smile betraying the gun hidden in her drawer. “I’ve come to meet with Mr. King,” he said, his voice firm and confident.

“And what’s the nature of your business?” she replied, her tone as cold as ice.

“Let’s just say we’re former business associates,” Leores answered calmly, resting his hand casually in his pocket as he leaned against the desk.

The receptionist studied him for a moment before nodding and picking up the phone to call Mr. King’s office.

Meanwhile, Mr. King was busy with paperwork when the phone rang. He answered with a gruff, “What is it?”

“Mr. King, there’s a young man here who would like to speak with you. He says he’s a ‘former business associate,’” the receptionist said, a hint of curiosity in her voice.

“Tell him he needs an appointment like everyone else. I’m busy,” Mr. King replied, not looking up from his work.

The receptionist nodded and turned back to Leores. “Mr. King is busy right now, but he can pencil you in for tomorrow at 2 PM sharp.”

Without a word, Leores snatched the phone from her hand, causing every man in the room to draw their guns, including the receptionist.

He spoke into the receiver, his face remaining emotionless. “So, you forgot about me?” he asked, his voice cold and empty.

Mr. King’s eyes widened in shock. The voice was more mature, but he recognized it instantly.

“L-Leo? Is that you?” he stuttered, his hand trembling slightly.

“You have some nice people here, Mr. King,” Leores remarked, leaning casually against the desk, undeterred by the guns aimed at him.

“But tell them to put their toys away—unless they have good health insurance.”

“Give me back to the woman,” Mr. King’s voice boomed through the phone, the tremor of shock replaced by a commanding authority.

Leores handed the phone back to the receptionist, who snatched it from his hand.

“Just say the word, Mr. King, and we’ll take him out,” she said, her bravado masking her unease.

“Judy, tell them to stand down. It looks like he has the advantage right now, but trust me, you all are in danger with that boy,” Mr. King replied into the phone, his voice tinged with a mix of fear and urgency.

“What are you talking about, sir? He came in here unarmed, and there are fifty of us with guns pointed at him. How are we in danger?” Judy’s skepticism was evident, but Mr. King was unyielding.

“I’m not even there, and I can tell he’s chilling. Does he look bothered with all those guns on him?” Mr. King’s voice was filled with disbelief and concern.

Judy studied Leores, her eyes narrowed.

“No, he doesn’t, Mr. King,” she admitted, her hand shaking slightly as she held the receiver.

“That’s because he knows he can kill you if he wanted to. He’s being nice enough to tolerate this. Now put your weapons down, because I’m not paying for your health insurance if he sends you all to the hospital for months,” Mr. King commanded, his tone firm.

Judy glanced between Leores and the phone, then nodded, signaling for the men to lower their guns.

They grumbled but complied. Leores sighed. “Thank you for not wasting my time with your theatrics; I have better things to do.”

With a nod from Judy, the guards at the door of Mr. King’s office stepped aside, allowing Leores to pass through.

The office was large, featuring a mahogany desk that had seen better days, and walls adorned with framed photos of Mr. King alongside various important figures from the city.

“Leo, I thought I would never see you again after our agreement four years ago,” Mr. King said, a mix of surprise and tension in his voice as Leores entered, his hand still hovering near the desk drawer where his gun was concealed.

“I’m not here to kill you, Mr. King, so move your hand from the gun drawer,” Leores said calmly, his eyes fixated on Mr. King’s hand.

Slowly, Mr. King withdrew his hand from the drawer and leaned back in his chair, studying Leores intently.

“What brings you back to my neck of the woods, Leo?” he asked cautiously.

Leores sat down in a chair and crossed his legs. “I need information, Mr. King. Information that you might have—something the school archives don’t.”

Mr. King looked confused by Leores’ sudden appearance, his mind racing with questions. “What information? I’m confused.”

Leores pulled out his laptop from his backpack and placed it on the desk between them.

“The Alpha Sigma Omega fraternity at Clearwater College. I need to know if they have any ties to you or any of your operations between 2016 and 2018,” he said, his gaze piercing through Mr. King’s façade.

Mr. King glanced through the files on the laptop, noting that the reported drug incidents and dealers found on the college grounds during those years were indeed members of the fraternity, but they didn’t match his operations.

“Those boys are amateurs, Leo,” he scoffed with a snort.

“They’re playing with fire. Everybody knows to sell drugs anywhere, they have to go through me. Hell, even the governor and all the candidates have to go through me to get their lying asses on billboards.”

Leores felt a mix of relief and confusion wash over him.

“But if you’re not calling the shots here, then who is?” he questioned, his mind racing with possibilities.

Mr. King leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers as he considered the question.

“I don’t know, but there’s no way these boys are operating alone. They must be taking orders from someone who’s been in the game for a while.”

He pulled a cigar from his desk drawer and lit it, the smell of burning tobacco filling the air as he exhaled a cloud of smoke.

“But who? I killed everyone who was in power four years ago, except for you and a few others I spared,” Leores replied, frustration creeping into his voice as he processed the implications of Mr. King’s words.

Mr. King took a slow puff from his cigar, the smoke curling around his face.

“Maybe it’s someone from the old guard. Someone who’s been laying low, waiting for the perfect moment to make their move," he suggested, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully.

Leores began to think back to those he had spared during his city takeover: Elvino “Pretty Boy” Pezzuti, leader of the Rollers; Jaden “Mad Eyed” Skerritt of the Ballers; and Zabina “Sweet Cakes” Scibetta, who controlled the sex trade.

Why would they dare to act now? Then it hit him.

“Pezzuti… He’s the only one with experience in drug selling without restrictions,” Leores muttered, more to himself than to Mr. King. “But why would he risk it? He knows I’d come after him.”

“That I don’t know. I wouldn’t test you personally. But I think you have some cleaning up to do,” Mr. King remarked with a smirk, watching Leores’ reaction closely.

Leores stood up, the chair scraping against the floor as he processed this new information. “If it’s Pezzuti, then he’s playing a dangerous game. I need to find out for sure.”

“If you do, let me know. He’s the worst evil you spared, but he’s not dumb enough to let you find him easily,” Mr. King warned, his expression turning serious as he studied the young man who had once been a child prodigy in the world of crime.

“Don’t worry, I won’t make the same mistake again,” Leores replied coldly, his gaze fixed on Mr. King’s. “I’ll deal with Pezzuti if it’s him.”

With that, Leores took his leave. As the door closed behind him, Mr. King let out a long breath of relief.

“That boy is going to be the death of me one way or another,” he muttered to himself.

Outside, Leores pondered what could be going through Mr. King’s mind.

“He knows Pezzuti is a snake, so why isn’t he worried about his own operations?” he mused, the evening sun casting long shadows across the sidewalks as he made his way back to the coffee shop to meet Vanessa.

“He knows I’m capable and can get the job done without making a mess. That’s why he’s not worried about his own operations,” Leores murmured to himself, feeling the cold breeze against his face.

Yet, he couldn’t shake the feeling that Mr. King was holding something back.

For now, he had to focus on his investigation.

Despite the weight of his past pulling at him, Leores reminded himself that what mattered most was the safety of his family and friends.

He needed to uncover who was behind the fraternity’s recent power play and ensure they were shielded from any threat.

The stakes were high, and he was determined to see it through, no matter where it led him.