Bella listened silently. However, when she heard Sam’s words, she was stunned because Sam didn’t seem to know that the Dark Skull organization still existed. If Stefan is right, and he likely is, they continue their business, hiding under the Black Rose Group.
Countless questions now dance through her mind. How could he not know? Doesn’t the government know either? How? Why could Stefan give her such detailed information?
"Boss, why are you suddenly asking about Dark Skull?" Sam’s question brought Bella out of her thoughts.
Bella didn’t rush to answer. She looked at Sam for a moment and then at Leo, who now wore the same curious and confused expression as Sam.
"Damn! Bella, can you please stop scaring us like that?" Leo snapped. He feels thrilled by the tension in the room.
"Can you be quiet, Leo?" Sam hissed at Leo. Then he turned to Bella. "Boss, would you mind telling us why now?" he asked politely.
Bella took a deep breath when she saw Sam almost beat Leo.
"My trusted sources told me that Dark Skull is investigating me. They’ve been researching anything about me for a couple of days now. This is really puzzling me. Why is this evil organization interested in me? I don’t remember ever meeting people like that in the past..."
Sam and Leo were left speechless when they heard Bella’s words.
"My source couldn’t tell me who hired them or if the initiative came from the organization itself. And, Sam, this is why I ask you about them..." she continues.
"Boss, hold on a second. Something seems off. Although the Dark Skull leader hasn’t been captured since I retired from my unit, I have heard from a reliable source that they no longer exist as a threat. So, even if they still exist, they are probably not a threat to you."
Bella, "...."
"Boss, don’t worry too much. If my source is to be trusted, they are just a lowly gang now. I could handle them by myself..." Sam said confidently.
Bella seemed calm but was internally frustrated because Sam was unaware of the new Dark Skull. It wouldn’t have alarmed Stefan if it had only been a low-key criminal organization.
"Sam, I trust my source is credible. If my source told me the Dark Skull Organization still exists in this country and has grown bigger than before, I know it must be true."
"That’s fucking scary, Boss! Are you really sure this organization still exists and is in full motion against you!?" Leo slightly shouted in surprise. "Are you really sure, Boss? Why do they want to know your identity?"
"I wouldn’t ask you to come here to discuss it if I wasn’t so sure. Also, if I knew what this organization is up to," she said faintly.
"I see," Leo nods.
"Are you sure it is bigger than before?" Sam asked. He doubts it. If Dark Skull returns, his former team will surely annihilate them again.
Sam didn’t say anything about his doubt to Bella because he needed to hear more.
"Yes. My source wouldn’t alarm me if he saw it as non-threatening. Have you ever heard about the Dark Roses Group?"
"Boss... So, you mean the Dark Roses have become their new front now?" Sam asked, starting to piece things together.
"Mhm, that’s what my trusted resource informed me."
"And the military still permitted them to conduct business in this country? What nonsense is this?"
Bella looked at Leo when he spoke up. "I’m not entirely sure why, but I’m assuming that the new Dark Skull is hiding effectively and that nobody knows about them yet—not even the military or your old team, Sam..." she said, glancing over at Sam.
The light in Sam’s eyes lifts as he responds, "Or they have a powerful backup in this country."
"If that’s the case, you should be worried, Bella," Leo said, his tension increasing.
"I need to discuss what I should do now! Like I said before, I didn’t even know their motive to investigate me," Bella said helplessly as she gazed at them.
"Boss, I can make a few guesses about the motive," Leo smiled mysteriously.
Bella and Sam turn to see Leo curiously.
"Speak then!" Bella said curtly.
"Boss, have you ever met a total stranger person? That person is probably the culprit. Even the mob leader himself. He probably investigated your identity because he was interested in you... I mean, he fell in love with you at first sight."
Sam, "...."
Bella, "...."
"Seriously, Boss... are you sure you never encountered such a man!?"
"No, of course, I never met such a man! You would know if I have." Bella responded to Leo’s question to her. "Also, what are my chances of encountering a certain evil man? I never go to strange places. I only go to my houses and offices. And you guys were always around me when I was in public places.
Like when I visited the restaurant."
Bella took a deep sigh and looked at Leo. She was speechless by his wild imagination.
Gosh!
Leo then turned to Sam. "Do you know the name of the mafia leader, Sam?"
Sam looked at him back and said, "I think his name is Mad Dog!"
"What the hell? It’s an ugly name for a mob boss. How can he lead a criminal organization with such an ugly name?" Leo said.
"Leo, stop asking stupid questions to the Boss and me, will you?" Sam asks calmly, but his gaze betrays him; he looks at Leo disdainfully.
"Ah, it must be a code name code name..." Leo chuckled, seeming not to bothered with Sam’s disdainful gaze.
"Yeah, short off!" Sam said, ignoring Leo. Then he turned his gaze to Bella: "Boss, should we call Mr. Jack? We need to establish The Sentinel Network in this country to help us accurately assess the possible threat and also help us take proper countermeasures."
"Wait, do you guys want to hear the other motive?" Leo chimed in, ignoring Bella and Sam’s discussion topic.
"HELL NO!"
"HELL NO!"
Bella and Sam shouted together without looking at Leo.