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(A/N: Don't forget to give those power stones to Skyrim everyone!)
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Caleb turned on his heel, motioning for Antonio to follow him. He walked out of the hushed, opulent silence of L'Étoile d'Or and back out into the freezing, bustling streets of Saint Denis. As he climbed back into the waiting carriage, the cold winter wind whipping around them, Caleb felt a deep, profound sense of absolute peace settle over his heart. The platinum and emerald ring being forged in the heart of the city was the only prize he actually cared about now.
Caleb's ride back to the sprawling Garden District estate was not a particularly long one, but the short time spent in the plush, velvet lined cabin of the carriage allowed him to fully compartmentalize the intense, violent reality of his underworld dealings from the domestic peace he was actively building.
The cold winter wind howled against the reinforced glass windows of the carriage, but Caleb's mind was warm, fixated entirely on the flawless Colombian emerald that would soon sit on Mary-Beth's finger.
When the carriage finally pulled through the massive wrought iron gates and came to a smooth halt on the white gravel driveway, Caleb stepped out into the crisp afternoon air. He adjusted the lapels of his heavy charcoal grey overcoat, immediately noticing the lively, excited chatter echoing from the grand foyer before he even reached the steps.
As the heavy oak double doors were pulled open by the household staff, Caleb was met with a genuinely breathtaking sight.
Mary-Beth, alongside Tilly Jackson, Karen Jones, and Molly O'Shea, were gathered in the grand entryway, and they were all wearing incredibly pretty, spectacularly fancy outfits.
The transformation of the women of the Van der Linde gang was nothing short of miraculous. Gone were the frayed cotton skirts, the mud stained boots, and the faded blouses of their desperate days on the run. Now, thanks to the limitless wealth of Caleb's empire, they looked like absolute Gilded Age royalty.
Tilly was wearing a beautiful, pale lavender silk dress with intricate lace detailing at the collar, looking every bit the refined young socialite. Karen, looking healthier and brighter than she had in years, was draped in a rich, dark burgundy velvet gown that perfectly complemented her blonde hair, a string of genuine pearls resting around her neck.
Molly was completely back in her element, wearing a highly fashionable, sweeping dark blue dress with a feathered matching hat, looking like an aristocratic heiress.
But it was Mary-Beth who truly held Caleb's absolute attention. She was wearing a stunning, tailored walking suit in a deep shade of sapphire, the fitted jacket accentuating her waist, paired with a matching skirt and a delicate, wide brimmed hat tilted perfectly on her dark hair.
Seeing him return through the doors, Mary-Beth's face instantly lit up. She let out a bright, incredibly affectionate smile, her dark eyes sparkling as she walked gracefully across the marble floor to welcome him.
"Honey!" Mary-Beth greeted him warmly as he took off his hat and handed his heavy overcoat to a waiting servant. She stepped close, resting her gloved hands lightly on his chest. "You're back sooner than I expected. How was the production in the factory? Did the public shipments go out smoothly?"
Caleb didn't miss a beat. He offered her a charming, effortlessly confident smile, slipping back into his fabricated alibi with the smooth, practiced ease of a master tactician.
"It went exceptionally well, sweetheart," Caleb lied smoothly, wrapping a single arm around her waist. "Everything is moving exactly up to schedule. The logistics are locked down, the trains are loaded, and the workers are doing great. They are pulling double shifts, but they are happy for the premium pay. And, of course, no one dared to cause any trouble."
He leaned in slightly, adopting a slightly more serious, authoritative tone to sell the narrative. "I had Harrison and the capos implement a strict new security protocol. No one is smuggling a single bullet or a smuggled weapon out of my facility. I ordered a full, comprehensive body search to be done on the entire workforce at the end of the shift. Nobody leaves that factory with so much as a stray brass casing."
Hearing that strict, highly pragmatic business update, Mary-Beth simply nodded her head with a small, highly amused chuckle. She didn't suspect him of hiding the fact that he had actually been buying her a priceless engagement ring for a single second. It sounded exactly like the ruthlessly efficient, fiercely protective man she knew and loved.
"You run a very tight ship, Mr. McLaughlin," Mary-Beth smiled, her eyes crinkling at the corners. She then stepped back slightly, gesturing to the finely dressed women standing behind her. "Since you are back... I was wondering if I could ask a favor of you. Could you take me and the girls into the city?"
Caleb arched an eyebrow, looking over the glamorous group. "Into the city? You ladies look like you are about to meet someone very important. What is the occasion?"
"It is a lady's gathering," Mary-Beth explained, a hint of genuine excitement in her voice. "It is being hosted by Mayor Lemieux's wife at the Mayor's private mansion. It is a highly exclusive afternoon tea for the most prominent women in Saint Denis society. We received a gold embossed invitation this morning."
It was the ultimate proof of their total societal ascension. A year ago, these women would have been arrested on sight if they even walked past the Mayor's estate. Now, the absolute highest echelon of the city's political elite was practically begging them to come drink tea in their parlors, eager to curry favor with the Don's inner circle.
Hearing that, Caleb nodded his head immediately, a proud, deeply satisfied smirk crossing his face.
"Why, of course, my lady," Caleb agreed smoothly, offering her a slight, theatrical bow. "It would be my absolute honor to escort the finest women in Lemoyne."
The girls giggled and chatted excitedly, moving past him and out the heavy front doors. They entered first, taking their seats in the plush, spacious interior of Caleb's reinforced black-lacquered carriage. Caleb waited a moment in the foyer before following them.
Antonio, the impeccably dressed head butler, had returned from his own duties and was standing near the doorway. Caleb knew he would not be needing Antonio's specialized brand of violent diplomacy at a high society tea party, so the butler would of course stay behind at the mansion to manage the estate.
But before leaving, Caleb turned to Antonio with one final piece of highly specific business. It wasn't about the casinos, the extortion rackets, or the factory. It was about Mary-Beth.
"Antonio," Caleb murmured, keeping his voice low so the girls outside wouldn't hear. "While I am gone, I want you to go to the headquarter of the Lemoyne Unified Press office and personally check on the financial accounts tied to the to publishing houses. I want a full, comprehensive report on the earnings that the madam should have gained from her latest novels being published and distributed in down here in the south and the entire land."
Caleb had infinite wealth, but he knew how deeply important Mary-Beth's independent success as a writer was to her own pride and sense of accomplishment. He wanted to make sure the publishers weren't trying to cheat her out of a single red cent.
Hearing that, Antonio nodded his head immediately, his face the picture of absolute, unwavering loyalty. "I will go check on it right away, Don McLaughlin. If those publishers are holding back any of Madam's rightful royalties, they will find themselves dealing with the family's lawyers by nightfall."
"See that they do," Caleb stated, adjusting his cuffs before he turned and walked out the door.
He entered back into the carriage, taking the seat opposite the four radiant women. The driver cracked the whip, and the heavy thoroughbreds pulled the carriage away from the Garden District, heading toward the sprawling, heavily guarded estate of Mayor Nicholas Lemieux.
The ride was filled with light, cheerful conversation. Tilly and Karen were eagerly discussing the various high society gossip they expected to hear, while Molly advised them on the proper etiquette of drinking tea with the wives of corrupt politicians. Caleb sat back, his arms resting on the velvet armrests, simply enjoying the sight of them so happy and carefree.
When they finally reached the Mayor's mansion, the carriage pulled up to the grand, sweeping circular driveway. Dozens of other luxury carriages were already parked along the pristine lawns.
The driver opened the door, and the ladies began to gracefully step off the carriage. Caleb stepped out as well, offering his hand to help Mary-Beth down the step.
"Are you not coming inside, Caleb?" Tilly asked, adjusting the lace on her lavender dress.
Caleb chuckled, shaking his head as he looked at the massive double doors of the Mayor's estate, where several wealthy, diamond draped women were currently walking inside.
"I will be waiting for you all outside, ladies," Caleb told them, a highly amused smirk on his handsome face. "This is a strictly ladies' gathering. If I join, the dynamic will be very, very different. The Mayor's wife wants to talk about fashion and high society gossip, not shipping tariffs and federal warrants. I would ruin the entire afternoon just by standing in the parlor."
The girls laughed, knowing exactly what he meant. The sheer, terrifying aura of the mob boss was not exactly conducive to a relaxing afternoon of Earl Grey tea and delicate pastries.
Mary-Beth nodded her head in complete understanding. She stepped close to him, resting a gloved hand on his chest, and leaned up, giving him a warm, lingering kiss on the cheek.
"We won't be too long," Mary-Beth promised softly, her dark eyes shining.
"Take all the time you need, sweetheart," Caleb replied, his voice a low, comforting hum. "Enjoy yourselves."
She smiled brightly before turning and linking arms with Tilly. She and the girls ascended the wide marble steps and confidently entered the Mayor's mansion, instantly becoming the absolute center of attention the moment they walked through the doors.
With his protective duties temporarily suspended, Caleb turned back to the carriage. He didn't want to just sit parked in the driveway for three hours. He pulled a heavy, incredibly expensive Cuban cigar from the silver case inside his jacket pocket.
He looked up at the driver. "Take the carriage for a drive around the city. Keep it moving. Take the scenic route down by the water."
"Yes, Don McLaughlin," the driver nodded, climbing back up to his bench.
Caleb climbed back into the empty, spacious interior of the carriage. He struck a match, lighting the thick cigar, and took a long, slow drag. The rich, heavy smoke filled the cabin as he leaned his head back against the velvet cushions.
He needed this quiet moment to clear his head, to mentally prepare for the sheer logistical nightmare of opening the Strawberry hotel, and to think about the exact way he was going to propose to Mary-Beth.
The carriage rolled smoothly away from the wealthy, pristine avenues of the political district. For the first twenty minutes, it was a peaceful, highly relaxing ride. The rhythmic clatter of the hooves on the cobblestones was hypnotic.
But as the carriage passed through the industrial zoning and entered the sprawling, fog choked labyrinth of the eastern Saint Denis docks, the atmosphere began to shift. The pristine white marble of the Mayor's neighborhood gave way to grimy, soot stained brick warehouses.
The smell of expensive perfume vanished, replaced by the heavy, pungent stench of salt water, rotting fish, and burning coal. The streets here were narrow, crowded with heavy cargo wagons and rough, hardened dockworkers.
Caleb exhaled a cloud of thick cigar smoke, his sharp blue eyes casually scanning the dreary, grey environment through the reinforced glass window.
And then, the quiet peace of the afternoon was violently shattered.
CRACK!
The sharp, unmistakable report of a high powered rifle echoed off the brick walls of the narrow alleyway.
The carriage violently lurched to the left. The driver of the carriage let out a brief, choked gasp before he crumpled off the elevated bench, a heavy caliber bullet having torn straight through his chest. His lifeless body hit the muddy cobblestones with a sickening thud.
The horses, suddenly terrified by the gunfire and the loss of their handler, screamed and reared up, causing the carriage to violently swerve and grind to a panicked halt against a stack of wooden shipping crates.
Instantly, the hysterical, terrified shouts of innocent civilian passersby could be heard echoing across the docks. Men and women dropped their cargo and scattered like rats, diving into the murky alleyways to escape the sudden eruption of gangland violence.
Inside the cabin, Caleb didn't freeze. He didn't panic. The absolute second the rifle shot rang out, his hyper lethal, combat-hardened instincts kicked in immediately.
He didn't know who was attacking him, and he didn't care. He was in the kill zone.
More gunshots erupted. A hail of heavy lead tore through the left side of the carriage. The reinforced glass shattered inward, and heavy bullets punched through the velvet upholstery exactly where Caleb's head had been resting a fraction of a second prior.
Knowing the left side was where the concentrated gun shots was located, Caleb immediately threw his entire body weight to the right. With the explosive, terrifying speed of an apex predator, he launched himself off the velvet bench and jumped violently out of the carriage as to the right, diving straight through the shattered right side window frame before the shooters could adjust their aim.
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Name: Caleb Thorne
Age: 23
Body Attributes:
- Strength: 8/10
- Agility: 8/10
- Perception: 9/10
- Stamina: 8/10
- Charm: 8/10
- Luck: 9/10
Skills:
- Handgun (Lvl MAX)
- Rifle (Lvl MAX)
- Firearms Knowledge (Lvl MAX)
- Past Life Memory (Lvl MAX)
- Knife (Lvl MAX)
- Blunt Weapon (Lvl MAX)
- Sneaking (Lvl MAX)
- Horse Mastery (Lvl MAX)
- Poker (Lvl MAX)
- Hand to Hand Combat (Lvl MAX)
- Eagle Eye (Lvl MAX)
- Dead Eye (Lvl MAX)
- Bow (Lvl MAX)
- Pain Nullifier (Lvl MAX)
- Physical Regeneration (Lvl MAX)
- Crafting (Lvl MAX)
- Persuasion (Lvl MAX)
- Mental Fortitude (Lvl MAX)
- Cooking (Lvl MAX)
- Teaching (Lvl MAX)
- Trilingual Language Proficiency - G, I, & C (Lvl MAX)
- Inventory System (Permanent - 100x100x100)
- Acting (Lvl MAX)
- Alcohol Resistance (Lvl MAX)
- Treasure Hunter (Lvl MAX)
- Drugs Resistance (Lvl MAX)
- Business (Lvl MAX)
- Leadership (Lvl MAX)
Money: 2,772 dollars and 60 cents
Inventory: 283,392 dollars and 61 cents, 11 gold nuggets, 74 gold bars, 1 Double Action, 1 Schofield, 2 Colm's Schofields, 1 land deed (Parcel), 1 Mauser, 1 Semi Auto Pistol, 1 Lancaster Repeater, 1 Old Wood Jewelry Box, 1 F.F Mausoleum small brass key, 1 Ruby, 1 Braithwaites Land Deed, 1 Broken Pirate Sword, 1 Milton's Safety Deposit Key, Proof Of Marlin-Thorne Firearms Co., 10 Dynamites, 1 LeMat, 1 M1899, 1 Carcano, 1 Ownership deed of Doyle's Tavern, 3 Diamonds, & Important Documents & Deeds Of Cornwall
Bank: -