Lust Meter System: Conquering Beauties-Chapter 82: The Big 7

With everything that had happened and Kelvin getting word of what was going down between his best friend and some of the most dangerous people in the city, Liam realized he couldn’t do this alone.

Well, he wasn’t alone. He had Tasha for one. And the system.

But if he needed this problem solved, he needed fresh perspectives. Kelvin’s perspective.

So when Kelvin arrived the next day, the much-needed conversation needed to be had.

Kelvin showed up around noon, letting himself in like he always did. He walked into the living room where Liam and Tasha were sitting, dropped his backpack on the floor, and looked between the two of them.

"Alright," Kelvin said, crossing his arms. "Start talking. Because the text you sent me last night was cryptic as hell, and I’ve been losing my mind trying to figure out what kind of mess you’ve gotten yourself into this time."

Liam glanced at Tasha, who was sitting on the couch with her arms crossed, her cap still pulled low over her eyes. She looked tired, like she hadn’t slept much.

"Sit down," Liam said.

Kelvin raised an eyebrow but sat in the chair across from them. "This better be good."

Liam took a breath, then started explaining.

He told Kelvin about Tasha’s dad. About the accident. About how her dad was in a coma now, lying in some hospital bed, unresponsive. About how Tasha’s uncle had stepped in, acting like he was just helping the family, but really he was trying to take everything for himself.

And about how her uncle was trying to kill her to get the wealth of the Williams family all to himself.

Kelvin’s expression shifted from casual curiosity to outright disbelief as Liam talked.

"Wait, wait, wait," Kelvin interrupted, holding up a hand. "Her dad’s in a coma, so by right, she’s the heir and has been acting CEO of the Williams enterprise?"

Tasha nodded. "Yeah."

Kelvin stared at her for a long moment, then turned to Liam. "Bro, you’re telling me Tasha over here is running a company while dodging assassination attempts from her own uncle?"

"Pretty much," Liam said.

Kelvin leaned back in his chair, shaking his head slowly. "Okay. Okay. So how did you even find out about this? Because last I checked, you weren’t exactly in the loop with billionaire family drama."

Tasha spoke up, her voice quiet but steady. "My cousin told me. Kaleb. He’s my uncle’s son, the same man that wants me dead. But Kaleb doesn’t agree with what his dad’s doing. So he’s been keeping me updated, warning me when things are about to go down."

Kelvin blinked. "Your cousin is helping you even though his dad’s the one trying to kill you?"

"Yeah."

"That’s wild." Kelvin rubbed his face with both hands, processing. "Alright. Alright. So her cousin’s on her side. That’s something, I guess."

He looked at Liam, his expression sharpening. "But here’s the obvious question, man. How did you get involved in this?"

Liam hesitated.

’Good question.’ he thought about it. How in the hell did he even get involved?

"I just did," Liam said finally. "She needed help. I was there. That’s it."

Kelvin stared at him for a long moment, like he was trying to figure out if Liam was serious or just really bad at explaining things.

"You were there," Kelvin repeated slowly. "So you just stumbled into a murder plot involving a billionaire family and decided, ’Yeah, sure, I’ll help.’"

"Pretty much."

Kelvin let out a long breath. "Man, you’re either the bravest dude I know or the dumbest. Jury’s still out."

Tasha’s lips twitched slightly, like she almost smiled.

Kelvin leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees. "Okay, but seriously. Why not involve the police? If her uncle’s trying to kill her, that’s a crime. Like, a big one. Why not just go to the cops and let them handle it?"

Tasha’s expression hardened. "Because my uncle’s got the police department wrapped around his fingers."

Kelvin’s eyes widened. "Oh. Oh, that’s just great."

"Yeah."

Kelvin sat back again, shaking his head. "So let me get this straight. You got involved with some rich dude who’s so twisted he’s not even waiting for his brother to die before he starts trying to kill his niece. And this dude owns the cops. And you two are just... what? Hiding out and hoping for the best?"

"Not exactly," Liam said. "Tasha’s cousin, Kaleb, said he has a plan. He told us to sit tight for now. So that’s what we’re doing."

Kelvin stared at him. "You’re sitting tight."

"Yeah."

"You’re literally just waiting."

"For now, yeah."

Kelvin let out a sharp laugh, shaking his head. "Bro, you are a trouble magnet. You know that, right? First, it was that problem with "you know who". Then you get involved with a girl whose uncle wants her dead. And now you’re telling me you’re just sitting around waiting for a plan from some dude you’ve never even met."

Liam didn’t respond. Because honestly, Kelvin wasn’t wrong.

Kelvin rubbed his temples like he had a headache. "If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were the main character of our world. Like, this is some anime protagonist nonsense."

Tasha finally smiled at that, just a little.

"But that’s by the way," Kelvin continued, waving his hand dismissively. "So what do you need from me? Because I’m assuming you didn’t call me over here just to tell me you’re playing house with a billionaire heiress."

Liam glanced at Tasha, then back at Kelvin. "Actually, I need to talk to you about something else. Privately."

Kelvin raised an eyebrow. "Privately?"

"Yeah."

Tasha stood, her expression neutral. "It’s fine. I’ll go rest."

She walked toward the bedroom, closing the door behind her.

Kelvin watched her go, then turned back to Liam. "Alright. What’s up?"

Liam stood. "Come on. Let’s go outside."

They stepped out onto the street, the afternoon air warm and still. A few cars passed by, but otherwise, the block was quiet.

Kelvin shoved his hands into his pockets, looking at Liam expectantly. "So? What’s this about?"

Liam glanced around, making sure no one was nearby.

"Does this have anything to do with the business you just opened?" Kelvin asked.

Liam blinked. "What?"

"The business," Kelvin said, his tone casual but his eyes sharp. "You opened a business, right? I heard about it. Word gets around."

Liam’s jaw tightened. "Yeah. So?"

"So where’d you get the money?" Kelvin asked, tilting his head. "Because last I checked, you were working at Mr. Sam’s convenience store as a delivery boy. And unless he’s paying you ten grand a week under the table, you didn’t get that kind of cash from pushing carts."

’Shit.’

Liam looked away, his mind scrambling for an answer that wouldn’t sound completely ridiculous.

"It’s not important right now," Liam said, deflecting. "That’s not why I wanted to talk to you."

Kelvin narrowed his eyes but didn’t push. "Alright. Fine. So what is it?"

Liam took a breath. "I need you to dig around for me. Do some research into a group of people called the Big 7 of this city."

Kelvin’s expression shifted. "The Big 7?"

"Yeah. You know them?"

Kelvin let out a low whistle. "Man, everyone knows about the Big 7. Or at least, everyone who’s hung around bad company like me knows about them."

"What do you know?"

Kelvin leaned against the wall, crossing his arms. "The common thing is that they’re the families that run the city. Old money. Powerful. Like, stupid powerful. They’re basically shot callers. No one wants to mess with them."

Liam nodded slowly. "Anything else?"

"Well, Cinderella in there?" Kelvin jerked his thumb toward the apartment. "She’s from one of them. The Williams."

"I know that much."

"There are six more," Kelvin continued. "The Hiltons. The Morgraves. The Ashfords. The Sterlings. The Blades. And the most infamous one, the Rothschild family."

Liam’s mind was racing, trying to process all of it.

"As far as public opinion goes," Kelvin said, "they’re stinking rich but terrible people. Or at least, that’s what the poor people say. Whether that’s true or not, I don’t know. But the point is, they have money, power, and influence. Like, the kind of influence that makes people disappear."

Liam’s stomach tightened.

’So I’m trying to go up against someone whose family could afford to buy the block I live on. That’s just great.’

"Thanks," Liam said quietly.

Kelvin studied him for a moment, then sighed. "Man, whatever you’re planning, be careful. The Big 7 aren’t people you play games with. They’ll crush you without even thinking about it."

Liam nodded. "I know."

"Do you, though?" Kelvin asked, his tone serious. "Because it sounds like you’re about to do something really stupid."

Liam didn’t respond.

Kelvin shook his head. "Alright. I’ll see what I can dig up. But if you get yourself killed, I’m not coming to your funeral."

"Fair enough."

They stood there for a moment longer, the weight of the conversation settling between them.

Then Kelvin clapped Liam on the shoulder. "Good luck, man. You’re gonna need it."

***

Later that day, Liam met up with Elena.

She’d asked him to meet her, saying she had something to tell him. Something important.

Last time they’d talked, she’d said she’d think of a way to help with the Tasha situation without getting her family involved. Apparently, the Big 7 weren’t exactly united, and it was some unspoken rule not to meddle in each other’s affairs.

Liam stood at the entrance of his street, waiting. A few minutes later, a shiny black SUV pulled up, the kind that looked like it cost more than most people’s houses.

It was probably the second car he’d seen her with.

The passenger window rolled down, and Elena leaned over from the driver’s seat, her expression unreadable.

"Get in," she said.

Liam opened the door and climbed into the passenger seat, the interior of the SUV smelling faintly of leather and expensive perfume.

He closed the door and looked at her. "Why’d you want to meet?"

Elena didn’t answer right away. She stared straight ahead, her hands resting on the steering wheel.

Finally, she spoke. "I hate getting involved in things like this. I really do."

Liam waited.

"But unfortunately," she continued, her voice quieter now, "after our time together, I’ve grown some attachment to you. And I can’t just stand by and watch you ride into oblivion."

Liam frowned. "What are you talking about?"

Elena turned to look at him, her expression serious. "The Big 7 aren’t to be joked with, Liam."

"So I’ve heard."

"No," Elena said firmly. "Really. They’re not to be joked with. You don’t understand what you’re dealing with."

Liam leaned back in his seat. "Then explain it to me."

Elena shook her head. "I can’t. Not here. I need to show you something."

"Show me what?"

She didn’t answer. Instead, she started the car, the engine purring to life.

Liam glanced at her. "Where are we going?"

Elena’s eyes stayed on the road as she pulled out onto the street.

"You’ll see."