Billionaire: Money and Power

A City Against Me

The streets of Lagos felt different.

Joshua could sense it the moment he stepped out of the SUV. Eyes followed him. Conversations hushed when he walked past. People who normally wouldn't care now had a reason to look.

A $10 million reason.

Tunde leaned in. "Bro, I know you like being famous, but this isn't it."

Joshua smirked. "It's free marketing."

Zainab, who had been scanning the street, didn't look amused. "We need to move. Fast."

They weren't heading anywhere public. Not now. Their safe house was a low-key apartment complex deep in Surulere. No fancy buildings, no cameras, no attention.

But even as they walked, Joshua could feel it.

The city wasn't just watching. It was waiting.

Waiting for someone to make a move.

And someone would.

The First Attempt

It happened fast.

One moment, they were crossing the street. The next—

BZZZT!

A motorcycle screeched toward them, engine roaring. The rider pulled something from his jacket—

A gun.

Joshua's body reacted before his mind did. He grabbed Tunde and shoved him aside.

BANG! BANG!

The first bullet missed. The second one grazed Joshua's arm.

Zainab was already moving. She pulled a pistol from her bag and fired—two clean shots.

POP! POP!

The bike swerved. The rider lost control, crashing into a parked car.

Screams erupted from pedestrians as people scattered.

Joshua barely flinched. He glanced at his arm. The wound wasn't deep.

Tunde's face was pale. "Are you crazy?! You just got shot!"

Joshua rolled his shoulder. "I've had worse."

Zainab didn't waste time. She grabbed him. "We need to go. More will come."

She was right. If one bounty hunter had found them, others would too.

Joshua took a breath. Then he smiled.

"Good."

An Unlikely Offer

They reached the safe house with no more interruptions. The apartment was bare—just a couch, a table, and a few scattered documents.

Tunde locked the door behind them. "Alright, what's the plan? Because if we stay here, we're dead."

Joshua sat on the couch, thinking. He was about to answer when his phone vibrated.

Unknown Number.

Again.

Zainab and Tunde exchanged looks. Joshua put the call on speaker.

A voice came through—deep, smooth, confident.

"You've made a lot of enemies, Joshua."

Joshua leaned forward. "You'll have to be more specific."

A chuckle. "You don't know me. But I know you. And I have an offer."

Joshua raised an eyebrow. "I'm listening."

"You've made Lagos a battlefield. The Order won't stop hunting you. Neither will the people after that bounty."

Joshua didn't respond.

"But I can help," the voice continued. "I have resources. Information. A way out."

Zainab crossed her arms. "And what do you want?"

A pause. Then:

"Meet me. Alone."

Tunde scoffed. "Oh, hell no."

Joshua smirked. "Where?"

The voice gave an address. Then the call ended.

Tunde turned to Joshua. "Tell me you're not actually considering this."

Joshua stood, grabbing his jacket. "Get the car ready."

Zainab grabbed his arm. "Joshua, this is a trap."

Joshua met her eyes. "I know."

He grinned.

"But I want to see who thinks they can trap me."

Face to Face with a Ghost

The meeting spot was an abandoned club near the island. The kind of place people used to party in before it became a hideout for other business.

Joshua entered first. Zainab and Tunde stayed outside, watching for threats.

Inside, it was dark. Dusty. Smelled like alcohol and regret.

Then—movement.

A man stepped out of the shadows. Tall. Well-dressed. Expensive watch. Calm eyes.

Joshua recognized the type.

"Joshua," the man said, smiling. "You've been causing a lot of problems."

Joshua leaned against a pillar. "It's a gift."

The man chuckled. "My name is Kalu. And I have a solution for you."

Joshua raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"

Kalu clasped his hands. "You're a businessman. So let's talk business."

Joshua said nothing.

"The Order wants you dead. But they also know you're not easy to kill." Kalu stepped forward. "So instead of killing you…"

His smile widened.

"They want to own you."

The Offer

Kalu slid a file across the table. "They're willing to wipe your bounty. Give you access to all your resources again. In exchange…"

Joshua picked up the file. Flipped through it.

A contract.

A deal.

Tunde's voice rang in his head: This isn't chess anymore.

Joshua exhaled. Then tossed the file back.

"Tell them no."

Kalu sighed. "You don't understand. This is the only way you—"

Joshua cut him off. "You don't understand." He leaned in.

"If I wanted to disappear, I could." He smirked. "If I wanted to bow, I would've done it a long time ago."

Kalu studied him. Then shook his head. "You really don't know what you're up against."

Joshua chuckled. "Neither do they."

The War Begins

When Joshua stepped out of the club, Zainab and Tunde were already waiting.

Tunde looked at him. "Well?"

Joshua stretched. "They want me to surrender."

Tunde laughed. "And?"

Joshua's smile was sharp.

"They'll wish I did."

Zainab sighed. "So what's the next move?"

Joshua's eyes gleamed.

"They put a price on my head?" He stepped forward.

"Then I'll show them why it wasn't enough."

The city of Lagos was hunting him.

But soon—

Joshua would be the one doing the hunting.