The Billionaire’s Pawn

STRIKER

“You’ve been sighing, and you’re here playing golf with disinterest while you’re mind is somewhere. Have you talked to your wife?”

“Sorry.” My plans went well than I had planned. I could finally take London away from her self-serving father. “I have a lot in mind lately.” I hadn’t told Moses that Linus had something to do with the plane crash, not until I could convince him to help my fucking father-in-law under the threat of an Italian mafia.

“You’re exhausted. If you don’t stop whatever nonsense you’re doing, you’ll end up in a mental institute.”

“Jeez, thanks.”

“I’m serious, son.” He struck the ball, landing close to the pin. He played golf often, and he was good at it. I preferred soccer-football in Europe, also famous in Capria. I liked to get my body worn out. It was a good workout, anyway, unlike golf.

“I heard you.”

“Okay, that’s enough.” He signaled Emory to bring the cart. “Just say it.”

“Say what?” I followed him to the approaching Emory.

“I can’t play a guessing game with you, Striker. What’s been bothering you?”

“I went to see London. I told her that we’re processing the divorce on Wednesday.”

“Why do you have to do that?” He was not impressed as he got into the cart.

I sat beside him. “Because I’m still pissed at her.”

“Do you know why?”

“Yes, I do know now. I went to see Linus yesterday?”

“Why, son? Why did you have to see him? Jesus. Do you have to provoke your father-in-law? Your in-laws are your second family. You respect them the way you respect your parents. It’s a blessing when you get along with them.”

“He ruined my wife’s life. My guess is he’s the reason why London wanted to divorce me. I wanna know the truth, so I can finally sleep soundly at night.”

“Is that really your reason? Or you’re planning on punishing him, both of them.”

“Pa, I’m mad at Linus and started to despise that man. I’m still angry at my wife, yes. That’s why I don’t want to see her, but I couldn’t hate her even if she broke my heart. Deep inside, I still care about her deeply. Maybe I’m waiting for the moment to see her coming to me and say sorry a little.” I shrugged. “And I’m mad that she didn’t trust me enough and share whatever happened that day. That hurts me as her husband.”

“I understand.”

“I heard she resigned.”

“She left her house, and she’s staying at her friend’s apartment. What are you going to do now?”

“Her things are in my house. Linden told me yesterday.”

“You better fix your marriage before you two regret it.”

“I wanna buy LH.”

Moses looked at me. He wasn’t surprised, though. My guess was he knew it was coming. “Are you sure? Why?”

I hid my smile.

“You’re stupid. Really, Striker? Do you think you will get the satisfaction and vengeance you crave? You’re gonna do this even if I disapprove, aren’t you?”

I grinned. Maybe I was really stupid.

My father shook his head in disbelief.

“I wanna see the look on her face.”

“Jesus. You’re twenty-eight, and you still act like a seven years old.”

“Well, sorry, Pa.” I was a little insulted. My nose flared as I looked out of the green golf field. “When I was twenty-two, I was fighting rebels and not sharpening my suit in the four corners of Braddson.”

“If that’s what you want.” His voice lowered and softened. “I will sign the contract tomorrow.”

“What contract?”

“Transferring Bradsson-Cade LLC’s ownership to your name.”

I began laughing like a fool. “You have a company in my name that I don’t know about? Is that even legal? Is there anything else I should know, like a secret organization that travels through time?”

“You’re not amusing. I’m doing this to save your marriage, not to support your vengeance and stupidity.”

“Deep within, I wanna save my wife’s legacy. She worked day and night for two years to make LH what it is today, Pa. Imagine it was taken away from her because she refused to do something evil. That feels cruel.”

“London is a strong woman. She’s probably planning to make a new name for herself.”

“Who will back her up financially?”

“And that’s where you come in?”

“That’s why I wanna buy LH. I’m sure Linus is not gonna pay for rebranding. He’s probably just let it change by someone who will run it.”

“Well, it’s your money.”

“Are you gonna help me?”

“You mean if I’m going to help him end the threat to his family?”

I went silent, but he understood even if I said nothing. He then asked, “Do you want me to help him?”

“He’s my wife’s father, even if he’s an evil incarnate. I don’t wanna regret just doing nothing. Besides, my wife’s life is also at risk.”

“Make a deal. Then I will do it. I’ll set a meeting with Gaetano.”

“Gaetano?”

“Gaetano Siciliano. The most powerful mafia.”

I stared at my father in shock.

“Know the sales and net worth of LH.”

“I already did.” I grinned again. “I will pay forty percent of its net. That’s my deal, or else I can’t help him. And I won’t help him for free. After what he did to us, he doesn’t even deserve my offer.”

“Now you think like me.”Please check at N/ôvel(D)rama.Org.

***

“Striker.” Linus welcomed me to his office with open arms as if I was carrying the cure to humanity’s hunger- as if he gave a fuck than himself. “Take a seat. Can I get you something to drink?”

“I’m good. Thank you.” I sat down.

“I’m surprised to see you again after that afternoon.”

“Well, I didn’t come empty-handed. I have a proposal.”

“I’m listening.” He gestured his hand.

“You will get the full payment of what Dad owes you. And BC LLC will buy LH.”

Judging by his reaction, that was the last thing he expected, but he did not interrupt me. Well, when you had a private company funded by your billionaire father that he hadn’t heard about, my offer could be shocking too. I mean, I was just his daughter’s bodyguard weeks ago, and now I was offering him a multi-million dollar deal.

“That’s my offer, and my father will help you reconcile with Giosue.”

“How would he do that?”

“You just have to trust him, and I’m giving you my word. If you want to put an end to their threats, this is your chance, or Giosue will be forever hunting you for the rest of your life, Linus.”

“LH is not for sale.”

“You might wanna consider it, but don’t expect my offer will stand for long and has the same price on the market.”

“I can’t,” he said warily.

“Then my deal is off. Take it, or I can’t help you.”

“What’s your offer?”

“Thirty.”

“No, no, no.” He violently shook his head. I knew it was way inadequate, but that was the offer I got. Of course, I expected he would reject it instantly and curse me to get the hell out of his building, but he didn’t. He seemed in deep thought, probably balancing the pros and cons. Well, he should be.

“I will hire my wife to run LH, with her friend Neke beside her. I won’t change a thing as long as it’s still profitable. I’m not going to divorce London. That was not the option anyway. She will stay in my house and keep her protected from anyone, including you. You won’t bother her anymore unless you wanna see her candidly. What else do you want?”

He leaned back and linked his fingers as if my words got to him, but this was Linus, the canny son of a bitch.

“If my father doesn’t do what he promised, I will return the company. As simple as that. By then, I have no way of helping you. Maybe you should start packing and seek protection from the Mexican cartels.”

“Take care of my daughter, Striker. And I am genuinely asking for an apology.” He sighed, and when he nodded, I felt like I had just won the lottery.

“I’m accepting your apology once your problem is solved. And you must apologize to my wife.”

That was it. He pretended as if he didn’t hear what I said. “I will ask my lawyers to prepare the documents.”

“You can’t have a heavy heart towards your daughter, Linus. And I’m doing this for her.”

***

After leaving his office, I went to the house for the first time since my separation from London. Later at night, Reef and Linden joined me in my favorite place.

“So you threw away thirty million to save your wife’s brand. I think that’s pretty selfless and uplifting, a unique way to profess love. I know you still love her. I never doubted that, even for a second. But why aren’t you celebrating?” Reef said.

Maybe it was my love profess. Now I was doing my part. I hoped she would do her part too.

I sipped my beer in silence as I looked at the dark yard. I missed Dad, but he was on a business trip. I knew he would be glad to hear that I was beginning to get my life back.

“Judging by the look on his face, he’s planning something dire,” Reef talked to Linden when I didn’t reply, but his face was tingly.

“I’m not planning anything dire. I’m fixing my marriage.”

“Finally, we have a common ground.” Reef patted my shoulder. “That’s what they’ve been telling you for weeks, man.”

I breathed deeply.

“So you’re back here?” Linden asked.

“No. Just her.”

From the corner of my eye, I watched their reaction.

“Are you crazy?”

“She hurt me, Linden. Do you know what it felt like to hear from someone you loved that she wanted a divorce when you did nothing wrong? You have no idea because you’ve never been married.”

“Actually, I can relate, man,” Reef replied, patting my shoulder.

“I’m sorry, Reef. I don’t mean to open old wounds.”

“It’s okay. I’ve moved on. She’s with somebody already. But you shouldn’t wait till it’s too late. Trust me, don’t wait to see her with somebody if you love her. What hurts the most is when you do nothing to save your marriage.”

“But he’s still planning to make her pay,” he added. “I guess you can do it, but you’ll just end up hurting yourself. If you hurt the people you love, you’re also hurting yourself and causing a rift in your relationship. You might also break her trust. That’s why revenge is not always an answer. It will give you a purgative feeling but won’t last.”

“Okay, enough, Dr. Phil.” I sipped my drink, but I couldn’t help but notice Linden’s silence. “You have something to say?”

“You remind me of Rome. Christ, it’s difficult to be the bridge of two people in love but choose chaos instead.”

“I remember. He almost died.” I chuckled as I scratched my chin.

“You can’t wait until you see her with someone else. Your issue is different. Princess Carlott and Rome weren’t married at that time. She didn’t trust his feelings and believed in her suspicion.” Linden was amused. He was there for Rome and Princess Carlott. He even connived against our brother because he knew they loved each other despite their distance.

“In your case, she’s already your wife. Is that really necessary? Why don’t you just look her in the eyes and tell her how terrible wife she is, or tell her that you love her and make her promise not to do it again.” Reef nudged me.

“Where’s the fun in that?”

They exchanged another look, showing me how stupid my idea was.

Linden tsked. “Oh, boy. I’m sensing trouble.”

“I can’t wait to see the look on her face as she meets the new owner of LH.”

“Lord, not again.” He looked up at the sky as he raised his hands. “Why do you keep this happening?”