Chapter 181
Angel
I thought my life would feel less bitter punishing Thea and not being the one to lay my hand on her. I thought I’d have a sense of fulfilment now that our investigations had proved Sparrow as the man behind the attack but no, with each passing day my misery grew.
Somehow I had hoped that after the capture of one of Sparrow’s men that I’d be proven wrong about Thea but it only succeeded in deepening the wounds which she caused to my heart and soul.
The man in question was Julio one of the men in charge of the attack that night. He had revealed that Sparrow had instructed them not to hurt Thea because she had agreed to be his woman. I did find it hard to believe now hearing it from his mouth but he claimed he had evidence which I let him show me by releasing his phone to him and there, a video was played where Sparrow handed a card which contained his number to Thea.
Even though there was no sound to know what they were saying exactly there was no reason for Thea to keep the card if she clearly had not agreed to be his woman.
She had just used him like she used me. She already knew whom to elope with and just needed Sparrow’s attack to make her escape.
We both fell prey to her games.
We had tortured Julio to spill all he knew and also threatened him with the life of his family whom he thought were hidden well outside the country. Apparently, his boss Sparrow didn’t do a good job in securing their safety.
I had an upper hand since I belonged to the mafia council and could in turn have easier access to very secret information due to our collaboration with a sect of the government.
Sparrow wasn’t so wise and he want so stupid either but he hit a big one coming against me that way. I guess his goal was to kill me in that ambush, that way he wouldn’t have a problem but he failed and as long as I was alive I would give him a double fold of what he made me loose.
He wanted Thea but I had her, although she was cleaning my mansion and Warehouse instead of being my woman.
He killed my men and I was taking down his own men one after the other and also going after his alliances.
He stole my goods and now I was working big time on a counter ambush on the next two trucks he was about to ship. I had a perfect plan for it that he wouldn’t see it coming.
He’d wish he never stepped on me and when the time was right I’ll kill him after torturing him of course.
Sparrow knew we were on his trail and right now, he wasn’t doing anything to hide the fact that he ambushed our shipment.
Even though we had facts, presenting it to the council wouldn’t do much since he wasn’t even a legal member of it.
I was going to take matters into my own hands, the info I got had it that Sparrow had already shipped a truck load of my merchandise to a southern cartel in Columbia.
I was furious that I almost took rash decision to storm his place and blow his skull along with his brains but Knight and Caspian we’re able to calm me.
Today, I stood before the mirror in my room adjusting my collar. I looked good for the occasion tonight.
Don Ricardo had invited me to dinner with his family although I found it suspicious but I decided to wave it off with the believe that it was because of the attack. He probably did his secret investigations as well knowing his bastard son and I were rivals and that Sparrow could be the mastermind behind the attack.
I hoped he didn’t let his fatherly love take over him and he wouldn’t try to persuade me to go easy on Sparrow because I was ready to cut off our long time alliance just to have my way with Sparrow.
I went down to my garage within the mansion and picked a car for my ride.
“Do you need us to follow you?” Mike asked behind me having followed me into the garage.
“No, I’ll go by myself.” I replied turning on the engine.Content from NôvelDr(a)ma.Org.
My men had become overprotective of me ever since the attack. They’d follow me to the bathroom if possible just to make sure that I was safe. I couldn’t let them suffocate me everytime so I went to places alone like this one alone.
I arrived at Don Ricardo’s mansion and I was ushered in. Ricardo welcomed me and soon we were led to the dinning.
To my surprise, it was a dinner prepared three people, inclusive of myself, him and Lola. Where was the rest of the family?
Ricardo cleared his throat attempting to break the awkward silence that had been ongoing since we started dinner.
“So how’s your investigation going? Have you been able to track down the person behind the attack?” He asked and I raised my gaze to meet his wondering if he was pretending not to know.
“Not yet, the person seemed to have covered his tracks well.” I lied. What use would it be to reveal that his son was behind it?
“We can help you track the bastard down you know? All you need do is ask.” Lole chipped in flashing me a hopeful smile. Of course she’d love any opportunity to be close to me.
Ricardo cleared his throat again but this time it sounded like he was sending a warning to Lola who quickly relaxed back on her seat.
“Thank you but I wouldn’t burden you with my issue. My men and I can manage just well.” I replied and took a spoonful of my meal.
“It’s not a burden Angel.” Ricardo said laughing it off. “You’re like a son to me. You can come to me for anything you know. You talk like I wasn’t best friend’s with your late father.”
I flashed him an uneasy smile but I knew Ricardo, I never wanted to feel indebted to him, that ended with my father because I knew whatever he did for me boiled down to one thing.
“I appreciate the offer Ricardo but you and I know I always do my job perfectly.” I said in a suggestive tone hinting on Sparrow whom he always criticized using my brilliance to compare his.
“Of course. Your late father would be proud of how you’ve been running his cartel. I’m sure of it.” He complimented and I nodded forcing a smile.
“How is Thea? She must have been terrified by the sudden attack.” Lola said sounding concerned but I wasn’t sure if it was genuine. Remembering Thea got me all wrinkled in the face, I couldn’t speak and I could hide my anger.
“Oh Lola dear. You should be more keen on every detail if you must lead this cartel someday.” Ricardo cautioned and I looked up at him before trailing my gaze to Lola who looked genuinely confused.
“What do you mean dad?” She asked and I waited to hear what he had to say.
“Pardon me Angel but I can’t hide my ears when words get into it but I know you were betrayed by that woman you claimed was yours.”
“She wasn’t a property, she was the woman I fell in love with!” I said harshly hating the way he said it insinuating that I had presented Thea more like my whore to him than my lover.”
Fuck! Why was I even defending her in this situation? She fucking stabbed me in the back yet I couldn’t stand someonelse talking about her in a way I perceived to be disrespectful.
“That’s what I meant Angel.” Ricardo said standing firm on his word. He gave me a concerned look asking if I was okay.
“Yes.” I replied, there was no point dragging this. She was my lover but not anymore. Also if Don Ricardo knew about Thea he certainly knew that Sparrow was behind the ambush. He was just too excited to realize that he gave out the truth.
“Oh gracious!” Lola gasped looking shocked. “I-I…. I mean you two looked so in love. How could this happen?”
Shouldn’t this make her happy knowing she has a chance with me now? Why did she bother feeling bad at all.
“Don’t beat yourself up about it Lola, she’s in the past now. I needed it to remind myself who I truly was and my purpose. Think of her as an unwanted distraction.” I said and she looked at me, confusion mixing up with her shocked expression. She probably found it hard to believe I’d speak about Thea like that when I was all love at the party.
“Oh….” She muttered. ” Still, sorry about that.” She took a spoonful but dropped it at once.
“Here.” I said laying a portion from my food in her plate, I didn’t want her losing appetite over the matter and I knew she wouldn’t reject a piece from me.
I smiled at her and she returned the gesture as well before digging into her food again. I stared at her till she gulped the portion down her throat, she caught me staring and felt shy immediately.
I had to look away to save her the trouble then I found her father staring at us instead with a satisfied smile which he tried to cover up now but it was too late, I already saw him.
“It would be nice to have you around one of these days, you seem to have deserted us long ago.” He joked.
“I’ll try to visit some time.” I replied and he chuckled. Lola coughed choking on her food so I quickly offered her the glass of water beside her.
“I-m sorry.” She stuttered amidst her cough.
“It’s fine. Don’t talk just drink.” I said placing my hand on her back and feeding her the water. She got to calm down as I massaged her back.
Did she choke because of what her father suggested? We used to be friends as teenagers and she’d get all shy around me and knowing her feelings were unchanged she’d probably find it uncomfortable to have me around the house like before.
“Sorry.” She said again and wiped her lips gently with a towel.
“Are you fine?” Ricardo asked concerned and she nodded taking a more relaxed posture. The knowing gaze on his face meant that he knew why she had been like that.
“I’ve been meaning to ask, where’s the rest of the family? I thought it was a dinner for all.” I couldn’t hold down my curiosity. It had been eating me up throughout dinner.
“Oh… I wanted it to be just the three of us.”
“Is that why mum made me miss the art exhibition today?” She asked. She was oblivious of why it was just the three of us as well.
“Yes, I asked they went along without you because I have something important I’d like to discuss here.” He answered, his gaze trailing from mine to Lola. I was getting a hint and Lola and I shared a glance. She seemed to know as well. “You have my attention Ricardo.” He nodded with a smile while Lola huffed instead.
“Thanks but I think you might have guessed already.”
Fuck! I was right.
“It’s almost a month since the attack and while you’re working on it I wouldn’t want us to miss our chance.”
“Dad?” Lola called sounding pissed off but he signaled with his hand for her to remain quiet and gave his focus to me while I tried to act normal.
“I’m aware some mafia Don’s have reached out to you since then?”
“Yes, they have.” I answered. “They were concerned about me just like you are.”
“Good. While I’ve known you for a long time and expressed genuine concern the others might not.” I squinted my eyes curiously at him. “I’m certain that they offered to help with the investigations.”
“Right.” I replied. They did, just like he did now. What exactly was he trying to insinuate?
“They don’t just want to help for free, they all want something in return.”
“What do you mean?”
“An alliance most definitely. Angel,” he called sounding more serious. “You run one of the biggest cartel, you are young and visionary any one would want to have a lifetime alliance with you.”
My eyes twitched as I suddenly began to connect the dots.
“Why am I here Don Ricardo?” I was getting tired of the olds man’s game with words. This was dragging longer than I could withstand.
He chuckled leaning back to his seat, I glanced at Lola to see her shaking her head in disappointment.
“I won’t waste your time any more. I’m offering a marriage proposal between you and my daughter Lola.”