Chapter 279
Angel
I couldn’t look at Thea, I felt guilty even though I wasn’t doing anything bad with Natalia so I focused on Lola and her father. Their presence spiked my interest as I wasn’t informed of the visit.
“What’s going on?” I asked moving towards them. I looked at Knight and Caspian hoping for an explanation as to why I had not been informed.
“We just arrived Angel.” Lola said cutting Knight off before he could utter the words in his mouth. “I was afraid you would ignore my calls and not want to see us if we had told you.”
I sighed and looked towards Florentine. “Get her a room to stay, I’ll explain later.” I said directing Natalia to Florentine. She nodded and feigned a smile at her. Cassie was the first to leave dragging Camilo by the hand. She was obviously pissed off that I brought Natalia home. She couldn’t even wait to hear my reasons. I looked at Thea and she shook her head showing her disappointnent before leaving. I wish I could just follow her and explain things to her, if only she’d understand.
I sigh deeply again and return my focus to Lola and her father.
“What brings you here?” They both look at each other and then back to me.
“Can we talk somewhere private?” Don Ricardo said and I nodded.
“This way.” I said leading them to my office.
Our last Meeting didn’t end well but I couldn’t just ignore them. The rift between us was because of Sparrow but my family had remained friends with them for years so I still needed to show respect.
I ushered them in and poured them a glass of wine each which I knew they weren’t going to touch.
They sat by my couch while I rested on my table directly opposite them.
“I know this is about Sparrow and I don’t want to waste time with around the clock talk. So can we get down to it already.” I said and they both stared at each other.
I was already tired of their stares. I needed them to leave as fast as possible. I wasn’t in the best of moods to listen to them either. They seemed to have bad luck whenever it came to Sparrow.
“Angel….” Don Ricardo started. “As you already know, it’s about Sparrow.”
“What do you want from me?” I asked impatiently and he sighed.
“It’s difficult to just jump into it but I guess you don’t care.”
“I don’t.” I blurted. He needed to know he was right about that.
“Angel….” Lola called this time around. “I know it’s not going to be easy but we’re here to negotiate about my brother.”
“I’m listening.” I said folding my arms across my chest.
“On your terms we want you to leave Sparrow’s punishment to us.” Ricardo said and I listened despite the anger his words stirred in me. I know you want to get your revenge by killing him. We’ve allowed you to carry out your operations without interfering but we can’t just sit by and let you kill him. Despite the friendship our families share, it’s unfortunate that he came between us.”
“Are you done?” I asked. My anger increased by each word that left his mouth. They had their lips parted as if the words in their mouth could not leave.
“Angel ….”
“If you’re done talking then let me make this clear.” I said and stood up from my desk. “I’m amazed at your audacity to come to my place and request I leave Sparrow to you. You think you can handle Sparrow? I applaud your boldness.” Don Ricardo stood up and Lola followed him.
“I promise you Angel, I’ll punish him in a way he deserves. You could tell me how you would want it. I’m only asking that you don’t kill him as your revenge….”
“Don’t… Don’t piss me off Ricardo.” I gritted and they both startled. “Let him live? You really are unbelievable. I understand he’s your son but allow him to fight for his life. He started this and he wants me dead by all means ….”
“Are you going to destroy our families friendship Angel? I was your father’s….”
“Damn your friendship!” I yelled.
“It doesn’t have to be this way Angel. We didn’t come here to fight you.” Lola pleaded but I didn’t throw a gaze at her.
“Damn our family ties. Like I said I’ll kill Sparrow. I won’t blame you if you decide to help him out. He’s your son, I’d be surprised if you crossed your hands and watch me do it but don’t come here to ask me to spare him because that son of yours will come after me any chance he gets. As long as he lives my life and the lives of my loved ones will always be threatened.”NôvelDrama.Org holds this content.
I said all that I had in mind, it was sad that things got to this but I would put myself before Ricardo feelings. I watched Ricardo walk to me, sadness clouding his expression. I wondered what he was trying to do but I was alert in case he tried anything funny. Ricardo stood before me, face shaking and eyes glistening with tears. I was fazed by it and then he fell to his knees before me and my shock doubled.
“Papa!” Lola called running to him. “What are you doing?” She asked attempting to raise him up but he pushed her away and fell further to my feet. I startled and moved away from him.
“Stand up this instant. What are you doing Ricardo.” I said sounding annoyed. He didn’t stand instead he crawled to my side again and Lola burst into tears. He was humiliating himself for Sparrow and it made me feel uneasy.
“Stop…. You don’t have to do this.” Lola cried but he fell face flat and it stung me in the heart.
“Spare his life and you can have whatever you want from me. My empire, everything just don’t kill my son. I don’t want to fight you while protecting him but I’m asking this as a father who has done nothing to deserve a son like him.”
“I won’t accept anything you say untill you stand up Ricardo. You shouldn’t act like this.” I said moving away from him. He didn’t say anything but next sound I heard was a thud. I turned towards the direction and found Lola kneeling as well.
Now this was getting out of hand. I scoffed then laughed.
“Not you too. Please stop this.”
“Then leave him to us. I can’t do anything to stop a cartel war between us. It would be you against Sparrow and our cartel. So please, you know me and what I’m capable of. I will see to it that Sparrow is punished.”
“Stand or I won’t listen.” I said shaken from the sight of them. After a little hesitation they stood and I sighed deeply in relieve.
“My answer remains the same but I will compromise if only you get to Sparrow before me but if I get to him first then I’ll kill him for sure. That’s the only deal I can offer. I won’t fight you if you have him but the moment he comes for me I won’t hesitate.”
I said and waited for their reply. Lola had whispered something to her father and they returned their attention to me.
“It’s fair enough on your side ” Ricardo said. “But not for me. Don’t hurt Sparrow, I can’t tell what I’d do to avenge him.” He said and my eyes narrowed reading meaning into his words. He had just threatened me, declaring indirectly should I make the first strike. “You should think really hard about your decision.” He said and left my office. Lola remained and I gave her a quzzical gaze.
“I’ll join him later.” She answered. ” Angel, you should have a rethink. Sparrow won’t know what daylight looks like once we capture him. He’d rot in our dungeon, all my father wants is for him to live.”
“And you believe he’d do that to his son? No he won’t Lola. You’ll be screwed if Sparrow lives.” I said and she sighed looking like she was in dilemma.
“I’ll be taking my leave then.” She said and I nodded and watched her till she left. I fell back on my couch, feeling the weight of my problems on my shoulder.
I wished all these would end but then there was no break for me as I had to prepare for a cartel war while I caught Sparrow.