The Billionaire’s Pawn

LONDON

“I want to meet Giosue.”

The hotel room fell silent. Pairs of eyes pinned at me, questioning my sanity. Yeah, maybe I went too far, but I needed to see the man behind my kidnapping.

I watched Striker swallow hard as he came to me. Before he could convince me, I said, “Either you’re with me, or I’m doing it alone.”

Dad and Moses exchanged a look. Linden opened his mouth to say something but shut it close as soon as he saw the look on my face.

“Vanderford, that’s not a good idea,” Finally, Striker said something as he held my arms, rubbing them as if convincing me to give up my stupid plan.

Now that Dad made amends, he’s not the target of Conti anymore. “Why is that? I wanna meet face-to-face with that man.”

“What are you gonna do?” Linden asked. Dad and Moses hadn’t said a word.

“I’m still scared in the dark. I want to end this. I don’t want to be afraid anymore, and if that involves facing my own kidnapper, so be it. And I deserve closure for myself.” I met Striker’s gaze. There was considerable resistance shown on his face. “If I’m not doing this, how will I heal?”

Striker sighed deeply. “Let me think about this.”

“No, Cade. This is not about you. You have no idea what it feels like to sleep scared at night. I couldn’t even turn off the light. I haven’t been in peace for years. You said it yourself when you looked for the last man responsible.”

“This is different. We are talking about Conti.”

“How so?” I challenged him.

“He is-”

“Dangerous.”

“So as my trauma. I owed this to myself, Cade. Remember when you told me about Reef? Whether all of you agree with me, I will meet that bastard.”

“And say what?” Linden asked.

“I wanna look at him in the eye that he can’t touch me anymore.”

“Honey,” finally, Dad talked, but I felt he was also against my idea. “We just settled things-”

“You mean Pa did settle your blood feud with Conti.” I faced him. “If you just told me about her-”

“And then what?”NôvelD(ram)a.ôrg owns this content.

“Do you think keeping me in the dark helps? No, Dad. I could have avoided everything. Instead, you treated me like a helpless seven-year-old. You never treated me and looked at me as your daughter, but your property, the collateral, your liabilities.”

“That’s not true. I love you so much.”

“Enough!” That stopped him. That stopped everyone from looking at me like a fragile China doll. “I had enough of you all treating me like a princess. I’m a woman of my own. I will do it with or without you. And may I remind you that I don’t need your approval.” I turned toward the door, not waiting for them to convince me to stop my stupid plan.

“Honey.” It was Moses following me in the hallway. “London.”

“If you’re here to stop me, don’t waste your effort.” I turned around.

“No. Do what makes you feel better. You’re not fragile. You’re certainly not someone’s property. You’re the strongest woman I know. You stand on your own beliefs, against your father, against my son. You fought the greatest fear of your life. You’ve won against every battle, and I couldn’t be any prouder. You are a fighter, young woman.”

I nodded subtly. “Thank you.”

“I will have a word with my son. Don’t worry. I will send a message to Giosue that you want a sit down with him.”

I ran toward him and hugged him tight. “Thank you so much, Pa.”

“I will do everything for the family, honey.” He hugged me, patting my back.

I felt suddenly emotional as we pulled apart. “I’m lucky to have you as my father-in-law, but I don’t want you to have a misunderstanding with Striker. I don’t want him to be angry with your decision. You just get him back.”

“He’ll understand.”

“Just give me Giosue’s number, and I’ll call him.”

“No. Let Pa do it, and I’ll come with you.” I wasn’t aware Striker was already behind his father.

“Facing that bastard? Of course, I’m in.” Linden raised his hand.

I smiled gratefully at them. “Thanks.”

“This is a bad idea, but if it gives you closure,” Dad said as he came to me and kissed me on my forehead.

“You’re not coming, Dad.”

“I know, but please, take care.”

“I won’t let anything happen to London, Linus,” Moses assured him.

“You two old men will stay here. Let me handle this.” Striker turned to look at our fathers.

“Old men?” Linden chuckled. “I’ll have their backs. Reed is coming with us.”

“I’ll talk to Terzo-”

“No.” Striker raised his hand. “I don’t trust that man.”

“Very well, but I will have my men watch you all the time once you get to the meeting place.” Moses turned to Linden. “Promise me you will look after my son and London.”

“You have my word, sir.”

“Thank you.” Moses gripped Linden’s shoulder as he nodded.

***

The next day early in the afternoon, we arrived where we were supposed to meet Giosue. I barely got to sleep at night. I tossed and turned in bed. Striker even convinced me to drop the plan, but I wanted to face the devil in the dark.

I even mentally practiced what I would say before him, but my mind went blank as we got out of the car. I began to feel anxious. My heart started racing.

The other SUV with Moses’ men parked behind our SUV. Yes, I had no choice but to get in the SUV since it was convenient for our situation. The small restaurant in the remote area looked like a good place to deal with illegal activities.

Linden entered first before Reed, and then Striker and I followed. I was surprised by the interior. It was all made of fine dark wood from the table, chairs, and counter. The smell of rich spices and burnt tomato reached my senses. My stomach almost growled, reminding me I had barely touched my breakfast this morning.

“Welcome.” A beautiful dark haired-woman with an accent smiled at us. “Table for a family?”

“Yes. Thank you,” Linden answered.

“This way, please?”

We followed Linden and the woman to the corner with more privacy from the main area. The table was long enough could fit two families.

Striker never let go of my hand.

“Sit here.” Linden pulled the chair for me. “Brother, sit next to your wife.”

“Wait.” I held Linden’s hand as I inquired. “You know that woman?”

“Yes. Terzo’s sister. Giosue’s wife.”

“So, we’re in the lion’s den?” Striker was already on his feet.

“Giosue won’t do something stupid,” Linden said calmly.

“How can you be so sure?” I asked.

“You underestimate your husband, sweetheart.” He stole a glance at Striker, who was alert and already pissed off. “Trust me. They’d hit the floor if anyone in this building considered harming you. Your father owned the Hover defense and security, the satellite above us, fighter jets that carry the latest weaponry, turning this place to ashes, and Conti is just a small fish to fry, Cade.”

Before I could take a sit, I heard footsteps that swallowed all the noises. With my heart racing, I turned around even if my feet seemed to root in their places.

There, I came face to face with, if I may guess, Giosue, shaking hands with Linden and Reed, then to Striker. At the corner of my eye, I caught three of his men, probably armed, and the woman, Terzo’s sister, standing beside him.

Before walking into this trap, I should have done my research, at least the face of the man behind my kidnapping. Based on his stance, his suits, and how he talked, the arrogant SOB before me was indeed Giosue.

I swallowed hard as I met him in the eyes. He offered his hand for a handshake with his confident smile. “Madam London Vanderford? Or do you prefer Cade?”

I locked my jaw hard and formed my hands into fists as I looked at his hand, then at his face again.

“You know what I prefer? This.” I found my fist hitting his smirking lips, and I grimaced as soon as I felt the pain in my knuckles. I probably got broken bones or dislocation, but it didn’t matter to me right now. I heard a gasp, maybe coming from his wife.

From the corner of my eyes, everyone didn’t move, but I felt the tension thicken in the air quicker than I thought; as if with one wrong move, we found ourselves on the floor with bullet wounds.

“Wow.” He turned to his man as if signaling them. Then he faced me, rubbing his jaw and stretching his mouth. “You could punch, woman.”

“You think you’re funny?” I wasn’t entirely amused. To be honest, I wasn’t exactly thinking when I punched him. My anger and fear just carried me away, and then he came waltzing in with his huge smirk as if I was thrilled to see him. That son of bitch! He didn’t know what he’d done to me for two years.

“I deserve that.”

“You think you do?”

“Vanderford.” I felt Striker’s hand on my back, warning me.

“You have no idea what it’s been like for me for two years. Do you think you’re some kind of antihero with all your getup and goons around you? You’re nothing but a loser without your father and your goons. In my country, I call you a thug.”

He licked his lips. I began to get under his skin but wouldn’t allow him to talk. He’d been invading my head for two years, and I wouldn’t let him win this time.

“Here’s what I thought, Conti. What if I pay someone to kidnap your wife? What if I order them to cut her into pieces-”

“Sweetheart,” Linden warned me.

“Let me finish.” I glared at Linden before focusing on the sandman in my nightmare.

“How would you feel? Do you think I knew what happened to your sister? I’m sorry that she’d gone-”

“Don’t.” His eyes darkened. He quickly turned into that demon I feared, but I would not cower before him as I was confident we had a team watching our backs.

“Or what? I didn’t even know her until two days ago. You turned your anger and resentment, and vengeance into a weapon and chose me as your target practice. You should have killed me, but you don’t have that guts, do you? Because you’re scared of your father. You wanted his approval since you were little. You wanted his attention that you never got. You wanted his respect, but I can see it now. You’re a coward! You could have killed my father to end your sufferings of failing to protect your sister!”

“Enough!” He was about to launch to me, but his wife held him.

Linden and Reed were ready to pull their guns, and Striker was already protecting me with his body.

“Take her out. This meeting is over.”

“I’ll say it’s over when I say it.”

“So you’re just gonna stand here and do nothing as your little wife insults me?” Fuming, he faced Striker.

“I don’t controlmy littlewife, Conti. She has a mind of her own. That’s what makes us partners. How about you, Giosue? Do you put a leash around her neck and let her bark like your little puppy?” Striker tipped his head to his calm wife.

His eyes narrowed. His face reddened as he tried hard to control his anger.

“She’s out of this, right? You used me to get into my father. You should have accepted her decisions. You can’t control someone’s feelings. If they fell in love, so what? Haven’t you fallen in love with your wife, your enemy’s daughter?”

He just locked his jaw as he continued glaring at me.

“I was supposed to come here to tell you that you didn’t completely break me, but when I saw you as if you were proud of what you did to me, something snapped in my head. Here are my parting words, and listen to me carefully, Conti. This is not a warning. This is a threat. I’m not my father who gave you what you wanted. If you ever touch any member of my family, I will hunt you down myself. If you are an underboss, I will use every resource Vanderford, Cade, and Braddson have, and I will come to your wife first and then to your father, the entire Conti, and your little minions, and you will be the last when no one will protect your loser ass anymore.”