Chapter 111 - 113
I surge down the steps. Luciano’s eyes flick up to see me clamouring towards them with my hand still grafted to my sore wrist. Silas opens his arms like the centre of his own gravity as I allow myself to be drawn to him until his arms envelop me whole. Kelsey follows down after me, welcomed warmly by Luciano.
"We’re leaving," our father announces.
"You should speak to Mr Vacheron about that," a security guard suggests with a threat at the edge of his voice.
"I’m taking my girls and we’re leaving," dad repeats without compromise. "You may have to report to Colton, but I sure as hell do not."
The elevator at the end of the hall dings open. Our attention snaps to the gliding doors as Colton strides out with his presence that demands acknowledgement. Two guards posted on the rims break away to follow him without signal or command. Silas shifts me to bring me to his side with a protective lock around me. Our father moves to stand in front of Kelsey and Luciano, meeting his challenge with a steely-eyed glare.
"I’m glad for your safe return."
"And a quick departure," dad retorts on beat. "We are so grateful for your hospitality, but we can’t intrude any longer. We can’t exactly hide away forever, and we now have no reason to."
He steps away and Colton snaps a signal—his men crowds around us and Silas draws me behind him so I’m aligned with Kelsey, and dad and my brothers around us as Colton’s guards close in.
"With all due respect," Colton begins with a shadow of a smile. "My security detail included former marines, ex special forces units, and they were gunned down like dogs at my father’s estate. The assailants, a few of them, were linked to the Russian mafia. I assure you. The threat is far from over."
"You don’t think I left only to facilitate ’trade agreements’, did you?" dad questions condescendingly, tone slick with amused scorn. "I’m not worried about Russian interference because I’m now reunited with the one thing they don’t want to stand against. Haru. I caught word that Botan launched an assault on Yad Zmei—the backbone—critical structure to their conglomerate organisation. Now that we have Haru’s protection. We no longer need yours."
For the first time, that aloof veneer deteriorates, withering to expose the rotten expression beneath it. "You and Haru are reunited?"
"Yes," he says with renewed confidence. "We have come to an agreement of our own. Other than Avara’s life at jeopardy. This ordeal has been the best thing to happen to me. My debt has been absolved, which means I no longer need you. Which means, for obvious reasons. This is the last time you see us on an intimate basis. Business otherwise, I will always welcome your handsome donations to my campaigns or charity galas."