Her Fatal Patrimony

Chapter 6

NARRATED: TWO MONTHS AGO!

The King seats at his throne reading the newspaper when his servant announces that someone is there to see him.
"You Highness!" The visitor announces.
"What to do you have for me Greg?" The King asks straight to the point without averting his eyes from the newspaper in his hands.
"He is still alive ."
"Impossible! Are you sure?"
"We've been following him around and we know he lives with his wife and a daughter. His mother visits quite often. He's done well for himself actually. He owns a chain of businesses. "
" How is this possible Greg? "
" He changed his identity completely. Made everyone believe he was dead."
"He's a lose end Greg and I don't like those. Deal with this."
"As you wish your highness." He says and prepares to leave when the King says; " Get rid of all them. Leave no lose ends."
Greg simply nods and leaves.

***

Paul's POV

I've been suspecting that I'm being followed for a few days now and my private investigator just confirmed it. The first thing that emerged in my head was my family. I could never be able to handle anything happening to them especially not because of me. My daughter is on the top of the list of my concern. She's my fragile treasure and I would die before I let anyone hurt her. She's a fighter though. I taught her well but I'm not sure that's enough to keep her safe. My wife on the other hand knows how to deal with dangerous situations. I have groomed her for that.

What frustrates me is not knowing what I'm up against. I'm not yet aware who's having me followed. I need to start up an action plan. My past seems to be finally catching up with me. I knew this day would come but I wasn't ready for it. The thought of being sucked into that dark world again doesn't sit well with me but if that's what it takes to save my family; I don't have much of a choice.

I bought my little girl a car on her birthday. She had been rambling about how she "needs" it . I would do anything for her . I may be too strict towards her but it's all to make sure she knows right from wrong and that she never makes the same mistakes I made. It's hard to believe that she's 18 already. It feels as though it was just yesterday when Lindy and I made her ours . Yes! She's not our biological daughter. But we fell in love with her the moment we layed eyes on her when she was only three months. That's when I vowed that I'd do all in my power to protect her.

I decided that I would take Angela to a gun shop where she'd learn to shoot. I felt that If she knew how to handle a gun then she'd have a better chance at survival whenever I'm not around. Lindy almost had a fit when I mentioned this to her:
"What!? A gun Paul!?" She shouted. Which was a novelty compared to her usual calm demeanor. She's a lioness when it comes to her family.
"It's the only way honey." I said.
" But we can't expose her to that world Paul." she said in a concened tone.
"I know but I need to know that she can protect herself. We don't know how much danger we're in and knowing your daughter I can't keep her on lockdown."
"She's our little baby Paul. There has to be another way. " She pleaded for me to tell her that there's an alternative but I couldn't. This was the only way that felt fullproof enough.

Bright and early Saturday morning I was ready to go. I had set up an appointment with Jess. She's an old friend of mine and we go way back. I put in a favor for her to make sure the shop didn't have many customers ; not that it ever does. Not many people in this small town would be interested in guns but she keeps the business anyways because it's a legal business she has as a front for her illicit dealings.

I told Angela we're "going out" like I used to tell her when she was younger to get her excited. I would take her to my farms or my office to show her how everything works. I was hoping I would get her interested in the cooperate world so that someday she takes over my businesses. She however was more interested in medicine . I let her be with hope that she'd one day change her mind when she's forced to take over. She's my only heir.

We left soon after breakfast in my BMW 8 series; my favourite. I'm a sucker for fast cars. I played my favourite jazz artist to drown the silence in the car. I knew her curiosity was getting the best of her when she asked; "Are you ever going to tell me where we're going?"
"How is school?" I asked instead; giving nothing away. Thing is; I didn't know how she'd take this. "It's fine. I just need to adapt to the university world."she answered cleverly choosing to not probe further. I took in her answer and simply nodded.
"Who is that we're listening to?" She asked catching me off guard. That's the last question I thought she'd ask. I smiled at her and told her about my favourite jazz artist. Our conversation went on to a pleasant lengthy one. We chatted like old times and she laughed at my silly uncle jokes. We shared lots in common and I loved the thought of that.

We arrived at Jess's shop after a while. We parked right at the parking lot and went in

" Hey Paul! Good to see you here!" Jess shouted as soon as we arrived.
" Jess! How are you?" I shouted back giving her a hand shake.
" This is my daughter; Angela. We'd like to try out some of you best buy."
" Glad to meet you! I'm Jessica! But you can call me Jess." Jess said. She'd never met Angela but I've definitely mentioned her a lot. She knows why we're here and is happy to help. Angela just gives her a small smile and I know for sure she's already trying to put the puzzle pieces together in her curious mind as to why we're here.

Going to the shooting range it's as quite as I'd like it to be. I give Angela the equipment to wear and I do the the same. I start shooting at the target and I shoot it bull's eye the second time. A very familiar feeling comes rushing down my veins. It's exciting!

I see Angela is widely shocked by my capabilities . I hand her the gun . "Go on; give it your best ." I say. I see she's struggling in her head as she questions doing this. I nod at her to give her the go ahead she needs. She stands pointing at the target with the handgun. I stand right behind her knowing that she'd need me to be right behind her when she takes the shot. She pulls the trigger and the gun goes off. She falls back on me but misses. I'm not worried though because I know this is just the beginning.

"That was amazing! Did you see how close to the target that was? I swear if we stayed a bit longer I would've hit it bull's eye! We have to come back daddy!" She rambles; clearly excited.
" I'm glad you liked it." I simply say worried that she might enjoy this too much and get sucked into this dark world.
Awkward silence suddenly fills the car with the air thick with unspoken words. Knowing Angela; she probably has lots of questions . I'm just afraid she might uncover the truth from my answering. I'm a bad liar and she's inherited that part somehow.
"I'm sure you have lots of questions. So ask away before we get home." I say giving in but refrain from looking at her.
" Where did you learn how to shoot like that?" She starts.
" Well I've had to make some bad hard choices in the past to simply survive and a gun paved the way."I say trying to explain in a way that doesn't reveal much. She nods and luckily doesn't try to dig more on that.
" I regret that part of my life but it led me to you." I carry on and live to regret only later as I feel I might've unraveled some of the truth.
" What do you mean?"She asks the dreaded question.
"I mean that with my past comes meeting your mother then you."I cover up and smile to make it even more convincing.
" How did you meet my mother?"
"Story for a another day." I answer trying to end the interrogation before it goes too far.
" Why did you bring me here today?" She continues
" It was time . You've just turned eighteen and I think it's the perfect time. I need to know that you'd be able to take care of yourself when I'm not around anymore. A gun would be your protection adding how I taught you to fight back. " I say telling only part of the truth.
" Am I in danger?" She asks I swallow a lump before I answer;
" No honey. Just to be safe."

The rest of the drive home was quite with each of us clearly in deep thought. I will do everything in my power to protect my little girl even if it means hiding the truth from her.