SILENCE. Regan was staring at the man who introduced himself as Ramones or Ares, his father's brother who died before he was even born. One thing he learned inside the mafia is to never believe in your enemy's lies and right in front of him is the boss of Syndicate International. This is the first time he met this man this close, and he was oddly familiar to him. Regan knew that he saw this man somewhere. He heard a lot of rumors about him before but didn't pay attention to them if the Syndicate wasn't trying to pick up a fight against the mafia.
Saglit naman siyang napaisip bago naalala kung saan niya ito nakita. "You were the man at the hospital," he said and Ramones nodded.
"We've been trying to make contact with Rocket before, but we couldn't get the chance because you were always around," he spoke, shaking his head in disappointment. "We tried our best, but the mission didn't go through the way I wanted it."
"And you think introducing yourself as my dad's brother will make me surrender? Then you're wrong."
"I know." Ramones said. "They said I died thirty years ago. That was a damn long time and I know you must be wondering why in those thirty years that I'm alive I didn't go to see my family? Am I right?" He looked at him but Regan chose not to answer. "Like the reason that you have Regan, I did it to protect my family. My daughter and her family. I regret every day that I couldn't even say hello to Sera and tell her how much I love her. I wanted to, alright? But I didn't to prevent her from getting heartbroken."
"Bullshit."
Ramones sighed and closed his eyes. Nang muli nitong buksan ang mga mata ay nakaramdam si Regan ng tension sa paraan ng pagtitig nito sa kanya. He may be old, but Regan felt that he is dangerous. "We don't have time to do storytelling right now, Regan. I need to talk to you about East. He's already making his move and if you can't cooperate right now, I have no choice but to force you. Like you, I am protecting the lives of my loved ones and if we are on the same boat, I'm telling you to let this girl go and come with me. You're already on the dead end, son. It's either you face East by yourself or take allegiance with me."
"Just surrender. Regan." Rocket said and he felt her hand on his arm. "I know that they are your enemies but they're the only one that can help you right now. This isn't your fight anymore. This is our fight."
"You're just telling me this so you can fucking take me prisoner." Bulong niya sa dalaga. "I won't talk even if you torture the hell out of me, Rocket. Damn, I know worse, babe."
"We're not taking you prisoner, Regan." Ramones said. "Come on, son. We're only wasting time here." He added but Regan didn't falter and tightened his arm around Rocket. Nakita niyang napa-iling si Ramones bago ito umatras at napansin niya ang pagtango nito kay Seamus.
Saktong pagtingin ni Seamus sa kanya ay limang lalaking tumalon mula sa likuran niya ang dumamba sa kanya dahilan para mabitawan niya si Rocket. Immediately, he grabbed one of the men and shot him in the head and as soon as he turned around to grab another one, Seamus chokehold him and kicked him behind his knees, causing him to kneel on the ground.
"You really are a stubborn asshole, Regan. You're far from saving." Bulong ng lalaki sa kanya. He then chuckled before leaning his weight towards Seamus as he slid on the ground and elbowed Seamus on his balls. Napasigaw naman ito na kinatawa niya.
"That's for being an asshole," Regan chuckled as he stood up. Sinamaan naman siya ng tingin ni Seamus na nakaluhod sa sahig. "You should've knocked me out when you had the chance, Seamus."
