S7VEN (La Familia Kingpin Series #1)

55. Homecoming

SEVEN

"Now. Let's talk like two civilized crime boss, yes? My demands" itinaas nito ang isang daliri. "For starters tell your man to back down, Gio. And stop that kamikazee this devil is planning, kung gusto n'yo pang makitang buhay si Santy."

Hindi ko naitago ang pagdaan ng pagtataka sa mukha ko. Damn. Alam ang plano kong pasabuging ang lungga niya.

Antoni scoffed but Don Gio remained silent. I've never seen danger painted on another person's face other than mine and my brothers, now as I watched my father-in-law's jaw twitch I have an inkling of how people felt when they saw us.

I'm entranced yet there's a sheen of sweat trickled at the back of my nape. Takot ba ito?

"Akala n'yo 'di ko alam ang plano n'yong magpalipad ng RPG drone? You're all easy to read. I know this game so well that's why I got your baby girl, Gio. As leverage. Effective naman, hindi ba? Thanks to you, brother. Second and the most important thing, hand me the Outfit and call the council. Tell them you're naming me as your heir."

"Nahihibang ka na kung inaakala mong papayag ang mga elders sa gusto mo. The head of the families will retaliate if they'll heard of this atrocity. Ngayon pa lang tumigil ka na," kalmadong wika ng mas matandang Accardi na tila ba apat na taon ang kausap.

"No! Ikaw ang tumigil. At anong plano mo? You'll let your daughter rule? Ni hindi nga yata marunong pumatay ng lamok ang unica hija mo."

I pause from my sawing. I was about to throw some jab when my father-in-law glare at me. I pursed my lips. Mamaya sa akin ang siraulong 'to. Kumbaga sa bingo, black out na siya. Pati likuran ng cards may tantos na.

"Stop dragging my daughter into this mess!"

"Fuck me. Wala siyang choice. The moment you fucked Ada, you sealed Santy's faith. Akala mo sa akin estupido? I know your grand plan, brother. You'll hand that seat to this fool," sabay turo nito sa 'kin, puno ng poot ang mga mata. "I'll be damned if I'll allow that to happen. Simple lang naman ang gusto ko. The seat and I'll your precious daughter will live," lumapit ito sa kapatid at balewalang ipinakita rito ang hawak na phone.

"You make the call."

There's a pregnant silence. Nagtagis ang bagang ng biyenan ko't sinulyapan ang malaking screen. Saglit na lumamlam ang mga mata nito nang makita ang kahabag-habag na anak. But it disappears quickly, replaced by a bottomless pit of darkness and sinfulness I know too well. Like me, he wants to tear his brother. Limb after limb. I've heard so many stories about him, evil and dark tales. So dark that he became the darkness himself.

"Oh. I forgot. I promise to take two things from you, no?"

Kumunot ang noo ng don sa narinig. Puta. Talo ko pa ang nasa gitna ng isang mainit na soap opera sa dami ng mga drama. Can someone pass the pocorn? Note the sarcasm please. I internally rolled my eyes and focus on what I'm doing.

"What do you mean?"

Antoni lifts his shoulders.

"Well, I manage to get rid of your woman, remember? Hindi mo alam kung gaano ko ninamnam ang mga araw na nakikita kitang miserable 'cause you failed to protect your woman. Seeing you fall is my greatest achievement, Giovanni Accardi."

Mabilis na lumipad ang kamay ng biyenan ko sa leeg ng kaharap. Hindi nito alintana ang mga sugat at benda sa katawan, his intent is simple. Crushed his brother's windpipe.