Summers' Purpose

Chapter 56

Lyssa approached the house carefully, noting how unusually quiet it was. She didn't sense anything in particular but the tension was thick in the air, waiting for something to cut through it. Just as she crossed the small courtyard and reached the front door, she heard the roar of a vehicle's engine nearing. She turned in time to see a large truck screech to a halt, blocking the main exit. Several men poured out of the vehicle, wielding bats and crowbars as they approached her. Bernardo stepped out from another vehicle, strolling casually to join his men.

"Boa menina! See, I knew you'd listen to me!" Bernardo exclaimed, smiling as he lit a cigarette.

That familiar heat blossomed intensely in Lyssa's chest at the sight of him. "Just tell me what you want and let them go."

"Who? Maria and the boy? They're fine! They're visiting my brother." Bernardo took a long drag from his cigarette before blowing out a cloud of smoke. "Now, I've been meaning to talk to you. I'll make you an offer you can't resist," he added, flicking the cigarette ash to the ground. "I don't know what Maria told you, but I can assure you she's not seeing the big picture. She can say anything she wants about me, but she'll never understand my good intentions for our community."

"I don't know what you think 'good intention' means, but I'm pretty sure blackmailing people and using force to do so is not it," Lyssa scoffed. "Tell me what you want so we can settle this."

"You're smart. Calculative. I need people like you, so I'm asking you to join me. See, I don't think it's pure luck that people like us have been given our gifts. It's fate. We were chosen to make a difference in the world, that's what I'm trying to do. I've had enough of the corrupt treating us like shit, taking what we earned and deserve. So, what's a better use of these gifts than to take back what should be ours and have control? Join me and you'll have more than you could enjoy someday. We're only starting, but the sky's our limit. Even then, that's where you come in, huh? You know, since you can fly," Bernardo laughed loudly as some of his men chuckled along.

Lyssa grimaced at him, a red rage starting to sink its fingers into her, aching to take over. "I've heard many versions of that speech already. It's boring. Always 'join me', or 'let's take over'—etcetera. Same old shit and none of it has worked for me before—and I've dealt with bigger and more powerful idiots than you. What makes you think you're so special?"

Bernardo's smile disappeared as he puffed on his cigarette. He hated feeling small; his ego could never let someone as insignificant as her disrespect him. Especially not when he has his men around him. He nodded, pretending to consider her words. "I'll ignore that for now, only because I think you'll be useful. It's cute that you think you have a choice," he chuckled lowly. "I'll tell you how it works around here. The big fish decides what options are available for the little fishies. Here, I am the big fish. So, I get to give you your options. And your options are; join us, or you can dig your own grave and lay in it before the sun sets later today. I'll give you a few minutes to think. Choose wisely," Bernardo smiled. Lyssa glared at him and his men without saying a word so he continued.

"Don't even think about escaping," Bernardo pointed out the rooftops around the house where a few other men with rifles stood guard, laser dots aimed at Lyssa's chest. "Believe me when I say they're excellent shots. I wouldn't want to test them." Bernardo walked to Lyssa, offering a handshake. "Last chance, Lyssa. Do the smart thing and join me."

A brief flash of red filled Lyssa's vision, and she felt herself losing control by the second. "You don't hear the word 'no' very often, do you? I think you have rejection issues, too. I can tell," she looked down at Bernardo's hand before staring back at him. "I told you; I've fed bigger men than you their own words. Do you want to know what that feels like? I can help you with that, all you need to do is be a good boy and say 'please'," Lyssa replied, a glint of challenge in her eyes as she smirked at him.