Dangerous Attention

Chapter 16: The Power

The air in the warehouse grew thick with tension as Daou’s uncle stepped forward, flanked by a group of heavily armed men. His eyes gleamed with triumph, as if he had already won the battle.

“Well, well, well,” his voice dripped with smugness, “I knew you’d come crawling out of hiding eventually, Daou. But I didn’t expect it to be this easy.”

Daou remained calm, his body language betraying nothing. Offroad, however, could feel his heart racing in his chest. Every nerve screamed at him to run, but he stayed rooted beside Daou, trusting that Daou had a plan.

“I wouldn’t be so sure it’s going to be easy,” Daou replied coldly, his eyes narrowing. He subtly moved his hand toward his waist, where he kept his phone. A single press of the button would send a signal to his men, and they would swarm the area within minutes. His uncle had underestimated just how vast Daou’s power had grown.

“You think your little army can save you now?” his uncle scoffed, gesturing to the men surrounding him. “I’ve waited too long for this moment. There’s no one left who can challenge me.”

Daou’s lips twitched into a dangerous smile. “You seem to have forgotten who I am.”

Before his uncle could respond, Daou pressed the button on his phone. Within seconds, the rumble of engines echoed through the warehouse as black SUVs rolled in from every direction. Doors flew open, and men dressed in black suits, armed to the teeth, stormed out, taking position around Daou and Offroad.

Daou’s uncle’s smug expression faltered as he took in the sheer number of Daou’s men—an army far larger and more dangerous than he had anticipated. The men were disciplined, forming a protective circle around their leader, guns raised, ready to strike at a moment’s notice.

“This,” Daou said, his voice steady and full of authority, “is what real power looks like.”

Offroad watched in awe as Daou took command of the situation. Despite being surrounded by danger, Daou exuded an air of absolute control. He was untouchable, a force of nature that no one could stand against.

“You may have been running this operation for years,” Daou continued, stepping forward confidently, “but you’ve grown weak. Your reign ends today.”

Daou’s uncle’s face twisted with fury, his bravado fading as he realized the full extent of the power Daou wielded. “You think you can just take everything from me?” he spat, his voice shaking. “You’re nothing without me.”

Daou chuckled darkly. “Wrong. You’re nothing without me.”

With a swift motion, Daou’s men raised their weapons, their fingers hovering over the triggers, ready to fire at Daou’s command. Offroad’s heart pounded, but he couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride and awe at Daou’s strength. Here, in the face of betrayal and danger, Daou stood tall, completely unshaken.

“You can surrender,” Daou said, his tone hard, “or you can die. Your choice.”

His uncle’s men glanced nervously at one another. It was clear they hadn’t expected this. They had come, thinking they could overpower Daou, but now, faced with the sheer numbers and loyalty of Daou’s men, they hesitated. Their fear was palpable.

Daou’s uncle clenched his fists, glaring at Daou with unbridled hatred. “You won’t get away with this,” he growled.

“I already have,” Daou replied coolly.

The tension in the air reached its peak, and for a moment, everything seemed to hang in the balance. But then, with a resigned sigh, Daou’s uncle raised his hands in surrender. His men followed suit, lowering their weapons one by one.

Daou gave a sharp nod, and his men swiftly moved in, disarming the group and securing them. Offroad watched, his breath catching in his throat as Daou’s uncle was taken into custody, his once-powerful presence now reduced to a pitiful shell of a man.

It was over.

Daou turned to Offroad, his expression softening as he stepped closer, wrapping his arms around him. “It’s done,” he whispered into Offroad’s ear, his breath warm against his skin. “You’re safe now.”

Offroad closed his eyes, leaning into Daou’s embrace, feeling the weight of the past few days finally lift off his shoulders. They had won. Against all odds, they had survived.

But as Offroad rested in Daou’s arms, he couldn’t shake the feeling that this wasn’t truly the end. Daou’s world was full of shadows and danger, and though they had dealt with his uncle, new threats would always be lurking in the darkness.

Still, for now, they had each other. And that was enough.