His Vengeance

Chapter 13

Shane

"Shane, I have something important!" Cameron burst into my study, wearing a serious expression.

"What is it?" I asked, intrigued. He motioned for me to follow him, and I obliged. We entered the security room where our computers were set up to monitor the security cameras around the main house. Toby and Jackson were already there.

"What's going on?" I demanded to know, but Cameron raised a finger, indicating for me to remain silent. He handed me a cell phone.

Confused, I took the phone from him and glanced at it.

"Drake is on the line," Jackson mouthed to me from across the room. I narrowed my eyes and tightly gripped the phone.

"Drake," I said, and I heard a stream of curses coming from the other end of the line.

"Ryder, you son of a bitch! I knew it was you all along. Where is my daughter?" Drake's voice seethed with anger.

"Now, now, Drakey boy, that's not the way to greet me. Your daughter is safe, but how are you? How are you holding up?" I responded, feigning concern.

"Fuck you, Ryder! Cut the bullshit and tell me where my daughter is and what you want in return!" Drake's frustration was palpable. I sighed, unimpressed.

"Yeah, I'm not stupid enough to tell you just yet, Drake. And as for what I want in return, are you sure you can afford it? It's quite a hefty price," I taunted. He let out a sigh.

"Well then, what do you want?! Money? Guns? Girls? Drugs?" Drake threw out a series of desperate suggestions. I shook my head in disbelief. This guy didn't realize who he was dealing with.

"Your life, Drake," I stated firmly, and silence fell on the other end of the line.

"Your life in exchange for your daughter's freedom. That's all I require," I emphasized.

"I'm not discussing this over the phone with you, Ryder. You know where to find me. Be here at 8 PM sharp," he ended the call. In frustration, I hurled the phone against the wall, shattering it.

"I've got his location. He's staying at a house on Pentagon Street," Cameron quickly informed, his fingers typing furiously on the keyboard as his eyes remained fixed on the screen.

Fine. If Drake Parish wants to talk, I'll give him a conversation he won't forget.

*********

Two bodyguards flanked me as we approached the property where Drake was hiding. His men, armed with rifles, watched us cautiously as we stepped out of the car.

One of Drake's men led us inside, and we halted when we reached a door. He knocked once before opening it.

I walked in and found Drake sitting on a couch, puffing away on a cigarette.

"Ryder," he greeted.

"Drake," I acknowledged, gesturing for my guards to stand behind me. He motioned for me to take a seat, and I obliged.

"Let's get straight to the point, shall we? You want to kill me, and in return, you will release my daughter?" Drake asked, tapping his cigarette between his fingers.

"Simple as that," I replied, nodding at him. He chuckled.

"That's not going to happen, you know. You're on my property right now, surrounded by armed men who would take you out in seconds if you made a move against me," he smirked. I returned the smirk.

"Are you threatening me, Drake?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. He shook his head, blowing out a cloud of smoke.

"Just pointing out the obvious," he responded. I leaned forward, staring at him coldly.

"I could kill you right now, but I choose not to. You see, your daughter is currently in my custody, and there's no way you can help her unless you sacrifice your own life," I stated, locking eyes with him. He glared back at me.

"Let's see how humane you are, Drake. Give up everything and your life for your daughter's freedom," I added. He looked away and released a deep sigh.

"Is that all you want, Ryder? My life?" he asked, a mix of confusion and relief in his voice.

"I have a proposition," a devilish smile formed on my face, stopping his train of thought.

"If you're not willing to die for your daughter, then I'll kill her instead," I calmly declared. Instantly, he sat up straight on the couch.

"Don't you dare hurt my daughter!" he yelled, slamming his hands on the coffee table between us. I chuckled and leaned back, smiling evilly at him.

"It's easy, Drake. All you have to do is die, and everything will be fine. Your daughter gets to live. Simple as that. But if you don't let me kill you, you're allowing me to kill your daughter instead," I stated. He clenched his hair, bowing his head.

Gotcha. I've got him right where I want him.

"I won't let you harm my daughter. I won't let you take her away from me forever!" he yelled, his voice filled with determination as he slammed his hands on the table.

"There is one way, of course," he snapped his head up, confusion and a hint of relief in his eyes.

"There is?" he asked, his tone tinged with desperation.

"I'll make you a deal," I leaned forward, maintaining eye contact with him. A smile played on my lips.

"I'll let her live, but she becomes part of my mafia. In return, you'll pay for all the trouble and problems you've caused me, and I'll spare both your lives," I proposed. He continued to stare at me.

"It's a better offer, Drake. You both get to live, while I get to keep her as a payment for your past wrongdoings," I explained. He shook his head vehemently.

"Hell no! I'm not selling my one and only daughter to a monster like you!" I clicked my tongue in mock disappointment.

"Well then, start preparing for your daughter's funeral and your own," I said, standing up and nodding to my guards to escort me out of the room.

"It was nice catching up with you, Drakey. Say hi to Satan for me, will you?" I taunted, mockingly, as I walked toward the door.

"Wait!" he called out, and I halted on the doorstep. I smiled, knowing that I had him right where I wanted him. He stood up, defeat etched on his face.

"Only if you promise not to harm or touch her and allow me to see her whenever I want," he pleaded. I shrugged.

"I can't guarantee to see each other part, but we can arrange something. Oh, and you need to stop interfering with my mafia and my business. One wrong move, Drake and your daughter is dead," I warned, gripping his fists tightly clenched by his side.

"Fine! Just don't touch or hurt my daughter, and I get to see her whenever I want," he relented. I folded my arms across my chest and nodded.

"You've got a deal," I declared. After a full minute of silence, he sighed and bowed his head, his gaze fixed on the floor.

"Where do I sign?" I smirked.

He was about to sign his daughter's life away to me. She would belong to me forever. There was no way she would escape this arranged deal alive. Little did she know, I now owned her, and the knowledge she was about to gain from me would change her life forever.