Chapter 06

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LEONTIY

It was a little earlier than I had expected but this is way better I guess.

I was driving my way through the city, phone open and on call.

"Several reports stated the appearance of other gangs in the city, sir. Mukhang may tina-target silang mga tao sa teritoryo natin." The person from the other side, Arthfael, reported.

"I see. That is very odd." Komento ko.

"Aye, sir."

Pina-imbestigahan ko sa mga tauhan ko ang tungkol sa mga gang na nakita ko noong isang hapon.

May kutob ako na may kinalaman itong mga gang na nagsusulputan sa pag-atake kay Vanya noong isang araw. At related na rin dito ang mga Stanway.

And as one of the leaders who facilitate the safety of the city behind the scenes, it's our job to keep the rival gangs out of our territory.

"Anything else?" I inquired.

"We have captured someone. But it would seem that he has no intention of speaking. We are keeping him tied here as we await your arrival, sir." Arthfael replied.

"Keep him there. I'm on my way," I said, swerving the steering wheel to maneuver my way through the Rowska state.

"Understood."

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At the end of the city, by the maze of trees in the outskirts, was my home.

The Rowska estate is a fairly large one with large gardens of that sported several plants species and overgrown statues due to my late mother's taste. At the center would be the large family mansion of Corinthian design. Dotted here and there are several armed guards.

I made my way towards the meeting place.

Nasa basement naghihintay si Arthfael kasama ang iilan pang myembro ng grupo namin. Naka-upo sa gitna ang isang tao na naka-blindfold at nakatali sa kanya upuan. Naka-upo naman sa mga couch ang iba ko pang mga tauhan.

Arthfael stood straight and tall, patiently waiting. His cream hair pulled back in and his all-black suit was as crisp as ever. He stared at me with the same pensive yet keen eyes that he possessed.

'Handsome as ever,' my mind blurted.

"Welcome back, young master." Arthfael greeted with a small bow.

"Hn." I grunted in response.

Nilapitan ko ang nakataling lalaki sa gitna, pulled his blindfold off, and gave him a very hard slap.

PAKK! Umalingawngaw ang tunog sa buong kwarto.

The man blinked several times, my hand print starting to redden on his cheek.

Hinila ko ang buhok niya pabalik upang mapatingin siya sa'kin. Tinitigan ko naman siya nang taimtim.

"Where did you find this bastard?" Tanong ko kay Arthfael habang tinititigan parin itong tao sa harapan ko. Parang nanghahamon yata 'to eh.

"Found him and his troupe causing a ruckus near Trojans Nightclub, was beating up rich people in alleys near the place. They're looking for someone, I assume." He replied.

"Who sent you?" I growled.

The man in front of me didn't reply, but simply stared. Silence. Not a word.

I slapped him again. On the other side this time. PAK!

It feels rather satisfying to hear. Especially when it comes from someone who looks like a son of a bitch.

"I'll ask again. Who sent you?"

Not a single word.

Pinakawalan ko siya at binaling ang atensyon ko kay Arthfael. "Find out who this man is, his family, his loved ones. All of them."

"Understood," was Arthfael's immediate reply. He sent a lackey to do my bidding.

That got our hostage's attention as he was evidently snarling at me right now. I smirked.

Sa totoo lang, galit ako ngayon kasi plano ko talagang makipag-bonding kina Verne. Kailangan ko pa kayang alagaan ang dalawang 'yon. Tapos e-epal 'tong bwisit na mga 'to sa teritoryo namin? Kaasar.

"You see here, scum, maliit lang ang pasensya ko sa mga istorbong kagaya mo. Kaya kung ayaw mong madamay ang pamilya mo—," marahas kong inapakan ang dibdib ng lalaki, "sumagot ka."

Mukhang nagdadalawang-isip na yung bwisit.

I was about to threaten him once more when Arthfael spoke up.

"Young master, if it pleases you. Nakuha na namin ang files," he began. "This man is mister Rodriguez, age thirty-six, has a family of four. He works for the Lagoona Gang. His wife is—"

"STOP!" Biglang sumigaw ang nagngangalang "Rodriguez". Parang hirap na hirap na talaga siya. "Magsasalita na ako! Basta 'wag lang ang pamilya ko!"

I merely stared at him.

"Speak," I ordered. "Who the fuck sent you?"

"Si boss," sagot niya. "Si boss Ronan. Siya ang nagpadala sa'min."

"Why?"

"May pinapahanap sa'min..." He hesitated for a moment. "Ang mga Stanway. Pinapahanap niya ang mga Stanway."

As I thought. Target nila sina Verne. But for what reason?

"And the reason?"

"H-hindi ko alam."

I stared at him with deadpanned eyes.

"H-hindi ko talaga alam! Ang mga nakakataas lang ang may alam!"

Is that so..?

"You're useless," I simply stated. I turned to Arthfael. "Any casualties?"

Napaisip-isip muna si Arthfael bago sumagot. "Two dead, and seven wounded from today's operation. Combined with four dead people and twelve wounded from the other days, we've lost six good men, and nineteen people suffered injuries."

I held out my open palm. Napagtanto niya naman kaagad ang ibig kong sabihin.

He pulled out his favorite white flintlock from his blazer and placed it on my hand.

"Oi, ano sa tingin niyo ang—"

Hindi na  naituloy ni Rodriguez ang kanyang sinasabi niya nang tumagos ang bala sa kanyang ulo.

Blood sprayed out in a crimson mist, staining the floor with dark red liquid.

I tossed the flintlock back which Arthfael caught with a mere swipe of his hand.

"Clean that up," I said as I strode out of the room.

God, why must these people be disgusting?

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Votes and Comments are highly appreciated.

_Luuc_

His Caged Heart [Old Version]Tahanan ng mga kuwento. Tumuklas ngayon