Richardo scrutinized Daniel with blazing intensity wondering if he had made a mistake in inviting a predator into his den. He went on to say, "I'm going to kill your son, Marcel. What's your opinion on that?"
"Is this an opinion or a test?" Daniel gave him a knowing look that left Richardo baffled. He knew. In that case, this makes everything easy then.
"Fine, what's your stand on it? Would you join me make my dream come true or would you try to stop me which is kind of an impossible feat right now? And please choose wisely Daniel. I told you from the beginning, I like you." Richardo actually talked like he meant it.
Daniel leaned closer without warning, and whatever intent he had hoped to achieve with that move didn't work out because Richardo didn't move nor bat an eye. He was not afraid of him. Not when he was inside a room full of his men that would shoot him down if he dared to make a move?
"In case you haven't noticed, Marcel and I have not exactly been the best at navigating this father, son relationship. We are always at each other's neck. And then..." Daniel's expression darkened, "He denied me of my power in the family. While I endured his foolishness all this while, that last move was the straw that broke the camel's back. I have reached my limit. "
However, Richardo smirked wickedly, "But that is not enough to have him killed, is it? There is still a thin line between love and hate. Perhaps, all that hate made you love him more?"
Daniel rolled his eyes, "Have you even been listening to a word I said?"
"I told you, Daniel, I'm your huge fan. I have studied you long enough to know that you won't let go of Marcel, not unless you have another son to take up your legacy, which sadly you don't. So forgive me if I don't believe you and I just realized that it was a mistake bringing you along. " He realized how stupid his plan had been to join hands together. Two captains could not lead a boat. One had to concede and Daniel was too enamored with power.
"And who said I don't have an heir?" Daniel suddenly announced.
A furrow appeared on Richardo's face as he thought about it and then it hit him hard, "Arianna...."
Daniel's grin widened, "I don't need Marcel because I have one I can groom already to my taste."
One might ask, how had Daniel known about Arianna's pregnancy? Natalie had told him. That had been her only condition to come to rescue Angelica. She wanted him as far away from her daughter as possible because she was now with a child. He would bring nothing but bad luck to them. So he agreed to go away, but then Richardo's people got to him first before he could think of fulfilling the agreement. It was definitely not his fault, people.
Richardo informed him, "Sadly, I need Arianna. She's the only way I can reach Marcel. The only one that I can use hurt him the same way he had done to me!"
"And yet the only one that you can't lay your hand on. Eric would tear you from limb to limb before you even get the chance to lay a hand on his stepdaughter. And I as well, am not interested in that deal if it involves hurting my daughter-in-law. She's carrying my legacy in her womb. "
"If that's the case, I have no use for you then." Richardo pulled him forward by the collar, pressing the gun's muzzle beneath his jaw, his eyes blazing with anger.
"Sure, sure, go ahead." Daniel said in a sing song, "You would only be doing Marcel a big favor. Do you know how close he's come to killing me in the past but couldn't because of his weakness? Good riddance, he would think when you release my body to him."
"Shut up!" Richardo shouted at him, pressing the gun deeper into his skin, and yet the man didn't even flinch. Perhaps, the rumors were true; he was a monster. Daniel was not capable of feeling. How was he so calm even in the face of death?
And yes, the man really has a disregard for his life because he went ahead to provoke Richardo more by saying,
"You have the number and the weapon and yet you haven't made a move because you lack direction. That's why you need me, isn't it? You are like a child with too much power with no idea how to use and control it."
"I am not a child!" Richardo hissed through gritted teeth. But he knew deep down that was close to the truth.
He spat at Daniel, "Do you know I thought of bombing the entire base and though that would be difficult considering Marcel's tightened security, it's not impossible. But then, what's the satisfaction? Marcel could very well survive the attack and all my efforts would be a waste. I want him delivered in my hands so I can exact my revenge directly. I want to scrap the skin off his body and make him suffer so much that he would have no choice but to beg me for mercy to the hour of his death,"
There was nothing but darkness and the feral taste for revenge in his eyes and Daniel saw that and took advantage of it.
"I'll bring Marcel to you then and there will be no bombing. You get Marcel while I'm set free to rule the family that would be left behind. It would be a win-win for both of us."
Richardo sneered, "You think Marcel doesn't know that I have you? He would be a fool to come to you."
"Who said he has to come to me?" Daniel smirked, his eyes glinting with a delicious idea, "I told you I would have him delivered to you. Unlike you who wasted your contact by trying to kill Arianna, my own contact would play wisely."
Before Richardo could recover from the suggestion, Daniel had already snatched the gun from him with lightning speed and pointed it at him. His men in the room reacted just as timely and pointed the gun at him. However, Daniel laughed before lowering the gun and thrusting out his hand.
"Do we have a deal?"
Richardo eyed his hand before glancing back at him. Having been betrayed once, his instincts warned him not to trust easily. Not to mention Daniel was wild and uncontrollable. But then, birds of a feather flock together.
He took his hand in a handshake.
"Deal."
