Filed to story: Bring It On My Mafia Life Novel (Rhea & Lukas)
“Oh. Congratulations.”
While it should sound sincere, Natalie could not help but sense Ruth was taunting. After all, it was confirmed now, she and Daniel were going to be in-laws. What a happy family they would be.
“Thank you.” She said nonetheless.
Natalie went on, “Daniel would be spared. I don’t know what kind of luck he has, but I dare to say he has the nine lives of a cat. While he deserves to die, he lives instead and I cannot let that happen. Daniel can’t be around Rhea and my grandchild, he would only bring them disaster and death. It follows him around like a wraith. “
“What mother wouldn’t want to protect her child?” Ruth understood her reasons for going ahead with the plan even after she rejected it last time, “You made the right decision, Natalie.”
Natalie asked her, “How did you intend to eliminate him though? If both families managed to resolve their dispute, I don’t want to be the one to cause irrevocable damage.”
“You don’t have to worry about that, neither you nor the Draven family would be suspected of the attack, or have you forgotten that Daniel has a lot of enemies?” Ruth gave her a devious smile, the plan quite obvious.
“Oh…” It finally made sense to her.
“What’s the catch though?” Natalie asked her, “Why would you want to carry out such a risky mission without wanting anything from me? I’m not trying to be ungrateful but it sounds too good to be true.”
And to that question, Ruth smiled at her, “I don’t need anything from you, Natalie, you can think of it as my parting gift to Rhea. Your daughter served me well. One good deed deserves another, don’t you think so?”
–
Hi guys, I want to render an official apology. This book was suposed to end yesterday, however, I couldn’t make it due to severe pain in my hands when writing. However, to make it up to you guys, I would release ten chapters that would wrap up their perfect happily ever ending, also there’s ten percent discount on the 4th tier privilege and thirty percent discount on the last privilege. So sorry once again!
Father
There was nothing but tense silence in the room. After that epic show in the living room, Eric had ordered that they followed after him and here they are. The brothers were the only ones allowed into the room with the others outside, probably in an aide to prevent from being spied on.
However, it’s been over five minutes with Eric having said nothing and it was beginning to get awkward and boring. Amid all of that, Rhea’s hands were intertwined with Lukas’s own and she wouldn’t let go. The both of them were seated on the sofa with the brother taking positions elsewhere. Rhea and Lukas felt like a center of attraction in a circus display. It was an uncomfortable feeling.
“I’m sorry,” Lukas decided to speak up when none of them would, “I know it’s not going to make up for the men lost, but I’m truly sorry.”
Rhea stared at Eric with anticipation, waiting for his response. Her heart kept pounding and she hoped this would be the end of this violence. Lukas had suffered enough already.
“Rhea claims to be pregnant for you, how true is that?” Eric asked instead and none of them had seen that coming.
Lukas stared at her open-mouthed, having not imagined that she would reveal that to Eric, to everybody. Yep, he did talk about keeping it a secret but there was no way Rhea would have not taken advantage of every opportunity to keep him alive.
There were no words spoken between the both of them, rather they communicated with their eyes, and of which, Rhea won of course.
Defeated, Lukas turned to Eric, gulping, and then stared back at her before admitting, “Yes, it’s true. She’s having my baby.”
The brothers passed looks between each other when Lukas admitted the claim. Eric in question only nodded his head, his lips pulsed in thought. At last, he stood to his feet, leaving Lukas no other choice but to stand as well, although Rhea heard his sharp intake of breath with the effort. He was in pain, even though he was not showing it. She had no choice but to copy his move too.
…..
Eric stretched out his hand before their very eyes in what was obviously a handshake and her heart leaped in joy, even though a part of her mind told her not to rejoice yet.
“I would stop the war.”
Lukas and Rhea let out deep breaths at the same time. They did it! There was not going to be a war. It worked! They managed to change Eric’s mind!
Lukas quickly took his hand and enveloped it with his to seal the deal before he changed his mind. The brothers began to clap for the accord achieved and Rhea joined as well. She was so happy. No one was going to die anymore.
By the time the applause died off and the handshake was over, Eric said to him, “I’m not doing this for you or Rhea, but for the innocent child in that womb. I don’t want to be known as the man who denied his grandson the opportunity of knowing his father.”
Lukas had always known Eric was an honorable man but at that moment his respect for him grew bigger and he swore to make it up to him one day. He was never going to forget this favor; Lukas was forever indebted to him.
He went on, “We can say, this is equal. My brother Elijah took the lives of your people and your father returned the favor. However, our deal is off. If you want a seat in the commission, you’d have to apply and fight for it.”
“But there’s no time for that. With every single minute wasted, Richardo amasses his resources and extends his influence. He had been hoping that you would destroy me and make the plan easier for him like the bastard he has always been. Once he knows that you forgive me, what’s the possibility that he won’t come for you next?”
And to that question, Eric laughed as if it was the joke of the century. While there was mirth in his eyes, there was suddenly a flash of ruthlessness as he said, “Let him come. He’s just a child who just began to play the game and I’ll tear him from limb to limb till there’s not an ounce of flesh left in him.”
“Wow,” Rhea breathed, the hairs on her arms standing on edge. Her mother does make great choices in men. First, the psychopath Daniel and next the innocent-looking yet deadly, Eric. Rhea couldn’t tell if she should be impressed or concerned.
Eric continued, “Unlike Konstantin, I would not underestimate his ability since he’s a sly one. That’s why the rest of the families would have to come in and this is your opportunity to debut in the commission. Richardo eliminated the Basil family, you’re merely extending a gesture of goodwill. ” He smirked.
Damn, he’s good at this, Rhea had no choice but to get impressed by her brilliant stepfather. Not only was he good at playing politics, but he was also a good strategist.
“Thank you,” Lukas said, recognizing the huge opportunity Eric was giving him.
“There’s no need to thank me.” Eric said, “We are about to be family and I have to make sure you’re capable of protecting my grandchild. Think of it like an investment that I hope would pay out in the future.”
Without another word, Rhea went over to Eric and wrapped her arms around him, hugging him tight. Eric in question stiffened around her considering this was the first time Rhea was being intimate with him. He was always the one making the first approach and of which she kept him at arm’s length. This was new.
“Thank you so much… ” Rhea added, “Father.”
Bang!
It felt like someone just dropped a bomb on him. What did he just hear? She didn’t call him as usual by his name ‘Eric’ but ‘father’? He must have heard wrong. However, a warm feeling bloomed in Eric’s chest and he reciprocated the hug.
He had not spared Lukas to receive anything in return, but this sure felt nice.
Sacrifice For Peace
Eric was out of the room as soon as he was done with the judgment, he had to brief his people on the current happening – there would be no war. There might be a little placating as well considering everyone had been pumped up for action.
Lukas and Rhea were left alone with the brothers and of which a staring contest began. There was an awkward silence.
Elvis was the first to say, “Isn’t this the point where you take your leave.”
“Oh yeah, sure -” Lukas was about to agree to it when Rhea cut him off.
“It’s too late.” She pointed out, “He can’t go out there with neither of his people to protect him. What if Richardo is out there waiting for him?”
Moreover, she didn’t trust them until the sun was up and his people were here to take him. What if this was all a ruse and Eric secretly kills him when he goes out? Rhea didn’t want to believe the worst, but her imagination was super active.
Elijah supported her, “She does make a fair point.”