The Royal Contract

It was too goddamn easy.

He knew it.

It was an ambush, and he walked right through it.

He held his hand up, surrendering. He already anticipated that he might get captured. He had prepared for the possibility.

But, of course, what would happen next would depend on what they would do to him. Therefore, he would have to be innovative in escaping this trap.

"We are glad you can join us." Alfred expressed, laughing and mocking him for falling into their hands.

He could tell the older man was very proud of himself, believing he had outsmarted him again. But that was far from the truth.

Alfred would not lay a finger on him without his consent. But he could have easily eliminated him from the picture if he had wished. But the thought of Haley stopped him.

After all, Alfred was still Haley's father.

"I always knew you have it in you to brave the lion's mouth." The older man complimented him. But he did not see it that way.

Two of the guards walked towards him. Then they started frisking him, looking for his gun or any weapon he hid in his body.

Of course, he had freely let them take his gun, knowing he could not fight them. He knew when to choose his battle. And this was not one he would win.

"Of course, how can I resist such an invitation? How can I not be a part of such a grand celebration?" Gerald sarcastically stated as he walked further into the room, unafraid to face one of his formidable enemies.

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But he knew he should be wary as the security circled him. He had to watch his back because anything could happen. He had to be ready for anything.

Then, they dragged him toward a secluded room, away from the other guests, far from the prying eyes. But still, he did not see any signs of the people he sought.

"That is what I always like about you." The man also stood straight before him, seemingly wanting to intimidate him. "Your overwhelming confidence."

But it would take more than staring him in the eyes, Alfred's threatening words, or his men surrounding him to make him shake on his knees.

"But that will also be your downfall." Alfred shook his head before drinking his liquor, draining the entire content of his glass in one go. "Your arrogance will get you killed."

He gave his empty glass to one of his men before he strode closer until he stood just inches from him. The older man smiled at him, but nothing in his expression told him he was being friendly.

"And this time, I will ensure it will be for real. You will end up at the bottom of the ground where nobody will ever find your body." Alfred whispered in his ears.

Gerald could tell it was a promise. And not an empty threat this time. He better figure out what to do before Alfred made true to his word.

However, he could not act until he had seen Haley and Mike. So far, he could not see beyond Alfred and his men. Therefore, he could not guarantee they were still inside with the guests.

"I am sure looking forward to that. But indulge a dying man's wish if you can." He knew he had to bait him to give him what he wanted. But that would be tricky.

He was a cunning man, but so was this dangerous gentleman. It would be hard to trick a man like him, but as he had always told himself. Every man had a weakness. He just knew what this man was.

"Oh, do you want your last supper? Or do you wish to say your last words?" Alfred chuckled as he asked for another drink and a cigar.

Then, he lit the expensive tobacco he suspected came from their Colombian partners as a gift. He could already smell the distinctive odor of the smoke puffing from the older's mouth.

He occasionally smoked, but he never acquired the taste. It was a habit he could live without. But he had no problem if others would like to kill themselves slowly by inhaling those harsh chemicals into their lungs.

"What about a last wish?" Gerald jokingly said as he smugly smiled at the father of the woman he loved. "I am sure you can satisfy a dying man's wish." He reiterated.

He always enjoyed wordplay. But he loved more to get his way. And he could tell that Alfred was no different. If he was right, Alfred still needed something from him, or he would have executed him on the spot.

"Oh! That is a difficult one." He clicked his tongue as if thinking about his request.

He could tell the older man was thinking carefully about it, but there was no guarantee that he would grant his desire.

"Please don't tell me you wish for your life because we both know that is not happening." The man quickly added. It was clear he was amused about his pending demise.

"I am just an old man, not a genie." He jokingly said, but nobody was laughing.

"Don't worry, I only wish for one thing. Okay, make it two." Gerald studied the man's face, hoping to see any sign on his face, anything to indicate what he was thinking.

"So, what is it?" Alfred seemed to be growing impatient. Indeed, he was taking much of his valuable time away from his guest by entertaining him.

Still, he needed something from him, and he might know what. Alfred must be looking for the files he had taken from Don. But he did not have it anymore.

"I want to see Haley and Mike." He said, naming his price. But that was not all. "I know you are keeping them against their will. I want you to set them free. In exchange, you can have me."

He believed it was a fair offer the older man should not resist. But the man only laughed at his request as if he just made a bad joke.

"What makes you think I am holding my daughter against her will? She had agreed to marry Michael because she believed that was the best for her and her child." Alfred stated.

"And another thing. How can you offer yourself when I already have you? Did you think I am a fool?" Alfred laughed again, finding him amusing.

"Well, regarding your friend, the bastard traitor. He would also get what he deserves." Alfred took the fresh set of whiskey from his men and enjoyed its delicious taste.

"Aah! That is just perfect." Alfred mumbled after taking a few sips from his glass. "But let us say, I grant you your wish. What are you giving me in exchange."

As he had expected, Alfred wanted what he had. The older man always intended to double-cross Don and was using him to do it.

He should have seen it before. Alfred still had no grip on the organization since Don was the next possible leader of the group besides him after his father had died.

Therefore, Alfred decided to get rid of him, putting Don on top when he realized he had no control over him despite his association with his daughter.

But then again, Don was too powerful and stubborn, just like him. Alfred would never be able to control him like a puppet who would follow his orders.

So, Alfred turned to Michael as his next choice.

"Your life," Gerald answered him. "I will guarantee you can keep your life and live the rest of your remaining days in minimum detention."

He finally figured out what had happened inside the organization he had left behind. And this time, he had more ammunition against them.

"Wow! That is a mouthful. I thought I was old and delusional, but you are worse than me." Alfred put down his cigar on the ashtray by his side and leaned forward as he looked at him.

"And how do you propose to keep me safe? I am just curious." Alfred sarcastically responded with a devilish smile on his lips.

He also stepped forward, but the guards that held his body from moving stopped him before he could come closer to the older man.

"Don would hunt you down if he learned about your plans to double-cross him. I can keep you safe by putting him in the maximum prison.

Let us say. You will not need to associate with your comrade inside the jail. Consider it as a gift to the future grandfather of my child." He added the last part to make his point.

"That is a brave thing to say. You know I can end you right now, and no one would hear what you have to say." Alfred threatened as he signaled one of his men to come closer to him with a gun pointed at his head.

"True, you can kill me now, but you will never get your hands on the ledgers." He finally spoke about what the older man coveted.

It was what he needed to control the organization. If he had it, then Michael's position would be secure.

They could finally rule the underworld.