The car was silent as they drove to the meeting place, everyone lost in his thoughts. Perhaps, the tension was heightened by the fact that their boss, Marcel, has been rigid and distant since the ride. He must be thinking about the many ways things could go wrong tonight, they assumed. Not knowing that Marcel had a different thought altogether.
Marcel was pragmatic and thought no further about the exchange tonight having already made plans that would ensure its success. Sure, they were walking in blind and things could go wrong, but what was the use worrying? It would only make him nervous and that state of mind tends to lead to mistakes. He had to be cool-headed enough to protect his team. That was his role as a leader.
In reality, Marcel was filled with anticipation and longing instead. He couldn’t wait to go back to his wife, no, he means Arianna. Obviously, she wasn’t his wife yet. But then, he would make that a reality as soon as Eric approves of his deal. He couldn’t marry Arianna yet not with the tension between both of their families. He would need Eric’s permission as well to whisk her away.
This is what Marcel planned to do after he was done with this mission tonight. He doesn’t care about the time, but he would drive to Draven’s residence and demand – respectfully – to see her. When Arianna comes out, he would sweep her off her feet and then kiss her till her lips stung and she couldn’t breathe any other air than his. Then he would place his head on her belly, and feel his baby.
Their baby.
The life they created together.
His body zinged with excitement and he tapped his feet rhythmically against the floor of the car, a gesture that his men mistook as anxiety, not that any of them pointed it out. This Richardo guy must have really gotten under their boss’s skin to make him this irritated.
Perhaps if Victor was there, he would have talked his cousin into calming down, but he wasn’t there and no one wanted to try their luck.
Was it a boy or a girl? Marcel already began to deliberate about the sex of his child. Not that he really cared about that, he wasn’t his father Daniel who judged a child’s worth by its gender. Times have changed and If his child turned out to be a girl, she would lead this organization one day – if that was what she wanted. Most women wanted nothing to do with such risky and unlawful occupation. But then, there were always special women like Adele – he hoped his daughter would be one of them.
If it turned out to be a boy, his son would take his place as the first child – Marcel planned to have many more children after that – as long as the boy had the knack for this. Sure, Marcel honored the birth order, but whoever was going to inherit this position in the future would have to work hard for it. This was a family business and yet not a family business. He needed someone with the heart and capability to lead this family and not just because he’s the eldest son.
Honestly speaking, Marcel was not sure he wanted a son yet upon remembering his rebellious years with his father. The both of them were constantly at loggerheads and thinking of fighting with his own son made him wince internally. Who knew such a day would come? It confirms the saying, What goes around comes around.
Hence, the thought of having a daughter was more comforting. She would have his gray eyes and her mother’s red hair – and stubbornness. Marcel snorted inwardly, either way, it seems he was going to have a handful once his child was born.
“We have arrived, boss,” Samuel announced and it hit Marcel that Victor should have been here instead of him. But then, he sent his cousin on a special mission instead. Richardo’s death would not be enough, he needed to destroy him thoroughly and eliminate the chances of another Richardo spurting up. Tonight, he was going to remind this city why his family was not to be messed with.
The car was opened for him and Marcel stepped out, looking around as the cool night breeze tossed his hair around. There was nothing all around him but empty containers and the fact there was no watchman on duty proved that Richardo had probably bribed them for the night. The depot was free for their transaction. He squinted his eyes as if he could make out an assassin hiding in the darkness.
“Bring her out.” He commanded no one in particular but Samuel already set to work and in no time he was dragging the bonded Macy along. She kicked and cursed but there was nothing much that she could say with her mouth gagged. Her eyes were filled with nothing but loathing and complete disregard towards Marcel. If her hands were free right now, she would have gouged out his eyes.
However, Marcel didn’t even spare her a look and walked ahead. He had other things to worry about and she was the least of his problems. Just as agreed, they were a total of five and in no time found Richardo and his goons, they were five in number too – as far as his eyes could see. He was not a fool. This was a trap.
There was a huge space between both sides until a man wearing a mask stepped forward, “Marcel Luciano,” He said, causing his brows to furrow.
“What is this, Richardo?” Marcel stepped out too, his men having his back.
“Don’t be too surprised, I’m just making sure that I don’t breathe the same air as you do. It’s contaminated,” He insulted him, bursting into laughter.
His men laughed with him but Marcel was unmoved. If Richardo planned to ruffle his emotions, it was not working.
“Let’s begin this,” He said instead with a stoic face. Marcel was more eager to meet his pregnant girlfriend back home.