The Billionaire’s Pawn

STRIKER

I hugged and bid everyone goodbye before getting into our getaway car.

My dad came and hugged me tight as he began getting all emotional. “Have fun.”

“We’ll be back soon, Dad.”

“Don’t rush it. I want you two to enjoy your honeymoon.”

“We will.”

“You’re gonna be okay, right?”

“Of course.” He swallowed hard as if he wanted to tell me something. He should be happy for me, but right now, he looked shattered.ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

“Dad, I’m going for a honeymoon, not to the war.”

“I know, Striker.”

“But I’m not going until you tell me what’s wrong.”

“I’m fine.” He wasn’t convincing.

“I swear, and you know me. I’m canceling our honeymoon. I’m not going anywhere until I get the truth from you about what’s going on. And you never keep a secret from me.”

“We’ll talk when you get back. Your wife is waiting.” He was about to turn around, but I was not letting it go. Something was bothering him, and I’d never seen him this devastated.

“No, Dad. Tell me what’s troubling you.”

“You’re gonna hate me for this.”

“That’s impossible.” I shook my head. I could never hate him.

“London was right.”

“About what?” I just watched my dad in tears, and I’d never seen him cry other than when I left on my first assignment that he thought I might not come back alive.

“Linus was not working alone to set you and London up.”

“How do you know all this?” I locked my jaw hard. I felt like I knew what was about to come out of his mouth. And it was terrifying.

“We did it together.”

I stared at him momentarily as I tried to wrap everything around my head. “You and Linus worked together to set me up. Why in the hell would you do that? You could have just told me that I should marry London. I would find a reason for that.”

“Almost two years ago, I went to him to borrow money. Then he asked about you. He was so interested in knowing you that he didn’t even think twice about lending me his money, but I didn’t tell him who you really were.”

“Why did you ask for money from him? How much did you owe him?”

“He let me wait for a month before he gave me his decision. By then, he figured out who you were.”

“Nobody knows about my life, Dad,” I denied. “I am certain Moses did something for the truth not to come out.”

“It’s Linus, son. And your father wants nothing but to tell the world who you are. He is proud of you. I initially denied it, but Linus showed me evidence from your birth and the DNA report. I must say, he quite had a good source.”

“I don’t believe it,” I still denied it even if what Dad said was pretty compelling.

“I had no doubt Linus would get what he wanted, and that includes your connections.”

“My connections?” I laughed out loud. “He’s wrong.”

“Don’t sell yourself short, son. Your friends are billionaires. You are close to the Royals, and your father is one of the richest men on earth. You’re worth billions. You know your life is at risk since Moses found out you’re his son. You didn’t even realize he paid people to look after you, and he was right to do that, or you could have ended up like London.”

“That doesn’t explain how did you end up working with Linus. What does he want from me?”

“He wants your father. He wants to be involved with the project Moses is working on.”

“Project?” My mind was about to explode. How did Linus know? And here I thought only a few people knew about the project. I didn’t even tell Dad about it. Did Linus have a mole? He knew the corporate spy and the consequences if someone got caught.

“I have no idea, but he was sure there’s a project.”

“Why he didn’t just go directly to my father? I know nothing about it.”

“I don’t know, son, but he believes you will run the project in the future, if not sooner.”

“I can’t believe this. He used me and pretended he didn’t know my father. Well, let me tell you, Dad. He won’t get anything from me now that I know what he wants. I can’t believe he’s been manipulating me all this time.”

“Be careful, son.”

“Why did you go to him in the first place? Could you have just asked Moses? He owes you that much.”

“I have pride, Striker.”

“Look where it took you. And you pretended to look surprised when I told you about marrying London when you knew it along when you’ve been conspiring with him all this time. Why did you lie to me, Dad?” I was beginning to get pissed, but I had a flight to catch. This could wait, and I knew for a fact that this issue would be there for a while. But what intrigued me the most was what Linus wanted with the project.

“I’m so sorry, Striker. This is not how I have imagined telling you.”

I blew a shaky breath. I felt my strength leave me the moment he admitted to working with Linus. “Is the Premium secured, Dad?” I had to ask because this had been his life’s work, and I would do anything to save it for him- even if I had to sell my soul to my father.

He nodded, but he couldn’t even look at me anymore. He was ashamed. I got that, but he wouldn’t deal with it alone anymore.

“Dad, I want you to tell me the truth. Does Linus has a share in Premium?”

“No. Premium is safe. You have to believe me.”

“You’ve been keeping secrets from me for two years. And I wish I was here when you were going through tough times. I’m sorry, too.”

“It’s alright, son. I just feel so ashamed. I just sold you. What kind of father would do that to his child? I am worse than Moses.”

“Hey. Hey.” I hugged him tight. “We’re in this together. Don’t beat yourself up.”

“What did you use the money for?”

“One of the shareholders had lost his faith in Premium. So he wanted to invest in a new company. I had to buy his share.”

“So you saved the company. What’s wrong with that? I thought you’re badass, Dad.”

He couldn’t answer anymore as he looked at me. Dad was carrying a lot of pain and regrets, and I felt terrible for him.

“How much do you owe him?”

“Don’t.”

“I’m your son, Dad. You can’t stop me from worrying about you. You can’t stop me from helping you. How much do you owe him?”

“I paid twenty. I still owed him sixty.”

I nodded. “I’ll take care of it.”

He was about to say something, but he just shook his head.

I raised my finger to warn him. That never happened before. “This is not a negotiation. Take care of yourself. I’ll be back before you know it. Don’t worry about it. I love you, Dad.”

I went to Moses, waiting in his car. He went out as soon as he noticed me.

“Why aren’t you leaving yet?”

“It’s a private jet. So it can wait, right?” I smiled.

“Is Tate okay?”

“Yeah. Will you look after Dad while I’m gone?” I sighed deeply and long.

“Of course,” he answered without hesitation.

“Thank you for the jet. It’s nice.”

“No worries. Go ahead and enjoy your honeymoon.”

“Thanks, Moses.” I hugged him tight. “Do check your employees. I think you have a mole.”

“Will do. Thank you, son.”