Arnold was shocked when the men suddenly turned their rifles towards him with a hostile countenance.
“What are you doing?!” He hissed, unable to accept the reality. “Have you lost your minds?!”
Liam smiled. “In this game, I will always come up top, brother. It was only a matter of time.” He tutted. “How does it feel to be betrayed by your kin?”
Arnold looked around him and fear crept into his heart. These men who swore allegiance to him were suddenly his enemies. Just how much were they paid to turn their back so cruelly?!
“If you think I will beg you then you are wrong!” Arnold roared. “I’d rather die than submit to you.”
“I never wanted your submission, brother. You know the rules. It can only be one of us. I gave you a chance and now, it’s only death that awaits you.”
“Then kill me! What are you waiting for?!” He roared, fearlessly looking around. “Idiots! I could have given you a better life!”
“You are all stupid to think my brother would be a better leader!” Arnold seethed. “You all sold your opportunity to be important in life by siding with him.”
Liam laughed as his brother spewed nonsense. “Don’t be silly, brother. I didn’t pay a dime to earn their loyalty. You did that all on your own.”
Arnold was confused. “What are you spewing?”
“My men are scattered all over the place,” Liam informed. “This is just a happy coincidence.”
“You planned to assassinate the members once you came into power and recruit new people.” Liam laughed at his brother’s stupidity. “You didn’t even realise your men were after your life and came here like the fool you are.”
Arnold’s expression gave life to the rumours. Truth be told, he planned to use the current Fernando clan members to dethrone his brother before killing them and raising a new army loyal to him.
That was a plan he kept to himself and his most trusted aide. His face turned aghast when he realised he’d been betrayed.
“Does it feel good? The feeling of betrayal.” Liam asked.
The next second, Arnold was thrown to the floor and his prosthetic limb detached from his thigh, exposing his cut-off leg.
The men cuffed him and laid him on the ground struggling in pain. Just like that, Arnold was captured and thrown into the boots, awaiting Liam’s orders.
Meanwhile, June sat in the basement with April who stirred awake. While she waited for Liam’s text or someone to come find her, she took the liberty to tie her sister to a pillar and watched her closely.
April soon stirred awake and the first thing she noticed was the restraints on her hands and feet. “Let me go!”
June smirked. “Ever the most feisty.” She remarked. “I’ve called the police.” She lied, “Until then, you have to remain here.”
When April heard of the police, she stiffened. She didn’t want to go to jail. She was not made for that life.
“Why don’t you just kill me?” She struggled against the ropes. “Why involve the police? I tried to kill you and I won’t stop for as long as I live.”
“Make good use of this opportunity and kill me.” She instigated. “You know you want to.”
June smirked. “As much as I’d love to, I hate to stain my hands with your dirty blood.”
“Besides, I’m not a killer.” June enunciated every word. “You are.”
Liam entered the house and found Evelyn seated worriedly on the table. She heard the ruckus and was protected by the men who formed a wall around her.
While listening to the guns cocked, she had been so worried for Liam, she forgot her daughter who was sent to the basement.
“What’s happening? Who are those?” Mrs Evelyn asked without stopping to breathe. Liam tried to placate her.
“It’s nothing serious, mother.” He assured her without giving details. “I took care of business.” He looked around. “Where is June?”
Evelyn’s eyes widened in realisation. Her daughter had yet to return from the basement. Worry flooded her heart and she knew her daughter was supposed to be back by now.
Did she meet an accident down there? Evelyn got to her feet, no one could stop her. Not even Liam.
Together, they headed down to the basement which was poorly lit up. Evelyn called out to June.
“Child! Are you alright? Are you down there?” She yelled into the basement while the others looked around.
June heard the ruckus and smiled. “I’m over here!” She yelled. They came to a clearing where June sat on a crate and April was tied to a pillar on the floor.
Liam was stunned at the sight before him. He didn’t realise his little Rivera had it in her. He was impressed when he looked around and saw the chards of glass and signs of a fight.
It was clear who won this round.
“You are full of surprises, little Rivera,” Liam said while Evelyn rushed to her daughter. A scratch could be seen on June’s face.
“Oh dear! You are hurt! Hurry, we need to get you treated.” Evelyn’s worry was clear in her tone and countenance.
“You are alive.” April hissed. “Oh Mother, I thought you were brain-dead from the accident.” She cajoled. “All these while and you didn’t think to check on your favourite daughter.”
Evelyn stiffened at the voice of April. The last time she heard this woman’s voice, she was almost sent to a mental hospital as a mental patient.
The anger and hate she felt for April increased. She turned to April, despite the fear that gripped her heart.
“You will rot in jail.” Mrs Evelyn’s words were a promise. “I regret ever bringing you into my home.”
April laughed out loud despite being in pain. “If I do spend my life in jail, I will have a good time reminiscing on the days I got you to turn against your daughter.”
She wore an evil smile. “I damaged her womb, killed your husbands, sold your company, and even ruined her recent marriage with your help, Evelyn.”
“I finished strong,” she stated. “I have no regrets.”
June held her mother’s hand. “Don’t let her get into your head. Do not give her that power.”
“I see you got yourself a new boyfriend,” April said referring to Liam. “For someone without a womb, you sure have an easy time attracting men. I wish I would be able to work my magic this time.”
“Didn’t they say the third time’s the deal breaker? You are destined to end up alone.” April hissed.
Unknown to them, she held a glass chard which she used to cut through the ropes behind her.
“Call the police,” June said, having had enough. She got up to help her mother out of the place and suddenly heard the sound of ropes cutting.
Liam and June turned towards April at the same time. A flying chard of glass was headed towards Evelyn and just before it could do any harm, Liam dragged Evelyn out of the way.
It ended up embedded into the wooden shelf which collapsed upon impact. April tried to run away but her feet were loosely around her ankles, hindering her from moving.
June turned around with a frown on her face and lunged for April. Liam let her vent her anger. June took matters into her own hands and beat April until she was a bloodied mess.
“How dare you try to hurt her?!” She yelled at April’s form on the floor and picked up a plank from the collapsed structure.
Liam stopped her by dragging her into his body. He motioned his boys to take April and Mrs Evelyn out of the basement
“It’s enough now.” He muttered into June’s ears while she breathed heavily. “It’s over.”