Cassius gazed down at Silence, his father, his emotions in turmoil as he recalled how he had stormed into Silence’s room, eyes blazing.
“You’re helping me,” he said, and Silence turned to give him a questioning look.
“Helping? And what makes you think that?”
“Rafael told me everything. How you made him turn against his family, causing their death. You hate the Wallingtons,” Cassius said, and Silence simply returned his gaze to the sky he was looking at.
“If you want me to hate, then just say so instead of acting like a fucking asshole.”
Silence shut his eyes and sighed. “You’re one stubborn son of a bitch. I’ll be done and gone soon. So if you’re going to throw a tantrum, do it later.”
“Why didn’t you ever show up?” Cassius persisted. He wanted to get the answer out of this man at all costs. At least he knew something-Silence wasn’t an enemy.
“I clearly recall telling you not to bother knowing who I am.”
“Well, sorry, Dad… I’m going to trouble you until you spill the shit,” Cassius snapped, finally earning Silence’s attention.
Their gazes locked for a while before Silence spoke, breaking the silence of the room. “I have no weakness, and I plan to keep it that way. I don’t want any bond between your mother and me, or with you. I prefer to remain your shadow. Many want me dead, and that’s why I have no wife or kids. My sister’s death traumatized me enough to know that a man like me shouldn’t have people to love.
Before I left your mother that night, I knew she thought I was someone else. But I was too far gone, consumed by my own desires. I left a black card to pay for my mistake, but years later I found out she was Holden’s daughter. I was shocked when my assistant mentioned she had suffered, raising my son. It turned out her whore friend Karin saw the black card instead and built a life with William… I tortured and killed them both. Then I planted my men around you, watching you grow, especially through Conrad…
When your mother had her accident, I had never felt such anger before. I began studying the Wallingtons. I tend to gather every single fucking detail about my enemy before striking at the perfect time. I never wanted you to meet me, Cassius, until my last day. You have a perfect life, a family and friends that you cherish. I don’t want to drag you into the hell I live in,” he paused, averting his gaze. “So don’t try to bond with me. I’ll go back to being your shadow. Forget I exist.”
—
Never had Maximus felt his world crumbling so completely. He had always been cunning, calculating, and unbeatable. However, as Silence’s words sank in, it became clear that he was just a rat compared to an elephant.
His eyes darted between Cassius and Silence, the color draining from his face. Now it all made sense. Silence never met Rafael by coincidence… It was all part of a plan to destroy him.
His weak son was turned against his family, used to expose harsh truths, which drove him to sell out his skilled brother and kill his own wife. The same Rafael had killed Leonard…
His family had crumbled in the blink of an eye. His empire and his men were close to disappearing, and the only hope he had clung to was now the very thing destroying him.
Cassius was his son. How did everything twist like this, ripping him apart in the cruelest way possible? He thought Cassius’s father was dead, as no one ever mentioned him…
But Silence, of all people, turned out to be his father…
He was, indeed, the dumb rabbit!
Silence had destroyed him without lifting a damn finger!
“W-We can talk about this,” Maximus said, trying to persuade him, knowing how screwed he was.
“Talk about what?”
“I… I never knew Cassius was your son… I wouldn’t have dared!” Maximus stuttered, beads of sweat forming on his forehead, his hands trembling slightly.
“Alright, apologize,” Silence ordered, and Maximus looked up at Cassius in confusion.
“Do it, goddammit,” Silence warned.
“I’m sorry, Mr. King, for all the trouble I’ve caused you,” Maximus quickly apologized.
Silence snickered. “You sound like shit,” he said, turning to one of his men. “Take him.”
“Wait!” Maximus panicked as the men grabbed him. “I’ll do anything! Don’t kill me! I’ll fucking do anything!” His eyes darted toward Rafael, who stood around the corner, watching.
“Rafael! Rafael, it’s me, your father! Talk to him!” As he struggled, one of the men slammed his head onto the desk. Maximus hissed in pain.
Rafael’s gaze was blank, devoid of emotion, as they dragged Maximus out of sight. He deserved whatever they were going to do to him.
Maximus was taken into a room. His eyes widened at the sight of torturous equipment. The blood on his face dried up. He was about to have the most hellish days of his life.
“No, let go of me! Let go of me!!” he roared as they began to chain him.
“Nooo!!!”
—
In a dimly lit room, Maya lay on a small bed, her face pale and her appearance messy. She didn’t know how long she had been in there, what was happening outside, or if her loved ones were safe.
The only time the door opened was when they brought food and water. She had asked the guard why she was there but received no answer.
Maximus had visited her three days ago, informing her of her upcoming marriage to his soon-to-be ally. Maya had been enraged ever since.
There was no way she was going to marry Silence. She was going to get out of here, no matter what!
She jolted at the sound of gunfire echoing through the building. What was that? She heard another shot and sat up, fear etched on her face.
The gunfire continued, accompanied by agonized screams, loud thuds, and the sound of flesh being torn apart.
Scared, Maya’s eyes searched the room for something she could use as a weapon, but the door swung open, revealing a huge man and his wolves.
“W-Who are you?” she stuttered, raising her fists in defense.
Valentino tilted his head to the side. The woman saw wolves and how huge he was, yet still raised her fists to defend herself.
“You’re indeed Tatiana’s sister. Relax, cupcake, I’m here to save you.”
Maya’s face relaxed. Jaxon also appeared, breathing hard.
They led her out of the place, and she finally saw the light again. She spotted Cassius waiting for her.
Was it over? Was her father defeated?
“You’re safe now, Maya. It’s all over,” Cassius assured her, and Maya took a deep breath of relief. Jaxon led her into the car.
“Alright, bestie, this is where we part,” Valentino said.
“I thought you were going to stay for my wife and kids’ birthday,” Cassius said.
“I’ve missed Maria so much. I need to run to her. I’ve kept my word, and I’m glad I fought by your side,” Valentino smiled.
Cassius gave him a hug. “Thanks, bestie,” he muttered, and Valentino laughed. This was the first time Cassius had ever called him that.
“You better come visit, so we can drink together, bestie,” Valentino said.
“Sure.”