Chapter 5 I know Just The Man

Tessa's POV;

"Leukemia!?

What!? When were you going to tell me, dad! ? "I yell in fright, rage, hurt, pain, and fear as I burst into my father's room, and for the first few seconds, he stares at me in confusion, but soon his confusion vanishes.

"He told you? "He questions in disbelief, but I watch realization dawn in his eyes.

"What did you do to him, Tessa? "He then questions, but I snap.

"Don't try to change the topic, dad! You have leukemia and that too, the worst kind! You have just days left to live, and you told me nothing about it!? When were you planning on telling me? "I scream, and my father falls silent for a few seconds.

"Ven y siéntate conmigo, cisne ... "

*Come and sit with me, swan... *He says sweetly to me, and my heart shatters as I stare at the most important person in my life. He's about to leave me. He has just days left to live, and he told me nothing about it. Was he planning on leaving me just like that?

I sit beside him, and then I can't hold back my tears. I burst into tears, and my fears begin to escape me in form of endless rivers from my eyes.

I have lived my whole life with just one parent. It wasn't easy, but we pulled through. But no matter how tough I seem, I don't think I'm ready or will ever be ready to lose the only parent I have left. My life would have no meaning, and I'd feel so alone and unprotected.

He's all I have. It's been me and him against the world, my entire life. How am I supposed to cope without him? How?? It's impossible!

He taught me all I know and made me who I am. He can't just lead me into the deep sea and abandon me halfway in. I need him...

"How long has it been? "I force myself to question, and he inhales deeply as he adjusts on the edge of the bed he's sitting on, and I realize that he's been looking at a photo album. An album that has pictures of me, my late mother, and him. And on seeing this, my heart only breaks further.

"It's been five months, *Mi cisne. "He says. Calling me his swan like he always does, and my heart breaks again. Doctor Rico explained everything to me.

My father's abnormal cancer is the type that grows very rapidly and dangerously in months and sometimes even weeks.

The excessive white blood cells have grown so much, they would be tough to cure or eradicate. The cells have caused blood to clot in a lot of places and are damaging a lot of things in my father's body.

The best thing to be done for him now is for him to be taken to a hospital where he can be stabilized and kept under supervision.

Doctor Rico said he tried to get my father to the hospital, but he didn't want me to suspect anything so he refused to go with him.

"Why didn't you tell me about it? "I question, and he looks me over.

"I didn't want to hurt you, Mi cisne. I thought I could get cured, but it's too late. I... Was going to look for the right time to tell you. "He says, and my heart shatters. I've never thought about losing my father, the common thought of it claws at my heart. But it's beginning to look like a reality that would soon hit me in the face.

"No quiero perderte, papá. Eres todo lo que tengo. Estaría tan solo sin ti aquí, y esos lobos que llamas hermanos harían todo lo posible para quitarme todo lo que hemos construido."

*I don't want to lose you, dad. You're all I have. I'd be so alone without you here, and those wolves you call brothers would try their very best to take all we've built, away from me. *I cry, as I bury my face in my palms, and my father pulls me to him.

"No digas eso, Tessa! "

*Don't say that, Tessa! *He then scolds me, and I sob harder.

"I didn't birth, raise, or train a weakling, Tessa. I'm counting desperately on you, dear. You have to fight and take up the role of the leader that you've been training for your whole life. If you slack up now, you'd lose and those... Wolves I call my brothers would cheat you out of all we've worked for and built together. "He continues, and I shut my eyes as I lay my head on his chest and listen to his steady heartbeat.

How is it that a man who looks so healthy is actually so sick and close to death?

"I know all that dad, but I'm not ready to lose you. We both know how cruel this world is. When things get tough, after a long day of killing and brutality... We come back to each other and find comfort, peace, and sanity in each other's arms. But if you leave me... I'd be all alone, dad... "I cry and shut my eyes tightly in anguish, but he gently pulls me away, and cups my face in his hands.

"You won't be alone, Tessa. "He says, and my brows crease but I understand what he's saying.

"Dad, I know that you and mom are always going to be with me. Even... After you... Leave me... But it's not the same as you... Actually being here. You know how we struggled without mom... I know she's in my heart, but... She's not actually here. And if you leave me too... You won't be here... "I reply in hurt as I take my face out of his hands and look away, and he turns my face to look at him.

"That's not what I'm talking about, Tessa. I'm saying you won't be alone after my death... Because I want you to get married. "He says, and my face goes numb at the same time my heart stops beating.

"What...? "I question in horror, and he stares at me with expectant eyes.

"Tessa, you know how cold the life we live is. When I lost your mother, I had you. But if you lose me... Who would you have? "He questions, and I fall silent as I don't have an answer for him.

"That's why I can't just leave you like this. Alone... And unprotected... As you said. The wolves I call brothers would come after you. I can't leave you to face them alone. You need someone you can rely on, Tessa... "He continues, and I go pale.

"But dad, I don't... You taught me that I don't need a man to feel complete... "I begin to protest as tears of horror begin to well up in my eyes when I see how serious he is.

"You don't need a man to make you feel complete, Tessa. But you need someone to call your own... "He replies, and I fall silent.

"But dad, where and how do you want me to get a husband? I'm not even seeing anyone... Husbands don't fall from trees. "I point out, and he takes my hands.

"I know just the right man for you, my swan... "He says as he gently kisses them, and I shiver in horror.

"But dad... "I try to protest again, and he cuts me short.

"Please, Tessa. Do this for me... See it as my last wish... "He says, and I choke on a sob.

"Dad... "I simply cry as I crash into him and wrap my arms around him tightly. Letting out my sobs and tears.

*********

Cameron's POV;

I'm sitting at a slim, wooden table, and facing me, is one of my men tied up on a chair. He is battered and bleeding, and one of his hands has been tied to the table beside us.

Due to rage, it took me just hours to figure this one out. To figure out that this man in front of me is the fool who sold me out. The coward was cornered and threatened, and the fool chose to betray me instead of dying at the hands of the golden daggers.

A ghastly mistake.

It would have been better for him if those fools killed him than for me to catch him now and make him pay for his mistakes.

"Did you really think you would get away with such a foolish mistake? "I question, and he looks up at me with plain terror in his eyes.

"You wanted them to kill me to spare your life. Is that how precious you feel your life is? Did you forget the contract you signed before we absorbed you to work with us? "I question as I lean into the chair I'm sitting on and cross my legs, and he chokes.

"Answer me! "I growl at him with a stone-cold glare, and he shivers in fright.

"N... No, boss... "He replies, and I stare at his disgusting face in silence.

"What did it say? "I question him, and he begins to cry afresh.

"We... We must give anything for the betterment of the gang... "he begins but trails off.

"And? "I push as I collect the butcher's knife Ez is now holding out to me, and I run my bare, index finger over its brand new, sharp blade, and its clear, sharp blade sends sweet shivers down my spine...

"And... And if... If we're ever caught going against that code, we are to be punished as the master deems fit... "He replies, and I smirk as I look up at him, and he begins to weep in panic.

"So, did you or did you not go against the dictates of the contract? "I question, and his crying increases.

"Boss, please... I... I... "He begins, but I'm not in for whatever he has to say.

"Did you, or did you not go against the dictates of the contract!? "I growl, cutting him off, and he chokes.

"Are you deaf!? "I growl further, and the sound of running liquid captures my ears. I look down at the crotch of the man in front of me, and clear liquid comes running from between his legs, down to the chair, and straight to the ground. Creating a small puddle below his chair, and my face gets scrunched up in disgust.

The bastard just peed his pants!!

I stare up at him in disgust, and he chokes on his tears and begins to beg.

"Please... Please, boss. Have... Have mercy, I beg you. I... I... I would never repeat such a mistake... Please... Please... I... I pledge my lo... Loyalty and... And life to you, boss... Please... "He begs, and I scoff and a small laugh escapes me.

"Your life means nothing to me... What value would it add to me? And about your mistake... Of course, you'd never repeat it... Cause you won't get the chance to... "I reply with my smile dropping into a deadly sober face, and he chokes on his saliva.

I suddenly lift the butcher's knife and drop it on the pinky finger of his left hand which has been tied to the table, and his loud, pained scream takes over the entire warehouse as the finger gets detached from his hand.

His eyes instantly turn red with pain and veins of pain pop up on his head and neck as he keeps screaming in anguish and shaking violently in the chair he has been bound to.

"in as much as I want to kill you... I wouldn't do that... "I speak as I lift the sharp, now bloodstained knife and drop it again, but this time, dropping it on his thumb. Cutting off the finger from its place and his screams and pain increase while his blood increases on the table. Flowing into a puddle, and I have to take my hand off the table to avoid his blood staining the sleeve of my shirt.

"I had a lot of beautiful plans on how to end your sorry life, but then I thought against it. Keeping you alive would be much better. "I continue as I lift the knife that's now dripping with blood, and drop it on the middle finger of the three fingers left on his hand, and he screams and passes out as the finger also gets detached from his hand, just like the others, and I turn to Ez.

"Wake him up. "I command, and he simply nods and steps between me and the passed-out bastard.

The sound of a blinding smack is followed by a scream, and Ez steps out of my way. Leaving me to face the bastard who tried to get me killed, and is now conscious again, and crying in pain. Unable to do more than whimper.

With no words whatsoever, I drop the knife on the two fingers he has left on the hand and he passes out again. Casing me to turn to Ez.

"I don't want him dead yet. Let Louise fix him up. I want him to serve as a lesson to the rest of the gang. Apparently, the last one had it too easy. "I speak as I clean my hands with the handkerchief Ez is holding out to me, and I pause as an idea for the best punishment for this fool hits me, and a smirk almost appears on my face as I think about it.

"Take him to Alonzo. I'm sure he would appreciate the birthday gift. "I then add as I take my ox blood leather gloves back from Ez and put them on, and his eyes pop.

"Alonzo? "He questions, and I give him a blank look which causes him to clear his throat.

Alonzo has been one of my partners for a very long time. He used to be a bomb designer for terrorists but after meeting me, he calmed down a bit and decided to help me deal drugs instead. He works for me but is not fully involved in the business.

There's this respect I have for him due to how he carries himself and the respect is mutual. I think it's that way because he's equally as frigid as I am. And honestly, maybe a bit worse. I only reach out to him when I need him and his connections, and he does the same. However, except for bombs, Alonzo has a knack for something else.

Guys.

Alonzo is a giant who is into men. Especially guys who are smaller in stature. He likes preying on them. I know this because one day, Alonzo came to my office and offered to help me "discipline" any of my men who misbehave or go out of line. I agreed but have never done it. But now, I trust he's going to deal well with this fool and traumatize him for the rest of his life.

I get up and begin to walk away as two of my men walk up to the passed-out bastard and begin to untie him while Ez follows after me.

"Boss, Ridwan is done with the blueprints for the casino we plan to build in Argentina. He wants to go over them with you before finalizing anything. Is it okay if I set him up a meeting with you this evening? "He speaks as he walks beside me, and I shake my head in negation.

"No, I have somewhere else to be tonight. "I reply, and although I'm looking ahead, I sense the confusion on Ezra's face.

"where? If I might ask. "

"My father's house. He called for me and it seems to be important. "