Chapter 7 DESTROYER OR DELIVERER

MICHAEL

Except for the faint hum of the air conditioner, the room was eerily quiet. I sat with my hands resting on the polished oak of the conference table, looking at Daniel. He stood with a cocky ease, his posture deceptively casual, but his eyes were sharp and calculating. I could see why she was drawn to him; he was strong, confident, and had that intangible quality that screamed resilience-a quality Rebel would need in a partner if she was even capable of having one. She wasn't just a warrior; she was a weapon, a perfect one, honed to lethal precision. I'd made her that way, trained her to be superior to anyone or anything, and now she was, trusting this man was supposed to be her bulwark, her safe haven in the storm of her life, but was he her saviour or her doom? Rebel shifted next to him, her fingers twitching uneasily in her lap. She was always calm, a rock, but now, in front of me, she was unusually nervous. She should be; I could take down this whole room in a matter of seconds, get rid of every guard Daniel had placed here, and walk away without a flinch. Daniel, unaware of the storm building inside of me, stepped forward, his hand outstretched to me. I stared at his hand, then met his gaze, my lips curling into a wry smile. Rebel stepped closer, panic flashing in her eyes as she hurried to push his hand down. "Dad, please," she said, her voice tight with urgency. I laughed, the sound reverberating in the room like a crack of thunder, and I leaned back in the chair, my amusement genuine but tinged with something darker. "You think this is a game?" I asked, my voice fading to a dangerous growl as the laughter subsided. Rebel flinched, and for the first time in years, I saw her vulnerable. Really exposed. She was in tears. My unbreakable daughter, Rebel, was crying for him. "You think the organisation will let you go?" I went on, raising my voice. "Do you believe that this billionaire playboy can keep you safe? Rebel, I trained you better than this. You are stronger than this because of me." Daniel took a step forward, his jaw clenched. Firmly, "I can keep her safe," he added. "I have the resources, the connections-" "Resources?" I stood up straight and interrupted him. "Links? Are you even aware of what you're up against? Do you believe that her wealth and influence will be sufficient to protect her from what lies ahead? Rebel put her hands on my chest and moved between us. Her voice cracked, "Enough," she muttered. "Please, Dad. You're trying to protect me, I realise that.

However-" "I'm not your father," I yelled, my tone icy." "I am your handler. You were trained to be the best by me. to live. And you're discarding everything for him now? Do you believe that love will save you? I attempted to defend myself, but her tears shattered me. She took a step towards me and put her arms around me tightly. My rage melted like ice under a flame, and my determination faltered. She was my pride and joy, my darling girl. She was still my sunlight despite everything, the reason I had battled so valiantly against the gloom in my own life. I looked at Daniel over her shoulder. His body was stiff, and his fists clenched. Something-determination, rage, and... love-was there in his eyes. Oh no.

He did love her, damn it. I released Rebel and stepped back, smoothing her hair as she looked up at me with tear-streaked cheeks. I straightened my shoulders and looked directly at Daniel as I turned to face him. I said, "You," gesturing to him. "We need to talk." Daniel stood up straight, his face cautious but determined. "Then let's talk." In a tense triangle of stillness, the three of us sat. The air was heavy and oppressive with the weight of whispered realities. I broke it at last. I said, calmly but firmly, "They'll never let her go." "Unlike Rebel, the organisation doesn't release assets. They will pursue her, and when they do, they will pursue you as well. Are you prepared for that? Daniel stated in an unflinching tone, "I'm ready, whatever it takes." "You say that now," I replied, "but when they strip you of everything-your money, your power, your name-will you still stand by her?" He answered, "Yes," without hesitation. I looked at him for a long time, looking for any holes in his armour, but I couldn't see any. Either he really thought he could protect her, or he was a very good liar. I responded, "Fine," and leaned back in my seat. "But let me clarify something. I'll make sure you never have the opportunity to regret failing her, even if you hesitate for a single moment." Daniel nodded despite his clenched jaw. "Understood." Rebel gently and groundingly stretched for my hand. "Dad,""Please," she murmured gently. Have faith in me. With my shoulders slumping under the weight of all left unsaid, I let out a sigh. "My dear, I have faith in you. I don't trust them, though. Furthermore, I don't yet trust him. --- We sketched down a rough idea as the discussion went on. I understood that even though Daniel provided his resources-men, safe houses, and surveillance networks-it would not be sufficient. Like a monster that regrew its heads quicker than you could chop them off, the organisation was unrelenting. I abruptly turned to Daniel and said, "You'll need to tell her." "Tell her what?" Rebel frowned as he asked. A shadow moved across Daniel's features as his face grew darker. "Nothing," he murmured rapidly. I sneered. "You're a fool if you believe you can keep it from her. Eventually, she will learn, and when she does, She won't ever forgive you. Rebel's eyes flitted between us, her face displaying a mixture of bewilderment and mistrust. "What are you talking about?" I said, "Ask him," and suddenly stood up. "It's not my secret to share." Daniel gave me a scowl, but I ignored it. He had to understand that trust was reciprocal. He had to tell her the truth if he wanted to be in her life. I gave Rebel a final embrace and kissed her forehead. I whispered, "Stay safe, sweetheart," "I'll handle the rest." After a brief minute of holding on to me, she moved away and looked into my eyes. Whispering, "You always do," she said. I gave Daniel a nod before turning to leave them to deal with the storm knocking at their door.