Chapter 6 MEETING HER DAD

DANIEL

The tension in the air was thick enough to cut with a knife. Rebel had been a whirlwind for three months since she entered my life, sneaking out, eluding guards, and testing every boundary I set. However, I believed that she had finally begun to realise that she wasn't a prisoner; her safety was simply non-negotiable. The organisation she once served was unrelenting, and the coded communications we intercepted made it clear that her latest mission was to kill me. The irony was that she didn't know it, or, if she did, she kept it to herself. Her behaviour over the past few days had changed. Quiet. Too quiet. It wasn't like her, and I didn't trust it. My second-in-command, Klaus, had discovered a lead: a man named Michael had been frantically attempting to get in touch with her. Just the term had made her withdraw farther into herself, gazing blankly into nothingness. According to Klaus's research, Michael was her adopted father. However, I sensed that it wasn't the complete tale. I couldn't quite place the dynamic between them, but there was more. There was a tinge of terror and reverence in the way her features tightened at his mention. Then came our first actual altercation. She had taken birth control pills at a clinic with Catya. I was offended by the suggestion, it was not her choice alone to make. She didn't want to take the chance of a closer relationship since she didn't want to acknowledge the depths of her feelings so I changed her pills for vitamins. It was a calculated betrayal, but in my mind, it was necessary. If she ever found out, hell would rain, but I couldn't bring myself to care.

The confrontation with Michael was unavoidable, even though I hadn't anticipated how it would turn out. On the way back from town, we were interrupted by a sleek black motorbike. A tall, fair-skinned man in his late forties got from the horse and pointed a revolver at my automobile. Rebel's body tensed next to me, and her breath caught. I silently urged her to maintain her composure as I reached over and squeezed her hand. Bloodshed was not appropriate for this day. With my hands slightly up to indicate that I was unarmed, I got out of the automobile. I met Michael's sharp look and stated calmly, "Let's talk." "Rebel stays with me, but you can ride in one of the cars or follow us." He laughed icily. "I ride with her." "Not happening," I answered, my voice dropping."She stays within three paces of me at all times," I said, in a tone that left no room for discussion. Michael's jaw tensed, his eyes darted to Rebel, and for a second, I thought he might pull the trigger, but instead, he nodded curtly. "Fine. Lead the way." The ride back to the house was silent, and Rebel stared out the window with her hands clasped tightly in her lap. Michael followed us on his bike, the roar of the engine a continual reminder of his presence. My grip on the steering wheel tightened as I looked at her. The woman who had disregarded every rule I set, who had set a fire in my otherwise controlled world, was now as motionless as a statue. It was obvious that she wasn't prepared to confront whatever past she had discussed with Michael.

Tension bubbled over in the residence. Rebel took her hand away from mine and approached Michael in the conference room, speaking in a forceful yet gentle tone. "Dad." Michael's face was unreadable as he turned. He glanced at me for a moment, then back at her with his icy, evaluating eyes. "Did I not give you better instruction?" His voice was like a dagger slicing through the room. "When did you begin using your legs to think? Are you aware of what they will do to you? To both of you? His remarks were sharp as a whip. I made myself stay sitting by clenching my fists. Despite being her father, this man's tone was quite offensive. Yes, I did. Michael acted without waiting for a response. Do you believe this to be a game? You become weak when you fall in love. I warned you about that how many times? Rebel raised his chin in defiance. "I'm not helpless. This is something I can manage. It doesn't alter my identity. "It changes everything!" he said, his poise faltering. "You're dead the moment you let your guard down. Or worse, what happens after he's dead? Do you lose your edge when you seek retribution? She spoke in a softer but equally determined voice. "That isn't the case. I am aware of the dangers. "No," Michael angrily said. "You don't. You wouldn't jeopardise all of your training if you did. You become vulnerable when you fall in love. Being vulnerable is risky. Rebel's voice was calm as she squared her shoulders. "I refuse to allow them to murder us. Michael gave a sour laugh. "It has already begun, you have a target on your head. Don't make me regret sharing all of my knowledge with you. She firmly responded, "I won't," as her eyes met his. Michael looked at me, his eyes piercing and unblinking. "This is the man, then." Rebel gave me a quick look and spoke in a softer tone. Indeed. Daniel is this person. He squinted his eyes. "I'm hoping you're worthwhile. Because I'll be the one to put an end to this if you're not. There was a deafening quiet after Michael finished speaking. I refused to flinch from his gaze as I stared back at him. Rebel's hand shifted at her side as though she was unsure whether to grab me or draw away completely. She was more shaken by her father's presence.

I could see the conflict in her eyes, and it was more than she wanted to confess. I finally responded, "You've got a lot of nerve," in a forceful but composed tone. "Coming here with your guns blazing and behaving as though you still have control over her." Michael's eyes became gloomy. "Power? Do you believe that authority is at play here? It's a matter of survival. Something that is obviously beyond your comprehension. I shot back, "I understand more than you think." "But you're mistaken if you believe you can waltz in here and intimidate her into submitting." With her hands lifted as though to physically separate us, Rebel moved between us. She murmured, "Enough," in a steady voice that belied the strain radiating from her. "You two." Her tone softened but lost its edge as she turned to Michael. "I understand your intentions, but you no longer have the authority to control my decisions. You taught me to think independently and to be powerful. I am precisely doing that. Although Michael's jaw tensed, he remained silent. I briefly believed he might pay attention. Then, in a low, menacing voice, he spoke. "You believe that this will work out nicely for you and him? You don't know what's going to happen. Rebel, they won't stop. They never cease. "I understand," she said firmly. "And I'm prepared for that." The discussion continued far into the night. The danger that followed Rebel like a shadow and the organisation she had formerly served weren't the only urgent threats. It was about trust. About the invisible yet enduring wounds that remained between her and Michael. Michael shared tidbits of their history, tales that depicted a guy who had once had a strong affection for the girl he had adopted but had become jaded by their way of life. He talked of failed missions, bloody sacrifices, and lessons learnt. Rebel's face was unreadable as she listened. She would sometimes look at me as though she was trying to find reassurance or gauge my response. It was evident that the fight was far from done by the time Michael departed. Rebel was clearly exhausted as she leaned into me, but I knew that we would face whatever came next together.