Final regards

Final regards
Mason POV

The anger and hatred on Connor's voice is unconcealed.

I look at Zero who is taking cover several metres from me and I see the shock, mirroring my own.

Not even in my wildest dreams would I have thought that Connor was a Luca. He never acted as one.

Always smiling.

I push myself up, ready to confront him. Zero shakes his head but I am determined.

I didn't betray anyone so why should I be afraid.

Slowly, I stand up and come out of my hiding.

When Connor spots me, he points his gun at me.

“ I can see you didn't die huh even after my careful planning. That bastard is as useless as his dick!” He growls.

“ Even the heavens took pity on me. How could I die when I didn't offend anyone?” I counter, my face composed. Connor snorts.

“ Who do you think you are fooling? Aren't you the one who led your team to exterminate my family after getting paid?” He accuses, eyes blaring with fury.

“ Who ordered it? The mission clearly came from the headquarters. I am just someone who oversees execution of the missions passed to the club.” I fire back.

Connor bursts out laughing.

“ Are you saying I approved a hit on my family? Are you crazy or do I look crazy to you?” Connor snarls.

“ How should I know? I don't fucking know your identities so how was i supposed to know you are a Luca? Instead of running your mouth here accusing the Shadow Riders of being bought, why don't you look at the people you call comrades and see who would want you gone?

I am just a VP of this club, I don't make decisions about which mission to accept or not. You should know we pledged our loyalty to only the organisation. We only take missions that are confirmed from the headquarters.

I never betrayed anyone and definitely never sold myself to anyone. The mission came like any other, sealed and confirmed, your signature stamped. I did what I always do, organised for the mission without asking questions. How dare you try to hurt me and my crew over something we know shit about?”

I can feel my anger bursting inside me in waves.

“ That's a lie. I never signed or stamped such an order.” He argues.

“ That's because someone used the club to deal with the Luca family and is using you to deal with us. That person clearly wants both the Luca family and us gone.

It's clear that he is winning.”

I'd have to say that person is one hell of a smart bastard.

“ Nonsense. You and your crew tried to assassinate me. I saw the patch of your cuts.” Connor shouts.

I frown when I realise what's happening here. After we did away with the Luca, someone tried to go after Connor, finally confirming to him that it was us who betrayed the headquarters. What a smart move.

“ If I wanted you dead, you wouldn't be alive to tell the tale. I don't fail in my missions Connor, never.” I assure him.

“ Then how do you explain what I saw? If I wasn't fast enough, I would have died in that damned car when it exploded.” Connor roars. His voice is still stern but I can see his resolve cracking.

“ It's simple, someone impersonated us to give you the idea that we are the enemy here just like they faked your stamp. You look like a wise man, don't let anger cloud your judgement.” I explain.

It's clear that my team and I ended up as scapegoats. Whoever planned everything knew that Connor would use all resources at his disposal to deal with us.

“ Impossible! They wouldn't do that to me!” He says, shaking his head frantically.

“ Viper is right, this is all a planned misunderstanding. Both sides are being used to get rid of each other.” Zero appears, standing besides me.

All this time, the fire has ceased from both sides.

“ I always keep the details of every mission requested from the headquarters. I can show you the evidence.”



Two hours later, we bid Connor Luca and his team goodbye.

We make peace after he sees the evidence and assures me that he will find whoever orchestrated everything. As a way to say sorry, he gives me a location where Hera is being held.

I take Zero and Shadow to the location and manage to rescue her, sending her to the hospital.

We also apprehend Davis, the man who had been holding Hera hostage and who had teamed with Connor for personal vengeance.

When everything is settled, I give Nyx and Lily a call, reassuring her that everything is fine. I thank Zero for keeping it from them. It was a wise decision.

The following three days, I stayed glued beside Hera's bed.

On the forth day, she regains consciousness.

The doctor instructs that she will be under observation for the next two days.

Seeing her alive, I can't help but feel relief wash all over me.

“ Everything is set. Connor did as we requested. Now, you don't exist in the world.

You can finally have the life you have been dreaming about.” Zero tells me one evening as I watch Hera sleep peacefully.

I can't help but smile.

After everything was settled, I requested Connor to help me disappear from the world. Since someone was watching him closely, it was easy for him to spread the news that he killed me to avenge his family.

Later, I requested Zero as the acting VP to send a report to the headquarters that I went missing in action.

With the headquarters confirming my passing, my files in their system were undoubtedly wiped out, leaving no evidence that I was once part of them.

“ I still have one last thing to do to rest assured.” I murmur, my gaze faraway.

“ Do you want me to arrange a visit at the prison? Although I hear that Finn is half crazy. I don't think he will pose a threat in the future.” Zero suggests but I shake my head.

“ No, I want to send him my final regards personally.” I reply.

“ Are you sure Zeus will agree to it? He put a lot of effort into saving that bastard after Hera buried him alive.”

I chuckle at Zero's words.

“ You think it was possible without Hera's help? She couldn't bring herself to take his life because to her, he is still my brother. She has done so much for me. This is the least I can do for her.”