CHAPTER 287
The revelation that the security guard was Akeem Omoregie, the leader of the Black Axe, left Ellis Barker surprised and intrigued.
She looked at Akeem with a mix of shock and curiosity, urgently questioning, “Akeem, are you involved in Jake Amorielle's kidnapping?”
Akeem, with an enigmatic smile, replied, “Why do you think that, Ellis?”
Ellis explained, hesitating, “I asked Angelo Messina to bring me to people who might be behind Jake's abduction, and he brought me to you.”
Akeem considered Ellis's accusation for a moment before responding, “I wouldn't do such a thing, even though I'm not a big fan of Vittorio Amorielle.”
Curious to understand Akeem's aversion to Vittorio, Ellis asked, “Why don't you like Vittorio?”
Akeem smiled with a touch of irony and clarified, “It's not that I don't like Vittorio, Ellis. It's just that I prefer Vittorio the way he is now: dead.”
Akeem's response put Ellis Barker on high alert, and she continued with a question that could be crucial: “What if there's a possibility that Vittorio is still alive?”
Akeem, with an intrigued look, replied, “That information makes everything much more interesting.”
Ellis wasted no time and made a proposal to Akeem, “Would you help us find Jake and uncover who's behind this? I only want my nephew to be safe.”
Akeem, still smiling, responded, “I'd love to help, Ellis, but I can't.”
Ellis, puzzled, asked, “Why not?”
Akeem explained, “I owe allegiance to Angelo Messina. And to investigate who might be behind this, Angelo Messina is the first on my list of suspects.”
Ellis, bewildered, inquired, “Why do you think Angelo might be involved?”
Akeem stared at Ellis with seriousness and said, “Don't you see, Ellis? Angelo holds Donna in his power. And he did that without you even realizing.”
Akeem's words echoed in Ellis's mind. She was facing a troubling revelation. Not only was Jake in danger, but her daughter Donna was also in Angelo Messina's hands, and Akeem's suggestion about the situation made everything even more complicated. Ellis was at a dangerous crossroads, not knowing whom to trust and with time running out.
The atmosphere in the room was tense, filled with secrets and conflicting loyalties. Ellis Barker, determined to get Akeem Omoregie's help in the search for Jake and the truth, questioned, “What if Angelo Messina renounces this allegiance, Akeem? Could you help me then?”
Akeem replied with a serious look, considering the possibility, “Yes, I could, but I doubt Angelo would make such a noble gesture.”
Ellis, not wasting any time, suggested, “In that case, maybe it's best to call Angelo here. He can renounce the allegiance.”
Akeem agreed and instructed Amina to fetch Angelo. Amina left the room and returned with Angelo Messina within minutes. Ellis confronted him with determination, asking, “Did you know that Akeem was the security guard?”
Angelo replied calmly, “Yes, I knew, but I respect the way Akeem conducts his business.”
Akeem, on the other hand, looked directly at Messina and explained, “Ellis asked for my help in investigating Jake's abduction, but I explained to her that I can't because I owe allegiance to you.”
Angelo Messina stared at Akeem and then turned his gaze to Ellis. He said, “I'm sorry for this.”
Ellis, in her relentless quest for answers, wasn't willing to give up easily. She stood up from her chair and stated, “What Akeem omitted, Angelo, is that he can help us, provided you renounce the allegiance between you.”
Angelo questioned with a skeptical expression, “Why would I do that?”
Ellis explained her perspective, “If you're not involved in the kidnapping, it's only fair to allow Akeem to investigate everyone, including you.”
Angelo Messina insisted, “I'm not involved.”
Ellis, with a serious expression, insisted, “Then prove it by renouncing Akeem's allegiance and allowing him to become loyal to me.”
Reluctantly, Angelo Messina replied, “I would never do that. It would put me at risk.”
Ellis wasn't willing to accept just words as proof. She turned to one of Akeem's security guards and quickly grabbed a gun. Then, she turned to Angelo and declared firmly, “You're at risk either way, Angelo, because I won't leave here without answers.”
Tension in the room reached its peak as Angelo Messina, staring at Ellis Barker, realized he was facing the barrel of his own gun. With a surprised and perplexed tone, he asked, “Ellis, have you gone mad?”
Ellis Barker, determined, didn't show any signs of hesitation. She ordered, with the gun aimed at Angelo, “Renounce Akeem's allegiance.”
Angelo Messina, maintaining his serious expression, replied, “What you're asking for is suicide. Akeem can kill me at any moment if he wants.”
Ellis, with conviction, responded, “I will ensure your protection, Angelo. All you need to do is renounce.”
Angelo, looking suspiciously at the woman pointing the gun at him, questioned, “It's hard to trust you when you're holding a gun.”
Ellis was willing to do whatever it took to get the answers she sought. She took a deep breath, aimed the gun at Angelo's hand, and pulled the trigger. A gunshot echoed through the room, and Angelo cried out in pain, holding his wounded hand.
The pain was intense, and Angelo stared at Ellis, incredulous. He asked, between groans, “How dare you shoot my hand?”
Ellis, with determination, questioned, “Was this shot motivation enough, or do you need more?”
Angelo looked at Akeem, seeking help, but Akeem replied calmly, “I can't do anything, Angelo. Ellis is your host.”
Ellis didn't hesitate and made her demand again, “Renounce the allegiance, Angelo.”
Feeling the pressure intensify, Angelo reached for his suit with his other hand, indicating that he was ready to react. However, before he could complete the gesture, Ellis didn't hesitate to shoot again, this time threatening his head.
She looked at him with a determined look and declared, “The next shot will be in your head, Angelo.”
Angelo Messina, now seriously injured and fearing for his life, finally gave in to the pressure. He agreed, with a defeated expression, “Alright, I'll renounce it. But you need to understand what you're asking for.”
Ellis responded firmly, “I'm willing to face the consequences, Angelo. I'll do whatever it takes to find Jake and protect Donna. No matter whom I need to align with or whom I need to fight against.”
After a distressing decision, Angelo Messina, turned to Akeem Omoregie, and declared, “I renounce my allegiance.”
Akeem smiled with satisfaction and commented, “A wise choice, Angelo.”
Ellis Barker, eager to proceed with the investigation and find Jake, wasted no time and questioned Akeem, “Now, you'll be loyal to me, right?”
Akeem, still maintaining his enigmatic demeanor, responded, “Not yet.”
Ellis was perplexed by the response and insisted, “But you said that if Angelo Messina renounced it, you would be loyal to me.”
Akeem explained, “Yes, I did, but it's not that simple. For me to be loyal to you, you need to show that you can accept the methods of the Black Axe.”
Ellis pondered Akeem's response and asked, “How can I prove that?”
Akeem suggested, “Luckily for you, tonight we have the bamming ritual, which is an initiation ritual for the Axemens, the men who work for me. You will have to participate.”
Ellis accepted the challenge, determined to prove her commitment to finding Jake, and agreed, “Alright, I'll participate.”
Akeem cautioned, with a hint of concern, “I hope you won't regret it when you witness what it is.”
Amina, with an enigmatic smile, intervened in the conversation and addressed Ellis, “Come with me, Ellis. Let's prepare you for the ritual.”
Ellis followed Amina, eager to face the challenge that would bring her closer to finding Jake, even if it meant confronting the mysterious and intense rituals of the Black Axe.