A new proposal
VINCE
I’m watching the phone so intently, waiting for it to ring. Declan's men did call, demanding that my men come pick up the antidote, but they didn't give any further instructions.
They'd vehemently refused to give those instructions to Miguel. They said they were going to call back, and it should be me picking up.
Seeing them acting so demanding is jabbing at my nerves. They have no fucking right to decide who picks the call. They're a bunch of stinking dogs. They have no rights at all. That's what got me all pissed. But nervous.
God, I'm nervous. I'm literally biting my fingertips while waiting for the damn phone to ring.
“What if they were pulling our legs?” Miguel asked, cutting me out of my deep thoughts. “What if they don't plan to hand over the antidote? What if they're teasing us?”
I didn't answer that. I just went back to staring at the phone but between me and me, I already know what I'm gonna do to those bastards if this whole shit turns out to be one big prank.
I'll just wait. Yeah, I'll wait. It has to ring. It fucking has to ring.
“Anything yet?” Leo walked into the room. It was one of the rooms in my private quarters. He's one of the few allowed in here.
“No,” Miguel replied. I was way too tense to speak.
The fucking phone better ring soon.
“C'mon, man. Don't be so fixed on this. It could be a prank.” Leo rubbed my shoulders.
“I'll kill them. I'll slit their fucking throats if I wait all day and they don't call. They'll know I'm not to be messed with.”
“Take it easy.” Leo's hand stayed on my shoulder, while I continued ripping the open open with my eyes.
It finally rang, putting an end to my misery. I picked it up before the second ring.
“Hello,”
“You were waiting, huh?” The demonic laughter was Declan's. It was pushing my rage.
“What did you tell your men about meeting mine and handing over the antidote?”
“That's right. They should come pick it up.”
“You're gonna ask your sorcerers to take down the barriers?”
“No. Not a chance.” He laughed again. It had a painful screech to it that claws at my damn heart. “They'll meet in the middle of the east woods. They're to come alone. Just four of them. If I see more men than that, the deal's off. You can watch your little girl die.”
“If she dies, you'll die too.”
“I'll die either way, Vince. Even if I save your little girl's life, you're still gonna kill me if you get the chance.”
Damn right.
“So it changes nothing. And I'm not sending the antidote because I owe you shit or because I feel any form of sympathy for your little girl. Hell, I wouldn't give a fuck if she dies.” He gave that screeching laughter again.
My blood was dangerously boiling. Leo's hand on my shoulder felt more like he was taming me, reminding me to stay cool, than just a casual hand placement. My fury was fucking obvious.
“Then why are you handing over the antidote?” Every part of me was aching to talk about Elena. To know what he's done to my baby. But I'm holding down the urge. For once, I gotta prioritize my daughter. For once I need to be a Father and not just a lover. A wrecked lover.
“Well, because Elena fought for it and earned it. She smashed a lamp on her sister's hand. Can you believe it?” The damned laughter assaulted my ear again.
“You made her fight with Tracy?”
“Yeah, I was curious. I wanted to know who the stronger sister was. Turns out it was Elena after all. She's so fragile and yet so fucking strong.”
I snorted in a grunt. “What else did you make her do?” My voice had become dangerously low.
“Nothing. Well, I tried kissing her and she spat on my face. Like I said, she's one hell of a feisty.”
My raging eyes darted to Leo. I needed to know if he heard the insanity I just heard. Turns out he did. He muttered to me to stay calm.
It got me almost going berserk. Stay calm? Didn't he hear what that demon spawn just spewed out? He tried kissing Elena? MY ELENA.
I don't even wanna imagine what he did to her after she spat on his face. I don't wanna imagine it at all. It'll drive me nuts.
“I wanted to speak to you because I have a new proposal for you.”
I was way too angry to say a fucking word. He didn't wait for my response either. He just continued.
“I'll end the war. I'll let you and your friends be. But in exchange, you forget about Elena—”
“My men will pick up the antidote, Declan. Be sure you have your men there handing it over. But remember this, I'll get the pleasure of having you in my grip, and I'll squeeze the fucking air out of your lungs. Bye.”
I hung up, smashing the damn phone against the wall.
“He's a bloody bastard.” Leo cussed. But the damn hand was still on my shoulder. I shrugged it off. He doesn't need to keep me calm. I can't be calm. Not after this fucking ass phone call.
“Have your men in those woods,” I said to Miguel. “Get that antidote before my daughter's body gets too cold.”
“Sure, boss.” He bowed and left.
“You should go stay with your family at the hospital. I have somewhere I need to be.” I said to Leo and left the room.
Going down the staircase, I met Luke coming up. He paused when he saw me.
“I was coming to get you.” His eyes squinted, assessing me. “Are you okay?”
“I'm not okay. The sooner I get those damn dark magic powers, the better it's gonna be for all of us.”
“What happened? What did Declan say?”
We were both descending the stairs now.
“He's handing over the antidote.”
“That's great. You're not happy about that?”
“Well, I would have been if he didn't add that I should forget about Elena, in exchange, he's gonna stop the war.”
“Oh, he's an ass.”
“Yes, he is. Get me to the damn elder. I need to start this process as soon as possible.”
“Sure. Let's go.”