Chapter 32: Costly Negotiation

"Then tell me about it"

"I didn't have a pleasant childhood. You can tell" he spoke and she nodded, not saying a word. "My father was the cause. He wanted to shape me into this perfect, fearless son. I wasn't, but he forced me. Each time I messed up, he did cruel things to me. When I became a teen, my father and my mother divorced and I was forced to stay with my father. I wanted to stay with my mum, but he was too powerful. He won the court case and took me. My mum only visited once" he paused, looking at Rachael to make sure she was listening.

"Go on"

"The whole trauma made me a sociopath. At least that's what the therapist said. I didn't let him break me, I got stronger and wiser. I ran away from home to fend for myself and when I turned 25, I went back home and killed that bastard"

"You killed your father?" Racheal was taken aback.

"Yes, he deserved to die," he frowned. "Now isn't this such a wonderful story," he said in sarcasm and all Rachael could do was nod.

"Now tell me about you" he demanded

"I don't have anything special about me"

He laughed and stood from the bed. Rachael thought he was going to leave, but he didn't. "Let me guess, you didn't face any troubles growing up as a child. Life was just like a bed of roses. Probably your father is such a loving man, caring"

"My father is dead"

"Ha! So we are even" he grinned. "Did you kill him?"

Was he out of his mind? "Of course not"

"I thought so. What gave you the impression that you can make me feel any better? Do you think talking works for me? If it does, I would have been a better man"

"So you feel guilty?"

"Of course not" he snapped at her even though she could see it in his eyes.

"Then why are you angry?"

"This bitch" he muttered under his breath. "Do you have to talk too much?"

Rachael shrugged."I thought we were having a conversation"

"I didn't permit you to do that"

"Yet you sat there and told me everything about your childhood"

She was right, he sat there and told her everything. At that point, he was certain she was playing with his head. How was he even able to make him sit and speak when that was something he rarely did? He gave her one last glare before leaving the room.

At least she accomplished something today. It will only take a little amount of time before she molded him and convinced him into letting her go.

*****

Xavier never thought he would swallow his pride and beg all because of a woman, but here he was calling the devil he hated so much. But he had to do it if he wanted Rachael to return.

"Richard" Xavier called out when the phone was answered on the other end.

"You know I was surprised when I saw your name on my phone screen. A sight I never thought I would experience. I thought you hated me so much"

"I do. You still make me sick"

"Then why did you call me?"

"I want to make a negotiation with you," he said and Richard erupted into laughter on the other end.

"Making a deal with the devil? you know that is not such a good idea"

"I want Rachael back. I don't have a lot of choices here"

"No, you don't. But I would like to hear about this negotiation. It better not be money" That would be an insult to him.

" Give me the girl and I will give you my warehouse in Italy" he blurted out. His warehouse in Italy was the biggest warehouse he had, so there was no way Richard could say no to it

"Just for the girl?" Richard asked unsure if Xavier had said the right words.

"You heard me. Now, do we have a deal?"

"We do"

"But how am I sure you won't go back on your words?"

Xavier hesitated "I never go back on my words"

"Alright then, we have a deal"

"When will I get her?"

"Woah slow down. We will sign the papers first, then you can see her"

Xavier gritted his teeth in anger. "How do I know she isn't dead?"

"Didn't you speak with her weeks ago? I can send you a piece of her freshly cut finger if that's what it takes to convince you"

"Don't you dare" Xavier shot at him, but he only chuckled?

"So tell me, Mr. Collin. How do we meet to complete this negotiation? I never knew you had a thing for good offers. I thought you were just as selfish as your father"

"Watch your mouth. We can meet in my office, tomorrow as early as 8" he said under his breath and didn't wait for Richard to answer before cutting the call.

He resisted the urge to throw the phone across the room. The warehouse he was offering was his father's. He just made the offer to get Richard's attention. There was no way he would let such a precious thing slip out of his hand. The moment Richard steps his feet into the property, Xavier was going to kill him. There was no way he would escape because he would have a lot of men on standby, waiting for his orders.

Once Rachael was out and the trial was over with it, he will travel to another state and ghost her because he had already caused her too much. Staying with him is just too dangerous.