Chapter 6: A name

One month ago. The day of the Surrogacy announcement…

In the high-rise building of Maston Corp. the hundredth floor which happened to be the highest level where Donovan’s office resided. The gloom of a man In his late twenties swamped the majestic swiveling chair where he sat with his eyes closed.

At first glance he looked like he was asleep in dreamland but a closer look showed a man trapped in his nightmares! His eyes were squeezed showing signs of resistance and sweat beads formed on his forehead while his fingers crawled into the chair’s arm.

The wrinkles of his brows kept getting deeper until the sound of the door opening snapped him awake and made him subconsciously blurt out a word. The word was a name and that name was…

“Rose!”

The intruding figure took a bow and walked closer until the moonlights shining from the huge windows behind Donn brightened his frame.

“Franklin…”

“How long will you continue to torture yourself?”

A young man that seemed around the same age of Donn questioned his beloved friend.

“Is that why you’re here? If so…leave”

Franklin took a breath and pointed a card towards Donn, the content was unknown until he accepted it and peeled open the card. It turns out it’s a wedding a invitation, cordially inviting ____ to witness the engagement of Jake County and Rose Beauregard.

The fingers which held the card trembled violently, from where Franklin stood he couldn’t read Donn’s expression but having known him most of his life he could guess the amount of pain his friend was in, all this is caused by a mere wedding invitation.

How ironic is it that the mighty, ruthless Mafia Don is hurt by a wedding invitation!

“Are you going to do nothing and watch her get married to someone else?”

The atmosphere in the office tightened, Donn’s jaw was clenching down against his teeth, this discussion was one he dreaded. He dropped the card and leaned further into his chair.

“You want me to kidnap her?” He presumably asked but Franklin knew better that this was all a facade so he added.

“She’s also the only cure to your insomnia, you know that -”

“I’ve been surviving without her. I don’t need to show up and complicate her life”

“If you don’t, you’ll regret it forever!”

Franklin’s voice went up a notch but Donn wasn’t fazed.

“That’s fine, it’ll be one more regret added to the list”

“Why are you so stubborn? You’ve secretly watched this girl all your life, are you really gonna let her get married to someone else without doing anything?!”

“So what do you suggest? That I forcefully capture her and force her to love me?!”

This time Donn’s voice hit a peak, Franklin’s words were clearly stirring something within him. Something dangerous.

“If that’s what it takes, then yes!”

“Her being with me is a risk I cannot afford to take, you know better than anyone the dangers that surrounds me. She’s better off with someone else”

While he spoke he stood and walked over to the heat-strengthened glass that gave a peaceful view of the city.

“F*ck this! This is bullshit! If you can’t protect her then no one can! Heck! you can burn the whole city just to keep her safe. You are Donovan of the Dalgliesh clan. But you choose to let the only woman you love go?”

Donn didn’t react, all Franklin got was a pair of cold shoulders standing high. The bitter truth and the tough decision he had to make was eating him up already. Believe it or not he didn’t need Franklin pointing out the obvious and hearing it all over again hurt like a b*tch!

For a moment there was silent before Franklin spoke again, his voice calm and bitter.

“This isn’t about whether you can protect her or not, is it? Instead it’s about the murder of Mr Beauregard -”

“Enough!”

A sour topic was raised and an awkward breeze swept through the office.

“If you have nothing else to report, you may leave”

A small sign escaped Franklin’s lips as he disclosed.

“The traitor has been caught”

“Is that so? Who is it?”

Without hesitation he answered “Pascal from the red team, he was in charge of the fire arms in the clover operation”

“Good. Get the car ready…”

“Right away boss”

A few steps away and Franklin heard again.

“…One more thing, you can now stop keeping tabs on Rose…I’m letting her go”

A couple of minutes drive led them both to an abandoned warehouse. Well it wasn’t all that abandoned seeing as some surprising activities happen there. It was more like a base for handling the clan’s dirty business. For example, teaching dogs what happens when they bite the hand that feeds them!

“The iron door of the warehouse creaked as the guards made room for Donn. The full moon illuminated the empty space and it shone brightly on a man whose facial features were barely recognizable. Blood and hair were more visible than any other debris stuck to his face. Both his hands were chained against two pools pulling apart and his knees were buried against the cold concrete which had most of his missing parts!

Donn walked closer and in the process stepped on his finger nails. Some were pulled apart with a chunk of flesh still attached to it. The floor surrounding his knees also had water from the soaking before electrocution.

All that was now left of the man was a twinkle of life, the pains he had endured up till this point were gruesome and downright terrifying but to the Dalgliesh clan this was purely justice being exerted on a stray dog who was taught to bite but bit too hard on a wrong meat, now he has to lose all his teeth!

“Any regrets?”

Donn’s voice echoed in the dark space and landed in his ears. That was when he lifted his head with great difficulty.

“Yes…”

“Let’s hear it”

His ever so calm voice was a mirage to the expression on his face. Donn not only looked like the devil himself but walked around with that energy.

“I-I regret not killing you son of a b*tch when I had the chance! To drag you to the depths of the abyss with me would be my greatest joy!”

He spoke like he mustered every fiber in his soul and the chains with which he was bound danced on each other when he talked and strained his neck.

“Bwahaha…” Donn laughed “what a waste of regret, if it makes you feel better I already have a spot waiting for me in this abyss you speak of. Sadly it’s not my time but please do make sure no one else takes that spot when you get there”

“Crazy bastard! Marcus was right about you!”

The air rapidly dropped after that sentence. Everyone there held their breaths. A name has been said! And that name is the last thing Donn ever wants to hear!