The target

Taking the soak coat off his body, Rene tossed it on his bed and collapsed onto the mattress, burying his head in his hands, and sighed deeply.

"This is all your faulty Rome." He murmured to himself, clenching his fists.

Just then, his ringtone began to go off, and he fished for his phone from in his pocket, staring at the caller ID "Mom."

For a moment he hesitated, and then he pressed to accept, bringing the phone to his ear. He heard nothing for a minute, and then his mother's sweet voice flooded his ears.

"Son, are you there?" Catherine asked, sounding anxious.

"Mmh," Rene replied, running a tired hand over his face and sighing heavily, "Yeah.. Why are you calling?"

Silent for another few moments, Catherine let out a shuddery breath. "I don't know why I called. It's silly really... I'm sorry. I know how important this is to you, and that's not fair to you. You must be exhausted, I just wanted to check in on you and make sure you were okay."

"I..." Rene tried, but he didn't know what to say. After everything that had happened tonight, he didn't think he would ever be okay again. "Mother, I want to come home. I need you, mom."

A soft sob escaped Catherine, and he felt his heart clench painfully, knowing that she was crying, and she was the only one he tried to be strong for since he wanted her not to worry.

"I'm here for you." Catherine managed to choke out between sobs.

Rene closed his eyes, trying to push the sadness from him with willpower alone. He opened his eyes once again and said, "Not like this. How many years has it been? Sixteen years that I haven't seen you face to face. I was four mother, and he took me away from you. That-"

"He's your father, Rene." Catherine interrupted softly.

"Rome Ford is not my father!!"

"You are his only child-"

"And yet he abandons me in the care of his servants!! What crime did I commit? Being born with his blood?!" 

"Rene..."

Growing cold with silence, he listened to the quietness on the line, and he knew her answer was going to be the same as every time he'd asked it. "Your father loves you, Rene." 

Those words only she had spoken over these sixteen years made it hard for him to believe that Rome had ever loved him at all. And yet, as he lay there, soaking wet, covered in bruises and the smell of blood, he finally accepted that he would always be his father's son and because of that, he would have to live in the shadow for the rest of his life.

Just then, the sound of something slamming into the wall caught his attention and he immediately jumped from the bed, saying, "I will call you back, mother."

"Son-" Rene caught off the call and then walked out of the room, hearing the sounds getting louder and louder, he approached the living room. 

Just then Adina's voice caused him to look back, seeing her lying flat on the floor, "Don't go out there."

"What's going on?" Rene asked, taking cautious steps towards her. 

"I don't know. But Logan shouted moments ago that I should keep you inside."

"But-"

Just then the sound of something banging on their door echoed, and then a loud groan from a man followed, causing Rene to step away from her and approach the doorway.

"Son-Rene... Young master, don't."  Her voice shook lightly.

Turning back around, Rene's brow creased with concern, "I'll be right back."

He hurried towards the door and then slowly turned the knob, opening it gently. But just then a force weight on the door, causing the knob to slip from his hand and he jumped back as a man dropped onto the living room floor.

"What's going on? Who are you?" Rene asked, gazing curiously at the strange man, who was still groaning in pain as he lay on the floor.

The stranger lifted his head and his face came into view, revealing that it was a man, probably in his early thirties with long black hair which hung limply around his shoulders. His skin was marked with tattoos and a thick scar ran over his eyebrow. His eyes seemed dull and lifeless, reflecting no emotion whatsoever. 

"It's you!" The guy snarled, pushing himself onto his feet as a smirk played on his lips.

Then he reached into his back pocket, pulling out a knife. Rene flinched, watching the stranger warily as he slowly moved toward him. With one swift movement, he brought the blade upward and tried to slice across his arm, but Rene jumped back.

That didn't stop him from swinging the blade repeatedly at Rene, causing Rene to keep dodging until his back hit the wall, and a creepy smile played on the man's lip.

"I don't know who you are, having so many men protecting you. But you shouldn't have put your hand on my boss. Now, die!!" He yelled.

"Duck, young master!" A voice rang in Rene's ear and he immediately dropped to the ground before the sound of gunshots went off.

His eyes widened as he watched the man's knees weaken under him and then he fall backward, crashing into the couch. 

"What just happened?" Rene's mouth out, no sound leaving his lips.

"Master Rome, the threats have been eliminated," Logan said as he put aside his gun and locked eyes with Rene. "Young master is safe. But it seemed like he was the target."