The Royal Contract

1043 Heading into a trap

Gerald believed he was not a total monster like everybody thought. At least those people who knew his real identity. But he had to be one under some circumstances. His position demanded it from him.

Otherwise, he still considered he was a decent human being deep inside. What her mother taught him still resided inside his heart, only overshadowed by his father’s influence.

But somehow, meeting Ethan shed some light in the darkness that cloaked his identity. Somehow, he had recovered some humanity when he felt his love, despite the short time he became a father to him.

Still, it was not enough.

“Yes, Mike.” He quickly answered his call, knowing that it might be urgent. His friend was not likely to call at this time for social calls. Either it involved business or trouble. However, most of the time, it was the latter.

He walked away toward the balcony where he could have some privacy. He could not return to his office since he had trashed the place, but he could not stay where Haley could overhear their conversation.

“Are you secure?” His friend asked, which automatically sent alarms in his mind. It could only mean one thing. There was trouble around the corner. “But I doubt that you are.”

He suddenly looked around, checking if there was any danger around the vicinity, but all seemed quiet. Therefore what was his friend talking about on the line? ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ Novᴇ(l)Fɪre.net

“I have intel, but I need to meet you as soon as possible in the Playground.” He knew then that this was no drill. Something big was happening, and it was coming for him.

.....

“Give me thirty minutes.” He told his friend since he still had to assure Haley would be safely back in her home before he left her.

But whatever was happening, he could not let it touch her. She could not be involved, especially if she was carrying his child. At the moment, she was his priority.

“Ok.” His friend said before the call ended. There was no time for chitchat because whatever was about to take down. He could not wait for it.

He rushed back to Haley’s side, but instead of continuing their meal, he had to tell her they had to leave. He knew she would feel like he rejected her, but it was better than seeing her lying on the floor, bathing in her blood.

He would have to find a way to make it up to her when all of this was over. But the question remained. Would it ever end? What he had here was his life. Nobody walked out of this life standing.

“I am sorry, but maybe we can continue this conversation some other time because there was an emergency and I have to leave. I can drop you at your place before I head back to the office.” He offered.

The look he gave him told him she was incredibly disappointed with him. But he would accept her reaction than see her hurt. Then, she stood from her chair without saying a word.

She gracefully walked toward the counter and took her bag and keys from the marble top. Then, she turned and walked toward him. He expected she would slap him on the cheek. After all, he deserved it.

On the contrary, she leaned over and planted a soft kiss instead before she stared into his eyes. There was no anger in them, just sadness. As if she had accepted their fate.

“I can drive myself home. But be safe.” Haley uttered with her soft, angelic voice. “Maybe we will see each other around.” It sounded like a goodbye as she calmly said it before leaning again to kiss him on his lips.

But could he blame her if she decided for him? She had said what he was afraid to tell her. It was over between them. What about if they had a child? He believed it was better if he was not in the picture.

Now, he understood the decision that Ethan had to make when he decided not to look for him. Because he thought it was the best for him. But what if he was making a mistake? What if his child needed a father?

What if he needed his child? Would he regret this moment?

No, he could not think like that. A child had no place in his world. She also did not belong in the darkness. She was the only light that shone in his black heart. He could not taint her with the evil that was him.

“Maybe,” Gerald answered her with all the resolve he could muster. He knew he had to let her go. “Be safe and take care of our baby.”

Finally, he had said what he needed to tell her. He knew it was the final string that held them together. Now, he was setting her free. It was the only right thing to do.

“Thanks. It was great until it lasted.” She lifted her hand into his face, caressing his cheek for the last time before she walked away and never looked back.

She was out the door by the time he turned around. But then again, he still remembered the danger. He could not just let her leave without the assurance that she was protected.

He moved like his life depended on it, checking his phone in his pocket and grabbing his keys on the table by the door. He rode his car, following hers at a considerable distance. He did not want her to notice that he was following her.

When he saw her enter the domain of his father’s mansion, he knew that nothing would happen to her. She would be safe for now under her father’s protection.

“I am sorry.” He uttered one last time before he turned his car around to the location of his meeting with his friend.

As he drove down the busy street of this buzzing city, he gradually slowed down near a pickup truck with garments filling his backload. Then, he threw his phone into the back of the moving vehicle, ditching anything that could trace his whereabouts.

Whoever would be tracking him would follow the truck instead. He also used one of his old cars that had no GPS tracking. When his friend said the Playground, he was not referring to his club but a place where only they knew.

He drove fast, making several detours to lose anyone who might follow him. Then he went straight to his destination when he guaranteed he was alone.

Despite the years of his friendship with his friend, Mike, he still could not fully trust him. It was not that he sensed anything wrong with him. His father’s words would not allow him to put his life in anyone else’s hands.

Not even his friend, who stayed and supported him in every battle. He could still end up betraying him in the end. He grabbed his gun hidden in a secret compartment underneath his seat.

Then, he checked the magazine, hoping it had enough bullets if he ended up in a gunfight. Then, he tucked it in his pants, underneath his jacket. He had to be always ready.

Still, he could be heading into a trap.