"What the hell is wrong with you? Calling the cops to intercept the DEA?!" Victor Donovan growled at me as soon as he laid eyes on me.
"They are not real DEA, Mr. Donovan," the head of the precinct spoke up, and my father gave him a single glance, which silenced the older man. Paul Anderson was not a stranger to my father; he had been on his payroll since the day he joined the force. Many law enforcement officers were in his pocket, but my father preferred not to get caught, maintaining a squeaky-clean record for years.
"They are not real DEA, you say?" Victor Donovan repeated, seemingly unconvinced.
"They are, Dad. What Paul meant was that they weren't working for the government in this case. They came after Adele, and planted coke in the car, but it is my car. I am responsible," I explained, trying to clarify the situation.
"Who are they? Who are they working for?" He asked, his expression intense.
"They go by the name 'Agent X.' I will handle it, Dad," I said, holding his gaze.
"I've heard of them. They are really dangerous, mean sons of bitches," Paul chimed in.
"Hmm…" Victor Donovan replied, contemplating the gravity of the situation. "Thank you for your help, Paul. Will you be holding my son, or is he free to walk?"
"He is free, Mr. Donovan. I will handle the fiasco," Paul promptly replied. My dad nodded, and he gestured for me to go ahead of him as we walked out, him following closely behind me like a shield. Victor Donovan could be a cold and ruthless man, but one thing he had made clear throughout the years was that nobody messed with me, his son.
As we left the precinct, it seemed like the entire place was on high alert, treating us with reverence as if we were the founders of the country. Despite his reputation, my father's presence commanded respect.
Once outside, I saw Sam and Chad, both looking battered but alive. I appreciated their quick thinking during the ordeal. It wasn't me who had called the cops; it was Mark. He had been at the scene and called Chad to play along. He alerted the police to neutralize the attack and prevent the men from taking Adele, sparing him the need to reveal himself fully. Mark had only informed me on a need-to-know basis, letting me know the situation was serious, and I had to go get Adele. I was relatively calm because I knew he must be watching over her. However, I worried about how she would react when she learned the truth. It was time to let her know who I was and what was happening.
I sat in the back seat of my dad's car, accompanied by Chad in the front seat with Hawk, my father's long-time driver. Hawk had been at the wheel for nearly two decades, as Victor Donovan trusted no one else to drive him.
"Where is Adele?" Victor Donovan asked, concerned for her safety.
"I believe she's at her place. I need to get to her," I replied anxiously.
"Hawk, head to Adele's place," my father instructed, and the car moved swiftly through the streets.
"So, tell me everything you know about Agent X and why they are after you," my father asked, wanting to understand the situation better.
"Jessica has formed an alliance with them," I explained, revealing the shocking connection.
"I see…." He seemed deep in thought.
"Dad, there's something I need to tell you about Patricia and Jessica. I'm sorry, I…" I began to confess.
"It's okay, son," he interrupted gently, giving my thigh a reassuring pat. "I know you, and I know them. It doesn't matter. You are my son. It's water under the bridge now. Let's just make sure we don't get ourselves into such entrapment again, okay?" His words brought a sense of comfort amidst the chaos.
"I also know your enforcer is alive. That police stunt looks like something he would pull," my father continued.
"Dad…." I hesitated, not sure how he would react.
"I understand. I don't have to like it. What mattered was getting your wife out, and he did it. It's always about the end result with him. Just let him know not to do it again. I don't like being in those people's debt. I really, really don't like it," he said with a hint of disapproval.
"Yes, Dad," I replied, appreciating his understanding. "What gave him away?"
"I received a message telling me where to find Patricia's body, with an apology. I immediately knew it was him," my father explained.
I couldn't help but smile. Mark could be audacious at times.
"The audacity of the boy. I would have preferred he shot the lunatic first, then tell me about it."
"As far as he was concerned, Jessica was under your protection. He wouldn't hurt her," I clarified.
"Then I hope you make it clear to him that she, just like her mother, is dead to me. All our men know to shoot her on sight. I sent six of our men to go get her. They haven't reported back to me. Now I know why. How do you plan to deal with these Agent X men? We can't rely on the cops; they are untrained for such firepower," Victor Donovan said, his mind already strategizing.
"Mark and I will handle them. I need to get to Adele first," I replied with determination.
"We have our own mercenaries. Use them. Your enforcer is just one man," he suggested, always focused on finding a solution.
As we reached the intersection near Adele’s house, an unsettling feeling washed over me. Dark skid marks marred the tarred road, accompanied by shards of glass, indicating an accident and fire.
"Chad!" I called urgently.
"Stop the car, Hawk!" Chad commanded, and the car came to a halt. Without wasting a moment, I rushed towards Adele's house, with Chad right by my side. I didn't notice my dad following us until we entered the house.
"Shit!" Chad cursed as we entered the living room. Henry's lifeless body lay on the floor in a pool of blood.
"Adele!" I yelled, my heart pounding in my chest, and I sprinted up the stairs. Upon reaching her room, the scene that greeted me sent chills down my spine. The room was covered in blood, torn skin tissues, and even guts, but there were no bodies.
I dialed Mark's number in a panic. After three rings, he picked up the call. "W-Where is my woman? Where is Adele, Mark!"
"Relax, she's okay. I am so fucking proud of her," Mark replied, admiration in his voice.
"She's with you?" I asked, feeling a wave of relief wash over me.
"She's ahead of me, in her getaway car. You saw her place the explosion?" Mark confirmed.
"Yes."
"Sorry about your guy. It happened so fast I couldn't save him. Adele killed most of them. I think Jessica was amongst them; she is wounded," Mark explained, relishing the victory.
"Jesus, my chest," I said, catching my breath. I noticed my father coming up the stairs, and I reassured him, "She is fine, Dad."
"Whoa, you brought the big guns. Victor Donovan is with you?" Mark remarked, with a hint of surprise.
"Shut up, Mark," I replied.
"Hey, don't say my name."
"He already knows. You dumb fuck."
"What?! What gave me away?" Mark playfully protested, trying to lighten the mood. I allowed myself a moment of humor, knowing Adele was safe, but she wasn't out of danger yet. These people were organized and had already removed their dead.
"Give me your coordinates," I said, getting back to business.