The Royal Contract

His eyes could not stop staring at the evidence pointing in his direction. It seemed his enemies found a way to tie all the knots and pin most of their largest shipment under his name.

They also had evidence implicating him in most of the drug distribution in the major cities in the country. They were inconclusive but enough to create reasonable doubt.

It was perfect.

"Damn! I should have prepared for this." He was not expecting that the tables would turn. His plan was going against him.

He wondered if his enemies had been planning all this, even before he had taken over his father. That was the only explanation for it.

Don Lorenzo would seem equipped with all the right tools to take him down. It could only mean he had been working on his downfall longer than he had thought.

"How could you be so blind?" He even saw the report that put him on the scene of his sister's abduction.

Although he would admit that he had facilitated the abduction, he was not the mastermind behind it. Nick planned it by himself, but he could not deny he used it to his advantage.

Still, he should have known. His father would turn in his grave if he learned he had allowed their enemies to trick him.

"I guess this is for the best," Gerald uttered as he closed the file and placed everything in a safe.

He guessed it was a blessing in disguise. If this did not happen, he would not realize he wanted out of the organization. He might have lost Haley for good if he had continued to lead the organization.

Now, he had a chance to be free from the fate assigned to him since his birth. He could be happy with the woman he loved if only he could escape this situation.

Nevertheless, "I have to find a way," he silently mumbled as he grabbed his phone. He knew he could not let them get away with this.

He could not let them blame the dead because he could not defend himself. The case would be resolved and closed.

Those who wanted him out of the picture would get an out-of-jail-free card. And if that happened, it would be hard to come after them again.

"This is Gerald. We need to meet." He said on the line after dialing a number.

He knew, this time, he could not count on the authorities to help him out of this loop. The evidence was too overwhelming against him.

He believed the authorities might use this information against him to save themselves once the evidence had reached the press.

They would need a scapegoat. Unfortunately, despite his cooperation, he would be the perfect target. They either would resurrect him from the dead or finish him off to finally put a period on this case.

"When and where?" The voice on the other line asked without asking why. He knew if he needed someone to help him in his current situation, this person would be the one.

But he had a plan, but there was no guarantee it would work. Somehow, he hoped the people he would meet tonight could suggest something better.

Because, truthfully, he was running out of options.

"I hope so." He only replied, believing he had nothing more to say as he hung up the phone to prepare for their late-night rendezvous.

"Sir, are we leaving tonight?" Samson must have heard his conversation with Mike when he entered just a few minutes ago to check on him.

"Yes, we are." Gerald knew he could trust the big man.

After hearing what he did for her sister, Dani, when she was under captivity, he knew then that the man did not belong in their organization.

He thought of killing him, but something stopped him. In the end, he thought of giving him a new assignment. He guessed that was one decision he made right.

Now, the man felt he owed him his life. But, of course, he was not asking him to pay for it. But he was glad he stayed by his side.

"Tell me when Mike arrives." Dismissing the man from his presence.

Once the big man was gone, he fired up his computer and focused on the screen. Several minutes later, he stared at a figure moving on the tiny screen.

"You are working yourself too hard." He muttered, worried about the woman on the monitor.

He often saw her working hard. He could not help but be frightened that something would happen to her and their baby.

He wished he could talk to her and not just stare at her on the other side of the camera. He missed her so much. And he longed to touch his child on her stomach.

"Soon, we will be together again." He promised, hoping the wind would carry his voice until it reached her.

He was doing all of this for her. And he could not wait to end this situation as soon as possible. But things seemed to be going against him as his plans were not working in his favor.

Still, he was not giving up. It was just a minor bump in his plans. He had never given up on a challenge. Not even death won over his determination. Therefore, he was hopeful that he could pull this through.

"I think..." He paused as his fingers traced her image on the screen. "I think I love you."

What else could it be?

He finally admitted to having a heart. Therefore, there was every chance that he could learn to love. So far, he knew he felt a strong emotion for Haley.

Was it love? He believed it was because it was something he had never felt before. And he was willing to bet his life on the woman he loved and their unborn child.