872 If I Die....
Daniel was supposed to have a peaceful sleep that night but it was disrupted by his son’s arrival. And yes, he had been expecting Marcel’s visit, but what he never imagined was for Marcel to come into his place with an entourage of soldiers.
No, his men should have never allowed him entry in the first place, but he finally understood why when his second in command was tossed to his feet like a ragged doll. Haz was beaten black and blue and it was no doubt Marcel’s handwork.
“What is the meaning of this, Marcel!” He growled at him, fist clenched to his sides. Daniel did not feel sorry for Haz’s condition, after all, violence was part of their lifestyle. However, it was the fact that Marcel had the guts to beat up his second in command and dumped him on his feet. It was the highest form of disrespect, especially in front of all these people. Marcel just insulted his pride.
However, Marcel did not answer, rather he stepped forward till he was standing face to face with his father, Haz doing well to stay out of the way. His face was hard and expressionless, except for the tick in his jaw that was a symbol of his fury.
“You know….” Marcel began, his voice a drawl, but tensed, “While on my way here, I thought of many ways that I could deal with you. At first, I thought of going after my second cousin Gabriel and teaching him a lesson for abetting you in the attack. But then, I changed my mind…. I mean, why go after the small fish when the big fish is the master manipulator? I should first deal with you. ”
“Oh, I’m scared.” Daniel as usual didn’t take him seriously and goaded him, “So what are you going to do? Beat me up? You are quite good at that for someone who thought of me as a monster for disciplining his mother. Isn’t it a crime hitting your father too or doesn’t your moral compass include that?”
Marcel’s fist shook by his side with great anger. He knew that his father was trying to mess with him by getting into his head. He couldn’t let that happen.
He acknowledged it,” I’m not going to lie, I did think of that. I thought of ending your pathetic life and saving everyone else the trouble, but then, what’s the gain? Death is a huge mercy for someone like you. And what is beating you? No, you’re too resilient to pain that I would be teasing you instead.”
His voice became graver as he said,” I needed to think of something that would hurt you enough to beg on your knees, and of which, mercy wouldn’t come anyway. I needed to take away something that you valued so much, that made you the man you are! ” His voice was raised at the end.
.....
Then Marcel smiled wickedly, “And then it came into my mind suddenly. I need to strip you of your great honor.”
And with those words being said, Marcel gestured his head and two of his men from behind went over and held Daniel from both sides.
“You! What are you doing?!” Although Daniel had no clue what his son was up to, his tone somehow made him uncomfortable. For Marcel to be this comfortable meant that he had found a suitable way to torture him and for some reason, he had a feeling it would hurt.
He struggled with both men, but they were stronger and he couldn’t set himself free. While this was happening, a third man stepped in and began to search him thoroughly, taking away every weapon that he could find on him.
“Check his knees as well, he doesn’t lack hiding spots,” Marcel instructed the man on where to search while Daniel gritted his teeth and braved through the harassment. If Marcel planned to break his spirit, then he was in for a loss. He was Daniel Luciano, nothing could faze him anymore.
“He’s clean,” The third man announced, stepping away while the other two still held onto him.
“Good,” Marcel said and gestured to another man who stepped out and brought up his phone to record the scene. This stupid son of his!
Daniel suddenly lunged forward, but the man kept a strong hold of him so he was only able to groan and jerk. Who knew Marcel was going to send the video? He was really set on humiliating him! Daniel swore to deal with him after this was over. He was going to ruin his reputation over a small incident?!
“Are you ready?” Marcel asked the man with the phone.
“Ready, boss.”
“Good.”
Marcel then announced, “With the power vested on me as the Don of this family, I, Marcelo Xavier Luciano IV strip Daniel Cosmo Luciano of his operating powers in this family….”
“No, no, no….!” Daniel screamed at him when he realized what he was doing.
However Marcel continued nonetheless, “He shall no longer have any authority or power to command any subject, rather he shall be under the subjection of others. He would be nothing but a mere member of this family until the order is refuted otherwise. Any attempt to go against this order shall be met with death!” He declared with authority.
What other way to deal with Daniel than to hurt him where it hurts the most? By taking away the one thing he values the most, power. Without it, he couldn’t do anything. He is nothing. Without that power, his reputation would crumble.
“No, you bastard! What have you done?! How could you do this to me? I’m your father!” He roared “I gave you everything! Make you who you are and you dare to stab me in the back!” Daniel’s eyes were red and full of embarrassing fury. He didn’t deserve to be treated this way. Not after everything he has done for this family! For his disgrace of a son.
But Marcel told him, “You should be grateful, that is exactly why I didn’t banish you from the family.”
Hearing that response left Daniel dumbfounded. He thought that he knew Marcel well, but it seems he didn’t know him after all. When he ordered that attack, he knew Marcel would be mad and probably throw one or two fusses. Stripping him of his authority in the family? Banishing him? It just didn’t cross his mind. After all, it was a first.
“This video is going directly to the members of the family and don’t think of trying to manipulate anyone to come to your aid, because you already made yourself unlikeable and I’m sure none of them thinks you’re worthy to die for.”
Daniel lunged at his son again, his effort was futile while being held down by both men.
“You’re currently under house arrest, so don’t think of stepping a foot outside. The order is to shoot on sight. Note the word, ‘shoot’ not ‘kill’. If you’re injured, I’ll make sure they prolong your agony just enough to keep you alive until help comes. This should be enough punishment, right?” Marcel smirked at him, relishing his misery.
And then he turned, commanding the soldier next to him, “Replace all of his men and fill them with ours. While they are still my men, their loyalty to no father is stronger and I would not doubt they would try to help him escape.”
“Yes, boss!” The soldier said and began to round Daniel’s men up.
“No, Marcel! You can’t do this to me! Marcel!” Daniel called after him with all of his might but Marcel did not spare him a look and turned his back to him.
This was a mild punishment compared to what he had done. Now, the Draven family was set to war with him all because of his stupid choice. While they said People’s names influence them, Daniel’s case was the opposite. His middle name ‘Cosmo’ means order, decency, and beauty. Yet his father didn’t live up to it and recognizes beauty in chaos instead.
By the time Marcel got outside, Samuel had pulled up already and was by his side in a flash.
“How did it go, boss?” He hinted at Daniel.
“It went how it was supposed to go,” Marcel answered with a hard expression.
Samuel looked at him and asked, “Are you okay, boss?” While Daniel might be a monster to the others – and perhaps to him too – he was still his father.
“How are Mimi and her parents?” Marcel changed the topic instead and Samuel understood the cue not to bring up that question again.
“They are safe in there and Luca would keep an eye on them.”
“Ahh, Luca,” Marcel sighed. He owes him one.
“What’s the next plan, boss?”
“I’m going to see the Draven family.”
“W-what?!” Samuel got in his way and said, “That is not possible, they would shoot you on sight. This is a war, boss!”
“And I can’t let that happen!” Marcel countered, ” I know the risk but I have to take the leap of faith. If I die….” He swallowed uneasily, “So be it.”
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