The Billionaire’s Pawn

STRIKER

“So you went there to see her?”

“Yeah.” I dipped the fries into the ketchup. I suddenly remembered when we first met after her father fired me. I was so happy at that time to see the excitement in her eyes.

Sax and Kye remained silent, listening to Linden and me.

“You’re serious about this?”

“Yes.” My eyes narrowed. “I’m only giving her what she wants.”

“You keep saying that. What about your wants and your needs? How about your feelings? Your heart?” Kye asked.

“This is crazy,” finally, Sax talked. “Our friends are madly in love with each other, but these two?” He shook his head. “I’m disappointed with you, man. I know, deep inside, you’re struggling. You’re heartbroken. Before you do something drastic like this, you need to accept it is happening. What I see right now is nothing but denial. Do you think a high tower, a nice job, and billions of money will make you happy? I’ll let you slit my throat if you ever feel the same love again in another woman.”

“Don’t do that.” Kye elbowed him.

“No. I’m serious. London is the love of his life. Their story can be a blockbuster movie, but our boy here is an idiot.”

“What do you say, Linden?” Kye asked him.

Linden just shrugged.

“Since when did you shut your mouth?”

“What do you want me to say? I’ve convinced him many times. I talked to London too, but they’re both stubborn as fuck. So, I can’t do anything anymore unless I bang their heads together, throw them in the swamp full of alligators, and make them realize what they’re doing is just hurting themselves. I’ve never met anyone full of pride and stupid.”

“True,” Sax agreed.

I listened to them while I was eating and drinking my soda.

“I can’t wait to see the look on their faces as they cry a river in regret,” Sax said with chin up.

Linden picked up his phone when it rang. “Yup?”

I blocked his voice off when he began talking with someone on the other line.

“Brother, don’t do this, please?” Kye, he held my arm as he met my gaze. “Talk to her, just once. You two look perfect to go to waste.”

“I was with her. I went to talk to her, and she didn’t even bat her lashes. She wanted this. So why would I waste my time saving our marriage if she’s too willing to get out of this?”

They all went silent.

“I’ve given her enough time for three weeks to come to me, but nothing. She went on her merry way and forgot that I was still part of her life. This is over. I’m afraid she might as well move on to another man.” I chugged my soda until I emptied it. I pulled out bills from my wallet and threw them on the table. “Thanks for the chat.”

I walked away. I didn’t want to hear any more about my failed marriage. It was still raw and painful.

I didn’t think I would ever be willing to meet women again. I was okay with the life before London-sex with no strings attached, just fun when I needed it. No commitment. But she broke my heart and changed my perspective on life.

Nothing was constant. People used you and left you when they were done. I was too naive when it came to relationships because I had no role model. My father left me. My dad had never been married, and I was too willing to save the damsel in distress because that was me, the guy who always wanted to play hero, and because I let my emotions get the best of me, I gave her everything. I didn’t leave it to myself. Look what I got! Nothing but a broken heart.

I stayed in my car for a while, trying to mend the pain inside my chest. When I saw her this morning, I thought she would say something that would change my mind. I was really looking forward to that. And why in the fucking hell was she still wearing my ring? But my hopes crumbled quickly. It shook my life.

“She never really cares.” I sighed deeply. “Fuck.” I was startled as someone just came to the passenger’s seat. “Damn it!”

“Where are we going?” Linden put a seatbelt on while I was still scowling at him.

“What the fuck are you doing in my car?”

“Heartbreak sucks, man. I get it. It takes years to heal, especially when you don’t know the truth behind why she left you. ”

“I’m not driving until you tell me what you want?”

“We’ve been brothers for years. Since when did I leave you alone to succumb to your stupidity and agony by yourself? I’m willing to help you kidnap London.”

I suddenly remembered what Moses had told me about the mafia underboss.

“Fuck.”

“What?”

I rubbed my face before I drove out of the parking lot. “I swear I’m gonna beat Linus to a pulp.”

“Wow. London would really appreciate that. Let me help you. Where do you want to take him? I know an abandoned warehouse nearby.”

I glared further. “What made you say that?”

“She resigned.”

“What?” I frowned at Linden. “How did you know? I was just there in the grand opening.”

“Eyes on the road, brother.”

I found a place to park and put the car on idle. “Why did she resign?”

“I think it has something to do with Linus. I maybe don’t talk to London anymore, but I’m still keeping tabs on her. She’s still your wife, and I care about her. I talked to Neke a few times to know if London was okay. She’s so lost, brother. Imagine losing the career and the life’s work she built. That’s not something she just gives up without a huge reason. Come on. It’s not likely the London I know.”

I breathed through my nose as I remembered what Linus did to Carter, and now he didn’t even care about losing his only daughter more than losing his life. He was a selfish prick.

I realized how lucky I was to have my dad and my father in the picture when I was lost. Moses might have abandoned me, but he did his best every day to make up to me.

“I am actually going to see Linus.” I drove again.

“Then let’s go. I’m not leaving you out of my sight as you go to the lion’s den.”

“Moses told me something about Linus, but it’s not the right time to talk about it right now.”

“It’s okay, man. Why did he pull out the research about Ivy?”

“I already knew everything. Ivy or Ivan is living in borrowed time.”

“What the fuck?” I could feel his eyes on me.

“I’ll tell you about it later.”

After an hour, I entered the gate to Linus’ property.

“What the fuck is going on?” Linden quickly got out of the car, and we noticed the same thing.