“Stop it, why are you taking me to him?” I cried. “Why would you do that?”
Things got worse. The door to Pa’s office swung open and Pa barged out with that oafish look on his face.
“What the fuck is going on here and why the hell do you have your hands on my daughter?” Pa griped.
It was only then that Xander let go of me, but only to pull a gun on Pa.
I wondered if this was the moment when I’d see him do what he had to do in killing Pa.
“No…” I said breathlessly.
Xander looked to me and pain filled his eyes.
Pa didn’t look fazed but I knew him, he was scared. He was scared because he didn’t fully know Xander’s abilities.
Xander focused his gaze back to Pa. “You, greedy son of a bitch. You asshole. When I took this job the first thing you said to me was your daughter was the most important thing to you. I never knew at the time that you said that because of the shit you’d gotten yourself into and needed people to protect her.”
“How dare you?” Pa spat.
“I absolutely fucking do dare! I would kill you right here for the evil bastard you are, but I wouldn’t do it in front of her.”
“What the fuck do you want?” Pa growled.
“Get your men together, every last one of them and protect her. That is what I want. Get them together Giovanni and you be a father and protect her. No money on earth is worth putting your family in danger. It’s not worth it. Protect her, make sure she gets on that plane with Armand and make sure he keeps her safe.”
My heart… it wasn’t beating anymore. It wasn’t.
Pa’s face actually softened. “That is what you want?Why?”
“Because if you let The Ra get to her, you will never see her again.”
Ra?
That was what he said. That was what he said. I’d never heard the name drop before. Who were the Ra? Balthazar Kane never mentioned them, but damn did Pa ever looked freaked out with terror spreading over his face.
I’d experienced many firsts today. This was another.
Pa looking freaked out.
“How do you know about them?” he asked Xander.
“The leader of the Spades was in her house not an hour ago. You like cards right? You’re the king, your men the knights. They’re Spades.” Xander lowered his gun. Looked to me and backed away.
This was it.
His eyes were on me, holding me in place. He was leaving. This was the last time I was going to see him. He’d do whatever it was he was supposed to, steal the blueprints, and then I wouldn’t see him ever again.
I rushed up to him and grabbed onto his shirt.
“Xander no, there has to be something we can all do.” I nodded vigorously.
“No, you have to do what your father says. Jia please.” He took my hands but I wouldn’t let go.
“How can you just leave me?” I cried.
“Jia, that man was death. He is death. This is best.”
“Why?” I couldn’t see how it was best.
