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Chapter 35 (Ricardo)
I ignore the beads of sweat dripping down my back and the way my heart is hammering in my chest as they silently study me.
Please take the bait. Please believe me.
Despite the pregnancy tests, Ernesto still looks unconvinced, which of course, makes everyone else follow suit.
I pull out a file and drop my briefcase on the ground, knowing I won't be picking it up again.
I've stationed various bombs throughout the council headquarters, mostly in bathrooms and inconspicuous places where no one would suspect me being.
But the big one? The one that counts? Is right here in my oversized briefcase.
Given I'm the last DeLuca standing, well for the next few hours at least, I don't have to worry about anyone seeking their revenge.
As long as I make it out of this room alive. As long as I make them believe she's pregnant with my baby and get them to order Travine to meet me at the fight club later on.
I order my hands not to shake as I hand Ernesto the fake file.
“She found out yesterday morning and I called you as soon as I saw the test results,” I say as I watch him open it.
“From our understanding and based on what you told us, she can no longer have children.” He rubs his chin. “And even if you were mistaken, how do we know this baby is a DeLuca? She's only been with you for a few weeks.”
I grin, knowing I'm ru
The men murmur amongst themselves, until Ernesto pounds the table with his fist. “It is not possible. The curse.”
I swallow and lean in, making sure I look him in the eyes. “You never struck me as a man to believe in magic over facts, old man. But just in case I'm wrong—the legend, or rather, the curse says DeLuca men can only produce one child.”
For a moment, I let him see the pain in my eyes so he believes that every word I'm about to say is the truth. “The last pregnancy didn't produce a child, therefore, this child is the one. This child is what will save the DeLuca legacy.”
He leans back in his chair and folds his hands in his lap. “How do we know this isn't just a ploy? I'm not a stupid man. I know you came here because you want and need something from us. How do I know this isn't a desperate attempt at buying more time?”
He stands up, the force sending his chair sailing back. “I warned you not to make the same mistake your father did. I warned you not to walk down the same path—”
“I'm not,” I shout, despite all the council members standing up with him now. “Ernesto, do you think I would risk everything? And I mean everything, making the same mistake that he did? Do you think I would come here and put myself at the mercy of you and the rest of the council with some bullshit? Think about it, no matter what—you'll obviously find out the truth. If I was lying, which I'm not, but if I was— you'll know for sure when that baby is born.”
I look around the room, stopping to look at each and every one of them. “I understand why it's better not to have weaknesses now. Even though it's too late for me, I can teach my child. I can teach my son what it means to be a DeLuca. And just like I had to learn from my father's mistakes...the child that I don't even want will learn from mine.”
I ignore their shocked expressions and punch myself in the chest. “I won't ever make the council proud...but I know my child will. My child will become a DeLuca. He'll be the man I never was because it's the only way for him to survive.”
I swallow hard. “I've learned my lesson...and it will be a lesson I'll have no choice but to keep learning as I raise my child. You've won, Ernesto. The council won.”
“What do you mean you don't want this child?” Ernesto spits, outraged.
I take a step back and laugh and I swear, I feel my father's presence in the room. “Why would I want a child who will grow up to be everything I hate?”
I lift my chin and glare at him. “You're right. I did come here because I want something. I have an ultimatum of my own.”
“Which is?”
“Travine...I want him dead. Today.” Before he can argue, I continue, “I also want the honor of killing him myself.”
“No we ca
“Only because there is no one else after me and you needed to expand. You have someone now. We're no longer a dying breed.”
My entire body goes rigid and I leer at him. “Unless you don't give me what I want.”
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
I pull out a gps tracking device and point to the little blip on the screen. “This is where Lou-Lou is now. She's safe, probably eating a hearty breakfast since it's early morning in New York, giving our baby the nourishment it needs to grow.”
He raises an eyebrow. “What's your point?”
“At approximately 4:30 pm, she has an appointment scheduled with her doctor for a certain procedure to be done. If you don't believe me, keep watching that blip, guarantee you'll see it move.”
Panic flashes across his face and I continue, “She knows Travine is alive now. The abortion is scheduled because she refuses to let anyone take our baby away this time. She doesn't want her shitbag father to cause her to have a miscarriage and the stress of him being around will all but ensure it. She'd rather not have this baby in the first place than give him any more power over her.”
I inhale a breath and shrug. “Never underestimate a little girl's hate for the monster under her bed, Ernesto. Especially when that monster is her very own father.”
Ernesto sits back down in his seat and rubs his face, looking more nervous than I thought he would. “Your ultimatum is that you have to let me take him out. I'd also appreciate it if you'd stop putting my friends on the chopping block. They have nothing to do with the council and I will be separating myself from them permanently very soon since I'll be busy taking care of DeLuca business.”
I motion to his phone. “Call Travine and tell him to meet me at the fight club at 4:40pm, New York time. Tell him you've made a deal with me that will keep my friends alive...in exchange for me handing her over to him. Tell him I was unable to kill my friends after all and I'd rather give her up.”
I sharpen my gaze. “Tell him to come unarmed or you will be taking him out personally since he's not allowed to kill me.”
When Ernesto doesn't budge, I tell him, “ If you don't agree, Ernesto, you can keep watching that blip move...knowing it will end the only chance you have at preserving the DeLuca legacy. Or you can send your people after her right now and do it yourself.”
I open my arms wide and look around the room. “You can have everything you want, gentlemen. Lou-Lou will have our child and I will keep my position, I will do everything that is expected of me. I think it's a pretty simple decision, one that works out for all of us, but either way, the choice is all yours.”
I've never felt relief like I do when he picks up his phone.
I have to hold back my smile and stiffen my spine when he repeats everything to Travine on the other line, sounding serious as hell.
“It's done,” Ernesto says. “Make sure nothing happens to that baby.”
I take a step forward and stick out my hand. “You have my word.”