Chapter 11
A Dangerous Proposition
The private lounge of La Fortuna, an exclusive club for New York's wealthiest and most powerful men, exuded an air of quiet authority. It was a place where alliances were forged, businesses changed hands, and under-the-table deals shaped the future.
Tonight, it was the setting for a proposal that could alter the balance of power between two formidable forces.
Ezekiel Blackwood sat across from Elijah Brooke, his expression almost unreadable. The man had requested a meeting, one that Ezekiel Blackwood had no choice but to attend to.
Beside Ezekiel, Richard, Elijah's Cruel Mafia father who sat stiffly, his hand gripping the crystal glass of scotch a little too tightly.
His proud shoulders slumped under the weight of years of been controlled by his son, Elijah. He had been a powerful man once. Now, he was simply a desperate father, listening to his son without going against his son's will.
And Elijah?
He was the picture of ease, legs crossed, a lazy smirk on his face, his emerald-green eyes gleaming with quiet amusement. He thrived in negotiations like these.
Ezekiel knew Elijah too well. He never played fair.
"This is quite the surprise, Elijah," Ezekiel said smoothly, watching the younger man pour himself another drink. "I was under the impression that the De La Cruz family had already made a very generous investment in Blackwood Industries."
Elijah chuckled, swirling the amber liquid in his glass. "Generous? I suppose that depends on who you ask. Andrew certainly thinks so. But the question is, Would my daughter agree?"
Richard shifted uncomfortably at the way the discussion was moving to. "I…."
"Ezekiel you know deep down that I don't have answer to that," Ezekiel cut in sharply. "We both know why we're here. What exactly are you offering, Elijah?"
Elijah leaned forward, his sharp gaze locking onto Elijah. "Twice what Andrew gave you."
Silence filled the room.
Richard's breath hitched at the offer his son pmmaced to Ezekiel. Ezekiel's expression remained impassive, but he could feel the weight of the offer settling between them like a loaded gun.
Elijah continued, his voice silk-smooth, almost hypnotic. "I have the means to not just save Blackwood Industries, but to revive it. No more barely scraping by. No more desperate deals with men who see you as nothing more than a pawn." He took a sip of his drink, letting the words sink in before delivering the final blow.
"And in return, you break Mary's contract with Andrew."
Ezekiel's jaw tightened.
Elijah smiled. "It's a fair trade, don't you think?"
Hesitation flickered across Ezekiel's face . He wanted to take the offer. Wanted to free his daughter from Andrew's control. But they both knew the truth, Andrew wouldn't let her go without a fight.
He would not give up Mary for anything..
"You're playing with fire," Ezekiel warned, his voice low. "Andrew De La Cruz does not take kindly to having his possessions stolen."
Elijah's expression darkened ever so slightly. "Mary isn't a possession," he said smoothly, but Ezekiel detected the sharp edge beneath his words. "She's a woman who deserves better than to be shackled to you, atleast Andrew is better."
Elijah hesitated, his fingers tightening around his glass. "And you think that I am not better?"
Elijah smirked, lifting his drink in a mock toast. "But despite anything, I know I am."
Silence stretched between them.
Then Ezekiel exhaled slowly. "I'll need time to think, and talk to my daughter."
Elijah's smirk didn't falter. "Of course. But don't take too long." He leaned back, his gaze sharp and knowing. "Andrew won't see this coming. But when he does… I'd hate for you to be caught in the crossfire."
Ezekiel and Elijah exchanged a look.
They had just stepped into a war.
And Mary was the prize to be won.
---
Mary's POV
I knew something was wrong the moment my father called me.
It's been a while he called me since I went to the De La Cruz mansion..
It wasn't unusual for my father to be calling me when he has to do alot of things to save in the wake of his declining empire. But tonight, there was something else, a weight hanging over him as I heard his voice.
The tension in the room was suffocating, just by hearing his voice.
I crossed my arms. "Okay. What is it?"
My father voice hesitated, before he could speak.
That was new.
I narrowed my eyes. "Dad."
He exhaled. "Mary, I had a meeting tonight."
I frowned. "With who?"
He hesitated again. And that was when I knew.
"Elijah Brooke," I whispered.
My father's silence was my answer.
My heart pounded. "Why would you meet up with himmm besides he is an enemy to the De La Cruz family"
Ezekiel sighed, rubbing a hand over his face. "It wasn't my choice. He requested it."
My stomach twisted. Elijah.
Even days after our meeting at the party, I had felt his presence like a shadow in the back of my mind. His words had lingered, his confidence had unnerved me. I had pushed it aside, told myself it didn't matter.
But it did.
"What did he want?" I asked carefully.
My fathervoice went silent then before he took a big sigh. And I knew the answer in his hesitation before he even spoke.
"He offered to buy out Andrew's deal."
My breath left me in a rush.
Ezekiel continued, his voice slow, measured. "He's willing to give our industry twice the amount Andrew invested. On one condition."
I swallowed. "Let me guess. He wants me."
Silence.
My hands curled into fists.
"Dad," I said, my voice low, controlled. "Tell me you didn't agree."
My father shook his head. "I didn't say yes."
Relief washed over me.
"But," he continued, "I didn't say no, either."
Silence was heard on his line of phone..
I sat on my bed, suddenly needing space. Air. Anything but this.
"You're considering it." My voice barely rose above a whisper.
My father ran a hand through his thinning hair. "Mary, you have to understand"
"No," I snapped. "I don't have to understand anything."
I turned away, trying to breathe, trying to think.
Elijah wanted me.
Andrew had me.
And I was stuck between two men who treated me like a bargaining chip.
I clenched my jaw, my pulse pounding.
This wasn't just about me anymore.
It was war.
And I refused to be the prize they fought over.