The Billionaire’s Pawn

LONDON

Moses Braddson is his father. It kept repeating in my head. Wow. That was the biggest revelation I had in a while, and it was crazy. I mean, come on. Half of Striker Cade’s blood founded the Hover Company, one of the top Aircraft industrial companies in the world, and the Hover subsidiaries such as Hover Defense and Hover Space and Security. Moses owned seventy-five percent and was the Chairperson, CEO, and President. He literally ran the entire Hover and was a total badass.

“He is your father?” I asked again to make sure I heard him right the first time. “Moses Braddson, is your father?”

He nodded silently.

“Does Tate know?”

“Yeah. Dad was the one who told me everything.” His eyes were still glued to the tv screen, showing how the firefighters, ambulances, and police cars rushed to the crash site.

“Are you okay? Do you wanna sit down?” I rubbed his arms.

“Yeah. Thanks.” He sat on the couch while I went to the kitchen to get him something to drink.

“Here.” I offered him water. His gaze barely left the tv screen as he took the glass of water from me. “He and others were rushed to the hospital.”Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

The report said the jet just took off when there was an engine failure, and the pilot declared an emergency landing that saved everyone on board.

“Yeah.”

“Sweetheart, I know you’re still in shock. Do you wanna see him?”

His head snapped at me. He looked in pain, but the majority was anger. “Why would I?”

“Sorry that I asked. I want to know what’s on your mind right now. I’m here for you.”

“He gave me up. What do you expect? I will rush to the hospital, kiss his ass, and say you’ll be okay and get well soon?”

I shrugged. “I don’t know, Cade. I just figured out a moment ago that Braddson is your father. I don’t know the extent of your relationship. Judging by the look on your face, you are somehow affected by the tragedy.”

He rubbed his face, looked at me, and gripped my knee. “I’m so sorry. I don’t mean to throw my anger at you.”

“It’s alright. You must have been shocked to find out your father still exists.”

He snorted. “You have no idea.”

“Did he ever try-” I shrugged again. I had to be careful using words, or I would only trigger something inside him. “To reach out?”

“Yeah. Many times, but I refused. I guess he gets tired of trying. He stopped when I finished college, but he’s still sending money and birthday card to me.”Aw. That’s sweet. Braddson must have had a lot of regrets knowing his son turned into a good man.

“When you told me about your father days ago, I never thought it would be him. What do you have in mind?”

“I can’t shake this feeling off that someone sabotaged his jet. I mean, he makes aircraft, rockets, and defense systems for a living. Doesn’t his avionics tech check his jet before he flies? Besides, he’s one of the richest men alive. If he died in the crash, it could create a catastrophe in the business world. He’s a powerful businessman and literally controls half of the country’s economy.”

“I thought the same thing.”

“And considering they’re about to launch a new fighter jet, this must be coordinated to sabotage the launch.” Interesting that he kept tabs on his father despite his anger.

“That’s a good theory.”

His phone rang again. It was Tate.

Striker pressed answer and loudspeaker. “Dad, you’re on speaker.”

“Hey, son. London, you’re up?”

“Yes, Tate. How are you?”

“I’m good. How’s my boy?”

“He’s-”

“I’m fine, Dad,” he cut in.

“I know what you’re thinking right now-”

“And we’ve been over this, Dad.” He seemed to know what Tate was about to say.

“Striker, you can hate him all you want. You have every right to do so, but you are who you are right now because he’s not around. You are a man of dignity. And I’m proud that I raised you and watched you grow into the good man you are. But this time, it’s different. I’d never forced you to see him, but you are about to settle down right now, and I know you still have conflict and pain in your heart. And I know this is hard for you, but I want you to see him, even just behind the door.”

“Dad, please?” His anger and pain seeped through his voice.

“No. I’ve been lenient on you. I’m not taking any more excuses. I want you to have a peaceful life with your woman. End of discussion, Striker.”

I watched Striker scratch his head in irritation as he breathed through his nose. “Fine. Just once, and I don’t even know if he wants to see me or if his people will allow me, a stranger, to see Moses Braddson.”

“Then they have to find another job if they do such things.”

He scratched his beard this time as he pursed his lips.

“London, honey, tell me if he went. If not, I swear I’m gonna be so mad at him I will not attend your wedding.” Wow! That was so harsh.

“Dad, that’s unfair!”

“I will, Tate. And I want you to be in my wedding, or no wedding is happening.”

Striker turned to glare at me. “You, too?”

“Yes. Your dad is right. I want to have peaceful married life with you. I know there’s a lot on your plate right now, but please, settle this. You help me with my issues, so it’s my turn to help you settle this because we are talking about our lives and our future, Cade.”

His brows met for a moment. When I didn’t budge, his anger finally dissipated. “You’ll pay for this.”

“Make me.” I raised a brow as a challenge.

“Okay, Dad.”

“Good. I have to go. We’ll talk soon.”

“Bye, Dad.”

The way he looked at me, I thought for a moment he would snap my neck or swallow me whole. But then he dipped his face into my neck, pushed me to the couch, and came on top of me. “I’m counting the day when I collect what you owe me.”

***

We arrived at the hospital, and many media and reporters gathered around, making me nervous. Sometimes flashes brought some bad memories. Thankfully, Reed found us an exit door.

“If we’re not allowed to see him, we’ll not insist. You can tell Dad that the security is tight and only family members are allowed to visit him.” He sounded nervous, kept squeezing my hand, and I’d never seen him like this, even if it was the time when Dad found us in bed together.

“You’re asking me to lie to your dad? Sorry, Cade, but I’m not gonna do that.”

“Which side are you, Vanderford?” He sounded annoyed.

“Yours, of course, but I’m still gonna tell him the truth.”

“You’re meaner.”

“You got this, sweetheart. And I will be with you all the time.”

The medivac brought Moses from the crash site to the hospital. Tate said Moses was admitted to the 17th floor.

His security details even guarded the exit. Reed showed his identification to one of the security team wearing an earpiece. I knew how it worked. Right now, he was talking to his team.

After a few moments, he returned, denying our request and locking the door behind us.

“I told you this is a bad idea.” Striker held my hand and was ready to leave.

“Just a sec.” I knock on the exit door. The same security came in, shaking his head.

“Hear me, or I swear to God you’ll never find another job again.” My threat was not empty. If he didn’t hear me out, I would do anything to find a way to lose his job. This moment was crucial to my relationship with Striker, and I would not hesitate to make whatever connections I had as a Vanderford.

Finally, he unlocked the door. “I’m sorry, miss, but we have a strict order to follow that this floor is restricted and for the Braddson family only.”

“I understand how security matters work, but you might wanna consider calling your boss if Striker Cade won’t be allowed to see Braddson.”

“Hold on a minute.” He went to check the list on his phone and shook his head. “I’m so sorry, but you have to leave, or I will be forced to take an extra measure.”

“Oh, for fuck sake.” I knew this guy was just doing his job, and he was good at it, but I had no time for this. My man was losing patience, and I couldn’t afford to go down without seeing his father. “Call his lawyers, and I will wait right here,” Finally, Striker used that tone to shut this man up.

“That old man.” Striker pointed at the old bald man in a suit and called out. “Wrenley!”

It called the attention of the old man and came to us. “Mr. Cade?”

“I’m sorry, but I promised my dad to see your client. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be here.”

“Of course, come in. Sorry for the inconvenience, but we suggested tightening the security.”

“I understand.”

“But Atty. Wrenley, I was advised not to let anyone not listed-”

“Then maybe you should find a new job,” Atty Wrenley pointed out flatly. “You don’t know him, but it’s about time you should. Let your head come to me if he tries to fire you.” He turned his attention back to Striker. “Is he with you?” he was referring to Reed.

“Yeah. Ezekial Reed. And this is my fiancee, London Vanderford.”

Atty Wrenley paused momentarily and glanced at me before returning his attention to Striker. “She’s Vanderford. And you’re engaged?”

“Yes,” he answered without hesitation.

“Congratulations to both of you.”

“Thank you.” I smiled.

“Anyway, I received a call from your Dad, but I just arrived and haven’t been able to update the list. Your father’s assistant, the crew, and one of his bodyguards are in bad shape,” he explained as he led us to the hallway. “Your father, however, has acquired only a minor injury, but his doctor put him under sedation and in ICU for further observation. He’s done with the MRI. We’re waiting for the result.” He stopped in front of the door.

“Thanks,” Striker said as he looked at the people around us individually.

I recognized one of the major shareholders of Hover. Three men in black suits were part of the details. The other two were probably newly appointed personal bodyguards. The last one was a woman in her early fifties, who probably knew Moses personally.

“Striker?” I was right. She just called Striker by his first name.

“Beatreigh.” So they knew each other.

Beatreigh approached Striker and hugged him tightly as if she’d been longing for it. Striker hugged back awkwardly.

Then she glanced at me. “You are?”

“My fiancee, London. London, Moses’ sister, Beatreigh.”

“His aunt,” she corrected with a smile before we kissed on the cheeks. “Congratulations, darling.”

“Thank you.”

Beatreigh held his nephew’s hands. “I wish we were meeting under better circumstances.”

Striker looked her in the eye. “He didn’t need me before, and I am sure he doesn’t need me now. I am here because Dad made me.”

“He warned me not to see you to honor your request. But you are here now, Striker.”

“I can’t stay.”

“Tate did a good job as a single parent.” She smiled sadly. “I’ve forgiven your father, but I’m still mad at him for leaving you and your mother. I can’t even imagine how hard it is to care for you at a young age.”

“I don’t wanna talk about it.”

“I know. I’m sure your dad told you about how cowardly your father was. But come to think of those things you’ve experienced, friends you’ve met, an amazing woman like your fiancee. You wouldn’t trade her for anything, would you? You wouldn’t have probably met them if your father had raised you. You’d be a different person. I’ve seen how his work consumed him. He’s not a happy man, Striker, even though he has everything except the boy he sacrificed. Would you ever change a thing in your life?”

Striker’s face softened; if I’d seen it right, he had a teary eye. When our gazes met, he smiled sadly at me.

And I knew for sure that I was in love with this man.

“Go ahead. See your father.”