Chapter 77 The Clash Of Barrels

So, we are finding ourselves standing in the kitchen discussing our next step. My next step being to go face the man that has started all of this. This man being Vic Stone. Now Trinity is very adamant that she is going to come with. She does not see that this can lead to a gun battle, and I am not taking the risk of her father snatching her away from me again.
But, ya, let s have this argument, "Princess, I am sorry, but you cannot come along for this one."
"Why, Colton?"
"It is going to lead in a gun battle, and I don't want you to get caught in the middle."
"Well, sorry, but I have already been caught in the middle of your little war. Now can we please go?"
"Princess, I said no."
"Colton.
"No, you are not coming with, and that is the end of it. Jax will stay with you."
With that, she spins on her heels and leaves in a huff. As she disappears down the hallway, I can only but hear her curse underneath her breath. She thinks this is a game. It was all fun until we start dropping bodies. There is just no way that I am letting her sit in a car and, god forbid, even watch as she walks into a house where she could get killed. I do not care if she is Vic's daughter or not.
And so the mood in the kitchen has now hit an all-down low; Mason realizes now, too, that the games are over and that the shit is about to go down. So as I turn to Jax, he sees only but anger on my face, "You do not let her out of your sight. If she leaves this house, then you are fucking dead."
"Sure, boss, but you know that she is going to do what she likes."
"Well, then you need to decide what it is that you would like. I am telling you this, Jax, if Trinity leaves this house, then I will end you, do you understand?"
"Yes, boss."
So it is with great confidence but a nagging voice in the back of my head that we find ourselves driving to Vic s Mansion.
Ya, I am fucking stupid, but I can simply not lose Trinity.
But, I can easily lose my life for doing what I am set to do. As I look at myself in the rearview mirror, I can see eyes that hold a slight hint of fear. Colton Cruz does not feel fear; I will claim what is mine today. The only fear that shall be felt today will be that of Vic Stone, I will not falter, and I will not back down.
And it is with this in mind that I am now pulling into the driveway of the Stone Mansion. I can see from ahead and the farside west, there are already several of his crew coming towards me. I have officially been seen; it is yet to establish if they know who I am.
That is very soon confirmed as I watch him exit through the front door. The man must be truly stupid just to walk out like that in the open; it will take me only but five seconds to take him out and have my ass out that gate again. Now, that does sound like a plan, but I shall rather settle this like the gentleman that we both claim we are.
It is with very careful but still somewhat hesitant steps that I bring the car to a stop right in front of his door. I give myself a quick once-over glance in the rearview mirror again and exit the car. It is within only but a second, and I have at least seven men surrounding me with rather intimidating guns. Well, fuck them, my gun is bigger.
So as I push through the crowd of men, I finally get in view of Vic and let me tell you; the man is not happy to see me.
"What is it that I can help you with, Colton? You are very brave to show your face on my territory."
"Vic, we both know that it belongs to Trinity, the same Trinity that is about to become my wife."
I watch as he furrows his brows and adjusts his pants where I am assuming he is hiding his gun, "Did I not tell you that you do not have my permission."
"Frankly, I do not need it. The only one's permission that matters is your daughter s."
He burst out in a fit of uncontrollable laughter that only but winds me up again, yet, I let it go and wait for him to get whatever he seems to find so amusing of his chest. Then finally, he continues, "If I was you, then I will hand her over."
Something in me snaps, and I am on the edge of falling into that abyss of anger, but I compose myself and continue to answer, "She is not a piece of property that you can hand over."
"Well, then, what have you come here for?"
I only take but a deep breath and count from three…two… one, "Can we discuss this like civilized men in your home. I do not wish to stand and have an argument with you on your doorstep."
He reluctantly shows for me to enter, taking me through the lounge to the bar, with Mason short behind me. As he shows for me to sit, he offers me a whiskey, which I reluctantly accept in the hope that he will not be poisoning me today. Once we both have a chilled glass in hand, we take a seat opposite from each other.
"So," he begins. "Let me get this straight. You have a nerve showing your face here after you have taken my daughter and killed three of my men."
Well, ya, let's just set this straight right here.
"First of all, I did not take your daughter; she came to me. And as for the second, you send your men to kill me."
But wait…
"In fact, I only killed two of them; Trinity killed the other one."
I watch as there is a flare-up of what I can only assume is irritation and maybe a bit of anger on his face. "You are telling me my daughter killed a man?"
"Yes, Vic, that is what I said."
Now, if I thought that talking to him like a gentleman is going to get me anywhere, I am sadly mistaken, for he immediately takes a hostile stance. I guess that we have come to that point where things are now going to become ugly.
"You will hand my daughter over, and I will spare your life.
"Well, Vic, you can go fuck yourself. That is not going to happen."
He smirks at me as he tosses his shot of whiskey to the back of his throat, "Then prepare yourself for a real tough time ahead."
"Are you threatening me, Vic?" I take a sip of the chilled whiskey and place my glass on the table. "You of all men should know what I am capable of."
"If you don t return her, then you will see what happens."
He stands up to fetch the bottle of whiskey and pour us both another shot; while he is away from the table, I slip my hands into the back of my pants and grip firmly onto my gun. Just before he makes his way back, I slide it and place it under my jacket that is lying next to me on the table.
As he sits down, I can see that his face has grown with more anger than it held before. Well, I guess he cannot control his either, and mine is just about to snap. But I am not here to cause a problem, and most of all not even start one, though as he continues.
"This is how it is going to work, Colton. You are going to hand Trinity over, or you are as good as fucking dead."
And that is me; all restraint that I was holding together rips loose by the seems. In an instant, I have slipped my hand underneath my jacket and am holding a Ruger firmly pointed at Vic s face. It gives me great satisfaction to see the terror that has now crept into his eyes. But it is only short-lived, for next, I have three of his bodyguards coming towards the table.
"If I were you," I turn to face them one by one, "You would not come any closer. I will blow his fucking brains on this table before you even blink an inch of a second."
Then after what seems a good five minutes, Vic finds his voice to speak again, "You are playing a dangerous game, Colton."
"Nobody comes into my house and tries to kill me. Now," I lift my gun but an inch higher to line it perfectly with his temple, "You will leave Trinity and me alone."
"You," in what seems to be a very slow five seconds, Vic reaches for his own piece and aims it straight at my forehead, hoping to catch me fumble, yet he does not know that I am far fucking better than he is. As he sees that I am not moving, he starts to speak again, "You have made a big mistake coming here."
"No," I shake my head at him and raise my voice. "You have made a mistake not taking into consideration what I have asked."
I keep eyes level and stare him down, waiting for him to falter, though he holds his gun firmly, so I only but take mine and move it to him even closer. It seems that only one of us will see the end of the day. I have taken that step and walked straight over that line without even blinking. I have said this before, and I will continue to repeat it. I will not lose Trinity.
And perhaps I should repeat it to this man that seems to be as thick as a fucking doornail, "I am not asking you again, Vic. I need for you to leave Trinity and me alone."
Then there is a shatter as the glass tumbles to the floor. I watch as Vic rise from his seat, and from behind him, his bodyguards come closer. We are completely outnumbered. But it does not stop me from rising and take a firm stance.
"You are not leaving alive here. You just made your biggest mistake."