Chapter hundred and thirty nine

Chapter 139

Oliver

Confusion swirled in me and I didn't bother to hide it when I asked,

“What's a Brother?”

“The Brothers were a group of highly trained assassins. Kang Joon and I were members.” He smacked his tongue.

I froze as his words settled in me. My father was an assassin? I quickly discarded. Ron could be lying. My father was the nicest and kindest person I've ever known. It was hard to imagine him as a criminal.

But I guess some people could say that about me too. While most people saw me as cold and unfeeling, only a selected few actually knew the level of violence I indulge in.

“I'm sorry. You're saying Henry Kang Joon was an assassin?” I asked, my tone laced with disbelief.

Even if the news was true, I didn't have time for that now. Dallas was still in his captivity and I still hadn't managed to strike a deal for her freedom. But it still didn't mean the news didn't shock me.

“No, not an assassin. Their chemist. We joined the brothers through a mutual friend when we were in college. It was supposed to be a quick source of income till we gain our feet. But the leader at the time asked us to join as full Brothers. I was intrigued by their nature and decided to accept the invitation.

Henry was skeptical about initiating. His morals wouldn't allow him take someone else's life…” he laughed humorlessly at that. “...so he decided to stay as their ordinary chemist since he couldn't leave. To leave would mean to die.

After leaving college, we started our own pharmaceutical company, but it was an underground drug company for the Brothers.

Henry was still complaining about our jobs though. Always so fucking righteous.” He huffed a sigh of annoyance.

I didn't utter a word and continued listening. My father was a member of some secret assassin club and was their drug manufacturer. It was something I never thought I would hear in my entire life.

“After the leader died, there was chaos about who the new leader should be. Henry took advantage of the chaos and left the Brothers. He moved his family halfway across the world to finally fulfil his dream job and cut ties with everyone here, including me.

Henry was always the brains behind the drug business with the Brothers. As soon as he left, the business start to dwindle while his was growing over here. I went to him and asked for him for the formula but he wouldn't give it to me. So I had to take some drastic measures.” He said.

My heart stopped when I realized what he meant by ‘drastic measures’. I ground my teeth together to stop from snapping again before he could finish the story.

“So you kidnapped me and used me against my dad, all just to get the formula for some narcotics he didn't want to produce anymore.” I said calmly, despite the inferno roaring inside me.

“Not getting that formula would have killed me then. You have no idea what people were in the Brothers. But your father would rather see me die than make more drugs. Goodness knows I tried to ask nicely. I spent months trying to convince him which ended up with me having a tiny development in the States…”

I knew he was referring to Dallas as the ‘tiny development’. Dallas's birth was somewhere around the time we first moved to New York.

“When he didn't budge after four whole years, I had to do something. You can't blame me for the things Amanda did while you were in her captivity. I might be her boss but she isn't exactly known as a rule follower.” He said.

“Is Mandy part of this Brothers thing or is it men only?” I asked, ignoring his earlier jab

“She wasn't at the time. She was just an ambitious woman who wanted to join the Brothers. So I gave her the task to prove herself. And seeing that she scarred you for life, I think she passed with flying colours. “ He chuckled.

I didn't take the bait. My mind reeled as different thoughts swirled in me. I finally asked the question that has been burning in my mind since he started the narration.

“Why did you back now after all these years? Surely, you got the formula you wanted. That must be why you left in the first place.”

Unless he hadn't. The thought struck me immediately. The long pause and heavy breath from Ron's side was the confirmation I needed.

That must be why he sent Ronan to try to partner with us. That was thd reason he caused the stir at Kang Chemicals. It was a distraction while he worked in the background looking for what he wanted.

My breakup with Dallas. The engagement getting called off. Getting us to focus on Lucien. It was all a distraction. And this was the main reason for it.

“Henry might have left the Brothers, but he still had some very strong connections to the underworld. He was useful to a lot of people even without producing narcotics anymore. It's how he was able to stay alive even after leaving the Brothers.

His death caused quite the uproar in the underworld. I had to leave immediately. Korea wasn't their turf so I was safe there. As for why I came back now, I'll tell you soon enough. I'm enjoying this conversation of ours.” I could basically hear the smile in his voice.

“Aren't you afraid those people are going to find you now?”

His answering laugh resonated through the room, the sound grating to my ears.

“I'm not afraid of anyone. None of them would dare to touch me now.” He said.

I pondered over his words, searching for the meaning. My face went taunt as I finally connected the dots.

“Judging by that horrified expression on your face, I'm guessing you already figured it out.”

“You're the leader of the Brothers.” I breathed, my words laced with fear that wasn't for me.

Dallas wasn't just captured by a vengeful man who was determined to destroy me, he was also the leader of highly trained assassins.

We were in deep shit. It didn't matter how much money I had. I was never a match for him from the start. I might know how to shoot a target and decapitate a man, but he was the head of assassins and had probably maimed his way into that position.

“As for why I came back now. Henry and I made a pact when Jenna was born. In order to strengthen our relationship, our children will get married when they're old enough. He didn't just leave the Brother's business, he also broke the alliance. And one thing I hate is people going back on their word.”

I could hear the hint of annoyance in his voice as he said that. I wasn't exactly surprised that my dad had arranged my marriage when I was basically a toddler. Arranged marriage was a common thing in our circle. People get married to increase their wealth or influence, never for love.

“Regina unwittingly remade the alliance. I thought it was a good thing since we still hadn't found a chemist that was as good as Henry and no formula. I saw the opportunity to search for the formula once again and took it.”

“That's why you were at my house today. But you should already know that I know nothing about some secret formula. I didn't even know the Brothers or that my father was one of them.”

This whole thing was crazy. My father was producing drugs for a group of criminals. While that wasn't my biggest concern right now, it was still worth noting.

“Yes yes, I know that now. It was a waste of time and resources.” He sighed.

“I'll let you search for it all you want, I'll even help you, but you have to let Dallas go. She's innocent in all of this.”

“Oh! I'm going to release her.” The relief o felt after his words were short lived when he added, “...after you get married to my daughter.”

Anger flared in me but i forced myself to remain calm.

“How exactly does this relate with getting the formula you wanted?” I asked.

“It doesn't. I just want you to honor the alliance your father broke. I'm asking you because I can.”

“Then you must be delusional, because I am never getting withing ten feet of your daughter.” I spat.

“I didn't say you have a choice. If you want Dallas to leave this place, announce your engagement to the public within thirty six hours. Or the first mail you receive after my deadline would be her head.”

My rage flared so bright. Without thinking, I hoisted my gun up and shot straight at the camera.

He laughed, the sound only adding to my anger. I wanted to see him and shoot him for daring to threaten her life.

“Let me rephrase that, Son of the traitor. If you manage the leave this place alive, announce your engagement to my daughter within thirty six hours or Dallas dies.”

“What do you mean ‘if i leave here alive’?” I asked.

“Good luck.” He chuckled.

I was still trying to wrap my head around his words when I heard a gunshot. And the whole world exploded into smithereens.