Submitting to My Best Friend's Dad-Chapter 1002 : More time

*Leo*

I tapped my thumb relentlessly on the steering wheel, my jaw clenched in annoyance as I waited for the red light to turn. I’d been at home, moments away from finally spending the night with my loving fiance.

And of course, everything was ruined yet again with just one phone call.

I sighed, using my other hand to brush the hair from my face as I floored the car once the light turned green. It had been months since Bianca and I got to spend some real time together, just the two of us.

Though I suppose it would be the three of us, considering how heavy her belly was getting. Once our baby was born, we’d never be alone again. I wanted to spend the little time we had left spoiling her, pampering her until she was sick of me.

Instead, I had to handle this mess all the time.

I eyed the clock, keeping the time Franky mentioned the meeting would start as I raced down the dark LA streets. I was a master at this now, especially after spending so much time with Darion backseat driving me all the time.

He may be an annoyance but he knew how to drive.

I arrived at the empty-looking building with minutes left, a temporary cover we were using since the compound was still undergoing construction from the fire months ago. With only minutes until the meeting started, I rushed out to the entrance and upstairs.

I barely made it in time as I swung the door open just as the clock hit the hour.

“Barely made it there, Boss,” Darion remarked casually, lying sprawled out in my chair at the front of the table. He was flipping a butterfly knife in his hand like it was a game but I just gave him a cold stare.

“I’m on time. Get up,” I demanded as I rounded the table. I all but pushed Darion straight out of the chair and onto the floor. His shoes squeaked loudly on the floors as he caught himself from face-planting and nearly stabbing himself.

I ignored his nasty look, turning to the room. “Begin,” I said coldly, already beginning to tune everything out. Darion took the seat by my side while Franky was on my right as usual.

“We’re here first and foremost to discuss what to do about the Angels. While their leader is still locked up and most of their members either caught or dead, they still pose a significant risk,” Franky began, as always showing his data through his files. I didn’t know why he still bothered with those, considering they’d be burned as soon as possible so we didn’t leave a paper trail.

But whatever made him feel better.

“What problem could they possibly cause now? Andre is in our custody,” Darion refuted with a frown. A few murmurs agreed with him, as everyone’s eyes turned back to Franky.

“Well, it appears that gap has been filled,” Franky admitted, ignoring the looks that got him. “We still don’t know anything about this person so it was most likely a person under Andre who took the lead, or perhaps a contingency leader they set up before his capture. Either way, this new leader is the one calling the shots. They haven’t been hostile yet but not being able to find any information about them has made me more than a little suspicious.”

Franky frowned, clearly troubled by the thought. I raised an eyebrow, now intrigued by this piece of information. Franky was our spy network, the one who mined for data and found or followed anyone we needed. For Franky not to even know the person’s name was a surprise, to say the least.

“What about the treaty? We sent a negotiation team earlier today, right?” I asked, my gaze whirling around until I found Matthias, our head of ground operations.

He coughed, taking center stage as all eyes fell on him. I could see him squirming at how uncomfortable it made him but he just nodded, staring at me intently from across the table. “The team reported back that it was an amicable meeting, more than they thought it would. No shots or even threats. The Angels said the new leader of theirs was even receptive to signing the new treaty, they didn’t even add any conditions for themselves and didn’t even question the favorable conditions to our side.”

“They probably don’t have the leverage too,” Darion snorted. “Their whole gang is a mess now. We have the upper hand and they know it.”

“I’m not so sure about that,” I commented, thinking it over a little longer. “No weapons as agreed right? How many men did they send?”

“Two,” Matthias reported, frowning even deeper. “It was weird too, they seemed almost flippant about the situation. Like it didn’t really matter.”

“They may be planning a different tactic,” I mused. I couldn’t really connect the dots with how little information I had but my instincts told me that something about it felt off. And I knew better than anybody to always trust my instincts. “For now, we keep an eye on the situation. Schedule a meeting for the treaty signing but watch your back for any tricks. Make sure it’s on our turf.”

“Understood.”

The matter switched to the construction of the burned-down compound, another headache-inducing matter that I once again put off to the side. As more topics were brought up, I dazed off for a bit, absorbed into my thoughts.

The meeting didn’t last longer after that and it was about midnight when we called it quits and left. Darion headed the rest of the group out while Franky and I stayed behind. He had a pensive look on his face, which I knew him well enough to know meant he wanted to talk to me alone.

He was lucky I was such a good friend or I’d be out of the door and heading straight home to dive into my future wife’s warm embrace.

“So,” Franky started once we were finally alone, surveying me critically. “Darion’s been doing well stepping into a leadership role. He’s even won the favor of most of our trusted members.”

“That’s right,” I nodded, recognizing how much effort Darion’s been putting forth. The spoiled brat in him had reared its head a couple of times but he’s done a great job managing it so long as he has someone around him to be blunt with him.

Taylor has actually been doing that job very well, being the voice of reason and a counter to Darion’s outlandish and wildly reckless ideas. He seems to be one of the few not afraid to give Taylor a punch to the jaw when he needed it.

“He still has a long way to go though,” I sighed, thinking back to the few failed projects and negotiations he’d been on recently. Darion still had that hot-headedness to him, eager to prove himself but also eager to rush into danger as well. That obnoxious pride is something that can only be beaten out of you in time.

Enough failures can correct anyone. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

“The plan is to have him take over before the baby is born, right?” Franky asked, raising an eyebrow. I cringed at his knowing look.

“It seems impossible,” I said, still having hope that he’ll be ready in time, “But I think he can do it. He’s already proven himself and even if he has some work to do, he can learn on the job. Like Elio did and I did after him. Plus, you’ll still be here to help him.”

“Well,” Franky said, his face softening for a moment, “Nobody’s reign lasts forever. Power has to change hands to be kept.”

“Thanks, fortune cookie,” I said sarcastically, not really getting his cryptic message. “But what’s that got to do with you or me right now? If Darion takes over–”

“I won’t be staying as well,” Franky said, calmly meeting my gaze despite the earth-shattering news he’d just dropped.

“What?” was all I could think to say.

“It’s about time for my departure as well,” Franky said, leaning back in his seat as he stared at the table. “I’ve been considering this since you first thought about leaving. I’ve overseen two heads now, three if you count my work with Alessandro in Italy first. Indeed, we can’t do this forever. I’m older now and I can’t keep up with Darion’s ego, not after dealing with both you and Elio.”

I snickered. Elio’s recklessness was on a whole other level. He’d put both of us through the wringer multiple times when he was the head. Thank God he retired as early as he did or else he would’ve gotten all three of us killed.

“So that’s that, then? You’ll leave as I do? Who will be here to keep Darion calm?” I frowned.

“I’ve actually already set that into motion,” Franky smirked. “That boy, Taylor has quite the potential actually. He’s cynical enough to match Darion’s level of arrogance. He’s passed the tests I’ve put him through already. I was worried about their hostile relationship at first but well, it seems a few fist-fights and broken noses fixed that right up.”

“Ah, the old classic,” I laughed, remembering just how many broken noses and split knuckles I’d nursed of my own in the beginning. It had taken a long time for Franky and I to get along. It seems almost poetic that Taylor and Darion would have a similar relationship.

I knew it would just make them stronger in the end.

“But they’re not ready yet,” Franky admitted, eyeing me seriously.

“Maybe, maybe not,” I shrugged, a plan forming in my mind. I grinned at him. “But there’s only one person who can make that decision.”

“You don’t mean–” Franky started but I’d already whipped out my phone. I hesitated a little bit over the number but ultimately pressed it as I put it on speakerphone.

“Hello?” Alessandro answered tiredly.

“Hey, you and Mia will be coming to LA in a week or so, right?” I asked, remembering Bianca had mentioned something like that in passing. Mia wanted to be there for Bianca, to see the baby after it was born.

“What is this about?” Alessandro asked after a moment of silence.

“While you’re here, I want you to put Darion through his final test. See if he’s ready,” I said. I ignored the sharp look Franky gave me but Alessandro didn’t even pause.

“Alright. I have to look over the operations over there anyway, it won’t be any trouble.”

“Great,” I smirked, excitement bubbling up in my chest as I immediately hung up. Franky gave me a questioning look, acting like I was crazy.

“He’s not ready yet, you know that,” Franky said, completely bewildered by my change of mind.

“Alessandro will be the one to determine that,” I said confidently. I wasn’t sure if Darion could pass the test to Al’s standards but it was worth a try. The excitement built up in my chest the longer I thought about it.

I might be able to actually keep my promise. To retire like I said I would. Part of me wanted to run home and tell her right now, but I also knew there was a low chance of it actually happening. I didn’t want her to get her hopes up.

Not yet.

We just needed a little more time.