The Billionaire’s Pawn

STRIKER

“I’d like you to take a look at it if you have time. And tell me about your idea.” Why the fucking hell he trusted me so much with such a huge project? I mean, what did I know about it?

In my entire life, I was satisfied with a job that paid my bills. Things only changed lately, and I needed a regular office job before I got married. Although I had investments, savings, and properties, I never depended on dividend income. I still needed a job.

“I doubt I can help. I don’t have knowledge about that.”

“You haven’t checked it.”

“Fine.”

After our dinner, his doctor came for a regular check-up. He advised the same thing. Moses needed bed rest, but we seemed to share the same DNA. He was stubborn as fuck.

He went to bed after he took his medicine. As soon as the doctor left, he got up, complaining to me. “I’m getting sicker in this house.”

“Too bad because you are not going anywhere.”

He joined me in the same spot and sat in the wheelchair. “I’d rather spend my time with you than lying in bed. And I don’t even need this thing.”

“You know, a lot of people in the world would be grateful to have the same privilege as you. Someone out there struggling to have this wheelchair or wants to lie in bed for a minute without thinking of the next meal he can provide if he doesn’t get up and go to work.”

“That’s not what I’m complaining about. I’m grateful you are here, and I want to spend my time with you rather than lie in bed. I apologize if you feel that I am being insensitive and ungrateful.”

“It’s okay. I shouldn’t have said that in the first place.”

“You can always express your thoughts. That’s what makes a life worth living.”

I knocked on the window to confirm my theory. “So what’s with the BR glass all about?”

“Protection, prevention.”

“Can I ask you something?” Call me nosy, but it has been bothering me since I watched the news on tv.

“Of course.”

“What are the findings in the investigation of the crash?”

“Do you have ideas?”

I chuckled. “Theory. I mean, it’s absurd to have a plane crash for someone who makes aircraft for a living. Don’t you think?”

“It happens.”

“One in a billion possibility. So you mean, that’s the one in a billion?”

“What are you trying to say, son?”

“I noticed additional securities on my way. I mean, it’s pretty common for someone like you, a national security threat level, if something’s happened to you. But did you receive any threats lately?”

“I always receive threats, son.”

“Moses, don’t talk to me like I’m eight years old. And I was in the service. I still work in the firm. Has your jet’s engine been tampered with?”

“I had a few suspicions but can’t confirm until I have the report.”

“Where’s the wreckage now?”

“In the warehouse. Safe.”

I nodded.

“I want you to come with me on Monday.”

“I have things to do.”

“I wanna tour you in what we’ve been creating for the last five years.” Designs have always fascinated me. It was tempting. It was not often I would get this opportunity. If I was being honest, I was excited inside.

“Raincheck?”

“Of course.”

“And you’re not supposed to work on Monday, Moses.”

“Glad you’re not my doctor.” He chuckled, and he thought it was funny.

“You’re such a pain in the ass, you know.”

Then I saw that smile-so genuine and light. If he was not been such an asshole, we could have built a good relationship, even as friends.

“What is it that you ought to accomplish in life, Moses? I mean, you have everything this world can offer. What else do you want? Colonizing Mars? Building an interplanetary alliance with Aliens?”

“You will have the answers in that stick.”

“Great. I should sell this to the highest bidder.” My sarcasm made him chuckle.

“To answer your question. I have everything. I continue building an empire, but that’s not the accomplishment I wish to achieve before I die. Part of it, yeah. When you have money, you’ll gain people’s respect, you have power, and you can buy the things you want, but that’s not the real contentment. The real contentment is to see the smile on the faces of the people you love. To share what you have with them. To spend your time with them, because let’s be honest, nothing’s permanent. We all die and turn to ashes. These days, it’s rare to meet genuine people. Sometimes family, as you say, is a pain in the ass. At the end of the day, you still go home to them.”

“You’re saying?”

“I have that contentment right now.”

I swallowed hard at his words. I didn’t even want to overthink he was talking about me being with him right now, but it was enlightening and satisfying.

“You should get some rest.” At this time, he didn’t resist. He went to bed.

I left his room and closed the door behind me, with his words playing in my head. I wondered how it would have turned out if I had given him a chance years ago.

Don’t go there, Striker. It was too early to conclude.

I met his butler, Emory, downstairs. “He’s resting. Will you give me an update?”

“Of course, Mr. Cade. I’m glad you came today.” He walked with me outside.

“How long have you been working for him?”

“My family has worked for Braddsons for three generations, sir.” Wow. They must have had good working relationships if they were still here until now, and he was in his fifties.

“I see.”

“Your father is a good man. He has flaws and has made mistakes, but deep inside, he has a good heart. Thank you for your visit, sir. I hope to see you again. You make your old man’s dream come true.”

I got into my car and left with the thought of what Emory had said, and he knew who I was to Moses. I went home quickly, hoping to see London soon. I already missed her, but I gave her the time she needed to spend with her old man.

I realized that maybe, this was what Dad had wanted for me all this time. I felt doubt, a rift, and a slight uneasiness for my estranged father, maybe because I hadn’t built that trust yet, but it was a good start. I felt calmness deep inside, inner peace despite still having walls built around me.

I went to my study as my curiosity got the best of me. I connected the USB to my laptop. The first caution that appeared was SELECTED EYES ONLY. There were files, but STRIKER PROJECT caught my attention.

I clicked it. It was a fighter jet design plan. It looked pretty badass with a brief overview of its structures, from landing gear, propulsion, and empennage to fuselage and wing designs. Based on this design, it hadn’t come out yet.

I closed it and went to another file- A. S. H. E. R.

“What’s with him and my name?” I chuckled as I clicked it. “Whoa!” I took my face closer to the screen. It would look good in a projector, though, but I was more intrigued by the overview.

I shook my head in disbelief. “Is it even possible?”

It was a commercial space station. In my prediction, it would be, but not for another fifty or hundred years. It looked like it was taken from a futuristic sci-fi movie, but also realistic. It certainly amazed me. Well, what could I say? He and Elon Musk had the same vision.

Another thing that caught my eye was the name of two companies involved in the project. Braddson + Kross Industries. And it rang a bell.

Before I could close the file, my phone chimed. I quickly exited and ejected the USB from my laptop. I received a message from Linden.

I dialed his number. He picked up right away.

“‘ Sup?”

“You need to come to my house?”

“Yeah, I got your message. Right now? Is everything okay?”

“Yeah.”

“Then something is not. What is it?”

“Where have you been?”

“I asked you, you asked me. Great. Linden, what is it that can’t wait?”

“You don’t wanna believe me.”

“Try me.” I was already wearing my jacket back and slipped the USB back into my pocket.

“London is here.”

“London? My girl. My fiancee is with you?” I spelled it out as I couldn’t believe what I was hearing right now. I sprinted out of the study to the hallway.

“Unless you have another girl name London. Yes, your fiancee is here, dumbass.”

“Is she okay?” I met Reef at the entrance. “I won’t be back tonight.”

“Got it, Strike,” Reef answered.

“Just come. She’ll tell you anyway.”

“Just tell me if she’s okay.” I pressed the speaker on my phone and threw it onto the seat before I drove my car off the driveway.

“Long story short, the dinner didn’t end well.”

“Fucking Linus. I’m starting to dislike that man.”Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

“Don’t go there, brother. He’s your future father-in-law.”

“And he’s doing a terrible job. What did he do this time?”

“Ask London. She was pretty upset when she came.”

“Alone?”

“No. Reed just left after dinner.”

“Thanks, man. I owe you big time.”

“More like you owe me a lot.”

“Right. How can I replay your kindness, sir?”

He laughed at my sarcasm. “Tell me, where’ve you been? London didn’t tell me a shit.”

“With my father.”

“Is Tate okay?”

“The other one.”

“Holy shit! Since when? How did it go?”

“Seen the news lately?”

“Nothing interesting. Any specifics?”

“The billionaire aircraft magnet? Does Hover Company ring a bell?”

“Wait. Yeah, Braddson. Moses Braddson. His jet crashed, and it’s a miracle there’s no fatality.”

“Exactly. The pilots were just good, I guess.”

“The jet was in pretty bad shape. I saw the news, but it’s a miracle everyone survived, though most are heavily injured. So what does have something do to your biological father.”

“I’m surprised you didn’t know about it, considering our line of work.”

“I know Tate adopted you, but I didn’t dig into your past, man. I know you’re a good guy. We’ve been through shit together. You saved my ass. I saved yours. You are my brother. That’s all that matters.”

“Well, Moses Braddson is my biological father.”

“What the fuck? Holy Moses! No pun intended. Well, shit!” He laughed out loud. “You’re not joking, right?”

I sighed deeply. “I wish I were, but yeah. Moses fucking Braddson is my father.”