Rise of the Rejected Son-in-Law

Chapter 3: Crimson Debt

Kick the door. If any of the nurses scream, shoot them.

The mean order cut through the quiet of the floor of Oakport Memorial Hospital.

Patients yelled in their beds as armed men in gear flooded out of the elevators. They wore masks. Moved like a well-trained team kicking in hospital room doors and pulling out scared doctors. The smell of medicine was replaced by the smell of guns and fear.

Kael, the leader of the group walked down the hall with a gun at his side. He was a man, a former soldier who now worked for the highest bidder. Now he worked for Julian Kensington. His job was simple.

Find the patient named Leo. Break his legs. Hold him until his friend gives up what is his.

Where is room 402? Kael yelled, grabbing a nurse and lifting her. Her clipboard fell to the floor.

Please the nurse cried, looking at Kael's gun with eyes. He is in a special care unit. You cannot go there he is connected to machines that keep him alive. If you unplug him his heart will stop.

I did not ask you about his health Kael sneered. I asked where the room is. Tell me. I will hurt you.

Down the hall the nurse said, pointing. The last door on the right.

Kael threw her to the floor. He told his men to secure the area. Nobody gets on or off this floor. If the police come shoot them. Julian Kensington is paying us a lot of money for this job. I want it done fast.

The armed men spread out securing the stairs and elevators. Kael walked towards room 402. He kicked the door open.

Inside a weak man lay in a hospital bed surrounded by beeping machines. Leo barely had the strength to open his eyes. He looked at Kael as he came in.

You look like you are already dead Kael laughed, putting his gun to Leo's head. It is sad. The hidden heir of the Kensington family is giving up a lot of money for you. I feel a little bad for him.

Leo. Blood came out of his mouth. He did not know who Kael was. He did not know about the Kensington family. All he knew was that Daniel, his friend from the orphanage was the family he had left.

If you want money Leo whispered, Daniel does not have any. He is a friend. Leave him alone.

Kael laughed. A friend? That is what he told you? This is going to be funny. Wake up, Leo. Your friend owns the world.. Tonight because of you he is going to lose everything.

Outside the quiet night was broken by the sound of engines.

Five armored cars jumped the curb. Stopped in front of the hospital. The doors. Many men with guns got out forming a line around the lead car.

Inside the car, Daniel looked at the hospital. He was not calm and Elena, who was with him could feel it. She could barely breathe.

Young Master, Arthur Sterling said from the seat we have a problem. There are men in the hospital. They have Leo.

Daniel reached for the door.

Wait Arthur said. You cannot go there. Those men are well-trained and have guns. I will send my team to handle them. You stay in the car where it's safe. If you die Julian wins.

Daniel looked at Arthur. If I stay in the car while Leo is hurt I do not deserve anything.

Elena grabbed Daniel's arm. Daniel, please listen. Those men have guns. I saw them. You cannot fight them alone. Let Mr. Sterling handle it.

Daniel looked at Elena's hands on his arm. He remembered the time he spent with her family hiding himself. Elena had never seen him fight. She did not know what he was capable of.

Daniel gently took his arm back.

Stay in the car, Elena. Do not look out.

He got out of the car. The men with guns parted to let him through.

Arthur got out of the car. Yelled into his phone. Form a line around Daniel. Shoot anyone who gets in the way.

Daniel did not wait. He took off his jacket. Threw it on the car. He rolled up his sleeves showing scars.

He walked towards the hospital.

Three armed men were, at the reception desk holding security guards hostage. When they saw Daniel they looked at each other in surprise.

Stop one of them yelled, pointing his gun at Daniel. The hospital is closed. Turn around. Leave.

Daniel did not stop. He kept walking.

I said stop the man yelled, flipping his gun to automatic. Are you deaf? I will kill you.

Where is your leader? Daniel asked. His voice was calm. It sent a chill through the air.

The man laughed. You think you can just walk in here and ask questions? You look like a waiter. Get on your knees.

The man tried to hit Daniel with his gun. Daniel moved out of the way. Then Daniel's hand shot forward grabbing the man's throat.

The man could not laugh anymore. He was choking.

Daniel lifted the man off the ground with one hand. The man's legs kicked in the air. Daniel did not let go.

I will not ask twice Daniel whispered.

The other two men panicked. They raised their guns ready to shoot Daniel.

Let him go or we fire they yelled.

Daniel did not throw the man. Instead, Daniel used the man as a shield. Daniel threw the man's body forward. This happened when the other two men started shooting. The sound of the guns was very loud. It filled the lobby. The bullets hit the man's vest. The vest was strong. The man still fell to the floor. He was in a lot of pain.

While the other two men were busy shooting their friend Daniel moved. Daniel walked across the lobby quickly. He was like a ghost. Nobody could see him coming. Daniel came from the fighting pits of Oakport. He was a fighter.

The second man tried to hit Daniel with his gun.. Daniel was too fast. Daniel hit the man's arm. The man's arm broke. He. Dropped his gun. Daniel then kicked the man in the head. The man fell to the floor. He was not moving.

The last man was very scared. He took out a knife. Tried to stab Daniel.. Daniel was too quick. Daniel moved out of the way. Daniel grabbed the man's wrist. Twisted it. The man dropped the knife. Daniel then hit the man in the ribs. The man cried out in pain. He fell to his knees.

Daniel stood over the three men. He had beaten them without using a gun. Arthur Sterling and his team came into the lobby. They had guns. Were ready to fight.. They stopped when they saw the three men on the floor. They looked at Daniel with a lot of respect. They had heard about Daniel's fighting skills.. They had never seen him fight before.

Daniel told Arthur to secure the lobby. Daniel said Do not let anyone in or out. Arthur said yes. Arthur was with Daniel. They were going to take the stairs. Daniel did not want to use the elevator. Elevators are not safe.

Arthur followed Daniel. They went up the stairs. In the car, Elena was watching what was happening. She was watching on a tablet. She saw Daniel fight the three men. She was very surprised. She remembered when her family used to hurt Daniel. Daniel never fought back. He just took it.

Elena wondered why Daniel did not fight back. She wondered why he was so strong now. Daniel could have killed her family.. He did not. Elena did not understand.

Daniel and Arthur kept moving. They went up the stairs. They were very quiet. When they got to the second floor two men came out. They had grenades.. Arthur's team was ready. They shot the two men. Daniel did not stop moving. He kept going up the stairs.

When Daniel got to the floor there were more men. They were hiding behind carts and machines. They had guns. Were ready to shoot. Daniel dove behind a pillar. The men started shooting. The bullets hit the wall. Daniel was safe.

Arthur and his team fired back. They were good shots.. The other men had a good position. They could shoot anyone who came down the hall. Arthur told Daniel that they were stuck. They could not move.

Daniel had an idea. He told Arthur to shoot the ceiling. He wanted to break the pipes. Arthur did what Daniel said. The pipes. Water started pouring down. The other men could not see. They were shooting wildly.

Daniel moved. He ran down the hall. He was very quiet. He. Slid on the wet floor. He reached the cart. He grabbed a man's gun. Pulled it down. The man fell. Daniel hit the man in the neck. The man fell to the floor.

Daniel took the man's knife. He threw it at another man. The knife hit the man in the shoulder. The man screamed. Daniel kept moving. He fought the men. He was very strong. He broke their arms and legs. He hit them in the face.

In thirty seconds all the men were on the floor. They were not moving. Arthur and his team came up. They secured the men.

Daniel went to the door of room 402. He was wet. His knuckles were bleeding. He kicked the door open. Inside Kael was holding Leo. Kael had a gun to Leo's head. Daniel told Arthur to stay

Kael said Daniel was a fighter.. Kael was not afraid. Kael said Daniel had to tell his men to back off. If not Kael would shoot Leo. Daniel stepped into the room. He told Kael to let Leo go. Daniel's voice was very calm.

Kael laughed. He said Daniel was not, in charge. Kael said he was following orders. He was supposed to make Daniel watch Leo die. Then Daniel would have to give up his money.

Leo tried to talk. He told Daniel not to do it. Leo said he was already dying. Daniel should just let him go. Kael hit Leo with the gun. Leo cried out in pain. Blood came from his eye.

Daniel looked at the blood.

Beat 2. This was the heart of the matter. The control Daniel had practiced for three years was completely gone. He thought about the winter nights in the slums when Leo had fought off older gang members to protect a piece of bread for him. He thought about the loyalty of a boy who had nothing yet gave everything to a friend. Daniel had promised himself that when he got his place back Leo would be right by his side. Nobody touched his brother. Nobody.

You hit him again Daniel said, his voice low and cold. I will hurt you very badly.

Kael laughed, cocking the hammer of the gun with a click. You talk kid.. I have the gun. I have the person I took. You have nothing. Now get on your knees put your hands on your head and tell the person outside to give your things to Julian. Do it now. I pull the trigger.

Daniel did not get on his knees. He took a step forward.

I said Get down Kael yelled, his finger getting tighter on the trigger.

You think you are good at this Daniel said, taking another step. You think because you wear gear and carry a gun you are in charge.. You made a big mistake, Kael.

Kael's eyes got smaller. What are you talking about?

Daniel took another step getting very close to Kael. You are holding the gun to his head Daniel said coldly.. Your finger is on the wrong part of the gun. You are holding his neck with your hand. Your stance is not good. You are so focused on scaring me that you forgot how to protect yourself.

Before Kael could even think about what Daniel said Daniel moved fast.

It was a display of speed that was not normal. Daniel did not aim for the gun. He aimed for Kael. He went low avoiding Kael's line of sight. Hit the nerve spot behind Kael's knee.

Kael's leg gave out fast falling under his weight. As he fell down his grip on Leo's neck got looser.

Daniel turned quickly using his momentum to grab Kael's gun arm. He twisted Kael's wrist with a lot of force breaking the bones with a sound. The gun went off loudly missing Leo and breaking the hospital window instead. The gun fell from Kael's fingers.

Kael screamed in a lot of pain falling backward away from the hospital bed.

Daniel did not give him a chance to get up. He stepped forward grabbed Kael by his vest and slammed him against the wall. The impact took all the breath out of Kael's lungs.

You want to talk about my things Daniel said, his face to Kael's scared eyes. You want to talk about Julian?

Daniel punched Kael in the side breaking the armor and bones. Kael spat blood his eyes rolling back.

Tell Julian Daniel whispered, his voice dark and serious that he is a man. Tell him the person who was sent away is coming back to the city.. Tell him that for every drop of blood he spilled in this room I will take a lot more from him.

Daniel threw Kael on the floor like a broken toy. Kael lay still groaning in a lot of pain. The scary attack that was supposed to break Daniel had been stopped in less than five minutes.

Arthur Sterling came into the room quickly his gun up followed by the agents. They restrained Kael with cuffs.

Young Master Arthur said, looking at Kael. The area is secure. The police are outside. Our lawyers have taken care of them. We are in control of the hospital.

Daniel ignored Arthur. He went to the hospital bed leaning over his friend.

Leo was coughing hard holding his neck. He looked at Daniel, his eyes wide with shock. He had just seen his quiet friend stop a killer in seconds.

Daniel and Leo wheezed, their voices shaking. What is happening? Who are you? Why do you have an army?

Daniel gently put his hand on Leo's shoulder his scary aura gone, replaced by kindness.

I am your brother, Leo Daniel said softly.. I am going to get you the best medical care. We are leaving the city tonight. You never have to worry about hospital bills. I have the money.

Tears filled Leo's eyes. He did not understand the business he did not understand the money. He understood the loyalty in Daniel's eyes. He weakly grabbed Daniel's hand nodding slowly.

Young Master Arthur said, holding up Kael's phone. The screen was cracked,. A call was coming in. The caller was hidden,. Arthur knew who it was. It was Julian Kensington.

Daniel's eyes got hard. He stood up taking the phone from Arthur. He answered the call. Brought the phone to his ear. He did not say a word. He just listened to the silence.

Well well well a smooth voice said through the phone. Julian Kensington sounded relaxed like he was talking about a business deal. I guess Kael is dead or hurt on the floor. You always were a kid, Daniel. I am impressed you survived the slums.

You crossed a line tonight Julian Daniel said, his voice cold.

Did I Julian laughed. You think because you are free now you are safe? You think your grandfather will give you the business just because you survived the slums? You have been out of the game for a time Daniel. The business belongs to me. You are nothing but a ghost trying to take a throne that is already taken.

I will take it back Daniel said.

Julian sighed, sounding bored. You always let your feelings control you. That is why you are weak. You care much about useless things. Like your friend.. Your wife's family.

Daniel's grip, on the phone got tighter. What did you do?

Kael was a distraction Julian said, his voice mean. You thought I would send my men to the hospital? While you were busy helping your friend my team went to the Vance family house.

Daniel's heart stopped. Elena's family. They were not people but they were her family.

They are annoying Julian said, laughing. They scream a lot.. Do not worry, Daniel. I told my men not to kill them. I told them to put bombs in the house. The timer is set for ten minutes.

The blood drained from Daniel's face.

If you want them to live Julian said, his voice cold and serious you will get in your car drive to the edge of the city and give yourself to my men. If you bring Arthur or if you refuse the Vance family will die. Choose, Daniel. Your. Your wife's family. You have nine minutes and fifty seconds left.

The line went dead.

Daniel stood in the room looking at the cracked phone screen. The real fight had not just started. It had already become a nightmare.