Rise of the Rejected Son-in-Law

Chapter 4: Burning Blood

Shut your mouth. I will cut your tongue out right now the mercenary named Viper yelled. His voice echoed through the living room of the Vance family house. Viper was a scary man with a lot of scars. He smashed the butt of his gun into an old and expensive vase. The vase broke into a million pieces. Fell all over the fancy rug.

Sylvia Vance was so scared. She was sitting on the floor with her hands tied behind her back. Her fancy dress was all torn. Her hair was a mess. She had makeup over her face. She was crying really hard.

The rest of the Vance family was just as scared. Elena's uncle, Marcus was bleeding from his head. Groaning in pain. Elena's cousin, Tyler was breathing fast and couldn't move. He was too scared to do anything.

There were eight mercenaries in the house. They were all moving around. Getting things ready. They were not looking for money or jewels. Instead, they were putting blocks of explosive on the main pillars of the house.

Viper walked over to the pillar in the middle of the room. He stuck a block of explosive to it. Set a timer. The timer said nine minutes and forty seconds.

Viper looked at the Vance family. Laughed. You people are so weak he said. You think you are better than everyone just because you have money.. When someone points a gun at you you cry like babies. You are nothing

Please Sylvia begged. Do not kill us. We do not have any enemies. We are a normal family. If you want money take it. Just do not hurt us.

Viper walked over to Sylvia. Grabbed her hair. He pulled her head back. She screamed in pain. Do you think Julian Kensington cares about your money he asked. He is a powerful man and he does not need your little bit of money. We are here to send a message.

Julian Kensington Uncle Marcus said. Who is that? We have never heard of him.

You really do not know do you Viper said. You have had Daniel living with you for three years. You did not even know who he really is. He is the son of a rich and powerful man.

The room was completely quiet. Everyone was shocked. Sylvia looked at Viper. Her mind was blank. She could not understand what he was saying.

What are you talking about Sylvia asked. Daniel is a poor man. He does not have any money.

Viper rolled his eyes. If you do not believe me just wait he said. The timer is counting down. If Daniel does not come and give himself up we will blow up the house.

Sylvia's eyes were wide with fear. She remembered when Daniel met Arthur Sterling, a rich and powerful man. She thought Daniel was just scamming him. Now she realized that Daniel was actually someone important.

They are going to kill us Tyler yelled. Daniel is not going to save us. We treated him badly. He is going to let us die.

Shut up Tyler Sylvia screamed. Daniel has to come and save us. He is married to Elena. He owes us.

Viper laughed. You people are crazy he said. You think Daniel owes you anything? He is a man and you are just nobody.

Viper pulled out a switch. If he pushes it the house will blow up. If he dies the house will also blow up.

Seven minutes and forty seconds the timer said.

Across the city, Daniel was standing in a hospital room. He was holding a phone and his face was blank. He was not angry or scared. He was just empty.

Julian had hung up the phone. Daniel was left standing there. He slowly put the phone down. Looked at his friend Leo. Leo was. Could barely talk.

What is it Daniel, Leo asked. What did they do?

Daniel looked at Leo. Tried to smile.. His eyes were empty. Rest, Leo he said. You are safe now. Arthur will take care of you.

Daniel turned around. Walked out of the room. He did not look back. He walked through the doors and into the night air. Cars were waiting for him and Arthur was standing there.

What do you want to do Arthur asked. The police are on our side. The hospital is secure.

Daniel walked past Arthur. Got into one of the cars. Have the drones ready he said. I want to block all signals around the Vance house. I do not want anyone to be able to call for help.

Arthur's eyes were wide, with surprise.. Daniel just got into the car and drove away.

Daniel said he would not do it grabbing the door handle of the Maybach. Julian wants to see me break he wants to hear me give up. He will not blow up the house until the last second. Get the drones ready now.

Arthur bowed deeply. Yes, Young Master.

Daniel opened the door and got into the back seat. The partition between the back seats was still down. Elena was sitting across from him her knees pulled up to her chest her arms wrapped tight around herself. She looked really small and scared.

She looked up at Daniel when he closed the door. She saw the blood on his shirt and the bruises on his hands.. What really scared her was the empty look in his eyes.

What happened Elena asked, her voice shaking. Is Leo okay did you stop them?

Leo is safe Daniel said quietly.

Elena let out a sigh of relief. Thank god you got to him in time. I saw what you did to those men on the tablet it was scary. I am glad Leo is alive. Can we go home now can we just leave this city? Go somewhere safe?

Daniel did not look at her. He stared ahead.

We cannot go home Elena Daniel said, his voice above a whisper.

Elena frowned she did not understand. Why not you have the money you have the power, who can stop us?

Because Julian did not just attack the hospital Daniel explained. The hospital was a trick to get me out. His main team is at your family's house.

Elena froze. She could not breathe. She was really scared.

My family Elena gasped, her hands flying up to her mouth. My mother, my cousins are they... Did he kill them?

Not yet Daniel said coldly. He put bombs around the house. He gave me an ultimatum. I have to go to him in than six minutes or he will blow up the house and kill everyone.

The car was really quiet. It was a silence.

Elena stared at Daniel, her eyes wide she was struggling to breathe. This was too much for her.

You have to save them Elena whispered, tears in her eyes. Daniel please you have to save my mother. I know she was mean to you. She is my mother. You cannot let her die.

Daniel turned his head. Looked at her.

If I go to Julian Daniel said, his voice flat he will kill me. Even if I die he might still blow up the house. Julian does not leave any ends.

Elena sobbed, shaking her head. No there has to be another way. You have an army Daniel you have Mr. Sterling send them they can disarm the bombs.

There is no time Daniel said. The house is guarded if we try to get in they will blow it up.

Elena cried, her shoulders shaking. She was really scared. If Daniel went to Julian he would die. If he fought her family would die. There was no way to win.

Daniel watched her cry. Julian was trying to break him. Julian knew Daniel was strong so he attacked the one thing that could hurt him his heart.

For three years Daniel took care of Elena he protected her from her family. If he let them die now he would be breaking his promise.. If he died he would be leaving everything to Julian.

Elena looked up at Daniel, her eyes locked on his. She had an idea.

Do not go Elena said.

Daniel looked at her. What?

Do not go to Julian Elena repeated, her voice shaking but firm. Do not give up.

Elena your family will die Daniel reminded her.

I know Elena screamed, hitting the seat with her fists. I know they will die. They deserve it. They treated you badly for three years they kicked you they spat at you. They do not deserve your life. You are a king, Daniel you have a job to do. You have to survive.

She grabbed his hand holding it tight.

Let them die Elena said, looking into his eyes. Let Julian blow up the house.. Please Daniel do not die for people who hate you. You have to live.

Daniel looked at Elena. He felt her heart beating fast. He saw the guilt in her eyes. She was willing to sacrifice her family to save him.

It was a decision. Daniel slowly pulled his hand away. He wiped her tears with his thumb.

You are wrong Elena Daniel said softly.

Elena looked at him confused.

A king does not let his enemies decide who lives or dies Daniel said, his voice firm. A king does not hide while his people die. Your family is bad they are mean. They are yours.. You are mine.

Daniel hit the button on the partition.

Arthur Daniel said.

Yes, Young Master Arthur replied.

Get out of the driver's seat Daniel ordered. I am driving.

A little later the driver got out and Daniel got in. He started the car. Drove really fast. The car shot forward like a rocket leaving the cars behind.

Elena screamed, holding the handle above her head.

Daniel gripped the wheel his eyes, on the road. He had four minutes to get to the house.

The Maybach did not slow down. Daniel drove it like a person. He went through a light at ninety miles an hour. A big truck blew its horn because it was so scared. Daniel turned the car sharply. Used the strong bumper to push a slow car off the road.

Inside the car, the special radio started working. Arthur Sterling's voice came on.

Young Master, you are driving into a bad place Arthur shouted. There are snipers on the roof with guns. They will shoot you as soon as you get to the house.

Daniel said to jam their equipment. Arthur said they could not do that.

Then blind them Daniel said. He turned the car sharply. Made it skid.

Arthur said he would send the drones to blind the snipers.

At the Vance house, everything was crazy.

Sylvia was. Crying. Uncle Marcus was hurt badly. Cousin Tyler was begging to be let go.

Viper did not care about them. He was looking out the window holding a switch.

One of the guys said they lost contact with the other team.

Viper got mad. Said Daniel was using special equipment to block their signals.

The timer said two minutes.

Then it was one minute and fifty seconds.

The silence was broken by a noise.

Two big drones came out of the sky. Blinded everyone with bright lights.

The snipers, on the roof were screaming because the light hurt their eyes.

Then the Maybach crashed through the gate.

It stopped in front of the house.

Viper and his team shot at the car. It was armored and the bullets did not go through.

Viper told them to stop shooting.

The timer said one minute and thirty seconds.

Daniel got out of the car.

He did not have a gun. He just walked towards the house.

Viper pointed his gun at Daniel. Told him to stop.

Daniel. Looked at Viper.

He said Viper had a choice to make.

Viper. Said he would blow up the house if Daniel did not give him what he wanted.

Daniel walked into the house. Stood near the bomb.

He told Viper that Julian was not going to pay him.

Viper did not believe him.

Daniel said he had blocked the signals and Julian thought Viper had betrayed him.

He said Julian had frozen Viper's money.

Viper did not know what to do.

Daniel told him to check his phone.

Viper did not want to look at Daniel.

The timer said fifty seconds.

Daniel told Viper to check his phone and see that his money was gone.

Viper was not sure what to do.

The timer kept going down. Forty-five seconds.

Viper slowly pulled out a phone from his vest pocket with his left hand. He kept the dead-man switch pressed down with his hand and the rifle pinned under his arm. He turned on the phone screen.

His face turned white as a sheet.

The screen showed a notification from his bank: Account Frozen. Assets Seized.

Julian set you up Daniel said, taking a step closer to Viper. He never planned to let you have the money. If you blow up this house you will die.. If you surrender to me I will give you twenty million dollars before morning.

Viper stared at his phone. He thought about Julian and how much he trusted him.. Now he was not so sure. He looked at the timer. Thirty-five seconds were left.

You are lying Viper said,. He did not sound convinced. Julian is just testing me.

Viper looked up at Daniel to take control again.

Daniel was right next to him now.

While Viper was looking at his phone Daniel moved quietly and quickly. He grabbed Viper's wrist. Stopped him from moving. Daniel's grip was very strong.

At the time Daniel hit Viper's chin with his palm. The hit was so strong that it broke Viper's teeth and hurt his brain. Viper's eyes rolled back. He fell.

If Viper fell his thumb would come off the dead-man switch. The house would explode.

Daniel caught him and took the switch from Viper's hand. He put his thumb on the switch. Pushed Viper to the floor.

The other men in the room panicked. Their leader was down. Daniel had the switch.

Drop your guns Daniel said, standing over Viper. If you do not I will let go of the switch. We will all die.

The men looked at the timer. They had nineteen seconds left. They looked at Daniel. Saw that he was serious.

The men dropped their guns. Raised their hands.

Daniel did not relax. He kept his thumb on the switch. He looked at the bomb. Saw that he had to cut the wires to stop it.

He took a step back. Reached for the wires.

Sylvia screamed, Save us! Cut the wires!

Daniel cut the wires. The timer stopped. The bomb was no longer a threat.

The men sighed in relief. Sylvia fell crying. The nightmare was over.

Daniel let go of the switch. Nothing happened. The house did not explode.

He had won.

Daniel turned to signal his team to come in.

Then he saw a bag on the floor. Inside the bag there was a laptop. The screen was on. Julian's face appeared.

Hello, Daniel Julian said. If you are watching this it means you won.. You should know that the real bomb is, under the rug. It will explode if someone moves.

Daniel looked down. Saw that Sylvia, Tyler and Uncle Marcus were standing on the rug.

Julian said that all it takes is a move to trigger the bomb.

At that moment Sylvia stood up. The floor clicked.

The room was silent.

Daniel froze. The floor started to hum.

The bomb was going to explode.

Daniel looked at Sylvia. She looked down at her feet.

The ground opened up.