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p. She was always calm, a rock, but now, in front of me, she was unusually nervous. She should be; I could take down this whole room in a matter of seconds, get rid of every guard Daniel had placed here, and walk away without a flinch. Daniel, unaware of the storm building inside of me, stepped forward, his hand outstretched to me. I stared at his hand, then met his gaze, my lips curling into a wry smile. Rebel stepped closer, panic flashing in her eyes as she hurried to push his hand down. "Dad, please," she said, her voice tight with urgency. I laughed, the sound reverberating in the room like a crack of thunder, and I leaned back in the chair, my amusement genuine but tinged with something darker. "You think this is a game?" I asked, my voice fading to a dangerous growl as the laughter subsided. Rebel flinched, and for the fi

, but her tears shattered me. She took a step towards me and put her arms around me tightly. My rage melted like ice under a flame, and my determination faltered. She was my pride and joy, my darling girl. She was still my sunlight despite

ny holes in his armour, but I couldn't see any. Either he really thought he could protect her, or he was a very good liar. I responded, "Fine," and leaned back in my seat. "But let me clarify something. I'll make sure you never have the opportunity to regret failing her, even if you hesitate for a single moment." Daniel nodded despite his clenched jaw. "Understood." Rebel gently and groundingly stretched for my hand. "Dad,""Please," she murmured gently. Have faith in me. With my shoulders slumping under the weight of all left unsaid, I let out a sigh. "My dear, I have faith in you. I don't trust them, though. Furthermore, I don't yet trust him. --- We sketched down a rough idea as the discussion went on. I understood that even though Daniel provided his resources-men, safe houses, and surveillance networks-it would not be sufficient. Like a monster that regrew its heads quicker than you could chop them off, the organisation was unrelenting. I abruptly turned to Daniel and sai