President's Daughter's Bodyguard-Chapter 66: The Wolf’s Shadow

Chapter 66: The Wolf’s Shadow

The older man poured himself a drink.

"Jackson," Zack said slowly, testing the name like it was something fragile he could break. "Yeah... You worked under my son before you betrayed him, right?"

Jackson’s eyes did not move from Zack’s face. "I did what I had to survive."

Zack chuckled, very amused by the answer. "Survival. I like that word. It always sounds so noble. But tell me something... does surviving make you feel powerful, or does it make you feel small?"

Jackson leaned back in his chair. "Depends who is asking."

Zack’s smile widened. "Oh, I am the one who decides how small you can get."

The silence stretched like a blade between them. Jackson’s pulse stayed steady, but his hand twitched once, barely noticeable.

"You knew Ethan," Zack said after a long moment. "Tell me what you saw."

"He was angry," Jackson replied. "But not at you. He was angry at himself. He thinks you ruined him, but deep down he still wants your approval."

Zack’s grin sharpened. "Of course he does. I am his father. He can hate me all he wants, but hate is still attention. And attention means I still own him."

He took a sip of his drink, letting the taste burn his throat. "And Theo? What about him?"

Jackson’s voice was calm. "Theo is different. He is not trying to earn your love. He wants to destroy it."

That was a lie...Jackson had no idea what Theo was actually like besides the coldness and threats.

Zack’s face changed for a second, then softened into a crueler one. "That boy thinks he understands revenge. But he has no idea how deep it goes."

"He understands enough," Jackson said. "He knows what kind of monster you are."

Zack burst out laughing. "Monster again. That word follows me like perfume. Do you know why I never get offended, Jackson?"

Jackson didn’t know.

Zack leaned forward, and his eyes looked wild with the kind of madness that had no cure. "Because monsters always win. They eat the world while men like you beg for crumbs."

"You sound proud."

"I am proud! I built this empire from ashes. And now my sons want to burn it down for a woman or some love." He spat the last word like it disgusted him. "What a pathetic reason to die."

"Maybe that is what makes them human," Jackson said.

"Humanity is weakness," Zack replied quickly. "And weakness deserves punishment."

He stood up and walked toward the large glass window that overlooked the city lights. "I taught them to be strong. I gave them blood and scars so they could rule. But instead, they ran to the president like children crying for help."

Jackson remained still, and his calmness was starting to irritate Zack.

"So tell me," Zack called as turned back. "Why are you really here? Did Ethan send you?"

J "You called me."

"I called you," Zack repeated slowly. "But you showed up too easily. That makes me wonder who owns your loyalty."

Jackson smiled widely. "No one owns me."

Zack slammed his glass onto the desk. The sound made the guards at the door flinch. "Everyone is owned by someone! Even the strongest dog needs a leash!"

"Maybe you are the one wearing it," Jackson mumbled.

Zack’s eyes flashed, but instead of shouting, he smiled. It was the smile that made people disappear.

"You are a brave man. I like that. I should keep you around."

Jackson shrugged. "You could try."

Zack laughed again, genuinely entertained. "You remind me of Theo. That same quiet defiance. But let me tell you something, Jackson. He will die soon. One of my sons will. I will make sure of that."

Jackson’s tone turned colder. "You are planning to make them kill each other."

"Exactly," Zack stated proudly. "It is the only way to see who deserves to carry my name. If Theo wins, he earns my respect. If Ethan wins, he earns my empire."

"And if neither wins?" Jackson asked.

Zack smiled wider. "Then I will raise a new son. I always have a backup."

"Like the child of the woman you just kidnapped?"

"You know about her? Rose? Ah, yes, the mother of my newest disappointment."

Jackson’s stare hardened. "She begged you to leave her alone."

Zack poured himself another drink. "Women always beg. It is part of their charm."

"She hates you."

Zack looked at him with bored eyes. "Hate is love that has matured."

"You are insane," Jackson said.

Zack lifted his glass in mock salute. "And still, here you are, talking to me."

The door opened before Jackson could respond. A guard entered, dragging Rose into the room. Her wrists were tied, her hair looked messy, and her eyes were wide with fear.

She stumbled, crying out as the guard shoved her to the floor.

Zack’s grin deepened. "Ah, right on time."

Jackson’s hands clenched under the table. He could see the bruises on her skin. "You do not need to hurt her."

Zack ignored him and crouched beside Rose. He lifted her chin roughly, forcing her to meet his eyes.

"Hello, my beautiful Rose...You ran from me again. Why do you keep doing that?"

"Because you are evil," she cried. "You killed everyone I talked to."

Zack sighed like a tired parent. "No, no. I freed you from weak men. You should thank me."

She spat at him and the room was awkwardly quiet...

Zack wiped the spit from his face and smiled. It was a terrible smile...

"You are brave too...But bravery without obedience is useless."

He stood up and turned toward the guards. "Take her to the lower cells. I want her to understand what happens when she calls me a monster."

Jackson rose from his seat. "Enough."

The guards hesitated, not sure who to obey.

"You forget where you are, Jackson."

"You forget what I am capable of."

For a brief second, something shifted in the air. The guards moved to grab Jackson, but he reacted faster, pulling one of their guns and pointing it directly at Zack.

Zack didn’t even bother to flinch. His lips formed a calm and evil smile. "You think you can kill me?"

Jackson’s finger hovered over the trigger. "No. But I can make you bleed."

Zack’s eyes shined with amusement. "Do it then. Show me that you are not as weak as my sons."

For a moment, it looked like Jackson might actually pull the trigger. But then he lowered the gun.

"You are not worth the bullet..."

Zack laughed again. "Good. Keep that fire. You will need it when I send you to find Theo."

Jackson’s eyes narrowed. "Why me?"

"Because," Zack said with a smirk, "I think you are the only man who can make him suffer without killing him."

He waved his hand, and the guards took Rose away screaming.

Zack sat back down, satisfied, as if nothing had happened. "The game has started," he whispered.