The Royal Contract-Chapter 1303: Alive and free

His feet walked back and forth across the living room of their new hideout. Nobody knew about this place except for him.

He had bought this property for this purpose. He knew they would be safe to hide here while he ironed out his plans and let the situation cool down.

"What are you thinking?" Mike asked as he sat on the couch while Samson remained outside, checking the security of the place.

He could see that his friend was deep in thought. He trusted that he had a plan. But still, they had to consider some alternatives.

"I think you should go back," Gerald said as he finally turned to look at his friend. "You don't need to run like me. I need you to stay and serve as my eyes and ears."

He initially thought of escaping with his friend. They could start a new life somewhere else. But what kind of life would that be?

He would never be free, just locked up in a different cage. What kind of life would he give Haley and his child when the law and his enemies hunt them down?

"What do you mean?" Mike narrowed his eyes at him as he sprang from his seat.

Of course, he heard his friend. However, he did not understand what he was thinking. Did his friend believe he could handle this situation on his own?

He would go and let his friend face this situation without him. No, he could not do that. He promised to stay by his side, even if it cost him his life.

"I am going away on my own." He went straight to the point while walking to the counter, grabbing himself a drink. "I don't think you and Sam should come with me."

Mike seemed confused by his suggestion. He could not blame him. He had not shared any of his plans with him before.

Gerald knew he would hear some resistance from his friend. But he had thought about this. In time, his friend would see it from his point of view.

"Have you gone insane?" Mike shouted in disbelief. "How do you expect me to go back there and leave you alone to deal with this."

He stood up and faced his friend, assuring his friend understood that he was not going away. However, he could already see that it would take more to convince his friend.

He looked like he had already made up his mind about this. He would know since he knew his friend and had seen that expression before.

"You know this is the right thing to do. We will have more chance of getting our lives back if we go our separate paths." Gerald said, convincing his friend to take his offer.

He could not drag Mike into the mess he had created. His friend still had a chance to continue his life without the authorities and their enemies hounding him.

Mike just had to play his cards right. Besides, he could still use him to spy on his enemies if his friend wished to continue with their original plans. All they needed was a better plan this time.

"But..." Mike was about to protest but stopped when he saw his friend's eyes. "Ok. I am listening. What is the plan?"

He could tell that he was up to something. Maybe it was better to listen before he got worked up for nothing. Besides, his friend always had some great ideas.

"So far, the authorities had nothing against you. You are only my lawyer, trying to get me out of jail." Gerald explained their current scenario.

He believed if Mike returned, the law could not touch him. They should know. Therefore, he could continue working under the District Attorney's office.

"And what about..." Mike paused again, seeing that his friend still had something to say.

He returned to the couch, carrying his newly refilled drink. His friend followed closed by, sitting opposite him on the lone chair.

"Don still has no idea that you are working with me. Besides, they still think I am dead unless the authorities declare I am alive." Gerald rationalized, making his point.

However, he doubted the authorities would declare his sudden return to the living. If they would, they should have done it by now.

However, just in case their enemies learned about his fake death, he had already devised another plan. He just hoped that his sister would help him with it.

"Ok. Let us say I go with this plan of yours. What will you do?" Mike asked his friend, still unconvinced about the entire setup.

Although he could see the plausibility of his friend's scheme, he still could not help but worry, not for his life but for his friend.

Gerald was not just a mentor, a boss, or a partner. He had been a brother to him. Mike owed him not just gratitude but his life. Who he was today was because of his friend.

"You don't have to worry about me. I can take care of myself." Gerald ignored his friend's concern.

He could handle his situation. On the other hand, he needed his friend to focus on something else. He knew where he was going. He could not take Haley.

"But I need you to continue with our original plan. I still want all the dirt on Don, Mike, and Alfred." Gerald ordered his friend to work on their original plan.

It might be more difficult this time, but with his friend's skills, he knew he would manage to get the job done.

They had to give what the authorities wanted. It was the only way he and his friend could live normally. It was their ticket to their freedom.

Or they would always look over their shoulders, wondering when they would end up in a coffin, buried six feet under the ground.

"What about Haley and your child?" Mike asked, knowing that it would be on the top of his friend's head.

He knew his friend would die before letting anything harm the woman he loved and their unborn child. Therefore, he wondered what his friend had planned for them.

Would he be taking them wherever he was going? But he doubted that. He believed his friend would never put them in harm's way.

"I already talked to his brother. Marcus would take care of her while I sort this out." Gerald could feel his heart breaking.

He hated being away from her, but it would be worse if he could not see her again. He would have to endure not getting a glimpse of her for the time being until he could guarantee their safety.

He immediately called Marcus earlier, believing he was the only one who could protect Haley from his enemies and her father.

"I already told him where he could find her." He continued, explaining to his friend what would happen next.

After a few more minutes, he walked to the counter, refilling his glass with another shot. He needed some strong alcohol to help him get through this day.

It was uneasy to think he would not see Haley for a while. But worse, to believe he might lose her forever. Then, what about his child? Would he ever hold him in his arms?

"Are you sure about this?" Mike asked, but he seemed to accept his decision.

He could not fault his friend for wanting to protect Haley. If he was in his shoes, he might do the same thing. He was just lucky that he was not in a relationship.

It was the reason he never wanted a family. He knew he could not commit to such responsibility. He still doubted if he could be a good guy.

"No, but I know it has to happen." Gerald partially looked down at the floor. He guessed he had to trust his instinct this time. "Haley would be safer with Marcus for now."

He knew that was the right decision for her and their child. However, he was not giving up. He would fight until his last breath to return to her and his child.

"What about you? Where are you going?" Mike asked, knowing that his friend would be alone. "What are your plans?"

He knew it would be hard to hide from law enforcement. They would surely be hot on his trails. They would never stop searching for him, knowing he would make a big case.

The authorities might be using maximum tolerance right now as they kept silent. But Mike doubted they would stop pursuing his friend's case.

"You know you can't hide forever." Mike reminded his friend. Explore stories on novelbuddy.com

Of course, their enemies might be clueless about his current breathing status, but they had many men and spies all over the city, neighboring states, and other countries.

It might not take long for them to realize he was still alive. Then, what? They would come after him and finish what he started.

"I know that. But don't worry. I already have a plan." Gerald could see his friend's genuine concern.

However, he could not share them with his friend. It was better to keep it to himself. The less people knew about what he had to do, the better.

If there was something he appreciated about his father, Joaquin, it was some of the advice he gave him.

He supposed his father taught him some valuable things, just like survival. If not for him, he was probably dead by now.

"You just have to trust me, just like I trust you." Gerald tapped his friend on the shoulder before giving him a manly hug.

He knew it was time for them to part ways. It might be temporary, depending on the outcome of their plans. Or it could be for good if things would not work out for them.

He knew that his journey would not be easy. He would have to deal with several obstacles in his path. But he promised to do everything he could to return to Haley alive and free.