Chapter 4 AARON

AARON POV

I stared at the sky and let the smoke slip from my lips. I hardly ever smoked, but I picked up the habit after she died.

Her smile, her laugh—they died with her. I missed her, and at the same time… something else smoldered inside me.

I diverted my gaze to the woman kneeling on the floor. Her eyes were bloodshot from crocodile tears she poured out like it would buy her out.

"Didn't I tell you to wipe those tears?" My mouth twitched with annoyance and she shrieked.

"I'm sorry. Please…" she begged, crawling toward me, I raised a brow questioning her actions. My eyes were fixed on her dark and gloomy.

"Did I tell you to move?" I muttered...She froze in place.

I heaved a sigh and lifted my gun settled on my left hand resting on my palm, my fingers and eyes admiring the cold metal.

"Isn't it beautiful?" I asked. She trembled; the chill from the gun crawled across her skin, she bowed her head.

"I swear I didn't mean to—" she pleaded.

"Did you laugh about it?" I asked, staring straight into her eyes. She hesitated, then lifted them.

"It wasn't like— I wasn't given a choice. Beli...."

Bam! I kicked the wooden table beside me; it splintered under a single blow. She watched it shatter.

"Are you going to beat around the bush again?" I muttered. She shook her head so hard her hair slapped her cheeks.

"Giselle made me do it. She said I should just upload it… that's all." Each word dropped from her like a confession.

I laughed, a manic, ugly sound. I couldn't see her again because of some stupid jealous friend from high school.

My teeth clenched and I turned to Arcane. She trembled under my gaze.

"Please—if anyone deserves this, it's Giselle and Carter. They planned it!" she yelled, and I walked toward her. My palms cupped her face. Her lips went frozen.

"You think I don't know?" I said, my blood boiled, my heart ached, I want to tear her apart, piece by piece. But where would be the fun?

I released her and walked back to my chair.

"Giselle and Carter will get what's coming to them. Now." A devilish grin curled my lips.

"Run."

I said it softly, then raised the gun and pointed it at her. She froze for a heartbeat, then bolted upright and ran, her lungs burning. I watched her disappear into the dark.

"Switch off the lights," I ordered, the room went pitch black. This cell was wide enough for what I intended to do to her.

I heard her groan when the lights cut, she must've hit something.

"One." I muttered, the cigarette between my teeth, smoke curling up.

"Two."

"Three!"

I moved. My steps were slow, deliberate; each one measured. I could hear her breath — hot, ragged, soaked with panic.

"If I catch you in a minute, you're dead. So run like a mouse." I took tiny steps forward. The dark was mine; I'd trained in it for years. Ever since Celina died at sixteen, I shaped myself into a man people whispered about. but with a mask on. Why? a performance i liked fear...its tastes good.

I became the feared mafia lord everyone was scared of. I played hide-and-seek with the world and the police. My prey were lucky enough to see my face before they died. I loved it.

I remembered my younger self following Celina, stupidly in love while she only ever had eyes for that bastard Carter.

The only thing that saved her was death. If she’d ever come back, I swore I wouldn't let her go not now or ever.

I snapped out of my thoughts hearing the slap of legs against a table. I didn't hesitate. I raised the gun, my cigarette still clenched in my teeth.

"Found you."

Bam. The shot cracked...The bullet tore into her back.

"Ahhh!" she screamed, and then there was a heavy thud. The lights flicked on and I walked over.

Arcane laid on the floor, blood pooling round beneath her. I didn't look away, pity had long since died with Celina.

"You can't die now," I said with a smile pausing "You still have a lot to go through just like Celina." She choked on blood.— gurgling.

"Cat got your tongue?" I taunted. "Oh. Right. You're bleeding." I made a show of being surprised, just to mock her.

The door opened and a female stepped in—Diva, my right hand. She had always been there since Celina left.

"Get your men. Keep her alive," I ordered, pointing the gun at Arcane., whom eyes widened in fear when she sighted the gum.

"Come on, I'm not killing you yet. Stop being scared." I scoffed and turned to Diva.

Two men came in, carried Arcane to her feet. They dragged her toward the door; it slammed shut behind them as they left... Diva approached me instantly.

"Isn't this too much?" she pressed. "She's dead already. It's time to let her go."

"You know nothing," I said.....She hissed in annoyance.

"I know this thirst for revenge will ruin you—"

"I like being ruined." I cut her off, closing the distance until my gun brushed her throat. I let it linger there, my eyes tracing her, from head to toe.

She was dressed seductively. A black lingerie on, it revealed her pointed nipples and perfectly shaved pussy. she moved and leaned closer, her lips nearly grazing mine, but I stepped back. I don't hurt my people... not without reason.

"Stay out of my business," I warned, she swallowed hard.

"I can take care of you," she replied making me chuckle. She wasn't afraid; that annoyed me more than anything.

I laughed at her daring attitude, walking to the door.

"......Get some decent clothes on," I growled, shutting the door.

"Giselle and Carter… hmm. My friends. Welcome me, I'm back."