[Music: Vengeance by Zack Hemsey]
"I knew there was no other way I could get close to you..." His fingers traced the injector pen. "Knowing how the Devil secures his property, especially his woman."
I swallowed a lump in my throat.
"All I had to do was think of a solid plan to draw you out into my grasp. And here you are... right where I want."
His black eyes unsettled me; there was something about them that made me paralyzed. I couldn’t look away either.
"You’re curious, aren’t you? About who I am and why I’m doing this. Can you take a wild guess? Or no need... that will spoil the fun. I’ll tell you about this, though."
He raised the pen. "Theo Mercer. Remember him? The born genius who invented a lot of shit. The ant under my boots, but it’s a shame he’s dead now. He really was useful."
"W-What?"
He chuckled. "Seems like you don’t know. Your husband doesn’t tell you everything, does he? He ordered the hit on him. The news said he died in a house fire, but that’s bull. The poor guy was burned alive, unable to get out."
"Y-You’re lying..." I choked out.
There was no way Ares would do something as cruel. There was no way.
His smile suddenly turned off like a switch. "Why would I lie? I never lie. My father? Ares was so kind to take his tongue and let him go, but he didn’t survive it. My family and business were ruined after that. It didn’t end there. He kept taking and taking until there was nothing left."
"Y-You’re Noah, Noel Voss son."
"Bingo."
Now I knew why he looked familiar. He looked so much like his dad. I could never forget that face.
The freak accident of Noel Voss was Ares’s doing.
I didn’t want to believe it, but Noah’s actions proved everything. This vengeance against Ares... that was the source.
When Ares told me he was dangerous, I thought it was all too convenient to accept it. That’s right, I accepted, and now, hearing all these grotesque things he had done, I don’t even know what to think anymore.
"Back to what I was saying, as Mercer’s partner, legally, everything goes to me. Which means all his cool stuff. This pen is a courtesy of Theo. Think of it as his vengeance. A nano-transmitter that allows me to monitor you... The moment you breathe my name to Ares King or anyone, I’ll know."
Oh God.
"So that what happened today won’t repeat itself. I knew for a fact you were gonna find a way to tell your husband. He probably has this place swarming with his men."
"I didn’t—"
Noah placed a finger on his lips to stop me. "It’s okay... I understand." He smiled, but it meant no good. "It doesn’t matter now. I have you under my control; that feels way better. Of course, this wouldn’t have worked if you didn’t waltz into my grasp."
He stretched his hand for me, and I looked away, whimpering, but he simply rubbed against the spot he had injected me, which no longer stung.
"Let’s add some spice, shall we? Knowing how audacious you can be... tell anyone about this... Your friend won’t get mercy. This isn’t like before, Mrs. King. I promise you... I won’t end with just her. I heard you had a family in Rosevale."
My heart dropped, and I moved my teary eyes to him.
"That’s it ... I love that look. Now you know how much is at stake. Don’t be a bad girl."
He took his hand away, and I shuddered as he rose to his full height.
"I don’t know what you told your husband, but I’m sure you can cover up this mess. Wait for my order." He turned on his heel and left.
His retreating footsteps echoed, and my vision blurred. I didn’t even know when I picked myself up, my back pressed against the wall.
He tricked me.
He never wanted the flash drive; it was just a ploy to isolate me so that he could inject me with that weird shit.
I sobbed, searching for my purse, and I found it a few paces away. I grabbed it and fished out my phone to dial Tori’s number.
It rang, but she didn’t pick up. I need to get to her and make sure she’s okay.
I hurried to the elevator. I was about to press the button when it opened, and Nico, along with other men I couldn’t recognize, streamed in, spreading in all directions in search.
"Check this entire floor," he ordered before looking over at me. "Milady."
"What are you doing?" I asked, keeping my expression as stoic as possible.
"Are you alright? Did anything happen?"
"Yes, I’m fine! I came out here to ward you off, and I ended up tripping!"
Nico blinked.
"Take me to Ares, I know he’s here." I said, getting in the elevator.
When the doors opened again, I stepped out, following Nico to the designer’s boutique.
I noticed the mall had been cleared out, and men in black suits were all over the place.
When we walked into the boutique, I saw Ares and grew apprehensive. He looked colder than usual, and his eyes were glued to me as if checking for any distress or pain.
"What did you find?" He asked, not taking his eyes off me.
"Nothing, boss. There was no one there."
"You should have been more discreet," I said.
Ares inhaled as if trying to calm himself. "Enlighten me, baby."
"Some scammer wanted a piece of information about you. They made a few threats, and I caved."
"Who?"
I shivered at the darkness in his tone, suddenly recalling his victims, Noel Voss and Theo Mercer.
"J-Jenna Drew. Turned out she wasn’t just a friend but a backstabber. She needed info to bring you down, claiming you had something to do with a loved one of hers. She got desperate, said a few things would go public if I didn’t cooperate."