There he stood with his bulging arms crossed over his muscularly sculpted chest. Even through the crisp white shirt, his immpecable muscles were so prominent. Anissa's eyes fell on his empty holster. she swallowed hard and slowly remover her head cover.

His hair was disheveled and tossed back while his clean shaven jaw was set sharply. His piercing grey eyes staring at her slim frame in amused interest as his lips curled up a bit in a small smirk.

"Oh, aren't you feeling brave today. I remember you were so vulnerable and weak last night," he smirk grew wider. "And not to mention how you begged me last night."

Anissa didn't let that faze her but her body betrayed her when she felt hot all over as her cheeks flared up when his eyes started to roam up and down her body.

Snap out of it Ainnie! she mentally screamed at herself and focused on the matter at hand.

"Enough is enough Shehryaar." She spoke loudly, squaring her shoulders. Shehryaar narrowed his eyes when he heard his full name leave her plump lips.

"You think that it's okay? What do you have to say for yourself? You're acting normal like you didn't just take so many lives yesterday. Do you feel no shame or guilt? How could you have killed them in cold blood?" She knew it was pointless asking these questions from a psychopathic Mafia boss but she still wanted to. It was her attempt at trying to reach out to him so she could know that there is hope for him. It'll be easier on her conscious if later she decided to leave him and ended up with divorce--at least she won't be blamed for not trying.

Shehryaar chuckled, his chest moving causing his firm and toned muscles to vibrate. "Are you seriously trying to give me a lecture on this?" He expressed and looked at her with amusement. "You see me kill for the first time and you think that talking me into feeling guilt at my actions is going to make a difference?" he quirked a brow at her.

"Yes I do." She replied bravely, being well aware that he possessed no vestige of a conscience.

"Very well then, I'll humour you."

"Stop taking this matter so lightly. Don't you feel any remorse at your actions. You killed them all in cold blood." She accentuated, controlling herself from screaming. It was obvious from his nonchalant demeanour that he wasn't taking this matter seriously.

"Ah yes that I did. They dared to cross me and take what's mine. And what's even more, they betrayed me."

"You could've handed them over to the authorities. But instead of handing them over to the law, you took matters in your own hands like you had every right to it."

"Why wouldn't I? They dared to kidnap my wife." He sounded like he was reasoning. His eyes went hard all of sudden. "And I had every fucking right! don't you dare tell me otherwise." he sneared.

Anissa narrowed her eyes at him and crossed her arms over her breasts.

"You're outrageous. Yes they kidnapped me, but didn't you do the same with me? You kidnapped me and threatened and forced me to marry you."

"That's a different situation." His tone was strained now as Anissa saw his jaw clench.

"What is wrong with you? Don't you see that what I did was to protect you." Shehryaar snapped, getting annoyed with her constant nagging.

Anissa's anger flared. "What's wrong with me? Me? No Shehryaar what is wrong with you?" She questioned yet she knew the answers.

"Don't you see what you did wrong here. You killed those men in cold blood!" She screamed.

"So?" He shrugged nonchalantly like he was discussing the weather. Anissa was flabbergasted as her mouth hung open. She couldn't believe how unfazed he was.

A light amused chuckle escaped Shehryaar's lips as he made his way towards his angry wife; he found her expression so adorably amusing. "You're making me so hot right now with all your screaming. It's so sexy." He drawled as he reaches to touch her face but she slapped his approaching hand away. His grey eyes flashed in a dangerous gleam as he rough cupped her jaw. She winced.

"Get this through your head: those you dare to even so much as lay an eye on you will face my wrath. I will not spare anyone who fucking dares to cross me." He bellowed, his hard steely eyes piercing into hers.

"For me, betrayal is the ultimate sin. Those who betray me suffer a fate worse then death. Know this Anissa." He declared ferociously. Anissa knew he was being serious now as all signs of amusement had vanished.

"You say I should feel something for killing in cold blood? Why should I?" He asked in genuine curiosity. "I will kill anyone who dares to get in my way. I will fucking exterminate anyone who so much threatens to come near you. I am Shehryaar Ghulari, the Mafia King of the entire fucking Subcontinent. And anyone you comes in my way will be ruthlessly taken out." He declared arrogantly.

"And you, my precious Tara. You're my Queen. And I will fucking make everyone know your worth." He emphasised.

Anissa's eyes widened. That's it. I've lost him. Now I know he can never change. This whole matter is extremely normal for him. He will never change because he doesn't posses the insight for change. His lifestyle is completely normal routine for him. I was a fool for thinking that I could change him or try to reach out to him.

She knew talking to a psychopathic Mafia boss was a lost cause but she still felt like she could reach him: at some instances she had witnessed his human side so she knew he still had hope for changing. But she was wrong--he just proved her wrong.

"I don't want to be your Queen," she murmured. "I'm too terrified of you." She whimpered, her tears flowing down. "I can't live with you like this. You can't be like this." She whispered so low that she was certain that he couldn't

Shehryaar chuckled. He finally had her exactly where he wanted her. "That's good to know. You ought to fear me Tara."

"You killed all those men."

"That I did. There is no mercy for traitors. And their families are going to follow suit."

"Their families?" she chocked, her eyes widening as big as saucers.

His eyes gleamed viciously as his lips curled up in a ruthlessly cold smile as he caught her throat. He diverted his gaze away from her and focused it on observing her expressions. And as expected, an empathetic look masked her expression.

"No no please Shehry don't. Please spare them." She begged and tried to loosen his hold around her but he wouldn't budge; he didn't want to look in her innocent hazel eyes because he knew that if she started to convince him to spare those people then he won't be able to control himself and he would let his emotions get in the way. He didn't know why he felt so annoyed with her ranting because they made him feel nothing; no remorse, no guilt. Nothing. He had no idea what either of those feelings were; he understood them but he had never felt them. But she did effect him--what he felt for her was undescribable for him.

Her eyes pleading him, always begging which made his heart beat fast and stir. He didn't like that feeling. It made him feel emotions he had never felt before. So he was going to do what he did best.

He was going to handle Anissa with a cold iron fist. She was already being too stubborn. And now was the time to break her mental resolve once and for all. Putting her in her place and preparing her for her fate was his major objective for now.

Anissa couldn't fathom innocent people being hurt. she thought about the innocent women and children.

"Please please, spare them. You've already killed those men. Their families will be devastated. Please spare them." She beseeched.

Shehryaar didn't respond and released her from his hold. He exited the lounge and went straight to the bedroom. Anissa knew he wasn't listening to her so she followed behind him.

A dress was waiting for her on the bed and she quickly got dressed into it. Shehryaar emerged from the walk in closet and when he saw her waiting for him on the bed, he approached her.

"Shehry please,"

"You're coming with me." He said and roughly caught her wrist and began to drag her out of the room. He dragged her towards the elevator and soon enough, they were walking towards a posh bistro on the ground floor of the Burj Al-Khalifa.

Anissa lowered her head when she felt so many eyes on her; why wouldn't people stare at them? Shehryaar was ruthlessly dragging her across the place like he owned her.

They were seated on a table in the corner of the cafe.

Anissa was going to speak again but Shehryaar raised his hand and she kept quiet.

A waiter arrived. Shehryaar surprised Anissa by speaking in fluent Arabic even though the waiter could speak in English.

He's doing this on purpose. She thought. But her stomach was empty and growled in hunger. She remembered that she has vomited so much last night to get rid of the drug in her system. But the severity of the situation was making her lose her appetite.

And she was stubborn. When their breakfast arrived, she made no attempt to touch her food.

Shehryaar saw it and his eyes flashed dangerously. "Fucking eat right now or else!" He growled, letting his sentence hang in silent threat.

Anissa swallowed hard but she made no attempt to touch her food even though she was starving. Shehryaar sighed and reached into his suit jacket. Anissa became alert when she saw him pull out his hand gun.

"You wouldn't." She breathed in disbelief.

He smirked smugly. "I would and you know it."

"This is neutral ground. You know better." She stated firmly.

Shehryaar chuckled and put his gun back in his holster. "Oh Tara, sometimes I'm just in awe of your intelligence." He stated, his eyes slightly softening at her.

"You are strong, stubborn and smart. It's a very dangerous combination." He claimed. She felt a little elated at his admission. She felt acknowledged. But then dread filled her knowing that he would use every thing he had in him to deprive her of their traits as well; he was after all out to break her. But she didn't show him that his words had any impact on her.

Anissa stared at him. He was staring at her as well. They both studied each other.

He thinks that way about me. Good. I will not let him conquer me. She thought.

She's too good. I need to hurry with my plans. He thought.

Anissa gave him a small confident smile, her expression turning smug. "I'm glad you think so."

"Oh that I do. That's precisely why I'm so hell bent on breaking you." He said and with that, Anissa's fear set in.

"The more I know about you. The more I know how to exploit your qualities against you." He said. She gulped, knwoing she thought right.

"Do whatever you want," she muttered and squared her shoulders as she looked at him in the eye. "But leave the innocent out of it." She countered.

Anissa was pleased with herself that she was using her head. Shehryaar didn't say anything and started eating.

She sighed and started eating as well. There wasn't any point in being stubborn on this because she was only causing herself harm.

So for the time being, she kept quiet. Shehryaar didn't attempt to make any conversation as well. They ate in silence.

Anissa's mind was in a complete conflict. She was thinking of ways to convince him from sparing the innocent families.

Now she has realised why Shehryaar's gang was feared so much in Pakistan. So many bombings and kidnapping were going around and the MMM gang had taken responsibility for it.

"Shehryaar, please," she started, drinking water and gathering her wits.

Shehryaar frowned in annoyance upon hearing his name.

"Shehryaar?" Anissa called again. But he pretended like he wasn't listening and took out his phone and began multitasking on it.

Anissa realised why he was doing this.

"Shehry?" She sighed. She was right when she saw his lips quirk up a bit upon hearing that.

He can be such a child. She thought in irritation.

"What is it?" He asked irately, his eyes on his iPhone as his fingers tapped on the screen, his eyes set hard on whatever he was doing.

"We were talking about something."

"No we weren't. That discussion has ended."

"No it hadn't. You need to listen to me."

"Seriously?" Shehryaar snapped, his head rising up to face her. She knew that they were in public and he couldn't do much here.

"Yes?" She said, slightly confused. He was deliberately doing this to confuse her.

Shehryaar smirked and leaned on his elbows on the table. "What were we talking about then? Enlighten me please."

"What?" She huffed. "I can't believe how lightly you're taking this."

He shrugged. "It's the first time someone is talking to me about it. I don't see anything wrong with it yet here you are trying to change my mind on it. Just fuckig stop it already."

"Yes because it's wrong. Okay let's see from your point of view, those men did wrong and you killed them. That should be enough. Their families shouldn't be involved." She said as lowly as she could. "Why must you kill them as well?" She queried, her heart clenching at the mere thought of it.

His lips curled up in a cruel smile. "To set an example of course. My people know me well for my ruthlessness. I better uphold my reputation then." He said, his grey eyes gleaming sadistically.

"Please Shehry," her eyes were beginning to water now. This is hopeless. She thought in despair.

"Please spare them." She begged, her tears flowing down freely.

Shehryaar stared at her blankly. Yet on the inside he was annoyed. "Why the fuck do you care? What do they mean to you?" He spat in angered confusion.

Anissa glares at him through misty eyes.

"It's called humanity Shehryaar. Something that yu definetely lack."

"What's that? Something that makes you weak and vulnerable?" He mocked. Anissa wasn't even surprised.

"If being human makes you weak and vulnerable then yes, I would rather stick with my humanity and be weak and vulnerable." She declared fearlessly.

"Of course, I cannot expect a psychopathic criminal like you to understand. You know and understand yet you don't feel it. How can you possibly understand the pain of others?"

Shehryaar narrowed his eyes at her in a threatening manner. "Choose your next words wisely.

"What? Didn't like what you just heard?" Anissa challenged.

"Remember one thing Shehryaar Ghulari; if you think you're invincible then remember there will come a time when you'll be powerless and weak. And at that time, you will be nothing."Anissa said, her hazel eyes hard and ablaze with her flowing emotions.

Little did Anissa know, Shehryaar had been in such a situation; not once but many times. It wasn't for nothing that he was the way that he way. But he didn't botherig explaining it to her. He'd rather make her think like this then to show her that she effected him in ways more then one.

his motives were clear to him. And he would do everything in his power to accolpish them.

"So once again, I implore you. Don't harm the innocent."

Shehryaar stared at her for a moment until his lips contorted into a sadistic cruel smile. Anissa's heart thundered in her chest upon realising that he wouldn't change his mind and that made her fear and dread escalate.

"Oh, they are going to die alright. And you're going to witness it." He pronounced.

Anissa felt as if her heart dropped at the pit of her stomach. She felt like throwing up the food she just ate.

"You wouldn't." She breathed in disbelief.

"I would." He affirmed and threw the napkin on the table and stood up to his intimidating height.

"It's time you learned your place." He said and took a hold of her wrist.

Anissa pursed her lips to control her screams.

**********

This can't be happening. This just can't be happening! She mentally shouted. What the hell was I thinking? Trying to make a psychopath understand. She tried to breath but she couldn't. Her hand kept rubbing at her right wrist to sooth the burning bruises: he had kept a good grip on her when he took her back to the island and Anissa fought him throughout the way, begging to be let go and not to be made a part of his sick schemes but he wasn't having it.

And here she was now, in a dark and lonely room where he locked her about an hour ago. This room was located underground. She had discovered that the underground basement of the estate on the island was an underground facility. She didn't get to see much but she had figured out that this was probably the place where Shehryaar conducted his dirty business.

Her heart was beating erratically. Her mind was in peril: she had no idea what was coming up next. All she knew was that when Shehryaar would be back, whatever he's have in store for her wasn't good.

Oh Allah, please help me. Please give me strength. She prayed. That was all she could do now.

She froze in her place when she heard the click of the door. Cold dread curdled her blood. But she calmed down a bit when she saw Zameer.

"Bhai!" She choked and tried to control her sobs as she stood up from the chair. "Please, get me out of here." She begged and approached him, crashing against his chest. She knew it wasn't right, getting close or seeking comfort from another man but at the moment, she was desperate.

Zameer froze in his place. Carefully, he took her quivering shoulders and faced her. Her swollen eyes and pained expression ached his heart. His eyes softened upon her state.

"Bhabi, Shehryaar requires your presence. You'll have to follow me." He told, his tone firm yet sounded sympathetic. He tried hard to make himself appear cold and expressionless but he couldn't. He wasn't a master of control like Shehryaar and unlike him, he possessed a conscience. He was against Shehryaar for whatever he had planned for Anissa but he knew better then to disobey a direct order.

"No please bhai take me away from here. I don't want to be here anymore." She begged, her tears flowing. There was no way she was about to be a part of murder; it was against everything she stood for. Her personality, her emotional balance and her morality was on the line. She failed to change Shehryaar's mind; the least she could do now was keep away from his dirty business.

Zameer immediately looked away from her pitiful state. He couldn't pretend like he wasn't effected by her tears. His mind and heart were at war with each other.

"Bhabi, please," he sighed and closed his eyes. Anissa saw his struggle. She understood that he couldn't go against his boss. So she bowed her head and nodded.

Zameer clenched his jaw. That bastard. Can't he see she's too innocent for it. I had thought that once he would Marry her he would change. I was wrong. We were wrong Shahzeb. He's even more out of control now. He thought venomously.

He led her to the place where Shehryaar was waiting. Anissa kept her gaze trained on the ground as she walked behind Zameer. The door closed behind her when she entered another dark place. She didn't dare raise her eyes. The still stagnant air reeked and make her stomach knot with unease.

"Ah, there you are." Shehryaar exclaimed joyfully. Anissa felt her skin crawl.

"Saeen," Zameer affirmed and approached his boss. They started to speak in a language that Anissa didn't understand but she knew it was Sikhali, the local language of the Sikhai.

"Saeen, aasi mitu khikaar (Boss, please don't do this.)" Zameer spoke in a measured tone.

"Teh Mieya sawaleh khikaareh? (Are you questioning me?)" Shehryaar spoke in monotone, his eyes set on the quivering frame of his wife. He wasn't surprised that Zameer was moved by Anissa's pitiful state. He was a soft man when it came to women. Especially now when he was about to get married himself, he was letting his morals come between his work.

"Bikah neh Saeen. Mieya aasi sawaleh khikaareh pa. machay Mieya aasi keh tarkaayeh la haami deh nahe. Yi bohateh zaadi ussa keh la. (Of course not Boss. But I don't agree with what you're doing. It'll be too much for her.)

"Teh Kieh maslaateh? (Why do you care?)" he sneered. If it were anyone else questioning him about his actions they would be six feet under by now. But Zameer wasn't just anyone. He was Shehryaar's accomplice and trusted second in command. Only he had the right to talk so informally with Shehryaar after his brother, Amma and now Anissa.

"Saeen, pacheh. Wohe miteh bardaashteh neh khikaara. (Boss please, she won't be able to bear it.)"

"Wohe khikaar. Wohe isseh zindageh tyaara khikaareh. Wohe Mieya biwah. Waqtah ha Wohe sikheh aapsi aukaateh. (She will have to. She will have to prepare for this life. It's time she learned her place.)"

"Saeen, Mieh patasi aasi quoon khikaara. (Boss, I know why you're doing this)"

"Enough! Shut the fuck up right now Zameer." Shehryaar roared. He knew what Zameer was referring to or more like, who he was trying to remind him of. and Shehryaar would rather not let his emotions get in the way for what he was about to do and the mere mention of Shahzeb would set him off.

Anissa stood rooted to her spot and tried to calm herself but failed miserably.

"Now," Shehryaar turned his attention on the devastated beauty and stood in front of her "Tara, look at me," he commanded in a murmur as he lifted her chin up.

Her tear filled hazel orbs peered at him. "Please Shehry, take me home. I don't want to be here." She beseeched, grabbing the lapels of his suit jacket.

"Now where would the fun be in that?"

"Please don't involve me in this."

Shehryaar didn't reply and jerked his chin towards Zameer. Zameer and sighed and bowed his head in acknowledgement.

He left the place and returned back with four people trailing behind him. Anissa gasped when her eyes fell upon then four men.

"Shehry, wha,"

"Now then Anissa," Shehryaar faced her, all signs of amusement vanished from his features as his eyes became void of emotions: the grey of his eyes hardened into steely shards as they stared down at Anissa.

He said my name. He's dead serious now. She swallowed.

"Here's what your going to do." He started and took out his hand gun from his holster. Anissa flinched when he took her hand and made her grip the handle of the dangerous firearm that was heavy and loaded.

"These are the men who were also involved in your kidnapping." He told her in monotone.

"You're going to kill them." He declared. Anissa felt as if the sky fell on her. She prayed that the ground would open up and swallow her whole. All she wanted now was to get away from this demented psychopath.

**********
Sikhali isn't a real language, I made it up :p
Vote, comment and promote
Support as much as you can.
See you next Monday