AUTHOR'S POV

City hospital
03:44 pm

" Take this doctor with us". Dash commanded his men before heading outside.

Draven's eyes widen. " W-why me? I told you everything I know". He said panicky to the emotionless persons who pulled their guns out of their pockets and took Draven on the gunpoint with them.

People gathered around the hospital's entrance witnessing the doctor getting dragged. But no one spoke a word because everyone knows King's power.

All the other mafias in the world are hidden. They commit sins in the dark but not King. Only original King's faces aren't revealed. Even if they roam between locals no one can recognise them.

Caden and Elly were on their way back to the apartment. They saw four black cars overtaking them in a heartbeat. Caden recognised who those cars belong to but never in his dream, he thought Draven could be inside of one of those cars.

As soon as Dash and his men landed on Hunter's Island along with Draven, Dash ran upstairs straight and went inside a room where Vi was been trapped by Hunter.

Opening the door Dash met with the smell of alcohol. The condition of the room was messy. Alcohol bottles were shattered everywhere. Drugs pockets were ripped, cigarettes were thrown on the floor.

Vi was lying half-naked alone in a corner with tied wrists. Her neck and collarbones were full of hickeys. Her waist and stomach had long red wounds like she has been beaten mercilessly with a belt. Her whole body had red and purple bruises on it. Even some shattered glass pieces were dug under her feet.

Dash went towards her and first of all checked her puls as she was barely breathing. He removed his coat and made her wear it. She was wincing and mumbling something under her breaths as she wasn't in her senses. She kept on hitting Dash's chest and pushing him away without even recognising him. Finally, she lost her leftover blurred vision and collapsed.

Dash effortlessly picked her up in bridal style and made her lay on the bed. He covered her up in a duvet and asked one of Hunter's men to bring Draven upstairs.

Dash isn't a soft-hearted person but also not a womanizer. He indeed works for all Hunter's illegal business but doesn't support nor interfere him when it comes to human trafficking.

Soon Draven was forcefully sent inside the room. His fearful eyes swiped around. Looking at the condition of the room as well as the girl he swelled in fear. He doesn't know Vi. Caden has never mentioned her sister in front of Draven because they aren't that close.

" Do whatever is in your hands. She should survive". Dash said turning towards Draven. " You'll get everything you need for her treatment within a few minutes". With that Dash went towards Hunter's room only to see him lying shirtless on his king-sized bed. Half of his face was hidden under a soft pillow as he was lying on his stomach, one hand was hanging from the bed that has a deep cut and the same ring.

" Finally got some time for me huh?". Hunter asked playing with the ring. His weak tone said it all. He was drunk.

" I called you several times but your mobile was switched off ". Dash took a seat beside him on the bed. " And about my time I'm giving it to you more than Zoe".

Hunter stayed silent for a moment staring blankly at his wounded hand. " Do something". He said gazing up at Dash. " I need to see her. I want to touch her. I want her here. It feels like a part of me isn't with me, Dash. I'm dying". Hunter breathed out.

" I'll bring her back to you. I'm investigating, she's still in New York". Dash assured.

Hunter sat up lazily in front of Dash who was witnessing his vulnerable side after a long time. " What did I miss, Dash? Where I went wrong? Isn't my love enough for her to come back to me". Hunter asked with sad eyes.

" You are a hundred times enough. And your powers too. This world is too small for her to hide from us". Dash's confidance spoke because he has taken over all New York's airlines. No one can go out without them knowing. And now from all the hospitals to subways and nightclubs, his men have spread. The whole city is under their control and he is making it congested for her to hide.

Now he also got Draven and Vi knowing both are somewhat connected to Grace.

Dash asked Draven about Caden on the way but he lied that he don't know who Caden is. He said there were lots of people who donate blood to patients he can't recognise Caden specifically. Dash also asked that who brought Grace to the hospital and he replied that he has no idea about it.

Dash didn't force him even though he knew that the doctor knows more than he admits. There would be a police case about the accident but there isn't any. He's letting Draven live because now only Vi can tell them about Caden but for that, she needs Draven to treat her.

Once she'll get her consciousness back then king know what they have to do with Draven.

" How's Violet here?". Dash asked wondering how she ended up here after all these years.

" That bitch was the one who helped Grace to escape from the airport". Hunter replied.

" Or maybe it was Grace who helped Vi to escape". Hunter's eyebrows crashed for a moment as Dash's words makes sense.

Vi is a normal girl but Grace isn't. She's skillful plus a wise girl.

" You r*ped her?". Dash's voice brought Hunter back from his thoughts.

" She died?". Hunter asked ignoring Dash's question.

" Not yet ".

Caden's Apartment,
02:44 am

" F*cking hell". Caden groaned as he turned in his sleep but fell from the couch in the middle of the night.

He stood up and made his way towards the kitchen to drink some water but Scott's hacking room's door was open. He slightly pushed the door only to see Scott sleeping on his chair with headphones on.

That room is full of computers and tangled wires. Caden went inside, his eyes landed on the computer screen. A black and white CCTV camera's live was on. A man drinking alcohol in it.

It was Scott's father who disowned him after the death of his mother.

Caden turned off the computer and glanced at Scott whose head was hanging, his eyes were closed, lips had a pout.

Scott has been treated like a younger brother since Caden and Elijah have found him. He isn't social, seeing him open with Grace was unexpected for both Caden and Elijah.

Caden removed Scott's headphones. Music was bursting in it. Scott stir in sleep and opened one of his eyes." Go to your room". Caden said making Scott nod. Only if it was Elijah instead of Caden in his hacking room, Scott would have thrown tantrumsat him.

Scott stretched his body before heading towards his shared bedroom with Elijah.

Caden closed the door behind him and went inside the kitchen. He grabbed a jug and filled a glass of water. He gulped it down resting his back on the kitchen counter.

Suddenly he heard a sobbing sound. Following the voice he approached his room he concluded that the voices were coming from inside.

He slightly knocked before entering the room only to see Grace hugging her knees. The room was dark only a golden side lamp was the source of light. Grace was resting her forehead on her knees. Her shoulders were shaking.

" Elly". Caden called softly sitting in front of her on the bed. Grace lifted her head. Her eyes were all puffy and red. " Elly what happened?. Is something hurting?". Caden asked narrowing his eyes on her.

She sniffed shaking her head. " I-I...I just can't understand anything". She cried. " What happened to me? I'm trying my best but I just can't act like everything is alright. I can't just accept the fact that I belong here. That you are my boyfriend. Even everything is in front of my eyes. Elijah, Scott you'll are so good to me. I believe you all but I've no memory left to deal with you all. I just feel so awkward to-to ask about myself. I want to know what's my favorite color is. What were my hobbies are. How close were we". She said in a very low tone.

" You don't need to pretend". Caden said wiping her tears. Her eyebrows crashed together. " If I feel like a stranger to you then treat me like one. I won't mind. We'll make a lot of good memories again. We'll start from the beginning".

She stared at him as he was so polite. His words warmed her heart. " Can I hug you?". She asked making Caden smile.

" Anytime". Caden replied opening his arms. She scooted closer to him and rested her head on his buff chest. Her arms wrapped loosely around him while his muscular once around her fragile body.

She took a deep breath closing her eyes hearing his loud heartbeat.

Caden creased her back gently. Letting her melt in his warm embrace. " Caden I want to know me. I want to know us". She said tightening her grip.

Caden rested his chin on her head. He doesn't know why but he can't fake his emotions towards her. Everything he did to her from the very start was genuine.

Every single word he has spoken with her was nothing but a fake story but his acts were never fake. He genuinely cares for her. His heart shrinks every time she cries. It also skips beats whenever he touches her. So does Hunter's.

• Everything cuts a little deeper at night.

Chapter published on: 20 March 2022