HUNTER'S POV

Hunter's basement,
10:13 p.m.

I scooped the girl up in my arms, carrying her out of the hall like she was a feather as if I were lifting a ten-year-old. She clung to me tightly, her body was trembling with a mix of fear and vulnerability.

I had never witnessed her like this before, not even after pushing her to her limits. The sight of her shaking made me hold her tighter. As I stepped outside, one of my bouncers opened the car door for us.

I bent down gently, placing her in the backseat, but she resisted letting go of my coat. Her fists were clenched, holding on with a desperate grip as if she feared the world outside. The intensity of her emotions was palpable, and in that moment, I realized how deeply she needed someone to hold her.

She was too panicked to hear me, her breath was coming in shallow gasps. I slipped my thumb under her fist, gently loosening her grip, but it felt like she was holding on as if her life depended on it. Her hand felt so small against my palm, almost dwarfed by its size.

Her eyes darted around, searching for something to anchor her, but all she found was my steady gaze. Her eyes were red and swollen, reflecting a storm of emotions- fear, confusion, and a hint of vulnerability. She tried to form words, but they tumbled out as incoherent wobbles, a testament to her disarray.

Her shaky hand pointed toward the basement as if trying to complain as if trying to tell me that they had wronged her. Her eyes began to stream tears again.

I released my hand and reached for a water bottle from the front seat, opening it with one hand while still holding onto her. I could feel the warmth radiating from her, a stark contrast to the chill in the air, and it made me realize just how fragile she was in that moment.

"Drink up," I encouraged, bringing the bottle to her lips.

She grabbed it with both hands, her fingers trembling as she desperately drank the water. I could see her throat moving with each frantic gulp, the water slipping down as she tried to quench a thirst that seemed to stem from more than just her parched throat. I steadied her grip on the bottle, ensuring she wouldn't spill it.

As soon as the bottle was pulled away from her lips, she panted heavily, the sound filled with a mix of relief and lingering fear. Her body was still shaking, and I could sense the weight of her emotions pressing down on her, making her feel even more vulnerable.

I don't know but I provided her the warmth she was craving, reassured her that she wasn't alone in this moment.

The most human thing she got me doing to date.

I felt my shirt drenching with her tears. I stayed still until her body seemed to relax. I withdrew from her and removed my coat to drape it over her, aware of the biting cold that caused visible condensation with each breath she took. She was already battling the chill, her teeth were scattering.

After closing the door, I made my way to the driver's seat, starting the engine as I directed the car toward our destination.

I was seething with anger at my men. Those m*therf*ckers dared to defy my rules, and it infuriated me.

As I glanced in the rearview mirror, my gaze fell upon the small figure in the backseat, all curled up in my coat.

She appeared utterly disoriented, seemingly unaware of her surroundings. Her eyes flickered nervously, lacking control over her body and mind at that moment. She couldn't even focus her gaze properly.

Usually, I enjoy these kinds of sights but not at that moment. Yes, I was the one who I promised to show her vulnerability but not like this.

"F*ck!"

I slammed my hand on the steering wheel out of anger. I was mad. Mad than I've been in a long time.

I'll sue each one of them. They need to know who they disobey. Shooting their knees isn't enough. They need to be shown what he'll taste like.

As I approached my penthouse, the gates swung open, welcoming me into the compound. The soothing sound of running water filled the air, emanating from the fountain nearby. I stepped out of the car and opened the back door, revealing her still curled up, just as I had left her.

"Could you walk?" I asked, and she flinched at the sound of my voice. She didn't respond, merely gazing at my face before her eyes drifted to the window, lost in thought. I noticed her rubbing her legs together in an attempt to ward off the cold; she was barefoot, and her feet had turned a pinkish hue.

Gently, I slipped one hand beneath her knees and the other under her torso, lifting her into my arms. I felt a soft gasp escape her lips as she instinctively wrapped her delicate arms around my neck. Her breath was warm against my skin, but her cheek was cold to the touch.

I carried her to one of my spare rooms and laid her down on the bed. A tear rolled down from the corner of her eye, and before I even realized it, my hand reached out to wipe it away, surprising myself with the instinctive gesture.

She had turned even colder. Her skin felt as if I was touching a tile of ice, devoid of warmth. Her lips were dried and slightly parted, a stark contrast to the softness I remembered.

My hand reached out beside her head to adjust the pillow properly, ensuring she was comfortable. As I did, my gaze fell on her neck, where I noticed a fading bruise that marred her delicate skin. Without thinking, I tugged my finger gently at the neckline of her shirt, pulling it down toward her shoulder to assess the extent of the bruise. My thumb brushed against the discolored skin just as she inhaled sharply, causing her pulse point to throb beneath my touch.

I looked back at her face, and she was already gazing at me with those tired eyes. "Your life would have been easier if you weren't so stubborn," I murmured, a hint of frustration lacing my words.

In a tender gesture, I covered her eyes with my palm, encouraging her to close them. She instinctively reached out to my wrist, trying to remove my hand, but I gently placed her hand back on her stomach with my other hand, grounding her.

"Shh...don't fight it. Let the darkness consume your mind," I whispered, my voice barely above a breath.

Gradually, she seemed to relax, her body surrendering to the calmness. The rhythm of her rising and falling breaths steadied, and her face looked so small beneath my hand that I slowly removed it, watching as she drifted off into a peaceful slumber.

I covered her up with the duvet, tucking it around her securely, and turned on the heater to warm the room. Taking one last glance at her serene form, I left the room, leaving a warm glow from the lamp to keep her company in the shadows.

I pushed my hair back as I made my way towards my master bedroom; taking off my shirt, I tossed it on the bed. I was about to enter the bathroom for a relaxing shower but the buzzing of my mobile stopped me.

The caller ID was private, and I knew who had finally reached out to me.

I picked the call up and brought my mobile to my ear. I stayed silent, and so did he for a long moment.

"King." I heard a manly voice pronouncing my last name. The bitterness lingered. " The King's reign is almost over. It's time for a new king." He spoke in a declaring tone. "It's soon gonna be replaced with Mavros. Ace Mavros alone." He added, revealing his identity.

I walked towards the balcony. Knowing as far as I could see this all belongs to me.

"The name is earned, not stolen, like the title you stole from your father by killing your family." I leaned in resting my hands on the railing.

"I don't follow the rules like you, Kings. I don't play fair, I don't mind stealing." He scoffed, his tone sharp. Nothing new. Being proud, stabbing in the back has always been their thing.

" You won't last long without rules in the underworld. An empire is built based on rules and trust. And empires don't crumble easily." I acknowledge him with the first rule he might have never learned.

"Every empire falls, and yours is no different. It's only a matter of time before the throne is mine." His voice was laced with menace.

I chuckled. "You don't seem to understand, do you?" I put my mobile on the other ear as the conversation seemed to get interesting. "Your reign is built on shaky ground. There's no competition between kings and any other gang. No one stands a chance. I have crushed many like you before."

"I'm not coming to compete. I'm coming to own it entirely." My jaw clenched as my patience turned thin. "And I'm not coming alone. Finding Kings' enemies wasn't that hard." He added.

"Unity is power, but a hundred sheep can't kill a Wolf." He went silent at my words, which made me smile to myself. " I like keeping weak in line." I triggered him.

"Weak?" He chuckled darkly, his voice dripping with mockery. "Threatening my man, using eight years to approach me, isn't a brave move."

"As if you confront like a man." I provoked him, my voice steady. "Shoot my father through a stripper. Attacked my right hand like a coward."

"Attacking the Godfather in his town isn't what cowards would do. Admit it that I broke the fragile egos of Kings who thought they were untouchables." His voice rose with confidence, and a hint of laughter followed. "Underestimating me is always my rival's worst mistake."

" I'll bury you before you even get close." My voice was calm and assured, with no slight crack in my confidence.

"I'm closer than you know. Even closer to my crown." He emphasized the word 'my'.

My jaw clenched. "Call it yours when you own it."

"Oh, I soon will." He purred.

I smiled, the confidence surging through me, ready for whatever came next. "Then let the game begin. I've always loved a challenge, especially one that ends with a new king."

• Never wrestle with pigs. You both get dirty and pings like that.

Chapter Published On: 01 December 2024.

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