Mathias checked his watch again, his teeth gritted to quell his temper. If this wasn't so important, he'd have stormed out already. He never tolerated anyone being late to meetings. But this would be worth it, he placated himself. Totally worth it.

Leaving Anna this morning was torture. He'd had to physically pry her off him, even when she felt so damn good. He'd wanted to roll her over and run his tongue over every inch of her perfect body. Even when he'd finally got home he could still smell her on him. He hadn't wanted to shower and lose it, but it was important to keep up a clinical façade for Krause for as long as possible.

He glanced around Café Ruhe, aware that people were watching him in return. Good. This first bit had to be public. It was vital.

Soon enough, he saw the waiter bring over his guest, who looked thoroughly displeased. 'Herr Krause, for you Herr Keller.'

'Very good,' he said to the waiter. 'I'll have another vodka. Double.' He looked to Krause. 'For you?'

'Brandy,' replied Krause curtly.

'Make that a double as well,' Mathias instructed.

'Of course, sir,' said the waiter, and hurried away.

Mathias looked up at his seething lunch partner. 'Do sit down, Professor.'

Reluctantly, Krause sat opposite him. 'I should have known this was all a ruse,' he sighed. 'Too good to be true that Herr Werner was willing to offer such a large sum...'

'The sum is still on the table,' promised Mathias. 'I just used him to bring you here. I knew you wouldn't come if it was me.'

'No, likely not.'

They sat in silence until the drinks came, Mathias studying Krause. He should have known Anna would never want a man like Krause. He might be a veritable genius in his field, but he was utterly repellent. That ridiculous beard and suit showed a self-love that was nothing short of delusional. The strange bruise on Krause's lip made his hand twist into a fist under the table. When his eyes found the broken finger, it was all Mathias could do no lunge at him across the table.

Patience. He had to have patience.

The waiter returned with their drinks, placing them discreetly in front of them. 'Will that be all for you, Herr Keller?'

Mathias waved his hand in response, letting the waiter leave before he began speaking again. 'So, let's talk business shall we?'

Krause sighed, gulping the brandy down in one swig. No self-control, clearly. 'I'm not sure you will want to invest in this, given that your little girlfriend is no longer part of the expedition.'

Mathias cocked his head to the side. 'That surprises me. It was all she could talk about.'

Scoffing, Krause set his glass aside. 'She wasn't quite as committed as she made out.'

'Hmm,' was all Mathias could manage. She'd never confirmed she'd been completely cut from the project. Anna would be utterly devastated. First she had been molested, and now her dream was shot to pieces. This man would pay dearly for that. Mathias had to supress the rage. It wasn't time. 'Anna and I are not courting though, Professor Krause. My interest in your work is separate.'

'Oh,' said Krause, his brow furrowed. 'I thought she was the one that encouraged you to invest?'

'I'm never one to turn down a good opportunity,' said Mathias before he sipped his vodka. Now it was time to set the trap 'Besides, I'm not going to let some silly girl and her games stop me being a part of history.'

'Silly games?' asked Krause.

'Mhmm,' said Mathias. 'Little fool thought she could tempt me without giving me anything in return. I don't like being played.'

'I know what you mean,' snorted Krause. 'That one's quite the little cock tease.'

That was one foot in the trap.

'Quite,' agreed Mathias. 'Would you like another brandy?'

'Yes, if you don't mind?'

'My pleasure,' said Mathias through a fake smile, calling the waiter over. He was there in seconds. 'I'll take the bottle of whatever you poured my friend.'

'Of course,' obliged the waiter.

Krause tucked into the bottle greedily, not bothered by Mathias simply nursing his vodka. Second foot in the trap.

'To fresh opportunities,' said Mathias, holding up his glass.

Krause clinked his quickly before he downed another glass. Fool. This was almost too easy.

'So why isn't Anna on the expedition anymore?' asked Mathias, keeping his cool as best he could.

'Similar situation to you,' said Krause. 'Spent years batting her eyes at me, getting me alone late at night, you know, the usual.'

Mathias managed a nod for him to continue. Any more would give away his rage.

'So I wait, like a gentleman. And when I finally come to take what I'm owed, she does this!' He waved his broken finger at Mathias whose eyes tracked the movement. 'I had such high hopes for her.'

'A smart girl should know better,' said Mathias, his tone clipped.

'You'd think,' sighed Krause. 'Idiot insists she can earn her place in this world like a man. The cheek of it. Women like her should be grateful for the opportunity, even if it is on their knees.'

He would pay for that comment dearly.

'Quite,' said Mathias, clearing his throat. If he heard any more, he'd lose it. 'So let's set her aside. Are you still looking for investors?'

'Absolutely!' said Krause eagerly. 'And having the Keller name attached to the project would assure its place in history.'

'My thoughts exactly,' said Mathias. The cage door had come down, and his prey was never getting out. 'Come then, let's talk logistics.'

Somehow, Mathias made it through another half an hour of this inane discussion. With every new amount of money he threw at Krause, the fool got more inebriated.

Mathias couldn't help but feel enraged at himself. Why did he believe, even for a moment, that Anna would let this lout rut away on top of her? His Anna would never be so calculated. She was true and honest... and shy. At least with sex. She held herself to a higher standard than to let a simpering old fool drool all over her, even if it was for her dream job.

When the conversation had finished, Mathias settled the tab.

'Please, let me Herr Keller. It's the least I could do,' said Krause.

'Certainly not, Professor Krause. This is my pleasure.'

Well, it would be very soon.

'Can I give you a ride back to the university?' Mathias asked as they left the restaurant. 'The rain is beginning to pick up and I'm afraid I've rather led you astray with those brandies.'

Krause looked up at the sky. 'A lift would be greatly appreciated. Gives me a little extra time to sober up before I give my lecture.' He laughed loudly, Mathias forcing a small chuckle to appease him.

Mathias led him to the car where Müller as waiting. Upon seeing his boss, Müller climbed out and got the door for them both.

'The university please,' slurred Krause as he climbed in.

Müller nodded but looked at Mathias. Giving him a knowing look, Mathias shook his head. His driver would never disobey his orders, particularly not when he had mapped them out so clearly earlier that day. And particularly not after he'd allowed that creep Fischer to go sniffing around and stick his nose up Anna's skirts last night.

As the car pulled away, Mathias tried to contain his excitement. He could feel his pulse in his ears, that delicious adrenaline coursing through his veins as he glared at the oblivious fool opposite him. Reaching to his belt, his fingers smoothed over the end of the Luger pistol he'd painstakingly concealed the entire time at the restaurant.

'Thank you for the lift,' sighed Krause. 'It would have been a very wet walk back to the university.'

'And we couldn't have that, now could we?' said Mathias, letting go of his weapon to reach into his jacket pocket. He drew out his gloves, pulling them on quietly so as not to distract Krause from staring out at Berlin.

'Erm, I don't mean to be rude,' said Krause, scrutinising the view, 'but we're going in the wrong direction.'

'No, we're not,' replied Mathias, as he pulled out his cigarettes. 'I have a stop to make along the way.'

'I really can't be late back, I have an afternoon lecture that I must get to.'

'Don't worry, this won't take long. Consider it a nice way to 'sober up' as you put it.'

Slightly uneasy, Krause went back to the scenery.

Sparking his smoke, Mathias took a long drag, letting it swirl into his system and up to his head before he blew it out. He needed to take the edge off for now.

Krause grimaced. Clearly, he didn't like smoking.

Feigning ignorance, Mathias leant forward to offer him one.

The professor held his hand up. 'No thank you. I'm more of a cigar man.'

Figures. Pretentious prick.

Mathias let the time pass, the minutes ticking over in his mind. He couldn't spring too early. The timing had to be just right. The silence left unsettling images to capture his sub conscious. Images of Anna sprawled on the floor, sobbing, with her skirts up around her waist. He'd tried so hard not to picture it, but with Krause right in front of him, it seemed all but impossible. His little cuckoo bird had fought. He knew that. But how much had she had to endure before she'd been able to lash out?

Eyeing Krause, Mathias went through an entire cigarette and simply sparked another.

This man looked selfish. Everything about him oozed pure filth and greed. And he'd unleashed that on Anna, a person who was the complete opposite. She was pure and caring and beautiful, and deserved nothing less than the perfection she gave to the world in turn.

As the streets started to wear into dishevelment, his time drew near. Now was the moment Mathias had been waiting for. He'd been patient for long enough. 'So tell me,' he said, his voice level despite his anticipation. 'What exactly transpired between you and Anna?'

Krause snorted. 'You don't want to know the details.'

Mathias took another drag on his smoke. 'Oh but you see, I do, Professor Krause. I really do.'

Krause finally stopped looking at the roads and focused on Mathias. 'Why?'

'Well,' began Mathias, slowly drawing the gun from its holster and setting it on his knee, 'what you tell me will determine exactly what happens next.'

'Jesus Christ,' hissed Krause, scrabbling back as much as he could in his seat. 'What's that for?'

'To ensure you're not going to leave.' Casually, Mathias placed it in the seat next to him, his eyes piercing Krause's. He looked terrified.

Good.

'I'd like to get out,' called Krause to Müller, knocking loudly on the partition.

'He'll stop when we get to our destination,' said Mathias. 'This is why I needed this.' He tapped the gun. 'I knew you'd be a spineless little shit and try to jump at the first chance you got. So just sit back and relax.'

'Relax,' spat Krause, though he tried to do as he was told.

'Now, take me through everything you did.'

'I-I told you,' stammered Krause, squirming in his seat, 'nothing happened.'

'Anna isn't the type to lash out and hurt a person for pure pleasure,' Mathias retorted, his mouth twisting into a small smile. 'Believe me, I know that person. I am that person. But that's not her.' He looked Krause over, enjoying the terror he panted out with every small breath.

Krause couldn't get any more words out, his eyes now solely on the gun.

Giving an irritable sigh, Mathias leaned forward and grabbed Krause's hand.

'What are you...'

'Hold still,' instructed Mathias, as he held the letch's palm flat up, and stubbed his cigarette out into his flesh.

Krause squealed like a pig, writhing and kicking at Mathias to no effect. When Mathias finally let him go, he cradled his hand to his chest. Slightly more satisfied, Mathias leant back, flicking the butt at Krause before his hand set back on his gun.

'Did Anna make that sort of sound when you touched her?' Mathias asked, his head tipped to one side. 'Or was she stoic? I imagine she was...'

'Please, I didn't...'

'Begging will not help you, Professor. You're nowhere near pretty enough for your pleas to have any effect.'

'You're sick!'

'If you just tell me what you did, this would all go a lot quicker.'

Still, the feckless little worm said nothing.

But Mathias needed to know. He needed to know everything about it. It was his own personal punishment. She'd phoned him after it had happened; begged him to come and save her. And he'd left her there because he had believed a lie. 'What do you think about when you think of her?'

'It doesn't matter.'

'What's your usual fantasy with her?' he persisted. When he was met with silence, Mathias rolled his eyes and clicked the safety off on the gun.

'No, no,' Krause spluttered, shrinking in on himself. 'All right. I... I think about her on her knees.'

Mathias took a deep breath and ran is tongue over his teeth. 'Go on.'

'She's naked, on her knees a-and willing.'

Clenching his free fist, Mathias dug his knuckles into his thigh muscles. 'Is your cock in her mouth?'

'Y-yes.'

'And did she look like that in your office the other day?'

Pure silence. That was a no, then.

'Her skin is really soft, isn't it?' Mathias continued. 'Especially on her thighs. She uses this lotion on her whole body. Smells sweet and citrusy. I think she said its bergamot and orange.' He took another pause to watch Krause, who's eyes had closed. 'It's amazing all over her body but on her thighs?' He blew out a breath. 'I don't have to tell you, its best between her thighs. Makes my mouth water just thinking about it. Do you know that smell?'

Krause's eyes screwed shut even tighter.

He definitely knew that smell.

'Okay, why don't I explain how this is going to go,' said Mathias, leaning forward with his elbow on his knee so that Krause flinched. 'For everything you did to her, I will repay it in kind. So, if you stole a kiss from her, I'll break your jaw.' Instinctively, he squeezed his hand to a fist, the leather of his gloves creaking loudly through the still of the car. 'If any of those greedy little fingers touched her intimately, then I will cut each of them off.' He cocked his head to the side. 'Are you getting the picture yet?'

Again, Krause gave no reply, his eyes finally opening. The rain hammered on the windows, the car not stopping its journey through the damp streets.

Any delight had seeped from Mathias' tone, his words now only full of menace. 'And if you somehow shoved that thing between your legs into any part of her, then I will have to do the same thing to you with something equally as unpleasant.'

'W-what?'

'I was thinking a broken bottle. Do you think your arsehole could take it? Or would it be resistant, just like Anna...'

'I never fucked her! I swear!'

Mathias sat still for a moment, making him wait. 'Is that a promise?'

'Yes, I swear to you. I got nowhere close! It was just a disagreement between us! A misunderstanding.' That was a lie. He could tell it was a lie. This man had touched Anna. He knew it in his gut.

'But you did kiss her, didn't you Professor?'

Frozen, Krause seemingly searched for the best answer. 'S-she kissed me.'

'That's funny. Because Anna has never once tried to bite my lip off or break my finger when I've kissed her.'

'I paid the price for it!' implored Krause, pointing to his lip.

'The surely, the same could be said of your finger?' asked Mathias. There was another strained silence. 'Is that the one you touched her with?' When Krause didn't reply, Mathias grabbed him by his shirt and put the gun to his temple. 'Did you touch her with this finger?'

'Yes!' screeched Krause. 'I was... I was...'

'You were what, Professor?'

Krause gulped. 'I was trying to get her ready to take me. I didn't want to hurt her on her first time?'

'That's right. She told you she was a virgin because she hoped it would stay your hand.' Mathias pulled him closer, Krause whimpering. 'But you're just a sick fuck, aren't you? Did you think you were the first one to touch her like that?'

Krause nodded.

'Hate to break it to you, but you weren't,' hissed Mathias through his teeth. 'Was she even wet for you?'

Shaking his head, Krause managed to rasp out 'bone dry.'

'And that wasn't an indication that she found you repellent?' spat Mathias.

'Please, Herr Keller, this is madness!'

'Is it?'

'I won't go near her again. She's all yours.'

'Yes,' barked Mathias, 'she is mine. And you tried to take something that wasn't yours, didn't you?'

'Let me go and I won't say a thing to anybody,' promised Krause. 'I'll even let her go on the expedition.'

'She isn't going anywhere with you,' spat Mathias, shoving him back into his seat. 'You think I wouldn't find her something better?'

'You don't understand! Her grandfather, Edward Goldstein, he won't let her near any projects. This is the only opportunity she might ever get, I stuck my neck out for her!'

That wasn't any sort of a barrier to Mathias. He'd do anything to give Anna what she wanted. 'So that's why you expected her to fuck you? Because you were so kind?'

The car began to slow before Krause could answer.

'Oh good, we're here,' said Mathias, sitting back. 'Now, if you try to run, Müller will shoot you in the head. That would be trying to take your punishment like a woman, you see.' Mathias bared his teeth in a grin. 'And you need to take this like a man.'

Krause swallowed at having his own words thrown back at him. 'I won't run.'

'Good.'

The car pulled to a full stop, the hammer of the rain on the roof dominating the silence. Mathias didn't move, waiting for Müller to come and open the door.

'Out,' ordered Müller to Krause, though his voice wavered. Such a soft boy. He'd really have to do something about that going forward.

Shaking, Krause got out of the car, trying his best to stand still on the pavement as Mathias followed him out. Müller had his gun drawn at the ready, pointed at Krause who looked wildly around him.

'Where are we?' he asked, staring at the dilapidated buildings. They were in the abandoned warehouse district, not far from Myra's apartment. It was the perfect location.

'Nowhere that anyone will care what we do,' said Keller, his voice loud to cut through the rain. He buried into his pocket again, Krause watching as he pulled out a pair of brass knuckles. 'These were a gift from Ernst Werner,' Mathias explained as he slipped them on. 'I believe you and him had a wonderful conversation at the gala.'

'Please Herr Keller!'

'You told him you were sleeping with Anna. That she was so grateful for the position on your team that she dropped to her knees at every available opportunity. Right?'

'I don't remember.'

'That's unfortunate. I don't like lies.' Mathias raised his fist in preparation.

'Wait, no wait!' cried Krause, his hands in front of him as he cowered. 'Yes, yes I said it.'

All three men were sodden, though Mathias was oblivious to the sting of the cold water thrashing against him.

'Why say that when it's not true?' Mathias asked.

'I was staking my claim. I-I told you, I thought she and I had an understanding. I just wanted you to back off.'

'That was stupid of you.'

'Yes. Yes it was!' Krause peeked over his hand at Mathias, wincing again when he saw his stance hadn't changed. 'But I've learnt my lesson, she's yours.'

'Say it again.'

'She's yours!' cried Krause in a strangled scream. 'Please don't hurt me.'

'I'm afraid it's the only way to make you understand,' said Keller, then upper cut him straight into the gut.

Krause crumpled, falling to the floor in a tight ball.

It wouldn't stop Mathias. He reigned down repeated blows, enjoying the pained shrieks he drew from the feckless coward. How dare this man touch his Anna... How dare he think she would submit to him. He had to pay. He had to understand how severely deluded he was to have believed that Anna would ever want him to touch her.

Getting a hold of his collar, Mathias dragged him up. He struck him once across the jaw, the definite crack it made under the brass so satisfying. It felt so good that he did it again. Every little cry Krause gave, every crunch his body made, sent satisfaction coursing through Mathias' veins. He'd beaten people before. He'd hurt people before. But it had never felt this good. If he hadn't had Anna coming over his cock, he'd think that this was the best he could ever feel. Perhaps beating this spineless creep felt so fucking amazing because it was all for her. This was justice for something that never should have happened to her.

As Krause writhed on the floor, Mathias turned to Müller. 'Cigar cutter.'

Müller hesitated.

'Now!'

Rifling in his jacket, Müller did as he was told and handed it to him. It was something Mathias' grandfather had always insisted on; every bodyguard had to be equipped with one in case he needed a cigar. Naturally, Mathias wasn't that way inclined. But he knew a good use for the tool nevertheless, so had never dissuaded the habit.

Grabbing it, Mathias pulled up Krause's broken finger, earning another cry from him. He ripped off the splint, then slid the cigar cutter down to the base.

'That won't cut it off,' managed Müller. 'It's not strong enough.'

Mathias smiled at him. 'I know.' Then he pressed the blade down.

Krause's griping scream was delicious. He tried so hard to pull away from Mathias, his eyes wide to the blood spilling from his finger and down his arm. Mathias took his time, easing the blade slowly as he turned and twisted it against the flesh. He'd go until he hit bone. This had to be painful. Mathias had no idea if Krause had bothered to ease this exact finger into Anna or if he'd shoved, but a slow, steady approach is the one he would take. He wanted to watch as the crimson seeped over his glove, listen to the mewling pleading Krause couldn't help but splutter. The blood was washed away by the rain, but it swirled into a concoction around his body. Along with something else. Cowardly shit had pissed himself.

As he felt the bite of the bone, Mathias looked up at Müller. 'You got the serrated knife?'

Müller shook his head.

Mathias sighed. 'Pity.' Releasing the finger, Mathias slid the cigar cutter off and chucked it on the ground.

Müller bent low and picked it up, his gaze focused on anything but Krause as he tucked it away again.

Mathias just let his eyes wander over his plaything. Did it make it better or worse that he was such a yellow bellied little cunt? It was certainly satisfying hearing him whine, but to know someone like this had bested Anna? Disgraceful.

Eventually, he let Krause fully drop to the floor, letting him cry and whimper. Mathias rose to his feet, his shoulders heaving as he breathed in deeply, trying to let the anger ebb away. He didn't want to stop. If he had it his way, he'd just kill him. No one would miss him.

Anna didn't want that sort of responsibility hanging over her head. This wasn't her fault at all. But he knew she'd blame herself. Leaving him alive left Krause the space to carry on his pathetic little life far away from her, leaving Anna with nothing but peace.

Mathias pulled the brass knuckles off and thrust them at Müller. 'Here. Take these. Before I kill him.'

Hurriedly, Müller took them and stuffed them in his pocket, tucking his gun away at the same time. Idiot boy looked sick to his stomach.

'Do you not think he deserved this?' Mathias asked him.

Müller met his eyeline. 'Of course he did, Herr Keller.'

'Just can't stomach the justice needed?' Mathias asked.

Müller cleared his throat. 'What should we do with him?'

'Leave him. Someone will find him.' Mathias crouched down, fishing Krause's wallet from his pocket and chucking it to Müller. He bent lower, making sure Krause could hear him. 'You were mugged, understand?'

All Krause could manage was a nod.

'Good. Because if you mention my name, nothing will happen to me. But you'll end up in a landfill, rotting amongst the maggots where you belong.'

Straightening up, Mathias looked to his driver. 'Drop me home. I need a shower then I'll take my own car.'

'To where?' Müller asked as they walked to the car.

'Where do you think?' Mathias asked as he opened his door. 'I need to go and claim what's mine.'

Without another word, they climbed in and drove away, leaving a crying Krause sprawled across the pavement.