"God help anyone who disrespected the queen."

**************

Nikolas's POV

I peeled my eyes open to a room cloaked in shadows, the dimness a reflection of the darkness etched deep within me. Every inch of my body ached, the pain a tangible reminder of the wounds engraved in me, both seen and unseen.

A low groan left my throat as I pushed myself up from the couch, the echoes of what unfolded the night before reverberating within the confines of my skull; loud, chaotic, and uncontrollable. I sat down, my feet hitting the cold floor beneath and a heavy exhale left my lungs, yet the tightness in my chest refused to dissipate.

My gaze flickered toward the windows, their drapes drawn tightly shut, allowing only a feeble stream of light to trespass through the little gap. Scanning the room, I looked for my phone, retrieving it from the table to check the hour. It was barely seven in the morning and I felt myself sink back into the couch. I allowed my eyelids to drop down; exhausted, tired, drained, and the wound on my back was aching like no other.

Raising my shirt, I inspected the bandage on my back, tracing the memory to how the doctor professionally dealt with it...Yet, the rest was a blur—how did I leave and end up here, how did I fall asleep on the couch? All was a blur. Last night was a haze, an enigma that refused to solidify into coherent recollection. It didn't feel real, almost like if I went up to my room right now, I would find her inside, peacefully sleeping, as if nothing ever happened.

As if everything was okay in the world.

As if Isaac didn't exist.

As if he didn't manage to taint the very last good thing in my life.

He succeeded in ruining this too. He managed to give and take it away just like this; with a snap of his finger.

I admit it. I'll never match his strength, never reach the heights he's attained. I won't deny that he has...broken me, both physically and mentally, from the day I was born, and perhaps until my last breath. The power he wields over me is indescribable; it leaves me drained to the core.

The knock on my door pulled me from the depths of my thoughts. I blinked, trying to sort through the chaos in my brain but failed, everything was just so loud and on overdrive. I was fully aware of how her presence silenced all the voices in my head but I think I forgot to what extent because at this moment, I felt like my brain was on the verge of unraveling.

Before I could dwell further on who would be here at this time, I heard the sound of the keys clinking and I stayed seated in my place. It was Alex for sure. I sighed and rushed a hand over my face, Ronald must've told him about the attack last night.

The door opened, then closed, and footsteps approached. He came into view, pausing by the door as his eyes fell on me. Lines etched between his eyebrows as he stepped forward, his gaze scanning me from head to toe, as if he could discern every detail.

"What the hell happened?"

He dropped on the couch beside me, his eyes trying to detect if anything was out of the ordinary, "Ronald told me the bunker was attacked," Sometimes I don't understand if Ronald works for me or him, "What happened? He said you get hurt, where? Show me."

My eyebrows pulled closer, "Show you what?"

"Where you got hurt."

"Why?" I asked.

He shot me a glare, his hand landing on my arm and trying to move me around to check himself, "Hey, hey, what are you doing?" I shot out, scooting away when his hand curled over my shirt, ready to pull it up.

The hell is his problem—

"Don't worry, I can see you half-naked, I am not Natalie, I am not fascinated by you," He said with a roll of his eyes, destroying my world yet again with the mere mention of her name, "Come on, show me," I shot him a hard glare as I moved away from him, my hand curling into a fist, ready to plant it on his face if he insists further.

"Was it Isaac again?" He questioned, knowing the answer already.

I gave him a small nod, confirming his theory, and he let out a loud annoyed sigh, crashing back into the cushion beside me, mentally drained as well, "When are you killing him? Because I am so done with his shit."

His eyes flickered around the room, something not settling well with him and his eyebrows pulled closer, "Where is your girlfriend?" He asked, his eyes falling back on me, "Why isn't she here attending to your every need like the perfect thing she is?" He added with absolute mockery, totally unaware of the events that unfolded last night.

In a way, he was right.

His instincts worked better than mine.

He sensed something was off about her, while I saw the world through her eyes.

Blind. I was so fucking blind.

I tried to relax, to allow my tensed shoulders to drop down, to close my eyes and let them rest but every edge of my nerves was pressing, crushing, sending alarm signals to my brain; to run, to flee, to fight, to ruin and kill.

"We broke up," I mumbled, limiting my explanation to that sentence.

Alex's eyes widened instantly, totally not expecting this turn of events, "Woah, for...for real?"

I nodded my head.

He shook his head, trying to dismiss it, thinking it was some silly reason that drove us apart, "You'll get back together," He said, casually waving his hand in the air, "You always do for some reason."

I shook my head, "No, this time it's for real, it's...forever."

His eyebrows pulled closer, "So, what did your very unpleasant self do this time?" He asked, expecting me to be the reason for sure. I don't blame him, I always expected that I would be the one to mess everything up.

I shook my head, "It's what she did."

It's what I had done too, but her actions were the driving force.

It's almost too funny; there wasn't even a relationship between us in the first place to call this a breakup. It was all just an act, a scheme. A very well-done scheme.

God, she was good.

Alex's eyebrows pulled closer, so confused, unable to figure it out, "She didn't cheat on you, did she?"

I scoffed, "If only."

My words doubled Alex's confusion and even though he disliked Natalie lately, something seemed to dim in his expression, his shoulders slumping down and he backed his body into the cushion, sinking into it as he seemed to be thinking it through.

He couldn't figure out the reason no matter how hard he thought about it, because it was almost impossible. Because who would go and help Isaac, if not someone who hates me just as much as my dear father does?

Alex chose not to ponder over the reason too much, his head turned and his eyes fell on me, "No wonder you look so miserable," He mumbled and I glared at him for stating the obvious. He let out a low sigh and straightened himself in his seat, something resembling worry tightened every line on his face and he raised his arm up, "Come here," He urged.

I stared at him dumbfounded, "Come where?"

He pointed at his shoulder, "Here, come on."

I felt myself back away from him, a bit terrified to be honest. He noticed me escaping and he rolled his eyes. He edged closer and wrapped his arm around my shoulders, my eyes grew wide when his palm rested over the side of my neck and forcefully pulled me to him, pushing my head into his shoulder.

"Now, you can cry on my shoulder, come on," He tapped his hand on my cheek ever so casually, "It's a judgment-free zone."

I struggled out of his grip but he kept pulling me close, "Alex let me go, or I swear to god!"

"Just cry, come on."

"I don't want to cry!" I shot out as I finally managed to pull myself away.

God, do I miss it when people didn't push themself into my fucking personal space...

Alex's expression was one of worry still, "Look, I know what it feels like, so come here, just cry and let it out," And he was pulling me back to his damned shoulder, "You'll feel better, I promise."

I groaned loudly and pushed myself away, making sure to punch his arm so he'd just leave me be. Why is he always so damn touchy? How come we're related and share the same DNA will always be beyond me.

Frank's genes must be so unique...

Unbelievable.

Alex's eyes widened and he clutched his arm, where I punched him, being a drama queen per usual, "Did you just punch me?" He shot out, "Bitch," He grated out before he pointed at his temple where he got hurt from the accident, "By the way, Cara said if she sees you she will punch you for causing this," He added.

My eyes traced the cut over his forehead and I felt my inside crumble yet again. Natalie caused this. She...god, how could she?

The urge to go and scream at her again, to shake her and have her explain more, explain how the fuck was she able to hurt me and those around me in such a way became more prominent.

My jaw tightened and my gaze drifted away from him. Alex sensed my wavering state and his arm came around my shoulder yet again, not willing to give up yet, "I am telling you, just cry and let it out," He added and I wanted to punch him, to laugh and cry and destroy everything, all at once. My inside was a mess.

Instead of fighting him again, the side of my head fell onto his shoulder, my eyelids dropped down as I sought a few seconds of peace before I'd have to get up and finish what I started.

"I don't see tears, come on," Alex added, being just...him.

"I don't have time for heartbreak, Alex," I mumbled, my eyes still closed, "I have a war to end, I will deal with...all of this later." I will have plenty of time after I kill Isaac.

Now, I need my head back in the game. I am on my very last step, I can't let him win. He did this on purpose, to weaken me, to make me stray away from my purpose, but no, I've mastered the art of tucking all these shitty feelings under a blanket and moving on.

"You know that you've been keeping so much in, right? You are aware that it will all explode later," He said, "You did the same when your mother died—" He said.

"Our mother," I corrected.

He groaned, "Whatever."

"You said you didn't have the time to break down, so you kept it all in, focused only on hurting Isaac, and now you are doing it again," He said, "Take it from someone who once did the same thing, it will overcome you, break you to the point you will think there would be no coming back."

"It doesn't matter," I mumbled, "I have one thing left to do, Alex, and I have to do it at all costs."

"You are so unpleasant," Alex mumbled with a low sigh.

"I know," I said, "So are you."

"Shut up, you love me," He said, his hand moving from my shoulder and resting over my head, he ran it in my hair, "God, I hate how soft your hair is," He mumbled and I knew I had to gather my strength and pull myself away from him before this accelerates and I end up punching him or breaking his hand or something.

"Uhm...am I interrupting something," And here comes the most unpleasant person ever.

My eyelids glided open and I moved my head away from Alex, my gaze falling on Ronald, standing by the door, arms crossed over his chest, his eyebrow raised as he eyed us and I realized how I no longer needed to worry about Natalie's opinion, there is nothing to hold me back anymore, I can finally kill him. See, I must focus on the glass half-full. There is still good in the world...

Also, how in hell did he get in here? When did he get a key to my damn house?

It's time to move out again.

I shot him a glare and Alex was the one to speak, "You jealous?" He asked and urged Ronald to get close, "Come here, I will play with your hair as well."

Ronald narrowed his eyes at him before he drifted his attention back to me and his expression shifted slightly as he took a couple of steps in, edging closer to us, "So, uh, Natalie told me," He said, his throat bobbing, expecting me to lash out at him any second now, "About...what happened."

I stayed silent but my dear brother doesn't know how to shut up, "About them breaking up?" Alex asked, fishing for more information because I wasn't going to give him any.

Ronald nodded, "Yeah, and you know the whole...her helping Isaac and-"

"Wait, what?" Alex shot out, getting up to his feet and I rushed a hand over my face, hefting out a low breath and praying for patience.

His wide eyes went to me, "I think you left the important part out, mister," He shot out in annoyance, "She was helping Isaac? How? When? Why?" Disbelief consumed his expression before he turned to Ronald, knowing he'd get more info out of him.

Ronald's eyebrows pulled closer, "I thought he would tell you..." He mumbled, confused before he looked at me, probably expecting me to be out here planning how I was going to hurt his sister back. Do they all just see the worst in me?

"Tell me, tell me, how did she help him and why?" Alex shot out in utter bewilderment, urging Ronald to speak more.

Then, it all seemed to click in his head, "Wait, wait, the damn pills, it was her, wasn't it?" He asked, his eyes widening in realization, "Goddammit, I knew it, but no one believed me," He grated out.

Ronald nodded, lines of distress etched on his forehead and between his eyebrows, almost like he was struggling with something within, not sure how to fix his sister's mistakes but also be by her side and ours, all at the same time.

"And also, the car accident...the brakes," Ronald mumbled and the shock slapped Alex in the face. Anger flashed in his eyes and he seemed ready to go after her and demand answers, "Lilly was in that car for god's sake!" He shot out in bewilderment, the rage building up with each word, "Look, your sister or not, I don't care, I am gonna kill her," Alex grated out and Ronald shot him a glare.

I got up to my feet, "You are not doing anything," I said, finally interfering as I edged closer to them.

Alex's jaw ticked and he shook his head, "You weren't planning on telling me all of this, were you?"

I shook my head, "No," I said, my tone so calm, so neutral, so contradictive, "I wasn't going to talk about her, I won't," I said, "And I will not let anyone talk about her or badmouth her in any way."

There was an underlying warning in my voice, urging him to just let this go; what happened has happened already. I looked at Alex, pointing my words at him, "You won't go near her," I said before I looked at Ronald, "And you will stay by your sister's side no matter what," I warned him, "And her name will not be mentioned again in this house, not in a good nor in a bad way, you both get that?"

They silently listened to me and the next words left my mouth without my permission, "She is still the woman that I love, and no one else will learn about what happened, no one," I added, warning them again because god knows I wasn't going to let anyone know about this, "This is the last time we ever bring this up. End of discussion."

I turned around, ready to head to my room, take a shower, and start my day when I heard them speak behind me, "Did he just say that?" Ronald asked, his voice low and perplexed.

"I think he did," Alex mumbled; his anger from before subsiding when he realized the big mess I am in that I am still insisting to protect her at all costs.

"Wow, I suddenly ship them together," Ronald mumbled, shocked at his own words. Alex seemed to punch him or something because he winced and they kept arguing till their voices blended into a distant noise as I closed the door behind me.

Shedding my clothes, I turned on the shower, standing beneath the cascading water. I hoped the heat would scrub away not just the physical remnants of her touch but also the emotional stain she left on my skin. It felt impossible. She was etched into my blood and veins, a mark that would take time...so much time—to fade.

I could feel the emotions push and pull on the fragile door in my chest, ready to tear it open and crawl to the surface. The anger, the pain, the betrayal, and the rage, all ready to consume me till nothing of me will be left. But I fought, fought against them all, keeping them tucked away for now. Breaking down was not an option. I don't have that luxury.

I have an impending war to win.

A king to dethrone.

And a crown to claim.

****************

Emma's POV

My gaze stayed focused on Noah, busying my troubled mind with his little innocent self seemed as good a distraction as any. His youthful eyes stayed focused on the window, watching the big world unfold below us. They lightened up, so bright, so curious, and astonished.

Sensing my unwavering gaze, his eyes flickered from the window and to me, sitting right across from him. On instinct, he smiled and I couldn't help but smile back, "Come here," I urged, needing...something, I just wasn't sure what it could be.

He pushed himself off the jet's seat, his little feet hitting the floor before he came to my side. I pulled him into my lap, my arm going around his body and tucking him close. He relaxed into my embrace, so used to me by now and the back of his head rested against my chest as he kept eyeing the sky and the clouds, "Where are we going?" He asked.

"Home," I mumbled.

It was supposed to be our home, but...

I shook the weak thoughts away. My hand covered Noah's small one, wrapping it in my own, my temple pressing into the cold window as I watched with him the wonder that is this messy world, "Will Roman come too?" He asked, curious but also confused at his absence.

I shook my head, "No, just us."

Just because you're fucked up in the head, it doesn't mean we all are.

I pressed my eyes shut, the muscles of my jaw working as I fought an inner battle. At the end of the day, it's my fault only. I dared to dream, I dared to steal a glance at something normal, something good and peaceful. I dared and forgot who I am...what I am.

I am what they made me.

A weapon.

A warrior.

That's all. No more. No less.

A weapon that will rein hell over her. Little Miss Barbie thinks she can win over me, that she can take what was supposed to be mine. She thinks she can overpower me. Does she have any idea how sick in the head I am? Isn't she aware to which extent I am willing to take this?

Apparently, she doesn't, but she will learn it all very soon.

I will rip the skin off her bones, one by one, piece by piece, till nothing of her will be left.

And...Roman; I don't know what I will do with him. I just need to be as far from him as possible, for now.

Noah, nestled in my arms, found solace in watching the world outside until he succumbed to a peaceful slumber. I asked for a blanket from the attendant, covering him gently, and wrapping him tightly in my arms all through the flight.

The car was waiting for us when the jet landed, ready to drive us back to the mansion. The first light of dawn lingered around us, poised to announce a new day. Noah, apparently jet-lagged, seemed to drift in and out of sleep as we rode back home.

When we arrived, I adjusted the beanie over Noah's head to shield his ears from the chilly December weather. Holding his hand tightly in mine, I helped him out of the car and towards the mansion. The door was opened, and greetings echoed from maids and guards as we stepped inside.

One man had brought our luggage from the car, pausing to a stop and awaiting my command, "Put his things in my room as well," I said, "He will stay with me for now," I added and he obliged, carrying the luggage upstairs, followed by the maid to arrange the rest.

My gaze left their retreating backs and flickered to the far end of the hallway, my eyes falling on Vivian's as she silently stood there between the crowd, looking at me and me only. With my expression neutral, I turned away, giving her no reaction whatsoever. I wasn't yet ready to face her either. I have enough on my plate as it is.

Turning my attention to Noah, I asked with a small smile, "You must be hungry, right?" He gave me a small nod in return. Ruffling his hair, I turned to one of the maids and requested, "Prepare him whatever he wants," She smiled and led him to the kitchen to fulfill his request.

My focus lingered on Noah for a moment before I made my way to the living room, sinking onto the couch as I attempted to sift through the thoughts racing in my head.

The pictures burned a hole in my pocket but I couldn't get myself to glance at them again. Enough was enough. I had looked into her whereabouts, only to learn that she really was in the US during the time these were taken, only to come back here to London yesterday.

Finding her won't be hard, and killing her will not be as pleasurable as I once thought; not when she managed to corrupt my marriage the way she did.

He did too.

It's not like he is innocent here.

He asked me to trust him, to believe in him and not in the visual proof, but how can I?

My heart whispered one thing, but my brain and logic insisted on something entirely different.

Unfamiliar noises from just outside the house tore through the chaos of my thoughts. Confusion etched on my face, I rose to my feet, compelled to investigate the disturbance. As I approached the entrance, the door violently swung open, unleashing a squad of about five armed men clad in the official uniforms of the Metropolitan police.

Their collective gaze zeroed in on me.

Before I could utter a word, an officer moved to my side, forcefully restraining my arms and securing handcuffs around my wrists. The chilling declaration followed, "Emma Virachi, you are under arrest for the murder of Chief Laurens Cornell. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law..."

What the actual fuck?

My men gathered around but they couldn't do anything suspicious, not when the police were involved. They knew better. It's not like we haven't been through this before. But it never happened to me. Some of us got arrested every now and then, and we got them discharged right away, our connections on the inside worked hard enough to prevent such mishaps, but...

The name they mentioned.

Laurens.

He was our man on the inside, he was the Chief himself...before I killed him of course.

Which could only mean one thing, someone is rebelling against me and is fucking doing this on purpose.

I know exactly who.

My jaw ticked and I contained myself. I could easily kill all of these five men and bury them ten feet underground, but I needed to be smart and not threaten any more of us. In such situations, the family came first. When the government is involved, we need to tread carefully. So, I kept calm, my eyes collided with one of the men, sending him a silent message.

He nodded his head, his hand reaching for his phone, ready to get his job done and inform Nikolas; He could get me out of this mess in no time.

They forcibly ushered me into the police car, but just before I could be swallowed by its interior, my eyes landed on a scene at a distance. By the mansion's main gate, a car stood parked, and next to it, she stood—in all her glory. Our eyes locked in a momentary battle of wills. Hers, daring and challenging, sought a reaction, while mine remained a fortress of neutrality, denying her the satisfaction.

A self-satisfied smirk adorned her lips, believing she had triumphed by claiming both my husband and now my freedom. She casually donned her sunglasses, a shield against my unreadable expression, and slid into her car, disappearing down the road.

Lauren's sister. Roman's ex, slash, current mistress.

Oh, she is playing with fire, and I am going to scorch her deep.

She's about to discover the formidable force she's dared to provoke.

**************

They kept me in some sort of cell, alone, for now, waiting for my attorney and I rolled my eyes. Amateurs. I will be out of here before they get the chance to even hear my voice.

The clock on the wall ticked away the excruciating hours—five of them so far. I huffed in frustration, my back against the cold, unyielding wall. Come on, Nik. Come on. If you don't get here in time, I will lose my mind and kill everyone in the damn precinct.

Just as the thought crossed my mind, footsteps echoed and the officer who placed me in here, came back, a key dangling from his hands as he unlocked the metal door to my cell. I smiled in victory, finally, "Told you, does this angelic face look like a killer's face," I said, batting my eyelashes at him in absolute mockery.

His jaw tightened and he nodded his head, deciding it was better not to speak as he released my cuffs, his hand curling over my arm as he pulled me with him, not so gently I might add, "Laurens was my partner and friend, and I know you killed him, Mila showed me the video," He grated out and I took the mental note to kill him once I get out of here, "I don't know how you guys do it," His jaw ticked as he hissed in my ear, "But you will pay."

I rolled my eyes at him and my gaze flickered to the name tag on his uniform, "Arthur," I hummed, my eyes drifting to his hand, to the ring on his finger, "You should be smarter than this, considering you are married and have a family of your own," I said, my voice so low, "You wouldn't want to wake up one day drowning in their blood, would you?" Even though my voice was so angelic, my smile so pure, but my threat was as clear as day, "Don't threaten me ever again, I can destroy you in the blink of an eye."

Fire blazed in his eyes as he released his grip on me, the moment we stepped outside into the midst of other people. I gave him a wink, my smile so innocent but could make him rue his own existence. I fixed my clothes, turning my head with the expectation of facing Nikolas. However, my entire being froze when my gaze locked with his unsettling brown eyes.

Isaac smiled, ever so affectionately, "Emma," He said, almost too softly, "Sweetie, you got me so worried," He added, as if he was my loving dad and I was his sweet little daughter. His arms pulled me into a tight warm embrace and my eyes widened. Alarms blared in my head, ready to rip his arms off me but the crowd of officers around us stopped me from doing anything irrational or suspicious.

He kept one arm wrapped around my body, tucking me to his side, "I was just telling my friend Harold over here, how my angelic daughter could never be involved in such a horrendous act," He added, and that Harold person seemed like he is about to shit his pants in fear.

"We are so sorry, Mr. Virachi," He said, seemingly apologizing for the hundredth time, "This is all a big misunderstanding, someone must've messed up on the inside, we will make sure never to repeat this again," He added, his eyes flickering to me, "We are so sorry for putting you through this, Mrs. Virachi."

Isaac tightened his arm around me, "Worry not, my daughter is known to be so forgiving," He told the man, his eyes flickering to me before he tipped his head and pressed a tender kiss over the top of my head, "Right, Emma?"

My jaw ticked, "What the fuck are you doing?" I hissed at him, on the verge of exploding and unraveling all over the damn place.

"We are at a precinct," He said, his voice so low, only for me to hear, his smile so unnerving, "Keep that angelic act till we get out," He added and I shot him a glare, "Take your arm off me unless you want me to fucking break it!"

His smile widened and if possible he tightened his arm around me, "We should head out," Isaac told the man, "My daughter has been in enough trauma as it is today, don't you think so Harold."

"Yes, sir, we apologize again for this," The man said, his eyes twitching in nervousness, the aura my father radiated was enough to let any grown man shake and quiver with fear, "It won't happen again. We promise."

"I am sure it won't," Isaac said as he turned around, keeping me all tucked up to his side. He looked at one of his men, "Take care of the rest," He ordered, the tone of his voice shifting into a dangerous ruthless one, "Let it be a lesson, no one can arrest my daughter and just get away with it," He said the last part while looking at me, giving me a wink.

The fuck is his problem?

"Let me go," I hissed at him.

"We are almost out of here," Isaac said, running his hand up and down my arm in an affectionate manner, "Hold on a bit longer."

We stepped out of the fucking precinct but even the outside was crowded with officers here and there and I groaned in annoyance. I was so close to losing all of my shit. We approached Isaac's car, one guy opened the back door and with Isaac's tight hold over me, one of his men managed to restrain my hands and handcuff them again.

A frustrated scream, escaping as a loud groan, resonated through my lips. I'd had enough for one day, and the overwhelming desire to kill someone fueled my agitation.

Isaac entered the car, and the same man shoved me in. Seething with anger, I clenched my handcuffed hands into fists. Adjusting my body, I positioned myself to reach him, delivering a powerful punch straight to his groin, "Dare and touch me again, you fucker!" I growled, and he recoiled, failing to suppress his groan as he moved away from me.

Isaac settled into a seat across from me, the car setting in motion. His amused gaze shifted from his whimpering man to me. He ran a finger over his lower lip, attempting to hide his smile but failing.

"Where do you think you're taking me?" I grated out, the pulsing vein on my forehead signaling the imminent explosion of my pent-up rage.

"Nowhere specific," Isaac replied, shifting comfortably in his seat, a self-satisfied smile playing on his lips, "Not going to thank me for saving you from there?" he questioned, raising an eyebrow.

I scoffed, "Hypocrite," I grumbled out before my gaze went to my handcuffed hands, "You know I can get myself free of these," I pointed out. I will just have to break my thumb, but who cares? It would be a small price to pay for freedom. I will never let him restrain me. Maybe he plans to do to me what he did to Nikolas before. Bind and torture me till I break down. In his fucking dreams.

"I know," Isaac answered, urging me to face him again as he spoke further, "I know all the things you are capable of, Emma," He said, "I was the one who supervised your training, did you forget that?"

"How can I forget," I grated out through clenched teeth.

His gaze roamed all over my face and the smile didn't once leave his lips, "It's been a while since you and I sat down and just...talked."

I shot him a glare, "We never did that, father," I said.

Has he gone mad?

"Did old age finally catch up to you and is messing up with your brains?" I asked with a raised eyebrow, "You seem unwell because, mentally I mean," I added.

He chuckled, a sound both low and throaty, "I am perfectly well, thanks for your concern, daughter."

"I am going to kill you," I said, not a threat, just a fact, "You know that, right?"

His smile wavered, just a little, a little twitch in the muscles of his right eye but it was gone before I could detect it. Instead of throwing another infuriating comment, he chose to keep silent. His soulless eyes flickered to the car's window, watching as the world passed us by.

I kept my gaze on him, unable to look away, hoping to figure out something, anything, a clue, an emotion, just anything that would make me understand him for once, "Did you meet Nathan?" He asked, out of the blue.

His question took me a little off guard. My eyebrows pulled closer and he met my gaze again, "I did," I said.

His lips curled up again, even warmer this time around, "He is a great little kid, isn't he?"

"No," I grated out, "He reminded me of you in a way," I explained. Unlike Nik, I wasn't exactly fond of that kid, "He could die alongside you for all I care about."

Isaac leaned forward in his seat, edging closer, and he said, not a single twitch on his expression, "Maybe he will." His words were too vague for me to understand, and I didn't care to dig further. I was ready to bury him and his heir ten feet under.

He took my own baby away from me. What did he think; that I'd care for his own?

"What is so special about him, anyway?" I asked, unable to solve that mystery, "What does he have that Nik and I lacked at that young age?" My eyebrow raised, "Just the fact that his mother is...who is she anyway," I added in mockery, "Your ex-girlfriend?"

He nodded, "Yeah, something like that."

My jaw tightened, "Well, newsflash, no one forced you to marry Leya," I grated out, "No one forced you to fuck your maid," God, that one hurts, "You could've married Maria and just saved everyone the trouble. Seems like it could've been a great fucking plan, doesn't it?"

He smiled, "Maria and I wanted different things in life."

I nodded, "True," I said, "You wanted the throne, you wanted an heir, a legacy, your name to be known and worshiped for generations to come," I said, "You didn't care who you'd have to sacrifice along the way, who to kill, who to destroy, it didn't matter, as long as you got what you wanted."

"Not your brother, not your wife, not your son, or your daughter," I added, shrugging, "None of those mattered as you crawled your way to the top."

He nodded his head, "Exactly."

"This thirst for power," I said, coming to terms with such an agonizing realization, "I have it too, it comes from you and what you did to me, doesn't it," I added, feeling the pain press deep into my heart and behind my eyes, "It what you branded into me as you...trained me, right?"

Not just physically. Even psychologically, they defined me as they pleased.

He nodded, "I thought it didn't work," He said, his eyes searching mine, trying to look right at my soul, reach my inner twisted self, the one he shaped with his own bloodied hands, "I am coming to realize I was wrong," He said, too calm, too relaxed for someone who is threatened to lose all this power.

He smiled again. I've never seen him smile so much.

"Stop the car," He ordered without even glancing at the driver and a few seconds later, the car came to a halt.

Footsteps echoed, and the door swung open. Isaac descended and that same fucked up guy I punched in the nuts dragged me outside. Oh, just wait, I am going to rip his fingers, one by one.

Surveying my surroundings, I realized we were at the edge of an isolated road. Confusion knitted my brows as I questioned Isaac's choice of location. Maybe he will finally kill me and this is where he planned to dispose of my lifeless body.

A forceful kick to my back from that same disgruntled guy aimed to bring me to my knees. I turned to face him, seething with fury, "I am going to kill you, you'll see," I spat through gritted teeth.

I turned my head back, focusing on Isaac, I watched as he withdrew his gun, clicked the safety off, and pointed it at me. His expression, however, presented a complete contradiction to his lethal action.

I wasn't threatened though, not the least bit.

So, I did him a favor and edged my body forward, enough for my head to reach his gun. The cold barrel pressed into my forehead, "I should just kill you," He said, and he sounded like he kind of meant it. Like he wanted to but maybe...couldn't.

"Because I have a feeling that you're going to be my downfall, daughter," He added.

I nodded my head, encouraging him, "You think I am scared of you? Of death? Do it," I said, my unconquerable eyes daring him because...what did I have to lose anyway?

"I dare you, father," I added, challenging him.

He shook his head, wistfully, "I can't," The word left his mouth as a mere whisper, "I wish that I can."

He pulled his gun away from my head, another smile pulling up the corner of his lips, "I think I will always have a soft spot for you, Emma."

He crouched down, leveling himself with me. His eyes flickered all over my face and he brought his hand forward, gently tucking the loosened strand of my hair behind my ear, "You grew up into such a strong beautiful woman, didn't you," He said, almost like he meant it.

What's his issue?

This behavior of his is freaking me the hell out.

"I always wished you'd be on my side in this war," He added, "If only you weren't on Nikolas's side," He said, another twisted fantasy of his, "God, Emma, imagine the things we could've done together," He added and my jaw ticked at the absurdity of his words.

He ran the back of his finger over my cheek, ever so tenderly, and I wanted to flinch away but I didn't, "I am sorry," He said, suddenly, and my eyes grew wide, taken aback because what the actual fuck?

"For killing your baby," He added, sounding genuine, "If that kid didn't have British blood in him, I would've never even considered hurting you in that way," He said and I wanted to fucking rip him from the inside out for his sick logic, "I am really sorry."

"You are insane," I whispered.

He nodded, "It kind of runs in our blood, in our DNA, don't you think so," He said.

God, he was just so calm. So composed. It's leaving me bewildered, flustered, on the verge of breaking and unraveling all over the damn place.

"Leading such a life requires a certain dose of insanity, right," He added.

At this moment, I came to the realization that I would never understand the enigma that is Isaac. No, he was no easy man to read or comprehend.

"You will need it too," He added and I understood nothing.

"What are you saying?" I mumbled.

He rested his hand under my chin, his thumb delicately brushing my skin, "Take care of yourself, okay?"

Huh?

"Even though I will never approve of Maxwell's son, but, you seem extra fond of him for some reason," His eyebrow raised, "So, I hope he will make you happy," He added, "And make sure he treats you like the..." His smile was so different now, almost proud, "Like the queen you are going to be."

He leaned closer, pressing a soft kiss to my forehead, probably kissing me for the first time in his whole life. When he pulled back, I was too shocked to even breathe, "I don't understand you," I whispered.

He shook his head, "Sweetie, I wasn't born to be understood."

"Then, why were you born?"

"To lead," He answered and it seemed like this sentence was engraved deep into his bones, like someone had taught it to him.

It was only then that I understood; my thirst for power, the one he branded into me, someone had already embedded it into him too.

My eyebrows pulled closer, "How much did your father fuck you up for you to fuck us up just as bad," A cycle, it was a damned cycle.

He smiled and shook his head, "Oh, I am an angel in front of him."

My eyebrow raised, throwing his own words back at him, "Angels don't lead."

He nodded, "That's why you will be perfect."

My jaw ticked, "I am not the one after your throne, father," I pointed out.

He sighed, "Who then? Nikolas?" He said in boredom and shook his head, "He doesn't have what it takes to lead, he knows that himself, he is just too messed up for it."

"It takes a certain talent to lead an army," Isaac stated, "You will understand it with time only."

He edged closer again, his arms going behind my back and freeing my cuffs just as he pecked my cheek, "I am gonna leave him for you," He whispered in my ear, "Do whatever you please to him," He pulled back and only then I understood that he was addressing the fucker who was shoving me around.

Isaac gave me a wink, "Prove that you are my daughter."

With one final smile, he rose to his feet, gesturing for his men to enter the car. Except for that one in particular, who he singled out, his gaze fixed on me as he uttered, "God help anyone who disrespected the queen, right?"

With that, he left. He got into his car and they drove off.

I turned around, my eyes falling on the guy and the corner of my lips lifted up. Perplexed, his throat bobbed but before he could reach for his gun, I was already marching forward, my punch colliding with his face and sending him staggering backward.

A surge of adrenaline coursed through my veins, and I couldn't care less about this man. My anger and rage needed an outlet, and he became the unfortunate recipient. Growling, I kicked him to the ground, straddling him as I unleashed my frustration, pain, and fury through a relentless barrage of punches.

Roman. Mila. Fucking Isaac...

Everything blurred together, a chaotic maelstrom, and I curled my fingers into his hair. With a furious force, I slammed his head against the unforgiving pavement, the sickening sound of his skull breaking and reverberating through the air. I didn't relent; I continued the assault until he lay on the ground, a bloodied and unrecognizable mess.

Certain that he was now lifeless, I rose to my feet, panting heavily under the weight of the aggression swirling around me. The intensity was so overwhelming that it felt like it could shatter and obliterate me. I struggled to catch my breath, to gather my thoughts, to simply exist in the aftermath of everything that had happened.

I stared down at my bloodied hands and I didn't even have to deny it;

I am what they made me.

I am Isaac's daughter.

I am a warrior.

A weapon.

Insanity does run in my blood.

A revelation struck with clarity; I could be one more thing actually.

A queen.

Oh, and god help anyone who disrespected the queen.

****************

New York

Nikolas's POV

"I still remember when I came here with Alex," Ronald mumbled in astonishment as he eyed the building standing ahead of us, "Back when we used to work against you," His gaze fell on me, smiling like the idiot he is, "Those were the good old days, weren't they?"

We headed for the building but he kept on talking, "I used to think you were the worst there is back then," He added, "Isaac hasn't shown me his true real colors by that stage, so-"

I sighed, loudly, "I thought breaking up with your sister meant I didn't have to deal with you anymore," I grated out.

"What? No, we are still buddies, that had nothing to do with your relationship with Natalie," He said, flashing me another one of his irritating smiles.

Jeremy spotted us from a distance and waved before jogging over, "Hey, I'm still alive," he announced, a hint of pride in his voice. I ran a hand over my face, silently praying for patience. Dealing with all these people was getting on my last nerve. I can't wait to kill Isaac and never have to deal with any of them again. 

I shot Jeremy a glare, "Of course, you are," I mumbled and he nodded before his smile fell off, "Are you okay, boss?" He asked, his eyebrows pulled closer, "We heard the bunker was bombed while you and Natalie were inside, is she okay too?"

I guess I am going to have to hear her damned name just everywhere...

"I am fine," I grumbled out, "She is too," I said and Ronald eyed me with very careful eyes, still waiting for me to explode and rein hell on everyone because I haven't yet, because I've been so calm since the onset of the hurricane. Extra calm.

"I will go see Nathan," I said, asking for space before I headed to my destination.

Approaching the room where I knew he was staying, I hesitated at the open door. My eyes fixated on his back, standing by the glass window, peering down at the back garden, observing the activity below.

A rush of memories flooded my mind, echoing the past when I occupied this same space, standing by that very window and surveying the world below.

I remember just how messed up I was.

How I would always watch a man, who in my head resembled Frank, he would sit on the same bench every single day. And I would wonder...wonder what it would feel like to stab him, to trace the knife over every inch of his body, to pull his heart out and squish it beneath my feet. I would calculate how long would it take me. How I would steal the knife and come back to my room in time for no one to suspect a thing.

I never shared those thoughts with anyone.

They were just so fucked up.

I was a couple of years older than Nathan now, and there were even mush worse thoughts in my head. I would never dare to admit them to myself even.

My jaw ticked, unable to discern why I recalled this specific memory. I rushed a hand over my face before I took a step inside. The echoing sound finally had Nathan avert his gaze from the window, his hazel eyes falling on me and his face lit up almost instantly, a big smile pulled up his face and he scurried toward me, so fast.

I crouched down just in time as he came crashing against my chest, his arms wrapped around my neck, "You came," He whispered in relief, like he was expecting me to just abandon him but I managed to show up nevertheless.

"Yes, of course, I did," I said back, tightening my arms around him, my eyelids dropping down for a second or two before I pried them open again, refusing to sink back into those old memories.

He pulled back, his smile wavering and he tilted his head, "I don't like it here," He mumbled and I nodded, "I know, it's just temporary, I will get you out of here, so soon," I said, "I promise."

He nodded, believing in me, "Okay."

He looked behind me then back at me, "Where is Natalie?"

Yeah, I am just going to hear her name everywhere...

I shook my head, "She is not here," I said, "But like I said, once those dangerous people are gone, I will get you out of here, and you will go back to her," I assured him.

"And back to you, right?" He asked, making sure I would be there after the storm reached an end.

He was too innocent, too hopeful for me to ruin his little dreams so I nodded my head, "Yeah, sure, back to me too."

His smile came back just as my phone buzzed. I pulled it out of my pocket, and reading the message that arrived stole my smile almost instantly. The other reason I came here for. My jaw tightened and I straightened myself up, "Remember what I told you before, about how I wanted you to meet someone," I said and Nathan nodded his head.

"Yes, I remember."

I extended my hand, "Come with me," I said and without questioning, he rested his hand in mine, following me as we walked down the hallway and into another room.

I opened the door and stepped inside, my hand involuntarily tightened over Nathan's as my gaze fell into Chris, whose youthful features lay shrouded in the stillness of unconsciousness. The sterile white surroundings seemed to amplify the fragility of his life, and the rhythmic beep of the heart monitor underscored the gravity of the moment.

His wrists, once marked by self-inflicted wounds, were now bandaged, a stark contrast to the vibrant life that should have pulsed through his veins.

He did it again.

This time to the point he threatened his own life.

If they didn't find him in time...god—

Guilt, like a heavy cloak, draped over my shoulders as I grappled with the weight of this responsibility. My responsibility.

He was so young and yet burdened by a darkness beyond his years.

Nathan gently released my hand, cautiously approaching the hospital bed where Chris lay in a fragile state. His tender palms rested on the edges, worry etched across his young features as he turned to me, "Is he okay?" He whispered, too low, as if scared to wake him up.

He was nowhere near okay.

This is enough proof.

I left him here to heal, but I was just making it worse on him.

I, out of everyone, know how this place doesn't heal a damn thing.

"He will be," I said, determined.

My mind was already on the precipice of a significant moment, a final stride toward the eradication of the darkness that plagued our lives.

Tomorrow, I will be in Italy, I will finally claim Isaac's title and the accursed crown that shackled us for years. The impending confrontation with him loomed, promising an end to the perpetual threat he posed.

The countdown had begun—just one day.

A single day that held the promise of liberation from the nightmare that had trailed us relentlessly.

After that, I will be able to take care of Chris. I will be allowed to let Nathan safely go back to his family, to his real father, sister, and brother.

One day only.

Yet, as the impending climax drew near, an unexpected numbness settled within me.

I know that I shouldn't be so fucking calm as I am.

I feel absolutely nothing at the moment.

The anticipation that should have gripped me was conspicuously absent. The final day felt like a perfunctory task—an item to be checked off a list, devoid of the emotional resonance it should have held.

Just one more day.

************************************

Hey!

Hope you liked the chapter. We have around 5-6 chapters left xD

So, what do you think? About Nik? Emma? And Isaac? xD
We finally glimpsed a closer look at his messed up self, huh ;)

Share your thoughts and expectations for the upcoming final battle ;)

See ya soon!