Chapter 3

Romeo POV

I was on the verge of doing something terribly wrong, but fortunately, I caught myself in time. However, her stubbornness and boldness only fueled my anger, making me feel an overwhelming urge to harm her. Strangely, she didn't seem afraid of me. It was as if she had encountered someone like me before, someone monstrous. There was a sense of emptiness in her eyes that sent shivers down my spine.

"You're pushing me to do something horrible to you," I muttered, closing the distance between us once again. It was a strange feeling brewing inside me, something new. I wanted to possess her, body and soul.

I hadn't come to this rundown place for the purpose of finding someone to sleep with. No, I was here in search of a traitor who had dared to deceive me. Usually, I would assign my men to deal with such scum, but this time, I wanted to send a clear message within my organization. 

I wanted to show everyone what would happen to the rest of the traitors if they ever crossed me. That damn traitor had managed to evade my people for a whole month. But today, Raul informed me that he had been lurking around this place for quite some time.

Without wasting a moment, I arrived here with my men. We spread out across the club, searching for him, but that slippery rat was nowhere to be found. If I say I was angry, it would be an understatement. I was seething with rage, consumed by the burning desire to kill that bastard. Until I had him in my grasp, sleep was out of the question.

Stupid fucker.

My father entrusted me with this position before he passed away, and I swore I wouldn't let any foolish betrayer stab me in the back. However, all my plans and rage were momentarily put on hold when I saw her. It’s not that I haven’t seen a beautiful girl in my life but she had something different in her. Her aura is enough to make me want to grab her in my darkness. The secrets which I’ve been carrying all my life.

Her blue eyes hypnotized me to consume her inside me. But quite bold of her to yell at me and even called me a bouncer. It was the first time someone had shown me such disrespect. 

Just as I was caught up in the intense moment with the girl, the door of the room suddenly knocked three times. Irritated, I yelled, already knowing it was Luca.

"What?" I shouted, my frustration evident.

“Boss we found him.” Luca said from the other side of the door.

"Can't we hold off on this for a few minutes? I need to knock some sense into someone's head." I glared at the girl standing before me, her brows furrowing in response. I waited for Luca's reply, but the silence outside the door made me uneasy. Something didn't feel right.

“Now would you take your hands off me.” she yelled, trying to free herself from my grip.

"Shhh..." I hushed her, my focus shifting to the sounds beyond the door. A low groan reached my ears, and I instantly knew what was happening. Without hesitation, I grabbed her hand and pulled her behind me, just as the door swung open, revealing Andrew, the traitor, with a gun pointed at Luca.

"Can't you do a single damn job properly?" I shouted, my anger boiling over. Luca remained silent, his expression unreadable. Andrew wore a sinister smile on his face.

"Good evening, boss," he sneered. "Tell your men to back off, or I'll turn his brains into a bullet-ridden mess."

I gritted my teeth, feeling a hand gripping my shirt tightly, wrinkling the fabric. I had completely forgotten she was there. I positioned myself squarely in front of her, shielding her from harm.

"Andrew, you son of a bitch, do you still think I'll let you walk away?" I growled, my hand discreetly reaching for my holster, only to realize it was empty.

“It’s there, near the couch,” I heard a voice from behind me. I quickly turned and spotted the gun. Damn, I must have dropped it when she pushed me earlier.

"Boss, tell them to back off. I don't want to die now," Andrew pleaded through gritted teeth.

"Fine, Andrew, let him go and leave the place," I reluctantly said. If it weren't for her presence, I would have had this scumbag killed on the spot. But because of her, I couldn't do it. Andrew began to make his way out, thinking he was safe.

Suddenly, Luca delivered a swift kick to Andrew's stomach, causing him to double over in pain, and the gun slipped from his hand. Luca wasted no time and grabbed the weapon, pointing it directly at Andrew.

Fear filled Andrew's widened eyes, providing me with the opportunity to stride over and deliver a powerful kick to his rear. He groaned in agony as I grabbed him by the hair, forcing him to look at me.

"You won't escape my wrath, you piece of shit. Pray that your death will be swift and merciful," I snarled, my anger seething. Without hesitation, I unleashed a punch to his face, causing him to lose consciousness.

I let his limp body fall to the floor, then turned my attention to the girl who stood there, trembling with fear. It was ironic how she was now scared of me, witnessing the violence I unleashed upon someone else.

"Go. Get out," I commanded, my voice firm. I promised myself that I would find her once I was done dealing with this bastard. Tears filled her eyes as she hurriedly made her way to the door.

I turned away, swiftly retrieving a handkerchief to wipe my hands. "Call them and take him to the warehouse. I'll deal with this bastard in the most brutal way..." I began to speak, but my words were cut short by a shrill scream. I turned my head, only to find Andrew holding a knife to her throat.

"I don't want to die, boss. I know I've wronged you, but I have a family. I have a child. Let me go, you piece of shit!" he shouted, trembling uncontrollably. Despite his pleas, I couldn't focus on his trembling figure. My attention was fixated on the knife pressing against her delicate skin. I looked into her teary eyes.

"Don't you dare do anything to her, you fucker, or I'll kill you!" I roared, my anger consuming me. Luca aimed the gun, but I quickly held his arm, shaking my head, signaling him not to shoot.

“I don't care. Just let me leave!" Andrew shouted, desperation evident in his voice. I nodded in response.

"Look at me," I said, and she opened her eyes. "I won't let anything happen to you, okay?" It was the first time in my life that I had spoken those words to someone I had just met. She nodded, though tears continued to stream down her face. I noticed a small gash on her neck.

"Alright, let her go. You can run from here, Andrew. But make sure I never find you. That'll be your last breath," I warned him, a sense of grim determination in my voice. He smirked, then callously threw her aside. I immediately rushed to her, pulling her into a protective embrace, witnessing her struggle to breathe.

"Chase after that bastard, Luca. I want him caught tonight. Go," I commanded, my voice filled with urgency. Luca nodded and swiftly dashed off in pursuit.

I looked down at her as she clung to me, sobbing uncontrollably. Gently, I lifted her face to inspect the wound, relief flooding over me when I saw it was only a shallow cut. "It's okay. No one is going to hurt you. I won't let them hurt you," I reassured her, my words filled with sincerity.

Her eyes met mine and I felt something irresistible towards her. My eyes roam subtly on her face from her eyes to lips. I dipped down ready to taste those amusing lips of hers. She pushed me hard. 

“You really are a sick bastard.” she said and walked out of the room. I stood there glaring at the door. Soaring that I would meet her again and not going to leave her then. And that time she would be in mercy of me. 

I went out aiming to follow her when I met Luca, “Caught him, others are taking him to the warehouse.” he said. But I kept looking behind him in the direction that the girl ran. 

“Did something happen?” Luca asked.

“No. Let's go.” I said walking to the car parked outside the club. 

I tried as hard as I could to get the thought of her out of my head but nothing worked as her image kept popping up again in my head. 

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A nightmare is how I usually wake up, but today, for the first time, it was not the usual nightmare; it was a dream, a beautiful dream. I had a dream where I was happy. I was in a big room. It was so bright that I felt like it was blinding my eyes. The sun's rays are falling from the ceiling to the floor window. A beautiful girl was dancing. She was swaying her body with soft music playing in the background.

I walked towards her as I held her waist; she laughed, those beautiful deep blue eyes crescent when she laughed. Her melodious laugh is so contagious that I didn’t know that I was laughing too. I really don’t want to wake up from this dream. But God really doesn't want to see me happy. All the windows in the room shatter on their own, the glass piece falling on us as it pierced our skin. Blood started to ooze out as I held her in my embrace, trying to save her.

"Boss, Boss, are you alright? It’s just a nightmare, Romeo." A voice called me, pulling me out of my nightmare. I sat up on the bed, hyperventilating. I looked around only to find myself in my hotel room. I looked up at Luca, who was standing near my bed, worriedly staring at me. It took a while for me to calm down. I looked beside me only to find it empty.

"I had sent Natalie home last night as per your order." I nodded my head at this. "There is headache medicine on the bedside table. You should go and take a bath. I ordered breakfast here." I removed the duvet; I was completely naked going inside the bathroom, wanting a hot shower to wake me up. My muscles were sore. I needed more rest, but I couldn't get it. It's just that I can’t sleep at night. I always have that fucking nightmare, but this time I saw my swan, and we were happy, laughing, and so much in love. At this, my eyes opened abruptly, as I shivered at that thought. I immediately left the shower cabin and puked all my dinner from the previous night out in the commode. I felt my stomach churn at the thought.

"Romeo, we have to hurry. Breakfast is already here." Luca's voice outside from the bathroom door pulled me back from my thoughts. I wiped my face and walked out of the bathroom after taking another clean shower.

"What happened? Why are you looking so scared?" I asked when I saw Luca talking to someone on the phone. 

"Romeo, we have to go. Dress up quickly." He gave me my suit as I started to wear my shirt, still not knowing what was really happening with him. It’s the first time I saw him looking so helpless.

"First and foremost, tell me what the problem is. whose call was it?” I shouted this time.

"G… Godmother had an accident." That was enough for me to feel the terror in my bones. No, not her! I felt something shattered in me. She is the only person I have in my life who anchors me. I can't lose her. We immediately left the hotel, speeding the car towards the hospital.