The Devil

Alexi’s POV

Sitting in my office chair, I clenched and unclenched my fist to control the rage that was burning through my veins. The man sitting across from me got to be the worst weapons dealer in the history of Ireland. Or else why the hell would he not deliver the weapons on time, even after knowing what kind of damage I could do.

“I..I swear I just need two more weeks. I’ll get you everything you want. I’ll even refund a ton of money” the fucker pleaded.

But this wasn’t about the money.

“I already gave you three weeks’ time and that’s the most anyone should expect from me” I growled, my hands itching to beat the hell out of the pathetic excuse of a man. If not for his international connections with the mafia, he would have definitely had his brain blown out by now.

“J..Just give me one week then. I’ll supply everything, including additional ammunitions with latest technology” he said in a quivering tone.

Well, that sounds promising.

“What kind of new stuff are we talking about?” I enquired as the subject had caught my interest.

His shoulders slightly sagged in relief as he explained all the latest inventions and weapon testing made in his lab. In case he was speaking the truth then it meant that in one week I’ll have enough power to take down at least three of my rivals.

After explaining everything, he wiped the sweat from his forehead and nervously waited for my reply.

 I purposefully delayed my words, enjoying his distraught condition. More than a minute of uncomfortable silence passed by and when I was sure that he was about to pee his pants, I spoke up.

“I’ll give you exact seven days. Not one day more. You.Will.Deliver.The.Weapons. Understood?”

“Yes Sir. I’ll have them placed at your feet before the seventh day ends” he uttered with assurance.

“You will do it or I’ll have your head placed at your feet by the eighth day morning” His face paled at the threat because he knew I wasn’t joking. And how does he know it? The answer is quite simple. I’ve done it before to people who had broken a pack that they have made to me in good faith.

“Now get lost before I change my mind” I grumbled, dismissing him. Immediately the man jumped out of his chair like he was desperately waiting for me to spit out those words and I watched with hooded gaze as he practically fled out of my office.

I got to taste a few seconds of peace until the door opened and my least favorite human being poked his head inside. After checking that my office was empty, he invited himself in like he owned the goddamn place.

“Why did the dealer look like he’s about to crap his pants?” Michael asked like I owe him an explanation while planting his ass on one of the chairs as though it was his throne.

“Mind your own business” I muttered before opening the MacBook in front of me. It was a friendly way of asking him to ‘fuck off’, but like always, he didn’t take the hint.

“Actually Alexi, it is my business. I own forty percent share of your weapons” he reminded me with an arrogant smirk. Like I have forgotten. To this day I regret asking him to invest in my business.

“Don’t you have somewhere else to be... like in the middle of a warzone where you can die and not disturb others?” I remarked not so sarcastically, earning a chuckle from him.

“Why are you being a pick this early in the morning? Wait.... did you wake up in the wrong side of the bed?” he snickered and automatically my hand grabbed the paperweight and launched it at him.

“Woah! Easy princess!” he ducked out of its way, thanks to the insane reflex. But I would be only surprised if the thing had hit him because quick reflex is a second nature to most of the people involved in organized crime. We live by the motto ‘always be prepared for anything’.

But life gave me a surprise which I was never prepared for and that’s the reason I’m being such an asshole to Michael, my ex-best friend.

And speaking of the reason....

A telltale knock sounded on the door, which actually got me to smile but I quickly schooled my expression before asking the person to come in.

Stella, my little sister, emerged through the doorway, dressed like the queen that she is. Her lips separated into a cheerful smile when she spotted me, but the moment her gaze slanted to the man sitting in front of me, adoration seeped into her emerald orbs and it had me clench my jaw.

“Mikey! you came!” she squealed and ran towards him. Michael rose from his chair and approached her in long strides and lifted my sister into a twirling hug as though he couldn’t bare to live another moment without touching her.

And after what seemed like forever, they separated and he pressed a kiss to her lips, making her giggle.

What would I not give to hear her giggle like that.

While keeping a hand around her waist he fished out a packet of gummy bears from the inside pocket of his coat and handed it to her. Happiness glittered in her eyes as she snatched it from his hands and gave it a thorough inspection.

“Thank you...” she smiled and snaking her arms around his neck, she raised on her tip toes and whispered a secret for only Michel to hear.

The way his eyes widened made me curious about what she could have told him. At this point I don’t know if they are purposefully trying to rub their relationship on my face because if they want to leave this room and carry on with their secret talks somewhere else, they were more than welcome to do so. But Noooo! they had to put a show right in front of me, which was uncomfortable as fuck.

Micheal gave her the happiest and the most genuine smile I have seen before sneaking a look at me. I rolled my eyes shifted them to the laptop screen and pretended to be busy. But could vaguely see him leaning down and whisper something to her ear, making her laugh.

Now I was damn sure that they were making fun of me. It may be immature of me to think that way, but I’ve seen enough.

“Ahem.” I cleared my throat loudly, causing them to turn towards me a once. My best f- no! My ex-best friend and my lovely sister. Her cheeks had that pink blush dusted on them and her eyes looked livelier than ever. I guess love can do that to people.

“I’m having a meeting in five. So, if you can just...” I lied through my teeth and waved my hand at them in a dismissing way, particularly in Michael’s direction.

A pinch of sadness that grazed Stella’s face felt like a sucker punch to my heart. I didn’t mean to make her feel that way. She could stay as long as she wants, but I wanted him gone. But since they were married now, I knew that she would always choose to be with him.

She opened her mouth to say something, but before she could get anything out, Michael spoke up for her.

“We were just leaving Alexi. It’s been long since I’ve taken her out for food and besides, we might not return today. So, you don’t have to worry about me ruining your mood anymore”

 I obviously wanted him gone, but I don’t know why it hurt a little when he said that.

“Yeah whatever” I murmured in fake nonchalance and concentrated on the open tabs of my device. I could no longer see them but the sound of their retreating footsteps pricked me with guilt.

The door closed behind them, leaving me alone to suffer in silence. I was about to pull out my phone so that I could take my mind off the awkward encounter when suddenly the door burst opened and Stella rushed inside.

With a puzzled look I watched her approach me doubtfully and when she reached me, she leaned down and hugged me tight. Still sitting in the chair, I awkwardly hugged her back, not knowing how else to respond.

When she pulled back, my eyes searched her face with a questioning look.

“Your gummy bears are the ones I like better” she stated in a hushed tone, as if she was genuinely concerned that Michael could be eavesdropping on us.

I threw my head back and laughed so hard that my eyes watered.

“You came back to tell me that?” I asked, struggling to control my laughter. God, this girl!

“Umm... yes. I didn’t want you to think that he stole me from you” she said, biting her lip.

“You are my little sister. No one can make me think that they stole me from you. But Michael was my friend and what he did is still unacceptable. I’m not ready to forget it” Stella gave a slow nod of understanding and reached out to play with my hair strands that were scattered across my forehead.

“I know... but I hope that someday you’ll forgive him. He really misses you” she combed my unruly hairs to one side. The sadness in her voice made me feel like a villain, but as she said, hopefully someday I’ll be able to forgive him.

“Mikey’s waiting and I have to go now.t I’ll catch you later” she said and put some distance between us. Before I could guess her next move, her hand shot to my hair and ruffled it.

“Stella No!” I whined and she giggled. She has no idea how much time it to me to set my hair like that.

 I caught a snippet of her dress, but she escaped my grip and ran towards the door. In a fraction of second I was on my feet, marching towards her with a death glare. To my sour luck, she reached the door faster than I had anticipated.

“Slow poke” she flung an insult at me before opening the door and running out through the gap.

“Be safe” I shouted to her before the door closed completely.

She’s married but she still gets on my nerves just like old times. But it only makes me happy. I feel much better after the hug and now I can finally concentrate on business.

It’s been two weeks since I have been planning an attack on Black Skull organization which was headed by Bradford. He is a sadistic prick and makes most of his income from auctions where he sells underage girls. He either lures them into his trap or captures them by force and presents them like property that needs to be bought off.

I have managed to get into a few of his auctions by disguising myself and every time I see the tear-stained faces of those young girls, my blood boils with rage. But what’s worse is the pervert audience that raise their numbers to buy those helpless human beings who have done nothing to deserve such a kind of treatment.

What surprised me the most was that even wives of powerful businessmen make their bid to purchase the little girls. From what I have gathered, they make these girls work like slaves in their homes and also allow their guards to exploit them sexually. The poor souls have to bear physical and mental torture.

But I’m not a saint. I too have done my fair share of damage to people, but I won’t lay a finger on women and children.

I have plotted against Black Skull for years but I have only managed to take down a few of their operations. And every time I defeat them, they come back even fiercer and engage in more and more human trafficking. And every time Bradford escapes from my attack, I feel like I have let down all those young women who have prayed for a savior.

Last week I received a news that Bradford is hosting another auction the twelfth of next month, that is, two weeks from now. I plan to launch an attack on him on that very day and that’s the reason I needed weapons delivered as soon as possible. I need time to get familiar with the new weapons and I have to ensure that every one of my men knows how to use them properly as I can’t afford to have causalities.

Either with weapons or without them, I’m coming for you Bradford. Hope you are ready to meet the Devil that has your death warrant.