1. Kai Eldorado

Dawn-

Mr. Eldorado, this is my daughter, Dawn.” This man standing before me is the one I’m supposed to marry, I’m coerced to marry to be more precise. 

Kai Eldorado, the leader of the strongest mafia army. Everyone is scared of him, and I am no exception. 

I just got caught up in this world because I grew up, isn’t it funny how parents start looking for a groom as soon as their daughter hits 20? That’s what happened, I'm turning 23 soon.

I’m not unfamiliar with love, I just haven’t experienced it yet because I first want to be someone, I can be proud of.

My father, Ashton Mccoy loves two things, alcohol and power, he already had the former and was now seeking the latter. And Kai Eldorado was that power.

I belong to a mafia family so, since childhood I wanted to marry a man who was different and more humane. 

Unlike Kai Eldorado.

Being the only child in the family it is expected that I lived as a princess, right? No, my father is a drunkard. Gladly he’s not abusive but he’s more like a living corpse. 

So, it is understood that I live alone, with a man locked inside a room drinking loads of alcohol and cussing at his shadow perhaps. Everything was fine until he told me to go to a welcome party with him. 

I craved my father’s attention since childhood so it was a given how excited I was to go out with him for the first time in my life, little did I know, it was an agreement between two fathers selling their children off. 

He pinched my elbow to bow in front of the great mafia Kai Eldorado, I followed.

“Pleasure meeting you, Mr. Eldorado.” My voice was low and his eyes landed on my cleavage as I bowed. 

This dress with the lowest V-neck possible was given to me by my dad, this dress shouted sex. As if I'm hungry and desperate but, to be honest, I was scared, anxious, and uncomfortable constantly adjusting it.

He didn’t reply but averted his gaze, looking everywhere but at me. His tall and broad-shouldered structure was hard, impossible to remain unnoticed, even his presence screamed affluence and haughtiness too.

A white suit casing his darkness beneath it however failing to hide the curves, the taut muscles, too discernable. Although he projected an air of ambiguity, he was the center of attention.

Another trait of him being out of this universe.

He ran his fingers through his deep chestnut brown hair, he is avoiding eyes with me, I could tell he was exasperated by this arrangement too.

But it would be a lie to deny his beauty, a square jawline, and a strong nose that gave him a handsome presence. His eyes were an intense shade of blue, that I only noticed when he kept my gaze hostage, even for a second. He looked in my eyes, but then mocked my existence by disregarding me. However, I had a hard time turning my head. His full lips sighed inflicting frustration that he failed to pelt and spun on his heel to stalk away as I stood at my place, immobile.  

His aura screamed he’s not one bit interested in me, neither am I.  It doesn’t matter because he’s certainly not the one I’ll marry. I’ll just say, I don’t like him. It's not like my father would force me into marrying him.

Right?

I yelled a meaningless groan finding my way toward the washroom and stood before the mirror drooping my shoulders down. “I look pretty amazing if we hide this little moment here…” I placed my hand at my chest hiding unnecessary skin and smiled. 

If only there was someone human enough to appreciate the way I look today. I boasted my non-existing beauty however my happiness didn’t last long and I heard a loud thud.

A man walked out of a room and mounted his frame behind me, my eyes widening at the appearance. Ocean blue eyes, chestnut brown hair, tall and broad frame. K---Kai.

“Are you trying to provoke me?” He grabbed my hand pinning me against the wall before I could move back, his hands touched my waist depleting the distance between us. “First you wear an outfit like this, then you follow me in the men’s washroom, are you this desperate?” 

He whispered in my ear leaning forward, his voice echoed sending shivers down my spine. His face was too close and he sighed, loudly this time.

“Do you know I hate girls with no dignity? You throwing yourself at me the first time we meet-”

“Get off of me, bastard.” I stepped on his foot, his blue eyes flickered in shock as I dug my heel into his shoes, apparently his face is the only good in him, and the truth behind his façade is his zero IQ.

Loser.

“Who said this was for you…” I placed my hands on his pumped-up chest and pushed him away.

“Of course, clothes like these, you probably want all the men in this party.” He chuckled but I knew better than to argue with him and ran out panting, the dress didn’t help and I clenched my fist around it lifting it up for me to run.  

I gaped around in bewilderment, realizing my father is nowhere to be found. He, who probably didn’t want to be found. I lack the serenity needed at times like these.

I couldn’t wash away the ire from earlier and felt my nerves cracking, anger surged inside my veins as his face popped up in my head out of nowhere, who does he take me for? Who the hell does he think he is, why the fuck would I instigate a jerk like him, a fucking scoundrel.

“Oh! Dawn… your father is looking for you inside near the stairs.” A guy walked in my direction, I better leave this place before I bump into him again. I hurriedly followed him and we left the crowded area.

“Where is he?” My body shuddered from cold and I quickened my movement as I rub my palms together. 

“He’s drinking, you should see for yourself.” He muttered and took me inside a room, he locked it sooner than I could say anything and I found myself standing in an empty room. 

I looked around befuddled and panicked. “Listen to me before you do something stupid.” He fixed his throat.

Before I do something stupid?

“I'm Draven.” He took a step in my direction, his eyes rotating and he quaked before passing a chair to me. “I run a textile business---”

“Why are you telling me this?” I cut him off and he rushed toward me.

“B---Because I want you to k---know me.” He stuttered and his red cheeks betrayed the emotions he was trying to hide. His behavior was totally different from his presence, from his frame, “just let me f---finish.” He requested.

“I have no business in the mafia world, I don’t run illegal casinos nor do I trade arms.” As if he was comparing himself to someone, someone who is Kai, “and I’d like to know more about you.”

He sighed scratching his head depicting the nervousness, the way his body shuddered, for some reason I thought I was making him uncomfortable. “I know it is not the nicest way to introduce and I---if you want, I can unlock the door---” I interrupted him midway.

“Yeah, please do.” His body etched and he turned around to unlatch the door. “Why are we having this conversation, Mr. Draven?” I crossed my arms feigning bravery.

“B---because.” He stammered again.

“Please have a seat.” I pulled the chair next to me out with my leg and he hurriedly followed without demurring.

“Your father, Ashton McCoy wants you to marry Kai.” He turned his face to me, his hands fidgeting clearly indicating his state of unease. “I want nothing but a chance.” He requested. “To prove myself, and then I’d like to marry you.”

My breath faltered and I could only see the distance between the door and I increase, “marry me?” I chuckled with a laughing charade on my face. “Do you expect me to say yes when we’ve just met?”

“I have everything a girl can possibly hope for.”

“How do you know what I’m hoping for?”

“Because you may have only just come to know me, but I have known you for years.” He chuckled a restless laugh, “I know you don’t want to marry a man like Kai. I am everything he’s not and I can be everything you want.” I coughed at his words feeling my breath getting stuck in my throat and the corner of his lips twitched into a genuine smile.

“Think about it, I'm leaving my card here.” He rummaged through the inner pocket of his coat and left a black business card with DD imprinted on it.

“No, you think about how to escape here alive.” I flinched on the voice and my eyes tottered to follow the sound, the footsteps grew closer and my gaze faltered on a man rapidly eating up the distance with his long giraffe legs.

“Mr. Eldorado.” I sprung up from the chair and he grabbed my hand hiding my tiny frame behind his tall and muscular figure.

“Found your hook-up already?” He hissed, his eyes red from ire and I gulped down the urge to yell at him.

“What are you doing, she’s uncomfortable.” Draven yelled taking a step in our direction.

“Is she?” Kai chuckled like a nonsensical bastard he truly is. “Remind me when I care.”

“Let me go, asshole.” I tried to push him away and he grabbed my wrist firmly.

“Did I ruin your pretty little date?” He turned his head to look me in the eyes. “Ashton McCoy won’t like it when he’ll hear your hideous attempt to date a no one like him.”

“Oh! And you are?” I rose my brow still struggling to loosen the grip.

“You’ll know soon, for now…” He turned his gaze to look at Draven. “Leave.” He roared and my body froze. I squinted my eyes forcefully looking at Draven who was equally stunned and taken aback. “Or would you like to see her on my shoulder as I make my way out?” Kai warned and I gritted my jaw.

“Are you even human? Let. Her. Go.” Draven grabbed Kai’s wrist trying to loosen his grip but his effort proved futile in front of this fucking beast.

“It’s okay, Mr. Draven. He won’t harm me.” I sighed giving up, though I wasn’t sure if Kai Eldorado won’t really harm me. “I’ll contact you once I reach home.” I forced a smile but Kai stood in between not letting him see it.

“A---are you sure?” He posed lifting his brow and moved a step back. My head bounced once, I have seen enough to know men like Kai, they don’t fear chaos, they live in it.

And causing a ruckus would be embarrassing, I hate being in spotlight and I refer from falling into such tragedies called Kai Eldorado.

“The next time I tell you to leave, I won’t be doing it with words.” Kai rumbled and Draven left with cautious steps, Kai’s hand was still holding mine leaving red marks of my struggle and his cruelty.

“He’s gone, now let me go.” I jerked his hand off, at least I try to. I parted my lips letting out a sigh a bit his forearm mercilessly expecting him to shout.

I felt blood in my mouth but when I looked up, Kai was still staring at me like I was a meal of some sort. An unusual grin sitting on his face as if he’s enjoying this, a fucking sadist.

Sadist.

“My blood is tasty, is it not?” His hoarse and insensitive voice made me pull away and move a few steps back, my hands fell dead in the air as he stalked toward Draven’s card sitting on the table.

“What did you say? I’ll contact you?” He tore it apart into two halves throwing the pieces in opposite directions. “And I'll let you?” He walked in my direction, my eyes fell on the clock I just made on his wrist.

He extended his arm, his thumb touched my lips and I tried to suck my lips in. “Don’t! Unless you want to drink my blood.” His voice gave me chills and my movement faltered. “Stay still.” He ordered placing his free hand on my waist.

His thumb smudged on my lips firmly touching every tiny fiber of my soul and I could do nothing but comply. I looked down at the floor in embarrassment and fear, I couldn’t prevent myself from vacillating and his hand trailed down to grab my arm.

“Does it hurt?” His voice was comparatively low and much more soothing than earlier. His eyes gawking at the color my wrist had turned into and for a moment depicted an ordinary expression, guilt.

An expression of humans, something he was not.

I don’t like him, this was the only voice my soul could hear. I hold no grudges against him however, he shouldn’t have slut shamed me.

“Come, I’ll drop you home.” He suggested but I could only laugh.

“Mind your business---”

“I am.” He cut me off and grabbed my hand. “Listen to me while I'm being nice.” His eyes simmered and I halted at my place, I doubt he is familiar with the term called nice.

“I can go by m---”

“You don’t have to when I can drop you, Dawn.” He sucked his teeth controlling an uneasy wave of ire.

“Yeah! My personal chauffeur, why not.” My dry chuckle made his head drop, “if you’re so eager to drop me, then why not.” My pride would one day hurt my soul.

The corner of his lips twitched threatening to let a troubled laugh escaped but he kept himself contained.

I lifted my head to look around as we find our way toward the parking and I notice some men following us, too much to count, I turn my head once but shrug my shoulder. Is Kai up to something? I stretched my neck to look at Kai who seemed botherless about both, the men behind us and my steps that were quaking before touching the ground.

“They are following us.” I whisper.

“They are?” His overreacted gasp didn’t leave my gaze and I halted.

“They are your men?” Disbelief clouding my eyes and they stood right behind us.

“Not even ten percent of them.” He turned around. “Still, I'm dropping you home.” Exactly, why? Go die somewhere else.

“Sir, the details about Draven---”

“I’ll be leaving now Banner, we’ll talk at home.” Interrupting one in between is Kai’s hobby it seems. Look at him, how effortlessly he is showing his dominance, with his hands in pocket, his hoarse voice telling me he’s never laughed before, not even while watching friends. That too if he’s watched it.

How pathetic.

“Yes sir.” He bowed. “Uh! About gravity---”

“I'm sure you can handle it.” He did it again, he cut him off again. Why?

“Do you want me to drive you home?” He questioned and I inhaled in relief, finally a complete sentence.

“No need, I'm her personal chauffeur for tonight.” He turned his gaze to look at me, unbothered as we began to walk again and their steps halted.

My eyes quickly turning back and forth until I sat in his uselessly expensive car.

“I’ll take it as a mistake, I hope you don’t fall into such situations from now on. You know who I am, killing is not a hard job for me.”

He sighed as I unheeded him, probably he exhaled his anger of being discounted and his ego was killing him, but I had other worries.

I’m not weak but people coming at me isn’t something that happens to me occasionally, so don’t blame me if I am in shock and ignored the great Kai Eldorado.

“This is not an advice to disregard Dawn, this is a warning, don’t you dare flout.”

“Why do you care?” My voice rose a bit, not a bit, loud enough to let its sound echo for good five minutes.

“Fine. Do things your way and see what happens.” Another warning.

“Oh! Are you jealous already? How immature---”

“No one gets to touch my wife… not immature.”