CHAPTER THREE: sick bastard

ACE

I was pissed off.

I gave Bob one task, bring the girl back to the mansion before dawn. I didn’t care how he did it. I didn’t need the details. I just needed it done right. But he failed.

One of his guys gave her a concussion. The unlucky bastard who stood before me was paying the price.

I don’t just let anyone into the family. And I had never crossed paths with the one standing in front of me. That meant only one thing—Bob brought him in. Brought someone who couldn’t follow orders. Who didn’t know the first thing about obeying the boss.

She deserved better. He deserved a bullet.

The secrets of my family stay in the family. And he wasn’t going to be part of it much longer.

“Do you know what happens to people who don’t follow orders?” I asked.

He fidgeted, eyes darting, lips trembling. No answer.

“You’re doing it again,” I said, stepping behind him. “I ask a question, you answer. I don’t repeat myself.”

“Wh-what’s the question, boss?”

I stepped around and met his eyes. “The question is: you’re out.”

His face twitched with confusion. Not my problem.

“I don’t play when it comes to my family. Obedience is non-negotiable. You lack every quality that keeps a man alive around here. You’re done. Bob will deal with you later.”

I turned to Bob, who stared out the window like none of this was his mess.

“Bob.”

He turned, just in time for my fist to collide with his jaw.

“Fuck! That was painful!” he said, staggering and clutching his face.

“It should be painful. Do you know what you just made me do?” I said, voice low and sharp. “That guy should be dead. He knows too much about this family. But his offense doesn’t warrant it. Now I’m left with a loose end.”

“I’m sorry, Ace. I didn’t know he was going to knock her out—”

“That’s not the only problem!” I snapped. “Why am I just now meeting him? You brought him in too deep, made him part of my men, without my consent. And he’s not worth it.”

“He is important, Ace. I’m not stupid—I don’t bring just anyone in.”

“Then why should I believe you?”

“I’ll prove it,” Bob insisted. “He might not meet your standard, boss, but I swear I’ll prove he’s useful.”

I stared at him for a moment, then gave a slow nod.

“Fine. But I don’t want to see him again. If he’s so damn useful, use him from the outside. Keep him out of the core. And if he ever talks—if he’s a snitch—I’ll kill you both.”

“Yes, boss.”

He turned to leave, then paused at the door.

“Your punch’s gotten stronger.”

“Of course it has. Get out of my office.”

That girl was my investment. I spent billions on her. I wasn’t about to let anyone fuck that up.

I picked up a document from my desk and scanned it. I had to head to the company soon, but first I called the doctor to check on the girl.

The Cosa Nostra was pulling too much of my attention. Meanwhile, my work at Mason Enterprise was piling up.

---

HOPE

I slowly opened my eyes.

The bed beneath me was soft... too soft. Plush pillows cradled my head, and the duvet felt like clouds against my skin. This wasn’t the same room from before.

I frowned, blinking fully awake.

Then I saw him; my new master ... sitting on the other side of the room, bathed in the soft glow of a lamp.

“Hey,” I squeaked, instantly regretting it. What the hell was that? ‘Hey’?

That man could murder me and dump my body in a ditch and no one would care.

“Hey too, sleepyhead,” he said, closing his laptop. “How’s your head? I called the doctor this morning.”

My eyes widened. He called a doctor? For me? That was funny but I couldn't find the voice to laugh.

He caught my look and smirked.

“I spent billions on your head. Getting your concussion treated was just an unexpected business expense.”

There it was, the reminder.

I wasn’t a person to him. I was a purchase. A property.

“Oh. That’s more like it,” I said, masking the sting in my voice.

He stood, his presence dominating the room.

“My name’s Ace. CEO of Mason Enterprise,” he said. “Nice to finally meet properly after three encounters.”

Like I didn’t already know.

Everyone in the city knew him.

The Mason Enterprise was a multi-billion dollar conglomerate; Mason Electronics, Mason Construction, Mason Flights, Mason Hotels, Mason Motors... you name it. A dynasty that spanned generations. And he was the current king.

I always wondered what was behind the big name and finally it was finally starting to make sense, the masons ran other shady businesses behind closed doors. What's with the guns and men dressed in black in every nook and cranny of the mansion?

“My name is Hope,” I said despite being so sure that he knew that already.

He was a fine man. I looked at him as he just stood there watching me like a soccer game. He was checking to see if I would squirm under his gaze. I wasn’t going to flinch, he may have paid for me but I wasn’t going to surrender my free will that easily.

He chuckled before plastering a smirk on his beautiful lips and said, “I like Hope. That is a nice name for a fire ball like you.”

I didn’t say anything to him.

“How was it?” he asked I raised a brow at him.

“How was your race?” he said with amusement all over his face

“What?”

“I told them to let you play in the forest for a while before bringing you back to the mansion” his smirk spread across his entire face

“Damn…” I whispered. He got me so good if that was the case.

“Did you say something Hopy?”

“You’re sick,” I blotted. If he was going to kill me later too, the least I could do was say mind. He loved playing games with people.

I like games as well. I will show him that fire balls burns.