Chapter 4

LUAN'S POV.

The sound of blood dropping on the tiles echoed in the quiet space, Klevis had discarded his gloves and the man strapped to the table wasn't making any sounds like he did before.

Silent.

Lifeless.

"Is it done?" I asked and he nodded, washing the blood off his hands like that would cleanse him.

"He was a stubborn one, but he told us their hideout. All we have to do is send Redon and the others to check it out" He replied and I stood up from the chair.

"Then get it done, I have a meeting with the outfit" I stated.

It had to do with Richard's wife, her father is a sick bastard who's willing to sell her to the next highest bidder when it hasn't been up to a month since the last one died.

I never liked him or Richard.

Richard was a good puppet and wanted my validation so badly that he would have given me his wife if I asked. I was tempted to, because I still remember that day when I saw her.

Despite the melancholic expression on her face, there was no denying her beauty. 

Dark long hair tied in a messy bun, oval-shaped face, midnight blue eyes, and a little nose with plum pink lips. She wore a simple dress yet looked more gorgeous than many women I have seen in expensive designers.

I hated the way he spoke of her like she was a maid. I watched how her hands trembled as she packed the glasses. Even a fool can tell she hates that man but everyone else seems to believe she was in love with him.

A facade.

"Did you get the reports?" I questioned and Klevis smirked.

"You were right, boss, he had heart issues and the poison stopped his heart from beating. Apple seeds, he consumed a lot and that's what killed him" Klevis remarked.

My lips tugged.

That sly little angel.

"And?"

"The autopsy revealed that the seeds worked faster because he already strained himself, my bet is on his activities with the slut before dinner" Klevis laughed.

He would have survived if medical care had been given instantly but there was no such thing, someone made sure of that and the determination to kill him was strong.

She used poison, the type no one would suspect. He doesn't let her leave the house so she decided to collect apples, and waited until the right time to strike, a quiet cruel revenge.

"Do you think the others know?" Klevis asked.

"No" I replied, she would be killed if they knew.

We walked out of the warehouse together and I hopped into my car letting Klevis drive. Immediately he drove out of the parking space. The warehouse blew up, the explosion shook the ground and I watched the blazing building.

Just a little more.

I will wipe them all out.

"What about the project?" Klevis asked and I glared at him.

"I haven't heard from Athair in a while now, the Russians are expanding their territories from what I heard," I said ignoring his question, I took off my gloves and tossed them on the backseat.

The scarred flesh was only exposed for a minute before I put on another set of gloves, Klevis filled me in on what happened to the disgrace mob boss.

It's a shame he refused to work under me. Now he's going to die in the hands of the Russians.

We got to the hall of integrity as the hypocrites named it. Not that I care but we all know there is no such thing as integrity in our world. I hardly attend these meetings but after hearing the purpose I knew I had to cancel my killing spree for now.

I alighted from my car and walked in with Klevis following quietly from behind, the cars parked outside signified that the others had already arrived. I passed by the guards outside ignoring them as they bowed when I walked past them, Klevis was the only one permitted to follow me inside because he's my right-hand man.

Just like I predicted every old scum was present including Don Alfredo who to no surprise sat at his deceased friend's seat as if he was going to take over, they were conversing loudly but the moment I entered they went mute.

All eyes fixed on me, I took my time striding to the chair at the head of the long table, Austin Remington shifted uncomfortably in his seat looking everywhere but at me. 

Don Alfredo cleared his throat as I sat down and everyone rose up and bowed in greeting, "Don Luan, what a surprise! We didn't know you would be attending today's meeting" Don Nicolas chirped with his irritating shrill voice, I'm still in doubt of him hitting his wife and his daughters I wonder why they haven't shoved him down the stairs yet, the old bag of bones will die of cardiac arrest before he hits the bottom.

I guess they aren't as smart as one beautiful little woman I know.

"Are you saying I shouldn't be here?" I questioned coldly.

"No, forgive me I-"

"Enough, let's get this over with. I have important matters to handle. How about someone tell me the purpose of this gathering?" I gestured for them to continue, I already know but I take satisfaction in seeing them squirm in their seats.

"The Reclaiming of Richard Constantin's wife" Don Alfredo answered smoking from his pipe.

"It's been barely a month, do you agree with this, Don Remington?" I asked.

Don Alfredo is so confident he's getting her, the bastard doesn't mind if she's his dead friend's wife.

Looks like I'm not the only one who's interested in her.

"Yes, I called for the meeting and we've agreed to it" The greedy shit replied, he shared no resemblance with his daughter except for the same color of eyes.

"Very well then, is she here? The rules are simple, if she agrees then we'll proceed but if she asks for time to grieve then it will be granted in honor of our deceased member" I waved at Klevis.

He walked out and Remington followed him, something tells me she doesn't want to be married to another like her father claimed. 

They dragged her inside the hall while she kicked and screamed.

"Let me go!"

"Don't touch me" She struggled with the man holding her, Don Remington appeared humiliated and raised his hand to hit her.

"Mrs Constantin" I spoke up, causing him to halt and retreat, she straightened yanking her hand from the guard, she lifted her chin as she looked around, disgust evident in her beautiful face and her dark gaze landed on me.

She was dressed in jeans and a black blouse as if she threw it on when she remembered she was supposed to be mourning, her hair was in a high ponytail today.

"Don Valdrin" She bowed slightly ignoring the rest and her father yanked on her ponytail whispering something to her ear, she paled, her face twisting in pain and he shoved her.

She bowed and greeted the rest apologizing for her behavior.

My jaw clenched but I remained quiet as Remington started speaking.

"My daughter, Vera, has agreed to be reclaimed" He announced and harshly shoved her forward with his right hand again, she almost stumbled but caught her balance.

"Is that true Mrs Constantin?" I asked leaning back on my chair, she held my gaze unwavering and shook her head.

The others started mumbling.

Remington's eyes widened, he didn't hide his anger and yanked her hair again then slapped her hard.

She fell on the ground whimpering and he said something to her in a foreign language, she managed to stand up tears staining her cheeks. 

My grip on the armrest tightened and Klevis inched closer.

"Yes. I agreed to be reclaimed" She declared.

"It's settled then," I remarked and Don Alfredo was smirking like he just won a medal.

"My son would be interested-"

"There would be no need for that Don Giordano, I have someone else in mind" Remington interrupted looking at Don Alfredo.

I stood up keeping my bored expression despite the rage simmering inside, I walked up to her and cupped her chin forcing her to look at me.

"He's right Don Giordano, your son can't be a better aspirant than me" I retorted and it took them a minute to understand. 

She froze instantly, her dark eyes glinting for the first time since I met her.

She's terrified of me, terrified of what I just said.

Good.

She should be.

"What- what?" Don Alfredo stood up ditching his pipe.

"I will be reclaiming Veronica Remington Constanin, if that's okay with you, Don Remington. Your daughter's submissiveness has struck my interest" I added to make it more believable then I let go of her and turned to face him.

"Of course! That's- it's our family's honour to serve" He sputtered looking somewhere between skeptical and astonished but his greed for power was more overwhelming than his logical thinking.

"I'm glad to hear that" I stretched my hand for a handshake to seal the deal, he was so flustered that he kissed my ring instead and I gestured for his right hand.

"Oh yes! Forgive me" He shook my hand. I squeezed his hand before taking out my gun and shot his hand while it was still in my grip.

He screamed, yanking his hand off mine blood gushing out of the bullet hole, he glared at me and I raised an eyebrow at him in question.

"You must have heard every deal with me is sealed with blood" I explained, even if it's not a lie I did that on purpose.

"I would expect nothing less" He hissed in pain, I was already on my way out.

"We'll meet at the ceremony, and Remington?" I called.

"Yes, Don?"

"Never put your hands on my wife again else I will be taking both hands next time"