1. THE DEVIL IN A SUIT

POV Alexander

The room was dead silent. So silent that you could hear a pin drop, or perhaps... the sound of a heart beating in terror.

I sat comfortably on the black leather sofa, one leg crossed over the other. My fingers gently tapped the armrest, creating a rhythmic sound that seemed to echo like a drumbeat of death in the large room.

In front of me, three men were kneeling on the cold marble floor. Their hands were tied tightly behind their backs, their faces bruised and swollen, their eyes filled with absolute fear.

They were looking at me like I was a monster.

And they were right.

"Tell me again, Marco," I said softly, my voice calm and low, but enough to make the man named Marco flinch violently. "Where did the shipment go? And who paid you to betray me?"

Marco swallowed hard, sweat dripping down his forehead like rain. "I... I swear, Boss! I don't know anything! It was an accident! The truck just..."

BANG!

I didn't even let him finish his sentence. I pulled the trigger of the gun resting on the table, shooting right next to his ear. The sound was deafening, making everyone in the room jump.

Marco screamed and fell on his butt, trembling uncontrollably.

I let out a short, cold laugh. I slowly stood up and adjusted my expensive Italian suit. Every step I took towards him felt heavy, crushing the air around us.

I stopped right in front of him, bending down until my face was level with his. My eyes, cold and void of any emotion, stared deep into his soul.

"Don't waste my time with lies, Marco," I whispered, my voice like ice. "I don't like repeating myself. You know what happens to rats who steal from me and work for my enemies."

"I... I..." Marco was hyperventilating, his eyes darting around looking for help that would never come. "Please, Alex! Have mercy! We grew up together! We are friends!"

"Friends?" I smirked, a cruel smile forming on my lips. "Friends don't steal. Friends don't put a bullet in my brother's back. And friends definitely don't deserve to breathe the same air as me."

I straightened up and nodded my head slightly to the side.

Immediately, Dimitri, my right-hand man and most trusted friend, stepped forward. He was a giant of a man with a scar running across his cheek.

"Clean this mess," I ordered flatly, turning my back on them, losing interest already. "Make it slow. Make them hurt. I want them to remember my name before they close their eyes forever."

"Yes, Boss," Dimitri answered in his deep voice.

As I walked out of the room, the sounds of begging and pleading filled the air, followed by the sickening sound of fists hitting flesh. But I didn't look back.

Mercy is a word for weak people.

And Alexander Volkov is anything but weak.

THE KINGDOM

I walked out of the warehouse into the fresh night air. The city of New York was glowing with lights, but to me, it was just a giant playground waiting to be ruled.

My black Rolls-Royce Phantom was waiting perfectly lined up. The bodyguards immediately opened the door for me, bowing their heads in respect.

"To the office, Boss?" asked the driver.

"No," I replied, getting inside the luxurious car. "Take me to the hospital."

The driver nodded and the car moved smoothly.

Inside the car, I took off my suit jacket and loosened my tie. The darkness inside the car matched the darkness in my heart.

Five years ago, I took over this empire from my father. Or rather, I took back what was mine after they killed him. They thought I was just a spoiled rich kid who couldn't fight. They thought they could break me.

They were wrong.

I became the Devil they feared the most.

Now, I own the banks, the police, the judges, and half of the politicians in this country. If I say jump, they ask how high. If I say die, they dig their own graves.

But today... something was bothering me.

My phone buzzed. A message from the doctor.

'Sir, the operation was successful. Mr. Vladimir is out of danger. You can visit him now.'

I exhaled a long breath. Vladimir, my uncle and the only family I had left, was shot last week in an ambush. We knew who did it. The Vory Brotherhood. Our long-time enemy.

They wanted war.

And I was more than happy to give it to them.

THE UNEXPECTED MEETING

The car stopped in the underground parking lot of the private hospital. I walked through the corridors with my men surrounding me. Everyone moved aside, bowing their heads, not daring to make eye contact.

I reached the VIP floor. Everything was quiet, sterile, and cold.

I was about to enter Vladimir's room when suddenly, someone turned the corner and bumped right into my chest.

THUD!

"Ouch!"

A soft voice gasped. A tray of medicine and bandages fell to the floor, scattering everywhere.

I froze. My men immediately reached for their guns, ready to shoot whoever dared to touch their Boss.

"Watch where you're going, you idiot!" Dimitri roared.

But I didn't say anything. I was looking down.

A girl was crouching on the floor, hurriedly picking up the fallen items. She was wearing a white doctor's coat, her hair tied back in a messy ponytail. She looked small, fragile... and incredibly beautiful.

She finally looked up, and our eyes met.

Big, innocent brown eyes stared back at me. There was no fear. No respect. No bowing. Just pure annoyance and surprise.

"I'm sorry, okay?!" she said, her voice clear and firm. "The corridor is big, why are you walking like a tank anyway?"

My men went silent. You could hear a pin drop.

Nobody... absolutely nobody ever dared to speak to me like that.

Dimitri was about to grab her, but I raised my hand stopping him.

I kept staring at her. She didn't tremble. She didn't look away. She just wiped her hands on her coat and stood up straight, looking me dead in the eye.

"You..." I spoke for the first time, my voice raspy and deep. "What is your name?"

She rolled her eyes slightly, picking up the last of her things.

"I'm Isabella. And I'm in a hurry, Sir. Excuse me."

She pushed past me, her shoulder brushing against my arm, and walked away without looking back.

I stood there frozen, watching her retreating figure.

Isabella...

A strange feeling stirred in my chest. Something I hadn't felt in years. Curiosity. Interest.

Dimitri looked at me confused. "Boss? Should I... stop her?"

I turned around, a dark smirk slowly forming on my face.

"No. Let her go."

I touched the spot on my arm where she touched me.

"But find out everything about her. Where she lives, where she works, everything. I want her file on my desk by tomorrow morning."

"Yes, Boss."

I looked back at the direction she left.

You think you can just walk away from me, little bird?

Think again.

Because once the Devil sets his eyes on something... he never lets go.

 

(To be continued...)