The Architect of His Ruin

ENZO'S POV (24 hours before).I rolled my neck to the side, groaning when it didn't give me any relief.Last night's sessions went hard, but I was able to crack him. That's what I do. I get the job done fast and efficiently, but I also enjoy breaking them. You see fear is best understood when the person you are trying to break realizes that you enjoy hearing their screams. It's all just a game and they are the pawn, meant to be torn down for the sole purpose of entertainmentBut I only punish those who rightly deserve it and have no qualms about torturing them the same way they do to others.I smiled amused at my own thoughts, half listening to the business presentation holding at Skyframe Consortium on my tablet from my office. Sitting round a table of money hungry old men who would grovel only to gain more power wasn't really my thing.It was a major deal , if closed it would become a multi-billion dollar project. The presentation was handed over to the next person to continue. My

AILANI’S POV)And at the corner of those glass walls stood Enzo Romano … Shirtless!!!.Warmth coated me, flushing my skin bright red. I had to wrestle a gasp back down before it was able to make an ugly appearance.His broad shoulders were drenched in the golden rays from the sun. His torso was marked with scars, spanning across his back in cruel slashes. The image itself should be appalling but it only heightens his masculinity. A suit jacket hung lazily from his desk chair, discarded while his dress shirt laid unbuttoned in the seat, both fabrics as if they never existed, totally forgotten.I could feel him in every inch of this room. This man looked like he could end humanity with one wave of his hand. “You're late.” He mentioned, his voice thick with an Italian accent and hands dug low into his pockets.I tore my gaze from the sharp linings of his back. My mouth watering at the sight.This was the man I was supposed to deal with?!! God really had favourites.“And you’re inappro

AILANI’S POV.“What the fuck are you doing in here?”I spinned around sharply bumping into a shelf, the wood shaking and threatening to fall over.I closed my eyes prepared for the impact.The sound of old books and the smell of the dust that covered them invaded my senses. A few moments passed after not feeling the impact so I opened my eyes. They widened from what they were witnessing.The wood hanging above our heads had splintered into two sharp ends and one of them pierced Enzo in his right arm, just below his elbow. Blood gushing out from the assaulted area.He must have used it to shield us from the impact of the fall. I reached for his arm,but he jerked it away from me.“Your bleeding!!” I exclaimed, using my scarf to staunch the bleeding. He didn't look the least bit phased that he was injured. In fact if it wasn't for the blood as evidence, I would have thought I imagined everything.He watched me as I tried to stop the bleeding as much as possible, never once taking his eyes

AILANI’S POV.The cab dropped me off in front of the hospital and I walked down the hallways to my grandma's ward.“Hey Josh, how's she doin-” before I could finish my sentence Josh pulled me to the side, his eyes were scanning frantically as if we were going to get caught doing something bad.“What happened?” I asked drawing his attention, and he wrapped his arms around me.“I was worried about you , are you okay?” His touch was possessive.“Huh, why wouldn't I be okay?” I asked confused.“There were these sketchy looking men that came around the hospital saying they were hired to protect your grandma.” He started. “When I told them to leave they flashed me their guns and told me to mind my business.”“Ali please tell me you're not in trouble,” he grabbed my shoulders, eyes desperately searching mine for answers.I didn't know what to tell him because I was not so sure myself. Was I really in trouble?“I'm fine Josh, I hired them to watch over her.” “You don't need to worry.” I gave