Chapter 9

Marco

The knock came sharp and sudden, tearing through the thick wood of my study door, echoing loudly in the environment. Irritated, I paused mid-sentence, glaring towards the intrusion, barking,"Enter!"

The door creaked open slowly, revealing one of my most trusted lieutenants standing nervously in the doorway, eyes darting anxiously between me and the floor. Fucking fantastic. Just what I needed right now. He knew he had fucked up, whatever it was.

"Speak,"I growled low, leaning back in my chair, fingers drumming impatiently on the polished surface of my desk. No use pussyfooting around here; time was wasting. I had important things to do.

"I-I'm sorry, boss,"he stammered, wringing his hands together."But there's been an incident..."

Incident? Christ Almighty, not another fuck-up from those useless idiots under my command.

"Spit it out!"I barked harshly, slamming my fist down forcefully, rattling the various trinkets adorning my desk. His jump was barely noticeable, but I caught it nonetheless. Good. I wanted him to show me how much he respected me.

"The DeLuca..."he started hesitantly, trailing off under my intense glare.

"They attacked one of our territories,"he blurted out finally, looking relieved having gotten it out."Just south of the border, near where that old abandoned mill used to stand."

Fury surged through me, heating my blood, and pounding in my ears. Those bastards dared challenge my rule and threaten my claim over lands held sacred since time immemorial. They'd pay dearly for such audacity.

"How many casualties?"I demanded sharply, rising from my seat, and towering over him. He shrank back, cowering beneath my wrath.

"Not sure yet, sir,"he admitted softly, averting his gaze. Coward. Worthless piece of shit.

"You mean you haven't checked?"I snarled, taking a menacing step closer, relishing his visible flinch."What kind of fuckery is this, huh? What happened to gathering intel beforehand, reporting accurately, ensuring no surprises?"

His Adam's apple bobbed, swallowing hard under my scrutiny."We thought-"

"I didn't want you to think,"I snapped, cutting him off."Only action matters here. And clearly, none of my men delivered tonight."

Silence fell heavily between us, punctuated only by ragged breaths escaping my lips. Rage coursed hotly through my veins, demanding release, screaming for violence. But first...

I lunged forward suddenly, grasping his collar roughly, and hauling him close until our faces nearly touched. His eyes widened fearfully, whites showing plainly amidst dark irises. Perfect. Fear was good. It kept people honest, obedient, submissive. Everything I desired at this moment.

"What else?"I rasped, voice dropping lower, deeper, resonating ominously within the small space separating us."Tell me every detail. Leave nothing unsaid."

He gulped, sweat beading across his brow despite the chilly air circulating around us. Good. Let him squirm under pressure. Maybe then he'd learn better habits for future incidents.

"They've taken some captives,"he whispered, barely audible even mere inches away."Women... children too."Disgust churned sourly in my stomach, threatening to rise up, and choke me entirely. Those monsters targeted innocents? They deserved worse than death.

"And why wasn't I informed immediately?"I pressed further, shaking him roughly."Why waste precious minutes delaying necessary actions?"

"We weren't sure if... if you were busy,"he hedged weakly, looking away guiltily. Busy? With what? A fucking meeting scheduled weeks ago?

Busy indeed. Busy planning their deaths, strategizing retribution, anticipating carnage soon to follow. All while they sat idly, twiddling thumbs, waiting for orders. Pathetic excuses. Worse still, pathetic excuses coming from supposed allies.

My hand tightened around his throat, squeezing mercilessly as rage boiled within me, threatening eruption. This spineless worm dared bring me news like this, expecting leniency? Not happening. Not today. Not ever.

"Tell me everything else you know, you worthless piece of shit!"I roared, spit flying from my mouth, speckling his face. Disgusted, he tried shrinking back, only to collide with the wall at his rear. Trapped. Exactly where I wanted him.

"Please,"he gasped, clawing desperately at my unyielding grip."I-I didn't mean-"

"Mean?"I spat derisively, leaning in close enough to smell his terror-laced sweat."You meant exactly what you did—fail me spectacularly! And now, you'll face the consequences!"

My free hand balled into a fist, crashing down onto his jaw with sickening force. Bone crunched satisfyingly under the impact, echoing sweetly through my knuckles. Again and again, I struck, each blow fueled by impotent fury burning white-hot behind my eyelids.

He cried out, pleaded, begged. Pathetic whimperings falling on deaf ears. Nothing could stop me now; not his pleas, nor my own self-preservation. Red haze clouded judgment, drowning reason, leaving only instinct reigning supreme.

Blood flowed freely, painting his face red. Still, I punched, unleashing pent-up aggression, and venting frustration born from years of dealing with idiots like this one. Each strike echoed through the room, punctuating harsh curses hurled against him without pause or mercy.

Suddenly, a sharp gasp pierced through my haze, followed swiftly by a soft thud. Someone collapsed nearby, weak and broken. Only after pausing mid-swing, glaring towards the intruder, did realization dawn - Lucas stood frozen in the doorway, horror etched deeply into those expressive features.

Time seemed to slow, stretching interminably as we locked gazes, shock mirroring across both our faces. Then, reality crashed back violently, slapping sense into place once more. Fuck. What had I done? How far had I gone?

Shame burned hotter than embarrassment, scorching my cheeks, singeing my insides. I released my hold abruptly, letting the lifeless body drop limply to the ground. No longer caring about him, I turned fully towards Lucas, taking in his pale face, trembling limbs, wide-eyed gaze fixed intently upon mine.

"I..."I began, trailing off, unable to find words adequate enough to express regret, shame, and remorse. Perhaps there were none.

The damage was done. Now came the cleanup.

But before anything else, I needed to assess the extent of the harm I caused. Stepping over the unconscious form lying between us, I reached Lucas slowly, hands raised placatingly. He shrank back instinctively, fear flashing briefly before acceptance replaced it. Good boy. At least he trusted me somewhat.

"What happened here?"His voice cracked softly, barely above a whisper, yet resonating loud within the silent study. Accusation hung heavy amidst question marks, weighing down each word until guilt crushed me entirely.

"Business gone bad,"I answered gruffly, avoiding direct eye contact for now. Cowardice maybe, but necessity nonetheless. Couldn't face him directly knowing the truth behind the events unfolding tonight.

His gaze flicked towards the motionless figure sprawled at our feet, lingering there for what felt like an eternity before returning to me. Disappointment flashed plainly, cutting deep despite its brevity. Shit. He expected better, didn't he? Expected someone stronger, braver, fiercer. Not this... thing standing before him now. Not this monster filled with rage.

"You hurt him badly."It was a statement rather than a question, heavy with condemnation, and disappointment. Jesus Christ, how was I supposed to respond to that?

"He deserved worse,"I growled low, defensive reflex kicking in automatically. Wrong response, wrong fucking time. Yet, couldn't help myself. Habits die hard, after all.

"No one deserves this,"he whispered sadly, shaking his head."Especially someone who works for you."

Fuck, why did his soft-spoken rebuke sting sharper than physical blows? Why did it cut deeper, wound tighter, choking harder? Because he spoke true, raw honesty. Because he saw me clearly, openly, and honestly. Unfiltered. Unjudging. Unlike anyone else ever had.

Goddammit, I hated him for it all—for forcing confrontations when I craved escape, for stripping away my carefully constructed lies, and for being ruthlessly, maddeningly right.

"Lucas,"I started, turning towards him fully, desperate to bridge the gap widening between us. Words clogged my throat, tangling together, refusing release. Frustration mounted, fueling the anger simmering beneath the surface. Why couldn't I speak properly around him? Around anyone lately?

"It's not-"

"Not what?"He prompted gently, stepping closer, concern replacing the initial shock. God, he was too good, too kind, too pure for this world. Too pure for me.

"Nothing,"I muttered, looking away guiltily. Admitting fault wasn't something I excelled at. Especially when faced with disapproval clear in his eyes.

"But you should-"

"I know,"I snapped sharply, cutting him off mid-sentence. Dammit, why did he have to be so understanding, so forgiving? Made everything harder somehow.

He sighed heavily, running a hand through his hair."Then do something about it,"he urged softly, gesturing vaguely towards the crumpled form at our feet."Before it's too late."

Right. The informant. Almost forgotten amidst the chaos swirling within me. Time to prioritize again. To focus on necessities first, and emotions later.

Reaching for my phone, I dialed emergency services swiftly, barking orders succinctly once connected. They'd arrive soon enough; until then...

I glanced up at Lucas, finding him watching me closely, evaluating every move with attentive eyes. Approval shone brightly in those dark irises, the approval I didn't deserve yet craved fiercely regardless. Approval I yearned to earn, to keep, to cherish forevermore.

"Thank you,"he murmured quietly, breaking the silence that was gradually building between us."For doing the right thing."

My chest tightened painfully, emotion threatening to overwhelm all rational thought. Right thing? Was there even such a concept anymore? Especially at this moment? Or had I lost claim long ago, drowning under waves of violence, bloodshed, and brutality?

"Don't thank me,"I rasped roughly, clearing my throat against the sudden lump forming there."Not yet anyway."

Confusion flickered across his features briefly before comprehension dawned, followed swiftly by determination hardening his resolve. Good. At least we understood each other somewhat at this moment. I couldn't help but wonder how long that was going to last.

"We'll talk later,"he announced firmly, nodding once sharply. Decision made, apparently. One I respected, admired, envied even.

"Later,"I agreed gruffly, watching as he turned away, leaving me alone amidst the carnage wrought by my own hands. Alone with thoughts screaming louder than any external noise could drown out.

Because no matter how much I wanted to believe otherwise, the reality remained unchanged—I failed him tonight. Failed spectacularly. And the worst part? He knew it too.