Chapter Twenty Three

R ed scattered everywhere. The neon glow enveloped the dark figures shimmering under the faint lights, spreading across the space filled with bodies dancing, slick with sweat.

"You see me." The gentle lilt of her voice drowned out all other sounds, slipping through the droplets of fear that eclipsed any authority.

"I see you." I murmured, my voice thick as I downed another shot of liquor.

We stood facing away from each other, her heavy breaths and gasps echoing in my ears, sending shivers down my spine. The air was thick with the scent of alcohol and smoke, making my thoughts sluggish amidst the heavy sounds.

In the far corner, she lingered, her silhouette adorned in a sleek black dress that clung to her curves and shimmered like satin. Her gaze was intense, scanning the room with a focus that both attracted and repelled. A faint red glow from the neon sign above the bar illuminated her features, accentuating the sharp lines of her face while leaving the rest shrouded in shadow.

Laughter erupted around her, yet it felt far away, almost muted, as if the outside world was just a whisper. The atmosphere buzzed with an unspoken tension, a blend of desire and danger.

Our eyes locked, colliding. I could see her clearly, but she struggled to define me despite the brightness of the bar counter.

I wanted to ask, have you ever gazed into the darkness and thought how beautiful it is? Because I might be on the verge of committing a sin—looking into the dark and smiling.

She took a slow sip of her drink, the glass shimmering in the low light, and for a fleeting moment, time seemed to hold its breath, caught in the spell of her presence.

"Keep your eyes on the entrance, Mr. Rowan," she laughed softly, her voice echoing in my ear, laced with a dangerous undertone that challenged me.

I barely noticed the pain from my scar or the irritation of the bandages clinging to my skin.

It had been less than a week since I left the hospital, yet uncovering hidden truths felt like shadows creeping into our lives. This time, I decided to embrace them to ensure her safety. To keep her close.

"I never wanted to be here," another voice cut through the tension left by my wife's words. Reese muttered from somewhere on the first floor.

She was petite, with red hair that allowed her to fade into the background effortlessly.

"Attention! Target has entered at 2 o'clock through the back staff gate..." Darius announced, and instantly, we were all on high alert without needing to see or ask.

Timothy, my gym buddy, poured another round of vodka shots. Almost everyone I knew was at this table—some I conversed with, others not so much—but it was clear they were glad to have me back.

"Just don’t get lost in the drinks, Amir. Stay focused on the target, and watch your back. You’re his target, remember?" Reese warned, her tone sharp.

Whatever. I know. But I hardly cared because my gaze was fixed on my wife, doing her best to evade the attention of the annoying men who thought she was available. Not on my watch.

"Amir! Amir! Amir! Amir! Amir! Amir!" The table erupted in cheers as I downed glass after glass, finally slamming the last empty one down and raising my hands in triumph.

The bar buzzed with laughter and the sound of clinking glasses, a warm atmosphere of excitement enveloping the men I had sought assistance from. They were deep into their drinking contest, competitive spirits rising with every round. That’s when Luhak made his entrance—a tall figure with a disconcerting smile that never quite reached his eyes.

He was the one we were after. A man in his sixties, his hair streaked with gray from age, yet there was nothing about him that felt ordinary.

I rose alongside the others, standing taller than everyone, including Luhak.

He flashed a smile and extended his hand for a shake, but I only reciprocated after he had exchanged pleasantries with Timothy. The roughness of his hand brought back unwelcome memories.

That bastard. I knew him all too well to forget.

“Mind if I join?” he inquired, his voice smooth yet somehow unsettling. “I’ll take care of the drinks tonight.”

Timothy shot me a glance, his face a mix of curiosity and apprehension.

I nodded quickly, and he moved to secure a consensus from the rest.

The offer was too tempting to decline, and with a few reluctant nods, we welcomed him into our group.

I sensed something was amiss but pushed forward, my instincts sharper than the alcohol dulled them.

We settled as Luhak came to sit next to me. He grinned, and asked for my name, and in exchange I asked his, pretending I knew nothing about what shit of evil he was.

“So, what do you do for a living, Luhak?” I asked when we were on the topic of discussing about my job.

Timothy kept a watchful eye on Luhak throughout our exchange, alert because it was a favor both Darius and I had requested from him.

“Genetic engineering,” he answered, his smile broadening. “I moved to town about a year ago.”

The conversation was easygoing as I dug a little deeper. Luhak talked about his work with such passion that it sent chills down my spine. His eyes sparkled whenever he mentioned the idea of blending two species. He described his research with a coldness that hinted at a mind more intrigued by manipulation than by any moral considerations.

“So, what brings you to our little bar?” I asked, trying to keep things light despite the unsettling vibe.

“Oh, just hunting for inspiration,” Luhak replied, his gaze wandering to the dance floor where women moved under the soft lights. He pointed, his expression darkening as he focused on one woman.

My heart dropped—it was Amery.

“Check her out,” Luhak said, his voice laced with intent. “I could do wonders with someone like her.”

A wave of anger surged through me, my fists clenching without thought. Just seeing him drool over my wife ignited a red haze, and I could almost feel the urge to make him pay.

“She’s my wife,” I managed to say, keeping my tone even.

Luhak laughed, a sound that made my stomach churn. The urge to leap at him and pull Amery away from his gaze was overwhelming. But I knew I had to prioritize dealing with the threat first. This was about more than just protecting my territory.

“A guy like me has every reason to be interested. You’d be shocked at how easily someone like her could be… swayed. I mean, if she’s your wife, any guy would try to pull her into his world. A powerful man’s wife is like a crown jewel, and every man out there would want to take it for himself.”

"Nice try, but I’d recommend you keep your hands off my wife." I whispered low, mixing threat with a warning as I brushed off his shoulder to emphasize my point.

I was fuming inside, but I forced myself to stay cool. I needed to figure out what this guy was really after. With a casual flick, I secretly attached a tracking device to Luhak’s jacket while Timothy sensed the tension and switched the subject. We made sure Luhak drank the next round, all while laughing to keep it under the radar.

Every time Luhak downed his drink, he shot me a subtle look, and I couldn’t help but grin. His mind games weren’t going to work on me anymore. It was time for him to play by my rules.

I leaned back, casually resting my hand on the edge of the sofa while crossing my leg, keeping my gaze locked on him and flashing an innocent smile.

When he winced after the fourth shot, making a gurgling noise, I took the rest of his drink and downed it like it was nothing.

My friend made some disappointed sounds, but I just tipped my glass his way, ignoring him and keeping the vibe friendly as we continued the drinking game.

“Why don’t you share more about your work?” I asked, pretending to be interested. My real job was to keep Luhak talking and learn more about him.

“Ah, the marvels of gene editing,” Luhak started, his voice taking on a dark excitement. “It’s all about control. Shaping life to our desires.”

I clenched my jaw, feeling my stomach twist as Luhak rambled on, completely unaware that I already knew all about him.

He kept rambling on, but honestly, nothing about him impressed me. The more he talked, the closer I felt to losing it, picturing myself with my hands around his neck, leaving his body marked with my signature.

"We're not so different, really... you carve wood, and I work with living beings. Just think about it—if we could give humans that kind of ability, species would evolve in ways we can't even imagine. Nothing would hold us back, not even cancer or any disease. And women? They're the perfect subjects because their biological systems are more advanced than men's. Just look at their sense of smell, vision, and hearing."

Every word he uttered only strengthened my determination—I couldn’t let this guy near my wife. Tonight, I’d do whatever it took to keep Amery safe.

"So, what are you working on these days?" I handed him a glass of mixed booze, hoping to keep him talking.

He shrugged and took a sip of the unidentifiable liquid. "Just the usual—humans and animals."

That simple statement carried a lot more weight than it seemed.

I had a pretty good idea of what he meant.

Reese had filled me in on it. About Luhak. The more we uncovered, the more delicate the information became, needing to be kept under wraps.

I leaned back, swirling the last bits of my liquor, watching Luhak passionately dive into his latest ideas on genetic manipulation. The flickering light danced across his face, emphasizing his intense eyes that sparkled with the excitement of a mad scientist.

Mad scientist. The term rang in my head, reminding me of what Reese had shared and the files Dimitri had managed to dig up.

“You see, Amir,” Luhak said, lowering his voice as if sharing a secret, “the possibilities are endless! Just imagine merging the strength of an ox with the speed of a cheetah. We could completely change what it means to be human!”

I put on a fake smile, but inside, I was boiling. I knew exactly who Luhak was—the infamous scientist who had shattered every ethical boundary in his twisted quest for knowledge. “But what about the moral implications?” I attempted to redirect the conversation, though it felt pointless. This guy had zero morals or ethics.

“Moral implications?” Luhak sneered, his face twisting in disdain. “Those are just shackles that hinder progress. Humanity has always advanced through experimentation, often at a steep price. It’s just how discovery works!”

I nodded slowly, trying to hide my unease. “And what about the lives at stake? You can’t just play god without facing the fallout.”

Luhak leaned in, a spark of madness flickering in his eyes. “Every breakthrough demands sacrifice. So, tell me, would you be willing to sacrifice for progress, Amir?”

Not a chance. Progress can take a hike.

Before I could reply, Luhak’ s phone buzzed, and he checked the screen. “Sorry, I need to take this,” he said, standing up abruptly. As he turned to leave, I noticed a change in his demeanor, as if something more urgent had caught his attention.

I didn’t mind him leaving. My part was done. Now it was Dimitri's turn.

As Luhak made his way to the bar exit, my eyes shifted to Amery, who had been quietly listening in from a nearby table. I had no idea when she got so close, but it seemed Luhak hadn’t noticed her either.

Her gaze locked onto mine, a hint of dread brushing across her features. Her eyes were wide, caught in a blend of horror and realization. The weight of Luhak’ s words hung heavily in the air around her.

My heart raced as I stood up, slowly making my way toward her. Each step felt burdened by the truth of Luhak’ s intentions.

As I drew nearer, I could see the fear carving lines into Amery’s face, and when our eyes finally met, I grasped the seriousness of the threat Luhak represented.

“You didn’t have to hear all of that. I told you, why?” I muttered quietly, settling into the seat beside her.

Amery inhaled deeply, her voice shaking. “He wanted you out of the picture, Amir. He mentioned you and… me. He was planning to eliminate you to have me for his experiments.”

A shiver ran through me at the thought of any danger coming her way. Luhak’s twisted nature was no longer just a distant worry; it was a real threat looming over everything I cared about.

“He kidnapped me once,” I confessed, my voice barely above a whisper. “I barely got away. I thought he was done with me, but…”

“He’s not,” Amery murmured, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. “He’s fixated. I can’t lose you again, Ro. I don’t think I could handle it.”

I cradled Amery's delicate face, making her meet my gaze. A tear slipped down her cheek as our foreheads touched, resting against each other. "I will protect you no matter what, even if it means facing Luhak. He thinks he knows me, but he has no clue how fierce I can be when it comes to you."

She nodded, her lips trembling. "I know." Her hands found mine, resting gently on her cheeks. She held them close, pressing a soft kiss to my knuckles. "I know... I know, Luhak has no idea that touching me will awaken my monster. And he won’t escape unscathed."

She smiled, the sadness melting away as she pressed her lips to my knuckles once more.

I leaned in, capturing her lips with mine, the kiss gentle yet filled with unspoken feelings. As her eyes fluttered shut, she let go, embracing the moment and the weight of our shared fears and desires.

There was a slight hesitation in our touch, a reminder of unwelcome memories. Conflicted feelings swirled within her—betrayal clashed with understanding, but deep down, she knew that if given the choice, I would always choose her.

My trust rested in her trust. I believed she would see beyond everything. We were taking it one day at a time.

As I pulled back, I looked into her eyes, searching for reassurance. She smiled, her lips slightly parted as she caught her breath.

I took her hand, leading her to the dance floor, where dim lights twinkled like stars above us. As we swayed to the soft rhythm of the music, the world around us faded, leaving just the two of us wrapped in a moment that felt both intimate and electric.

Our bodies brushed against each other, a gentle dance of seduction. I traced my fingers along her back, igniting a warmth that spread across her skin.

Amery leaned in closer, her scent enveloping me, as her fingers glided up my arm, feeling the tension that coiled between us.

The fire in her eyes extinguished any lingering doubts in my mind.

"I trust you, Ro. I trust the man who would choose me time and again. I know it won't be easy for us to get through this, but we will."

In the soft light of the bar, time seemed to stretch as we swayed to the soft rhythm of the music, the world faded, leaving only the two of us entwined in a moment that felt both intimate and electric. The air around us buzzed with a longing that transcended mere touch—a deep craving for connection, for comfort amid the chaos that threatened to engulf us.

As I twirled her gently, I caught her glancing at my lips before she noticed me looking at her. Each fleeting gaze felt like a promise of something deeper.

A wave of emotion washed over me, the closeness of the dance stirring something intense and passionate inside.

She leaned in and whispered, “No matter what happens, we’ll face it together.”

I shot her a smoldering look that made her shiver. Leaning in close, I playfully nipped at her earlobe, and she let out a soft moan, gripping my t-shirt tightly. “Always.”

"Ro," she breathed, her eyes locked onto mine, caught in this painful tension that felt like it was asking too much.

"No," I pressed my lips against hers. "I’ll touch you like you’re mine once I’ve settled my debt."

"Debt?" She looked utterly bewildered.

"Yes, my love. The mistake of not protecting you and allowing anything or anyone to intrude on our marriage. It’s your debt to me; you forgave me despite the hurt I caused, and now I’ll show you how much that means to me. Your trust in me was invaluable."

I kissed her forehead, and she nodded in silence.

"I’m not sure about legends, Amir Rowan, but I believe it when my grandma first saw you and said..." As we intertwined our fingers, she swayed with me, my hand resting on her waist and hers draped around my neck.

"What did she say?" I asked, intrigued, since I never thought of her grandma as someone who talked much or even liked me. Maybe there was more to the story.

My wife let out a soft giggle and planted a kiss on my shirt, right where my heart was racing wildly from her playful actions. The scent of lilies she wore was absolutely mesmerizing.

"This guy is tied to the end of your red string," she said. Then she spoke something in Mandarin, and since I had no idea what it meant, I just smiled back at her.

"Aren't you curious about what I said?" she pouted, but I shook my head. I didn’t need to know; whatever it was, it carried a special meaning that was better left unspoken.

"Sometimes, things are just meant to be without needing an explanation. I think that was her true intention too, saying it to you and not to me or us specifically."

She stood on her tiptoes and tugged me down by my t-shirt, sealing our lips together.

Her touch feels like home to me, and I know deep down that she is my fate.