Chapter 54 Chapter Fifty Four
KING’S POV
I knew there was no way taking Yasuki’s deal or moving all the way to Chicago to run this shit hole was ever going to get me off his leash, the man never plays fair, but something in me had hoped that it’ll take me away from the major chaos and violence of business, save a small, untainted part of me that could still live like none of this ever happened.
The part I desperately wanted to show her and have her fall in love with.
But that part of me died tragically by her own hands on that flight back from one of the best nights I’ve ever had, rivalled only by others spent in her presence.
She couldn’t have been more clear about being done with me if she’d preached it from the rooftops with a fucking JBL sound system.
And hearing her describe me in the damned way she had, her eyes full of disgust for the man seated before her and devoid of any form of doubt like she meant every single word, snuffed out every last ember of hope I'd kept that I could walk away from this, unscathed by the years of wearing blood on me and into her arms for a forever full of sunshine and redemption.
I'd wanted that so bad. I have craved it, yearned for it since the first night she slept curled up in my arms like she trusted me to keep her safe.
But none of that matters now.
By the time she’d been done explaining her new found irritation with my existence and proximity to her, I’d been disgusted too and that solved it.
I can’t take back my past or deny the life that saved me from myself even though it damn near took everything from me. It’s a part of me that can’t be scrubbed clean and it’s not my fault she doesn’t have the stomach for it.
It has to stop stinging at some point soon, it’s not like I’m in love with her or anything. Obsessed, yes, infatuated with the way she made me feel, yes but definitely not love. It’s an emotion I’m incapable of.
And since she can’t take what I’m offering even though she’d enjoyed every second of fucking it, there’d been no need keeping the good guy around.
So yeah, I’ve sank back into business as usual, worse than I’ve ever been and hungry for the insane feeling that comes with every assignment, more reckless and beckoning to consequences.
In the mornings I play dress up in suit and sit through boring board meetings at her father’s sinking company, take her sister to lunch while trying to convince my pussy whipped dick that it could want her too and in the nights I clean up after Yasuki and the clan, tying loose ends, getting rid of stubborn problems and everything else in between that earned me the nickname King the terror.
It gets my blood pumping, adrenaline pushing the hurt of her rejection to the back of my mind where it’s impossible to reach. I mean, it’s just poorly worded rejection and I could easily take it lying down but it’s been a lifetime since I let anyone get close enough to do that to me so I’m out of practice.
Last night had been particularly worse than others, impossible to get through without snapping and there’d been no Marlene handy to pin against my desk and fuck roughly till I hit release and dissipate the darkness in my head.
Past giving a fuck, I’d gone down to a club belonging to one Chicago’s local gang because I was bored and of course they recognized my game and started to stir shit. Cleaning house was what it took to scratch the itch I’ve been carrying around all day and I fucking loved it.
And now fucking Matteo Perez is sitting in my office gawking at me like his presence here isn’t the stranger thing of the two.
Bet words got back to Yasuki and Matteo is some part of his plan to rein me back in.
He always pulls bullshit like this.
“I don’t think anyone else has ever managed to get Yasuki as riled up as you have in this past week.” He says without preamble, trying to sound serious and resigned even though I can hear the smile in his voice.
“And he sent you over to what, keep me in line or take me out?”
Matteo winces and I know immediately that the conversation did come up.
Yasuki forgets sometimes that he raised me, taught me more things than my own father ever did so yes, I recognize his game plan from a mile away.
“Nah,” Matteo responds, lifting the glass of single malt scotch he’d poured himself to his mouth.
“Haven’t had your skittish assistant glare at me like the devil in a while, was starting to miss it.” A faint smile touches the corners of his lips at the mention of my obtuse assistant.
“He always manages to look like I might eat him every time I walk in the room. He’s......interesting.”
Of course.
“Bet Nara doesn’t think so.” I remind him, relaxing into my chair for the first time since he walked in.
The unease of knowing he might have been sent over to cut me out before I do more damage is finally passed.
“I know the boss man told you how it is with us. My wife and I have a marriage that works for us, thank you. We seal deals for him and at night we fuck whoever makes us happy and Remy looks like a snack I could use a bite of.”
He laughs at the look on my face.
“It’s not as hard as it sounds, honest to God. Yasuki wanted me to sell you on the idea because you’re messing with the order of things but I’m not into that sappy bullshit so I’ll give it to you straight. For the safety of everything you love, get a ring on that girl’s finger and then get yourself a thousand other women to wet your cock.”
He shrugs like it’s the easiest thing to do, like flipping a fucking switch.
“That man has no heart in him and the only reason I’m here instead of the hunters is because somewhere in that rock sitting in his chest, there’s a place for you. He doesn’t want to cut you but it doesn’t mean he won’t in a heartbeat. You know him. And that week he spent with Romanov? Man, it sucked the last shreds of humanity from him.”
I nod because I understand and I hate that I understand.
“On another note, I picked up Intel that Martinez and his crew are here in Chicago. I don’t know what they’re up to but I doubt it’s anything besides trouble. Heard you were hot on their trail months back and figured it was fair warning. That man is vicious with vengeance.”
“When did you get this?” I query, for obvious reasons.
“Couple days back. Wish I had more. Did you meddle in his shit?”
I scoff, what I did barely counts as meddling but I have vulnerabilities tied to it that the bastard can explore.
“Not directly but I made his business Yasuki’s business.”
“Jesus, man, that’s a fucking risk. Does he know? Bet you twenty grand he probably put a hit out on you.” Matteo laughs even though the sounds lacks humour.
“Be careful, King.” He continues, all serious.
“He has no business in Chicago but he’s here lurking and he’s never been good news. I’ll hate to see you die before I can get your assistant to go on his knees and suck my dick with that pretty mouth of his.” He smirks.
Of course, typical Matteo.
Standing from his chair, he throws back the remaining content of his glass.
“Going to have some fun with making him uncomfortable, don’t get involved. I won’t bite him, not yet.”
He winks before sauntering out but I’m past paying attention now.
Candy was on that trip with me and she got compromised with Martinez.
How the fuck do I convince her that she needs my protection without making an already bad situation worse.
And how the fuck do I convince my dick that she doesn’t want any part of us, not anymore.