Chapter 16: Chapter Fifteen

Devil's claim

Mirabella’s POV

I made a decision the next morning. No matter what Hunter had told me, no matter the command in his voice, I wasn’t going to stay away from work because of fear of him. He was not my master. He didn’t own me.

That night, I wore my simple black dress, tied my hair in a ponytail, and walked to the club with my chest heavy but my steps steady. The streets were buzzing with people heading home, some students probably from reading classes were heading and laughing. I held my bag tighter, my heart was drumming in my chest. I didn't know what to expect from work today. I don't know what Hunter would make me do today. I don't even know if he was still going to be adamant about me following him home.

As I pushed open the back door to the club, the familiar smell of smoke and alcohol hit me. The music was loud, and lights danced across the floor. I tried to act normal, like nothing was pressing on me.

Mario spotted me first. He stood behind the bar, shaking a glass. His sharp eyes softened when they landed on me.

“Bella,” he called, motioning me closer.

I walked over, trying to hide my nerves. “Evening, Mario.”

He leaned on the counter, lowering his voice so no one else could hear. “You look uncomfortable. Have you done something? To Devil? You know he doesn’t like to be disobeyed.”

I stiffened, pretending his words didn’t sting. “I’m not his toy. He can’t order me around.”

Mario studied me like he wanted to argue, but he only sighed. “You’ve got fire in you, girl. Just be careful, that fire might burn you.”

“Well, I hope…” Before I could reply, a voice slid behind me like poison.

“Well, well. If it isn’t the new favorite.”

I turned slowly, and my eyes locked on a beautiful lady. Heard they called her Jackie. I have seen her around the club several times but hadn't encountered her personally. Jackie was the kind of woman who always carried herself like she owned the room. Everyone knew she had been with Hunter—she didn’t even hide it. She was standing there in a red dress that clung to her body like a second skin. Her lips curled in a smile that wasn’t friendly.

“What can I help you with?” I said flatly.

She tilted her head, looking me up and down with mocking eyes. “I heard some rumors about you. You caught the devil’s eyes.” She dragged out the word devil like it tasted sweet. “Do you even know what that means?”

I rolled my eyes. “I don’t care what it means.”

Jackie laughed, a sharp sound. “Oh, but I think you should. Because when the devil looks at you, you either burn or you’re destroyed. And honey, let me tell you, he already has me to warms his bed” She leaned closer, her perfume thick. “You’re just a distraction. A little, young toy. When he’s bored, he’ll toss you aside.”

Her words pricked at my skin like needles, but I refused to let her see me flinch. I lifted my chin. “You can keep bragging about being his fuck buddy all you want, Jackie. But here’s the thing—” I paused, making sure she was looking me in the eye. “I never asked for his attention. He keeps coming after me. That’s the difference. So maybe you should be worried that he chases me instead of crawling back to you.”

Jackie’s smile dropped for a second, her eyes flashing. “You little…”

I cut her off. “Don’t waste your time trying to scare me. If being his bed warmer is the only crown you’ve got, then hold it tight. I don’t want it.”

For a moment, silence hung between us, thick and heavy. Jackie’s face tightened before she forced a laugh and flipped her hair. “You’ll regret this. Every girl who thinks she can survive him always regrets it.”

With that, she turned on her heels and walked away, her hips swaying like she owns a price no one has ever had.

I let out a slow breath I hadn’t realized I was holding.

“Savage,” a voice whispered in my ear. I startled, I turned and saw Saraphina wiping a glass behind the counter. She smirked at me and winked at Mario. “Don’t let Jackie bother you. She loves to parade herself as hunter’s woman, but the truth? She’s nothing more than his temporary warmth when he’s bored.”

I shook my head. “I don’t care what she is. I don’t even care what he does with her. It doesn’t concern me.”

Saraphina leaned closer, her eyes narrowing like she was studying me. “Then why do you look so shaken every time his name comes up?”

I froze for a moment, then forced a small smile. “Obviously because he’s trouble. And I don’t need trouble in my life.”

She just nodded like she didn't believe me and turned to her business.

Hunter’s POV

Ramos’ club was loud the moment I stepped in. Guards with guns stood everywhere, and his men whispered as I walked past. I was used to this kind of attention. I was used to the weight of fear that always spread when I entered a room. Tonight was no different.

Ramos greeted me in his office, a glass of whiskey in his hand. He was a tall man with slicked-back hair and a permanent smirk. A biker billionaire who liked to show off his wealth, but I knew him too well—behind that charm was blood and steel.

“Hunter,” Ramos said, raising his glass. “You came quickly. I knew I could count on you.”

I sat across from him, my body relaxed but my mind sharp. “You said you had a problem.”

He nodded, his face turning serious. “One of my rivals sent me a warning. A shipment of mine is supposed to be hit tomorrow night. If I lose it, I lose millions—and I lose face.”

“Who’s the rival?” I asked.

“Recko,” Ramos spat. “That rat thinks he can walk into my territory and humiliate me. But if you back me up, if you stand by my side, he’ll think twice.”

I leaned back in the chair, swirling the drink he handed me. “You know I don’t get involved unless there’s something in it for me.”

Ramos smirked. “Of course. I’ll make it worth your time. I have got girls. But between us…” He lowered his voice, his smirk stretching. “I’ve been hearing things. About you recently.”

My brow arched. “What things?”

“That you’ve found yourself a little obsession. A girl. Young and pretty. Barely legal.” Ramos chuckled darkly. “That doesn’t sound like you. You’re not the type to get hooked on one woman.”

The room grew colder, my grip tightening around the glass. His men nearby leaned closer, curious.

“She’s not a fling,” I said, my voice sharp, final.

Ramos blinked, then laughed. “Come on, Hunter. Don’t tell me you’re getting serious about this girl. Is she really worth it? Or will she end up like the rest—used, forgotten?”

I leaned forward, my eyes locking onto his. “Her name is imprinted in my blood. She is not a fling I can dispose. And she is mine.”

The words left no space for doubt. No space for laughter. The room went still. Even Ramos’ smirk faltered.

“Yours?” he repeated slowly.

I nodded. “She belongs to me. No one touches her. Not you. Not anyone.”

The weight of my voice filled the room, pressing against the air. Ramos studied me, then finally raised his glass again with a crooked grin.

“Well, well. Looks like the devil has finally found his angel. Interesting.”

I didn’t answer. I only sipped my drink, my body already burning with thoughts of her.

Mirabella’s POV

For the next three nights, Hunter didn’t show up at the club. I kept glancing at the door, expecting his tall, dark figure to appear, but it never did. At first, the silence made me uneasy. But as the days passed, relief washed over me.

Maybe he was busy with work. Maybe he has forget his little obsession for me. Maybe Jackie was right, and I was nothing more than a temporary distraction.

Either way, I felt like I could breathe again.

Mario told me he had an emergency out of town and would be gone for a few days. He gave me a reassuring smile before he left, but I was still grateful. With him gone, things felt calmer.

I walked home in the early hours of the morning after my shift through the quiet streets, the night air cool against my skin. By the time I reached my doorstep, exhaustion weighed heavy on me.

My phone began ringing.

I frowned, pulling it from my bag. The number was unknown.

So, I hesitated, then picked up. “Hello?”

A low rumble filled my ear. His voice.

“You disobeyed me… again.”

My breathing became raged, but I forced my voice to be steady. “You don’t get to tell me what to do. I told you that already.”

There was a dead silence on the other end, heavy and dangerous. Then, his voice again, deeper this time. “We’ll see about that.”

The line went dead.

My hands trembled slightly as I shoved the phone back into my bag and unlocked my door. The apartment was dark and quiet. I stepped inside, closing the door behind me.

I felt the hair on my skin rise… wrong.

I reached for the switch and turned on the light.

And froze.

He was right there.

Hunter sat in my chair, one leg crossed over the other. Shadows wrapped around him like a cloak. His eyes burned into mine, cold and unyielding.

The air left my lungs, my heart stopping in my chest.

He was back. And he was in my house.