Chapter 9

The room was dark and silent. I took a sip of the vodka, relieving the intense pain in my body, and watched the river through the windows. The bruises on my lips burned every time they came into contact with the alcohol, but that was so irrelevant that I just ignored it.

I filled the glass and took another sip when I heard the bedroom door open and close. I didn't turn to look at the footsteps, focusing on the river.

"You shouldn't drink after taking those strong medications," Shin said softly.

"What the hell," I muttered without looking at him.

He laughed softly and came a little closer.

"They took Matias to the hospital. A member told me that he arrived unconscious and was admitted," he said, hoping to get my attention. "Well, comparing your conditions, we can say that you won," he joked, sitting next to me, bringing his warmth and making his knee touch mine.

"What the hell with that too," I muttered, finishing the vodka in one gulp.

" What's the problem? I thought you'd be happy after the fight — he asked, catching my eye.

“You like her,” I finally said, making his eyes widen.

“No…” he murmured, forcing a smile. “That's not it,” he tried to force himself to hold my gaze.

“No? Then why did you put yourself in front of her?” I asked, moistening my lips, watching his chest rise and fall forcefully through the silver light. “You've never done this for anyone before, but you tried to stop me for her,” I said, filling the glass with more vodka.

“Ryuuji…” he tried, kneeling in front of me, catching my attention with his handsome face and disheveled hair.

“Have you had sex with her?”

“No!” he answered quickly.

“But you want to,” I replied, focusing on his angular eyes.

Shin swallowed hard and bit his lower lip.

“No…” he murmured.

“No!” I clenched my jaw, feeling disgust churn in my stomach at his blatant lie. Shin grunted when I kicked his chest and threw him to the ground. I put my body weight against his chest, seeing his look filled with surprise.

"How can you lie to me?" I criticized bitterly, throwing the glass against the marble, making it shatter.

"Okay, I want to," he replied without looking away. "Artemis and I worked together for a long time and it was hard not to want her, but we never did anything," he assured without moving.

"So now you're loyal to her?" I replied, gritting my teeth.

"I will always be loyal to you, Ryuuji, and not because you're a Hataki, but because you're my best friend," he assured me in his calm, soft voice.

With my heart racing, I felt my heavy breathing burn my lungs, I slowly moved away.

" Sorry — I mumbled, offering my hand. Shin smiled and accepted it without hesitation, but didn't use force when he stood up.

I groaned, touching my bandaged ribs. Shin held my elbow, helping me stand up.

“That bastard fucked my ribs up,” I grumbled, frowning at the new wave of pain.

Shin carefully helped me back to the soft couch. I ignored the broken glass on the floor and drank the vodka straight from the bottle, still feeling his hand run down the sensitive bruises, dominating my body.

“You don't have to do that,” I warned in a low voice.

Shin knelt down once more, pulling the waistband of my shorts.

“That always helps you forget the pain a little,” he commented, stimulating my cock before tasting it with his tongue, making my body float.

I slid down on the couch, feeling him swallow me whole. I moaned as his wet, warm tongue bathed me in relaxing pleasure. I threw my head back, sinking my fingers into his straight hair. It was so easy to ignore the uncomfortable pain, but it wasn't that platinum hair that filled my thoughts, nor his marble-white skin. I wanted...

I came in his mouth, feeling every part of my body being completely numbed.

***

The music and animated voices dominated the stuffy hall, and the strong smell of cigar smoke and alcohol made my nose itch. Leaning against the bar, I observed the crowded gaming tables with wealthy men and women eager to gamble with their luck.

"The house is full tonight," Shin commented, standing next to me. He wore a dark blue suit that fit his well-built body. "Miss this?" he asked curiously.

"Seeing a bunch of rich, arrogant people losing money?" I questioned, scanning the crowded space, the extravagant jewelry of the women shimmering throughout the hall with the yellowish light. "Of course," I answered, locking eyes with him. "I need to go to the lower floor. Keep an eye out here," I instructed, making him nod.

I passed by the noisy tables, carefully eyeing the games; many of them were regulars who came from distant cities for the exclusivity. I passed by two security guards and entered the elevator.

The elevator began to descend, and I looked at my reflection in the twisted metal, still seeing the noticeable bruises on my face. I moistened my lips as the door opened, revealing a much larger room, but with a more selective group.

The casino was located on the private property of the Hatakis, far from the city and curious eyes. From the outside, it looked like just a mansion with a pool where the rich went to spend the weekend, but beneath the mansion lay the most exclusive gaming rooms in the entire country.

The rich loved secret, luxurious places where they could show off and burn money as if it were nothing—this was their favorite spot.

I walked past a few gaming tables, analyzing the customers betting while they drank. The smoke on this floor was much denser, almost suffocating. I passed by the bar, noticing Artemis sitting on a stool, watching an employee separate the crystals. The mansion had three underground floors, but only from the second, where the most selective guests were, was the use of crystals allowed.

"Take them to tables two and five," Artemis ordered.

I stopped next to her and sat on the leather stool.

"We have a Lily tonight," she revealed, catching my attention. "Why does Dad let them in if they're our enemies?" she asked, frowning at the Lily.

In the corner, I easily spotted the black jacket of the Lily. I wasn’t surprised to see Anton joining the bets.

"If they want to bet and consume our drugs, why would he stop them?" I shot back with a shrug. "But if they want to stay here, they have to follow our rules," I declared, diverting my gaze to Kenji, who was sitting at another table.

He wore the same expensive suit as his brother, but unlike him, his hair was wavy, parted down the middle.

"Why is he at the table?" I criticized.

"He said he's not working," she commented, crossing her legs. The slit in her dress revealed her toned thigh.

"Kenji is forbidden from being at the tables," I declared, forcing her to meet my gaze.

"How would I know that? He's always at the tables on his days off," she revealed nonchalantly.

"Kenji is an accountant. Everyone knows that!" I accused, irritated by her indifference.

"In case you didn't notice, I’ve been running this place while you were grounded. I have more important things to do than watch your little friend," she snapped as she left the bar.

I clenched my jaw, ignoring the anger building in my chest. I walked through the hall and placed my hand on my friend's shoulder as I leaned in his direction.

"What are you doing?" I murmured, feeling him tense up.

"Nothing... I just wanted to have some fun," he replied, scratching his eyebrow.

Noticing my seriousness, he cleared his throat, hesitant.

"I just sat down, just one more round."

I stayed silent, and with a long sigh, Kenji stood up, collecting his chips.

"You're such a buzzkill," he whispered as we moved away from the tables.

"When did you start gambling again?" I asked, pulling him toward the bar. Kenji handed the chips to one of the guards.

"Change them for me," he ordered.

"Kenji," I insisted harshly. "When did you start gambling again?" I repeated quietly, trying not to draw attention.

My friend was one of the best players I had ever met, but he could easily lose himself in the addiction. It took us months to help him regain control. It was tough, but we were making progress... until now.

"Things got different when you were arrested," he confessed, hiding his hands in his pants pockets. "It was tough without you, and I needed something. But it's not like last time; I only play a few rounds, then leave. It's not a big deal," he assured, but I didn’t believe a word he said.

"Now I’m here, Kenji," I assured, touching his shoulder. "And if I see you gambling again, I'll break every one of your fingers, okay?" I threatened, squeezing him lightly.

Kenji laughed, making his face look younger and more handsome.

"I’m serious."

"Okay," he agreed hastily, lowering his head. "Sorry, you must be disappointed," he murmured, making me touch his hair gently.

"Stay with Shin, we’ll meet later," I directed, guiding him to the elevator.

Another smile spread across his lips.

"It won’t happen again," he promised, but I didn’t believe it.

"Great."

The doors closed, and I returned to the bar. Artemis moved through the hall, wearing a fake, sweet smile as she charmed the old perverts who tried to touch her. I had to admit, she was focused, never hesitating to give orders, confident, and arrogantly a Hataki, born for this dark, filthy world.

"Dad wants to see you on the top floor," she revealed as she approached.

I frowned at the sudden request. We rarely went down to the top floor, and the last time I was called, things didn’t end well. I returned to the elevator, feeling something burning at the back of my neck, but I didn’t need to turn around to spot Anton with a security guard, Hebi.

"You look tired. Did the reformatory leave you out of shape?" he mocked.

"I didn’t end up in the hospital unconscious," I shot back, remembering Matias' bloodied face.

"Speak of the kid who's been limping all night." He chuckled quietly, and I had to hold back from rolling my eyes.

The doors opened, and we entered together. I leaned against the corner facing Anton. He wore branded jeans and a plain white shirt under a black jacket.

"What do you think of him?" Anton asked, holding my gaze. "I was eager for you to meet him, I know he’s your type," he commented directly.

I diverted my gaze to the burly man in the suit, who was staring at anything, pretending not to hear us.

"Does he know you're here?" I questioned, returning to his green eyes.

"Of course, I would never lie to him," he replied with a shrug. "And he knows about my tastes and vices," he declared as the door opened. "Matias asked me to send you a message," he said as he left the elevator.

I stood still, waiting for him to continue.

"He said next time, he’ll make sure you don't get up again," he revealed in a husky voice.

I waited for the anger to take over me, but it wasn’t that feeling that consumed me. Anton turned his back on me, but before the door could close, I quickly held it open.

"Tell Matias," I began, catching his attention. "Tell him Ryuuji sent a kiss." I smiled, and the doors closed.

I ran my fingers through my hair with a long sigh before the doors opened to the last room. The first thing I smelled was cigarette smoke mixed with perfume and alcohol.

I stepped out of the elevator, finding only one table in the middle of the room.

"Ryuuji," my father called from the bar.

"What's the problem?" I asked, watching him pour himself a drink.

"Problem? None," he answered calmly.

"Then why did you call me here?" I questioned, each second making me more impatient.

"For her." He pointed to the reserved table in the corner, where the girl sat alone, drinking and playing with her phone.

Karma.

"Fuck," I muttered.

"She found out you’re back and wanted to see you," he declared, making me glare at him with hatred. "Don’t look at me like that. She’s the daughter of one of our best distributors, and she’s bored. Take good care of her," he ordered as he walked to the table.

I cast a glance at the girl. Her hair was a striking red, and her skin was very pale. Karma was spoiled, extravagant, and turned into the devil when she didn’t get what she wanted. She was an annoying nuisance that had dropped into my life.

"Ryuuji!" she shouted excitedly upon noticing my presence.

Bitch.