Chapter 16 Sixteen

Chapter 16 Sixteen
Rebelle pov

I looked over at Asa, and for the first time since I’ve gotten entangled with them, I’ve never seen him in such expression. His face was in a deep frown as he clenches his jaw.

In the blink of an eye, he raised his gun straight at Noah and pulled the trigger, shooting him straight in the arm.

“Fuck!!” Noah cursed out in pain as he fell to the ground, blood pouring down from his shoulder.

His men all looked surprised and confused about whether to attack, but unfortunately, they were outnumbered, as the Genevose brothers had already called for backup.

I can’t remember when that was done.

“Take your men and leave this place, and if i fucking see you again snooping or trying to get under my skin I’ll fucking kill you !!” Asa threatened Noah with the deadliest stare.

Without wasting a second, Noah staggered up and gave me the dirtiest stare.

“This isn’t fucking over, Rebelle, you’ll regret joining them soon enough !” I spit out before running out with his men.

My heart rang in my ears as I stared at his retreating figure; his words rang in.

“Now that this is over, let’s head back home, I’ve got important things to do”, Asa suddenly says, then walks out.

I looked over at Ezekiel, who had a clenched jaw but said nothing, simply following his brother.

“Let’s go, ma’am “, Oliver says from behind me as he gestures for me to follow.

I shook off my thoughts and quietly followed them.

The ride back to the estate was quiet, and the air was thick with tension as my mind refused to stop racing with questions.

Noah was gone, and the fight was over.

Whatever that chip was, whatever it meant, Asa and Ezekiel had already decided it wasn’t something to chase anymore, at least not like before, because the war everyone expected didn’t come, just a shift back to control.

And now we were back in the estate.

I stood silently at the balcony of one of the upper halls, staring down at the large estate. I noticed a small garden on the west side of the large compound, then it hit me again.

I had almost died, I was used, and I still don’t know where I stand in all of this, whether I am still safe or not.

“Thinking too much again?”

A smooth voice sounds from behind me, and I don’t bother turning around.

“I don’t think enough,” I replied, my gaze still fixed ahead.

“That’s not true,” he said as he stepped beside me, his presence settling too easily into my space.

I finally looked at him, “Then explain everything.”

He smiled slightly, like he always did when I asked something he didn’t want to answer.

“Where’s the fun in that?”

“Try me,” I said.

He stared at me for a second, and a flicker of something passed through his beautiful eyes before he leaned closer.

My heart skipped a beat at our closeness.

Why am I feeling flustered all of a sudden!

“You’re still here,” he said quietly.

“That’s not an explanation.” I blurt out, my heart still pounding.

“It’s the only one that matters,” he replied.

Before I could respond, another presence stepped into the space behind us, and I didn’t need to look to know it was Ezekiel.

“You shouldn’t be up here alone,” he said.

I turned slightly, raising a brow, “I’m not alone.”

His gaze flicked briefly to Asa, then back to me, his expression changing.

“That’s not what I meant.”

“Then say what you mean,” I said with a slight frown

He always knew how to get under my skin.

His jaw tightened slightly, but instead of answering, he stepped closer, his presence a bit grounding, the complete opposite of Asa’s unsettling calm.

“There are still risks,” he said.

“And you think I can’t handle them?” I shot back, folding my arms over my chest.

“I think you don’t take them seriously enough,” he replied with a pointed look.

“And I think you don’t know me that well,” I countered.

His expression faltered for a bit.

Before it could settle, Asa spoke again, his tone lighter but just as sharp.

“She’s still alive, Ezekiel. I think that proves she can handle herself.”

Ezekiel didn’t look at him, but he was staring at me as he spoke, “Barely.”

I scoffed, crossing my arms, “I’m right here.”

“And you’re still reckless,” he said, taking a step closer to me.

“And you’re still controlling,” I shot back, taking a step back.

“And you’re still in our territory,” Asa added smoothly from our left.

That made me pause, because he wasn’t wrong.

I exhaled slowly, turning away from both of them, “You both act like I chose this.”

“You stayed,” Asa pointed out, resting on the balcony railing.

“You didn’t leave,” Ezekiel added, now taking his eyes off me.

I turned back sharply, “Where exactly was I supposed to go?”

Neither of them answered immediately, and silence stretched. It was beginning to feel complicated.

Asa broke it first, his voice softer now.

“You could leave now.”

I frowned slightly, “And you’d let me?”

His lips curved faintly, “Would you?”

That question hit differently as I had no answer to his sudden question. Before the moment could go any further, footsteps echoed from down the hall. It was Oliver.

He stopped just before us, “You have a visitor.” He says with a serious tone.

Ezekiel’s posture stiffened instantly.

“We’re not expecting anyone,” he said with a raised brow.

“You are now,” Oliver replied blankly.

Asa tilted his head slightly, curiosity flickering in his expression, “Who?”

Oliver hesitated for a second before answering.

“Julian O’Brien.”
I wasn’t very familiar with the name, but the sudden change in the air meant this person meant trouble.

Ezekiel’s expression darkened immediately. “Why is he here?”

“He says he wants to discuss territory,” Oliver casually says. Then Asa smiled, seeming interested.

“Well,” he murmured, “that sounds like a conversation worth having.”

Ezekiel didn’t look convinced, “Or a problem waiting to happen.”

“Those are usually the same thing,” Asa replied.

I glanced between them, unease settling in my chest, “Who is he?”

Asa’s eyes flicked to me, something amused sparking in them.

“A man with ambition,” he said calmly.

“And bad timing,” Ezekiel added.

Oliver stepped aside slightly, “He’s waiting in the main hall.”

Asa adjusted his cuffs smoothly, his whole posture changing.

“Then we shouldn’t keep him waiting,” he said firmly before walking away

Ezekiel didn’t move immediately, his gaze still sharp and calculative, but after a second, he followed
I also hesitated for only a moment before walking after them.

Because if this were a new game…Then I wasn’t staying out of it.

The main hall was in complete silence as we walked in, and standing in the centre was a man who didn’t look like he belonged anywhere else but here.

Julian O’Brien

He stood with his back slightly turned, dressed in a tailored suit, his posture relaxed and confident, as if he knew exactly where he was and exactly what he was walking into.

When he turned, his gaze moved first to Asa, then Ezekiel…And then it stopped on me.

He studied me like I was something interesting, something he hadn’t planned for.

“Well,” he said slowly, a faint smile forming on his lips, “this is new.”

Ezekiel stepped slightly in front of me, his voice cold.

“You’re here for business.” He said it bluntly, and I was confused about what he meant.

Julian’s eyes flicked to him briefly, amused, “Always straight to the point.”

“And you’re avoiding it,” Ezekiel replied with his usual scowl on his face.

Asa stepped forward then, his tone smooth.

“Let’s not start on the wrong note.”

Julian’s gaze returned to Asa, his smile widening slightly, “Wouldn’t dream of it.”

Silence stretched for a moment before Asa gestured slightly.

“Speak.”

Then Julian folded his hands loosely behind his back, his posture relaxed as he began.

“There’s been… movement,” he said in a serious tone.

“Territories shifting, alliances changing, and I thought it would be wise to… discuss boundaries before things get messy.” He finishes

Ezekiel scoffed quietly, “Things are already messy.”

Julian’s gaze flicked to him, “Then consider this damage control.”

“And why should we trust you?” Ezekiel pressed, now taking a seat on one of the couches.

Julian smiled faintly, “You shouldn’t.”

That answer hung in the air, honest and dangerous, but Asa seemed amused by it.

I wonder what really goes on in his mind.

“I like him,” he murmured.

And I could tell Ezekiel felt the opposite way.

But Julian wasn’t looking at either of them anymore. He was back to looking at me.

“Are you going to introduce me?” he asked casually with a soft smile that made me a bit uncomfortable.

“No,” Ezekiel replied, immediately shooting daggers at Julian with his stare.

Asa’s lips curved slightly, “Rebelle.”

My name felt different coming from him in that moment.

“Rebelle…”

Julian repeated it slowly, as if testing it. His eyes are not leaving mine.

“Interesting.” He murmured, then licked his lips as something flickered through his eyes, and i didn’t like it at all.

Of course, he looks quite okay, with his little freckles on his face, a clean shave and an average height, but his whole vibe didn’t sit right with me.

“Focus,” Ezekiel snapped.

Julian chuckled lightly, “I am.”

The tension shifted again as it began to feel like it was more than just territory, and deep down, we all knew this.

Julian’s gaze lingered on me for one more second before he finally looked back at Asa, his smile returning, sharper now.

“So,” he said, his tone smooth.

“Shall we talk business…”

His eyes flicked back to me briefly, just enough to make it intentional.

“…or would you rather tell me why she’s suddenly the most interesting thing in your house?”