Chapter 16
Dmitri
By the time I returned to Liora’s room, she was already calm and collected though her body was shivering uncontrollably and that caused fresh waves of anger to surge through me.
I felt like intensifying Ariel’s punishment but then, she was my wife and there was a limit to everything. Maybe she’d learn to mind her business after this.
My heart ached at the pitiable sight of my daughter and I sank onto the bed beside her, taking off my mask.
“It’s fine, baby. No one will hurt you anymore. I’m here for you,” I cupped her cheeks and pulled her close to me. She snuggled me and gradually the shivering ceased. “I’ll protect you, my princess, and ensure that you are safe from harm,” I assured her in a gruff voice.
I waited patiently for her response, even if it was just a monosyllable but nothing came out of her mouth. It was seven years already and I’d never heard her voice.
She used to be a bright and bubbly baby until the Outfit murdered her mother when I went away for a trip. I should have listened to my guts and stayed with them, but business was a little more important to me back then.
Sadly, I lost the only woman that brought light into my dark world. The woman who was strong enough to tame my demons and love me unconditionally.
Her death was the reason I couldn’t give love a chance, and the result of her murder was the major reason I didn’t want Ariel to get closer to my daughter.
Some minutes later, she was snoring faintly in my arms and I managed a smile. Even if she couldn’t talk, her light snores still gave me some rays of hope.
When I was sure that she had descended into a deep slumber, I gently laid her on the bed and covered her with the duvet. That was all she did every day; eating and sleeping, the cycle unending.
It was heartbreaking but I couldn’t allow another stranger to come near her and neither could I bring her to the public.
My phone rang and I clicked on the accept button, wearing my mask as I made to leave her room after planting a light kiss on her forehead.
“Is he in the torture hole?”
Smirking while imagining how my next victim would beg for death, I ordered. “Don’t do anything to him. I’m on my way,”
******
Just like I envisaged, his pleas were a melody to my ears. He’d have been saved from this torment if he hadn’t made the mistake of being kind to the wrong person.
“Please, let’s just let me go. I promise none of you will ever hear about me again,” He pleaded with blood gushing out from the injury on his head.
I snorted and played with the trigger of my pistol. “Why do you think I should trust you? You messed with the wrong people and sadly you have to pay for it,”
He shook his head vehemently and swung his gaze from me to Armen and the other men in the room, silently pleading for mercy. Unfortunately for him, I rarely go back on my words and I’d found a good reason to end him for accommodating my woman.
“She never told me who she was,” He cried desperately. “When she first came in, I threatened to hand her over to the police but she pleaded with me to help her because her toxic ex was forcing marriage down her throat. I thought that she was just a lady in distress, that’s why I helped.”
I pointed the gun at his forehead and placed my index finger on the trigger. “Sorry, Freud, but it’s a cold world right here. Over here, everyone who commits a crime pays for it. In your next life, you’d be selective of whom you should show kindness to,”
His eyes bulged, knowing that his end was near and I pulled the trigger which rewarded me with an explosive sound and blood gushing from his forehead.
“Take care of it,” I said to the men and stalked off.
Armen chased behind me and I could guess his question before he asked.
“I hope you don’t get offended, boss but I have to ask. Why do you have to do the dirty job yourself, boss? This is why you have me,” He sounded dissatisfied and I couldn’t blame him.
I was addicted to stress and I barely stayed idle when there were things to be done. Vladimir also complained about it, but I turned deaf ears to his lamentations.
“You know that I don’t entertain such questions, but I’d have you know that the kill was personal. I just had to do it myself and if you want to do anything for me, get me the name of the traitor who ratted out Liora’s identity to the Outfit,”
“Yes, boss,”
Done with the conversation, I steered to my car, contemplating where to go next. A battle was raging in my mind, ensuring that I stayed restless for the rest of the day.
I’d have taken a smoke but my mask was on and then it dawned on me that I hadn’t been with a woman in days.
Controlling my sexual urges wasn’t a problem, but with the weight of the burdens on my shoulders and Ariel’s constant attempt to drive me nuts, I needed a release.
I scrolled through my contacts in search of one woman I knew who could perform my wishes and grant me my desires without putting me through so much stress and I dialed her number.
It rang twice and I didn’t any response until the third time, her sultry voice echoed on the phone.
“It’s been a while,” She drawled. “Why did you abandon me like that?” I could imagine her lips folding into a pout.
“I’ve been engaged with a lot of work,”
She sighed. “I’ve missed you,”
Women and their emotions, I thought.
“Let’s meet at our usual spot. And remember, don’t put on any underwear. Be ready for me before I get there,” I ended the call and got into my car.