Chapter 14
Chapter fourteen
Eli
All I see is red—a bright, bloody crimson that blurs my vision.
He hurt her.
He hurt my princess.
I should have never left them alone together.
But I know one damn thing for sure.
It will never happen again.
Not on my watch.
Because I’m never letting her out of my fucking sight for as long as I live.
I pace in the dark alley, waiting for the all-clear.
My phone buzzes in my grip, and I peer down at the screen.
Alex
Security system is down. Care to tell me what’s going on?
Eli
Just a minor problem that I’m taking care of.
Alex
I thought we weren’t questioning Tony until Thursday?
Eli
I’m not here for Tony.
Alex
I see. Just remember, you can’t kill Alastor.
Not yet, at least.
I shove my phone into my coat pocket and step onto the road, striding across the pavement with my knuckles shaking in rage. As I walk through the lobby, I spot the elevator directly ahead and approach it. But just as I reach out to press the call button, I’m stopped by security.
The arsehole daringly places his hand on my chest. “This is a private residence, sir,” he states with an air of cockiness that I intend to diminish. He looks me up and down disapprovingly. “An occupying resident must accompany any guest to access the elevator.”
I glare down at the man, who stands about a foot shorter than me. He’s muscular, I’ll give him that, but he has nothing on me. “I’m here on behalf of my employer,” I state coldly, pausing for effect before adding, “the Alaries.”
The man’s eyes widen, a ghostly complexion covering his skin. All traces of his false bravado disappear. “S-sorry, sir. I didn’t know.” He steps aside, gesturing toward the elevator. “What floor, sir?” He holds out his key card with a shaking hand as he presses the button.
Fucking wanker.
As the doors open, I step inside, turning to face the man. “The garage.”
He nods vigorously before scanning his card, and the doors close before me.
Standing in the center of the space, I clasp my hands behind my back and stare ahead, barely recognizing my reflection in the metal walls.
I look murderous, like a man seeking vengeance for the one he loves.
Maybe because that’s exactly what I’m doing.
And if I’m not allowed to let my rage out on the monster who dared to hurt my princess, then I’ll take the next best option.
After coming to a stop, the doors open, revealing rows and rows of some of the most expensive cars in the world. I walk toward the front of the lot and scan the space. No surprise to anyone, I spot the ghastly bright orange vehicle within seconds.
A triumphant smirk takes over my face as I approach the vehicle that is parked farthest away from all the other cars.
“Two million for this piece of shit,” I muse. “I wonder how much you’ll be worth when I’m done with you.” I reach into my pocket and pull out my phone, pressing it to my ear.
“What now?” Alex asks.
“Can you unlock a vehicle?” I ask, dragging my finger along the smooth exterior.
He scoffs. “Of course I can.” I hear him type on a keyboard. “This is Alastor’s car, I’m assuming?”
“You assume correct.”
It only takes a few seconds before I hear the familiar click of the vehicle unlocking. I step back as the door slowly swings upward like a butterfly wing.
“I’m going to assume you’ll need me to start it, too?” Alex asks with a note of amusement in his voice.
“Yeah. And probably disable any and all location features.”
“On it,” he answers.
The smoothest and gentlest purr sounds from the car, indicating it’s turned on.
“Thanks, Alex.”
“Enjoy the ride,” he muses with a deep chuckle before hanging up.
I slip my phone into my pocket and try to get comfortable behind the wheel of the car, but that’s easier said than done given my size.
I shut the door and strap myself in as I glance over the sleek brown and black interior.
“You’re a lot prettier on the inside,” I note. I wrap my knuckles around the steering wheel, gliding my fingers smoothly from top to bottom. “But it’s time to teach your bloody owner a little lesson he’ll never forget.”
Throwing the car in reverse, I slowly back out of the space. Observing the clear path to the garage door, I look up to find the garage door opener. After pressing it, the door opens, and I grin.
“This was too fucking easy.”
I step on the gas, flooring it out of here in seconds. The car’s tires squeal as I turn out onto the main road, maneuvering gracefully between other vehicles until I hit the highway.
“Now, let’s see how fast you can really go.”
I take off down the open road, heading further north. Once I hit the back roads, I take my foot off the gas and let the car coast.
Reaching in my pocket, I pull out my phone and place it on the dashboard before saying, “Call Alastor.”
The phone rings, and the fucker immediately picks up.
“Alastor speaking.”
God, his voice is like nails on a chalkboard. I roll my neck as my back molars grind together. “You thought you could hurt her and get away with it.”
There’s silence before he says, “Who the fuck is this?”
“The only man you should fear right now.”
He sighs. “What do you want, Eli? I’m quite busy running an empire and don’t have time for your little word games.”
I press harder on the gas, finding it almost impossible to control my temper. “You are never to touch what’s mine again.”
“What the hell are you—”
“If you ever touch Madeleine again, I will kill you,” I state, my voice becoming deeper and rougher. “And it won’t be fast or painless. It will be slow. It will be dragged out for days. Weeks if I’m lucky. And you will suffer like no man has ever suffered.”
He laughs as if finding my threat humorous. “Oh, Eli. Do you have any idea what you’re risking by doing this?”
“Do you think I care? She’s mine! She’s under my protection, and I will do whatever it takes to keep her safe!
I know you’re holding something over her head, and I will find out what that is.
I will do everything possible to get to the fucking bottom of it!
” He chuckles, the high pitch grating on my last fucking nerve. “Is something funny about that?”
“Not in the slightest,” he remarks. “It’s just that…
” Silence passes before he says, “You claim she’s yours, yet it’s my ring on her finger.
My last name she’ll be taking. And most importantly, my cock she’ll be coming around every fucking night like the good girl she is for the rest of her miserable life. ”
Black dots line my sight, my pounding heart echoing in my ears. I’ve lost all semblance of time as I get lost in the dark space in my head.
“She will never be yours,” I growl. “This isn’t a threat. And this isn’t a warning. It’s a fucking promise. If you ever leave a mark on Madeleine’s body again, I will kill you.”
I end the call, turning off the main road and down a dirt one through the woods, driving until I reach a drop-off and stopping just before it.
I place the car in park and step outside, peering down at the vast space, the moon highlighting the dangers that anyone should have if they were ever to find themselves pushed over the side.
This will do just fine.
Turning back toward the car, I reach inside and transition it into neutral. I close the door and head for the back of the car, placing my hands on the bumper. With all my strength, I push.
I force the vehicle forward until the front tires slip over the edge, and I stand there and watch two million dollars disappear down the side of the hill.
I step to the edge and view the totaled vehicle sitting at the bottom, smoke billowing from the engine.
A fire erupts, and within seconds, the whole car becomes lifeless, completely engulfed.
Representing everything I wish and crave to do to Alastor.
“You claim she’s yours, yet it’s my ring on her finger. My last name she’ll be taking. And most importantly, my cock she’ll be coming around every fucking night like the good girl she is for the rest of her miserable life.”
Alastor’s words echo deafeningly in my mind.
Taunting me.
Tormenting me.
Torturing me.
I look up at the star-filled sky, releasing a pent-up roar into the darkness. A thunderous howl rips across the lands, unleashing my vehemence into the ominous night.
But the words never stop hurling themselves at me. They keep playing over and over as I walk through the woods, heading toward the Alarie Estate. They don’t cease until I find myself directly outside of Madeleine’s home.
I stare at her door, a deep longing building inside me.
Madeleine’s forgotten who she belongs to.
Who she has always belonged to.
And the only person to blame for that is me.
For not doing something sooner about it.
But now it’s time to remind her.
I slam my hand on the scanner and impatiently wait for the door to swing open. The second it does, I forcefully shove it the rest of the way until I’m standing in the entryway, finding Madeleine sitting on the bottom step of her staircase with her head in her hands, her knees bouncing nervously.
Her head jerks up as I stride toward her, her eyes scanning me. She stands, shaking her head with tears coating her blue eyes. I spot a slight shiver in her hands as she runs them frantically through her hair.
“What did you do?” she asks, dread laced in her voice.
I stop a foot away from her. “I taught him a lesson he won’t soon forget.”
“You shouldn’t have done that,” she breathes, staring toward the painting above her fireplace.
The one I know she lied to me about being a gift, when in fact, she bought it.
She bought it because when she looked at it, she saw us.
She saw our story and our struggles. But above all, she saw our love.
“You have no idea what you’ve done. He’ll retaliate. He’ll—”
“He’ll never touch what’s mine again.” I reach out with both hands, embracing her cheeks, forcing her eyes onto me as I lean down, ghosting my lips over hers.
“What are you doing?” she whispers.