Kairus
“It’s time for you to learn to be a man, . One day you’ll be in charge of the family business and in the business we have one primary rule.” He turned and stared down at me, his eyes as remote and cold as they’d been my whole life.
My father was known for his cruelty, not only in the streets but at home too. Since I was born I never knew him to be a nurturing person. He was gone most of the time, handling business. When he was around, he was ignoring me or teaching me a lesson. My mother was out of it most of the time, leaving me to face his wrath alone.
Today I wasn’t expecting to be snatched out of bed and forced into his car. It was cold and rainy out. My nerves trembled, but I kept my face blank. I knew if I showed any sign of weakness or fear, whatever my dad had in store for me would be worse.
“What is the main rule of the business?” he asked.
“Fear equals respect.” I repeated robotically.
“Get out.” He yanked his car door open. I hurried out of the car, looking around. We were in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by woods. In front of us was a large, industrial looking building. The smell of rain and pine filled my nostrils.
I followed my dad, attempting to hide the wince from my last beating.
When we stepped in the warehouse, I heard the faint sound of groaning. It was dimly lit and in the middle of the room was a bruised and bloody man tied to a chair. Plastic was under him. His head sagged forward.
Hearing the door slam shut caused the man to slowly lift his head, his eyes so swollen I could barely see the whites in them.
“This man not only owes an enormous debt, but he also tried to steal from me. You want to know the second rule of business, son?”
My eyes were still locked on the man, unable to move or speak. I had never seen a man beat near death before. I had heard the rumors about my dad, the whispers around the city when it came to the Navarro last name. Everyone knew the last name meant no good and equaled trouble. They also knew when you owed a debt you’d better pay or a life was the price.
I winced when he gripped the back of my neck tightly. His rough fingers sank into my skin.
“Are you ignoring me?”
“No,” I gritted.
“The second rule of business is the only thing worse than disrespect is betrayal. Betrayal equals instant death.”
He released me and walked to the man.
“Ple-please,” the guy struggled to get out.
My dad’s fist crashed into his face. “Get over here, son,” he demanded.
Blinking slowly, I did as he said. While I wasn’t sure what he wanted, I knew I didn’t want to be on his receiving end.
Going into the small of his back he pulled out a gun, cocked it, and held it out. I eyed it in confusion. “Take it.”
Keeping my eyes on the gun, I slowly reached for it. It was heavy and cold in my hand.
“Now, it’s time you learn the second rule of business. This man disrespected the family business so now he must pay.”
I stared at the metal in my hand.
“Kid, please,” the guy begged. Blood dripped from his mouth on the plastic. My blood rushed through my veins. Adrenaline pumped through my chest. This wasn’t the first time I’d held a gun. My father had been giving me shooting lessons since I was five.
Lifting my arm, I held it steady and aimed.
The man continued to beg.
“Now, . Pull the trigger and show him what happens to those who go against a Navarro.”
“No, no.” My finger pulled the trigger and the bullet went between his eyes, instantly dropping his head forward.
A dark chuckle left my dad’s mouth. “That’s my boy.” He patted my back. “I always knew you had it in you.”
I stared at the body, lifeless and dripping blood, waiting for remorse, fear, or sadness to fill me but I felt nothing but numbness. The ability to feel those emotions was long gone. My heart had darkened over the years.
I snapped back to reality, watching the lifeless body being rolled in the plastic. Instead of burning the body, it was being sent to his family as a warning.
The first time I took a life I was eleven and it was the first of many. Now killing was like breathing to me. There were times I hoped people didn’t pay their debt back just so I could end them. Growing up like I did caused a lot of rage inside me, killing became the perfect outlet for it.
“Where is she?” I questioned, stepping into the kitchen.
Lillian jumped and turned to face me. “Oh, sir, I didn’t hear you come in.”
“Where is she?”
“In the backyard, sir.” Lillian used to work for my father. Once he passed, she stayed to work for me. She was a caretaker of the house, keeping everything in order. Now she worked as the cook.
My brows furrowed at the news.
Leaving the kitchen, I stepped through the double doors outside and my eyes searched my large backyard. Privacy was the main reason my house was located where it was. There wasn’t another house for miles. It was surrounded by the woods, completely isolated.
I walked onto the patio and down to the yard, heading for the garden where I heard laughter. The garden was past the built-in pool, down the steps into its own section. I had created a place of solitude for me. It was surrounded by white stones, with a stone waterfall attached that streamed into a pond and flowers surrounding it. There were two places my staff knew not to bother me, this was one.
When I stepped into my oasis, I stopped mid stride. Fire filled my veins, running through my body. My jaw clenched and my ears rang, watching Azeira and the man I paid to handle my garden talk amongst themselves. She smelled one of the roses and tossed her head back, laughing at something as he said while he smiled at her.
My stomach twisted in fury and my hand twitched when he reached out and pushed a piece of hair out of her face.
“I thought I was paying you to be my gardener, not a comedian.” Both jumped and whipped to face me.
“Mr. Navarro,” the young man stuttered. “I was just…”
“Looking to lose a hand if you don’t remove your hand.” Quickly he snatched his hand back. Azeira stared at me wide-eyed and confused.
I stormed to her and yanked her by the arm. “Ow, what are you doing!” she shrieked.
“Your job is to clean and be at my beck and call, not to flirt with the help!” I gritted. My hold on her tightened. The way her face lit up and a smile touched her eyes while talking to the man only made my blood grow hotter.
“I did what you asked!” She stumbled when I released her in front of the patio. My eyes went to the red rose poking from behind her ear. “I’ve been cleaning all damn day! Do you know how big this house is.”
My eyes stayed locked on the rose. “Did he give that to you?” I growled, stepping closer to her.
Her brows dipped and her nose expanded. “Give me what?” She must have noticed where I was staring. Her hand shot to the rose. “No! I saw it and thought it was pretty. I like flowers. Roses are one of my favorites,” she defended.
I shot my eyes back to the garden. “Go in the house and into your room. I’ll deal with you later.”
I went to head back to the garden. “What? No, what do you mean deal with me!” She grabbed my arm. “What the hell is wrong with you!”
I snatched away from her. “You don’t question me. You do as I say when I say it. Take your ass back in the house.”
Azeira looked like she wanted to fight my words. Defiance danced in her eyes. Her nostrils flared before she turned and stormed back in the house without another word.
I stretched my neck side to side, cracking it as I made my way back to the garden. The boy was currently clipping something on the rose bush. He heard me and when he turned to me, his fear was present on his face.
“Mr. Navarro I’m—” Before he could finish I rushed him and grabbed his right wrist, causing him to drop the shears he was holding. His eyes grew larger.
“If you ever put your hands on something that doesn’t belong to you again, I’ll make it so you’ll never be able to touch a single thing again.” I grabbed his hand, folding it back and squeezing it.
“Ah, ah! I’m sorry! I’m sorry. I won’t touch her again,” he cried.
Red hazed over me, blinding me. “I’m sure you won’t.” I threw his hand down. He gripped it, holding it tightly to his chest.
“Finish and get the fuck out,” I demanded and turned to leave.
Making my way through the backyard and back into the house, I ignored everything around me and headed straight for the room Azeira was in. Not bothering to knock, I pushed the door open.
“What the hell!” she shrieked, attempting to cover herself. “Don’t you knock!”
Smirking, I stepped in the room, shutting the door behind me.
“Now, now. Why am I expected to knock in my house ? If I wanted, I’d take the door down completely.” A smile crept on my face. I eyed her in only her bra and panties. Her body faced the side, arms covering her chest as if she could shield herself from me.
“Why are you hiding from me?” I questioned, taking a step toward her.
I grabbed her arm and forced her around to face me. Her chin tilted up in defiance. “Why did you act like that out there? You never told me I couldn’t go into the backyard.”
“I don’t give a damn about you going in the backyard.” She cut her eyes into slits.
“Then why? We were just talking.”
My jaw ticked. Possession swirled through my veins, invading my chest. “Uh,” she groaned when I reached for her hair and gripped it. I yanked her head back. She clenched her jaw.
“You are mine . My toy to play with and use as I please. That means no one, I mean no one, touches you.” Her breathing slowed.
“I’m not your toy.” She clenched her jaw tighter.
“You’re whatever I say you are.” I moved in and ran my nose along her jaw. Her natural scent of vanilla, jasmine, and oranges mixed blended with the scent of outdoors and sweat.
“So even though I’m no longer your hostage, I’m still being held captive in this place.” Pulling back, I stared her in the eyes. “I want to go see my mom. It’s been too long since I laid eyes on her. Plus I need to talk to Dad, make sure he’s okay after your friend cut his finger off!” The last of her speech was spoken through clenched teeth.
“What would you do for it?”
Her face balled and her mouth turned upside down. “What?
“You heard me, if I allow you to go see your parents. What are you willing to give me?” One corner of my mouth rose.
I reached for her hands and yanked them away from her chest. Her eyes shot lasers into me, only making my excitement grow.
“You think this is a joke?” she breathed in an airy tone. “My mother is sick! I should be at her side, instead I’m here!”
“Blame your father for that. Not me. You could have just let me slit his throat and you’d be with Mommy.” I grinned.
“Fuck you!” she spat, droplets hitting my face.
My jaw clenched. She yelled when I held her hair tighter, forcing her to her knees. “If I wanted you to be my little whore and spend the whole time here on your knees you’d do it to keep dear daddy alive, won’t you? But maybe that’s what you want, huh? To be my little whore.”
I brought my hand to her mouth and traced it with my thumb.
“Open.” Her eyes remained hard. I yanked on her hair. “I said open.”
Pushing a heavy breath out through her nose, she opened her mouth. I stuck my thumb inside and pressed the pad on her tongue. Her lips closed and she sucked.
My dick hardened in my slacks as my nostrils flared and my stomach twisted with desire.
I yanked my thumb out of her mouth and shoved her away. My breaths came out heavy. I watched her chest rise and fall as she studied me, waiting for my next move. Her orange bra and panties complemented her caramel skin. The lace top clung to the top of her cleavage.
“Take it off,” I demanded.
Her eyes narrowed. “What?”
“The bra, take it off. Now.”
She swallowed hard but didn’t object. Her eyes never left me as she reached behind herself and unhooked the bra. The straps fell and she pulled it off.
I inhaled a deep breath, feeling yearning invade my veins, eyeing her perky breasts. Her nipples stood at attention like two Hershey kisses. I zeroed in on the marking under the left one.
Teeth marks. My teeth marks.
She sat back, propped up on her elbows, legs partly gaped. I could see the outline of her pussy lips through her thin panties. Her stomach quivered under my watchful eye.
“You want me, don’t you?” she questioned, causing my eyes to snap to her face.
One corner of her mouth rose as one of her hands went to her chest. She brushed her fingers over her pebbled nipples, pinching one and releasing a stuttered breath.
“I saw it, the night you had me chained to the bed, the night you bit me. You wanted to take me then, didn’t you?” Her hand went to the teeth marks. It felt like a button was pushed when she swiped over it. My insides came alive, my heart pounded like a drum inside of me.
Touching her would be bad. Once I unlocked that door, there was no turning back. Azeira didn’t know she was poking the bear right now. A bear dying to break free.
Her hand lowered and seduction covered her face as it crept toward her panties.
My heart burst open. Rushing her, I leaned over and grabbed her, yanking her to her feet. Surprise filled her face.
I pushed her to the bed and she landed with a bounce. Stomping to the bed, I hovered over her, kneeling on the bed and dipping my head. I inhaled her scent and closed my eyes.
“You keep poking the beast and you’ll get exactly what you’re looking for,” I rasped in her ear.
“Maybe that’s what I want.”
Pulling back, I watched her eyes flutter and her breathing pick up.
“You don’t know what you’re asking for.” I lowered my face into her neck. “You’re a good girl. Good girls like to make love, not get fucked.” I bit into her skin, causing a whimper to fall from her lips.
Her legs locked around me. “Not me. Maybe I want you to dirty me up.” As if someone struck me with a taser, a thousand volts shot through me. I shoved my hand between us, moving it inside her panties. She gasped when I touched her sensitive bud.
Moving my mouth to where her shoulder and neck met, I sank my teeth into her. She jerked under me. Finding her opening, I shoved one finger inside her. She was soaked already.
“,” she moaned. My name on her lips was sweet as sin.
The atoms in my body went into overdrive. I fucked her harder with my finger, inserting another. She went to grind against my hand but I used my free hand to force her body still.
“Oh god,” she cried out as soon as I broke skin.
The taste of her blood filled my mouth. Lifting, I felt the darkness growing inside of me. My hunger for her grew. My tongue stiffened and I licked the bright red liquid coming from her wound.
“Let’s see how much I can stretch this pussy,” I grunted, inserting another finger. My three digits moved in and out of her. Her face twisted slightly with discomfort and she attempted to wiggle her hips.
“This pussy likes being stretched past its limit, doesn’t it.”
Her eyes glazed over in need. They were darker than before. She didn’t know it but so many times I had imagined seeing this look on her face.
Moving my hand from her side, I brought it to her neck. She inhaled sharply. I squeezed, causing her eyes to widen then droop.
“I wonder if this pussy can take one more finger?” I zeroed in on the mark I just created on her neck, bright and screaming at me.
Goosebumps filled my skin.
I squeezed tighter.
Azeira reached up and her hand brushed across my scarred face. Her hands burned against my skin, reminding me of reality. As if cold water had been thrown on me, I gritted my teeth and yanked my fingers out of her, making her flinch. Confusion filled her face when I pulled away from her and climbed off the bed.
“Make sure you tell daddy how you were willing to whore yourself out just to see him.” I turned to leave the room.
“!” she shouted after me but I ignored her.
Yanking the door open, I slammed it shut behind me and headed to my bedroom. I went straight to the bathroom, to one of the only mirrors still located in the house and stared in it. My eyes focused on the markings on my skin. My face wasn’t the only thing damaged but my soul. Staring into the mirror I saw nothing but a vessel. An empty vessel only good for causing chaos.