“Enough,” I bark as I look away, knowing he sees too much.
It wasn’t easy to walk away. Nikko has wormed his way into my life, and knowing he is gone now hurts more than it should. Yesterday was like a dream. I was so happy, but now I’m cold and dead once more. I left that happiness with him.
“Sir, you deserve to be happy,” Yuki comments as I turn my murderous gaze on him. “It’s Nikko’s choice if he wants to be a part of your life or not. You shouldn’t make that decision for him.”
“I’m protecting him,” I protest.
“Maybe he doesn’t need your protection. If you’re both hurting, then is it really worth it? He could die tomorrow—a bus could hit him, or he could die in the ring. He takes a risk every moment he breathes. I think he would agree that it’s worth the risk to be by your side.” My eyes shoot daggers, and he sighs. “Just think about it, but until then, I will do as instructed. I will keep my eye on him and make it known you are not associated with him in any way. I will make sure no one goes after him.”
Nodding, I turn away again. Nikko would stay with me, would pretend it was okay, and he would either end up dead or hate me for the trouble I bring into his peaceful, perfect life. No, I can’t do that.
I care too much about him to ruin him like that.
Faiz was right. I’ll never be truly happy. No one will ever understand me like he did. How could they?
I’m on a rampage, and I know it. All those carefully built walls are gone, and my meticulous, quiet control has disappeared. I need to figure out who tried to kill us and end it before they go after Nikko again. With his life on the line, I can’t be calm and calculating.
I am stripped of all the jewels, wealth, and nice suits I hide my monster behind.
I know my father regrets putting a gun in my hand when I was a teenager, but I am thankful for it now because I am using it to keep Nikko safe. I bring it down across this worker’s face, and his whine of pain fills my ears as I stand above him.
Tugging my suit back into place, I nod at my guards. “Stand him up again.” They do as they are told, knowing better than to question me. I haven’t been easy to be around these last few days, so they stay silent and follow orders, hoisting Walker to his feet while he coughs and bleeds. One eye is sealed closed, his lip is split, and his cheek is ripped open. I simply stare at him before I step closer and press the barrel of the gun to his chin.
“Tell me who,” I demand. “Someone paid you in cash for those unsilenced, stolen guns. I want names. I want details. If you tell me, I’ll let you live.”
“I don’t know,” Walker whines again. It’s the same thing he has been saying since we burst in here. We found the car the same day I walked away from Nikko. It was burnt. Yuki is looking into that lead, but the guns inside? There’s only one person who sells pieces like that.
This worker here specializes in repurposed, stolen military weapons. They are untraceable and perfect for your drive-by needs.
“No? Maybe your life doesn’t mean that much to you. How about that of your wife or children?” His eyes widen, and his face pales. “What do their lives mean to you?”
“You wouldn’t dare,” he replies. “They are off-limits?—”
“So was mine!” I roar in his face before calming. “You rewrote those rules when you broke them, so I’m simply following your lead.” I hold my hand out and accept the phone from Yuki. He protested against this, but I don’t care. I hold it up to show the camera feed of the worker’s house, displaying his wife putting snacks on the table for his kids. “Information for their freedom. Your choice.”
“You bastard,” Walker spits. Blood covers my face, but I just blink through it, letting it slide down my cheeks. Let it show everyone the truth of what I am and will always be.
“You have no idea,” I murmur. “Don’t make me kill them. I don’t want to, but if I have to so I can keep my own family safe, then I will. I will be the monster you fear if I have to be. I will be the killer you all hate and fear. You sold the guns that were aimed at me and someone I care very deeply about. I want names, or I will start with your wife and I will make you watch.”
It’s a lie, but he doesn’t know that.
I don’t hurt innocents. It’s a bluff, but it works. I find people who are not afraid of their own demise only fear one thing—the deaths of their loved ones because of them.
It’s something I learned the other day.
“I don’t know names,” Walker finally says. “They came in with half a mil, said they needed some automatics, no traces back.”
“Don’t treat me like a fool. I know you keep records in case of issues,” I caution.
He nods and looks at his computer. “There. Their faces are in there.”
“Yuki,” I order.
“Yes, sir.”
We are silent, locked in a battle of wills, as Yuki looks. “Got it, sir.”
Lifting the gun, I press the barrel to Walker’s forehead. “If you ever sell to an enemy of mine again, we will be right back here. The only difference will be your wife and children will be dead. Is that understood? I will make you understand true fear and heartbreak.”
