“See you tomorrow, son. Prepare yourself for the war.”
“Good night.”
I ended the call, then I threw the phone on the bed’s surface and gripped my hair strands between my fingers. I woke up alone in this fucking big house and in this big bed, without anyone who could’ve told me that everything was going to work out.
I was trying so hard not to lose my shit, but I felt my heart starting to beat faster as my mind got caught in the many thoughts that were devouring my soul alive.
I was a strong man for as long as I avoided letting myself fall prey to the feelings that were coming for my sanity. Yet these past few days I let myself fall into an abyss of feelings, memories, and traumas I knew I couldn’t face with the ease I was used to.
The bird in flames. Sylvian. Annalise. My marriage with Katya. All the truths were coming for me, following me, and urging me to take them all in.
Nothing was going well, and I needed something to make me remember who I was. I needed me, the one who doesn’t let his feelings control him.
But the memories of little me trying to escape the evil things that plagued him so badly didn’t let me rest.
I moved my feet out of the room, turning on the lights in the hallway and making my way to the kitchen to eat something.
I needed time alone.
I needed time to process that I had trauma to deal with, no matter how much I was trying to deny it.
I neededtime to rediscover myself, even if that meant destroying me once again, because I promised Annalise that I wouldn’t cut myself again. And I needed to keep that promise.
I wasready to conquer the world, but before doing it, I made sure to bandage my legs well enough so my suit wouldn’t drench in my own blood as the cuts I made were even deeper than I’ve ever made them.
I couldn’t keep my promise.
I just couldn’t.
With each cut I did into my flesh, I felt I was getting closer to my real self. The one who could die burning in flames and not even feel the pain.
I made sure to have my knife on my belt and my favorite Glock hidden in my jacket. I was going to attend the auction where many mafia mobs were going to attend, including Ender McKnight.
Once I checked myself up once again in the mirror, I took in a big breath, then I turned on my heels and made my way downstairs. My gaze fell on the watch on my wrist, and as soon as I saw that it was eleven o’clock, I knew that Lukyan should’ve already arrived at the hall where the auction was being hosted.
I stepped out of the house and made my way towards the armored Jeep that was waiting for me. I’ve always liked to be escorted to this kind of event with a car that not only protected me but also showed off who was inside of it. And I loved contouring this image for myself before I even got out of the car.
Boyce started the engine as soon as I hopped up on the back seat, and then he pushed the gas pedal to the ground.
My mind kept flying to Annalise and Katya, and how they might’ve been home now, talking to each other and discovering that neither of them ever wanted to harm the other one.
I was surprised myself that Katya wasn’t the bitch I always thought she was, yet to Annalise that might be more than just a surprise considering that she grew up knowing she had an evil little sister.
With each street we passed by, my heart was starting to beat even faster knowing that I’d be soon at the auction, trying to buy the best women out there and win the night.
However, my nervousness wasn’t actually coming from this, but from the thoughts of meeting Lukyan again and facing the storms and thunders between us.
I was ready for any word he had to spit in my face, and I was even more ready to face his punches or even his glock.
I knew him better than anyone, and I also knew how damned in the head he was when someone pissed him off. But I wasn’t just pissing him off, I was disobeying him, betraying him with steady movements and trying to beat him at his own game. And I was aware that he sensed it, but he needed the confirmation I wasn’t ever going to offer him.
After we turned right on the paved alley, I raised my glance and saw how bright the moon was shining on the dark sky above us. It was a cold late autumn night and the only thing I could think about was how the atmosphere matched what I was about to do.
I rubbed my hands on each other when the car stopped in front of the enormous hall. I took a deep breath and opened the door, jumping out of the car and fixing my suit as I started walking towards the entrance.
This auction was the last one this year and that meant nothing but the start of a war. All the mobs were trying to buy the best girls who were going to make the most money, so Ineeded to find the power in myself to face all those skanks I hated so much.
I walked past the threshold and took a glass of champagne from the table aside, raising my glance up and analyzing the surroundings.