In Your Clutches

Part 3: Consumed By Darkness

ASHER

Earlier that day...

Setting the contract onto the poker table, I took out some whiskey from the cellaret and poured it into the wine glass. Taking a long swing of the drink and gulping it quickly, I sat down on the poker chair.

I heard someone entering the basement and I turned around to see that it was Marco.

"He's here," he said.

"Bring him here," I said, sipping on my drink. He nodded and hurried back upstairs.

After some time, I heard someone entering the basement. I didn't have to turn around to know who it was. Just his mere scent made me know if he was there or not.

"Asher Maria Salvatore," I heard a gruff voice behind me. I got up from my seat.

There he stood. In his flesh and blood, with his hands in his pockets. He hadn't changed one bit but had aged over the years. His earthy brown eyes still glimmered of the same rebellious streak that I had been so fond of fourteen years ago. Before he did something terrible. Before I hated him for that rebellious streak, which had become more of selfishness.

"Dante Valentino," I glared at him, cracking my knuckles under the table.

"In the flesh," he said, walking towards me. "May I know why, after all these years, you decided to miss me?"

"I pretty sure you know the reason why."

"Listen, if this is about your father, then let me tell you again—"

"—That I would never do it to you and your father. He was my best friend, ever since we both were kids, I would never have the guts to kill him merely to acquire his wealth and power. How many times will you keep repeating the same lies, Dante? Don't you have any shame?" I mimicked him, my blood boiling.

His mouth fell open as he began stuttering. "I-I'm sick of trying to prove myself innocent, so I've given up. It's obvious how much Riccardo had been brainwashing you."

"Don't you dare put this on my Uncle. It was you who did this, not him." I took a step towards him, poking my finger into his chest.

His breath hitched as he took a step back.

"Besides, that is not why I've called you here today." I said with gritted teeth, turning away from him.

"What? That's not why you called me?"

"No, I called you because of this." I said, picking up the contract from the table and handing it to him.

His eyes went as wide as saucers as he read through the contract.

"T-this, I thought this was long forgotten and lost... Where did you get this?" He asked gripping the contract firmly in his hands.

"I found it a few years ago. It was today that I decided that I will let you know about it too so that you can arrange for your Princess to be here." I smirked as visible droplets of sweat trailed down his forehead.

"This...can't be happening. No way...no, she won't sign this! Absolutely not!" he said, tearing the contract into shreds and flinging it at my face.

"Tear that all you want, Valentino. I know better than to give you the actual contract. That was the carbon copy you tore right now. Besides, you and Pa created this contract yourself." I growled at him and he flinched at this.

"No, my daughter won't sign this. I can't let her marry a blind monster like you. No, I won't let her." he shook his head violently, wiping the sweat from his face.