PIERCE

8

I look around her apartment once more. Neat for a teenager. She makes good coffee too. I keep a steady gaze on her as she struggles with framing her question. I knew she'd recognize Diana, which was my reason for sitting by her. There's no doubt that she'd have told her brother that she saw us at the restaurant.

"Why did she lie? We both know Paulo killed the man" Her beautiful eyes hold mine. 

"Straight to the point I see. Who ever said he killed him? Last I recall the judge said Paulo was innocent." I take a sip of my coffee. 

"The judge be damned. She looked threatened. I saw the way she kept glancing at you when answering the questions."

"Which only shows that you have good eyesight. It doesn't prove that Paulo is a murderer." I reply with a smile which only infuriates her more. 

"Cut the crap Rai. I'm not going to ran to my brothers or the judge for crying out loud. I just want to know" 

What she doesn't know is, once she gets information about the dark world, any information at all, she wouldn't have to ran. They will come looking for her. To get to me. Not her brothers. People of a caliber she never knew existed. blood thirsty people.

She picks up her glass from the center table and takes a gulp of her drink. Her legs glide over each other in sync and I can't help but notice how her dress rides up her thighs. Such flawless skin. My groin twitches in agreement with my thoughts. 

"What do you want to be in future?" I ask, and she gives me a look that says she doesn't appreciate my change of topic. But of course, I don't give a fuck.

"A therapist." A small smile breaks on her lips as the word pass through her parted lips. Lips that would definitely taste like strawberries.

"Why? I must say that's quite far from the tree. Not that there is a particular tree with your family. Everyone seems to have far fetched dreams."

"So you read about my family?" She asks. 

"Don't flatter yourself, Bethany. Every knows about your family. Besides, I'm a business man. I need to know these things." She looks confused, which makes me regret talking at all.

"Unlike you, Miss Forbes, I'm a private person, and I do what ever it takes to maintain that. I don't do press or paparazzi." Despite the fact that I hate attention, that remains the least of my problems when it comes to popularity. Revealing myself to the press is like announcing to the world who I am. What I am.

"So you're some sort of business man on the side?" She asks, still confused.

"My father, Simon Pierce," she gasps in shock at the mention of my father's name "handed over his business to me a few years ago. "

"Simon Pierce is your father? That can't be possible. I thought his son is Sergio Pierce. He's the one on the billboards and the one who does the interviews. I know your surname is Pierce but then again, anyone can be called Pierce since it is a common name. Are you illegitimate?" I scoff at her question. I keep the fact that her accusation is insulting to myself.

"Sergio is my adopted brother. He prefers the spotlight. He has no problem working for me once he gets to be in the spotlight and I in the shadows, which works perfectly for me. I only step in when it's necessary."

"Why the hell are you teaching then? You have so much money at your disposal!" She shakes her head as though she can't understand me. I don't understand myself either. She's the first person who is hearing this from me, and I have no idea why I am even explaining myself to her.

"It's not about the money, belle. It's about the passion. I can't let all my studies go to waste when I can actually use it for something I love doing. 

"I understand, from that point of view. Is that why you have the nicest office on campus? Cause trust me, not even the dean's office is that beautiful." A small laugh escapes my lips at her question.

"No dear. That's just because I am not only a member of the board but my father's  money helps in keeping the university running. Which is not public knowledge of course. I do hope you don't plan on making it one."

"You can trust me. I won't go talking." She draws a cross on her chest and crosses her fingers dramatically. 

"Can I?" She points at my empty cup on the table.

"Sure. Thanks."

My gaze follows the gentle sway of her hips as she walks over to the kitchen. She forces herself up to take what seems like a cookie jar from a high shelf, and before my mind can think for itself, I'm walking towards her and reaching above her for the jar.

Her body tenses and her breath hitches. Good to know I'm not the only one feeling the attraction. I put the jar on the table just as she turns to face me. I stare at her lips and they look more experienced than they seem. She holds her breath, and I can tell she is expecting me to kiss her, which I would love to, but can't risk.

"That was nice coffee, belle. Have a nice day." I whisper against her lips, then force  myself to turn around and walk straight to the the door, through the passage way and into my car without turning around.

I readjust my pants to accommodate my raging hard on as I drive away. Bethany would definitely be the death of me. Literally. Which is why I have to end this before it even starts.

My phone rings, and I pick up, knowing who it is.

"Yes?"

"Everything is set." Carlos' voice comes through.

"Good. "

I cut the call and drive straight home. Paulo has no idea what's coming for him. If he did, he would wish the judge ruled him guilty. 

I spend hours reading an Ice Diva novel, till my phone blows up once more. I put on my famous black sweater and a pair of black trousers. Everyone knows what's coming whenever I put this sweater on. 

================================

I park behind the uncompleted building where Paulo is been held hostage. I hear his muffled groans of pain as I approach. Turns out my men have had their fun already, leaving the best part to me.

"Paulo. You're lookin well." Carlos lights a cigarette then hands it over to me. I draw in a long hit, then hand it back to him.

"Is..s..s.w...swe.swearrr..I..I.h..hhadddd..n.n.n...no..i.i.dde..aa....s.s.hh.shhe,,,w...w...w.wwasss..tt.tthh..therree" He forces out of his bloody lips.

"Well, this should teach you to know certain things before you act. I definitely won't send you out on a job again. It only takes one try to fail, Paulo." I bend down to his squirming bloody body on the floor. He struggles against the ties binding his hands and legs, trying his best to move.

"I..I...I..I'm ss..ssorryy..sss.ssirr" He begs, with tears in his eyes. Funny how he never shed tears when my men beat him up, instead he cries like a baby when I haven't even touched him. I'm happy he recognizes power and death when he sees it.

"Oh you definitely won't. goodnight, Paulo."

I collect the new machette I ordered to be bought earlier today from Carlos.

Around us stand a group of men Carlos believes are likely to mess up in the future. Men who haven't truly proven their loyalty yet.

"This my friends, is what happens when you don't follow instructions. Trust me, you don't want to know what happens when you break the omertha. All of you should learn from young Paulo. Paulo here can't protect his family anymore, because he won't be seeing them again. "

Blood splutters everywhere as I separate Paulo's body parts limb by limb. After all, an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. 

What do you all think?