Seduced Fall ✔️

36. The fire

Stefan Pierce

I take a long breath out. I grab him by the collar with both of my hands.

"Lay your nasty finger on her, I'll have all your fingers chopped off."

I see panic crawling up his face for the first time in my life—and the final time in his. My breathing quickens, and I am forced to look into his eyes. Hearing cruel things said about Clara makes me tighten my grip on him.

He works on a swallow, trying to play it off with a smile. "Calm down, lad."

"I won't." I never would. "I need to hear you say that you will leave her alone."

"What if I don't?"

One of my brows lifts. My lips curl up into a wry smirk.

That is it for Halder J.

I would never believe I will do what I'm about to do in all the years I've dealt with guys like Halder.

I lean back in my seat and run a trembling hand through my hair. Is it because I'm angry or because of what I'm going to do that my hands are shaking? It doesn't matter now.

"Got any girlfriend or wife, Halder?" I inquire, my gaze drawn away from him to the outside of the window.

"Stef, what are you doing?" Mae speaks in my earpiece, her voice echoing a terror I remember having when I saw her murder someone right in front of my eyes.

I return my gaze to Halder to observe him while he responds. "None of your business, but yes, a wife."

"Any kids?" According to what I've learned about him, he's around 45 and lives in a posh apartment provided by Wyatt. But, I had no idea he is married.

He shakes his head in a no. I nod.

I pull out my phone to type a message to Mae.

Me: Don't react

Then I send a one to my soon-to-be girlfriend with a smile Halder doesn't seem to notice.

Stefan: I need that gift so bad, Clara.

Stefan: Hang on to your promise.

I put my phone in my jeans pocket and take a cigarette packet from my pocket. I make an offer, which he declines, still stunned by my rapid change in posture, tone, and demeanor.

Clara's bright and excited smiling face flashes in front of my eyes as I light my cigarette. My thoughts are occupied with no-nonsense, bad girl vibes in her walk and her throaty, honeyed laughter.

With the cigarette between my teeth, I say, "Last chance. Call your minions and tell them to fuck off."

As he speaks in pure wrath to hit someone, he rubs at his jaw, restoring his lost horror in his aura. "I won't." To prove his point, he jerks his head forward a little, his eyes wide open. "Do whatever you can, boy."

As an unlawful and outrageous feeling settles in my mind, I tilt my head. I pat on his shoulder and unlock the gas tank, so subtly to for his confused self to notice. 

"I'll send your wife my condolences, Halder J."

I get out of the car before he can react with words or actions. I round the car and lift the latch on his car's gas tank. I toss my half-lit cigarette into the tank without hesitation or second thoughts and rush back to my car with long strides.

I knock on the window, asking that Mae lower it. She does. I turn to face the vehicle. 

"Enjoy the show, sister."