𝐀𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟑

"Where is it, Catherine Avery Barclay?"

Fear. It's everywhere, lurking, hiding, patiently waiting for the right time it will attack. And when it finally did, you'll feel it drink the life out of you like a deserter finally quenching its thirst to conquer your soul.

She had encountered it countless times, she was pretty sure she was so used to it that she would be numb by now.

But what happened was the opposite of numbness. She felt it invade and surge through her veins, spreading like a wildfire in her body. That's exactly what she - Catherine felt the moment her name came out of his lips.

It's not how Catherine imagined he would call her name. So, for a moment, she let him take in her vulnerable state. She didn't have it in herself to speak and by the judge of his face, he doesn't like it one bit.

Aiden intently watched the emotions swirling in her dark brown eyes. He realized that maybe she wasn't the person behind that night, Catherine was just another tool used to get to him - a pawn in this game. Setting her down on the ground, Aiden grabbed her by the elbow as they walk to a closed shop nearby, ignoring the rain that falls heavily on them.

Arriving at the back door, his men opened it from inside and the two of them stepped in. She was pushed into the middle of the darkened room only to be shoved around by his men until she collapsed to the ground, her face almost kissing the dusty floor. They'll pay for that.

She glanced around the room, which was only illuminated by a single light bulb. Catherine almost laughed at the fact that they were trying to imitate an interrogation room. And she expected them to be original, what a disappointment.

Sweeping off the dirt from her arms, Catherine regained her balance and stood up to narrow her eyes at him.

Aiden dismissed some of his men, leaving only the two of them and three men standing behind his back. He closed the distance between them as he pulled out his gun and traced her jawline with its muzzle. "You still haven't answered my question, Catherine. I want the location where you hid it and the name of the bastard who ordered you to steal from me. You're aware that I'm not a patient man, right?"

"I wouldn't know since we haven't done the real thing. I don't mind doing it here now..." she blurted, a small smirk forming on her lips.

His rough hand yanked her hair harshly, forcing her to look up at his cold dark eyes before he takes the safety off. Aiden noticed how she didn't flinch despite the danger she had placed herself in. Perhaps she wasn't just a tool...

"I'll show you then, that is if you answer me like a good girl" his voice drops low enough for only her to hear it while caressing the side of her face with his gun.

Catherine's mouth went dry, his deep voice was sending shivers all over her body, and it wasn't because she had been soaked from the rain earlier. It was his cold gaze, igniting every corner of her mind with corrupted fantasies about her and him. Then she felt his left hand draw her closer to his hard chest, feeling every firm muscle hidden beneath his dark dress shirt. It caused her body to melt in the flames of his warmth. Stop. You need to focus!

"Still don't want to answer me, hmm?" The muzzle of his gun then digs roughly into the soft skin of her left cheek while she maintains a blank face.

Catherine only glared at him defiantly and gave him a look that says, 'Is that the best you got?'

Her voiceless question was soon answered when three consecutive loud shots echoed in the room, and the wall behind her head had holes.

Catherine bit her inner cheek, trying not to smile at his futile attempt of terrifying her. I guess it's time for me to pull out the big guns.