Forbidden Love

Chapter 2 - Aggression

    Azriel's anger flared at Quinn's words, his loyalty to his father fiercely clashing with his growing affection for her. He took a step towards her, his voice low and filled with a mix of frustration and concern.

"Watch your tongue, Quinn. My father may not be perfect, but he's still my father."

Max's eyes flashed with a mix of anger and amusement at Quinn's insults. He took a step forward, his voice dripping with disdain.

"You think you can stand up to me? You're just a pawn in this game, Quinn. A pawn that can easily be crushed with a flick of my finger."

Azriel's hand instinctively reached for the gun holstered at his side, his gaze locked on Quinn. He felt torn between his duty to protect his father and the undeniable connection he felt with her.

"Father, we should handle this situation carefully, let's not make any rash decisions."

Max's lips curled into a wicked smirk as he assessed the situation, his eyes flickering between Quinn and Azriel.

"Oh, Azriel, you've let your emotions cloud your judgement," he taunted. "But don't worry, I'll handle this... And I will make sure Quinn pays for her insolence."

Quinn's eyebrows furrowed and she glared at Max as he spoke.

"A pawn, hm? Just like my mother was? You gonna tie me up, torture me and get your men to rape me just like you did to her, huh?" She yelled, her eyes narrowing and her frustrations too set on Max to register Azriel's words. "Just a pawn to dispose of, isn't that right, D'Cruissio?"

Azriel's blood ran cold at Quinn's words, her accusations slicing through the air like a razor. The revelation of his father's heinous acts towards her mother hit him with a force that threatened to shatter his loyalty. His eyes flickered between Quinn and Max, the truth of her words sinking in, the torture of an innocent woman used just for his father's benefit...

Max's face contorted with a mix of rage and surprise, his composure momentarily slipping. He recoiled at the mention of his past atrocities, a flicker of worry crossing his eyes before it was masked with a look of indifference.

"You know nothing, Quinn," he spat, his voice filled with venom. "Your mother was a traitor, just like your father, she got what she deserved.

Azriel's voice was mixed with a mix of anger and disbelief.

"Father, is this true? Did you...?"

Max's laughter cut through the air, a chilling sound that sent shivers down Azriel's spine.

"Oh, Azriel, my son," he sneered, his eyes cold and calculating. "Sometimes, sacrifices need to be made for the greater good. Your sentimental attachment and remorse for that woman will be your downfall, just as it was for Mateo.."

Quinn's anger burned hotter than ever, her gaze locked onto Max.

"You're a fucking monster." She hissed.

Azriel's grip on his gun tightened, his conflicted emotions reaching a breaking point. The loyalty he had held for his father was now crumbling in the face of the truth. He turned his attention to Quinn, a mix of determination and apology in his eyes.

"Quinn... I.. I'm sorry, I didn't know..." He mumbled, finally realising the hurt and torment his father had forced innocent people to experience. "I won't follow in his footsteps..."

Quinn froze for a moment at Azriel's words, her green eyes widening for a moment before she gave a nod of appreciation, her attention turning back to Max after a moment.

"Even your son thinks you're a monster... Give up, old man. You're done." Quinn said, her glare still cold as she looked at Max.

Max's face twisted into a sinister grin, his eyes gleaming with a twisted delight. He chuckled darkly, his voice laced with arrogance.

"Oh, Quinn, my dear, you underestimate me. I am not so easily defeated," he taunted, his words filled with a sadistic pleasure. "I have built an empire of power and fear, and I will not let you, or anyone else tear it down."

Azriel's jaw tightened as he watched the exchange between Quinn and his father. The realisation that Max showed no remorse for his actions only fueled his growing anger. He stepped forward, his voice filled with determination.

"Quinn is right, Father. You have done terrible things, and it's time for you to face the consequences."

Max's laughter echoed through the alley, a chilling sound that sent shivers down Quinn's spine. "Consequences? Do you think you can bring me down? You're nothing compared to me," he sneered, his gaze flickering between Quinn and Azriel. "You can try, but you'll fail, just as your parents and family did, Quinn."

Quinn's resolve hardened, her eyes narrowing as she held her ground.

"I won't let your threats intimidate me, Max. I will make you pay for what you did."

Azriel's grip on his gun tightened, his loyalty to his father warring with the desire to protect and help Quinn. His voice was filled with a mix of determination and defiance.

"You may have built an empire, Father, but it will crumble. And I will make sure justice is served.."

Max's eyes narrowed and he let out a scoff, his face twisting into a look of pure rage.

"You've thrown yourself in with the Kennedy's... You're not a D'Cruissio, you're not my son..." He sneered, "Don't bother coming back to me, Azriel, you're a traitor." He growled and gave them one final glare before turning away and leaving, realising the disadvantage he now had.

Quinn stood still, her fists clenched and her eyes narrowed as she watched Max turn and walk away, her breathing heavy and rather frantic as she tried to calm herself down. Her eyes darted between the retreating figure of Max, and his son, Azriel, trying to contemplate what to do or say.

Her back turned to Azriel and her body trembled with the frustration and anger coursing through her veins; mind plagued with the desire to achieve vengeance for her father and mother, though such a thing would not be easy to achieve.

Azriel's eyes stayed locked on Quinn's trembling form, the ability to not only feel Quinn's anger but feel it too; brought a sense of unease over his usually stoic expression. He could feel himself hesitating, torn between comfort and resentment. One part of him wanted to comfort Quinn and apologise for the destruction his father had caused, and yet... There was still a part of him that held that same fidelity towards his father. He had raised him, after all... Shown him how to hunt, fight, survive... Everything Azriel knew, he knew it from his father. That should mean something, anything. Right?

And yet, he couldn't bring himself to follow his father. Some fragment... Some tiny scrap of his being, felt as though he was more connected with Quinn, as if there was some invisible tether keeping them together, preventing them from valediction.

With leaden steps, Azriel stepped forward, his hand languidly reached out and found itself resting on Quinn's shoulder, offering some fraction of comfort amongst her distress and frenzied panic. Azriel could feel her breathing, accelerated and frenzied, a statement to the distress and intense emotions plaguing her mind. He could feel the way Quinn flinched and jumped when his hand came in contact with her shoulder, the way her breath hitched for a moment and her eyes shot towards him. He could see every piece of her in that moment, her cold facade broken down, giving way to all the vulnerabilities and emotions she sought not to show.

What was Quinn thinking at that moment? It couldn't be known. For the mind held many mysteries that Quinn herself wasn't sure she knew. Could it have been the desire to make her father proud? Or possibly just end her mother's pain. Whatever it was, Quin was determined to get it done.