FEAR

18

•GHOST•

I found Verena in the kitchen in nothing but a silk black robe and fluffy slipper. She was up early nobody else was up yet. I wouldn't be expecting her to have an appetite, especially with the fact that her brother was just buried yesterday, but I also wasn't expecting her to drink either. She had a bottle of tequila in her hand. "You need to eat," I said not bothering to soften my tone. She completely ignored me. Of course, she did. I grabbed a plate of food Esperanza left for me and placed it in front of her, snatching the bottle out of her hand. She glared up at me.

"What Ghost did you come to fucking taunt me about his death too. Do it. It's not like you can stoop any fucking lower. Your piece of shit." I nodded, yeah I deserve that. I never like to see her cry because I knew the moment she did I would have to comfort my heart. I felt my heart break for her. I couldn't imagine losing Tommy she just lost her brother and was left with nobody. Her heart was already broken when I met her it'll be a miracle if she ever feels again.

I placed the food down away from her because something told me she would throw it. I pulled her into a hug. She sobbed even harder. "It hurts." She sobbed into my chest. "I don't feel anything when I'm sober so I drink because I feel everything."

"You're punishing yourself?" She nodded.

"I deserve it." She whispered. "Maybe I'll die from alcohol poisoning." She said then let out a short laugh.

"We're opposites." She tilted her head up to look at me. "When I drink I feel nothing."

"I find that hard to believe, you always walking around like you don't give a fuck about anything."

"That's because I don't." She smiled at that. I'm not ashamed to say I stared at her until she stopped. "Please eat."

She pursed her lips and then nodded. "Okay."

A day later we landed in Austria. König is from here and technically speaking if authorities knew he was here he could be arrested and sent to prison for the rest of his life but that could also mean for everyone here. It was cold as fuck and it was snowing when we landed. We got into some SUVs and we were on our way to König family home. I knew nothing about his family so this might be interesting.

Marcus joined us. He insisted on working again until he could figure out Rowan and anyone else involvement. Something tells me that Rowan wasn't the only one involved. He doesn't even look smart enough to figure out Mateo. Maybe there's a rat within the house but that seems likely everyone respected Verena. Despite her usual demeanor, she was actually pretty generous. She paid well that's for sure and if anyone gets hurt on the job she pays for that as well.

We stopped in front of a huge house. This mansion was bigger than Verena's but she didn't seem the slightest bit impressed. Her makeup was done and we all collectively been trying to stop her from drinking but I think she managed to get some on the jet. I sat next to her and I could smell the whiskey. I got off first and opened the door for her. She took my hand and stepped out of the car.

She looked up at the house. "It's beautiful." She said softly to König.

•VERENA•

We were greeted by maids and Konig's family. König, König, König. The second I saw his father I knew who he was. The Kings. König comes from a long line of assassins. His father is Alexander König. He was an assassin, now a mafia boss. I should've known his name was always on the list of buyers but then again there were millions and millions of buyers. Alexander took my hand in his and kissed the back of my hand. "If finally nice to meet you." He said, his eyes were just as vibrant as König. With a hint of green surrounding the irises. Someone could just drown in them. His wife offered me her hand and the fakest smile I had ever seen. She was blonde with the biggest rack I've ever seen in person.

"Hello, darling." Her British accent is thicker than König's. I took her hand then she hugged König and Alexander whispered something in his ear.

"Please let's eat," Alexander said smiling.

"I'm actually fine," I spoke politely. "We can talk over drinks."

"Yes, of course," Alexander answers.

Alexander basically kissed my ass as we talked. Praise me for my rise and the same old bullshit I hear every time I visit one of my buyers. I was alone with him and his wife. I did my best listening but soon I let the alcohol consume my mind and I let myself wander into the back of my mind that see Mateo. Finally, someone comes for Alexander and he walks out to accept a call. Excusing himself I was left alone with his big tit wife. I refused to speak first taking another sip of whatever drink was in this cup. I think it's Scotch but I'm not sure.

I wanted to indulge myself in my thought of Mateo but big tit Anne just stares at me like she either wants to eat me or stab me. "As a mother you must understand."

Huh?

"Understand what exactly." Sitting up in my velvet seat finally something interesting is coming out of someone's mouth.

"I see the way my son looks at you and I hear to tell he already promised to another." I raised an eyebrow because what does that have to do with me exactly? "I also see the way those two others look at you."

"No wonder König can't stand you guys," I said narrowing my eyes. "He made a name for himself without your help or Alexander's. He is 37 years old if he wanted to get married to whatever hag you arrange him with he would've."

She sat up and glared at me with as much fire as I could. I wanted to laugh I could burn this house with her in it and I wouldn't face any consequences. I couldn't hate her for her boldness though. She was genuinely concerned for her son I could see it in her face and hear it in her voice but I wasn't going to let her talk down to me. In fact, the only reason she was still alive was because she was König's mother.

"You spread your legs for them, don't you? Must have a talent if they are so obsessed with you." This bitch. How I wanted to grabbed her by her hair and slammed her face onto the desk. But I knew better I stood up slowly, leaning forward. This was König's mother I reminded myself.

"I don't have to spread anything they spread them for me." I stood up and left the room.

That night I was left to my thoughts again. Like every night really. Left to think about how alone I was. How pointless everything was. How I just don't care. I was really alone. I cried myself asleep again praying to anyone that I could have dreams about Mateo instead of nightmares of him dying alone.

Half asleep I felt someone slipped into bed with me. Not touching me at first. "You haven't changed," Keegan's deep voice woke me up. My eyes flutter open. I groaned but turned my body to look at him. "I found something you might wanna know." He whispered.

"Can it wait?" He snorted in the dark and I could basically imagine his smirk.

"Fine get comfortable." He got closer taking my sweater off along with my shirt and helping me out of my pants. He unclasped my bra and put the duvet over us. I closed my eyes letting him press his chest onto my back. He placed his hand on my right boob which made me laugh before I fell asleep soundly.

I woke late afternoon to Keegan kissing my neck. "Wake up woman." He said in the spot under my ear. My body instantly responded feeling warm all over my body. Butterfly fluttered in my stomach and electricity ran down my back. I rubbed my eyes and sat up pulling away from his touch. They were like sirens getting my body to respond differently from my logical thinking. Whatever sorcery this was, I needed to overcome I shouldn't lust for three men. I can't think about sex right now either. At least I shouldn't.

I grabbed to comforter and covered my breasts. "We found out how Rowan managed to find Mateo."

"How?" My voice was tired and raspy.

"The Union."

•_•