Courtney's POV
"Julian, stop the car." I looked at the time on my Rolex with a little irritation. I couldn't help but check it every five seconds just to be sure I wouldn't miss any updates from my men.
Julian skillfully brought the SUV to a halt, parking it right across the street from a dark building that seemed to be bustling with some kind of nightlife. I hadn't been paying much attention during our journey here.
After a few minutes, Julian stepped out. He knew what he needed to do at that moment: leave me alone in my car.
So there I sat, gazing fixedly at the windshield, allowing the quietness of the moment to envelop me completely. My thoughts were consumed by Adeleine and had been for not just a day but a whole three days. I made valiant attempts to banish her from my mind, but she stubbornly persisted in infiltrating my thoughts with memories I would rather not confront, at least not right now. My mind and heart were fighting against each other, driving me to the brink of madness as I grappled with emotions I had never experienced before.
The truth is I wasn't convinced. I didn't even believe what Blaine said about Adeleine, that she was under his command.
I have to admit that my life is fraught with perils lurking at every corner, a constant state of chaos and dread. But ever since I met Adeleine, trouble has become even more prevalent.
Despite the fact I have reason not to trust her, something about her made me unable to do so.
I could vividly recall every tear she shed. Each bruise, every bloody face and cut on her skin. And the pain she endured. All those are part of her grievous yesterday, and I knew from the beginning that it wasn't a lie. Not just a nonsensical story.
But that woman is nothing.
I shouldn't have felt sorry for letting them take her away.
I'm too callous, incapable of caring for anyone in this cruel, indifferent world. This is the reality of who I truly am— a man devoid of empathy, a man without a heart to offer to anyone.
She's nothing, I told myself repeatedly.
But why did my heart seem to contradict me? Why do all the things that were supposed to make me a cold man seem to melt when I thought about her and everything else that had happened between us?
Damn it, woman!
Now, my mood was completely affected. I get mad easily these days, which is why I usually end up having a very bad day after dealing with my task. Even my men knew better than to stick around when I was in a foul mood. They could sense the storm brewing, and they knew perfectly well that pushing my buttons any further might end up in disaster.
The phone suddenly buzzed in my pocket, pulling me out of my reverie. I pulled it out, glancing at the screen. It was Carter, one of my most trusted men. I answered with a curt, "Speak."
"Boss," Carter's voice crackled through the line, "I've got news. Our eyes on the ground spotted Blaine Harrison meeting with the rival Easton Moore's enforcer. They were exchanging something—looked like a package."
"Name?" I asked impatiently
"Chris Salvatore. The black casanova."
My fingers tightened around the phone. "The content?"
"We're still in the process of identifying what is on there, but it seems like the type to do anything with a weapon and cash."
I stayed hushed for a moment, processing the information I heard.
Chris Salvatore—the slippery snake who had betrayed me once before. Just like Easton Moore, he was a wildcard, a man with a penchant for violence for a filthy desire. He was my former ally, but now he is one of my greatest adversaries. He became the owner of various clubs where human trafficking, drug dealing and money laundering were common. Girls were often abducted by this monster for sex with a price, but more often, they came back missing their limbs, having been sold off into servitude as enslaved people.
My mind raced, calculating everything I needed to do once I got this son of a bitch. Betrayal was a stain that could never be washed away, and it's something you could never erase. That's why I swore to myself that I'd dispatch those traitors myself.
Chris and Easton were now partners, plotting against the only thing they both really cared about— to bring me down and wreck everything I'd built.
"So where are they now?" I asked after a fleeting moment of brooding.
"Corner of 8th in Reese Avenue," Carter replied. "They split up. Blaine went east, and then Chris headed west."
"Alright." I leaned back, my mind already formulating a plan. "Carter, listen carefully. Follow Chris. Stay in the shadows. I want to know where he's headed. And send me the location—coordinates, not street names. And tell others to get ready."
"Boss, are you sure about this? Chris' slippery. He might—"
"Carter," I interrupted, annoyed. "I don't pay you to fuckin' question my orders. Now, get the fuck moving!" I clicked the phone off.
My fingers drummed impatiently in my lap as I waited for Carter to deliver the latest intel.
After almost seventeen minutes of silence, my phone vibrated again. It's Carter.
"Speak," I ordered.
"Boss, Ms. Adeleine is in trouble. Blaine sold her for three days to Chris Salvatore. And this man plans to auction her off to the highest bidder. Word is, he's got connections in the darkest corners of the underworld since he owns several clubs."
My mood darkened as I heard those words.
"Where is she?" I asked, trying to control the fury that threatened to boil over any second now.
"In Blaine's mansion," Carter replied. "Chris will throw a lavish party in the next three days in his new club. That's when the auction will happen."
I took a deep breath to keep my temper under control. My anger was growing, and I wanted nothing more than to break every single bone of those assholes and torture them in the worst ways possible until their blood ran crimson in front of me.
And again, Adeleine's image popped into my mind. Her delicate features, the way the light played off her skin. The way her lips curled seductively. Just the thought of her being tortured brought the flames of anger back up inside of me.
I clenched my fist tightly, feeling extreme anger, especially when I thought of Blaine.
But then again, all I care about now is the main issue between my allies and enemies. That's all.
"Alright." I heaved a deep sigh and continued, "Call everyone who needs to be informed of what we are up against."
"Copy, Boss. So, what about the girl?"
His question made my brows crumpled in confusion. "What do you mean?"
“The girl— Adeleine."
Hearing her name, something inside me snapped. A strange sensation coursed through my body like wildfire, igniting my skin from within. But I'm not the kind of man who dwells on things he shouldn't, and so I shoved it all down deep inside me where it belonged as I said, "Why did you suddenly bring that up? She isn't our concern. I won't send you after her. Not this time. So don't ever bother asking again, do I make myself clear?"
"Yes, Boss. Don't worry, I'll keep you posted."
I quickly ended the call. My eyes diverted to the windshield and stared blankly.
The kind of life I'm living has no place for emotion. Hoping to forget Adeleine, I kept propelling my mind to think about the mission.
I should not care if she's gone.
She's not my responsibility.
I kept trying to say those words in my mind, although deep inside, something was screaming out, calling me to go get her.
YOU ARE READING
EXCEPTION
RomanceI've always been a good girl but forlorn- abused and controlled by my husband and neglected by my parents. But the second I walked into the stranger's house, I saw hope that I had never thought would lead me into temptation. There, I met Courtney Si...
