God of Pain

14.Alec

As I stepped into the mansion, the grandeur of the place was almost overwhelming, but my focus quickly shifted to the scene unfolding at the base of the staircase. Nikolai was sprawled out, looking oddly relaxed for someone in his position. He was lying on the steps, peeling the petals off a rose with a sort of morbid fascination.

I raised an eyebrow, my gaze fixed on him. His expression was a strange mix of excitement and melancholy, and he was muttering to himself as he tugged each petal off the flower.

"Landon will die," he said, his voice almost reverent. He plucked another petal, his eyes glinting with a strange kind of anticipation. "Landon won't die." Another petal fell, and he seemed to almost whimper with disappointment. "Landon will die."

Each petal seemed to be an affirmation of his own inner turmoil, his hope and fear intermingling in a twisted ritual. The whooping that followed was a sharp contrast to the grim tone of his words, a burst of almost childlike glee.

I watched, feeling a strange mix of concern and curiosity. Nikolai's behavior was erratic, to say the least, and it was clear that whatever Landon did lately has signed his death certificate with Niko. I couldn't help but wonder what had driven him to this point, not that Niko was the sanest.

"What's going on here, Nikolai?" I asked, my voice cutting through the air with a hint of authority. "Why the dramatic display?"

He looked up at me, his eyes wide and almost manic. "Alec! You're just in time. I'm trying to figure out the future—fate of Landon, you know?" He gestured vaguely at the petals scattered around him. "It's a process. You understand, don't you?"

I shook my head slightly, not entirely sure how to respond. Nikolai's ritual seemed to be less about actual divination and more about his own emotional chaos. It was a far cry from the usual calm and collected demeanor I associated with him.

"I think you might need to take a break from this," I said, trying to steer the conversation back to something more productive. "You're going to drive yourself mad if you keep this up. And I was thinking about some bonding stuff."

"Does it involve blood and a bat?" Niko asked with a crazy smile promising violence.

I shook my head amused," I wouldn't have called you, if it didn't"

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When Niko came back with his metal bat, I could see the mischief in his eyes. "What's the plan, Alec?" he asked, grinning.

"We're going to find every guy who came into contact with Tara last night," I said, my voice cold and deadly. "And then we're going to make them regret ever laying eyes on her."

Niko chuckled. "Sounds like a blast. Let's get to work."

We started by questioning the bouncers and bartenders at the club and binge watching the CCTV footage. It didn't take long to get a list of names and descriptions of the guys who had been flirting with Tara.

Next, we set out to track them down. Niko was in his element, using his goofy antics to distract the guys while I snuck up behind them and grabbed them.

"Hey, buddy, can you help me with my car?" Niko would say, pretending to be lost. And then, before the guy could even respond, I'd swoop in and drag him away.

We ended up with a group of five guys, all of whom had been stupid enough to think they could get close to Tara. Now, they were going to pay the price.

As we drove them to a secluded location, Niko couldn't stop making jokes. "Hey, Alec, do you think we should start a collection? You know, like a 'Tara's Ex-Boyfriends' club?"

I just glared at him. This wasn't a joke. This was about protecting what was mine.

When we finally arrived at our destination, I turned to the guys and said, "You're all going to regret the day you ever laid eyes on Tara."

Niko just chuckled and said, "Yeah, and you're going to regret the day you ever messed with Alec Romano."

The guys looked at each other nervously, but I just smiled. They had no idea what was coming.

...........................................................................................

I grinned at Nikolai as we stood in the woods, surrounded by the five guys we had kidnapped from the club. "You know, Niko, I never thought I'd say this, but I'm actually having fun."

Nikolai chuckled, his eyes glinting with mischief. "I told you, Alec, beating up guys who think they can touch our Tara is the best bonding experience."

I raised an eyebrow. "Our Tara?"

Nikolai shrugged. "Well, she's yours, but I'm happy to help you protect her."

I snorted. "You're just happy to cause chaos and mayhem."

Nikolai grinned. "Guilty as charged."

We let the guys loose, and they took off running. Nikolai and I chased after them, laughing and joking as we hunted them down. It was a ridiculous, over-the-top scenario, but I was enjoying every minute of it.

As we caught up to the first guy, Nikolai tackled him to the ground, and I jumped on top, punching him in the face. The guy yelped in pain, and we both burst out laughing.

"This is insane," I said, still chuckling.

Nikolai grinned up at me. "That's what makes it so much fun."

We continued our hunt, beating up the guys and leaving them battered and bruised in the woods. It was a stupid, childish thing to do, but it was also strangely cathartic.

As we made our way back to the car, Nikolai turned to me and said, "You know, Alec, I think we make a pretty good team."

I raised an eyebrow. "You mean, as vigilante justice dispensers?"

Nikolai nodded. "Exactly. We should start a business. 'Romano and Niko's Beat-Up Service'."

I rolled my eyes, laughing. "You're ridiculous, Niko."

And without missing a shot, I shot all five of them in their forehead, dropping them dead.

This was what happened when you messed with Tara. You got a taste of Romano justice.

I thought back to the first time I had seen Tara, standing in the club, looking like a ray of sunshine in a sea of darkness. I had known right then and there that I had to have her, that I had to protect her from the world.

And now, anyone who dared to touch her would have to answer to me.