Captivated Desires

50

"Azar isn't involved with this plan, Josh trusted Azar to do the job right. You guys didn't like his wife anyway," The doctor said.

Reign's expression hardened as he took in the doctor's words. The idea that Josh had trusted Azar to carry out a mission with such serious ramifications put a pit in his stomach. And the doctor's mention of their dislike for Josh's wife only heightened the sense of betrayal. He looked over at Azar, waiting for a response.

Azar's expression was stoic, his features giving nothing away. He met Reign's gaze without flinching, silently communicating that there was more to the story. "Is that true?" Reign asked, his voice tight. "Did Josh ask you to eliminate his wife?"

Azar's jaw tensed, the only sign that the question had hit a nerve. He considered his response carefully before finally speaking. "Yes,".

Reign's breath caught in his throat as he heard Azar's simple, direct answer. The confirmation sent a shockwave of anger and disbelief through him. "Why didn't you say anything?" he asked, his voice a mix of hurt and fury.

Azar's eyes met Reign's, a flicker of regret passing over his features. "I didn't think it was important," he replied, his voice measured. "It was a job, nothing more."

"Not important?!" Reign exploded, his frustration boiling over. "We were supposed to be family, and you didn't think it was important to mention that you were asked to kill Josh's wife?"

"Reign calm down, Azar was asked by Josh. It was a small job. Azar and us all didn't know it would turn out to be like this, give Azar some credit. The woman hated me," I told him.

Reign turned to me, his anger still evident in his eyes. However, my words seemed to have a calming effect on him. He took a deep breath, trying to compose himself. "You're right," he said reluctantly. "But still... the fact that Azar didn't tell us about it bothers me."

Azar shifted uncomfortably under Reign's gaze, his expression a mixture of defiance and guilt. He didn't look away, meeting Reign's stare with a coolness that bordered on stubbornness. "I had my reasons for not telling you," he said finally, his voice steady. "It wasn't personal against any of you, it was purely business."

"Business, huh?" Reign retorted, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "And what about loyalty? What about trust between so-called family members? Or does that not matter when it comes to 'business'?"

Azar's jaw tightened, his eyes hardening. "Loyalty matters," he said gruffly. "But sometimes, the needs of the business have to take priority. You know that as well as I do."

"We aren't just business associates, Azar," Reign shot back. "We're more than that. We're supposed to take care of each other, to have each other's backs no matter what. That's what family means."

"Baby, he has done all he has. He didn't know any of this was going to happen, he took a job like any of you would. Don't take it to heart," I said gently.

Reign's anger began to wane, reluctantly accepting my reasoning. He knew deep down that I was right. Azar had been like family to them, and he was just the hitman sent to do a job. He took a deep breath, the anger slowly replaced by a weary acceptance. "You're right, darlin'," he said, casting a glance at Azar.

"But next time," he added, his tone firm but softer now, "You tell us before accepting any job. No secrets within the family. No more lies by omission."

Azar met Reign's gaze, the defiance in his eyes fading into a resigned acceptance. "Understood," he replied gruffly, a hint of resentment in his voice.

"Good," Reign grumbled. His anger had burned out, replaced now by a sense of weary resignation. The situation had taken a toll on all of them, but now they needed to focus on the bigger picture.

Azar, still holding the doctor by the throat, noticed the man's attempt to escape. He tightened his grip, pinning the doctor back against the wall. "Where do you think you're going?" he snarled, his face inches from the doctor's petrified face.

Reign took a few steps towards the doctor, his expression hardening once again. "You really think we're just going to let you walk out of here, after everything you've done?"

The doctor's eyes widened in fear, the realization of his situation setting in. "P-Please, have mercy," he croaked, his voice shaking.

"Mercy?" Reign repeated, his tone cold. "You want mercy? After you put a GPS tracker in my wife's ear? After you put us in this situation? Not a chance."

Azar's grip on the doctor didn't loosen. If anything, it tightened further. His expression was a mix of anger and satisfaction, the sight of the doctor cowering before them clearly satisfying some primal need.

"Now," Reign said, his voice a low, dangerous growl, "You're going to start talking. Everything you know, from start to finish. And if I don't like the information you give me, well... let's just say you're not walking out of here in one piece."

"I told everything, aren't you dumb!" The doctor spat at Reign.

Reign's patience, which was already on thin ice, snapped at the doctor's insult. He moved in a flash, his fist connecting hard with the man's face. "Watch your tone," he hissed, his eyes flashing with anger. "You don't get to talk to me like that."

The doctor groaned in pain, his face contorting. Blood trickled from the corner of his lips as he slumped against the wall. "You think you're so high and mighty," he muttered through gritted teeth. "You're no better than I am."

Reign's jaw clenched, the man's words hitting close to home. He knew he wasn't a saint, that he had done things he wasn't proud of. But still... to be compared to scum like the doctor was infuriating. "I may not be perfect," he said, his voice a dangerous rumble, "But I know I'm a damn sight better than you. You're nothing but a rat, crawling through the darkness, selling your soul for a quick buck."

I grabbed Reign's gun and shot the man in the head "Literally taking your damn time," I said firmly.