Fragments of Us

Chapter IV

The morning crept in slowly, but the light barely penetrated the fortress-like walls of Zephyr's penthouse. Heavy blackout curtains blocked the day, leaving the room in an oppressive darkness that mirrored the man himself. Zephyr stirred in the massive bed, the sheets tangled around his chiseled frame. Even in sleep, his body moved with the restless energy of a predator, always on edge, always ready for the next fight.

The memories of last night's work surfaced in his mind—images of blood, fear, and death flashing in quick succession. It wasn't regret that he felt. Zephyr had long since shed any sense of remorse. What lingered instead was the satisfaction of a job well done. He had sent a clear message to anyone foolish enough to challenge his authority. The Morgans had been a formidable family, but they had underestimated him, and now they were nothing more than a bloody chapter in his history.

Zephyr pushed the thoughts away as he threw back the sheets and stood, his muscular frame silhouetted against the dim light filtering through the curtains. He crossed the cold marble floor to the bathroom, every step purposeful, every movement calculated. The penthouse was stark and minimalist, just like Zephyr himself. There was no room for anything unnecessary, no place for indulgences that could become weaknesses.

He flicked on the bathroom light, and the mirror reflected a face that could have been carved from stone—sharp, unforgiving, with high cheekbones and a jawline that seemed to have been chiseled by the gods themselves. His eyes, a stormy gray, held a depth of darkness that spoke of untold horrors, things most men couldn't even imagine. His black hair was tousled, falling over his forehead in a way that added to his dangerous allure. Zephyr was a man who commanded attention, who drew people in with the sheer force of his presence—only to crush them when they got too close.

He turned on the shower, letting the water heat up as he examined himself in the mirror. His body was a canvas of strength—broad shoulders, defined muscles, and skin marked with faint scars that told stories of past battles. He was the embodiment of power and control, a man who had clawed his way to the top of a world that would chew up and spit out anyone less ruthless.

As the water began to steam, Zephyr stepped into the shower. The hot water cascaded over his body, washing away the remnants of blood and grime from the night before. But no amount of water could cleanse the darkness within him, the cold, calculated part of his soul that had allowed him to rise to power in a world of violence and death. The blood swirled down the drain, disappearing as if it had never existed, but the memories of the screams, the pleading eyes, and the final, gurgled breaths remained with him.

Zephyr let the water run over his face, his hands braced against the wall of the shower. Last night's work had been brutal, even by his standards. He had taken down the Morgans with a precision that left no room for retaliation. Their patriarch, an arrogant old man who had dared to challenge Zephyr's authority, had been the last to die—forced to watch as everything he had built crumbled around him.

When Zephyr finally stepped out of the shower, he felt no different, no cleaner. The darkness that resided in him wasn't something that could be washed away. It was a part of him, ingrained in his very being. He grabbed a towel and dried off, the action automatic, his mind already moving on to the next task. There was always something else to be done, someone else to crush under his heel.

His phone buzzed on the bathroom counter, breaking the silence. Zephyr glanced at the screen and saw the name of his right-hand man, Marco. He answered the call, his voice still rough from sleep. "Marco."

"Morning, boss," his voice was low, gritty—a result of years spent in smoke-filled rooms and countless nights of debauchery. "I've got something you'll want to hear about. A new player's come into town. They're moving quietly, but they're looking to make a big impact."