BEHIND THE FACADE R18

How about a deal?

MALCOLM'S POV

I stood tall, my eyes locked onto Landon's, as he sauntered towards us with an air of confidence that made my blood boil. His smug smile played on his lips like a serpent's sly grin, hinting at the venomous words that would soon spew forth.

"Don't play naive, brother," Landon sneered, his gaze piercing mine. "She was supposed to be mine, but you snatched her away from me." His eyes blazed with a long-held resentment, the flames of jealousy dancing in their depths. "You've always gotten everything you wanted, haven't you, Malcolm? The favorite son, the golden child. But this time, you've gone too far."

My jaw clenched, I growled, "Say what you want and stop beating around the bush. You're not here to rehash old grievances, Landon."

Landon's gaze shifted to Natalie, his eyes roaming over her like a predator sizing up prey. Her expression transformed from wariness to disgust, her lips curling in revulsion. "If you want Mia back," Landon said, his voice dripping with casual cruelty, "you must give this beauty to me." He tucked his hands into his pockets, his eyes never leaving Natalie's face.

My vision blurred with rage. I unleashed a heavy punch, connecting with Landon's face and sending him stumbling sideways. His lips split, bleeding, as he cursed.

"Fucking hell!" Landon spat, holding out a hand to halt the guards rushing to intervene. "You think violence will solve this, Malcolm? You think you can just bully me into submission?" He wiped his bleeding lip with the back of his hand.

I stood over him, my chest heaving. "Natalie belongs to me, and so does Mia. Don't play games, Landon. Hand Mia over." My voice was low and deadly.

Landon's smile returned, twisted and menacing. "Do you think hitting me will have any effect, Malcolm? You always get everything you want, but things can't always go your way. You can only have one." He paused, savoring the words.

"Either the sexy, rational, and smart Natalie, or the brave, sassy, and equally sexy Mia. It's your choice." Landon's eyes glinted with malice. "You see, Malcolm, I've realized that you're not the only one who can play the villain. I can be the villain too, and I'll make sure you pay for every wrong you've ever done to me."

My warning growled through gritted teeth, "Stop this game, Landon. You're playing with fire. You'll get burned."

Landon's chuckle sent a shiver down my spine. "You're so predictable, Malcolm. Always protecting the things you want. But what happens when you can't save them both? What happens when you have to choose?" His eyes locked onto mine, a cold calculation burning within.

"I'll never let you have either of them," I snarled.

Natalie's hand found mine, her touch a spark of calm amidst the storm. She took a tiny step back as if wary but her face never softened as she kept staring at Landon.

Landon's gaze flicked between us before resting on Natalie's face, his smile widening. "We'll see about that, brother. You see, I've been watching you, studying you. I know your weaknesses, and I'll exploit them. You'll have to make a choice, Malcolm. And when you do, you'll realize that you're not as invincible as you think."

The air thickened with tension as Landon's words hung like a challenge, daring me to respond.

NATALIE'S POV

As Malcolm's words echoed through the room, "No one takes what belongs to me," I felt a surge of satisfaction. Landon's smirk grew wider, his eyes glinting with malice.

"What a shame," Landon said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "I thought I could have gotten the princess as my own, but no problem, I have Mia now. She's easier to manipulate and would submit to me easier."