What's a bad boy?

Chapter 41// The Lion's Den

Chapter 41: The Lion's Den

If I were anyone else I would've probably  thought Amanda's house was beautiful, elegant even. But being led through it by her manipulative father, all I can see in my mind are the bloodstains left on these carpets and the secret meetings that were no doubt held behind these walls. This house is a trap, and I don't need to be as smart as Brendan or Ethan to know that.

"How about we talk in my office?" Bruce suggests as we pass through yet another endless hallway.

As we continue through the house I attempt to mentally take note of every hallmark and painting so that if I ever need a speedy way out I know my own way. However, I quickly find myself becoming lost in the uniformly white walls, absent of any decoration or marks. There's no doubt in my mind that this house is a maze. Meant to lure all who enter into the jaws of the lion that seals their fate.

"Sure. But can we make this quick, my friends will be missing me," I swallow, trying not to let my words reveal my fear.

I hear him choke back a chuckle, his back shaking from the hidden joke that he found in my words.

"I'm sure they will," he muses, "unfortunately for them they'll just have to learn to share for now."

He suddenly comes to a stop outside a large wooden, paneled door.

"Here we are," he sighs, leading me inside, "take a seat so we can discuss a few things."

Taking my place in a leather seat on the other side of his desk I begin observing my surroundings, looking for secrets, vulnerabilities, anything that might give me an edge.

"So," I gulp, attempting to maintain my facade, "what do you want to discuss?"

A ghost of a grin slips onto his lips as he runs his eyes mercilessly over me.

"Well I'm sure you've heard about the warning I sent out."

Disgust flares across my features.

"You call threatening me and everyone I care about a warning?"

The eery grin on his face only grows at my reaction. His eyes remain unblinking, almost as if he is afraid of missing anything that may be useful to him.

"So you care about this boy I take it?" He muses, silently playing with my emotions.

"What- that.... that's none of your business!" I fire back, growing irritated.

I can sense him trying to get a feel of my exterior walls, testing for any cracks.

"I plan to make it my business seeing as if your partnering continues the way it currently is, my gang will most likely be driven out of business," he explains, "the red skulls and the nighthawks have always been enemies to our gang. That was why I was trying to set him up with Amanda. Obviously even her looks aren't good for anything anymore."

I have to bite my lip from hissing out every disgusted word that fills my head as he blatantly shames his daughter. Never have I once felt pity or remorse for anything I've done to Amanda. But right now I feel all that and more.

There is no doubt that this heartless man in front of me loves nothing except the powerful gang he sits behind, on his throne of gold. The only problem is figuring out a way to work around his empire to ensure my own survives. But also to figure out whether I myself have a crimson throne to sit on in the future.

"I want to make a proposition Violet," he says with a smile.

Everything about that single unearthly gesture drives me to shrink back in fear.