Dante's POV
I was in my office, knee-deep in paperwork when my phone buzzed with a call. One of my men-assigned specifically to watch over my little storm when I couldn't.
I picked up instantly.
"Boss," he greeted, voice gruff.
"What's going on?" I asked, already on edge.
He was only supposed to check in if something unusual happened.
"She went into some rundown club on the outskirts. Alone. It doesn't look right."
I shot to my feet. "Send the location."
The moment I saw it, my blood ran cold.
I grabbed my helmet, bolted out of the office, and jumped on my bike. Speed limits be damned-I tore through the streets like a man possessed.
When I got there, I saw red.
My little storm was pinned on a table, struggling beneath the bastard who ran the place. His filthy hands were on her, her top torn, his fingers hovering over the waistband of her sweatpants.
I didn't hesitate. I fired two shots-clean, calculated. One for each of his legs.
He dropped, screaming.
From the corner of my eye, I saw Raven slip out the back, dragging someone-her younger brother, judging by the state he was in.
Part of me wanted to lash out at him for dragging her into this mess. But I knew she wouldn't forgive me for hurting him. So I held myself back.
Barely.
My eyes landed on the gash on her cheek-deep, red, angry. That bastard hurt her.
Any thought I had of ending him quickly disappeared.
He was going to suffer.
When she finally got her brother into the back seat of her car, I watched from the shadows. She adjusted herself, pulling her ripped hoodie over her chest revealing her red lacy bra slightly my cock steer awake , and I mentally kicked myself for having that type of thought ,but even then-at her most vulnerable-she still held herself together with fire in her eyes.
She had no idea I was watching.
Once she drove off, I turned to the man I'd posted to watch her.
His posture tensed as I brushed past him muttering, "I will deal with you later," and marched straight into the club.
I entered the now empty bar. Ben was in a pool of blood, crawling toward a phone. I walked toward him with disdain. When he was about to reach the phone, I stepped on his hand, crushing it. He whimpered. I moved closer, stepping on the gunshot wound I had put on his stupid leg and took joy in the way he wept and begged.
He cried out, "Why? Why are you doing this?"
I scoffed and said, "Cause you touched my girl," I growled.
He hiccuped and said, "Is it because of that bitch-"
My hand immediately snapped out and choked him.
"You're just making your death worse talking about her like that again. I'll gut you," I said calm and collected, but fury was blazing through me.
I brought out my knife and popped out each of his fingernails, causing Ben to cry and wiggle, pleading for his life.
"You should've thought of that before hurting her," I said, a cold smile on my face.
I made his death slow. I cut off all of his fingers. He even pissed himself-I grimaced, the stench hitting me.
Finally, after torturing him, I cut off his useless dick and shoved it down his throat, slitting his artery and making him choke on his blood.
I smiled coldly as his life force steadily drained from his face.
I finally stood up, poured gasoline in every corner of the bar, and lit it up. I got on my bike, body splattered with blood, and zoomed off, leaving the fire to burn the rest of Ben and his crappy bar .
I finally arrived home.
Luca gave me a surprised look the moment I walked through the door. His footsteps followed close behind, eyes full of questions.
I didn't say a word. Just stormed toward my room.
When I reached the door, I slammed it shut in his face.
"We'll talk later," I muttered through the wood.
I didn't waste time. My bloodstained clothes hit the laundry basket, and I stepped into a hot shower. The water scalded my skin, but I didn't flinch.
I needed it.
I needed something to burn the memory out of my head-the sight of her... pinned, ripped clothes, blood on her cheek.
I gritted my teeth.
When I got out, I dressed in a black hoodie and jeans, the color matching my mood perfectly.
Luca was waiting outside, arms crossed.
I sighed, dragging a hand down my face. "Here's the short version."
I gave him the rundown. Every brutal detail I could manage without flipping all over again. He stayed quiet until I finished.
"You cleaned it up?" he asked.
"Set fire to it."
He let out a low whistle. "You really need to stop making rash decisions."
I didn't reply.
Because if he'd seen what I saw... he would've done worse.
I grabbed my keys and stormed back outside. My bike roared to life, tires spinning like they shared my fury. I flew through the Ashford City streets like a shadow with a purpose.
There was only one place I needed to be.
Her house.
I parked across the street, out of sight beneath the shadows. Her bedroom light was on. I could see her silhouette behind the curtains-pacing.
My fists clenched around the handlebars.
Then... a black SUV pulled up near her building.
Windows tinted. Engine silent. No one got out.
My eyes narrowed.
I didn't like it.
She was being watched.
One of my men mentioned it earlier this week... said something felt off.
I hadn't thought it was serious.
But now?
Now I knew I had to look deeper.
Because whoever had their eyes on Raven Voss-
They were about to learn the hard way...
She already belongs to me.
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