Free Web NovelChapter 92: Canon Event
[Music: Black Haired Madonna By Nessa Barrett]
I turned sharply, breath coming out cold as my wide eyes fixed on a burning red dot.
I squinted my eyes to get a better look, but there was only so much I could make out because of the lack of light. The wall sconces there must be malfunctioning.
This fucking haunted house.
"What are you doing out here, little kitten?"
The sound of his rich, masculine voice sent a shiver down my spine.
"Zade."
The shadow moved and stepped into the light. My pulse faltered for a moment when I caught sight of him. He had always been so immense and terrifying, where all instincts kick in and tell you to run and hide.
I’ve been around Zade for more than a month, yet I still have that desire to flee each time I set my eyes on him. It was just a basic instinct because no sane person would consider standing in his presence.
I admit I have been deemed insane for the countless times I have engaged with this man.
His green eyes had an eerie glow, and even when the light fell across his face, that glint lingered, compelling enough to make you say your last prayers.
His black clothing only made the situation far too dramatic.
A cigar hung lazily between his lips before he took it between his fingers, and a plume of smoke unfurled from his nostrils.
And then it hit me.
"You’ve been here the whole time," I said, my voice coming out quieter than I expected.
Zade took a drag from his cigar, a grin tugging his lips. "Guilty."
My throat bobbed. I wasn’t expecting that. I had actually thought he was absent, but this just put a whole new meaning to everything.
"As my representative, you should be dining with our guests and not being out here all alone."
With three steps, there was no space between us anymore. He draped the suit jacket I now realized he had to cover me up.
"Why?" I asked. "Why did you stay on the sidelines when you should be there?"
He held the cigar between his two fingers, eyes twinkling with mischief as he inhaled before tilting his head back to get the smoke out.
My mouth went dry as I made contact with the bobbing against that strong column of his throat, and when he leveled me with his gaze, my knees almost buckled.
I resorted to clutching the jacket around me with my dear life, to try to snap out of whatever wicked desire that had suddenly sparkled across my skin like a blaze.
Why was it always like this whenever I’m around him?
I hate it.
"Because it’s fun," Zade replied. "I’ve always wondered how people act in my absence. It’s a curious thing, really."
For some reason, his words struck a nerve. It wasn’t just the Russos in there; his brothers were too.
"Fun?"
"Don’t tell me you didn’t relish that power shift."
I fixed him with a pointed stare, and a deep chuckle rolled off him.
"The moment you walked into that room, little kitten. You were me."
I didn’t think about it that way, nor did I for once even consider I was being thrust into an unforeseen situation that was all... games.
Trying dirty tricks as always.
"Have I told you how beautiful you look tonight?"
His eyes devoured me from head to toe, long enough to make my pulse stumble.
"Now, I’m regretting skipping dinner." His lips tipped. "Tell me you at least enjoyed yourself. I’d be heartbroken if you didn’t."
"I was expecting sliced throats."
"The Russos’ are family."
"Are they?"
He tilted his head, slowly.
"If they are family, then why did you send me instead of being there yourself? It was meant to be a heartfelt reunion, was it not?"
A slow lick passed over his lips. "Indeed."
Forget why everyone called him unpredictable. He was that way because he wanted to be. That was his Achilles heel.
"What’s this really about, Zade?"
"Hm... careful, kitten, that authoritative tone of yours is creating a problem in my pants."
My cheeks flushed, but I still managed to grit my teeth and show my anger.
"You didn’t answer the question."
"You make it sound as if I’m some evil mastermind at work. Let’s say I’m not into heartwarming dinners."
"Is that all what this is about?"
"Was there meant to be something else?" he mused.
I could tell there was. Suddenly, Caleb’s warning made sense. But the question was... be careful with the Russos or Zade?
"What’s going on inside that little head of yours?" he asked, his voice a bit lower.
A lot. More than I could handle, and the more I thought I could, the more the swelling on my chest increased, and next it’s as if my head was about to explode.
"Tell me."
Funny. He wants to know what’s on my mind, but he could never reveal his.
"Do you really wanna know?" freēwebnovel.com
"I asked, didn’t I?" he replied, hand beneath my chin, and I could feel the cold texture of his rings.
Fine, I’ll play the same harmony.
"There is one thing on my mind right now."
A dark intrigue drowned his gaze, his thumb pulling down my lower lip.
"I have one question for you." I stepped away from his touch and nudged my knee forward.
Zade’s eyes descended instantly, the intensity of it burning through my skin as I lifted the hem of my dress and drew the switchblade from the garter strapped around my thigh.
"Your answer..." I came closer, my heels granting enough height to narrow the gap between us.
Zade held my gaze as I positioned the switchblade at his throat, the action prompting the jacket to fall off.
"Will determine if I’ll slice open your throat right now."
My hand trembled, but I gripped the handle with all my might, tapping into the inner rage I had tried so hard to lock ever since I felt the shift between us.
"Why did you kill my sister?"
