KNIVES AND HEARTSTRINGS

o me?" I asked, my voice sharp as the blade in my pocket as I brushed

even get the

e said it so casually, like it were a feat worthy of my applause. "With the challenges we'll face-customs

elder, Callan, fidgeted under my perusal, but Ajax, the younger of the two, maintained

y word, every gesture. It was almost

ance at Iason-my trusted confidant-who leaned against the bar, his hand casuall

f a brain in my occupation consumes anything they didn't

the sense to shut his mouth and not lie to me. You in the other hand..." I le

dronikos." Callan stuttered, his bra

w and venomous. "And if you ever utter my name again, I'll

ed as he swallowed ha

dart to the exit, as though you're plotting your escape. Or how you incessantly dab at your sweaty neck and forehead. Or perhaps," I continued,

nse, and ruin my already annoying day, Ajax squeezed his thigh-a silent comma

lready crumbled. "You have two days to deliver my shipment. Fail me,

allan out of the lounge

rom the entrance, sauntering in with the con

re had he

etic allure that dominated the room with effortless ease. Her caramel-toned skin gleamed under the soft, low lights which illuminated a figure wrapped in a black dress that clung to her like sin itself. The

sight it was. Her thick curls, artfully arranged in a tight bun, framed her features perfectly, drawing

ck to Alex, annoyed at myself for

asked, my voice in

s cousin?" he replied

club," I

him, I felt a surprisingly comf

heard her mutter under he

her off my lap without warning, causing her to

est moment

d incinerate steel or me in this case. And I-God help me-lo

d to help her up, but kindn

o unleash her wrath upon me, the atmosphere shifte

shouted, but i

the music downstairs. Chaos erupted as screams mingled with the shattering of glass. Behind me, a

ing instinctively

ttack!" one of

it, g

ll those brothers af

ge descended into disarray. In a frantic attempt to escape the impending carnage, Ind the re

mn

alive. Without hesitation, I hoisted her surprisingly light

y, casting frenzied shadows against the wa

eturned fire with calculated precisio

oser, a reminder that w

ent club, I noticed the cops had arrived at the scene,

I thought as I gazed briefly at

e," I ordered, dumping the

authorities. I climbed into the driver's se

she was already causing me

st, I thought sardonically a