REX THE SAINT

REX'S POV

Watching her get tortured was like a dagger straight to my heart.

I seem to feel the pain of the whips, even more than she herself.

Her helpless and heartbreaking tears made me want to rush to her and take her in my arms.

I felt like petting her and telling her to forget about the petty stuff she stole, it's nothing to me anyway.

She's more important than the drugs.

However, I know I can't do that.

I can't afford to be weak or show preference to her.

It will lead to a lot of mess.

Her innocent face didn't seem like that of someone capable of stealing drugs.

However, she did it anyway.

I felt relieved when she finally gave me a valid reason to spare her.

I quickly stopped my man from flogging her and walked towards her.

The expression of terror on her face as she waited for the next whip both upset and amused me.

She opened her eyes and gasped in fear as she stared at me, her efforts to avoid my face only made me despair, because all that I can think of is taking her chapped lips in mine.

Yeah, even though she looked a mess, I still felt like kissing her.

Damn! She even smelled of urine and fear.

But I don't seem to mind that, babies mess up their bodies often.

And she's one big baby, despite having sexy booties all over.

"Your grandma, is she really sick? You know the consequences of lying, right?" I whispered, looking into her eyes.

She nodded.

"If she was not sick, I wouldn't have dared to do this. Only a fool will steal from the devil. But I have to save her. She's my only family" she wailed.

I frowned.

She doesn't seem to understand what she just said to me.

"I'm the devil?" I whispered, feeling hurt and amused.

Having everyone fear me is beneficial in my line of business, but for some reason, I don't want Arianna to fear me like the rest.

"No. I don't mean that. I'm sorry. It's not.." she hurriedly began to explain, sheer terror plastered on her face.

She was obviously horrified and scared out of her mind.

"You don't have to deny it. I know I don't have the best of reputations" I whispered, trying hard not to look at her lips or eyes.

Otherwise, I might find myself doing something crazy before everyone here.

I sighed and moved away from her.

"Untie her and clean her up. Get her new clothes and take her to the detention room to wait for my decision" I instructed, looking at Max.

He nodded and immediately moved to obey.

I walked out of the room, Jared and his assistant hot on my heels.

"Investigate her family. I want to know exactly what happened to her grandmother. Also, arrange for doctors to treat her" I instructed in a low voice, walking towards my office.

I saw the workers that met us take to their heels with alarming speed.

I frowned as I watched all the workers I met flee away from me, like one who met the grim reaper.

"He probably killed the poor girl already" I heard someone whisper from the toilet.

"But she's stupid. How can she steal from the boss of all people? He has brutally tortured and killed people for minor offenses in the past. She even received warning, yet she decided to play with fire. It's such a pity. Such a beautiful, young girl wasted, just like that" another voice said in a hushed tone.

"What do you know? Her grandma is sick. Sam often hears the hospital urging her for payment. She's an orphan. Damn! Her family will end with her. The grandma she's trying to save will also die. If only the boss will decide to show mercy. But he's a monster. He probably wouldn't care" I heard another girl say.

I frowned unhappily at their gossip.

I felt Jared tug on my arm as I made to walk towards the gossipers, making me sigh and give up on confronting them.

They will probably die from fright if they discover I heard them talking crap about me and how I run my company.

"The deal with JK group seems to be having a hitch. Someone's trying to hijack the corporation. Do you want to drop by at the office today?" Jared asked as I sat down.

I immediately shook my head, rubbing my temples.

Managing my two lives is not easy.

I'm the CEO of a mega corporation and also a mafia boss.

"I don't have the zeal to deal with corporate shit right now. Let Benjamin handle it. I don't think I will be leaving this place for the next two days'' I answered tiredly.

Watching Arianna get flogged on my orders has taken a toll on my mental state.

******

I tapped my fingers against the crate, watching my men load the money from last night's transactions to the safe in my office.

Keeping such quantities of cash in the bank can lead to unwanted attention, so I stack them, and carefully find ways to launder it, siphoning it back to my legal companies.

The Santorini corporation has been rising at an alarming speed, however most people don't know it's thanks to the steady influx of crime money that I kept pumping into it.

The numerous investors under different aliases, posing as foreign shareholders are all me, using my dom accounts.

So, the Santorini corporation and my personal company looks like a huge corporation with multiple shareholders.

However, I'm the only shareholder.

The multiple shareholders are all me.

The people that appear during meetings are all my men.

I smiled smugly.

Even the American government has nothing on me.

I have people in government and the secret service, politicians that I sponsor.

Older men that have no option than to defer to me.

If I decide you will win the election, you will.

So no politician or official wants to get on my bad side.

That's why Justin Carter will always be a shitty little dog compared to me.

Whether it's government, military, crime, or the corporate world, I'm well represented, no matter where it is.

Even if I'm caught while laundering money, nothing will happen.

However, I don't want to create a mess for my people.

That's why I have to pretend to be a good and honest business man, a law abiding citizen.

I'm pretty honest when you think about it.

I never cheat or tell lies.

I wonder why people refer to me as a demon.

I'm a saintly angel for all I know.

"Boss, here are the results of the investigation," Jared said, walking towards me with a file.

I nodded and took it from him, wondering who Arianna really is