Chapter 1 : Caught

ARTEMIS POV

I eyed the golden watch on the table, pretending to be interested in something else while inching closer to the table. I knew it was wrong to steal but I couldn’t help it. I was hungry and I didn’t want to die.

I imagined the funeral poster would read thus, ‘Artemis Vincent, died of hunger because she didn’t want to take a watch that some rich dude left behind.’

I shook my head. Gosh, I needed therapy. Why would I even think that? I eyed the watch again while cunningly looking around. When I got right to the table, I snatched the watch and shoved it into my pocket.

'You did it Artemis. You can buy burgers from Starbucks... you can....'

“THIEF!!” Someone shrieked and I turned to see a huge oaf of a man charging right at me. He was dressed in a black suit and wore dark sunglasses. My survival instincts kicked in and I beelined for the open window.

‘If they catch you, you are dead. Fucking run, legs.’

I pumped my legs faster and easily slipped into the window and outside the shop. It was easy now, after weeks of practice. I heard the shouts growing louder and more voices, added with running feet.

‘Keep running.’

I ran harder, with all I had but when I turned to look it seemed that they were gaining on me. There were five men now and they were alarmingly close.

‘Damn it!’

I turned back to focus on running when I slammed into someone and I let out

an off

I opened my mouth to let out a remark when I stopped. The person in front of me was scowling. He was blonde-haired and he wore dark shades. He held out his hand.

“Hand it over,” he ordered, his voice was calm, but I could feel the warning in it.

“Hand what over?” I wasn’t going to make it easy for him. I backed away but realized the others had caught up and were blocking any route of escape.

“You don’t want my boss to deal with you,” the blonde-haired fella said and I raised a brow.

“Wait! You are not the boss” I said, trying to avoid the subject. Blondie didn’t take that well because he sort of growled and kept his hands outstretched.

“Hand it over lady,” he said and I scowled.

“Like I said I...” I began but before I could complete my sentence or even blink, he grabbed me and pulled me to himself. I let out a scream and struggled aggressively in his arms but he didn’t even budge.

“Give me the fucking watch and I’ll let you go. If not, you’ll rot in prison,” he whispered in my ear, and for some reason, only the universe could explain, my body relaxed instinctively to the caress of his voice in my ear.

“No!” I managed to say and he growled. His hands suddenly landed on my thigh and I bucked into him.

“What are you doing?” I said, furious. He growled again and his hands went to my....

“Stop being a pervert!” I shrieked and he shrugged.

“Give me the watch or I’ll find it myself. Even if you shoved it up your butt,” he said and I sighed. I couldn’t let him do that even if the feel of his hands on my thigh did wicked things to me.

“Fine,” I said and I shoved my hand into my public region where I hid it. As he loosened his grip, I elbowed him in the gut and broke away but before I could get farther. I felt those familiar arms grab my waist and shove me to the hood of a car bending me over.

“The boss wants to meet you now.” He said. He didn’t sound angry or annoyed, only calm.

“Let her go, Daymon!” Another voice said and I even turned my head to look. From the voice, I knew it was going to be a handsome guy but nothing prepared me for the awesome sight in front of me. My mouth dropped for a moment.

Dark-haired, green eyes, lean but well-muscled. He was tall, and the suit he wore made him seem more regal and powerful. He had this aura around him. As if the air around him were charged and tense.

“You stole my watch,” he said. I scowled at him, struggling against Daymon’s hold.

“You don’t seem to miss it,” I retorted and he shrugged.

“I don’t,” he confirmed. He reached into his pocket and brought out a cigar. I watched as one of his men handed him an expensive-looking lighter and he lit it. He put the cigar in his mouth and took a drag.

“But you don’t steal from me ever,” His voice was as cold and bone-chilling as ice and I wondered if I had made a mistake. This handsome-looking man in front of me looked dangerous, like he could wipe me off existence if he wanted to.

“I am sorry, okay. I was hungry. I had no other option,” I admitted looking away. Daymon’s grip loosened and he let me go.

I spared a glance at him but there was no emotion on his face. So I rubbed my wrist instead, but at that glance at Daymon, I could tell there was a slight

emotion in his eyes, one I would have missed if I wasn't looking, but I couldn’t tell what it was yet.

The man in front of me stared at me like a hawk sizing up its prey. He offered a cigar to Daymon who shook his head.

“I want you to be my mistress,” he said finally and my mouth dropped open. I let out a short laugh.

“Quite a Hilarious mister. I like the joke. Very very...”

“I am not playing here,” his voice was venomous and I shut my mouth. He looked annoyed which only made me angry. Who was he to barge into my life and demand I became his mistress?

“Can I ask who the hell you even are?” I snapped and those blue eyes glared at me in barely contained anger mixed with cool.

“Aidan Creek,” he said and tossed away the cigar.