CHAPTER- 2

Ace POV:

As I lay there on my bed, feeling a mix of annoyance and irritation, my friend Aiden continued to tickle the sole of my feet despite my protests.

"Stop it, Aiden, before I come and kick your ass," I finally managed to grumble before letting out a sigh and rolling onto my stomach.

Aiden's disappointed gaze met mine as he shook his head in disbelief.

"Come on Ace, wake up, we are all here to see your psycho ass and you behave like that," he scolded gently.

Glancing around the room, I noticed the familiar faces of my friends sitting on various things but not on sofa and couch.

Aiden perched at the edge of my bed, while Felix casually leaned against the door frame and Liam lounged on my bed, engrossed in his phone as usual.

Leo and Liam were squeezed together as if there was no other space in the spacious room, and Hudson sat on a nearby table, casting me a stern glare that made me feel slightly chuckle.

Alexander, always the peacemaker, was trying to calm Hudson down.

These are my friends from school and college days, well basically my remaining family.

Before I could even fully open my eyes, Hudson's voice cut through the morning haze.

"Ivan said you killed someone," he inquired with a heavy sigh.

I responded brusquely, my voice tinged with defiance, "Yeah, I did. And that's none of your business, Hud."

As I rubbed my face and stifled a yawn, Alex interjected with concern, "Ace, did you forget our ethics?"

Meeting his gaze, I explained bluntly, "No, I didn't. It's not like he was innocent. He was a fucking pervert who raped more than 20 children's, so it's not a problem. Now, if you're done interrogating me, can someone tell me why you're all gathered here?"

Felix, always one for drama, put on a hurt expression as he placed a hand dramatically over his chest. "That hurts. I thought you must have missed us," he teased.

Rolling my eyes, I retorted, "Well, I didn't. So do whatever you want; I have work to do and responsibilities to attend to," my annoyance palpable.

Liam mused quietly, "I told you he would not break the rules," his observation echoing Leo's nod of agreement.

With a heavy sigh, I excused myself from the group, by retreating to the bathroom to freshen up.

Author's POV:

The clock struck 7 in the morning, casting a golden hue through the windows of the bustling dining hall where everyone gathered for their breakfast.

Among them, Alex, with a furrowed brow, leaned in to confidentially inform Ace about Noah.

Well Noah is a coward ass or a rich coward ass.

Noah's father didn't gave money to him because he wanted to do some sketchy things, so he gathered money from illegal sources.

He had borrowed a substantial sum, a staggering 10 million, leaving a tangled web of debts and suspicions in his wake.

Ace, a figure known for his punctuality and business acumen, harbored a despise for lateness in any form.

The revelation that Noah had not yet repaid his debt only added fuel to the fire.

In the world of business, delays and unreliability were viewed as cardinal sins.

So, yeah it's a bad omen for Noah.

Ace POV:

I can't believe the nerve of this little punk. Five minutes have passed, and he's still not here.

"Ivan, pensava che fossi io il capo o lui? ( Ivan, did he think I am the boss or him?)," I snickered, rubbing my temple, finding amusement in the confusion but also feeling a hint of exasperation at the situation.

"Il capo è fuori e ci sta mettendo un po' di tempo per venire, oh è qui capo (Boss he is outside just taking some time to come, oh he is here boss)," Ivan said, his tone implying a mix of explanation and apology, as he navigated the delicate dance of conveying the delay without causing offense.

He is late, and to make matters worse, he had the audacity to bring along a young girl in a place where mafia dealings involving exchanges of illicit goods and human lives took place without remorse. Nitwit.

"Mi scusi signore, sono in ritardo (Sorry Sir, I am late)" Noah's voice trembled slightly as he spoke, his grip on the girl's arm betraying a sense of urgency and tension in the air.

"I Miei Soldi (My money)" I responded calmly, though the underlying threat in my tone was unmistakable.

"Sì, signore, a questo proposito non posso pagare l'intero importo, ma ho già pagato la metà (Yes sir about that I can't pay full money but I already paid half money )," Noah's admission came with a tone laced with a mix of fear and desperation, as if hoping to bargain his way out of the impending turmoil.

"Pensi che stiamo giocando o qualcosa del genere, Noah? (You think we are playing or something Noah?)," I inquired coldly, my patience wearing thin as the facade of civility began to crumble.

"No, signore, so che al momento non sono in grado di rimborsare l'importo rimanente per intero. Chiedo gentilmente solo un'altra settimana per raccogliere i fondi necessari (No sir, I know that I am currently unable to repay the remaining amount in full at this moment. I kindly request just one more week to gather the required funds)," he pleaded urgently, his desperation evident in his voice but his plea fell on deaf ears.

If he wants to play games with me, then let's put an end to this foolishness.

"Va bene, se siete disposti ad offrire qualcosa di valore in cambio, sono disposto a prorogare la scadenza di un'altra settimana (Alright, if you are willing to offer something of value in return, I am willing to extend the deadline by one more week)," I stated with a hint of detachment in my voice.

Doubts crept into my mind as I pondered his ability to meet this condition.

He's a spoiled brat living his life on his father's money and fame.

"Sì, signore, a proposito di questo... può avere questa ragazza temporaneamente (Yes sir, about that... you can have this girl temporarily)", he proposed casually, his eyes lingering on the girl with a cold detachment.

The way he spoke, as if he was offering a mere object for temporary possession.

"Mi stai prendendo per il culo? Pensi che io sia una specie di codardo? Impara a comportarti da uomo! (Are you fucking kidding me? You think I'm some kind of coward? Learn to deal like a man!)" I retorted fiercely, unwilling to entertain such a degrading offer that went against all my principles and values.

My anger flared up at this proposition because buying girls in deals is something I never engage in.

As I glared at Noah, I saw a flicker of surprise in his eyes, as if he hadn't anticipated such a vehement reaction.

I reached for my weapon, the mere idea of violence tempting my resolve.

However, a brief glance at the girl, her fragile form emanating vulnerability and fear, tempered the flames of fury with a wave of compassion.

In that fleeting moment, as I observed her demeanor, an overwhelming sense of nostalgia washed over me.

How in the hell she end up with this bastard.

Her head hung low as if she were too fearful to lift it, her delicate fingers nervously toying with the fabric of her sleeves as if trying to distract herself from the overwhelming emotions that consumed her.

The rise and fall of her chest hinted at a storm of tears that had likely been flowing unchecked for at least ten minutes, leaving her visibly shaken and vulnerable to the world around her.

As my gaze swept across the room, I noticed another man eyeing her with raw hunger and lust.

Their gazes were predatory and they were scum, every last one of them, and they didn't even try to hide it.

"Portala fuori di qui, Noah (Get her out of here, Noah)," I said without turning around. "Find a better way to repay your debts. This is not how men deal. (Trovate un modo migliore per ripagare i vostri debiti. Non è così che si comportano gli uomini)"

"Capo, lei è tutto ciò che ho da offrire in questo momento (Capo, she is all I have to offer at this moment)," Noah's voice trembled with desperation as he made his plea.

His eyes darted around the room, searching for any sign of leniency in my expression.

Growing increasingly frustrated with the unfolding situation, I stood up and began to distance myself from the disturbing scene.

"È vergine e così ingenua che farà tutto quello che le direte (She's a virgin and so naive, she will do anything you say to her.)", Noah said aloud, desperately.

I'm no saint, but I have my ethics and morals. Using a girl as a bargaining chip was despicable.

In a moment of reflection, I realized that, despite the inner conflict raging within me, turning a blind eye was not an option.

If I don't take her, he'll likely sell her off to someone else who will torture her for his pleasure and worse.

It was a sickening thought, but the reality of this world was even more horrifying.

Even if he killed her and offered her lifeless body to someone else, these men here would still buy her and use her.

They were depraved enough to exploit even the dead.

To hell with all of this.

I looked Noah straight in the eye, my gaze unwavering.

"Bene, solo una settimana, poi sei morto se non hai restituito il denaro (Fine, just one week, then you're dead if you haven't repaid the money)," I said, my voice cold and resolute. Each word was a promise, a declaration that he would not escape the consequences if he failed to meet my terms.

Noah's eyes widened with a mix of relief and fear. He knew this was his last chance, and I could see the desperation in his eyes.

She was too young to be caught up in this nightmare.