CHAPTER ONE

EMMA’S POV

The gunshot echoed through the room, followed by a male stranger's piercing scream, then a loud thud. My body shook, and a gasp slipped out. I covered my mouth with my shaky palm while my heart thundered.

The man who shot him stood there looking unfazed with his tattooed fingers still wrapped around the gun; his black hair was gelled backwards, and he was dressed in a black suit. His jawline was sharp, and his nose pointed.

I knew I had to get out of there. I had to leave now. Without thinking, I placed the package I was supposed to deliver on the floor and tiptoed backwards. I wished I had never entered, but when there was no response, I couldn't leave it out when it was bound to rain soon.

“Throw his body in the river and clean this up.” The devilish man said before stepping closer and shooting him again in the head. “This is a punishment for whoever defiles me.” His tone was deep, cold, and scarred. I shivered in fear.

I could see him from the slightly open door—just his side view.

My back touched a table, and the vase towered over, shattering before I could stop it. I froze, and cold ran down my spine.

“Whoever that is, bring them to me.” 

My senses awakened when he spoke, and I ran through the big mansion. I could hear their hefty footsteps from behind. Sweat broke across my neck, and my heart was racing.

I couldn’t die. Not now. I was all my sick Mom had. I had to survive. 

I quickly jumped on my bicycle, paddling it towards the gate and into the street. Countless times, I have complained about the slowness of the bicycle, and yet the delivery company I worked for couldn’t do anything.

“Get him. Don’t let him go.” One of them ordered, and then a car roared to life.

Him? 

My black hoodie cap and Jean had concealed my identity. All I had to do was get away from them. The car was so close now that my bicycle felt like nothing. 

The car screeched and then blocked me. I was breathing hard, looking around for a means to escape, but the estate was quiet. Before I could paddle backwards, one of them grabbed me, hitting me in the head with a gun, and I blacked out.

The next I knew, I was tied to an office chair, staring into the icy blue eyes of the devil himself. The gun was still in his hand. I could smell my blood as it trailed from the new wound on my forehead. Yet, all I thought of was how to escape this.

He walked forward, his right hand in his pocket. He was a southpaw. His look was stern, yet he looked like a Greek god. He looked like one could worship him, only that he had the heart of a monster. His chest was broad, and his abs looked like they would rip off his white shirt. His suit was now sitting on the sofa. A short strand of his curly black hair sat above his face.

“Who sent you?” 

I stared at him in confusion. The next, he placed the gun against my head, and I swallowed a lump of saliva.

“I don’t repeat myself.” 

The gun clicked, and my heart jumped into my mouth. My throat was dry. 

I couldn’t die. My mom needed me to survive—her surgery f*e. I had to survive, please heaven.

“I…came to deliver…package…” I stammered, and my lips were trembling. 

“A woman.” He clenched his teeth as he stared hard at me and turned to look at the other men.

One of them was shaking vigorously.

“I’m sorry, boss, I forgot I ordered a package. I would have…” He didn’t finish speaking when he dropped dead. 

The devil’s face didn’t change. He had killed two men within an hour. He rolled the gun against his left cheek.

“What did I say about slacking off?” He sounded pissed. The men looked at one another, and I could tell they were scared. “Answer me!” He roared.

“Death, boss.” They stammered.

It made no sense to me. Whatever it was, they meant. He groaned and then looked at me again. My nerves were on the verge of breaking by now. They say your life flashes through your eyes in a moment like this, yet I had no happy memories. Just pain, anguish, and constant torture ever since I could remember before Dad threw us out in the street for his new wife.

“Dump their bodies in the river and hers at a dump site. I want no funny story.” He clicked the gun again and pointed it at me.

My body shook, and I bit on my lip hard till I could taste my blood. Everywhere was still. I could feel death knocking.

“Please don’t kill me.” My voice trembled. But he looked unbothered. I had to think fast. “The police will come for you. My company already knows I am here. I have a tracker on. We all do. My boyfriend is a senior police officer, and he knew I was coming here. They will…”

I had no boyfriend. There was no tracker.

“Shut up!” The effect of his scream echoed through the whole room, and my legs weakened. “Do you think I am afraid of incompetent fools like them?” He ran his tongue over his teeth and tusked.

I was sweating so badly now in every available hole. I was so dead. Gone. I squeezed my eyes hard, awaiting it. I would miss Mom. But never, Dad.

Dad…

“My dad is Judge Vicktor!” I yelled aloud, my throat aching.  

His new wife had helped him attain fame, and he became greedy. This was the first time I was glad he existed.

I heard the devil groan, and then nothing happened. I opened my eyes gently to see the gun tucked in his front pants, and I let out a sigh.

“Untie her and bring her to the car.”

I blinked hard as I watched him walk away. One of the hefty men released my wrist, and I rubbed them, gritting from the pain. He pulled me by my collar and dragged me into one of the five black cars that were now lined outside. 

He pulled the door open and shoved me in so hard that I mumbled a curse.

The atmosphere was filled with his perfume. The sweet smell of it. He was sitting beside me with his eyes fixed on the road. The car engine roared to life, and we drove away. All this while, my heart couldn’t stop pounding. Nerve breaking free.

“Judge Vicktor.” He mumbled, then clenched his jaw. “I hate him.” 

My heart skipped a beat, and I knew nothing would save me now.