Chapter Three

Ethan sat relaxed in the back seat of his black 2023 Prado while his personal assistant, Peter Stroke, read out the information he'd requested earlier. The air inside the car was tense as Peter began, "Her name is Sasha Brooks. She has a younger brother, Chris Brooks, who's been in a coma for six months after an accident."

Ethan's jaw tightened, but he stayed silent.

"She also has two half-siblings, twins Amanda and Dean Brooks, who are two months older than her. Their father, Charles Brooks, was still in a relationship with his first love while married to Sasha's mother, Linda Miller, heiress of the Miller family. Sasha only found out about the twins two years ago after her mother passed away. Charles then married his first love, Lilly Sanders. He brought her and the twins into the family, taking over the Miller properties and businesses."

Ethan's anger simmered as Peter relayed the information. He didn't fully understand why he cared so much, but something inside him wanted to protect Sasha. Her father sounded like a piece of garbage.

"Sasha is engaged to Hue Conner, the heir to the Conner empire. Their parents are friends who arranged the marriage, but Sasha and Hue are also childhood sweethearts."

"Oh really?" Ethan said, unable to hide his irritation. Peter glanced at him through the rearview mirror, surprised by the tone of jealousy in his voice.

"She's known as the IQ Princess because of her intelligence. She's only 24."

"She's 24?" Ethan thought, realizing he was only three years older.

"The Conner family is the second most powerful in the city, followed by the Brooks, the first black family to become wealthy. The Brooks are third in power now because Charles Brooks took over the Miller empire after Linda's death. There are rumors he married her for that reason and kept his other white lover on the side. Of course, none of these families compare to the Leos."

Ethan felt a pang of sadness for Sasha. He enjoyed his night with her, and flashes of that night kept replaying, making him want her even more. No woman had ever made him feel like that.

As they approached his family's famous house club, he decided he wanted to see her again after handling some business in the club's secret room.

"Call the hotel and tell them I want Sasha Brooks sent to the Bliss Clubhouse by 9 PM tonight," he ordered Peter.

Peter made the call and then turned back to Ethan. "I'm afraid that's not possible, sir. Sasha quit today."

"What? I told her to wait for my call! Alright, we just have to find her," Ethan said, frustration creeping into his voice.

As he finished speaking, his phone rang. The clubhouse manager was calling.

"I'm just a few feet away. Make sure the room is ready," Ethan instructed.

"Sorry, sir, but two men are beating up your brother. I was about to get security, but I remembered you told me to stay out of anything concerning your brother and call you instead," the manager explained as Ethan's car drove into the Bliss Clubhouse.

"Thank you for telling me. I'm at the entrance," Ethan said, hanging up. How dare anyone touch his family? They must have a death wish. "Give me my black gloves."

Peter started to ask why but stopped himself when he saw the fury on Ethan's face and quickly handed over the gloves. Ethan stepped out of the car and walked briskly into the lounge, with Peter and his entourage following closely behind.

Ethan despised being disrespected, but he loathed bullies even more. As he stood there, ready to confront the men who dared to lay a hand on his brother, his mind flashed back to his school days. There was this bully, Frank, who tormented him relentlessly as a kid. The bullying was so severe that his mother had to come to the school herself and report it to the principal. But nothing changed; Frank continued to bully him until his mother died.

After her death, Ethan channeled all his anger and grief into a single purpose. One Monday afternoon, he confronted Frank and challenged him to a fight outside the school premises after class. That day, Ethan unleashed all his pent-up fury and pain, beating Frank until he could no longer stand. From that day forward, Frank avoided him like the plague.

Now, as Ethan stood in front of the men who dared to bully his brother, Jonathan, he was about to show them who the real boss was.

Inside, Jonathan was enduring punch after punch, trying to fight back but overwhelmed. Suddenly, a commanding voice roared, "I want to see who dares!"

The two men stopped and looked toward the source of the voice. Jonathan didn't need to look; he instantly recognized his big brother's voice. Relief and fear mingled within him. He watched through blurry, swollen eyes as Ethan approached, his men forcing the attackers to back away. He had always wondered why his brother's entourage, with their rogue tattoos and imposing presence, looked like they belonged to the Mafia.

"Not his face," Ethan said, inspecting Jonathan's injuries. "He makes money from this face. How dare you!" He roared at the frightened men. "Did you not know he's a superstar? You touched my brother." He laughed angrily and kicked at the chairs close to him, pulling on his black gloves. He punched the tall one in the stomach, causing him to vomit blood.

For the first time, Jonathan felt seen by his brother. This was the first time Ethan had defended him against anyone.

"Why did they hit you?" Ethan asked Jonathan.

"He came at us for talking about you," the shorter man stuttered. "He came at us first."

"So?" Ethan said, grabbing the man's neck and choking him. "He is my brother. You had no business putting your hands on him."

The shorter man began to turn pale as Ethan's grip tightened.

"Let him go! You'll kill him!" Jonathan screamed, horrified, as he watched the man struggle to pry Ethan's hand away. "Let him go!" He repeated, trying to pull Ethan's hand, but his brother's grip was like iron. He looked at Ethan, whose eyes had gone cold, almost black, like he was possessed by a demon. Jonathan had never seen him like this, and it scared him. He really was the living hell king.

"Let him go, please," Jonathan begged, almost sobbing. "You'll kill him." Ethan released his grip only then, and the man collapsed, coughing violently. Ethan signaled his men to take the two attackers away.

"Where are you taking them?" Jonathan asked.

"It's none of your business. Anyone who touches my family will pay for it. Just get yourself to the hospital," Ethan snapped.

"They didn't really harm me, I—" Jonathan began but stopped at his brother's furious expression.

"You're bleeding," Ethan replied coldly. "And don't think I didn't know you tried to set me up with a girl."

The silence that followed was confirmation enough. As Ethan turned to leave, Jonathan grabbed his arm.

"Are you going to kill them?" Jonathan asked. He asked, but the answer was in Ethan's cold stare and the shove he received, leaving him behind. Jonathan already knew the answer. Ethan was going to kill them.