The contract

Japer's POV 

Indulging in fun, my mind was clouded with lust and power. My moans cut through the room, accompanied by the painful whimpers of the woman beneath me. Her trembling hands clutching the sheets was nothing more than an object to fuel my desire. Every thrust, every movement, drained her spirit further, and I thrived on it. Her pain only seemed to intensify the rush of power I held over her.

“Please… stop,” she pleaded, her voice barely above a whisper. 

But I didn’t stop. She was a random slut I picked up from the bar last night, —clearly unaware of what she was getting herself into. The others already knew me well enough to understand I’m not one for gentleness when it comes to pleasure. In fact, they craved the roughness.

My hand curled into her hair, yanking her head back forcefully as I pressed my lips to her ear.

“Scream for me,” I gritted out, my tone both icy and elated. Her faint cry filled the room further, but just as I moved to thrust deeper, the door creaked open.

I froze, glancing over my shoulder. Jayden stood in the doorway, his sharp gaze cutting through the thick atmosphere.

“And what the hell do you think you’re doing?” I growled, pulling away abruptly.

The woman collapsed onto the bed, her entire body trembling as she exhaled in relief. Quickly, she scrambled to gather her clothes, avoiding both our eyes as she bolted for the door, desperate to flee.

“You really need to work on your timing, Jayden,” I muttered, slipping on my trousers. My tone was deceptively calm, though my jaw tightened with irritation. “You know how much I hate being disrupted.”

Jayden stepped inside, his movements measured. “You were going to kill her, Jasper.”

“And that’s your concern because…?” I shot back, my glare was sharp enough to cut. I don't give a damn about her.

Jayden held his ground, his voice low and steady. “She wasn’t going to survive that, and you know it.”

I let out a humorless laugh, finishing with my shirt buttons. “Don’t lecture me about survival, Jayden. You work for me, not the other way around.”

I could feel his eyes boring into me, the frustration in his posture. He hated me for it, and I enjoyed that more than I should.

“Sorry, boss,” he said, his voice quiet, but there was something under it—a slight defiance.

“Good.” I crossed the room, grabbing my watch from the bedside table. “Now, what about Felix?”

Jayden snapped to attention, his tone all business. “We’ve located him. He’s hiding out in a local bar on Rosewood Drive.”

My eyes darkened, and a smirk played on my lips. “No one makes an attempt on my life and walks away alive.”

I strode to the door, my movements purposeful. “We will leave in ten minutes. Make sure the men are ready.”

Jayden nodded and left without another word.

At the bar, the atmosphere was a blend of smoky haze and muffled chatter. I walked in, and the room seemed to freeze. Heads turned, conversations quieted. They knew who I was, and I enjoyed it. I soaked in their fear, their awe.

“Is he here?” I asked Jayden, his voice low and dangerous.

Jayden hesitated. “We lost track of him. He must’ve slipped out before we arrived.”

I could feel my anger bubbling. “You’re getting sloppy, Jayden. You’ve been slipping up too often lately.”

“I’ll find him,” Jayden assured me, signaling to the others. His men immediately dispersed, combing through the bar and surrounding streets.

As I sank into a booth, my eyes fell on her. She was slumped over the bar, flushed cheeks, tousled hair. She wasn’t anything special, but there was something about her. I could see it—vulnerable, yet striking. I couldn’t look away.

She turned toward me, her eyes hazy with drunkenness. “Are you even human?” she slurred, stumbling toward me.

Before I could speak, she collapsed against my shoulder. I froze. What the hell was she doing?

I didn’t know why, but something in me softened—just for a second. It made no sense.

With a finger, I pushed her head off me, the motion sending her face onto the table with a soft thud. It was almost like she was still there, her presence lingering in the air. She wasn’t the type I usually went for. Hell, I barely even cared about anyone. But she... she felt different. I wish I could fuck her right here. The thought tugged at me, but I forced myself to look away.

Jayden walked in, breaking the moment. "We found Felix," he announced.

"Good," I muttered, turning to walk out but then halting. I turned back sharply. "Bring her," I said, my gaze flicking towards her. 

Jayden blinked, clearly caught off guard. "Huhh! Jasper, you can't just pick up strangers."

"Relax, Jayden," I replied with a nonchalant shrug. "I'm not fucking her. She's drunk and might get molested if I leave her here."

Jayden stared at me, clearly baffled. His gaze asked "Since when did you care about others?" But he kept his mouth shut. I didn’t give a damn. I didn’t care about her, not really. But I couldn’t leave her here.

We left the bar and made our way home. Inside, the air was thick with tension. Felix, strapped to a metal chair, thrashed violently, shrieking for mercy, but I didn't care about him. Not now. 

My voice cut through the chaos, cold and deliberate. "How dare you try to murder me, Felix?" I groaned, stepping closer to him. Felix was trembling with fear. "I know someone must have sent you. Who?"

Felix was silent, his only response was a shaky, desperate shake of his head.

I gritted my teeth. "Well, you don't have to say anything. No excuse will save you." My hand shot out, gripping Felix’s neck, and before he could react, I shoved his head into a large drum of water.

Felix gasped, his body jerking violently as he fought for air, but I kept him submerged, watching as Felix's eyes twitched, the desperation evident. I pulled him back out only for the cycle to begin again. By now, Felix was barely conscious, his breath ragged as he slumped in the chair.

I picked up a knife from the table, inspecting it with a sick smirk on my face. I could almost feel Felix’s weak pulse through my fingertips as I slid the blade toward him.

"You attempted to kill me," I growled, shoving Felix’s hand onto the table. With a swift, vicious motion, the knife bit into Felix’s thumb, the agonized scream echoing off the walls.

"Jas...per," Felix gasped through the pain, his voice breaking. "Please. It...was a man. I don't know him. I swear."

I chuckled darkly, my eyes gleaming with cruelty. "Who's the person? I leaned in close, my voice dripping with disdain. "Who?" He growled.

Felix sluttered. "Mr Blake. I hear the other men call him that."

My world stopped. I blinked, my hand trembling as the blade faltered in midair.

My father.

It couldn’t be.

I stared at Jayden, feeling my insides twist. My mind was racing, trying to process what Felix had just said.

“Jasper?” Jayden said, his voice uncertain.

“My father,” I whispered, my breath catching. “It’s him. If any Mr. Blake would want me dead, then he is the one."

“But… I thought he died?” Jayden asked, his voice laced with disbelief.

“I don’t know…” I muttered, my thoughts spinning. “The police collected his body.”

The silence in the room felt deafening.

I turned and walked out, my mind in chaos.

Later, in my room, I poured a glass of alcohol, taking a slow sip, my mind clouded with the ghosts of the past. I pulled out a photo of my mother from my drawer, her face staring back at me like she was just right there. The woman had died because of me—after two prison stints, my mother had succumbed to a heart attack. The nightmares still haunt me. And my father… was he alive? Or had I been wrong all this time?

When I heard the footsteps outside my door, I didn’t move. Mia was trying to leave. She said something about repaying me. I blinked in surprise, my brows furrowing. Pay me back? I never said anything about wanting a reward. She was a distraction—nothing more. Yet, something about her lingered.

She bolted out of the room, and I stood by the balcony, watching her flee. I couldn’t understand why her presence felt... soothing. But I didn’t have time for it.

“Get every bit of information on her,” I muttered to Jayden. “I find her... intriguing.”

An hour later, Jayden entered, his face unreadable.

“I found her,” he said.

I didn’t waste time. “Let’s go.”