37The first few stirs from her sleep and Ciara was feeling the heavy rays from the sun beating on her face. With a tug, she pulled the duvet up to her chest. Her hair was tousled on her face, and she sleepily ran her fingers through them. Sitting up, she took a glance around the bedroom. Having a few seconds of relapse, she wondered where she was. But then she recalled and let out a mournful sigh.Dread rushed through her nerves as she checked her side. To her relief, he wasn't next to her. And she didn't feel like he had done anything to her last night. It was both relieving and unnerving. He'd boldly admitted that he was gonna make her his plaything. Didn't he mean sex, or was there another hidden meaning to it?The noisy water-flushing sound from the bathroom almost got her jumping off the bed. Just then, she sniffed up the intense scent of his cologne and almost went into a panic.He stepped out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around his waist, and another raking through h
38"Not without my permission?" Ciara repeated. It sounded too good to be true. His boss did rape her and he seemed like he would too when he took the knife from her and viciously stated his intentions to her face.She had expected the worst from him last night. Till this moment, she still couldn't believe that he didn't touch her. "Yeah." Ghost nodded. His lips stretched into an almost smile. "Sounds unbelievable, right?""Yeah. You said you were gonna make me your plaything. You made that clear —""Yeah, I did. But I need your consent for that." He said.Ciara arched her brow. He chuckled briskly, brushing his fingers over her neck. She sucked in a harsh breath at his touch. "Let me rephrase that…you need to beg me to fuck you, for me to do it.""What?" It was funny and ridiculous. She never begged anyone in her life to fuck her. Except Ryder. Why the hell did he think she would? "I'll never do that…""Yes, you will. I'll make sure of that. And it's only at that point that I can t
39Standing on the driveway, Ryder watched the black car pull into the sparse compound of the Packhouse. Dressed in a loose shirt, shorts, and black sneakers, with dark shades over his eyes, he was almost in sync with the other warlords standing next to him. They were dressed just like him but in different colors. The car stopped and they waited patiently for whoever was inside to step out. And he did. Only then did Ryder let go of his taut look and broke into a full-blown smirk. Giveon alighted the car, with a duffel bag in his hand. With a grin, he approached them, hugging Ryder. The other warlords, Fred and Jay, patted his back and they were all in random chortles."Good to have you back, man." Ryder was grinning from ear to ear. He had been so worried. Seeing Giveon had just given him a bit of chill."It's good to be home." Giveon broke off the hug, smiling at the warlords. Jay took his bag away from him, offering to carry it."How did it go?" Fred asked, impatiently. "Did you
40The deafening silence was interrupted by footstrides. Hara and Tiffany had just excitedly joined them on the patio but immediately recognized the cold silence."Giveon. Good to have you back." Hara smiled, giving him a warm pat. Then she stepped over to Ryder and her brows arched. "What's wrong?""Nothing—" He was gonna lie about it, but at the same time, he didn't have enough balls to. With how crazy it sounded, he needed as many calm heads as possible to make sense of it. "Tell me, Ryder. What's wrong?" Hara hugged him, hoping to melt away his resolve. She did. Seconds later, he was clearing his throat. "Giveon has some news for us. Uh—" He looked over to the guys, hoping one of them would bail him out and say the words instead. But they didn't seem like they wanted to. So he continued. "Okay. Uh — he met Jason and Ciara. And, uh — Jason could hear Ciara's thoughts." "What?" Hara was shaken. Just like the others. "What does that mean?""There's just one explanation for that, i
41"Guns, daggers, bullets. Would you be needing anything more?" Don Carianno asked, glancing up at one of his men."No, boss. We're good." The man replied with a bow. "Alright then. Get the others ready. You'll be leaving in ten minutes." Don Carianno waved them off and they left, each man holding a gun.With the room almost empty, Don Carianno puffed on his vape, articulately going over the night's mission tactics with Ghost. He rambled on and only paused when he realized Ghost hadn't said a word since the 'supposed' conversation started."Son?"Ghost was silent. More so, because he didn't hear him. Lost in thought with his legs on a chair next to him, and his head thrown back, he could barely notice whatever was going on around him."Son. Hey!" Don Carianno patted his shoulder, bringing him back to reality. "Fuck. Where the hell have your mind been?""I'm sorry." A bit distorted, Ghost took down his legs, adjusting on his chair. He sighed, rubbing his face. "I'm sorry, uh, what w
42"He's not okay. I could see it in his eyes. Something's wrong." Don Carianno sighed, pulling at his buttons and letting his coat fly. He was suffocated with worries and he didn't need more stress from his clothing adding to it. Ever since the meeting with Ghost ended, he's been fucking moody and worried. How could he not be? The guy had been completely absent in the conversation they had.He looked torn. Distorted. And Lord have mercy it better not be because of that damned girl. "You think it's because of Ciara?" Sergio asked, slumping on the couch. They were home. In one of the Carianno's mansions. "I'm not a hundred percent sure. But it could be. Ghost has always been Ghost. He only became a lesser and crazier version since she showed up. I just hope he heard everything I said about the mission. I'll be fucked up if we lose this shipment.""That's not gonna happen. Ghost might be an ass. But he's never lost on a mission. He's not about to start now." Sergio grabbed the Xbox.
43The laughter in the hallway caused Ghost to slow down on his steps. It was coming from his apartment. Fucking strange, who would be laughing in there, and at this late hour?He put in his combination and the door opened. Slowly, he walked in, hands on his gun, until he got into the sitting room. The laughter increased and he was a bit stunned by the sight.Scar, who was exquisitely dressed in clothing that very much belonged to Ghost, was on the couch, with Ciara. She looked different. But in a good way.Her hair was free and falling to her face and back. She wore a silver night dress which was almost transparent. And her face was glowing. She looked at home. Comfortable. Something she hadn't been with him.Ghost looked around. There were no other men in here. He'd met a few of them downstairs and in the hallway. But that was it. No one else was inside his apartment. Just Scar and Ciara.What the hell did they need the privacy for? The thought came with a ruthless knot in his chest
44"Jason!""Jason!!""Jason!!!"*Ghost woke up with a jerk, almost bolting out of the bed. He was hyperventilating and his whole body was covered in beads of sweat. His hands clenched the sheets, and he shut his eyes at the tremor that rushed through his spine. It took minutes before he could breathe properly.Another nightmare. Another were–wolfish nightmare. Another night of being subjected to the torture of their screams and howls. Another night of seeing a replica of him and being called the weird name, 'Jason.' How much longer does he have to put up with it? How much longer before these nightmares would leave him alone?With a heavy sigh, he got out of bed and went into the bathroom. He had a quick, cold, and long shower. He spent almost an hour there. The cold water was therapeutic and he needed it to wash off the trails of whatever panic he had a while ago. Finally, he came out and got dressed. Ready to head back to the hideout. He didn't wanna return there so soon. But he