You are insane

AITHAN

I should have known that bastard was bad luck. Everywhere he showed up, something must happen. Just like it did earlier today when I was almost shot. Now it was the warehouse being set on fire. I didn't need to investigate to know he had a hand in it. The shipment that should have entered tonight was supposed to be theirs before my father secured it. Luckily, I asked my dad to change the warehouse where we intended to load it. Otherwise, everything would have gone up in flames like they wanted. 

“I should have known those damned bastards would attack!” Father yelled as he kicked down the table. The large mahogany table creaked under the impact, its legs scraping against the floor before crashing to the ground. The sound reverberated through the room like a crack of thunder.

I stood by the door, with my arms folded, watching him. Having stayed with him for a long time, I knew letting him vent his anger was the best thing to do. 

Father's face turned beet red, veins bulging like raging rivers beneath his skin. His eyes blazed with fury, burning brighter with every passing moment.

“Those scoundrels think they can destroy our business?” he thundered, his voice shaking the room. “They are damned wrong about that!”

He paced back and forth, his heavy footsteps echoing off the walls. His hands clenched into fists, knuckles white with tension.

“The audacity! The unmitigated gall!” he roared, slamming his fist onto the nearest surface. “How dare they!” Father bellowed. “Get me the security footage,” he barked at me. “Now.”

“There's no footage.” Sighing, I drew away from the door.  “We are lucky enough we didn't keep the goods in the warehouse.”

“Exactly my thoughts!” He stopped pacing to face me, his face still beat red. “You know what this is, don't you? This is war. They provoked us first. It's only fitting we reciprocate, don't you think?”

“Perfect.”

.....

I stayed back home until the next day before I left. I had already decided on what to do. Having thought about it all night, I knew confronting Alex was the only way to go, to know why they would raze our warehouse a few hours after calling the 'fake truce' with us. It showed they never took us seriously. 

I didn't go to his house, though. Having known a little about him because of the many times we had clashed in the past, I knew where he would be. 

I drove straight to the snooker house, with my blood boiling in rage. As the paparazzi had dispersed after the mock truce the family called, I didn't need to worry about anyone tailing my movements. I parked my car in the only space I found and stormed over to the house. Oddly enough, the guards by the door only had a look at me before they made way for me to pass. 

I paused at that, my guts telling me I was probably walking into a trap. I pushed aside my doubts and entered the snooker's house. Even though I was just one man, I knew I could fight my way out of this. Not only that, but the weight of the gun on me reminded me of what to do should push come to shove. 

The moment I strode in, the familiar click of pool balls and murmur of conversation filled the air. Five of his men were conversing but I skidded over them, scanning the room until my eyes locked onto Alex's figure.

He leaned against the bar, sipping a drink. A sly smile spread across his face as he caught my gaze.

“Aithan,” he drawled, his voice dripping with amusement. He looked like he was expecting me. "I wasn't expecting you. What brought you to my humble abode?" 

Seeing how relaxed he was, pissed me. I didn't like how handsome he looked, while I was the opposite. Having had a restless night, I knew I looked like trash, nothing compared to the effortlessly flawless bastard.

I strode toward him, my fists clenched. “You know why I'm here, you fucking bastard!” I growled before my fist connected with his jaw. 

Alex's head snapped back, but he didn't react. Instead, he smiled, his eyes glinting like polished onyx in the dim light.

“My wife's angry,” he said, his voice dripping with amusement, the sound sending my rage soaring.

“Who the hell are you calling your damned wife?!” I pinched him hard on the jaw, sending him doubling over in pain. Anger brewed within me at his nonchalant talk. 

The men around us moved to intervene, their faces tense with concern. But Alex raised a hand, straightening his stance. “Pardon me, gentlemen,” he said, his voice calm and authoritative. “My wife and I need a minute.”

The men hesitated, then backed away, leaving us alone in the room. The moment the door clicked shut, he focused on me, his lips lifting in a knowing smirk. 

“Come now, Aithan,” he taunted. “Show me what you're made of.” He spread his arms inviting me to take a swing. 

My anger boiled over as I punched him again. And again. Each blow landed with precision, the crunch of knuckles on bone echoing through the room.

Alex's smile never wavered. His eyes sparkled with a maddening intensity and I  could tell he was mocking me. 

“Harder,” he whispered. “Is this all you've got?” He taunted.

"Fucking shut up, you damned bastard!" I snarled, my rage consuming me as I kicked him, my foot connecting with his belly.

He doubled over, gasping. Even so, he didn't fight back.

Suddenly, his face contorted as a groan escaped his lips. He clutched on his stomach, his face looking pale. 

I froze, my fist poised for another strike as his eyes locked onto mine.

“Wife,” he muttered. Something in his gaze stayed in my hand. For a moment, our eyes held. Then Alex's lids fluttered closed and His body sagged.

Instinctively, I caught him, holding him upright without realizing what I did. 

“Thank you, wife,” he whispered, as his eyes flickered open. 

His voice sent shivers down my spine, making me frown at the unexpected emotions. 

“You're insane,” I spat, pushing him away from me. 

Alex smiled, sitting up on the floor. “Perhaps,” he said. “But you're still mine.”

“In your fucking dreams!” I took a step away from him, glaring down at the bastard. 

“Haven't I told you what I will do to you in my dreams?” Groaning, he got up from the floor. “It's a pity you won't know because we don't share the same dream. However, we can —”

“You call a truce and then razed our warehouse?” I snarled, my eyes narrowed at him. Having realized he would only end up provoking me more, I stated my reasons for seeking him out. 

Alex raised an eyebrow. “Who told you I did that?” he asked. “Because you saw me in the place before the warehouse went up in flames?” He scoffed. 

“Don't play dumb. I know it was you.”

He shrugged. “Prove it then. Aside from seeing me there, how can you tell I was the one?”

My anger boiled over as I took a step towards him, only to pause when I realized he was wounded. As much as I would have loved to put a hole in his damned head, I knew I wouldn't be able to leave this place unscathed should I do that. 

Alex's expression turned serious." Listen, Aithan. They're after you."

“Who?” I demanded.

“Those who tried to hurt you earlier?" 

“Huh? What do you mean?”

Alex leaned in. “I have intel on someone who's been at odds with your family.”

He walked over to the place where he kept his drink and got a folder which he handed to me.

“Check it out. You will see I wasn't the one who set the warehouse on fire. I was in the wrong place at the right time. Those who tried to hurt you before were the ones who set the warehouse on fire. It had nothing to do with me. Trust me.”

My eyes narrowed at that. “And why should I trust you?”