02 - Bound by Word

"Did I hear that right, Mr.—?"

He sighed. "Not here. Let's head to the car."

The mystery man turned and glanced back at me. "And hurry."

My heart pounded at the sound of his voice. He was tall, handsome, and spoke like a dreamy jockey from a drama audiobook. But I couldn't ignore what he had just said—he needed my help to kill Mr. Kannes.

***

While he drove his sleek black luxury sedan, I sat in the front passenger seat, dabbing my thigh with a pack of ice from his car's built-in cooler.

Several hours passed, and I still didn't know who he was. "Who are you? How did you know I was there?"

Silence. He kept his eyes on the road, lined with towering trees on both sides, the headlights cutting through the darkness.

Still, I felt the need to thank him. "Whoever you are, thank you for saving me. I was scared to death—I thought I was gonna die."

I figured he wouldn't answer. But he did. "Don't thank me. You might regret it."

I asked no further.

Several minutes went by. It was too dark to see, but he knew exactly where to pull over. He signaled for me to follow, and we stepped inside an unpainted, blocky house.

We got in, then walked three floors down. It was like a hidden lair or a bomb shelter.

The mystery guy clapped his hands twice, and the lights flickered on. I was amazed at how neat and styled-up it looked inside. But who was he, really? A friend or a fiend?

He took off his coat and tossed the keys onto the table. "Sit down." I quickly obeyed. There was authority in his words.

He sank into the one-seater next to mine, leaning back and crossed his legs, his left limb propped on the armrest, carrying the weight of his entire jaw.

He stared at me, blinking without emotion. "Ask me whatever."

I adjusted myself in my seat. "Who are you?"

"I'm Dante."

"Dante? Dante who?"

"Dante Kannes."

What the heck? He was also a Kannes?! I took a deep breath. "Tell me—why do you want to kill your relative?"

"Half-brother." His serious eyes locked on me as he leaned forward, resting his elbows on his thighs. "Because, Ms. Myers, Rogin killed Lily—my fiancée."

I couldn't hold back my shock. "Oh my God, why?"

He blinked slowly. "It's what he is. That's why I need your help."

"Why do you need someone like me? How could I help you? I'm just a nobody trying to survive in the slums."

Dante smirked slightly, amused. "You really don't know, do you? You have no idea."

Frustration brew inside of me. "What do I not know?"

"Avaliah Myers. Lia for short. Orphaned at three. Grew up in the Myers Orphanage 'til eighteen," he continued without batting an eye, "got booted out by the directress when no one adopted you. Homeless for days until you realized how hard it was to thrive in this urban jungle. Now you're holed up at Howlmark, trying to make your life better."

I shot to my feet, completely shaken by what he knew. "How the hell do you know all this?"

His eyes never left me. "Dad planned everything. Your parents were too powerful, even for him. So he ruined their lives. But he spared you… because Mom took pity on you."

My lungs heaved; I was hyperventilating. I didn't know what feeling would take over me first—rage, hatred, gratitude, fear, or agony. Everything I believed about myself had been a lie.

Dante streched his hand and gave me a drink. "Here. Whiskey. Take it."

Without careful thought, I grabbed the glass and downed it fast. Then the burn hit my throat instantly, making me cough hard. I fell back into my chair, my eyes watering as I gasped for air.

"What the fuck is wrong with your family?" I rasped, still catching my breath. "Why did you fuck up my life? What did I ever do to your dad to deserve this?"

Dante didn't flinch. "He got his karma. Dad's dead. Last month, to be exact." His voice was eerily steady, almost detached until he mentioned her name. "Lily and I..." a hint of sadness flickered in his eyes, he struggled to go on. "They... they shot her."

My eyebrows furrowed. "What? Why?"

I could sense the burning rage in his words even if he was calm. "Rogin wanted to take over—he wanted full control, so he killed our father. Lily exposed him to the cops, but they were on his payroll."

My pulse pounded in my ears. "And now you want me to help you kill Rogin? After everything I've been through because of your family?"

Dante leaned back, his cold stare burrowing into my soul, like I've done something taboo. "Man up to your word, Ms. Myers. We already struck a deal."

I scoffed, "Ugh, unbelievable..."

His gaze darkened. "Don't take your freedom for granted. You don't know what I can do to you."

Hearing the truth was a hard pill to swallow, but Dante gave me many pills that night--it overwhelmed me! My instinct was to escape right away.

Dante sensed it and moved suddenly, too fast for me to react. In an instant, he was in front of me, cuffing my wrists with one hand. His grip was strong and unyielding.

My heart raced, my breathing--faster, as he pinned me against the couch. His weight pressed onto my thin body. I couldn't break free.

"If you don't keep your part of the bargain, I won't keep my part of the bargain," he whispered into my ear in a low voice, sharp but low.

"Let me go," I choked out.

Dante smirked slightly, but there was no humor in it. "You don't get to make demands, Lia. Not with me."

I tried kicking him, but he caught my leg easily, shifting his weight to press me further into the cushions.

"You think I won't hurt you?" His voice was calm, too calm. "Dont be naive. I could fuck you hard then put a bullet through your head after."

He reached for the button of my jeans, and I felt my stomach twist. "I'm so strung out I could wreck a pussy with my fingers just to blow off steam."

"Okay, I get it! I get what you mean." My voice trembled. "Stop—please... please, Dante...I'll behave I promise."

He paused. Just for a second. Then, just as quickly, he pulled away, standing up as if nothing had happened.

I curled myself into a ball, my pulse racing. I was slapped with the bitter truth--I had no choice but to obey Dante.

Dante adjusted his sleeves, his face unreadable. "Good. Now we're on the same page." He turned to the right door at the far corner but stopped when he heard my stomach grumble.

I clutched my middle, still too shaken to move. A tear trickled down on one side of my face.

He sighed as he held onto the knob. "There's food in the kitchen. Help yourself."

And then he was gone, the living room lights dimming in his absence, while I continue to tremble because of what he did to me...

***

"Ms. Myers, wake up."

My eyes pried open. What happened? What time was it? Dante's face was up close—too close. My body recoiled on instinct, fear kicking in.

His eyes beaded. "Good. I like that look. Fear, every damn time you see this face."

Acid burned down my throat. My stomach growled again. I swallowed sour spit.

He stood up. "It's morning. You cried yourself to sleep. Get up. Now."

I sat up straight. "What's the rush?"

Dante pulled out a black hunting crop, keeping it half-hidden behind his forearm.

I blinked. "What? What's that for?"

A spark lit up in his eyes, fire blazing inside him.

"Time to train, Lia. And behave—like you promised."