Disclaimer : Some scenes may not be suitable for all audience. (Gore)

Her

As I settled back into my seat, my heart pounded in my chest, the rhythm of it still echoing the beat of the music we had just danced to. I watched as Dante stepped away to take a phone call, his expression serious, his voice low. I tried to calm myself, but my mind was racing, replaying the last few minutes over and over.

We had almost kissed. I had almost kissed Dante Marchetti.

I could still feel the warmth of his breath against my skin, the way his hand had rested on the small of my back, pulling me closer as we moved together on the dance floor. It was so close, so intense, that I felt like I was standing on the edge of a cliff, about to dive into something I wasn't sure I could handle.

What was I doing? This was Dante-Bhaiya's best friend, the man who was supposed to be off-limits. I should regret it, I should want to take it all back, pretend like nothing had happened. But I didn't. I couldn't. Because for all the reasons I had to pull away, there was one overwhelming reason not to: it had felt right. So fucking right that I didn't even want it to end.

I let out a shaky breath, running a hand through my hair, trying to make sense of the turmoil inside me. What was supposed to be a friendly night with Dante had taken a turn I hadn't expected, hadn't even considered. Yet here I was, my heart still racing, my thoughts still caught up in the way he had looked at me, the way we had moved together as if the world around us didn't exist.

So much for keeping things simple.

Before I could dive any deeper into my thoughts, Dante returned, his expression a little less composed than usual. "We need to cut this, uh, night short, Petardo. It's an emergency."

I quickly stood up, concern flickering in my chest. "Everything okay?" I asked, trying to read his face.

He gave me a brief, reassuring smile. "Yeah, just work. Come, I'll drop you home."

Him

"We have an update. You might have to come and see," the voice on the other end of the line said.

I cursed under my breath, frustration bubbling up as I glanced over at Tara. She was bathed in the soft glow of the moonlight, her cheeks still flushed from our dance. She looked stunning, a vision of warmth and light, and all I wanted was to continue this evening, to indulge in whatever this was between us.

But duty called, and this was something I couldn't ignore, no matter how much I wanted to. I walked over to her, pushing down the irritation gnawing at me. "We need to cut this, uh, night short, Petardo. It's an emergency." I told her, trying my best to keep my voice even, but failing. The disappointment in her eyes mirrored my own, but there was nothing I could do. Not tonight.

The drive back to her house was quiet, the kind of silence that weighed heavily in the air, thick with unsaid words and unresolved feelings. I reached over and turned on the radio, hoping to break the tension, but as if the universe was mocking me, every station was playing romantic songs.

I tried changing the stations, flicking through one after another, but it seemed like every single one was in a romantic mood tonight. It was absurd, almost comical, and I could hear her holding back her giggles beside me. Finally, I gave up and switched off the radio, the silence returning, but this time, there was a trace of humor between us, softening the edges of the night.

When we reached her house, she hesitated for a moment before reluctantly getting out of the car. She turned back to me, a playful glint in her eyes. "Goodnight, Mr. Grump," she teased, a small smile tugging at her lips.

I watched as she walked towards the house, her figure growing smaller with each step. There was a part of me that wanted to call her back, to finish what we had started, but I knew better. This wasn't the time. Not yet.

As her door closed behind her, my mood shifted. The warmth of the evening faded, replaced by the cold reality of what awaited me. I needed to focus, to push aside whatever had happened tonight, and handle the situation at the warehouse. There was no room for distractions-not when so much was at stake.

With a final glance at her house, I turned the car around and headed towards the warehouse, my mind already shifting into work mode.

As soon as I stepped into the warehouse, the smell of blood and sweat hit me. It was a familiar scent, one that stirred memories I would rather keep buried.

As I entered the main room, my eyes scanned the space, taking in the scene before me. Brian and Natty stood around a table, their faces focused on the figure bound to it. The man was bloody and battered, his clothes torn, his eyes sunken. He looked like he had been here for hours.

I approached the table, my steps echoing off the walls. The man on the table looked up, his eyes meeting mine. For a moment, we stared at each other, and I could see the fear in them.

"Dante," Brian started, "We've been unable to get any information out of him."

I nodded, my gaze still fixed on the man before me. I could see the pain in his eyes, the desperation. It was a look I knew all too well.

One that I had seen in the mirror far too many times.

I reached out, grabbing his jaw in my hand. I could feel the fear radiating from him, and it fueled me.

"We'll start with something simple," I said, my voice cold, detached. "Where are they?"

I knew he wouldn't answer. He was loyal, or at least, he thought he was. But he was weak, and I would exploit that.

His eyes darted away, refusing to meet mine. "I don't know what you're talking about," he stammered.

I leaned closer, my grip on his jaw tightening. "Don't lie to me. I know you work for them."

He whimpered, the sound pathetic. "I won't tell you anything."

I chuckled, the sound low and menacing. "Oh, you will."

He struggled against his bonds, his eyes darting around the room. I knew he was looking for an escape, but it wasn't coming.

I reached for the knife on the table, the blade glinting in the dim light of the room. I could feel his fear escalate, his body trembling beneath mine.

"Please," he whispered, his voice cracking.

I placed the blade against his cheek, the metal cold against his skin. "You're going to tell me what I want to know," I said, my voice firm. "And you're going to do it now."

He nodded, his eyes wide. "Okay, okay. I'll tell you."

I smiled, the feeling of triumph coursing through me. I knew it wouldn't take much to break him.

"What do you want to know?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Where are they?" I repeated, my voice colder now.

He hesitated, his eyes darting away. "I don't know," he lied again, the words coming out too quickly.

I sighed, my patience wearing thin. I leaned closer, pressing the blade harder against his cheek.

"Try again," I said, my voice firm.

"I don't know, I swear" he repeated.

I sighed again, my frustration growing. "Very well," I said, the words coming out coldly. "If you're not going to cooperate, you're of no use to me."

The man's eyes widened, and he struggled against his bonds. "No, wait," he begged.

But it was too late. With a swift motion, I stabbed the blade into his skin, the blood pooling beneath it. He screamed, the sound echoing through the room, and I could feel Brian and Natty flinch around me. But I didn't care. This was what he deserved.

I leaned closer, my face inches from his. "You should have cooperated," I whispered, my voice cold.

His eyes met mine, the fear in them clear. "Please," he begged.

I straightened up, turning to them. "Let's get rid of him," I said, my voice cold, detached.

***********

Well what do you think ? So I'll return to my original schedule of posting every Tuesday and Saturday. I will post the next chapter on Saturday again.

Do vote and comment on my story, how you felt about the story, I love reading your comments.

Till then,

~Peace ✌🏻