Chapter 33: The Devil’s Desire [2] There was a flash of surprise in her eyes, like she didn’t expect me to say that. "Would you tell me?" she asked quietly. I might. If she can handle that part of my world, but she can’t. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢 I must have taken too long to reply because she rolled her eyes and stepped out of the car. "Enjoy yourself!" She shut the door and hurried into the building. She’s testing me... again. My grip tightened on the steering wheel instead, and I drove out at speed, trying to disregard the impulse to turn this car back around. I went past the speed limit I used earlier, flashing through the streets and passing cars like they were toys. I rotated the wheels and cut through the next street, where a lonely road lay ahead with the river in sight. Her perfume. It still clung to my car, and it became far too maddening. I pushed down on the paddle and flew through, gearing up more momentum. After what seemed like a few minutes, I arrived at the place, the car engine roaring. I stayed, absorbing her scent. It’s still the same, and it still has that effect on me. The skies were darkened and lightning flickered through, and suddenly there was a downpour. Midnight’s weather was always a mess. I pressed open the console to take out a leather case and drew out a slim Cuban cigar. I held it between my teeth and lifted the door open. I stepped out with one leg before I pushed the rest of my body out. An umbrella was already shielding me from the rain, and a sea of men stood waiting. One of them held out a silver Zippo, the metal clicking sharply before a spark of flame lit at the end of my cigar. I took a slow drag, walking, and they followed. The only source of light inside the warehouse was the occasional flickering of lightning, and the bulb above a seated figure tied up to a chair with a bag over his head. I let smoke curl from my lips and nose when I nudged my head. The black bag was taken off. "Please, please!" He begged with tears streaming down his face and snot bubbling his nose, his eyes were drowned in fright as he looked around the space, but he couldn’t see our faces. "I-I’ll give you what you want, I promise, I’ll pay, anything, please!" His eyes lit up. "I-I know the Fishers’, I-I know Piper Fisher and their family, you can call them now!" When he saw that he didn’t get the response he needed, he switched to another that made the muscle beneath my jaw bulge. "I know Catherine Lane! She works for Ares King; she has connections with him, you can get to her and take money! Please!" "Money..." I said. "This is not a kidnapping, Mr. Stone, nor is a ransom needed." He froze when he heard my voice, looking at the mask of smoke around me. "W-Who are you?" This was always my favorite part. "The Devil." Fear and confusion blossomed in his eyes. "Do you know why you’re here, Mr. Stone?" I snapped my finger for a seat, and I was given one. I positioned it and sat, crossing my legs, his eyes dropping to my shiny shoes. "Well?" He gulped before he shook his head. A punch came flying at his face, and blood splashed to the floor. He heaved and coughed, crying again. "Is your brain refreshed?" He sobbed, and his mouth moved, but it seemed too painful to speak; he did anyway. "I-I-I really don’t know, all I know is that I was chased by men." My silence made him continue. "I-I think b-because I found out what happened to Mr. Voss and—" "Those were my men." His eyes lifted, and he shuddered as realization became his gaze. I uncrossed my leg and leaned away from the chair, arms resting on my thigh, my face catching the light. "You’re not really bright, are you?" His bottom lip trembled. "Who else would send men after you? Who else would give a fuck about Daniel Stone?" "W-Why are you doing this?" he asked quietly. "I-I’ve done nothing to you. I know about Mr. Voss, but I didn’t tell anyone, I swear!" "I applaud men who can keep their mouths shut." He smiled in relief, but it faded too quickly at my next words. "But that’s not the reason why I had you hunted. Can you guess?" He got confused, shaking his head, and another blow collided with his face. He tried to breathe before he fainted. Water was thrown on his face to bring him back. He coughed harshly. "I-I don’t know... please, please!" "You know me, but I know you more, Daniel Stone, for a very long time." "B-Because of Catherine?" Hearing her name from his lips made me frown. I’d have taken his tongue, but he still needed it. "I-It’s because of her, isn’t it? Because you fucked my girlfriend! I-I knew she was always going behind my back! There was no way she could have lasted those three years working for you without getting it!" I didn’t react. However, I thought of ways to dissect and discard the parts where he would never be found. My stillness and cold-blooded expression made him shrivel back in his seat, regret flushing his trembling gaze. "What am I gonna do with you?" I wondered. "Memento Mori. But even death is a mercy." "P-Please..." He went back to begging. "I-I know I shouldn’t have hurt her. I made a mistake, I-I-I—" He stilled his rants when I placed a finger on my lips. He swallowed back whatever pathetic pleas. "Don’t be afraid, Daniel," I cooed. "Your blood on my hands is considered filth to me. I won’t dirty them." Pure fear flickered in his eyes, and it was... invigorating. "W-What are you gonna do to me?" he asked quietly, shaking. My lips stretched in a wide smile.