BECOMING HIS OBSESSION

𝑻𝑯𝑨𝑳𝑰𝑨 𝑷𝑶𝑽

I shoot him in the exact same spot I stabbed him seconds ago.

"Yo yoooou" He stammers, pointing at me as I watch life leave him

"For my parents"

The crack of the suppressed pistol reverberates through the lounge as I watch Carlos's blood pool on the tiled floor. The same way he decorated the walls of my home six years ago.

One last time, my bullet digs a hole on his forehead

"For my brother" his lifeless body splatters blood on my red Louboutin heels-the one I've been saving for this exact moment.

When I finally murder the Don of Viper Lane.

Not yet. But soon.

"Who taught you how to be this good, nena?"

Damien's voice pulls me out of the murderous daydream. Carlos's best friend and right hand questions me.

Instead, I smile at an accomplished mission seated eight feet away: Carlos

His gaze has been on me for twenty minutes now, observing as I dismantle one of his men at chess.

About to be two now.

"Checkmate"

Damien hisses as I kick down his king.

"You're bad for these men's pockets." Vera hands over my winnings.

"It has been a bad play"

Damien teases, gripping my hand with a smile that I return.

I hug the cash to my chest, playing up my victory while others clamor for one more round.

"Please one round Thalia"

"If you find a better player, you know where to find me." I yell to the room, releasing my hair from its bun, letting it fall around my shoulders.

His gaze still burns & I give in to look.

Legs wide apart, back against the cushions of a two-seater sofa, occupying space like he owns it. Cigarette smoke circles him like incense burned around an idol.

The murmurs and shuffling of the lounge fade out. All I feel is venom.

Anger hammers against my ribs. My nails dig crescents into my palms. Pain. Focus. Not yet. Not here. Not like this.

I take three steps toward the exit. Three steps toward fresh air and freedom, until a wall of muscle blocks my path.

Orio. One of Carlos's enforcers-useful for breaking bones and issuing threats when Greg, the primary bodyguard, isn't around. I've cataloged every one of Carlos's men I can identify. Orio ranks bottom for intelligence but top for blind obedience.

"Did I..." I blink thrice and let timidness creep into my voice, "forget something?"

Young and scared-that's what they expect from a young woman facing down a man quadruple her size.

"My boss wants to see you." His voice scrapes like gravel and cigarettes.

I raise my brows at him.

"NOW." He barks, squaring his shoulders.

On paper and to strangers, I look like a regular bratty girl. Tonight, I look the part. I might as well use it.

"If your boss wants to see me," I begin, gripping my purse tighter, feeling the weight of the scissors inside

"he should act like a man and approach me