Isaaq's POV
I gently pulled out of Julie's hug and kissed her cheek.
"Thanks... You drive me nuts sometimes, but I'm really glad you're here."
"Aww, my little baby is all grown up," she teased, wrapping her arms around me again.
"Jesus, woman—get off me, it fucking hurts."
She laughed but let go, grinning like I'd just confessed I loved puppies or some shit.
Theo stepped forward. "So... what exactly happened last night?"
I sighed, rubbing the back of my neck. "I was running around, trying to find you guys... then I got hit in the head, blacked out, and woke up here."
They exchanged a look. One of those wordless conversations that makes you feel like the punchline.
Theo folded his arms. "Seriously? That's your story?"
"Believe what you want."
"So... some righteous Samaritan just found you, patched up the back of your head, and dropped you in the car like an Uber Eats delivery?"
"I guess," I muttered. I wasn't about to go into that whole situation with Detective Pikachu breathing down my neck.
Theo narrowed his eyes. "Then how do you explain the bruises on your face?"
I snapped. "Get off my back, Theo. I said I'm fine."
The air got awkward real quick. Theo clammed up, thankfully. Julie, ever the peacekeeper, took the out.
"Well, clearly you two need a moment," she said. "I'm gonna go grab a drink at the bar."
Theo blinked. "It's eight a.m."
I rolled my eyes and pushed myself up, limping slightly as I made my way to the mirror. The bruises looked worse than they felt. At least I didn't look dead. Small wins.
That's when the door opened and he walked in.
Theo's Father—Timothy V. Malrione.
His presence hit the room like thunder—sharp, commanding. He had this quiet pressure about him, like a god stepping down from Olympus just to ruin your day. His guards flanked him like statues.
"Good morning, Victor. Sleep well?" Julie greeted, sauntering over and hugging him like they were old lovers.
I leaned over to Theo. "Dude. Your dad's name is Victor ? I thought it was Timothy"
Theo muttered, "Yeah... but don't call him that to his face. He hates it."
Victor turned his attention to Julie and gently tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, lifting her chin.
Then he kissed her.
Theo and I looked at each other, jaws unhinged.
Did my aunt seriously seduce the most powerful man in the city in one night?
I didn't know if I should be worried or… so fucking proud.
Theo choked. "Um... Dad. What the hell is going on?"
Victor ignored him. His eyes landed on me.
"You must be Alex's boy," he said.
My spine stiffened. Theo's father hasn't spoken to me in years. "Uh... yes, sir. Good morning. Thank you for having us here."
He gave a curt nod. "Of course. It's the least I could do for a friend of my son's. Honestly didn't think Theo was capable of making one of those."
Theo grunted in irritation.
I gave a weird laugh. "Is that so? Well... he can be a bit much."
Victor smirked. "I trust you'll take care of him."
I smiled awkwardly. Theo looked away, folding his arms like a sulking toddler.
Victor's tone shifted. "Now, about what happened yesterday. I'm sorry you got hurt. It surprised even me. Getting past my guards is... not easy. Let alone starting a gunfight inside my home."
My blood chilled. "So... what are you saying?"
Theo answered. "It was an inside job. One of our guests is working with an enemy."
Julie's voice, still wrapped around Victor's arm: "Any idea who it was?"
Victor shook his head, a hint of admiration in his voice. "They covered their tracks. Impressive, actually. But not a problem."
Theo added, "I think one of our security might've helped them."
Victor laughed, low and amused. "You're not wrong. Come with me."
He turned to Julie. "Darling, would you wait for me in my quarters? I'll be right with you."
Then he kissed her again—longer this time. Her face turned beet red, and Theo and I both made the same disgusted face.
"Okay," Julie whispered. "But don't take too long."
Victor nodded, then signaled his guards. We followed him through the halls, sandwiched between men who looked like they bench-pressed full-grown bears.
As we walked, I couldn't help but feel small. This man, Theo's father, walked like he owned the entire planet—and maybe he did. He was slightly taller than me, broad-shouldered, with a calm intensity that made your spine straighten just from being near him.
Theo, for once, wasn't smiling.
We descended to a dark room at the bottom of the house. As the door shut behind us, lights flickered on. More guards. More guns. More intimidation.
Just how much security did these people have?
Then they brought out a man—bloodied, beaten, barely standing. One of the guards kicked him, and he crumpled to the floor.
Victor crouched down, lifting his chin with one hand.
"Are you ready to talk?"
"I've told you everything, I swear," the man cried.
Victor's eyes were cold. "Who is that?" I whispered to Theo.
He didn't flinch. "A traitor."
Victor slammed the guy's face into the ground, then pulled him up again like it was nothing. "One last chance. Don't piss me off."
The man stuttered. "Please... I—I'm begging—"
Victor sighed. "Alright. Since I like you, I'll give you a choice."
He looked up at us. "Theo, Dimitri, or me?"
Wait—what?!
My eyes flicked to Theo. Was he seriously going to torture this man?
The traitor's face went pale. He shook his head. "Boss, please—I told you everything, I swear!"
"So you admit you betrayed me."
"I didn't mean to! I didn't know—I was tricked—I... I..."
"I've heard enough," Victor said.
He dropped the man's head and looked to one of the guards—young, maybe a couple years older than me. Dimitri.
"Deal with this."
Dimitri dragged the man away. I stood frozen, ears ringing with dread. Then the screams started.
It was the kind of scream that made your stomach twist. Then... silence.
Dimitri returned, hands and face spattered with blood, and nodded.
Victor smiled. "Let that be a warning. The next one of you who crosses me won't get off so easy."
Easy?
My heart dropped. The man was probably dead.
Then, just like that, Victor's face shifted. A light chuckle. "Now—who wants breakfast?"
He looked at Theo and me like we were just a bunch of kids back from summer camp.
I swallowed hard.
"Sure... breakfast sounds... nice."
What the actual fuck is happening?
I got out, still shaken by what I'd just witnessed. Theo walked with his father discussing something, I don't know what it was, while I headed back to the room I was in earlier to shower.
He'd laid out clothes for me. Thoughtful, I guess. I got dressed and was eventually escorted to the dining room like some freaking guest of honor.
Julie was already there, sitting next to Victor—yeah, I'm sticking with that now—and laughing like they'd been married for ten years. Her hand casually rested on his, like it belonged there. The image alone was weird enough to make me lose my appetite.
I was about to take the seat at the far end of the table, when Theo patted the one beside him.
"Sit here," he said. Not a request.
And really, I wasn't in the mood to challenge the wishes of the Malrione heir inside the damn Malrione household.
So, I sat.
Still uneasy.
Dimitri stood directly behind us, arms crossed, cold expression as sharp as his jawline. That guy looked like he wouldn't flinch if the whole room caught fire.
I swallowed hard.
Maybe I should've just let Hayden kill me.