Page 31

The Evil

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

I feel the warm blood dripping down my thigh and through the fabric of my jeans. Only then do I realize that I’m holding the blade of the pocketknife I had been playing with while watching the entrance to my fiancée’s building, hoping to see her.

Her move to Manhattan wasn't good for me. In Louisiana, it was easier to take care of Serenity, but maybe I went too far with the scorpion.

What can I say? I'm impulsive. I got upset. I don't like changes in plans, and my Serenity Clementine coming to New York definitely went against my wishes.

Old bastard Van Lith ruined everything by handing over the guardianship of the girl to Ares Kostanidis. The Greek doesn't cut her any slack. He placed so many security guards around Serenity that I couldn't even leave my gifts anymore.

Yes, the scorpion was indeed a wrong move. It made the Greek even more protective.

I should have remained discreet, and then, when the time came, I could have approached her and taken her for myself forever.

Instead, I'm forced to watch that bastard Kostanidis parading around with my bride as if she belongs to him.

They've just passed by on their motorcycle, and I'm so angry that if it weren't for the three cars with bodyguards following them, I would run my truck into them and take her away at once, forgetting the plans I made so carefully.

I’m not worried about the Otis boy. I know their relationship was a sham. I even thought about killing him once, but I realized that it would be burning bridges for nothing—an unnecessary risk, since he’s nothing more than a friend to my fiancée.

Of course, once we're married, that will have to change. I will not allow any men near Serenity other than me.

The phone rings, and when I see who it is, I answer reluctantly.

"What the hell are you doing in the lobby of her building? You know you’re supposed to stay in the shadows."

I know he watches me, that he doesn't trust me. If he wasn't who he is, I would have killed him by now.

Keep me in the shadows?

I feel like laughing. No, I think not. I will always be close to her.

"Tell me you had nothing to do with that scorpion thing."

"Of course I didn't. Why would I hurt her? I want her whole."

"But when the time is right, you will have to do what is necessary."

"I know. I will do everything that was agreed at the beginning." I hang up before he says something that makes me lose control. I can't risk the damn idiot suspecting my true plans.

I will let him think that the initial agreement will be fulfilled. What he doesn't realize is that from the moment Serenity returned to New Orleans two years ago, I was no longer part of the team. Now, I'm a solo player and my greatest achievement will be stealing her for myself.