Page 80 of King of Obsession

“Your antics precede you. You are no one here. Don’t forget your place.”

I mumble under my breath, and we remain silent until we reach the building. A guard lets us enter; his hostile gaze fixated on me.

A large staircase goes upstairs, but he opens the first door to his right. It’s a small one-room apartment that has all the amenities but is nothing posh or luxurious. Through the crack,I see the bathroom and I sigh in relief, knowing that soon I can finally wash myself.

“This is where you’ll stay until further notice.”

“Where is the key?”

“Newbies don’t get privileges.”

Great. Now I can’t even sleep without thinking someone might slip inside. If these men believe I wanted to kill their boss, they won’t make it easy for me. Some will definitely try to kill me.

“What exactly will I be doing?”

“You’ll find out tomorrow morning at training.”

He leaves, and I remain alone with my thoughts. I could listen and do my best to adapt, considering my precarious situation. But I’ve followed orders my entire life. I am done.

I won’t stay here and be a damn foot soldier, making it easy for him. No, I will confront him until he admits who I am—his woman, his partner, his equal. I won’t settle for less.

Not liking the lack of privacy, I grab the only chair and prop it against the door handle before I go into the bathroom. Luckily, this door I can lock.

I hastily undress and move to the shower stall. The warm water clears away the grime, blood, and sweat. Scrubbing at my skin until it reddens, the difference between the luxurious life I led and this one is jarring.

Enzo wants to teach me a lesson in humility, so be it. I found out about riches only after Augustus brought me in and I earned my first paycheck. The thought of him angers me to the point I want to kill him with my bare hands. Augustus betrayedme the worst by discarding me like I was nothing. Oh, his time will come.

I hate how apparently everyone knew how replaceable I was despite my abilities.

After I brush my teeth, I notice the tracksuit on the bed, something basic I would have never chosen for myself. It wouldn’t surprise me if it gives me a rash. So, I wash my underwear, my leather pants and black top as well as I can before I leave them to dry.

My lids grow heavy, I can barely keep them open. I am exhausted to my bones. The need to surrender to sleep is overpowering. But if I embrace it, I will dream about him—my dream turned into my biggest nightmare.

Pacing around, I wait to make my escape, slipping back into my clothes once they’re dry. Opening the door, I see only one guard at the front door. Without making a noise, I approach him and swiftly pull the gun from his back pocket before moving to his front.

He startles, ready to attack me when I shake my head.

“I don’t want to kill you. Don’t make me.”

He cusses before yelling, “Lorenzo, alarm.”

The commotion has the guard who brought me in and several others rushing down the stairs. Some more run to us from different sections of the compound.

I am surrounded by ten men who eye each other, not knowing what to do.

“Okay, boys. Have it your way.”

Placing the gun at the back of my pants, I gesture for the first one to come at me.

Deflecting his punch, I drag him down by his shirt, and I pull my knee up, smashing the guard’s nose before he drops to the ground. Another one curses under his breath. I roll over to add a bit of distance to prepare my attack and stand up. Taking on a fighting pose, my legs spread, one arm protecting my face, I’m ready to strike the two that circle me.

The first one throws a fist I avoid by tilting my head to the right. I kick him in the stomach while the second comes to my other side.

I leap, punching him under his ribs. He bends over, cursing and holding his middle.

The slimmer one quickly recovers and while I give as best as I can, they’re not easily tired. I am trained in hand-to-hand combat, but I avoid fighting because of potential bruises. I prefer to be behind my rifle, but I’ll be damned if I allow these men to take me down.

I have another six to go, but one after the other, they will all fall.

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