Chapter 7 Seven

Julian.

I couldn't stop staring at the messages between me and Ivy, my heart pounding in my chest, my entire body fraught with tension. I couldn't believe she could be so brazen, playing her cards like that. And the worst part is, I liked it.

The sultry pictures she had sent had my hands twitching and my mind angry, yet my body raged with desire and I was almost tempted to jerk off to them.

Control yourself, Julian, I scolded myself, gritting my teeth. She's your best friend's daughter.

But he's dead, another voice whispered, persuasive. Still, I shouldn't be having thoughts like this about her. I should be protecting her, not trying to sleep with her. I'm stronger than this.

Am I?

A knock came on the door, and I turned toward it. Turning off my phone, I schooled my features and told the person behind the door to come in. The door opened, and Clarissa peeked her head in first.

"Hey..." she called out cautiously, a hesitant smile on her face. The tension seizing my body immediately eased when I saw it wasn't Ivy. She walked in fully, and I saw she was dressed in a flimsy nightdress that left little to the imagination, hugging whatever curves she might have left. I almost frowned, feeling repulsed.

Since this little skirmish with Ivy had begun, any little attraction I had felt for Clarissa had vanished into thin air. It didn't help that in the past, she used to be all over Edward, Ivy's father, so I barely felt any pull. To me, she was just a close acquaintance, someone I knew. Her daughter, however...

Snap out of it, Julian!

"Why aren't you asleep yet?" I asked as she walked toward me, her gaze darting around the bedroom. She glanced at me, a slight flush staining her cheeks as she wrapped her hands around herself.

"Oh, I couldn't sleep, so I came to see you. Seems like you aren't either." She muttered, delivering a sultry smile. I pressed my lips together, keeping my distaste under cover. Taking a step back, I slipped a hand into my pocket. She kept moving closer until just inches separated us. Tilting her head to the side, she continued in a lower, more seductive tone.

"I was hoping you could keep me company tonight."

Her fingers reached to stroke my chest, but I tensed, shifting in discomfort. "Thanks for the offer, but no. You see, I have some work to do. It's rather important and has been piling up for some time." I said, keeping my tone even and respectful.

A slight frown appeared on her face at my words, and she straightened. "Still with that monk attitude, Julian?" she muttered sarcastically.

I let out a scoff, a corner of my lips curling into something that wasn't a smile. If only she knew the things that got me hard.

She tried again, pressing her entire palm on my chest and toying with the buttons. "You know I can make you feel good, right?" she murmured in a seductive whisper.

"I have no doubt that you can," I said, pulling her hands away from my chest. "I'm just not in the mood right now."

Clarissa was visibly disappointed as she let her hands fall to her sides. I hated myself a bit for causing such a reaction from her but immediately made it up by discussing other things instead. After a while, she announced she would like to go back to her room. I ushered her out, locked the door behind her, and rested my head on it. Letting out a sigh, I brought out my phone and unlocked it.

Ivy's pictures popped up again. And then I stared.

Longer than I should have.

Groaning, I closed my eyes.

By God's bones, I am fucked.

.

.

.

Morning arrived, and I tried to pretend like nothing had happened, even if I didn't get any sleep. Clarissa had joined me at the dining table for breakfast, and we were mid-conversation when Ivy sauntered in, wearing a short sundress, her hair hanging loose over her shoulders, and her face beat to perfection. She looked absolutely gorgeous with the bright smile she gave to everyone before settling into her seat.

"Good morning, everyone!" she called out cheerfully, pouring herself a cup of tea. I mumbled a response, but when I glanced at her mother, she had a disdainful look on her face. Ivy ignored it as usual, waiting for the maid to serve her breakfast, and immediately dug in.

I went back to my food, my mind still replaying the conversations I had with her. For some damned reason, the image of Ivy in that damn lingerie wouldn't leave my mind, no matter how hard I tried to shut it down. Needing a distraction, I glanced at her when the silence became too heavy.

"Are you going job hunting again today?" I asked, and she glanced at me, licking the syrup off her fork.

"No, not really. I think I'll continue my job hunt online," she answered as she dove into her sausage.

"Okay..." I murmured. Just then, my phone dinged, and I looked at it. It was a cryptic message from one of my informants.

"We've found the base," it read, and I tensed, my eyes narrowing.

"Is everything alright?" Clarissa's voice broke through, and I glanced at her.

"Yes. I have to go now," I said, rising to my feet and grabbing my phone and keys. Walking toward Clarissa, I kissed her forehead. "I'll see you later."

She beamed at me, but I was already exchanging looks with Ivy, who wore an expression of pure disgust. Straightening to my full height, I turned around and left the house.

In my car, I called my informant, placing my earpods in my ears. "Give me details. What exactly did you find?" I asked, driving across streets as I made my way to the highway.

"Well, I found our target's base here in Vegas. He owns a large warehouse, and he uses it as a base to store and transport hard drugs and illegal ammunition."

My hands tightened on the wheel as I clenched my teeth in rage.

"From the information I've gathered, he may be present in the area today."

"Okay. Give me the directions and have my men meet me there," I ordered, my voice like steel.

"Yes, sir," he answered, then ended the call. I brought my attention back to the road as I rolled onto the highway, pressing on the gas. Finally, the day of reckoning is here. After twenty years of hunting him down, I finally get to finish this once and for all. I began to drum my fingers impatiently on the steering wheel, anger and anticipation filling my system.

Luther sent me the details, and I immediately followed them, arriving at the warehouse-only to find it completely empty. Stunned, I rolled my car to a stop, looking around me. Did I miss my way? I crosschecked with the map. This was indeed the place. Why was there no one here? No cargo? Nothing?

My men arrived in their Range Rovers a while later, and I stepped out of the car. All armed and suited up, their faces mirrored the exact same shock I was feeling. I walked around for a bit, noticing the truck tracks littering the ground. I lowered myself, touching them. Still fresh.

They had just left. Suddenly. Did they know we were coming?

I directed the men to look around, cocked my gun, and walked into the warehouse, searching the space myself. A good number returned. They hadn't found anything or anyone.

"There's nothing here, boss," one said, his voice tinged with disappointment. This stupid game of cat and mouse all over again.

I kept looking anyway, eventually breaking into the control room in the warehouse. There, I found monitors left behind-though all except one had been smashed in and destroyed.

My heart pounding, I stealthily made my way into the room, looking around for any cameras. I raised my gun, a finger pressed against the trigger, poised for attack. Holding my breath, I flinched when the lone monitor began to flicker, turning on. Goosebumps rose on my skin, my blood growing cold.

A sentence appeared on its flickering screen: "The head you're looking for doesn't have a face. Valkaryon is everywhere."

Then, just as instantly, it flickered off-and beeping sounds filled the space, growing faster by the second.

"Boss, get down!" someone screamed behind me, and I ducked just as the monitor exploded, self-destructing, fragments flying everywhere, the smell of burning appliances assaulting my nose. My heart thundered, my ears ringing. I looked on, shocked.

What the-!?