KAIDEN’S POV

I run my fingers through my hair as the doctors attend to Leonardo Rocco. I know it is best to have them treat him at home to prevent another attack. However, It feels odd that my self-centered brother will do that for anyone. I could always tell that he had a crush on one of their daughters, but never did I think it was Maeve. Now that I know, I feel a little guilty, maybe if I had never given in to Maeve’s mother’s request.

I grunt and scatter my hair some more. It's funny how I had fallen for that older woman’s tricks. I can still hear her words ringing loudly in my head.

“Promise me you will take care of her after I am gone. Maeve can be stubborn, but she needs you now more than ever. I can't explain further, Kaiden. But she is the last piece of the puzzle. The Raven’s Puzzle. You need to promise me that you will protect her. A dying Mother pleads.”

That had been the last I heard of her because, on my way to their house, the accident happened. Somehow, I never got to ask her how she knew about Raven. The missing children. The orphanage I happened to be funding years ago.

Did Maeve ever know that her Mother was battling with stage four stomach cancer and was bound to die at one point? I wonder, but I still don’t understand why I must protect her, not when she seems so strong and unmoved by things.

At her family’s burial, Maeve didn't shed a tear, and I have to admit that it scared me. A woman who isn't afraid of death. It feels exciting to see something new and different finally. My eyes had been on her for a long because somehow, my curious part was desperate to know the chess game I was in. When she started her little game of trying to get me to notice her, it felt so satisfying, and for the first time, I smiled. At that moment, I knew I had to keep her.

But what I don’t understand is why she had to ask me to marry her. Did she know too? Of the impending danger? The men out to kill her?

My men brought down a few while some escaped, but none disclosed their heads. It was a matter of their life or their loyalty to the end, and that sure impressed me.

For the first time, I am confused. Who could it be this time? Is it Idris? Or is it someone else?

“It’s you!” Her voice snaps me from my thoughts, and I look at her swollen face. I can tell that she has been crying all day. Her nose is red, and her lips are swollen. It has bruises, too. “You monster. Why did you have to hurt him? I know you don’t like Rocco, but this? I hate you.” I can tell that she is holding back her tears.

I want to tell her that I didn't do it, but I don’t. Somehow, seeing her in pain makes my heart ache. She hits me in the shoulder again and again as though trying to relieve herself.

“Pray he survives it, or else I will kill you myself.” She threatens and storms away. Somehow seeing her that angry makes my cock nod. The fierceness excites me. It makes me wonder how far she can take it in bed.

Maybe I am going to enjoy my little bossy wife for a while.

Pushing the thoughts aside, I dial Paolo’s number. “Any news?”

“We tracked him, boss. He is here.” He informs, and I twitch my lips.

“Keep an eye on my wife,” I say and end the call. In a matter of seconds, I am already driving to the torture house. My anger continues to build with each second. Her teary face flashes through my mind, and I grunt in anger.

The first thing I do is send the traitor flying over with a blow the second I see him. Gabriel, he is one of my men.

“Who put you up to this?” I say with bitterness and rage. Who can be rich enough to buy one of mine over?

“I’m sorry, boss.” That is all he keeps saying.

“You better start talking, Gabriel, or I will make your last moment pain-filled.” I threaten and clench my jaw.

“Either way, I die.” He chokes out. His face is bruised now by my men. His fingernails pulled off one after another. His piercing smile does nothing to ease my rage. “You will never find him, K.” He says and laughs loudly.

I am blinded by rage. All I can see is red, and the next I know, his head is hanging freely off his neck, and my face is drenched with blood. I wipe off my red vision and put his head in a bag.

“Dispose of him,” I order and leave the warehouse. My body is on edge because I know I can’t trust anyone. The enemy can be anyone.

The drive home was painless because I was eager to get here fast. I know she can be in danger now, and Rocco can’t save her. But when I enter, I find her sitting beside him on the bed, holding his hand. I clench my teeth. Something like jealousy seeps in because somehow I wish I was lying on that bed. Maybe one day, she will look at me with the same eyes.

“What do you want?” She says the second she sees me. She hates me, and I don’t blame her. She has probably heard a lot of rumors about me. Some are true, and some are untrue, but I lack the patience to explain myself to her.

I toss the bag in front of her. “Open it. I hope it calms you down.” I say and watch her hesitate for a while before doing so.

Her face goes pale, and she screams aloud before her hand covers her mouth and the head rolls off. She is breathing shakingly.

“That is the guy who shot at you. Like I said, Maeve, no one touches what is mine.” I remind her and walk away.

Deep down, I hope it serves as a reminder to her that Rocco isn’t excluded.