Chapter Five:

  Ever since I saw him in the coffee shop, I knew he intrigued me. The fact that Dennis walked him in irked me at first, but as soon as I noticed the lack of shoes on his feet, and his frightened look, I knew I needed him.

  Chipless Surfers are far rarer than the highest carat of diamond, and this one was rather handsome, too. You can't blame my excitement, especially when that Dennis left his side.

  I sat back with my latte and examined him for a while before walking over. Another good indicator was the fact that he was reading a newspaper some elder had left behind. Definitely a newbie, everyone of his age just browses the ParaNet.

  I'll admit, when I approached him I was a bit full on, especially with the flirting. I couldn't help it, something about him just drew me in. I still can't place my finger on why that is.

  He did surprise me, with his sudden will to speak back and try to defend himself. Of course, his attempts were cute and laughable. When he cut me off as I was speaking, that was brave, but he soon regretted it once I'd raised my voice a little.

  I smirk thinking back on it, but my phone buzzing snaps me out of my thoughts.

  That better be Eve. Arthur has had the reverse effect on her, she can't wait to get rid of the poor boy. Good for me, though not for my pockets. My keenness was far too noticeable. The money sucking whore is demanding far too much of me, and here I am doing it like a fucking idiot.

  I scowl then check my phone. It is Eve, and she's sent a photo of Arthur with the caption 'I've done the mark like you asked.' Then there's several different variations of cash emojis.

  I roll my eyes and enlarge the picture. My Arthur is sitting in an office chair with a tear stained face, and the mark forming on his neck.

  Perfect. Well, apart from the tears, of course.

  I text her back.

  Me: 'Great, I want to be there ASAP to seal it.'

  She hastily replies.

  Disruled Whore: 'That can be arranged as long as you bring the cash in full.'

  I scowl at the screen and furiously type back.

  Me: 'You'll get half now and be fucking happy about it.'

  Disruled Whore: '100% and I'll give you a tip off about a new Pit Mine. Wow, I'm so generous today.'

  With a clenched jaw, I simply reply 'fine'. I'll meet her at her base.

  Crafty bitch, at least if I pay in full now, I won't have to hear the shit out of her mouth. For a while, at least.

  I stand from my seat, pocketing my phone as well as my keys and wallet. After a quick and painful trip to my safe, I have the required amount carefully stacked into a briefcase that I've handcuffed to my wrist.

  Can never be too careful, especially when dealing with rogues.

  I leave my office, many of my workers try to bother me, but I practically walk through them. If it's that important, my second in command Rhys will inform me.

  I turn the corner, and who do I nearly bump into? Rhys. And his normally stoic expression is instead panicked. He never shows that sort of emotion. This isn't good.

  "Master Reed, I'm afraid I have some bad news…" He trails off, scanning my face for warning signs of anger.

  I huff and tap my foot impatiently. "Spit it out then." I demand.

  He stumbles on his words before telling me. "There's a new chipless Surfer that's been brought to our attention, b-but, um, Disruled found him first…" He scratches the back of his head and waits anxiously for my reply.

  I scoff and wave the briefcase in his face. "Good thing I spotted him, then, hm?" I taunt.

  He breathes a little sigh of relief and nods. "Then that's great news, Master Reed. Can I assist you in any way?"

  I ponder on that then sternly nod. "Later, yes. As for now, you will arrange a private room fully equipped for his arrival, the closer to mine, the better, clear?" I bark.

  He bows before me, which never fails to put a smile on my face. "Yes, Master Reed."

  With that out of the way, I order for my driver to pull out front to take me to the Disruled base.

  The drive is very short, and seemingly unnecessary, but would you walk down the crowded, unsafe streets with two and a half mil handcuffed to your wrist? Pretty suspicious, too, if you ask me. Those ParaPigs are ruthless, and I don't own the majority of the force… Yet.

  Once at the base, I meet Eve outside the supposedly secret entrance. She stands there staring into space at first, a lit cigarette bud clutched between her fingers.

  "I think you've smoked it now." I remark, gaining her attention.

  She grins widely and drops the bud by my feet. I kick it away with a scowl and barge my way into the building. It absolutely stinks of God knows what, disgusting me to the core.

  Ugh, what a dump. Literally. I need a shower ASAP, and these clothes burned to dust.

  Eve quickly catches up to me, and ushers me into her pristine office. Talk about half a job with the cleaning.

  Arthur isn't in the seat from the photo, but I can hear running water from the right side of the room.

  He can't wet the mark, it'll ruin the initiation completely!

  This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  I hastily uncuff the briefcase from me and throw it at Eve, which she more than gratefully receives. I then rush into the bathroom to find Arthur's hands cupped under the water.

  "That'll sting like a bitch if you do that." I warn him.

  He squeals and spins around on the spot, obviously startled. "Where did you come from?" He gasps.

  I ignore that for the moment and reach behind him, turning off the tap just in case. He seems flustered by how close I am, especially when I stay in that spot. "Eve invited me." I state, running my hand across his shoulder and towards my gang's mark.

  Cupping the back of his neck, I admire the effect I'm leaving on him. A rare, genuine smile creeps onto my face.

  He's so awkward, it's rather cute.

  When I make full eye contact, that's when his nerves become more evident. I can't help but get lost in those warm, hazel eyes. "You look so handsome with my mark." I compliment him.

  His bug eyes widen, and he finally twigs onto why I'm here. My smile grows larger. "All I need to do now is touch the mark with a drop of my blood, and part of the initiation is complete." I tell him proudly.

  He shakes his head furiously, desperately trying to fight me, yet his attempts are worryingly weak.

  I can't let this one on jobs, he's pathetic. What if I was a threat? He'd be dead already. Harsh, but true.

  All I have to do is tighten my grip on his neck a little to render him still. I then bite down hard on my bottom lip to draw blood. His blush coats his face in a much darker shade when he realises why.

  When he attempts to pull away again, I dive into it, planting a lingering kiss onto my mark.

  A horrifying scream leaves his lips, causing me to wince, but I stick with it.

  I move my arms around him to support his weight as his body grows limp. Passing out is normal, the pain is excruciating.

  As I pull my lips away, I lift him up bridal style and watch his mark solidify and brand his skin.

  Such a beauty…

  A tear waters in my eye, but is soon blinked back when I hear a commotion. "WHAT THE FUCK HAVE YOU DONE!?" I hear Dennis seethe from the office.

  I huff and examine Arthur's peaceful form for one more moment before leaving the bathroom.

  All eyes instantly lock onto me in fury. Dennis didn't run in alone, several others back him up, all equally as furious with me.

  "Don't look at me like that." I snap, nodding my head toward the money hungry leader. "She's the one who accepted my offer. This isn't a kidnapping, you lot already done that part."

  Dennis' head bows as his entire body shakes with anger. A petite woman with a twitching eye lunges towards me, but a tall man wearing a durag holds her back.

  "You'll regret this! Arthur will hate you as much as we do!" She growls.

  I roll my eyes. "Very original. He doesn't even know you people." I point out then turn my attention to the guy. "Shame you can't hold back her words."

  Her face now burns a bright red in anger. "You know that's not my pronouns, you prick!" She cries, fighting off the man to run out of the room. He sends me daggers before running after her, I simply chuckle.

  "Put him down and leave before this gets ugly." Dennis finally speaks up, his tone dark.

  I raise a brow, thoroughly amused. "You really like him, huh?" I urge with another chuckle.

  His jaw noticeably clenches and he shifts his stance. His knuckles are pure white, too, he really needs to cool off. Eve in the meantime is just standing there leaning against the wall, perhaps enjoying this more than me.

  Considering he didn't reply to my direct question, which I hate, I push his buttons some more. "Well, that's too bad if so. He's quite handsome, and even though he's inexperienced, I'll certainly enjoy our time together." I send him a pearly white grin and a wink to tip him over the edge.

  And that was it. That snapped him. He lunges towards me, blind with rage. Eve decides to step in and stop him in his tracks, which is met with his swinging punches.

  "Eve! Let me go! I can't believe you sold him! You money hungry bitch!"

  She effortlessly holds him back, and begins to drag him out. Before she reaches the door, she turns to me. "You're free to go. Don't bring him back to my doorstep when you're fed up of him." She warns. Her remark sends a sudden burst of strength into Dennis.

  He manages to break free of her hold, but surprisingly doesn't leap towards me again. "Mark me, too." He demands.

  My eyes widen in shock, a very rare sight for me. I've already seen so much in my life, barely anything shocks me anymore. But that… that does.

  Eve's jaw drops, appearing outraged. "I don't fucking think so!" She snarls.

  Dennis stomps his foot. "Well, I do!" He snaps back at her. "Unless you want everyone here to know your filthy secret!"

  Silence fills the tense air, and Eve's expression turns sour, leaving me intrigued.

  Filthy secret? I wish I'd have known that, I would've saved myself a fuck ton of money.

  "Why would I even want you? What could you bring to the table?" I speak up, causing both of their gazes to snap onto me.

  Eve throws her hands up in the air in frustration. "Seriously? You're considering this dickhead? He does nothing but cause trouble." She argues, clearly desperate.

  A smirk plays on my lips.

  Ah, how the tables have turned. I might not be able to pry the money from her hands, but I could certainly get two for one.

  "Fine, follow me, Dennis, I'll have you marked at the base." I gesture for him to stand beside me. I've never seen someone look so relieved in their life.

  Eve scoffs, staring at me wide-eyed, in absolute frustration and disbelief. "Really?" She gasps.

  We both nod at her then Dennis turns to me. "Can I grab a few bits and say goodbye?"

  I shake my head with a chuckle, and he begrudgingly accepts defeat with a nod and pursed lips. "No, we're leaving now. Everything you'll need will be at the base."

  Eve kisses her teeth and storms out of the room with evident tears in her eyes. Dennis and I exchange a shocked look.

  By the looks of it, that's the first time he's seen the ice queen crying, too.

  "LEAVE ME THE FUCK ALONE, GREG!" We hear her scream. Banging and crashing follows.

  Arthur begins to stir, so I adjust him in my arms. His head now rests on my shoulder, and his arms instinctively circle around my neck to snuggle in. Butterflies fill my stomach like a first crush, whilst I could practically hear Dennis' blood boiling.

  "Hurt him in any way and I won't hold back." He states darkly.

  I snort derisively. "Don't try and threaten me. I'm doing you a favour getting you out of this shithole." I snap back then charge out of the office. He soon follows like a lost puppy behind me.

  Thankfully, we miss the other members on the way out. Less drama is normally disappointing for me, but I'm honestly shocked to say I've had enough. For now, at least.

  My driver is still waiting patiently for me in the same spot. One gesture to him, and he immediately leaves his seat to open the door for me.

  I send Dennis in first before he pulls some stunt, then carefully slide in after.

  I don't bother buckling my belt like Dennis, as I keep Arthur on my lap. Bloody hell, if looks could kill, I'd be a dead man.

  "Chelsea is right, you know. He'd never like you, let alone love you." He growls.

  I roll my eyes with an exasperated sigh. "Change the record, Dennis. Again, you're lucky I'm taking you on. I don't want you anywhere near my Arthur."

  He snorts, crossing his arms against his chest. "Your Arthur? You've known him like what, two minutes if that?" He remarks.

  I ignore that for now. He can pay for the comment with the nasty jobs he'll be assigned. And believe me, they will be more than unpleasant.

  I stroke Arthur's long, walnut locks away from his peaceful face, tucking them behind his ear.

  He desperately needs a haircut. It hangs by his chin, but that's far too long in my book. He'll look breathtaking in a tailored suit.

  I can't wait to show him our way of life. The moment he awakes, he'll be pleasantly surprised, I'm sure of it.