HAYDEN KING!

KING

As we stared at each other from so close, the night of Becker's murder flashed in my mind. I held her just like this... close to me.

And she had the same look in her eyes. She was disgusted, and scared yet there was that sliver of hope... hope for something good, better even. And I hate that!

I had looked straight in my worst enemies' eyes, before putting a bullet through their skulls but never had I ever felt so intimidated by someone's gaze. NEVER!

And here, she was intimidating me even without her knowledge. I didn't understand why she had that peculiar effect on me. Why everything she said or did bother me?

Those thoughts crowded my mind so much that I didn't realise when my grip on her hair loosened. And she took that opportunity to run away from me.

I got out of the car to see her running for her life. I was not even going to kill her before three months of time, yet she was scared of me.

I had my fingers wrapped around my gun. My mind shouted at me to pull it and shoot her right in the head as she ran on the streets like a mad woman.

But something held me back, stopped me.

Did she think she could run that easily from me?

It didn't take me long to find her, but as soon as I saw one of the pains in my ass, I decided to stay back and let Cameron handle the situation.

He was returning home after taking care of the task he had in his hands when he saw her running on the street and was already behind her.

"Cameron Jones. A pleasure to meet you! I see, we have someone here who is important to you. Who is this beautiful lady?"

Anthony's irritating voice burned my ears, and it took every ounce of self-restraint for me to not go out there and empty the whole magazine in his fucking head!

"I wish I could say the same thing, Anthony. Put your guns down and leave. You will not like the consequences if you don't do as you have been told. And Bria... start walking in my way or I will put this bullet through your skull before them!" Cameron warned, pointing his gun at them.

If I was angry at Fire for attempting to escape, then I was outrageous now, for finding the last person I wanted to see in this world for asking for help.

What the hell was she thinking?

"Anthony this is your last warning. Let the girl go! Don't forget that you are messing with King!"

A surprised look crossed over his face before he glanced at Fire from head to toe in curiosity. "Hmm... a precious girl for King?! That's never heard of! Tell me, sweetheart. Who are you? His new flavour of the month? Oh, don't tell me you provide your services not only to the mighty King but also to his two loyal dogs!" And he burst out laughing.

I watched as the confusion on her face was replaced with sheer anger. The way she frowned and glared at him told that the man was about to receive an earful.

Well... he asked for it by disgracing her in that way!

"You bastard! Leave me and then I will show you what services I can provide. And don't you dare to call me his slut or I will kill you with your gun!" She began thrashing in his hold but to no avail.

Good for both of them!

Anthony hummed in amusement. "Feisty! I must say King have some good taste! Where is your boss, Jones? Too scared to not come and help this damsel in distress?"

My fists clenched at my sides.

How dare he challenge King?!

Cameron tried with the threat again, but it was fruitless.

"Then tell your boss to show me his face. The world wants to know who is the King of this empire. We would like to meet the world's most dangerous man in person.

After all, he can't hide in darkness forever! One day he has to come out and show his face. And I think I have a strong reason for him to do so, don't I?" He glanced at her and smiled maliciously.

I saw her gaping in pure shock.

What did she find so shocking in what he said?

"Where is your King? Tell him to show up or I will blow her brains." Anthony shouted.

I contemplated the two options I had.

I could just leave her there to die for what trouble she had caused me so far, but no... because I knew what would happen to her before she died, and that was something I would never wish for any woman... and especially not her!

That left me with only one choice.

I pulled out the gun from the waistband of my pant and aimed it at one of the pigs. She jumped in fright and screamed, watching the man fall to the ground.

King doesn't know how to hide!

"I shall grant your wish, Anthony." I announced in a calm yet dominating voice.

Was that the look of relief on her face after watching me?

My mind had begun messing up because of that fire of trouble!

I decided to deal with her later. First, I needed something else to take care of!

Anthony stared at me unbelievingly before he recovered from his initial shock.

"You? You are a famous King? Leader of the mafia world? I thought you were some old man who hides from the world because he is weak and rules the world only because of money and power!" One of his men voiced out his thoughts.

"Anthony Finochi! Pathetic leader of a more pathetic family who thinks that they are any better than other mafia families. But they fail to realise that they are not worthy of even the dust on foot!" I watched the humiliation swirling in his eyes.

"Wait! Anthony Finochi? As in the leader of the mafia group who runs the drug business in the state and is on the top of hit list of National Security Agencies?" Fire asked in shock.

How does she know so much?

"That's me! Now you know it." Anthony winked at her. "Let me correct you, beautiful! Right now I am on the second spot on that hit list but soon I'll get that first spot back and it will happen only because of you!" He laughed cynically.

"Oh, you wish! Trust me when I say that this man standing in front of you doesn't give a flying fuck about me. So don't waste your time on me and just let me go!"

She was only talking and no action. I was getting bored hearing two annoying people at the same time. So I decided to end this bickering.

"Miss Maxwell. Stop wasting my time and come here!" I ordered.

She directed her angry gaze at me and sassed, "If you just remove your goggles and see that I am not standing beside the druglord 'willingly' who has his gun pointed on my face. So, do me a favour and use that otherwise dormant brain of yours, and get me out of his hold!"

I saw Cameron's jaw hunged in stupefaction at her words, and my anger only rose.

She had no right to insult me in front of my enemy!

"Well... well. Who could have imagined that the most feared man would get insulted in front of his enemy that too from a girl? She must be good in bed huh, King?"

He was testing my patience now!

But I didn't need to reply to his disgusting comment because he got hit by Fire, right between his legs.

The man wailed, his face turned red instantly and his eyes teared up.

That girl is full of surprises!

She provided Cameron with an opportunity, and soon the whole scene changed. The gunshots were aimed from both sides, and Cameron told her to get away from there.

I didn't move and remained rooted to my place, waiting for her to walk that damn short distance between us. She staggered to her feet and was halfway when another car came to obstruct her path.

And the man who stepped out of that car was the last thing I wanted for today.

Justin Finochi, son of Anthony Finochy- an arrogant, spoiled brat of a rich father and a dirty womanizer!

I gritted my teeth in anger when he slapped her hard. She staggered, losing her balance, and I was about to run in her way when Justin held her tightly.

She blinked rapidly, trying to bore the pain.

He smiled wickedly, running his tongue on his lips at the sight of her. And yes, she was still in her wet clothes that stuck to her body like a second skin.

And it didn't sit well with me... not at all!

Turning his face towards me, he smiled again.

"Look! Finally we got a pleasure to meet King. Hayden King!"

And I felt like getting hit by the bucket of ice on my head.