19| white noise

I S A A K

As I stepped into the room, I was hit by a blast of cold air. The room was dimly lit, and the air was thick with the smell of whiskey. I looked around, searching for any sign of what was about to happen.

The men in the room were staring at me intently, their expressions unreadable. I felt a surge of fear, but I tried to remain calm.

"Where is he?" I demanded, my voice rising in frustration. But no one responded, and I could feel my blood beginning to boil.

"Someone better tell me what happened, and they'd better do it now," I snarled, my voice low and dangerous. "I won't hesitate to kill all of you if I don't get some answers."

My men were silent, their eyes wide with fear. I could see the terror in their eyes, and it only fueled my rage.

I wanted answers, and I wanted them now. I needed to know how this had happened, how this person had escaped. And I would do whatever it took to get those answers.

"Well?" I said, my voice a low growl.

I heard my phone ringing in my pocket, and I pulled it out without even looking at the caller ID. "What?" I barked into the phone, my tone harsh and unforgiving.

There was a moment of silence on the other end as if the person on the other line was surprised and had predicted my response. "Ah, why so angry? I just wanted to ask if you'd be attending my party tonight,"

"Isaak, Isaak, Isaak," I heard a deep, male voice say, a thick Russian accent coloring the words. I could almost picture the smug grin on his face, his eyes glinting with mischief. Viktor was not only my father's partner but also Yulia's dad.

"Let me guess, you've got my guy?" I said, not bothering to hide my annoyance. I knew this man, and I knew he loved playing games. He was always so cocky, so sure of himself. It was almost sickening.

"Of course I do," he said, his voice dripping with smugness. "And you'll never find him,"

"I don't have to, you'll give him to me. Like you always do,

"My son-in-law," he said, his voice cold and hard. "I heard something interesting today. Something about my dear, sweet Yulia."

I rolled my eyes, already having a feeling where this was going.

"I'm guessing by your silence that you already know what I'm referring to," he said, a hint of satisfaction in his voice.

"Your daughter nearly killed a 15-year-old," I said, struggling to keep my temper in check. My teeth were clenched, my jaw tight. I was furious, but I knew I had to remain calm.

Thank God she couldn't use a gun but her knife skills were impeccable.

"As far as I'm concerned, my daughter can do what she pleases," Viktor said, his tone indifferent. I could hear the smugness in his voice, and it only fueled my anger.

"If you treat my daughter badly," he said, his voice low and threatening, "your precious nurse will find out everything."

Spooky, so scary.

"Do your worst," I said, unfazed. "If you think my daughter is going to damage my empire, you're wrong. That wouldn't be a good move for you, Viktor." and with that,  I hung up the phone.

I turned my attention to the three men in front of me, the ones I had trusted to watch over the boy. I fixed them with a hard stare, demanding an answer. "Who did it?" I asked, my voice cold and hard.

They looked at each other, their faces pale and drawn. The room fell silent, the tension so thick it was almost suffocating. "I don't like to repeat myself," I said, my eyes narrowing. My voice was low, but the threat was clear.

"Boss, I thought you had given Viktor permission -" Alejandro stammered, his hands shaking.

idiot.

I opened my pocket knife, the cold metal of the blade shining in the dim light. I twirled it in my hand, thinking of all the things I could do with it.

My grip tightened on the knife, the metal biting into my skin.

I grabbed his hair, yanking his head back so his neck was exposed. He struggled, but I held him tight. "Please, boss, I promise I won't do it again," he pleaded, his voice shaking. "I'll learn from my mistake, I swear.

I looked into his eyes, and I saw the fear and desperation there but it didn't faze me.

All I wanted to do was kill, so I shoved the knife into his neck, the blood spewing everywhere, his eyes were wide as the color drained from his face. Not satisfied, I twisted it, his roar echoing in the room. I took out the knife and shoved it into his other side and he fell to the ground.

I stared at his unconscious body, my shoulders relaxing.

It was quite a boring death but I needed it after today. I reached into my pocket, searching for the familiar feel of a cigar. But as I pulled it out, something else caught my eye. Bubblegum.  I stared at it, transfixed.

A few moments later I popped it into my mouth, the sweet taste filling my senses.

My men stood in front of me, their faces pale and their eyes wide like they had never seen someone die before, and they were terrified. But they said nothing, waiting for my next move.

"Let this be a lesson to you all," I said, my voice low and calm."Alejandro died, just

make sure you're not next," With that, I turned and walked away, leaving them to their thoughts as I got ready for the night.