Velvet Chains

Episode 2

|Kai

The heavy weight hit the rack with a loud clank that echoed through the empty gym. My breathing remained steady.

No excessive huffs nor groans. Just a simple breath in and out, measured and controlled.

You see, it's easier to keep up with the heavy workout that I did when you weren't doing it to feel stronger. I lifted because it reminded me I was still human.

Still capable of force and still built for war even though it didn't exactly seem that way right now.

The agency's gym wasn't exactly too much. Just brick walls with paint that's still good looking enough. But it was mine at least. The others hardly found their ways in here so I claimed it. My space.

I slowly wrapped my hands around the gauze, the soft friction grounding me.

I was pretty much certain nobody worked out as much as I did. Reason why people asked why I just couldn't quit the hard work since I quit the military. It's because things...habits like these aren't in ust changed. They're tattooed into the bone so it was nearly mission impossible.

Serving ten years in the military had left it's mark on me.

I pretty much had nobody. No family, no actual home. At first it was just the military, and then it was nothing.

There was no tragic story. Nor a bloody m******e or long lost brother. Not even a sob story to humanize me. Just a plain and cold fact, I was raised by systems. I literally just roamed around until the army took me in and taught me how to make use of my fist for something other than breaking vending machines and people's jaws in alleyways.

They gave the orders and I pretty much followed them. Why? Because I was good at that. Obedience was actually easy when you had nothing else.

And everything was going oh so well....at least I thought it was, until that mission came into the picture.

The whole scene still replayed in my head, repeating constantly like it was some mantra I wasn't ever meant to forget.

Somewhere so hot, dust in the air, orders that just didn't line up, innocent lives caught in the crossfire.

A child. Just one child.

He'd been screaming louder than gunfire, louder than the sirens in my head ever since I let him slip out of my grip.

I failed to save him. I lost a life due to recklessness.

Because what if I was a minute faster than I had been? Would I have saved him? I certainly would have. I would've gotten enough time before the doorframe came crashing on him.

I left the army that very week. I didn't bother saying any goodbyes neither did I care about giving any silly explanations.

I just submitted the papers, packed my bag and walked off. They did try to keep me though. Told me I wasn't at fault, that what happened couldn't be helped, and that I was still very valuable to the team. Elite. And maybe replaceable but not easily.

I could've given their words some serious thoughts, but nope. I wasn't interested in being their weapon. Not anymore.

I had done more than enough. I couldn't risk loosing one more life. It was better I left sooner than letting that happen.

And Nathaniel found me about a year after that. Claimed to see something in me and asked me to follow him. Offered money at first but I really think I'm the least person who'd get fazed by money. I refused it.

But then he came with something better. No questions, just jobs. Tasks, executes and leaves. That simple pattern was enough for me and so I stayed.

Made no friends though. I didn't mingle with anyone, didn't play cards in the break room with the others either. Just trained, worked hard, slept, and there goes the routine on repeat. According to Nathan, I was a ghost with a pulse.

I landed a right hook into the bag, letting the loud thud reach my ears before landing another hit, and then another and then the sound of the door creaking open interrupted me.

I didn't stop though and I definitely did not look up either. Only Nathaniel walked like he was scared his shoes would break if he stepped on the floor too hard. Light steps reached my ears, louder the closer he came and then...

Gross. Too much cologne.

"Kai,"he called but I still didn't stop punching.

"Again, are you allergic to knocking?"I muttered, landing a final punch before pulling back and shaking out my hands. Unwrapping them, I wiped the swear from my neck with a towel.

"And are you allergic to talking without sarcasm?"he shot back.

Petty. I just didn't like talking when it wasn't necessary.

"We're even,"he spoke proudly and I just gave him a blank look.

He leaned against the wall, crossing his arms and then smiling smugly. I recognized the smile. He was about asking for a favor. Something he knew I wouldn't do.

"I've got you a Job, Mercer."

I didn't reply, just c****d a brow while waiting for him to continue.

"It's different from the swift ones you've been doing....." He looked like he was trying so hard to make the suspicious looking situation all so pretty for me.

I stared blankly.

"Easy with the stares, Jesus,"he grumbled before sighing. "It's a high tier, quiet and dangerous client."

Uh...okay? At least it'd be easier to put up with a man who knew how and when to mind his business.

But still, I said nothing. Wanted him to finish.

"She doesn't need your protection. Not fully, at least. She just needs someone whose energy matches hers. One person who's sure to be with her 247."

"Hold on, She?"I finally spoke.

"I know, Kai. But just..."

"Don't but me,"I deadpanned.

"I don't do female clients and you know that. It's in the contract I signed,"I reminded him just in case he had a clogged brain. Who knows?

I could not and would not do a female client. What was I supposed to do? Watch em play dress up, shop for hairs and crap like that?

"I know, I know, but Candice and Rio are already on their tasks. And she specifically requested for someone your range,"he spoke, probably trying to make me see reason. I wasn't seeing it. I wasn't even sure there was any sense in what he was saying.

"Do I care?"I asked and he pinched the space between his brows.

"No, you probably don't....."

"I'm glad you know that. I'm not doing it, Natty. There's that, and the issue of finding someone else to do it because like I said, I'm not doing it. You can use the door,"I mumbled, heading for a bottle of water.

"Listen, you need to do this, Kai. I owe her a huge debt, and she needs this service as a repayment,"he elaborated further.

"You owe a debt, you pay it yourself, Nat. Or you use someone else, I don't really care,"I spoke already feeling so tired of the conversation.

"Please, Kai. You can't just.... Valentina is going to make sure I suffer for it if you don't go..."

The name has me halting and putting the water down.

"Valentina?"I asked, suddenly hearing the movement of my own blood ringing in my ears.

"Uh....yeah?"he looked confused.

"Full name,"I demanded.

"Does that mean you'll do it?"he asked, hope dancing in his eyes.

"Full. Name."

"Geez, chill. Valentina De Rossi,"he replied and my brain literally logged out on me.

It was her. The same person I'd been looking for since I joined the army. Since the army? Forget I said that. I'd been looking for her almost all my life.

Well I had a score to settle with her father but since the old bastard was dead, an eye for an eye, no? I'd come for his kid.

"She wants a bodyguard and though it's temporarily, she doesn't want any random person. She wants someone she can trust with her life if the situation demanded it. She wants the best, and that's why you're a perfect fit,"he grinned.

I still don't know why he thought of me first. I gave him a death glare.

"You're the only one I can put on this without needing a body bag on standby,"he muttered in defence. "You game?"

Was I in? Hell, yeah I was. It's literally an opportunity I'd been waiting for and I most definitely wasn't going to let the chance pass me by.

But I didn't expect her to be easy. She'd probably be the kind of client who let you bleed if you touched her wrong.

Good thing I wasn't soft either. I was definitely going to get what I wanted, however way I had to. One thing was for sure though. This was my game and I got to decide how it ended.

So when I say our princess dearest is going to be left on her knees, begging for mercy..... I sure as hell meant it. My every word. No bluffs around here.

I cracked my neck, tossing the towel over my shoulder.

"When exactly?" My question had Nathan breathing in relief.

Heaven knows nothing would've made me change my mind if it were some random lady I had absolutely no business with. Nathan was just.... lucky.

"Today. You'll be ridden there. A driver's going to be ready soon,"he replied with a toothed grin.

Fancy ride, huh? Not bad..

I nodded once. "I'm in."

He rubbed his hands together like he'd just won some kinda bet or something. "You're going to love this one, I assure you."

Not when I already hated her father and was cooking up revenge in my heart.

With what I had in mind, I was going to give her the protection she needed, no doubt.... But only because I wanted to be the only person who breaks her so bad slowly, make her addicted and then leave her so broken, she'd be unable to pick up the pieces not to talk of getting them back together.

For her sake, I'd say she watched her back.... Closely.