BOUND BY BLOOD AND DESIRE

Chapter8

THE DEVIL’S BARGAIN

Mason Kingston had been many things in his life—a killer, a king, a man who never negotiated.

But tonight, he would have to be something else.

A strategist.

Because Valerie was in their hands.

And if there was one thing he refused to do, it was to risk her life. He had gotten used to her being around; he didn't know what it felt like to be accommodated by her absence.

The thought made him shudder. He had started to feel things he didn't want to feel.

He hated it. He hated being weak.

His car screeched to a halt, stopping his train of thoughts.

They pulled over just outside the abandoned warehouse.

His men stood ready, waiting for his signal.

Rocco glanced at him. "We go in fast?"

Mason’s fingers flexed around the gun at his side. "No."

Rocco frowned. "Boss—"

"We do this smartly."

Because the Rosettis weren’t stupid.

If they had taken Valerie, they knew he was coming.

And if they expected him to come in with bullets flying…

He’d do the opposite. He'd f*****g take them by surprise.

Valerie had learned how to keep her face blank.

How to hide fear behind steel.

But that was before she met Mason.

Before he made her start feeling things she didn't even know was possible to feel.

Now, standing in the dimly lit warehouse, bound at the wrists, she realized something terrifying.

She wasn’t afraid for herself,she was afraid for him.Why?

She didn't f*****g have an answer,she still hated him for all she knew.

The Rossetti man Bruno, she had heard someone call him—leaned against the desk, a smirk playing at his lips.

"You think he’ll trade for you?" he mused.

Valerie swallowed hard. "I think you don’t understand who you’re dealing with."

Bruno chuckled. "Oh, I understand perfectly. Mason Kingston will come." His gaze darkened. "The question is—what is he willing to do to get you back?"

That question kept ringing her head over and over again.

Would he really try to get her back?

The door burst open before she could respond.

And then, there he was.

Mason. Standing alongside his men, with a dangerous look in his eyes.

The air in the room shifted instantly.

The men around her tensed.

Because Mason Kingston wasn’t just feared.

He was unstoppable.

His gaze locked onto hers, sweeping over her, checking for injuries. His jaw tightened. He would f*****g kill this man if he had to.

And then he turned to Bruno, his expression blank. "You have five seconds to let her go."

Bruno laughed. "Or what?"

Mason stepped closer. "Or I’ll remind you why your father feared me."

Bruno’s smirk didn’t waver, but there was a flicker of something in his eyes.

A moment of hesitation.Mason saw it.

And so, he changed the game.

"You think taking her makes you powerful?" His voice was soft, almost amused. "You think it gives you leverage?"

Bruno’s smirk faltered. He took a step back.

Mason took another step. "You’ve made a mistake."

Bruno tilted his head. "And what’s that?"

Mason smiled—slow, cruel.

"You assumed I wouldn’t be willing to deal."

Silence.

Valerie’s heart pounded. She was pretty sure everyone in the room could hear how loud her heart was beating.

She had never been so f*****g tensed in her life before now.

Because this wasn’t how Mason operated.

He didn’t negotiate.

He took. No matter what.

So why—?

Bruno crossed his arms. "I’m listening."

Mason’s voice was like steel, cold and calculated."You want territory. I’ll give you some."

Bruno’s eyes narrowed. He was surprised."What’s the catch?"

Mason’s smirk was razor-sharp. "You don’t touch Valerie again. Ever."

Bruno glanced at her. "You really mean that much to him, huh?"

Mason didn’t even blink. "She’s mine."

The way he said it sent a shiver down Valerie’s spine.

Because it wasn’t a declaration of possession.

It was a promise.

Bruno studied him for a long moment.

Then he exhaled, snapping his fingers.

One of his men stepped forward, cutting Valerie’s ropes.

The moment she was free, she moved to Mason’s side without hesitation.

Bruno smirked. "Smart choice, Kingston."

Mason didn’t respond.

Didn’t react.

He simply turned, guiding Valerie towards the exit. But just before they left, he paused.

And without looking back, he spoke.

"You got lucky tonight, Bruno."

Taking another step forward,he stared at Bruno with a cold look.

“f*****g touch her again Rossetti, I f*****g dare you”.

A chill spread through the room.

Because everyone knew what he meant.

This was mercy.

But there wouldn’t be a second time.

The ride back was silent.

Valerie sat beside him, her hands still trembling slightly. She was so disturbed by what just happened.

Her mind was running a thousand miles per minute.

Mason noticed.

He reached over, taking her wrist gently, brushing his thumb over the red marks.

Her breath hitched.

"You cut a deal for me," she barely whispered.

Mason didn’t look at her. "I did what I had to."

Her heart twisted.

Because she knew what that meant.

Mason Kingston never sacrificed anything for anyone.Except tonight.

For her.

Nobody had ever done this for her,

she was taken back and still shocked that he did that for her.

She turned her hand, threading her dainty fingers through his very large ones.

And for the first time, he didn’t pull away.