Wrath's Genesis

Chapter Forty Nine

***

“I love you, Ash. So f*****g much.”

I hugged my best friend close, relief washing over me when she hugged me back just as hard.

I was scared, petrified that she would want nothing to do with me when I had offered no explanation as to why we had just been targeted.

I wanted to keep her close to me, to run from the awful decisions I had made and the dangerous world I had thrust us into but I knew we would have no chance of protecting ourselves or finding Noah.

Fucking Soren Alexander and his ominous reputation...

“I love you too, Em. Please stay safe for me and call me whenever you need me or just wanna talk, okay?”

I really didn’t deserve her and I struggled to hold the tears and self loathing back as I nodded in agreement to her words and watched her settle in the passenger seat of Diesel’s silver coloured Mustang.

“Ease up on the stalking. If you must follow her, make sure she doesn’t notice you. I’m sure you can manage that easily. Ash hates feeling crowded, unable to make her own decisions freely and do what she wants. Only when she feels safe with you will she open up and let you in and right now, you’re everything she runs away from.”

I paused for effect, watching as the words sunk in for Diesel. I was delivering on my promise for payment for what he had done for me. I knew I should feel guilty but deep down, I also knew that he was the best shot I had.

Knowing Diesel would stay beside Ash and protect her gave me peace of mind. He would never let anything happen to her.

“Baby steps, Diesel. That’s your answer. Show her sincerity and an ability to be anything than what she sees you as and there will be a massive shift in your dynamic. Also, she may look and say she is okay but she isn’t. “

“This ordeal really scared her so once you drop her off, insist on taking her into her apartment and before you leave, make her a cup of hot chocolate with lots of marshmallows and honey. That’s one of her favourite comfort drinks. I know she will appreciate it and it would build the trust between you two.”

I finished, granting the dumb struck man one final smile before waving him away to take Ash home.

“Thank you for the information. It was worth it all.”

Diesel declared, bundling me up into a quick hug that both stunned me at the display of true human emotion from him and made me chuckle in amusement and warmth.

He was gone as quickly as he came, passing a broad grin and mischievous wink to Soren before heading out. Part of me wanted to spiral into the usual dark thoughts of having sold my best friend’s secrets to the enemy and yet a larger part of me was damn glad that I did.

He will keep her safe. I know he will...I can now focus on pushing the timeliness to my plan and ending this way before I expected it will.

Before this war escalates any further.

I turned to the waiting black SUV and an alert Clover whose eyes went from assessing every nook and cranny of the surrounding area to my own to which he offered a small nod.

“How may I be of assistance, Mrs. Alexander?”

Soren was still on his phone call, his broad back turned away from mine as he barked orders into the receiver.

“Take me home. I’ve had a long and exhausting day.”

I stated, earning a swift nod from him before he opened the back passenger door for me. Muttering a thanks, I settled into my seat just as the other side was opened and in came Soren who was still on call.

“...Yes. Execute all arrangements and systematic protocols. We are going to shed the scales of the snake before cutting off its head. We shall have the next meeting tomorrow at 8:00am...thank you brother. See you then.”

Being enemies with the Sins was certainly a bad move. They had extensive connections and were incredible strategists. No one could be able to evade the Wrath of the King of Sin himself.

We settled into a comfortable silence, each of us watching the city around us that we drove through as we went on. It was as relaxing as it was unnerving.

“So are you really not going to ask me what all that was about? Do you not have questions?”

Soren broke first and the urge to celebrate that I had finally one-up my husband. Now to finish it and him.

“No. Its none of my business. Make them pay though for scaring me and my friend, okay?”

Soren said nothing, too dumbfounded. He simply nodded and spent most of the ride glancing at me thoughtfully before reminding himself of how he was supposed to behave.

It was as endearing as it was amusing.

Keep him guessing, Emilia...Never let him know what’s next.

**

The dream was vivid, familiar and devastating. The claws of my Demons had clutched my entire being and dragged me down to hell itself.

I was drowning in a sea of bad memories, of moments I would rather forget. Moments that had been etched into my sub conscious without my knowledge.

It was the same nightmare that had broken me over and over again.

I was suffocating under his disgusting, warm breath. My body was rejecting every single facet of my tormentor with a passion and yet I was Still so damn helpless.

I tried to scream but nothing came out. It was almost as if my head was under water and the ringing in my ears wouldn’t stop. I knew I was sobbing, could feel the tears wet my cheeks even in the dream.

Hyperventilation came next. I could not breathe, could not move, could barely even think. The trauma was almost too much, pushing me to the very edge of the rabbit hole that I had struggled so hard to climb out of.

Please...someone...anyone...please save save...please get him off of me...

*

“Emilia...wake up, malyshka. Don’t cry...I am right here...”

Soren’s voice pulled me from hell, the stroke of his hand against my wet cheek eliciting a violent reaction from me.

Without thinking twice, I pulled the gun from underneath my pillow and pointed it right at his forehead, thanking my lucky stars that we were somehow home and back in my room.

“Don’t f*****g touch me.”

I seethed, emotions volatile from the dreadful nightmare. I wanted to burn the world and also cry so so hard in the corner.

Whereas I expected some sort or battle of wits and words, Soren said nothing and instead got to his feet and stood over my bed.

Hands in pockets, he watched me with a knowing look, almost as if he knew what I had been through and understood.

That’s ridiculous, Emilia. He knows nothing of our despair...

“We have a lead on Noah. You might want to see this.”

***