Wrath's Genesis

Chapter Nineteen

***

"Anything?"

Soren muttered, watching closely as I walked through the room that my friend was last spotted in. I longed to feel a connection, see anything that would make me feel even if just an inkling of my best friend. The room was, however, completely clean. Spotless. It was clear that housekeeping had been through the entire space already.

And that truly saddened me. More than I had actually anticipated. I really did miss him a lot.

"No. It seems housekeeping has cleaned out any traces of him. I'm sorry..."

I felt useless. Unworthy of being in this beautiful paradise. Soren was working towards finding my best friend and yet in the one thing I could do for both of them, I was still as f*****g useless as always. I felt f*****g useless.

"It wasn't housekeeping. It's too clean...sterile. This was someone else. It seems that whoever ordered this doesn't want us to discover the slightest clue as to where Noah Basset is. It's quite impressive actually. Certainly the best work I have seen in a long while from someone not within my ranks."

Soren was genuinely impressed as he slowly traversed through the penthouse suite of the room, his eyes taking in everything. I knew he was committing them all to memory, leaving no stone unturned in his quest to figure out the puzzle that Noah's disappearance had become.

I wasn't surprised that he could see something that I could not. He lived and breathed the dark world that Noah had been thrust into. Heck, he wrote the damn handbook on every single unsettling undergroung life-hack. If he said housekeeping didn't do it then they didn't.

Which means it may have been someone as good as the one who cleaned out hs office back in New York...

The thought made me shiver, anxious as to whether they had killed my best friend and made sure we would never find out, no matter how much or how long we searched. The very thought made me sick to my stomach, bringing forth the urge to empty all the food in my stomach., which was barely anything really.

I must have showcased the unsettled emotions rolling through me for Soren was beside me before I registered his presence, one of his hands wrapping around my waist securely while he used the other to tip my chin up to look at him.

"Breathe, malenkiy'zayka. Focus on me. Look into my eyes and breathe."

Unlike the usual dark, guarded looks he always gave me, his eyes were warm, reflecting the color of the clear, blue sky just beyond the large, glass windows. They were calming enough to bring me out of the deeply immersive, anxiety-ridden state I was in. I was losing it, terrified of the possibility of not finding Noah alive.

I hadn't thought of such an outcome, comprehended that it could actually be too late...

"You're jumping into conclusions, Em. Don't get me wrong...I'm not promising he is going to be fine. Unharmed. But we will find him, no matter what we need to do. I have never broken my word, and I will not start now."

He declared. It was the first time he had ever used my nickname and although it sounded foreign after getting used to him using my full name-gave up on correcting his stubborn ass- I found myself flushing at his words and the tenacity behind them. I was also acutely aware of just how close we now were to each other.

He is making it pretty hard to hate him enough to murder him when I can feel his heart beating strongly against my own chest...

Nodding, I urged my body to take a step back and away from him. He, surprisingly, let me go, not at all fighting to keep me close to him as I expected. Maybe he could see my need to run from him. He could see into the depths of my eyes, understand that being so close to him was dangerous.

We are bound to ignite whenever we are too close too each other...And the resulting fire is scorching, almost intense enough to destroy us both...

"So...um...what next?"

I swallowed, willing my voice to be as steady as it could possibly be in the face of my husband who simply turned and headed towards the open double doors where the three guards were waiting patiently for our return.

"Well, we enjoy the ambiance of course. We are in one of the most ideal vacation spots in the world. Might as well enjoy it as we gather information on what course of action we shall proceed with."

The walk down the hallway was leisurely, smooth and certainly reminiscent of a man who had all the time in the world. A man who owned most of the world. I gaped at his words, shaking my head at his nonchalance despite my expression. I was not prepared for such an impromptu vacation.

But it isn't such a bad idea, though...It will give me some time to plan exactly how I am going to bring this man to his knees and achieve the freedom I so desperately want...

**

"What the hell are you wearing?"

My husband's growl was amusing to say the least, bringing a genuine grin on my lips. It was the reaction I was going on for as I put on the blue, two-piece bikini that had pushed me to amass all of my self confidence to pull off. It was an important part of my plan. A puzzle piece that would get my plans off the ground.

"My...my, husband. Has the sun made you daft or have you always been really bad at identifying fashion statements? I mean, I could see it. Having the same color and type of suits in your closet really doesn't make you the 'David Gandy' of the Mafia world in terms of best dressed. You really should try it out, though. Stand out amongst the other Mafia guys. Otherwise, you would all probably be some w*****d cliche and wouldn't that be sad what with how hard you're working to be anything but..."

I shrugged despite the raging beat of my heart at the sight of his increasing annoyance. He was not pleased by my initiative to piss him off whereas I couldn't help but egg him on, deep down. I needed him to show me a tiny glimpse of his Wrath. Only then would my plan work.

"Let's make something very clear, malyshka. I am NOTHING like the other Mafia Dons. I am my own man, a demon who instlls fear into them. They tremble at the sound of my name. They know that death has arrived for them whenever they face me. I am no normal man..."

He seethed, now on his feet and steadily approaching me. I would have been shitting myself were I not solely focused on the task at hand.

"Well, you certainly fall like a normal man..."

I muttered, savoring the shock on his face as he slowly ut surely fell into the pool at my side step and shove. Drowning wasn't always the first option to murder someone. I knew it would not work. If it would have been this easy to kill my husband, many would have succeeded.

But it certainly was fun to watch him emerge from the water looking more pissed than I had ever seen him.

Fuck My Life.

"I'm gonna go now..."

I stated, taking off down the private beach to evade the wrath of the King of Sin.

I breathed a sigh of relief, glad as hell that neither he nor the guards were following me. I knew well enough, though that I had to sit where they could see me. I didn't want to ask for trouble when he was already so mad at me. The warmth of the afternoon sun was welcome on my skin, releasing all the pent up emotions and exhaustion that had welled up within me.

I didn't know how bad I needed a vacation until this very moment, lounging in front of the gorgeous and expansive sea before me. It was absolutely stunning, a kind of therapy as I watched and listened to the waves.

So drowning him is certainly not an option...Maybe poison? No, that might probably get Marie killed...

I wanted-no, needed- to figure out how to get out of Soren's hold but all I could think about was my best friend, the man who had been with me through every single good and bad moment. He was like a brother to me, important in every sense of the word. We were a family.

No matter what happens, I will find you, Noah...And then you can explain what the hell you got yourself into...

"Mrs. Alexander? Mr. Alexander requests your presence at dinner. He had to leave to attend to some business but he stated that he shall meet you at the restauraunt whence he's done."

The guard had interrupted my reverie of thoughts and small nap. The sun was long gone, setting in the horizon and the warm breeze was steadily growing colder. I did not feel it as much as I should have in my bikini. A robe now covered me, the scent of spice and musk reminiscent of the man who was now mine as much as I was his.

He covered me up...how thoughtful of him...

A small smile on my lips, I nodded in acknowledgement of the guard's words before following him into the hotel and towards the presidential suite that had been prepared just for us. The room contained everything that we could ever need and so much more. It was the picture, true embodiment of a perfect, luxury vacation stay.

My shower was quick but thorough as I savored the luxury products prepared for us, the glass shower big enough to accomodate five or more people. I dressed just as swiftly, the nude colored dress fitting my body perfectly. Off the shoulder sleeves were puffy, a great contrast to the fitted bodice and mid thigh length bottom.

The silky material felt amazing on my skin and looked just as great. Gold, peep toe, heeled sandals graced my feet, finishing off the look perfectly. My hair was in a high ponytail, a few strands escaping to frame my light make up that consisted of winged eye liner, nude colored matte lipstick and mascara.

Grabbing a white clutch bag, I made my way out of the room and down the hallway to the elevator with the escort of two of the guards who glanced at me, awe in their features.

I was garnering a lot of looks, a sight reminiscent of the very first time I met Soren at Wrath's Playground. It was still unsettling, my self esteem suffering the brunt of my bold dressing decision but the sight of my casually dressed husband was enough to grant me the courage I needed to keep my head held high as I walked towards him.

He looked absolutely different in a pair of black jeans, a navy blue turtleneck and black combat boots. He was incredibly handsome,his intense gaze holding my own as he pulled my seat for me.

"Beautful, malyshka. Absolutely breathtaking."

He whispered right in my ear, his breath warm in my ear as he planted a small, chaste kiss on my neck. I shivered under the touch of his lips, my body coming alive with want unlike ever before. He made me feel so many emotions and yet he seemed to be unmoved, settling in his chair that was opposite my own as the waiter came to take our order.

"I will have a whiskey, on the rocks, and she shall have a glass of red wine..."

Ever the control freak-or maybe he's trying to be a gentleman?- Soren ordered for me, the action unnerving me as I instantly spoke up.

"I don't know if you've noticed yet since you've made this into a normal thing but I can speak for myself, thank you," I turned to the perturbed waiter, granting him a small smile to ease the nervousness that was radiating off of him.

"A glass of red wine, please. Thank you."

I added, earning a nod from the fearful waiter before he scampered away, leaving my husband who chuckled at the face of my statement.

"Ever so damn stubborn...But I guess that's what makes you so interesting..."

He stated, his eyes roving over my body before returning to rest on my face. I felt hot, blazing hot under his assesing gaze that seemed to undress me even without the actual act. It was as panty-soaking as it was unsettling.

"I think if there's anyone who deserves the stubborn title, it must be you, Mr I-am-going-to-marry-you-as-payment. You do know that was a little overboard, right? Especially considering you haven't given me a more detailed explanation of where Noah could be as compared to the massive price that I paid. You're really chipping away at the good faith I had in you to get this done, Mr. Alexander."

I tutted, sipping the wine leisurely as I watched him over the rim of my glass. He was not annoyed. On the contrary, he seemed amused, almost fired up at my words.

"So you feel cheated, ey? Well then, I can certainly repay you in other ways too, Mrs. Alexander. I cannot have you unsatisfied. Not when you belong to me. Besides, you have had too much of that in your life already from asshole exes and such?"

The knowing look was back, echoing a secret that should have stayed like so and yet my friends' big mouths had blabbered it to the entire club back at Wrath's Playground. And seemingly to my worst enemy.

Ah s**t, he knows about my pathetic s*x life. The asshole is playing with me, mocking me, damn him!

I scowled at him, begging my body to stow away the embarassed flush on my skin and, instead, fuel the fire burning in my heart at his reaction.

"You really need to chill on the stalking thing. It's really starting to piss me off. Also, I would rather my Bunny 10000 than your egotistical ass any day. s*x with me will always be a fantasy you can never accomplish. Get that through your twisted head."

I was glad for my firmness and the gaze levelled him with. Not that he was revealing anything in the wake of my words. Instead, he leaned closer, his eyes never leaving mine as a storm brewed deep within his gaze.

"Your 'Bunny 10000' could never make you scream the way my c**k would. It could never ravage, possess your body and mark you the way I want to. Oh, malyshka. Only one night with me and you would crush that damned machine under your heel and beg me to make you mine over and over again. Pipe dream or not, you will be mine, Emilia. Because I always get what I want. And you will be no different. You will come to me and I will f*ck you in every single way that I have fantasized and in every single place. You will never erase my mark on your soul. Of that you have my f*****g word."

Intensity, a rawness that could never be explained dripped from his words. His eyes relayed everything I needed to know as did his body that was leaning towards me. He meant every single word. He was fantasizing about it now as he watched me, his eyes lingering on my generous cleavage all the while. He was unapologetic even as he adjusted his pants to help with the raging hard on he now had.

The raging combination of all those factors made me so wet, I could feel a bit of it dripping down the inside of my thigh. It was Insane, the reaction my body had to him. It was almost as if it was drawn to his very word, ready to come undone at the slightest touch. It was a dangerous realization and also oh so perfect.

Unable to say anything, I turned my gaze towards the rest of the restauraunt that had faded into the background. My eyes scanned the expanse, trying to calm my fast beating heart and my goosebump-addled body. Soren was ordering food for us but I didn't care. All I could think about was his silent promises and how badly I wanted him to follow through with...

My thought process paused, latching onto the man seated a few tables away from us. I had noticed his glances our way absentmindedly but now, things were different. Now, the menu that had been hiding his face from view was gone. He was exposed, ripe for identification.

And holy s**t, what a f*****g score....

"Fuck...It really is him. That guy in that table over there. He was at the club with us. He flirted with Noah and the two of them disappeared into the dancefloor together. It was the last time I ever saw Noah...What the hell do you think he's doing here?"

I declared, my words met by surprise from my husband who turned to glance where I was looking. The man was unsettled, more so when he noted our gazes now directly on him. That was the final straw as he suddenly got to his feet and bolted towards the door.

"I guess we'll have to find out...He's NOT getting away!"

I stated, ridding myself of my shoes before taking off, ignoring my husband's cries for me to stop.

This is closest we have gotten to finding out the truth. I will catch him, no matter what!

***