Wrath's Genesis

Chapter Five

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"Please, Caleb. I have tried to contact him and nothing. I am getting extremely worried about him. He has never gone silent on me for this long and all my attempts at getting something. Anything from the hotel he had been staying at has been futile. They won't release any information. I know its not your jurisdiction but there has to be something you can do."

I pleaded with the VICE detective, waiting with baited breath for his answer. I probably should not have come back to the NYPD precinct. Not after they said no to helping me the first time. It was not that I had no self respect.

It was that I had no choice.

My skin was crawling as I stood in the middle of the police station, so close to law enforcement after the show of darkness my future husband had showcased by brutally murdering the man who had attacked me at Wrath's Playground.

I've been making some pretty shitty decisions like selling my soul to the psychopath that was Soren Alexander with no kind of reassurance that he would help me. I had considered backing out of our agreement. I mean, it had been a week. My wedding was in two days and I was yet to receive any sort of information on the man I was doing all of this for.

I really did mess this up....And now, I'm here, begging my asshole ex's best friend to help me.

Your life really is a bed of roses, isn't it, Emilia?

"I don't know Em...I mean, its like you said. That's not my jurisdiction and the cops over there have already opened an investigation. I don't really think there is much I can do that would make a difference."

Caleb looked genuinely stumped as he gave me the same answer he had when we talked on phone. There was no chance in blazing hell I would risk coming down to the precinct knowing Jace Parker was around. Not because I was afraid of meeting my asshole ex.

The urge to kick his face in was serious knowing that he was the one stopping all the cops from helping me find Noah. All including Caleb.

Petty asshole...This is so much bigger than him and his childishness...

The detective before me gave me a pity and sympathy filled look that sent a chill through my veins and shards of resentment. I didn't want him to feel sorry for me. I just wanted him to f*****g help me.

I am so sick and tired of the pity.

Every single PI I had visited had been less than helpful with some being disgusting perverts while others insisted that there wasn't enough to go on.

Since f*****g when did PI's turn down a job because there was little information? Wasn't it their job to piece things together from barely anything?

The one constant was the pity. My desperation seemed to be quite fascinating to them and I hated it. Especially when my entire life was falling apart all around me.

"Okay...thanks anyway for agreeing to see me, Cabe. I really appreciate it considering..."

I let the sentence stray, each of us knowing exactly what I refused to say. Jace would not be happy with his old friend for meeting me and I personally couldn't give two f***s.

The bastard could go eat literal s**t.

"I'm sorry I couldn't be of more help, Em...Here, this is the PI I mentioned to you on the phone. You could try and get in touch with him. I'm sure he can explore ideas that I am limited from pursuing."

The card felt like a dead end and, for a moment, I considered tearing it apart and shoving it in the overflowing bin right next to the door but any kind of help was better than nothing. I needed to do something. Anything to keep me sane and not spiral into the dark thoughts of what could have possibly happened to my best friend.

"Thanks, Caleb."

The hug was brief, his encouraging words for me to hang in there tasting bitter in my mouth as I left the overcrowded office but I chose to understand. To cut him some slack. He was trying to navigate the complexities of a breakup. The age old question of whether to be friends with his partner's ex.

Inputting the PI's number into my phone, I hang onto the small thread that I had left, praying to whatever being was out there to open a way for me. Unlike my overly religious and very catholic mother, I was not one for believing in a higher being. The catechist's lessons hadn't really stuck with me growing up and even now, when everything was going to s**t, I couldn't really see divine intervention as an option.

"I'd have to be out of every f*****g idea before resorting to Hail Mary's."

The very thought made me chuckle but the realization that I was growing closer and closer to the option killed the unhinged amusement within me.

The New York Summer heat was brutal, a serious shift from the air conditioned precinct that was now behind me. The very fact that I was not in my house, reveling in my air conditioning as I sipped on a chilled can of Mountain Dew made me really hate Noah.

How dare that asshole make me look for him in the middle of this underworld-worthy heat?! He better be in some serious s**t. That's the only way I'll forgive him...

I regretted the thought as soon as it was gone but the urge to kick the s**t out of my best friend when we met again flittered through my mind as I walked down the steps to hail a cab.

My thoughts were consumed by the girl's night Ash and I would be having this evening. The very thought of having to explain the craziness of my upcoming nuptials to Soren made me sick. I would have to lie to her. To figure out a feasible reason as to why I hid my 'relationship' from her.

Heck, I couldn't even tell her that Noah was missing, let alone that I had sold my soul to Diablo himself just so he could help me find our friend.

I could almost see the shock in her eyes and hear all the angry curses she would hurl at me, my future husband and our MIA best friend.

"She's going to f*****g lose it."

Exhaustion waded through me at the thought of the exchange. No, I can't tell her anything. Its already dangerous as it is with Soren involved. I can't have her pulled into my cluster f**k.

The scolding will have to wait.

A Taxi was quick to stop in front of me as soon as I waved it over but the yellow cab would not be my ride for the afternoon as a sleek, matte black Range Rover stopped behind it and a suit clad man emerged from the passenger seat. A man I recognized instantly as one of Soren's frequent bodyguards.

I could just walk away...Pretend I didn't see the Secret Service looking-ass guy. I mean, its not like he would stop the cab guy, pull me out of the car kicking and screaming and shove me into his Mafia Chariot, right?

Right?!

"I'm sorry, sir. I have another ride."

I apologized to the cab driver who must have seen my anxiety ridden features for instead of insulting my mother and I for keeping him waiting, he simply shrugged and drove away.

I was thankful that he was taking the high road. I wasn't really ready to have another man's blood on my hands what with my psychopathic and trigger happy fiancé so close by. I already have enough night terrors to add yet another one onto the f****d up line up that awaits me every night when I close my eyes.

He really should invest in anger management classes...But I doubt that would get rid of his proclivity to the darkness.

Wow, you're utterly screwed, Emilia.

Making my way to the SUV, I paused as the silently menacing suit clad man opened the back door for me, revealing my fiancé who looked absolutely delectable in his three piece suit with his phone against his ear. Cliché but he looks just like the King of the Universe. I didn't know why but I was sure this man barely knew what a cliché was.

Releasing a long winded breath, I settled beside him before his glance became more impatient than it already was. The door was swiftly closed behind me and we were on our way, soon enough, melding into New York traffic.

The car was silent albeit the foreign language the man beside me spoke as he seemed to give orders to the person on the other line. I could not imagine Soren Alexander requesting anything of anyone.

Does he even know how to use please and thank you?

It sounded like a ridiculous question but as I watched him list off multiple franchises in fluent French and demand their acquisition, I realized it wasn't such a stupefying thought after all. It made me chuckle, the sound seeming to stun the three men in the car who all glanced at me, seeming perturbed by my sudden reaction.

Well, there goes my chance at hiding just how unhinged I am....

"Care to share what's so funny, Emilia?"

Soren's voice was silent, almost contemplative as his gaze settled on me.

The urge to fidget under his intense look was strong but I could not give him that satisfaction. I could not show him just how much he unsettled me. I refuse to be like every other person in his circle. If I have any chance at earning this man's help and respect then I have to grow some balls.

"Its Em. And no, I'd rather keep my stray thoughts to myself, thank you. You can't ask to own my thoughts just as you own my soul. That's not very fair, Mr. Alexander, regardless of the fact that you're the devil himself. Even the evil one has some standards."

I didn't know where the confidence came from. Maybe it was because of the shitty day I'd had. Maybe the frustrations of my search were finally catching up with me but I couldn't bring myself to assume a demure personality with the man beside me. Consequences be damned.

Maybe I'll annoy him enough to have him let me go?

Wishful thinking, Emilia...

The car was deathly silent for a moment before a soft chuckle escaped the man beside me, the sound of it leaving me speechless as I stared incredulously at the sight before me.

Could the world be ending? Could I have pushed Satan himself to the end of his patience? Is this my last night on Earth?

The suit clad men in front of us seemed to have the same sentiments as a glimmer of pity and worry flashed through their eyes before they averted their gaze.

Welp.

I guess I'm gonna have to face death on my own.

"So you've finally relaxed enough around me to showcase that smart mouth of yours?"

He stated, seeming genuinely amused as he watched me through an indiscernible and burning gaze. I was hooked, unable to look away despite the questions that swirled within my mind, like how did he know that I was a sarcasm machine when I was anxious?

He continued, his next words leaving me speechless with a wildly beating heart.

"You have a point, though. Even the devil has somewhat of a moral compass. But that's not to say I won't take everything that I am owed. The sin of Greed may not be mine but I do plan to possess everything that you are and everything that you have. Your thoughts included."

His gaze was steady, his eyes never leaving mine as he showcased the promise wedged deep within. This was not a bluff. He was showing me exactly what he planned to do.

He would not be backing down.

A gulp and shaky exhale later, I was composed enough to change the subject and not show him just how much his words affected me.

I should be scared by his need to own me fully...but why am I also oddly excited at the prospect?

"This is probably a dumb question but how the hell did you know where I was? Stalking is a crime, you know. I get you're into walking the fine line between good and bad but I think you should have some limits, having me followed included."

A part of me had known that there was a possibility of him having me followed but my desperation overruled any borderline psychopathic tendencies that my husband to be would be up to.

He ran his hand through his hair, a semblance of a smile on his lips but it was gone as quickly as it came, leaving behind the permanent scowl that's almost always there. It was almost as if a fog had been cleared, leaving behind absolute clarity.

"Contrary to your delusions, Emilia, when my wife to be visits the police station, it becomes my business. Especially if its to ask for help for something I already gave you my word that I'd do. Do you have such little faith in me? What part of 'I own this f*****g state' did you not understand?"

I could see his rationale. Heck, I knew I had f****d up the minute I visited the first PI guy. I was undermining his rule. I had seen this visit coming and yet his harshness still made my blood boil. My plan to silently take everything he would dish out went flying out of the window and onto the concrete jungle's pavement.

I was left with the irritation, desperation and anger that came with fear. With uncertainty. Noah was my best friend. He was my rock and I would be damned if this asshole undermines my efforts to find him just because of his reputation.

"Oh, it's glaringly clear that you have overwhelming power what with your stalking tendencies. Which is why I don't understand the ghosting. Also, It's pretty rich that you're asking me to have faith in you when I barely know you. All you have done so far is show off your dangerous side by murdering someone- thanks for the nightmares by the way- and ignore me. You have given me nothing to showcase good faith and the fact that I haven't signed my life over to a conman. Your broody, 'Bruce Wayne' esque-morally gray reputation may be important. Heck, I weirdly get it and I have no idea what that says about me, but Noah is also important to me. So, if my investigation means that I'll be stepping on your mercurial toes then you should give me something to keep me from going all rogue. Keep your end of the deal or I won't be walking down that aisle in two days' time. I won't deliver myself to my slaughter."

There. It was all out. All my inhibitions and my discontent. I'd removed the pin from the grenade, let it go. Now to wait for him to either catch it or to blow.

If this is gonna be my last night, might as well go out with a bang, huh?

The air within the car was charged, literal electric as we sat in silence whilst cruising through the Big Apple. I could feel the two men at the front gazing at me, their shock and disapproval pretty glaring. I could almost hear their thoughts. They were my own, after all.

You have absolutely no sense of self preservation, do you, Em? Not only did you just call the man who holds your fate in his hands a conman, stalker, Bruce Wayne?, but you've also threatened not to go through with the agreement you made with him.

The details on my attacker's brutal death came to mind, evoking a violent wave of nausea to assail me despite the fact that I hadn't eaten s**t since morning.

Yeah, I'm gonna be found dead in a ditch somewhere for sure...

The shock of his touch and my dark thoughts combined to send me scooting back and away from him. I didn't get far, though, as his hand wrapped around my throat and brought me right back to him.

I waited with bated breath for the constriction of air. It was not a feeling I was unfamiliar with and the thought of my life ending in that same way made my empty stomach roil and threaten to empty bile right onto his lap but the feeling never came. The claws of my trauma and brokenness were stayed as I realized his grip on me was oddly gentle.

Firm but delicate, almost as if he could see the darkness in my eyes that threatened to seep through and expose all of my demons.

His breath was warm against my lips, his eyes holding mine in an intense gaze that revealed nothing of his inner thoughts. Wetness pooled between my legs, my reaction to his borderline b**m tendencies sending my mind reeling. How I could possibly be turned on in such an environment was beyond me.

I really do have some screws loose somewhere within me...

"I am many things, Emilia, but I NEVER go back on my word."

The vehemence in his words and the fire burning bright in his eyes were enough to convince me. He was scorching, his grip on my neck tightening a fraction as he got his point across before he eased up. I was enamored, speechless. He had razed my mind with his burning gaze and his strong declaration.

I would never, could never, question his determination. Not when he had denied nothing else.

He was evil incarnate, yes, but a devil of his word.

He would find Noah.

No matter what it took.

"Again, Its Em..."

I whispered, breathless and unable to say anything more than to correct his mistake that I had a feeling was intentional. His small smile confirmed my suspicions as he leaned away from me, the loss of his touch sending a pang of disappointment through me.

Dangerous territory, Emilia...

"Noah left Wrath's Playground at 2:00am on 18th June. He was with two men we are yet to identify. They got into a black Chevrolet SUV. The number plates are untraceable, fake but that's never stopped us before. Every flipper has their own signature and we're speaking to a couple now. We'll have a lead soon on that front. He was spotted on Airport cameras next as he headed to board the plane to Fiji and thereafter on the hotel's surveillance cameras as he was checking in. We don't believe he stayed there, though. I think it was all a ruse to throw off whoever would be looking for him afterwards."

All his words were accompanied with pictures on a folder he handed me. Noah leaving the club on that fateful night with the two men who were indeed strangers to me and to Ash no less. The car that drove them, the surveillance pictures at the Airport and at Fiji.

It was all incredibly detailed and I could not help but be in awe as I flipped through the report that must have been compiled by one of his underlings no doubt.

"Finding all this was not easy, thus the long period of time it took to get back to you. Your friend or whoever he's running from went to incredible lengths to ensure he would not be found and the few traces he left behind were also covered up pretty well. I can assure you, the cops would NEVER be able to find all that I have. It's a pretty interesting case, I'll give you that. It's a puzzle that has me and the people working on it sufficiently fired up. We expect to find more and you will be updated as soon as we do."

His explanation was detailed, straight to the point and also left me incredibly anxious. I was grateful to have something on Noah, no matter how small, but the news that he was running. That someone else was looking for him left me fearful.

What the hell did you get yourself into Noah Basset?

The car came to a stop in front of my apartment complex, the sound of a closing door and the opening of mine bringing me back to the present. I turned to the suit clad man who seemed just as perturbed by the fact that I had lived through the car ride as I was.

Seems someone is looking out for me up there...I just hope they're looking out for Noah too...

"I have never met a puzzle I could not solve and neither have my people. I'll find your friend..."

His attempt to reassure me was welcome and my smile must have relayed my gratefulness which was probably why his next words caught me completely off guard.

"Oh and I'm broodier, smarter, richer and more morally gray than Bruce f*****g Wayne. Don't get it twisted, baby girl."

I was literally speechless, my mouth opening and closing like a fish. I was sure I looked like a deer caught on headlights as I stared at him, struggling to find a comeback but was only left in stunned and impressed silence.

He'd managed to shut me up.

What an incredible feat.

He, on the other hand, seemed genuinely incensed that I had compared him to the leader of the Justice League. In his world, he was probably better than the League of Heroes and the Avengers combined.

He's so cocky and childish...

It was one of the first endearing traits I fell for when it came to my husband to be.

I watched the sleek ride drive away from my apartment complex, folder secured in hand and a fond smile on my lips that I knew would end up being a dangerous sentiment.

I think I already knew it then that he would ruin me...I just didn't know how bad I would crash and burn.

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