Illicit Pleasure

Ares Ellison emitted a puff of smoke, leaning casually against the balcony. He looked effortlessly hot doing it. As the minutes dragged on, his mind wandered back to Chloe Jasver and her fiery reaction to their tense encounter last week in the punishment room. He toyed with the cigarette in his hand, exhaling smoke just as he heard her footsteps approaching. Straightening up, he inhaled one last time before extinguishing the cigarette. "Good afternoon, babe. How's your sleep?" he greeted her, his voice sensual. Chloe rolled her eyes, crossing her arms. "There's no good in the afternoon if you're the first person I see." Ares smirked, taking a seat and tossing the cigarette butt into the ashtray. "How bad am I to you, Chloe?" "You're as bad as Satan in hell," she retorted, narrowing her eyes. "Satan in hell or Satan in bed?" Ares mocked with a crooked grin. She raised an eyebrow, her tone sharp. "Satan in hell." i***t, she thought silently. Ares motioned to his men. "Put a blindfold on her," he ordered. "Don't be too stubborn, babe," he said while adjusting his gun. "Come with me, or you'll never find peace in my room." "Enough with the threats, Von," Chloe snapped. "Why not settle this with a one-on-one match? Let's see who'll be the one begging." "If you keep pushing, babe, the only match will be in my bed," he replied crudely. "For now, follow me. We're paying a visit to your Mafia Clan." Chloe struggled against her handcuffs. "You're setting me up as bait, aren't you?" Ares smirked. "Smart girl. Don't mess with me, Chloe." When someone grabbed her arms to escort her, she muttered, "As if he'll actually hurt me." Ares guided her into the car, issuing instructions to his men. As he climbed in, she couldn't resist taunting him. "You'll lose, Von. Your men are weak. They'll all die because you lack a proper plan." Ares's smirk grew colder. "We're not weak, Luna. Remember that." Her breath hitched at the mention of her codename, a secret she'd guarded fiercely. How did he know? "Fine! You talk too much," she snapped, annoyed. The driver, Dencio Belarmino, grinned at their banter. "You're different around her, My Lord. How's that punishment room working for you?" Ares's glare darkened. "Keep your mouth shut, or I'll throw you out of this car." Chloe suppressed a laugh, turning to the window to hide her amusement. Minutes later, the car stopped. Belarmino announced, "We're here, My Lord." As they stepped out, Ares pointed his gun toward the mansion's gates. "Watch and tell me who's weak, Chloe," he said coldly. Gunfire erupted, chaos unfolding as Von Mafia men attacked. Chloe darted toward him, landing a sharp punch to his gut. "Don't be a fool, Ares!" she yelled. He caught her wrist mid-swing, smirking. "I told you to behave, Luna." She growled in frustration but froze when she saw the bodies of her Mafia Clan members scattered across the ground. Rage filled her as she glared at him. "Who's weak now?" Ares taunted, stepping closer. "You may be the strongest," she spat, "but you're still just a puppet for the government." "I am their superior," he shot back. "Without me, this country would crumble. I am their supreme leader." "Even if you are," Chloe hissed, "you're still a sinner." Ares leaned in, his voice dropping to a husky whisper. "Yes, I am. A sinner for killing...and a sinner for desiring you, Chloe. A walking sin you can't resist." His lips brushed against her ear. "A sinner in bed, thrusting in and out of you." Chloe's heart raced at Ares's words. She clenched her fists, forcing herself to push away the strange heat his presence always stirred in her. "You're disgusting," she spat, stepping back. "I'll never fall for your games, Ares." Ares chuckled darkly, his piercing eyes locked on hers. "You say that now, but you're still standing here, aren't you?" She glared at him, trying to ignore the weight of his words. Before she could respond, gunfire erupted from the other side of the mansion. Ares quickly signaled his men to take their positions. "Stay here," he ordered her, his tone leaving no room for argument. Chloe scoffed. "Like I'm going to listen to you." Before Ares could stop her, she darted toward the chaos, weaving through the bloodied bodies of her fallen clan. Anger and sorrow burned in her chest as she took cover behind a wall. Ares appeared beside her, his face stern. "I told you to stay put." She gritted her teeth. "You think I'll just sit and watch while my people die? You're insane." "I'm the only thing keeping you alive right now," he said coldly. "Alive to be your pawn?" she shot back. Ares's jaw tightened. "Alive because I want you to be." Chloe narrowed her eyes at Ares, her heart pounding with frustration. "I don't need you to keep me alive. I've survived worse without your help," she snapped. Ares smirked, his confidence unwavering. "You're stubborn, I'll give you that. But this isn't about pride, Chloe. It's about survival. Your clan's already fallen. I'm your only chance at making it out of this alive." The harsh truth in his words stung, but Chloe refused to show weakness. "You talk like you're invincible, but everyone has a weakness, Ares. Even you." His expression darkened, and for a brief moment, she saw a flicker of vulnerability in his eyes. But it vanished as quickly as it appeared, replaced by his usual cold demeanor. "Maybe, but you won't be the one to find it," he replied, his voice sharp. Suddenly, more gunfire erupted, closer this time. Ares grabbed Chloe's arm and pulled her into the nearest building. She yanked her arm free, glaring at him. "Let go of me!" she hissed. "Stop being reckless," he growled. "Do you want to get yourself killed?" Chloe didn't answer. She peered through a cracked window, assessing the battlefield. Bodies were strewn across the ground, and the air reeked of blood and gunpowder. Her heart sank as she recognized some of the fallen—people she had fought alongside, people she had trusted. Ares stood beside her, his presence both infuriating and oddly reassuring. "If you're done grieving, we need to move," he said bluntly. She shot him a withering look. "You really have no soul, do you?" "Not when it comes to survival," he admitted. "Now, are you coming or not?" Chloe hesitated. She hated him, hated everything he stood for. But deep down, she knew he was right. Alone, she wouldn't stand a chance against the Von Mafia's forces. "Fine," she muttered reluctantly. "But don't think for a second that I trust you." Ares smirked again, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "I wouldn't expect you to." They moved through the building cautiously, Ares leading the way. His men covered their escape, engaging the remaining enemies. Chloe couldn't deny his efficiency; the man was a skilled tactician, and his men were fiercely loyal. As they reached a quieter area, Ares turned to her. "You need to make a choice, Chloe. Keep fighting me, or accept that I'm your only ally right now." She crossed her arms, her jaw tightening. "You're not my ally. You're just the lesser evil." He chuckled, a low, almost predatory sound. "Call me what you want. Just don't get in my way." For a moment, they stared at each other, the tension thick between them. Chloe hated that she couldn't read him, that he always seemed to be one step ahead. But she swore to herself that she wouldn't let him win, no matter the cost. The sound of approaching footsteps snapped them back to reality. Ares grabbed his gun, his demeanor shifting back to that of a cold, calculating leader. "Stay close," he ordered. Chloe followed, her mind racing with thoughts of revenge, survival, and the man she was forced to trust—for now.