Falling Red

10

♤ If you ever looked at me once with what I know is in you, I would be your slave for life ♤

♦ A L E X A N D E R ♦

"We are leaving." I look through the mirror at Hardin who pokes his head through the door. I greatly feel I am raising a kid not a partner. For once, Hardin, behave like an adult.

"Are you ready?" Hardin scoots on his feet as he pushes pass the door and come in once being caught. He leans against the wall and cross his legs before jabbing his hands in his jeans pocket. "I was just coming to remind you," he clears his throat while defending himself with the lamest excuse. Just like Hardin.

I had studied his every action and lovely attitude towards girls, in though it is irritating but I had to use them to get Red around me.

Hardin scratches his head before peeping at me but when I look at his way, he turns his gaze away. "What?"

"Well, I was thinking about that girl. You know . . ." he trails off.

"Which girl? You have a parade of na*ed bu*ts every night in your room." I roll my eyes.

"Not them," he raises his hands in the air in an exasperated manner. "You know about whom I am talking to. That girl is sweet and simple, Alex. Why are you doing this to her?"

"I do not want to talk about it, Hardin," I gaze at him through the mirror. When he opens his mouth again, I do not let him. "Everyone in this world is innocent but what about me? Was the small child who saw his mother being killed in front of him not innocent? Was the young boy not innocent who was forced to take all the responsibility over his shoulders at the age of playing around?"

He drops his shoulder and sighs. "It was Romeo not Veronica."

"Have you prepared everything? I do not want to give those bastards any chance to delay this deal," I speak averting my eyes from him. I do not want anyone's sympathy or pity. I do not regret anything. I know it was not related to Veronica and never will be. But she has to bear the burden as I am.

I spread my cologne over my shoulders and close the cap. This cologne used to one of my father's favourite and when I was a child, I usually steal it from his collection. Of course, I can have one for my own but nah, I always wanted that one in Dad's collection that too without tell him.

Tonight we have a meeting with local gangs and to keep it as low as possible Hardin has arranged it in a bar in downtown. I am not a person who likes crowded place and specially when it is filled with horny and drunk punks who do not know what they want. That's why this type of meetings is mainly handled by John and Hardin but since John is not here, I am accompanying Hardin. He better remember this debt.

I put my watch and then pick up my gun. It is charcoal black as I like it. Being a part of underworld business often makes everyone's life colourless but I have the darkness accompanying me from long. However, I had brought this gun from Russia when the last time I visited Massimo, the leader of Russian Mafia. Unloading, I check the bullets and then secures is against my Jeans.

"I had already prepared the cars for us and about the last time incident I will make sure it will not happen again," he speaks after a pause. I know he is deliberately changing the topic but I too do not want to talk about it. I never liked anyone poke his-or-her nose in my business. "I loophole in your security is entirely my fault. John does not have to do anything with it."

I turn to look at him and raise my brows. "When did I blame you or him?" I know they both are my most trusted people around me and that's why I remain this relaxed. "If it was not then, he would have find some other time. But on cue, recheck the security of the mansion once we get back."

"You are not angry?" He pushes himself away from the wall and walks near me. "Then why did you send John back to the base?" I stare at him without a word and click my tongue. Soon, his eyes show a hint of realisation. "That bas*ard tricked me again, didn't he? He has gone to enjoy his a*s, leaving all the sh*ts on me!"

Leaving him in his series of cusses, I walk out of my room. This mansion is grand and magnificent. My father had spend a lot of his energy to in this mansion in order to make it perfect—either it be a big fountain just ahead the front door or the flowers and greenery, he had planned it all by himself. I still remember he wanted to gift it to my mother on their anniversary but alas it never happened. This place is away from my penthouse in the heart of the city. That place occupies me during the weekdays but at weekends I like it here. Both Hardin and John live here with me. They have their own space all for themselves. However, despite knowing Bella for so many years, I still never bring her here.

"Come on, Hardin!" I shout from the door. "Otherwise, I do not mind to have some hot b*oty for myself in the bar."

Hardin does not say anything but follows me. It is time to meet some notorious leaders because I have some important things to discuss.

*~*~*

"Hello, Mr. Rio," George instantly gets on his feet and hurries towards Hardin as soon as we enters the VIP area of the bar. He is really eager to please Hardin that makes him ignore my presence. I do not mind though because Hardin is dealing with these people from my side while I am just a partner accompanying him.

There are about seven people along with George who gets up as usual when they saw us. Hardin curtly nods at them in response when George takes him to the leather couch. A waitress place our orders on the table and is sent out.

"You all know the reason for today's meeting so just get to the point," Hardin starts with a stoic face and composed voice. I mentally nod my head. He had improved a lot in dealing with people since last time. "The Boss wants to unite the business here . . ."

As Hardin goes on, I take a small sip of beer and a known bitterness spread across my chest. The last time I had a beer must be when I was at my college trip and after college I have never had it nor did I visit the college again.

My mind races in the memories of my past while my eyes inspect the dance floor downstairs. The VIP area is on the first floor and is separated by one-way mirror. While comfortably sitting here, he can have a clear view of everything happening on the dance floor. The loud music outside does not disturb anyone on the floor.

"You want to go there?" Hardin nudges me lightly. Irritating.

"No, thanks. I am very comfortable here." I shoot him a look to not mess with me. He has taken the charge to be the boss here but that does not mean he can play with me in front of everyone. I do not mind reminding him, in front of all the people, who is the real boss.

He gulps before getting up. "I am going to get a hot chick for me."

I see his retreating figure disappeared from the room and then blend into the crowd downstairs. I lean back in the couch and relax. Suddenly, a known figure catches my sight. I ease off my seat, get near to the glass wall and stare at her. It's her. Red. Her head bend down, her blonde hair cascade against her cheeks and her dress tightly stick to her skin.

As if feeling my gaze, she turns to my direction and searches for me but the one-way glass wall separate us. She shakes her head before taking the last sip of her drink and walking up to the dance floor.

Her every step does not escape from my eyes. She does not realise but her tempting body, attractive curves and su*try dance attracts many admiring eyes. The carnal desire in my eyes hooded my mind and intelligence. She has to be mine.

Only I know how much I had controlled myself when a bas*ard tries to have her. She belongs to me. Only me.

Leaving every restrain that I held in me, I follow her outside the bar only to find that bas*ard trying to get lucky. Fu*ker.

"How dare you?" I pull him from her and punch him straight on his face. Ah, fu*king Kind of Hell, it feels good!

"What are you doing? Leave him," Veronica shouts and tries to pull me off. She seems to so miserable and so . . . fu*kable. Jesus, with her in front of me like this I cannot think of anything more.

"What the fu*k you are doing, Red? Do you know how drunk you are?"

"Who the fu*k are you? What is has to do to you if I kiss or fu*k someone?" Her voice trails off but I do not hear a word more. All I can focus on her moving lips that she bites time to time in an attempt to curse me.

When my lips touch, her soft and juicy lips a shock runs through my whole body. At that moment, I knew I had ruined myself. I had landed myself in hell all by myself.