Violet

After my not-so-pleasant encounter with Hayden King, I rushed back to the same room where I had been living. The events of the past few days flashed through my mind and I hugged the pillow tightly.

I had been kidnapped, almost raped and now, I was staying in the same house as Hayden King. The man who once single-handedly killed dozen of bodyguards of a businessman and graced the news for several weeks. The man who once managed to bomb the cars of all three commissioner candidates on the same day but the police still couldn't arrest him. The man whom I considered a myth, until I saw him with my own eyes.

Pushing these thought away, I closed my eyes but a knock on the door forced me to get up. Opening the door, I found Daniel standing outside my room. His hands were in the pocket of his jeans and a comforting smile was gracing his lips.

"Can I come in?" he asked and I nodded in a yes.

I sat down on the bed and he settled himself on a small chair facing me.

"Are you afraid of me?" he whispered softly, a ray of hope gleaming in his dark eyes.

"Yes," I said and a hint of frustration appeared on his face. "You and your partners kidnapped me and now, your boss is not letting me go. I don't even know if I'll ever step out of this house. All my dreams, all my hopes, everything is now hanging in the air."

I was feeling more defeated than I had ever felt. I had faced many challenges in my life but I managed to bounce back every time. But now, it seemed like there was no way out.

I didn't want to cry again but I couldn't help it. A tear had trailed down my cheek without me knowing, making me feel helpless in front of him.

"Here." My eyes were fixated on the floor when I felt the bed dip beside me and Daniel passed me a handkerchief. Swallowing harder, I dried my cheeks with it and passed it back to him.

I couldn't figure out why he was treating me so nicely. Weren't people like him supposed to be evil and crazy?

"You aren't the only one who is terrified of King," he whispered and I turned to look at him in surprise. I knew Hayden was scary but even his own men were afraid of him. It clearly indicated that I didn't even stand a chance in front of him.

"The only member of our gang who is not afraid of him is Alessandro," he informed me and I nodded in understanding.

"Any particular reason?" I asked.

"Well, I've heard Alessandro was his childhood buddy. It's hard to be scared of someone if you have seen them in fuzzy pajamas, eating ice-creams and watching Tom and Jerry," he explained and I smiled at the image of him wearing pink, fuzzy pajamas.

"Here's the smile I was looking for," Daniel chuckled and my own cheeks warmed up. I used my long hair to hide my cheeks from him, not wanting to show him my embarrassment.

"Thanks," I said lowly, pushing some of my hair behind my ear.

"For what?" he asked.

"For being so nice," I murmured meekly and he grinned again.

"The pleasure is all mine," he responded. "Okay Violet, I have some work to do. I should go now."

But before going, he kneeled down in front of me and patted my cheeks. "Don't be afraid. You are safe here and I'll personally make sure of that."

After he left, I kept thinking about him and the reason why he was working with these people despite his warm-heartedness and good nature.

***

It was almost 7 in the evening. Caleb had asked me to cook for them for the time I was here. And who was I to deny a gangster. That explains why I was putting the dish of casserole in the baking oven.

I was waiting for the oven timer when a voice from the living room startled me. Gulping, I left the kitchen and trudged towards the source of the voice. To my surprise, the living room was empty. I was just about to turn when cold metal touched my nape.

My voice got caught in my throat and I closed my eyes in fear.

"Who are you and what are you doing in this mansion?" A feminine voice hit my ear. A cold, distant voice just like Hayden's.

"V... Violet." The metal pushing into my skin was making it harder to speak.

"You are a spy. Aren't you?" The girl sounded angry.

"N- no," I stuttered.

"Don't you dare lie---" Her voice stopped suddenly. I opened my eyes and found Hayden King standing in front of us. His cold eyes were focused on the girl behind me as if sucking her soul with a single glance.

The girl instantly backed away and I turned around to look at her. She looked dangerous yet beautiful at the same time. Her black hair was cascading down her shoulders in perfect waves, her eyes the exact color of coal. The gun in her hand was just adding to the powerful persona she was radiating.

"Explain what you were doing, Katherine," Hayden spoke in a low tone.

"I thought she was a spy, King." The girl sounded confident. If I were in her place, I would be trembling profusely.

"Does she look like a spy to you?" he cast an annoying glance towards me. I couldn't tell if he was taking my side or insulting me.

"Sorry King," she said, bowing her head.

He nodded and then turned around, but not before glaring at me. I heaved in relief when he left the living room. My eyes flicked to the girl who was standing in the same place, her eyes throwing daggers towards me.

"So, do you like casserole? I made it for dinner," I said smiling, trying to lessen the tension. Instead of answering, she just glared at me and left, her heels clicking on the hard floor.

Guess what, you just angered another person, Violet. Great.

***

"If you are as delicious as this casserole, marry me," Caleb whispered, leaning a bit towards me.

"What kind of third-grade romantic novels do you read?" I taunted in the same whispering voice.

Somehow, the talk with Daniel had put my mind at ease and now, I wasn't feeling as scared as I was before. Although I knew I shouldn't believe the words of a criminal, a part of me trusted him.

"I don't need to read babe. I have my own share of experience." I cringed at the word babe and he grinned in return, showing his perfect teeth. His hazel eyes were twinkling with mischief.

He took another bite of the casserole, not forgetting to add a small moan which was barely audible. I rolled my eyes and turned back to my plate. Just when I was about to take another bite, Caleb leaned towards me and started whispering again.

"If your skin is as smooth as this cheese, I would love to---"

"Some of us are trying to eat in silence," Hayden's voice boomed in the dining hall and we both jerked apart. His eyes were zoomed in on me and his jaw was clenched.

"Sorry brother," Caleb said and my eyes widened in surprise.

Brother? Caleb is Hayden's brother?

Pushing back the curiosity, I focused my attention on the casserole.

After everyone had left, I cleaned the table and then decided to make a cup of coffee. The coffee powder was in a top drawer so I climbed the counter. Just when my hand was about to reach the box of coffee, my foot slipped off the counter. I clenched my eyes shut, preparing to land straight on the ground but it never happened.

Instead, I found myself trapped in strong, muscular arms. When I opened my eyes, two familiar grey eyes were looking into mine. His breath was fanning my face, causing tingles to erupt in my skin. As much as I wanted to look away, it felt like he had cast a spell on me. His eyes were the most beautiful eyes I had ever seen, grey with streaks of blue and black running in a radial pattern.

"Ehm," A cough jerked us apart. The sound came from Alessandro who was leaning at the kitchen door, not to mention smirking. I took a step back to create some distance between us.

"Are you blind or just plain stupid?" he motioned towards the wooden stool at one corner of the kitchen. Before I could say anything in my defense, he had left the kitchen in the speed of light.

"Coffee?" I asked Alessandro awkwardly who nodded, suppressing his smile.

........................................