"Until the lion learns how to write, every story will glorify the hunter."

****************

Natalie's POV

"Why didn't you go with them?" I asked Alex, as I took a sip of my coffee, desperately needing the caffeine to understand their messed up family tree.

He shrugged, "I do my thing, and they do...their thing."

Just like Nikolas said, Alex isn't part of their thing. Now, I came to understand why, they don't share the same father, but still, their fathers are brothers, doesn't that also make them both part of the same mafia. I really don't understand this.

Wait.

Hold on.

Their fathers are brothers; the uncle Nikolas told me about. That uncle is Alex's father, isn't it?

"Hold on," I slammed my cup down, harsher than I intended, "Your father...he is the uncle, he is the one who hurt Nikolas, isn't he?"

Alex's eyebrows pulled closer, "He told you about that?" He asked, "Wow, I am impressed."

At the moment, I didn't know if I should like Alex, it is his father, after all, he is the one responsible for half the scars over Nikolas's body. I still can't believe it, who the hell would do that to his own nephew? Unbelievable.

What type of parents are these people?!

"Oh, don't give me that look," Alex said, raising his hand up in surrender, "No way do I support what my father did," His eyebrow raised, "I hate the man more than Nikolas does, believe me."

I swallowed down, trying to calm down my spiked-up nerves, "What about him, is he still...alive?"

Alex shook his head, "No," He cast his gaze down and played with the cup's edge as he added, "He definitely got what he deserved."

I found this as my chance to get out of him information that Nikolas would never give me, "What about your mother, is she alive?"

Alex's eyes shot up to me, the muscles of his jaw tightened and he nodded, "Unfortunately."

I don't want to judge the mother, and I am still not aware of the details, but getting in between two brothers, seriously?

"Where is she then?" I asked.

"With Nikolas's father, where else," He answered, monotonously.

Also, she is still with the man who abused her and is hell-bent on hurting his own kid. Yeah, I keep losing respect for her by the second.

"I am sorry but I feel like I hate your whole family," I mumbled, frustrated at the newly-gained information.

Alex smiled, "Join the club, then," He pulled into a deep breath, "You won't hate them more than we already do."

I rested my arms over the table and pulled into a deep calming breath. I had great parents, the best even, but death took one from me and sickness took the other. I don't understand how these bad things happen to good people when it could just take out the bad ones, those like Nikolas's father or mother.

It's not fair. Not at all.

"Anyway, smart move you got there, prying information out of me, huh?" Alex commented, his tone taking a playful turn, lightening up the mood.

I looked up at him guiltily before I innocently shrugged, "Nikolas gives me nothing, I had to."

He shook his head, "Nikolas is not used to talk about things, he wouldn't even tell me if I asked," His eyebrow raised, "But I feel that somehow you're making your way inside his mind," He gave me a wink, "And hopefully inside something else."

I don't think I am, but let's see.

"Nikolas told me that he hurt you," I asked, hesitant at first, feeling as if I am trespassing a boundary, "He didn't say how, but did he really...hurt you?"

The light in his eyes dimmed a bit at my question and I knew I should've just kept silent, the muscles of his jaw worked a bit and he shook his head, "Let's not talk about that."

I nodded, "Yeah, sure, I am sorry, I am just so curious about everything Nikolas is," I justified my motives and Alex nodded, "It's a good sign you are," He said, "But be careful, some things are better left buried and hidden."

Another warning.

What the hell is so big that neither Nikolas nor Alex would talk about? I mean I saw the man kill right in front of my eyes and enjoy it, could there be anything worse than that?

A low sigh parted my lips, "Alex, I really want to help him, you have no idea how much," I mumbled, "In his eyes, I see so much pain, a one that destroyed him and is still doing so."

A pain I've seen slowly take over my brother, till I no longer recognized him. A pain that made him disappear on me, even forget I existed, a pain that I have no idea to what extent it broke him.

A pain, if given the chance, I'd try my best to take away.

My brother didn't give me the chance to do so, so maybe Nikolas can, maybe then I will finally be able to fix that little broken part in me as well. The main reason up to why I picked this as my major, hoping for once to make a difference in someone's life.

Alex nodded, "I want to help him too, Natalie, I am trying, you have no idea how hard I am trying," His throat bobbed and from the look in his eyes only I understood that Nikolas had done some real damage to him, but the crazy thing is, he's here, he's still here by his side, "But the problem is that Nikolas doesn't believe that he can be helped, he had given up on himself, and now he is on a suicidal mission to get rid of his father, thinking that's the only reason he's still alive."

"Every time I try to convince him that he deserves a second chance, he throws in my face all the bad things he's done," He raked a hand through his hair, the topic frustrating him, "That's why he needs someone who won't judge him based on the things he did in the past, but just on the person he is on the inside," He added, "And that someone could be you, Natalie."

"You could be the one to make him trust and believe in himself again."

"I want to, but given the zero progress I've had with him since we met," It's gonna be three months since he first came knocking on my door and I still don't understand him, "I think I am not up to the task."

Alex shrugged, "I am not the psychologist here but maybe you were just approaching this the wrong way," He suggested, "I think you should stop asking about what happened to him in the past, and just focus on the person he is now," His words were very convenient, "Stop investigating the factors around him and put all of your efforts into...him only."

He leaned back into his seat and I thought his words through, a bit taken aback at the revelation.

"You're right," I mumbled, "Nikolas is not trying to recover from a trauma or something," I was trying to figure out his trauma, thinking I could heal him from it, "His whole life has been one big trauma."

My eyebrows pulled closer, "It was almost like I was trying to understand who he was before, but..." I shook my head, "There wasn't a before. He was born into this, the moment he opened his eyes to the world, it started."

Alex nodded, "Someone who only felt pain throughout his whole life."

"Is someone who thinks pain is normal," I continued his sentence, "The concept of normal and not normal, of right and wrong, is very mixed up in his brain." I've already noticed that on many occasions.

I leaned back into my seat and almost scoffed at myself, "I am really trying to understand someone who doesn't even understand himself."

But that's the key, since he doesn't, I can indirectly help him figure out who he is, and only then I can convince him that this person he is, is worth a fight and a second chance.

**************

Nikolas's POV

"So, are you done with the torturing part?" Alex asked, taking a seat ahead of me.

Emma nodded and wiped the left blood from over her hands, "Yeah, he was an easy one," She pouted, "Immediately spilled everything out, I really wanted to have more fun with him."

Roman looked at her and rolled his eyes. I'll never understand how these two got married.

"And?" Alex asked.

"Well, since he's been targeting Nik over here, and based on what that man inside said after I cut out his ear, Isacc is here in the US," She looked at me, "And he is making a tour around the HEX."

"The...what?" Alex asked, confused.

"The HEX, it's what they call the place where I was trained," Emma mumbled, "It's where we all get trained, more often forced into it, proof: me."

"It's where I was trained as well," Ronald interjected and my eyes immediately shot to him.

"You joined there with your own will, why?" No one in their right mind state would ever participate in the HEX, their method of training is pure torture, given the fact it was founded by my father dearest.

Ronald shrugged, "We've all got our reasons, don't we?"

Alex's confused eyes drifted from Ronald then back to Emma, "So, why again is Isaac here?" He pointed at me, "Other than the fact that he wants him."

"Well, after the training is done, there is a test we go through, if you pass the test...well usually not a lot survive it anyway," She explained, "But given my father is here, he probably wants to recruit whoever passed it to his side and only get stronger."

"Well, aren't we more fucked now," Alex mumbled, in annoyance.

"Can't we go and recruit people of our own?" Roman asked and I shot him a glare, "So, you married Emma, took the Virachi name, and now you think you can just waltz into one of our most secure organizations and just take people out with you?!"

"Only when I killed my father, or thought that I killed him that I was able to get inside and get Emma out," I clarified, "The HEX should definitely be kept out of our plan."

"But, a lot of people are being held in there against their will," Alex commented.

"What exactly are we trying to do here, catch my father, or save those people?" I asked, my eyebrow raising, the whole being-one-step-behind my father driving me insane.

Alex shrugged, "We can do both."

I shook my head and stood up, "No, that's the least of my concerns right now, we need to figure out a way to be one step ahead of him, that's all."

I left them to discuss another failing plan and walked outside. Unease blistered under my skin and to divert my mind from thinking about this, I pulled my phone and called Jeremy, "Anything new?" I asked when he picked up.

"Kind of," He said and I listened, "One thing for sure, her mother wasn't just working for one of the families, she was the daughter of one," His words had me think back to Natalie's words, she sounded so sure, I doubt she was lying to me, "You know Armone, right? She was his daughter, her name was Maria Armone and from what I could gather is that she ran away from her family."

"And when she was caught years later, they killed her," I continued, the story starting to make some sense.

"Exactly, the car accident was definitely not an accident," Jeremy said, "It was meant to kill Maria and Natalie's father, but as to who killed her, I am not sure, Maria's father died along time ago, so it had to be someone else."

"Okay, what about the brother, anything new?" I asked.

"No, not a clue," He answered and I sighed, annoyed at the lack of information.

The thoughts swirling through my mind since Natalie talked about her brother had me explaining, "Just a wild guess, I mean his mother was in a way connected to us, and she was killed by the mafia, so what are the chances that her son decided to join us after, maybe to understand what happened or to avenge his mother," I added, "Because only one who has good connections, would be able to erase himself from existence like this."

"It does make sense," Jeremy said, "If you can get me his name at least, I can try and dig more."

"Okay, I will see what I can do," I said, "Keep me updated."

When I turned around to get back in, I saw Alex making his way toward me, his eyes narrowed at me, "Why are you so riled up like that?"

My eyebrow raised, "Isn't it obvious," I shot out, "Isaac is always a step ahead of us and for some reason, I can't come up with a convenient way to catch him."

"Okay, we'll figure out a way, you don't need to be this much worked up," He said, urging me to take a step back and calm a bit.

I rubbed a hand over my face, "Today was just a long day, I think I should just head back," Also, Natalie is all alone. Yes, my house is safe, but still, anything could happen.

He looked at his phone, "Yeah, drop me at my place first," He said and I raised my eyebrow, "Where is your car?"

He sighed, "Cara's car is being fixed, so I gave her mine for the day," He explained.

"Okay, let's go," I mumbled before we got into the car and drove away. The ride to his house was mostly silent, which is odd, considering Alex never just shuts up. When we reached, I parked the car a bit away from his house, just so...she won't see me or something. No need to make this harder than it already is.

I looked at Alex and couldn't help but ask, addressing his non-hyperverbal state, "What's wrong?"

He looked at me and just shook his head, "We really should find a way to stop him," He added, his tone reflecting every doubt and fear he has been hiding.

I nodded, "I should just stop making all the wrong decisions," I rubbed a hand over my face, very much frustrated at the fact that I've met my match, "I need to clear my mind and figure out a plan."

Alex's eyes were focused on his house, "I feel like at any moment, he would just barge in and take or hurt...him."

The muscles of my jaw tightened, the thought alone had me shifting uncomfortably in my seat, "No way in hell would he dare," I said and looked at Alex, "You're not alone in this, no matter what, we would never let that happen."

He nodded and pulled into a deep breath, his hand reached for the handle, "Yeah, we won't, I trust you in that," He was about to get out but stopped himself and turned his head to me, his eyebrows pulled closer, "Did I just say that I trust you?" His eyes widened a bit, "Wow, I think you're growing on me."

I couldn't help the smile crawling up my face and he smiled as well, his attempt to lighten the mood worked, "See you later bro," He said and went out.

How in god's name did we reach here? I'll never understand it.

I didn't drive away just yet. I watched him as he reached the house's door and that little hope in me had me getting out of the car, my eyes focused there, maybe...just maybe I could see a glimpse of her again.

An immediate smile broke down my face when she ran toward Alex and right into his arms, she said something and he laughed at it before he held her. She wrapped her little arms around his neck and laid her face over his shoulder. At the moment, every wrong thing in this world felt pointless in front of her beautiful smile.

Just when I was about to get into my car again, the phone rang in my pocket. I pulled it out to see an unknown number flash through the screen. Confused, I answered and placed the phone to my ear, "Hello?"

"Is that what you're always going to do?" His voice alone had me stiffening and freezing in my spot, "Stand and watch them from far away, seriously son?"

My eyes grew a bit wide and I looked around me, "Watch him be a father to your own son, I mean, no matter what, deep down you must hate that so much," He commented, "I am sure that little voice in your head is always telling you to just go in and take him, doesn't it?"

My fingers tightened over my phone, "What the hell do you want?" I grated out through clenched teeth.

He tsked, "Nikolas, Nikolas, you have no idea how disappointed I am in you," He said, "I mean, how can you be so weak that you are not able to even get me, come on, where is the Nikolas I watched over the past years, the one that killed and tortured, the one that made that master plan to hurt his brother, where is that Nikolas?"

I ignored his manipulative words, "I am gonna find you and when I do," I clenched my jaw, "You have no idea what I am going to do with you."

He chuckled, "I don't think you will, you see I am always going to be one step ahead of you, always."

Anger clouded my chest and senses, "What the hell do you want from me?"

"I just want to have fun," He said, amused.

"Fun is sending your dogs after me? I gotta admit, I am not that impressed, it's getting really boring to drop down their bodies all over the city," I taunted him, "If you were a real man father, you'd come and face me yourself, but you're such a coward, you spent your whole life hiding in the shadows, you just got used to it I guess."

There was a brief moment of silence, "Hmm, you're right, it is getting boring," A low sigh parted his lips, "I should...step up my game, don't you think?"

"But, with whom should I start this time, hmmm," He added, "Should I start with that girl you're hiding in your house, what was her name again...oh yeah, Natalie, gotta admit Nikolas, I didn't know you were into blondes, thought Cara was more your type."

His words erupted all types of fear across my chest, my hand on the side curled into a fist, it shook with the trapped anger and fury, "Oh don't look so shocked, you think I don't know where you stay," He chuckled, "Come on, Nikolas, I am the boss, I am the leader of the whole damn Italian mafia, I know everything, I see everything," He said, proudly, "It's what gonna always keep me ten steps ahead of you."

"So, yeah, keep bringing more...weaknesses into your life and I am going to pretty much enjoy killing every and each single one of them."

Air pushed out of my nose, "I am gonna kill you," My words held a promise, a one I am going to fulfill, even if it has to be the last thing I'll ever do.

He laughed, "I am so excited to see you try and do that," He said, "But for now, I guess I will start with Natalie, let's see to what extents you'll go to protect her," He added, trying to trigger me and pretty much succeeding, "Aww, she has a really cute little kitty, look at her sitting there on your couch and playing with her," His words had my eyes widening and I rushed back inside the car, my heart frantic with the possible ways this could go wrong, "Let's see Nikolas, will you catch me in time, or not."

A frenzy of madness lit up the cells of my brain, I threw the phone back into my pocket and pulled the car with full-speed into the road. I didn't slow down for even a second, my feet pressed down the gas-pedal non-stop, and I rushed in between cars, only one destination on my mind.

I didn't understand how fast I got there, or how I went down and walked into the building. All I could comprehend was me pushing the door of my apartment open and my gaze immediately fell on Natalie, sitting over the couch, the cat in her lap and nothing seemed out of the ordinary.

Her eyes shot to me, and at my defensive state, she got to her feet, "Nikolas-"

Before she could say anything, I was in her face. My hand reached her arm and I looked at her from up to down, "Are you-" I was panting, as if I just ran all the way here, "Are you okay?"

Her eyebrows pulled closer in confusion, "Yes," She said, "Why?"

A low breath of relief parted my lips, but before I could grasp what happened, my phone was ringing again. My jaw tightened and I fished it out, "What the fuck do you want?" I screamed, his manipulative tactics driving me insane.

"I was really hoping that you wouldn't just do that, run to save her as if your life depended on it," He said, a hint of resentment in his voice, "I guess our game of cat and mouse shall start now, Nikolas."

His taunting words had me hurling the phone away, a groan of fury scraped out of my throat and red veiled my sight at his fucked up test, trying to figure out how much I care about those around me. The fucker is studying me, figuring out my weaknesses, what the hell is he planning, what does he get from this?

Why can't I figure it out? Why can't I be a step ahead, why can't I think of a way to stop this, what the hell is happening to me?!

The thoughts clouding my brain, his taunting voice, and his promises had me releasing my anger at anything within my path of sight. I kicked the chair, flipping it upside down, and the urge to spill blood became more and more persistent. A scream of frustration fought its way out of my burning throat and the nearest thing to me at the moment was the mirror hanging by the wall, logic fled away and I slammed my fist against it, shattering it into a million pieces. Shards of glass fell and scattered all over the ground, shards penetrated through my skin, blood seeped out but I couldn't feel anything.

Pain couldn't overcome the anger. I was so fucking used to it, it just never could.

The imminent urge to seek more destruction clouded every single sense I have, so when a hand reached for my shoulder, it felt like a threat, my fingers shot to the wrist and I pushed away...pushed her away, slamming her back against the wall.

My eyes fell into her wide blue ones and I was snapped back in. I immediately released my grip, retreating my body away from hers, "Hey, hey, it's okay," She said, in assurance and she inched closer, "It's just me," She added, shaking her head, not once threatened by the fact that I just pushed her away.

My lungs fought for the missing oxygen and I felt her soft touch, her palm brushing my cheek, shaking me, and guarding me down in place. Unconsciously, I leaned into her touch as I heaved a breath in and out of my chest.

"Nikolas, what happened?" She asked, worry evident in her gaze as she took my current state in, "Is there something wrong?"

"Everything," I shook my head, "Everything is wrong."

I can't find a way to beat him. I...don't even know how. How can I get to him without anyone else getting hurt?

Weaknesses. I have so many of them, nowadays.

He asked about the old Nikolas, the one who planned his brother's demise without a care in the world who'd get hurt on the way...how can I bring that Nikolas back? Even if I could bring him back, wouldn't that just mean that I'll be letting go of the part of me that cares...the part that is still human.

I stared back at Natalie, at the worry etching lines over her forehead, and the look of pure innocence in her eyes, and I understood how he won't stop till he destroys the very few good things in my life.

The muscles of my jaw worked and I placed my hand over her wrist, prying hers away from my face. She has no fault to ever be dragged into this. Her mother probably died, while trying to keep her away. I should keep her away, far away from my world.

"I will fix this," I said, taking a step backward, trying to break free from that aura around her that's trying to trap me in, "Give me a day or two and I'll make sure you will be back to your old life," I said, "I promise, you won't have people coming after you anymore."

Her frown deepened, "That's not what I am worried about now, Nikolas."

"You should be," I looked around, "This world is not for you, Natalie."

And if I kept her with me any longer, he will make sure to drag her deeper and deeper into this world of ours, but I won't let him.

I moved and pulled my cracked phone from over the ground before I walked into the other room and away from her. I don't know what this is, I won't understand it ever, maybe I am fond of her, I probably...maybe like her, because who wouldn't. The darkness in me is attracted to the light in hers. The madness in my brain is pulled to the sanity in hers.

It's my fucked up sickness to crave the pure and the innocent; the devil in me always hoping for salvation, thinking he could get it out of those like her. It's why I loved Cara...or thought that I did. That wasn't love. I ruined the girl, what kind of love is that.

This time, it's a bit different, I won't hurt Natalie, but all the factors around me could.

The only way is to just...give up.

Alex wanted me to fight, but no, he doesn't get it.

I turned on my phone and thankfully it was still working, I dialed him and when he picked up, I shot my question, "What would it take for you to stop?"

"What do you mean?" He asked, playing the clueless.

"Before all of this, you said if I joined you, you'll leave everyone else out of this," I said, recalling his previous words back.

"Now, you're speaking my language," He said, "But, what would make me believe that you're gonna really submit to me, I am not a fool, Nikolas."

I pressed my eyes shut, my feet anxiously tapping over the floor, "I'll do anything you want, just fucking tell me what to do and leave everyone else out of this."

"That's interesting," He commented, very amused at the turn of events, "To prove that you'll be a hundred percent on my side, then, I need you to kill someone for me."

Air harshly pushed out of my chest, "Who?"

"Emma's husband," He said, "I don't like him, no matter what, he is still a Brit by blood and him taking over London isn't good for our business," My jaw tightened, fuck, fuck, I knew this wasn't going to be easy, "Kill Roman, deliver his body to me, and you'll take back over London, you and I will work together and just then, I would leave those who you care about behind."

"Deal?" He asked.

This...this could be a turning point, fuck, this will make them hate me, Alex, Emma...Cara, she will hate me even more, but...at least they all will be alive and left unharmed.

Determination took over the logic in my head and I nodded, "Deal."

**************

Natalie's POV

I rested my face into my palms as I watched him from a distance across the room. Something is off about him. I know there is always something off about Nikolas, but tonight, now, there is just something so different, but I just can't point it out.

It's like he's here, but also galaxies away.

On the other hand, Massie was so intent on taking his attention that she climbed up the couch and inched closer to his side. He was too lost in his thoughts that he almost flinched when she rubbed her head against his arm. He shot her a hard glare and carefully tried to push her away.

I shook my head with a smile, "I can't believe a man like him is scared of a cat," I said to Emma, who was sitting beside me.

"He is not scared of her," She said, her tone serious which made me look at her. She placed the cup of tea to her mouth and her gaze was at Nikolas as he and Massie fought for dominance.

She looked back at me, "When I was with my father, he used to tell me...stories, you know things that would teach me a lesson," The muscles of her jaw worked before she placed the cup down on the table, "When Nik was young, like really young, there was a little cat in the backyard, she was sick or something, so he would like bring her food and take care of her every day, well, till my father caught him," Her eyebrow raised, "Guess what he did."

My hand curled into a fist and anger rushed against my chest, expecting her next words, "He killed it, in front of him, because per his words, we shouldn't take care of the weak, no," Her jaw tightened, "We should take advantage of their weakness and kill them."

"So, imagine what that would be like for a little kid," She looked back at Nikolas and shook her head, "He thinks he is scared of her but the truth is, he is just scared of hurting her somehow."

My pulse took off a sprint and something in my chest broke a little as I imagined Nikolas, being young, just an innocent little kid, and being taught to kill, something as innocent as a little cat. If it's possible to hate the father more, I just did.

"You seem to know and understand him very well," I couldn't help but comment at her little observation.

She shrugged, "It's not much of knowing or understanding, it's just that I relate to him on so many levels, that's all."

She stood up, and placed the cup in the sink before she walked to where Nikolas is, "So, I will be sleeping over here, right?" She asked, pointing at the couch Nikolas has been sleeping on for the past two days.

Nikolas's eyes shot to her, "Couldn't you stay with your husband?"

She shook her head, "Nah, we are fighting, as usual, he would just choke me in my sleep or something."

He sighed, "If you sleep here, where the hell will I go?"

She shrugged, "No one told you not to put furniture in the extra room."

He shot her glare, "Well, when I came here, I wasn't much of expecting to have guests over," He said, sarcastically.

"Well, I guess you and Natalie will have to sleep on the same bed," Emma said teasingly before she looked at me and winked.

Nikolas's eyes flickered to me before he got to his feet, a harsh breath puffed out of him and he mumbled, "The things I put myself through for you people."

Emma smiled in satisfaction and silently ushered me to follow him into the bedroom. Excitedly, I made my way there and closed the door behind us. Nikolas's whole body was still vibrating with that same negative energy, without much of a glance at my side, he nodded toward the small chair, positioned at the corner of the room, "I am not much of a sleeper anyway, I'll crash there."

"No, like hell will I let you do that," I walked closer, "The bed is big enough to fit us both," My eyebrow raised and I sighed, "Don't worry, I won't sexually harass you, if that's what you're scared of."

He stared at me with furrowed eyebrows, a bit taken aback by my bluntness, he shook his head, "It's not that, I will just sleep there and-"

"Nikolas, just shut up and go the bed," I said, more like ordered and pointed at the bed.

His eyebrow raised, "Did you just tell me to shut up?"

I nodded and took a courageous step forward, "Exactly, what are you gonna do about it?" I asked, my tone daring.

Oh damn, I really love to play with fire, don't I?

Nikolas raked an anxious hand over his hair and mumbled something under his breath, probably cursing me before he headed toward the bed and I smiled, feeling accomplished.

His hand reached for the gun tucked to his side and my eyes widened, "Woah, Woah," I raised my hand in surrender and faked fear, "I was just kidding, just sleep wherever you want."

He sighed, pretty much annoyed at me not shutting up as he placed the gun on the nightstand. I walked closer, my gaze on the gun before they flickered to him, "Can I hold it?" I asked, out of the blue.

Lines etched between his eyebrows, "Why?"

I shrugged, "Never held a gun before, just wanna see what it feels like," I said and he shrugged, ushering me to do whatever pleases me, probably thinking I am weird or something.

My fingers wrapped around the cold metal and I took it into my hand, "Woah, it is heavy."

I held it up and pointed at the door, I squinted my eyes, as if pretending to aim, "Usually I have a really bad aim," I mumbled, pretending to shoot the door, "Am I holding it right?"

I felt his presence right behind me, my back pressed against his chest as he inched closer, "Everything about the way you're holding it is very wrong," He commented and I felt his hand from the back reaching for mine, "You're holding it too close, if your fire, the gun will recoil, and you will probably knock yourself down."

"Don't make fun of me," I warned, "I am the one holding the gun, be aware."

His chest vibrated a bit at my pointless threat as he positioned my arms straight and in the correct direction, at a safe distance from my body, "Also, you are squinting the wrong eye, you need to focus the aim with your dominant eye, it's the one lining up with the hand holding the gun," He explained, showing how inaccurate my current path of sight is.

I sucked into a deep breath when I felt his hand grip my hip and made me move a leg a fraction backward, "Your feet should be apart," I felt his warm hand at the back of my knee, "And your knees should be slightly bent," I was no longer aware of the heavy metallic weapon in my hands, because all I can think about is how close Nikolas is to me, his hands touching my body, in the most unsexual way possible, yet I felt like every nerve in me is on fire.

I fought for my lost breath when I felt his hands grip my waist, guarding me down in place, "Your feet should be planted firmly to the ground," I felt his warm breath brushing my neck as he talked, "And then you fire."

I gulped down and slowly turned my head around, to meet his. My pulse took off a sprint when his face was only inches away from mine, one very little movement and I could have his lips on mine again. The tightness in my stomach and the tingling I felt under my skin proved just how much I was craving this man.

He was having the same exact thoughts, I saw them dancing in the wild forest green of his eyes as they flickered down to my lips, and I wasn't sure who covered the little distance, it was probably him, because the next thing I felt was his lips pressing firmly over mine, knocking every breath out of my lungs.

His hands over my waist, turned my whole body around. I let go of the gun, not caring how it'll hit the floor with a bang, I didn't care as he sought my mouth with a type of desperation and need that I didn't know he had in him for me.

On a low groan, he pushed his body against mine, driving me backward, till my back hit the closet's door. A low gasp parted my lips at the contact and he swallowed it down as he kissed me with a feverish desire, like there was no tomorrow, and at the moment, I understood that there really wasn't, he kissed me like he wanted to say goodbye.

He said it himself, a day or two and he'll be out of my life.

I refused to accept the thought as my fingers dove into his hair, desperately pulling him closer, hoping he wouldn't let go just yet. His hand slowly left my waist and traveled up, even though clothes separated me from his touch, I still shivered. I felt his hand on my neck as he deepened the kiss, his tongue commanding. Flames licked and jumped, fueling the fire he had lit, and my tongue sparred with his, fighting a war I knew I'd lose.

I've kissed many guys before, but never did it feel like this. I was fully aware of how every cell in my being was screaming for him, both my mind and my heart indulged in this little action, desperately needing more, more than this, more of him.

Unconsciously, my hand moved to his shoulders and under the neck of his shirt to his chest, my touch seemed to bring him back in, because that's when he broke away, just as frantic as he pulled me in. I wanted to scream in frustration, but his hand wrapped over my wrist, stopping me from touching a restricted territory.

His eyes stared into mine and without words, he showed me how no matter what, there will always be a part of him I can't see, I can't touch, he'll always keep a part of him hidden and tucked away.

He'll never fully belong to someone, because he would never allow himself to.

I shook my head, thoughts and weird emotions tightened my throat, "You didn't kiss me to shut me up this time," I mumbled, my voice low, his body still so close to mine, and I wished to pull him back to me again.

He shook his head, "I knew I would regret it if I didn't."

I swallowed down and voiced my thoughts out, "When I go back, will I really never see you again?"

He nodded, "You won't."

I shook my head, my eyebrows pulling closer, "I don't like this."

A small little smile pulled the corner of his lips and his hand rested over my cheek, "Natalie, you are..." He paused, as if thinking of the best words, "You're really beautiful, inside out," He shook his head, "You should never let the likes of me into your life," His thumb gently brushed the skin of my cheek and he added, "Keeping you around would be so selfish."

My eyelids fell down and I leaned my head into his touch, "It's okay, be selfish."

When I opened my eyes, his smile was gone and the look in his eyes tugged at my chest. He only shook his head and pulled himself away, "No, I won't be selfish again," His words held a bigger meaning and I felt there was more, much more to this, something is not right, since he came back I felt it, he is planning something...something bad.

**************

Nikolas's POV

Today should be the day.

I will do what he said, I will prove to him my submission, and everyone else will be free of him after. Natalie will go back to her old normal life, Alex will no longer have to worry about him coming for...Max or Lilly or even for Cara, and I...I will continue doing what I was born to do.

It was too stupid from my side to ever think that I stood a chance. The monster is rooted too deep into my brain, and there is no breaking free from him.

He took this decision and I am willing to execute it.

I walked into the house, one target on my mind, but no matter how determined I felt, so many doubts and fears still swirled through my head; was this wrong? Was it right?

I don't hate Roman.

I don't think I care about him either.

But I know that they do.

But, if I do the math, it's one life for theirs, and I am kind of willing to take the risk.

My gaze drifted around, making sure no one is here to stop me before my gaze dropped to him. Roman was talking on the phone, pacing around the room, barking orders, and pretty much enjoying his newly acquired position.

He thinks somehow he'll be able to avenge his father's death, he is young and naive, even though he was born into this, he doesn't have the bones for it...there is some good in him still. To do what we do the right way, you need to let go of that.

My fingers curled over the gun and hesitation had me freezing down in the spot. Why am I thinking this through? I should fire the damn bullet and leave. Easy and simple. I can do it.

I can kill him.

I fucking can.

He paused his steps, his back to me now, and it was the right moment to do it. A shot to the back, because I was too much of a coward to do it to his face, knowing for sure I will back away.

I raised my arm up, my finger right beside the trigger, ready to pull it and get this done. One second passed, two seconds, then three...

My jaw tightened as I fought against the sound in my head telling me to back away from this before it's too late. That sound wasn't my own, it was Alex's voice, telling me how wrong this is.

The moment I was about to drop my arm down, is when I felt a hand over my shoulder, pushing me away, and letting me drop the gun down.

Alex's angry eyes collided with mine and I knew I fucked up again when he shot out, "What the fuck do you think you're doing?"

*************************************

If you ask me who from your characters you hate the most; I will tell you it's Isaac. As an author, I never hate my characters, I didn't hate Frank, because despite all, he cared about Alex in his own fucked up wrong way. But Isaac, no, the man loves no one, he cares about no one.

He is pure evil. That's it.

Anyways, did you read the little teaser on my wall xD I assure you, Nikolas isn't drugged nor drunk in that scene lol, Natalie will bring out all of his bad and good sides xD

So, anyone excited for what's to come next? Is there anything in specific that you'd like to see in this story? Like someone else's POV, or two specific people talking...etc etc.

See ya later, love ya all!