A deep scold covered my face, and my hands were wrapped tightly against Eryx's waist. He slowly pushed down on the motorcycle's gas pedal as we entered the gated apartment complex community. My eyes scanned each apartment building wondering why exactly we were here in the first place. Something in the pit of my stomach did not feel right. Maybe it has something to do with Eirran, it has to be.

He was the only person today that Eryx would feel would know more than he should about what was going on with this whole ordeal with the Alvarado family. I did not sense deception from Eirran from my interaction with him, or maybe I was just too caught up in trying to center my mind away from Eryx that maybe Eirran was hiding something. I hope for his own sake that he is not involved because knowing what I know now about Eryx he doesn't let shit go. He loves seeking revenge, it's his guilty pleasure, unfortunately.

Suddenly Eryx parks the motorcycle in front of one of the apartment buildings and removes my hands from his waist before getting off the back of the bike. I take off my helmet turn around and gasp when I realize Eryx is standing behind me. I roll my eyes and push the helmet toward me. Eryx takes hold of my helmet before he walks back over lefts the seat of the bike where the compartment is, and places both our helmets inside.

Once he is done securing our helmets away, he walks back over to where I am standing and takes hold of my right hand, squeezing and caressing it at the same time as he looks down at me, a stoic yet determined look in his eyes. "I need you to go upstairs to Apartment 420, knock on the door". Without room to ponder on what he is asking, I quickly shake my head no in response.

"I'm not getting in the middle of whatever shit this is. I think you are more than capable of handling this on your own. I'm tired and sleepy, and I am getting hungry again. How the hell you have me outside all damn day and not feed me".

I was more than irritated right now and wanted to be anywhere but here. A warm bed was calling my name. Eryx then pulls me into his arms and kisses my forehead. "I'm sorry Cherie, my mind has been preoccupied. I'll make it up to you once we are done. I'll even fly us back to Alphacrest and you eat whatever restaurant you want". I smile at the thought. I then point my acrylic nail in his face.

"You better not be lying to me, there will be dire consequences". Eryx then places my nail in his face. Sucking my finger as his stare penetrates my soul. "I can think of some ways to be punished". I quickly pull my finger out of his mouth, "I'm sure you do now hurry the hell up whatever we are doing here so I can eat some food and take my ass to sleep".

Eryx laughs at my irritation before we walk side by side toward the building labeled "400". Somehow my left-hand whines up joined together with Eryx's right one as we move down the hallway our eyes roam the doors of each apartment unit looking for apartment 420. I take a slight glance down at our joined hands and frown.

"Is it necessary for you to touch me every damn second? Can a girl get some damn breathing room? I try to pull my hand away from Eryx's firm grasp, but he refuses to let go. "Since you want to whine and gripe about me not feeding you, it's only fair I keep you close to me so you won't pass out".

I grunt in annoyance, "Did you forget I am the one who is the doctor, not you. I think I know when my body might need immediate medical attention. I'm just hungry and need some sleep. I am not incoherent nor dehydrated".

Eryx has a snide look on his face as he tilts his head in my direction, and one corner of his mouth is slightly raised. "I'm fully aware of the job you have worked hard to obtain. I was the one who hired private tutors to make sure you were getting proper sleep at night while you attending medical school. I was the one you would cry to when your residency became too much and you contemplated quitting but I spoke life into you and told you to settle the score and push forward. I was there when you walked across the stage and graduated. So don't question me about my stance on you because you already know how I feel. I can't say the same about you".

I glance up at him as we make it to the end of the hallway, but come up short when we do not see apartment 420. I bite the corners of my lips as we find a set of stairs and take notice of a sign that indicates apartments 420-430 are located on the second floor. Should I respond to Eryx, I pondered. That was the millionaire dollar question. I sigh inwardly in defeat. There was no use at this point. My energy from earlier has fully depleted, my body has become tight and sore from the ATV ride and the constant growling from my stomach has become the center of my attention right now. We silently walk up the stairs, one step at a time, until we reach the top.

The first apartment unit I take notice of is apartment 420 which is located to the right of me. I walk towards the apartment, but Eryx places his hand against my arm. He then leans down and whispers, "I did not mean to make you upset, we will talk about your little outburst at a little time. Right now I need you to focus on the task at hand. Go knock on the door, not too hard or soft, but just enough to alert Eirran that someone is outside. I do not want to startle him".

I shake my head still curious to know what Eryx is planning to do. As if he can read my mind, Eryx places his index finger against my jaw, "Stop trying to overanalyze this situation, hurry up, I owe a beautiful woman a warm meal", He then winks at me before he walks to the other end of the hallway, hidden in a corner, where I can no longer see him, but I feel his eyes watching me as take strides toward the apartment.

I am in front of the apartment door and take a deep breath before closing my right fist and knocking firmly on the door, three times. Knock. Knock. Knock. I place my hands behind my back hold my body still, and train my ears to hear Eirran's footsteps as he walks toward the door. Seconds later the door is unlocked and Eirran wipes the corners of his eyes before he looks down at me surprised to see me. He is only wearing flannel pajama pants, I try not to stare hard at his muscular chest.

He is indeed physically fit, but I make sure to keep my eyes trained on him. Before I can open my mouth, Eryx comes out of nowhere and steps in front of me, holding a machete in his hand as he has it pointed to Eirran's neck. "Eryx what the fuck are you doing, stop this", I pull at his arm, but he pushes my hand away as he glares at Eirran who looks every bit of helpless. "Stay out of this Verena. This muthafucker is a fucking rat. Your allegiance is supposed to be with me. You working with Davian Sinclair, how the fuck do you know him?".

Eryx asks as he places the blade against Eirran's neck, "He can't talk jackass if you have a fucking machete up to his neck". I manage to pull Eryx's arm back as Eirran takes a step back before Eryx forces his way inside his home. I quickly enter inside after Eryx before closing and locking the door. Without a second thought, I managed to pry the machete out of Eryx's hand.

"You sneaky little vixen", Eryx gives me a rather heated look as I hold the machete out in front of me. Eryx walks slowly over to me as Eirran watches us both intently both do not move from his stance. "Verena", he says before I walk out of the way standing behind Eirran as if can protect me.

"You are not going to kill him. Do you understand me", I yell at Eryx watching him from behind Eirran, who stands guard in front of me looking at Eryx in defense. Eryx squints his eyes at me, "Have it your way Cherie, but if he doesn't give me the answers I so desire" " He then manages to pull my hand, tugging me away from Eirran as leans down to whisper against my ear, "You will do it".





Eryx is never going to play fair btw. He never does. He always somehow finds a way to get whatever he wants. Hopefully, Eirran gives him the answers he solely desires, but Verena follows suit to kill him if it comes down to it.