Chapter 8 AUTHOR'S POV " Change of plans , Get Rocco hitched up in the warehouse in the next ten minutes ! " Lucian growled as he stormed outside the mere presence like an active volcano ready to erupt any minute . estate . his " On it , boss . " Ace's response was tight , his jaw clenching as he threw a glare up the stairs , knowing exactly who was responsible for the sudden shift in Lucian's mood . Ace hated that Alina held so much power over a man who commanded an entire country from the shadows , a man whose very name made others quake in terror , yet one tiny woman was his undoing . He wished he had a way of getting rid of Alina once and for- " ACE ! Lucian's booming voice startled him back to reality " Shit . " Ace cursed under his breath , already moving into action . Someone was about to bear the full brunt of Lucian's wrath , and for once , Ace was grateful it wasn't him . Ace rushed out to find Twenty guards standing in a rigid formation , their faces tense and bodies stiff under Lucian's burning stare . When he addressed them , his voice carried the weight of absolute authority . Lucian had a strong Aura that can make any grown man wet themselves whenever he is in the room , it's even worse when he is angry . " I do not want her leaving this estate without my knowledge . In fact , on no account should anything living or otherwise come into or go off these grounds without my permission . Understood ?? " " Yes , boss ." All twenty guards echoed in unison . There were some new guards amongst the older ones , but the newer ones were well informed that when it came to Alina , Lucian didn't mess around . The older ones had witnessed the endless battle between the master of the house and mistress and understood that his threats were never idle words . " I'm not sure I'm quite clear , " Lucian went on , his tone icy . " If Alina leaves this premises , you'd better not be here when I get back . Is that clear enough ? " . A wavering " Yes , boss " rose from the newer guards . Ace suppressed archuckle , this was hardly the atmosphere for amusement , but he couldn't help it . " ACE Lucian's voice slices through the air , snapping Ace to attention . " Right here , boss . " Ace sounded behind Lucian like his constant shadow . Lucian turned his glare on him . " I hope Rocco is already at the warehouse . " " He is , boss . Ace replied swiftly . " Let's get moving then . Lucian gritted , he could hardly wait to unleash his anger . Ace opened the car door for Lucian , then slid into the driver's seat . The ride to the warehouse was filled with a tense silence , the only sound that could be heard was but the hum of the engine and the anger radiating from Lucian . It was something Ace was used to , though he never liked it . As soon as the car pulled up . Lucian stepped out without waiting for Ace to open the door . Ace puffed out an air of relief , glad he could breathe freely again . The " warehouse " wasn't a storage facility per say . It was a huge building that housed a shooting range , a boxing ring , a fighting arena and beneath it all , a cold - metal section where Lucian vented his wrath on those who crossed him . The moment Lucian stepped in , the atmosphere shifted . Every person paused mid - action and lowered their heads in respect . There were rumors whispered of Lucian having ties with the mafia , of bodies of victims which he killed left unclaimed , but no proof 1/2 Chapter 8 had ever stuck enough for the law to pin anything on him . His businesses remained spotles , solid sil " He better be in there ," Lucian growled to the guards posted at a solid silver door . " Yes , boss. He is in there . " They swung open the door and on the other side revealed a man in his late thirties - Rocco - hanging limply from the ceiling . unconscious . " Why in the devil's name is he unconscious , Ace ? " Lucian growled . He liked his victims alert ; he wanted each bruise to bear his own personal touch . " He was making a fuss when they brought him in , boss , so they knocked him out . " Ace explained . Lucian's lips curled in annoyance . " Wake him the fuck up , then . " He made his way to a table on the other end of the room where a pair of leather gloves and other torture device lay waiting . He knew blood was inevitable , he just didn't want it soiling his bare hands . When he turned back , Rocco had been doused in cold water and was blinking himself awake , looking panicked as he eyes flickered around trying to make sense of his surrounding . His eyes finally focused on Lucian and they widened in pure horror which gave Lucian sense of satisfaction . " Mr. Mr. Blackwo . Blackwood . " Rocco stuttered , his voice squeaking in fear . Lucian slowly closed the distance between them , his presence stifling , a sadistic look on his face . " Have I been too soft with you , Rocco ? " His voice was as sharp as a knife , his eyes unflinching on Rocco's face . A shiver of fear ran through Rocco's body , his skin breaking out in cold swear . He realized he had mad a deadly mistake , he knew Lucian Blackwood wasn't a man to be toiled with but he'd assumed for some reason that Lucian would forget the debt he owned . He was after all just another face from a bunch , but now he knew how wrong he had been " 1. wi .. will pay back your mon .. money . I s … swear , Mr. Blackwood . " Rocco's voice cracked as he wet himself . Both Lucian and Ace eyes flickered down to his crotch area . Lucian's lip curled in disgust while Ace's expression was a mix of amusement and a little bit of pity . Lucian was using the anger caused by Alina to deal with Rocco , he stood no chance . " Oh , but of course you will pay me back , Rocco , Lucian sneered , a cruel smile spreading across his face . " You'll pay me down to the last dime . But first , I have to make an example of you . " With that , he delivered his first punch . The sickening crunch echoed through the room . But it was only the beginning of Rocco's reckoning . 2/2 AD Comment