"What are you thinking?" he asked, kissing her neck with a grin.
Autumn had no answer to give. What would she even say? She fell into the hands of dangerous men. She knew about Zyler, but she didn't know about Matt. What he does or what he even is. What did he do? And if a man like Zyler could lie to him, what did that mean for her?
"Autumn," his voice turned desperate. "What are you thinking?"
She stared at him, her eyes guarded and wary, struggling to keep her emotions in check. Every fiber of her being wanted to lash out at him. But she didn't. He looked deep in thought.
Zyler's fingers traced the line of her jaw, and he leaned in to whisper in her ear, "Are you thinking about Matt? About what I told you?"
Autumn shivered under his touch and the softness in his voice. This side of him was new to her. She had only known the rough, domineering Zyler, the one who was almost monster-like in his intensity.
She met his gaze, searching for something in his dark eyes. There was a tenderness there that she had never seen before, and it made her heart skip a beat, not in excitement, but in doubt. She wondered if this was the real Zyler or just another mask he wore to manipulate her.
"As much as I love to lie and fake things, whatever I told you about Matt was true," he caged her more into the wall, pressing himself all into her being. She felt as if he was trying to mingle her body with his.
"Why am I even here?" she probed.
"Ah! My little Dahlia is curious now, is she?" Zyler clamped his teeth on her shoulder, shaking with a need to both bring pleasure and draw blood from her body. She hissed, her body turning rigid. Why does he keep biting her?
"This pretty little head thinks too much, doesn't it?" he tapped her temple with his forefinger. "Don't ask too many questions. Just enjoy the ride, and I promise to make it worth your while." He leaned in further, and his breath tickled her ear. "I'm a man of my word, after all." He resumed his assault, digging his teeth deeper into her shoulder, sucking on the flesh along with her bra straps.
"If it concerns me. I have the right to know," she demanded with the same amount of arrogance. He took the elastic band into his mouth, tautening it before releasing it with a sharp snap against her shoulder. She flinched, feeling the pain as the tight straps dug into her skin like a million needles.
"Why do you torture these so much, baby?" he squeezed them with desire while eating her neck up. "You pack them in tight," he wrung them like he tried to squeeze their life out. Autumn was taken aback by the shamelessness of the man before her. She couldn't believe how brazenly he acted without a shred of decency or self-restraint.
His Dahlia has a way of pushing all of his buttons. His sucking, biting, and digging sounds echoed in the room. Her mind rushed into chaos, imagining the worst. If someone walked in, she would be royally rotten.
"Ignorance is bliss, Autumn. I would love to keep you in bliss, be it with my tongue or my fingers," he trailed his fingers to her creamy thighs. She clutched his forearm, asking him to stop. "You overthink and ask too many questions, and that's what got my attention in the first place, don't you know?" His warm voice chuckled.
She wanted to ask more, to ask him to let her go, but memories of him holding a gun to her head still remained fresh in her mind. "In my world, people who ask questions and dig for information disappear without a trace," a warning stood clear in his tone.
"But you should be careful, Autumn," he warned, his voice low and ominous.
"Because once something belongs to me, it never belongs to anyone else. And I will do whatever it takes to protect what's mine." He held her gaze steadily, his eyes dark and intense, making it clear that he was deadly serious.
"Even if Satan is after it," he finished the sentence and moved away, a thin thread of saliva connecting his mouth to her shoulders.
Autumn hesitated for a moment before asking, "How do I avoid becoming yours?" as if she already knew the answer but still needed to hear it.
Autumn's question hung in the air, and for a moment, Zyler was quiet. Finally, he spoke, his voice low and measured.
"You cannot simply avoid becoming mine, Autumn. For some things in life, there is no escape, no matter how hard you try. Just like a candle burns down, or cigarette smoke consumes healthy lungs, some things are fated to be consumed by darkness. My fascination for you borders on obsession. And once you enter that realm, there is no turning back." He looked at her with a mix of pride and resignation, as if he had accepted his own fate long ago.
He brought his lips to her neck, sucking on the skin, leaving love bites sharper than the ones he had given to her till now. It was as if he wanted to be embedded in her skin forever, like he wanted to have that lifelong supply of her in his being. Like he wanted to take a bite out of her, eat her whole.
"But if you're truly determined to avoid my grasp, you should start by looking within yourself, Autumn. It is often the darkness within us that attracts the darkness around us." He egged her purposefully. And Autumn threw a stinky eye at him.
"I don't have darkness within me," she wanted to yell louder.
Zyler threw his head back, laughing his heart out. "We all have darkness within us, sweetheart," he licked the length of her trachea. Her heart didn't flutter at the movement. The saliva from his lips coated the length of her neck.
"It's just a matter of whether we choose to acknowledge it or not. Denying it doesn't make it disappear. It only makes it more dangerous. Embracing it, on the other hand, can give us the power to control it." He knew she wasn't darkness. She was his light, a bright light at the end of his tunnel. But somehow, he wanted to tell her, convince her she had an ounce of darkness within her. Her purity was not what he wanted. Her corruption was what he needed.
His eyes darted to her neck. It was so slender and tender. He wondered what would happen if he plunged his dick into her sweet mouth to her throat while she massaged it when it was inside her throat. The thought made his cock strain painfully against his jeans. "And with me, you have the chance to embrace it fully, to explore the depths of your own darkness and see what you're truly capable of."
"Then you might need a mirror. Maybe you will find darkness there," she didn't even wait a minute to accuse him. How dare he accuse her of darkness when he murdered people without a second thought.
"Maybe you're right, my little dahlia. Maybe I do need a mirror. But I've seen enough darkness in this world to know that it can take many forms, even in the brightest of lights. Sometimes it's the shadows that define us, and it's only when we confront them that we can truly understand who we are," Autumn's brows furrowed in confusion. His responses were confusing.
"Yes, you do not have an ounce of darkness in you," he began grinding his dick on her lower belly, and a deep, rumbling growl erupted from his throat. Until he met her, he didn't know controlling himself would be harder. It was painful. It was making him angry, angry at her for tempting him too much and making him hard all the time.
"That is why you are mine," this time, she turned her attention to his face, which was still in her neck, adoring it with hickies. So if she had darkness within her, would he let her go? Leave her be?
"Is that what you keep telling yourself? Justify for taking those lives? Lucius? Nicholas?" At her accusation, he stopped kissing her neck. He grabbed her jaw, yanking her closer, anger shining in his eyes. The blue in his eyes deepened, transforming into an even darker shade, and Autumn could sense the ferocity brewing beneath them as his pupils expanded in size.
"You dare to question me about those who deserved to die?" he snarled, biting her cheek harder. She shut her eyes tight. Wrinkles lining the end of her eyes. He wanted to make her kneel and slap his dick on her face. But he restrained himself. She didn't deserve his dick yet.
"They were nothing but insects, baby," he moaned. "And I am the hunter who seeks to rid the world of such vermin. Their deaths were a mercy, a necessary evil to maintain balance in this world. And you, my fucking good girl, should be grateful that I took care of those who would have harmed you without a second thought."
"Why are you after me? I don't want to be a part of your world," Autumn pleaded, her voice shaking with fear and desperation. She knew it was futile to beg, but the thought of living a life consumed by darkness was too much to bear.
Zyler's voice turned cold and unforgiving as he replied to Autumn's plea, "Peace is an illusion, baby. The world is a dark and dangerous place, and you can either face it alone or with someone by your side who can protect you."
She opened her eyes and stared at him. Those heterochromatic eyes fueled a desire in him. The sheer lust in them left her wishing he had looked elsewhere.
"If you have never taken me seriously, Autumn. You need to do it now. Listen to me like a good girl. You and I were written in history a long time ago. Get that into that pretty little skull. I will not tell you again. You are my girl. You will be mine till we turn to dust. Your catholic beliefs told you God writes someone for everyone, don't you?" He threw her against the wall, it didn't hurt her, but it scared her, and she nodded yes. She was told that God has someone for everyone.
"That someone for you is me," he licked from her cheek to her ears. Twirling his tongue on her earlobe, biting beneath her ear. "For better or for worse, Matt saw you. Until I take care of him, you will stay put."
Tears lined her lids, and she began to sniffle. Zyler pulled back while still holding her chin tight. He slurped on her teardrops as they dropped. "You can be brave, baby. But you won't stand a chance against those monsters."
"Funny coming from one," she retorted, and Zyler almost kissed her for her daring retort. Bless her heart if she thought he was the only monster in the world. Maybe he is. After all, he hunted her down and ate her until her breath turned hoarse. She hadn't seen half of it. Sometimes, he wondered what it would've been if he was like her. Pure, unadulterated, untouched by the sins of the world. It was laugh-worthy thought.
Zyler's expression darkened as he stared at Autumn. "You have no idea what true monsters are capable of, my sweet," his voice cold and distant. "There are things out there that make me look like a saint in comparison. And if you think you can handle them, you're in for a rude awakening." He leaned in closer, his breath hot against her ear. "But don't worry, my good girl," he whispered. "I'll protect you from the darkness, even if it means becoming the very monster you fear."
"Monsters cannot protect people," she wasn't backing down either. Was she scared? Yes. But why was she instigating him?
"You're right, baby. Monsters can't protect people," Zyler replied with a dark chuckle. "And that's exactly why we need them. To protect you from the other monsters out there. The ones who don't have the same moral code as I do—the ones who don't hesitate to hurt innocent people. Maybe you should be grateful that there are monsters like me out there, Autumn. Because in a world full of darkness, sometimes it takes a little darkness to fight back."
Autumn chuckled ruefully. She wanted to laugh in his face. She had no comeback for his retort. What moral code is he talking about? Does he even have an ounce of idea what morality is? She chose not to argue with him.
A knock on the door disrupted their heated exchange, and both of them turned their attention to the sound. It was as if a thread connecting them had snapped, leaving them both feeling a sense of loss. Their eyes locked for a moment longer before Zyler stepped away from her, his expression unreadable.
"Who is it?" he asked, turning his attention to the door.
"Zy, are you in there?" Lily knocked on the door.
"Hold on, Lils," he turned his attention to Autumn. "You will stay here," he straightened his suit jacket and sauntered to the door while Autumn wiped her tears. She quickly grabbed a scarf and wrapped it around her neck. She knew he would leave marks all over her neck and face.
Zyler unlocked the door, and Lily banged the door open before Zyler had a chance to step out. "What are you...?" a stunned Lily's eyes darted between Autumn and Zyler. She noticed the girl's downcast eyes and nervous stare.
"What are you doing here, Lily?" Zyler greeted; his voice noticeably gentler than Autumn had ever heard it before.
"Who is she?" Lily didn't waste a minute finding who Autumn was.
"She is my new assistant. We were in a meeting," he placed his hands on her shoulders, gently pushing her out of the room. But Lily wasn't budging.
"Why is she crying then?" Lily pushed him out of the way.
"Are you crying? Ms. Wraith?" he raised his brow, threatening her to tell the truth and despite the urge to say yes. Autumn suppressed it and shook her head.
"See, she isn't," he led her out of the room while he bumped into another petite frame in the hallway.
"Zy," Bella's irritating voice made his mood sour. Autumn was curious to see what was happening. So, she separated the blinds and watched the two ladies. Both were exceptionally pretty, especially the redhead. She was tall and had a beautiful body. She looked like one of those models on the runway. The 20-year-old failed to grasp why he was after her when he had two gorgeous women right before him.
Then her gaze moved to Lily's slightly pregnant belly. Curiosity got the best of her, and she wondered if she was related to her boss in any way.
"Lily," Cole's voice turned all the heads in his direction. The man ran and stood next to his wife.
"Oh," Autumn then understood she was his wife.
Bella immediately moved next to Zyler and tried to cling to his arms. He snapped his head to the right and shot a warning death glare at Bella. The woman stopped her hand mid-air and retreated it.
"Why are you here, Lils?" Cole gently turned Lily to him.
"Um! I wanted to ask you to take me shopping for the president's ball," Lily was so excited to get out of the house finally. Ever since her last miscarriage, she had been confined to the house.
"You can't go," Cole cut her off, and Lily's expression saddened.
"I want to," she fussed like a toddler.
"Zy," she turned to Zyler for help.
"You should listen to him, Lily," this made her drop her head, and a dollop of tear slipped past her lids. Zyler and Cole felt terrible for her, but that was necessary. They cannot take her to that ball.
"Don't cry. Lily," Cole and Zyler coaxed her.
"I will tell you what. You and I will go on a date that night," Cole looked at Zyler for approval, and the man nodded.
"But don't you have to go with Zy?" She turned to Cole and pouted.
"You are right," Cole agreed. They had some serious work to do in the president's house.
"I am sorry. Lils," Zyler apologized, and Autumn's breath stopped in her throat. She had never seen Zyler apologize so readily before. Autumn couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness at his sudden change of tone. It was jarring to see him switch from his usual aggressive and domineering self to this almost apologetic version of himself.
It made her think about all the times he had dragged her into his dark world, the memories of which still haunted her to this day. The anger she felt towards him was mixed with a sense of pity for Bella, the woman he treated with such coldness and detachment. It was clear to her now that his calm demeanor was only reserved for a select few.
"Can we go have lunch?" Lily requested. Cole looked at Zyler.
"Can we have 10 minutes before you take him away?" Zyler smiled at Lily. The smile was genuine, not like the one Autumn was used to. It was a rare sight for her, and it made her think about her own life. Growing up, she had seen her relatives switch from pleasantness to bitterness as soon as they laid eyes on her. It was as if her mere presence had the power to spoil the mood.
But again, she shouldn't complain. Maybe it is not in her power to change people or the way they think. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions. So, she shook negative thoughts out of her mind and walked back to her desk. She dialed Rowena. The girl answered, even if it was midnight. "Hi, babe," she rubbed her groggy eyes.
"Are you okay?" Rowena turned on the light. "Don't cry, Atty," it always baffled Autumn how Rowena was able to detect sadness in Autumn's eyes. Autumn pulled her bottom lip between her teeth. "Don't be sad, girlfriend," Rowena missed Autumn so much.
"Is Peaches asleep?" she wiped her tears. Rowena moved her camera to the sleeping fluff ball.
"Peaches," she whispered, her voice choked with emotion. "Hi, baby." She wished she could scoop Peaches up and cuddle him close to feel the warmth and comfort of a loyal companion.
Rowena could see the tears forming in Autumn's eyes and quickly moved the camera closer to the sleeping dog. "Look at her, Atty. He's doing fine. You trained him so well. He's been a good boy." Rowena stoked Peaches belly, but the dog didn't move, and Autumn didn't want him to. He would be sad if he saw her now.
Autumn couldn't help but cry as she saw her beloved dog, feeling a sense of longing and homesickness. "It's okay, Atty. Don't cry," Rowena cried with Autumn.
"I miss you," Autumn admitted.
"I miss you a ton, Atty," Rowena was just as sad as Autumn. They both had a deep talk for a few minutes. Autumn asked Rowena to leave the camera facing Peaches. She looked at her fur baby for a few more minutes before hanging up. She heard the footsteps outside the door retreat.
Zyler and Cole walked into Zyler's office. "Is everything ready for the ball?" Zyler questioned, taking a seat.
"All set," Cole pulled up his iPad and placed it before Zyler.
"I don't want a single mistake tomorrow," Zyler ordered, and Cole agreed. Cole and Zyler have been tracing Varney's illegal activities. Zyler had received a tip that President was trading sensitive government information to other countries in exchange for protection and diplomatic immunity.
It was a serious crime, even for a President, and would be considered treason by the country. But Varney had a plan. He was seeking diplomatic immunity so that he could flee to another country where his own country wouldn't dare to seek him, fearing the possibility of war. If Zyler and his team could prove Varney's wrongdoing, they would be able to impeach him and get closer to their goal successfully.
Though his goal was Liam in the beginning, Liam would be somewhat weaker if there were no president to protect him.
He will use Bella as a decoy. And as much as he would've loved to take Autumn to that ball. He couldn't risk her safety.
Checking his work and arranging everything for tomorrow, he leaned his head on the chair, knowing he was one step closer to the goal.
Please like, comment, and do let me know what you think of this chapter.