Chapter 23
I watched in shock as Adrian’s entire demeanor shifted. His movements turned fluid. He blocked Primo’s next punch with surgical precision, then struck back with devastating efficiency. One hit to the solar plexus, another to the kidney. Primo. stumbled, gasping.
“What’s wrong?” Adrian’s voice carried an edge I’d never heard before. “I thought your wanted a proper fight.”
He dodged Primo’s wild swing and
countered with an elbow strike that made
Primo’s head snap back. Blood sprayed. from his nose.
“Who… who the hell are you?” Yesha’s voice trembled.
Adrian ignored her, focusing entirely on Primo. His strikes were calculated, almost beautiful in their brutality. Each one landed exactly where he intended,
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dismantling Primo’s defenses piece by piece.
“Stop! You’re killing him!” Yesha shrieked.
Primo spat blood, his eyes wide with a mix of fury and fear. He grabbed a steak knife from the table, brandishing it with shaking hands.
“I’ll fucking end you,” he snarled, slashing wildly. “You’re dead, you hear me? Dead!”
Adrian’s expression remained eerily calm. as he backed up a step. “A knife? Really? And here I thought we were having a civilized discussion.”
“Shut up!” Primo lunged forward, the blade glinting in the restaurant’s dim lighting.
I held my breath, watching Adrian move. with impossible grace. Who was this man? The way he fought… this wasn’t something you learned at some upscale gym.
“I’m going to cut that smirk right off your face,” Primo growled, circling him.
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Chapter 23
“You’re welcome to try.” Adrian’s stance shifted subtly. “Though I should warn you – you’re making a terrible mistake.”
Primo charged again, knife slicing through the air where Adrian’s throat had been a split second before.
I watched in horror as Primo’s knife caught the edge of Adrian’s shirt, tearing the expensive fabric. The rip exposed his chest. and torso, revealing the intricate tattoos.
Primo froze, his eyes widening as he took in the markings. The knife clattered to the floor from his trembling hands.
“Those tattoos…” Yesha’s voice cracked. “That’s… those aren’t meant for normal people. Those markings…”
A bark of laughter erupted from Primo, but there was no humor in it. His face had drained of color. “You stupid bastard.
Walking around with fake tattoos like that? Those marks belong to-”
“The highest ranks,” Yesha whispered. “The
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ones we’re not even supposed to speak about.”
“You’re dead,” Primo snarled, but his voice shook. “Impersonating them? They’ll skin you alive for this.”
Adrian hadn’t moved. His expression remained unchanged, almost bored, as if we were discussing the weather rather than what appeared to be a death sentence. The torn shirt fluttered against his marked skin, and something in his stillness made my blood run cold.
I didn’t think. I just moved. Within
seconds, I placed myself between them, my back pressed against Adrian’s chest, arms. spread wide.
“Stop this,” I commanded, my heart hammering against my ribs. “Just stop.”
I felt Adrian’s steady breathing behind me, his chest rising and falling in perfect rhythm. He made no move to push me
aside or step away.
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Primo’s laughter filled the room, a harsh, grating sound that made my skin crawl. Blood still dripped from his nose, staining his expensive shirt.
“This is perfect. Better than I could have imagined.” He wiped his chin with the back of his hand. “Not only do I get to kill you, but the entire Mitchell family for harboring someone with counterfeit marks.”
“You’re making assumptions,” Adrian’s voice remained steady behind me.
“Assumptions?” Primo’s eyes blazed. “Those tattoos belong to the highest ranks. Everyone knows that. And you’re just some art dealer playing dress up.”
“When have you known me to play at anything?”
“Shut up!” Primo slammed his fist on the table. “You think I won’t do it? You think I won’t burn their whole empire to the ground?”
I felt Adrian’s hand brush my waist. “Move
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aside, Asteria.”
“No.” I planted my feet firmer.
“The girl’s got spirit, I’ll give her that.” Primo’s lips twisted into a cruel smile. “Too bad she picked the wrong side. Your whole family, gone. All because you couldn’t stay away from this fraud.”
“Think carefully about your next move,” Adrian’s tone carried a warning that made even me shiver. “Some bells can’t be unrung.”
“Bells?” Primo barked another laugh. “I’m going to enjoy watching them peel those fake marks off your skin. Strip by strip.”
“Oh, this is perfect.” Yesha’s face lit up with malicious glee. She circled around us like a vulture. “You know what this means,
Primo? We don’t even need to fabricate a
reason anymore.”
My stomach dropped as I watched them. feed off each other’s excitement.
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“You’re right.” Primo’s eyes gleamed with newfound confidence. “Impersonating council marks? That’s an automatic death sentence. And anyone protecting him…” He fixed his gaze on me. “Well, let’s just say your whole family’s fate is sealed, Asteria.”
I felt the blood drain from my face. My legs threatened to give out, but I forced myself to stay standing between them.
“I think I’ll start with your mother,” Primo continued, straightening his bloody shirt. “Then your father. Make you watch as your entire family pays for your poor choice in men.” He glanced at Adrian. “Unless…”
“Unless what?” My voice came out barely above a whisper.
“Your boyfriend here gets on his knees, apologizes, and lets me drag him to the council. And you…” His lips curved into a cruel smile. “You strip. Right now. Walk naked around the club for everyone to see. Do that, and maybe – just maybe – I’ll spare your family.”
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Yesha clapped her hands. “Oh, that’s brilliant! The mighty Asteria Mitchell, paraded around like a common whore.”
My mind raced. Every option led to destruction. Either Adrian would die, or my family would. And even if I submitted to Primo’s humiliation, there was no
guarantee he’d keep his word.
“Tick tock,” Primo taunted. “What’s it going to be? Your dignity or your family’s lives?”
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