Sixteen

RYLAND POV.

"You can't keep me here you son of a bitch" Mirabella yelled as she struggled against her bounds, her short dark hair bobbing and sticking to her face because of the sweat that beaded all over her face from the heat of the basement.

I sighed in irritation, getting fucking sick of all the noise she'd been making since she was brought In. I'd thought about having her gag, but her red pouty lips had an appeal to them, so I tried to tolerate her. I shouldn't have. It was not worth the pain my poor ears were going through. I stepped closer to her making sure all she saw was my lips moving.

"Shut your yapping Mira, don't make me hurt you" I warned, staring at her with no pity in my gaze. Vito had been acting up, but with his beloved daughter gone, I hoped to take him down a peg or two. The old man might even die of a heart attack once he found out that his beloved daughter was missing. An excellent outcome if you ask me.

"I can't believe you'll do this to me. We're family. You're supposed to be my cousin.".

I smirked, rubbing at my chin. "Family?" I tsked. "Such an inconvenience don't you think? Now let me tell you what that little title does to everyone who'd ever held them. Family holds you back, they make you weak, they make you feel worthless! Aren't you curious Mira, what if your beloved Papa doesn't bother to find you? What if all he's occupied with is taking over the syndicate, what if all he's looking for, at this moment is ways to bring me down".

"Papa will never do that" she snapped, almost barking. "He's not a murderer like you!"

I paused. The conviction with which she had said it was boggling. Did everyone know I had a hand in my father's death, well it was not me exactly, it was Lexis and if anyone had to take the fall, it would be her?

"Why are you suddenly quiet? Do you finally feel remorse for what you did you piece of shit! Everybody knows uncle Alvarez didn't die of natural causes, you had your father killed, you filthy murderer", Mira screamed, the chains rattling as she tried to break free.

I struck her across the face, the force of my hit causing her head to snap to the side. Mira cried out and I could see the imprint of my fingers budding on her fair skin. Her gaze snapped to mine and the way she glared at me had me remembering Jade.

They did have a slight resemblance and I'd always wanted to do filthy things to my half-sister before I'd killed her. Too bad I didn't get to. My gaze trailed down the length of Mirabella's body and I grinned as she squirmed in discomfort at the look in my eyes. I guess my reputation precedes me.

Her voice was a quivering mess when she finally spoke. "Papa will have your head if you touch me. I've been betrothed to Xavier McKinney. If I'm defiled, he'll definitely have his revenge. You're barking up the wrong tree Ryland".

I cursed, then grabbed her by her chin and watched as she groaned in pain. Who did she think she was to threaten me? Xavier was a fly that would take me only a second to crush. I'd taken out my father and Jade, did she seriously think I'd hesitate in killing anyone else who dared to go against me?

"I'd watch my mouth if I were you, Mira. The only reason your beloved Papa is still breathing is that I need his connection, but if you keep being so difficult, I'll let my gun do the talking and you'll have no choice but to organize a funeral for your poor Papa".

Her lips trembled and tears gathered in her eyes. "I'll never do anything you say. You're going to regret everything you're doing Ryland".

She would never learn, I thought in exasperation. I'd thought she'd be more reasonable but I was wrong. I caressed her cheek and she flinched back from my touch as if my hands were covered in shit. It made me angry.

"Your style is just like Jade's you know" I observed, playing with the tendrils of her hair while she watched me wearily. She had every right to be because I planned to do everything I never got to do with Jade to her. "That little tease drove me near Insane with want, she was sly like that" I continued, leaning closer to her until I was face to face with her. "You act like her too. You both behave as if you're too good for me but I'll show you that you're not. I'll show you that I'll have whatever it is I want, whenever I want" I snapped, grabbed her by the hair, and jerked her towards me.

Mira groaned into my lips as I kissed her, biting and sucking. I wanted to hurt her and as she struggled to pull back, I put more force into the kiss before pulling away with a smirk.

The fire in her eyes fuelled the adrenalin coursing through my veins. I knew if it wasn't for the chain that bound her to the chair, she'd have smacked me across the face. The thought of it made me so hard, I almost exploded. Jade. Jade. Jade. It was all because of her. I'd walked in on her getting it on with her all-time boy toy once and I couldn't get it out of my head no matter how hard I tried.

"You disgust me!" She spat, tears leaking out of her pretty eyes.

I grinned, then leaned closer. "Shhh, don't be so angry Mira" I murmured, wiping at her salty tears. "All these will be over if your Papa does as I say. Soon he'll find out that you have been abducted by the Putakali clan and he's going to run to me for help, and I'll do my very best to help him find you. All you need to do once you're found is to tell him that I was your hero, the one who rescued you from the cruel riotous men who wanted to steal your virtue..."

"I'll never lie for you".

Mirabella was stubborn but stupid. "If that's how you feel then I'm afraid your father will find you," I said then paused gravelly. "But it's going to be your dead defiled body, and he'll never know that it was me because you won't be alive to say a word. Now tell me, Mira, which of these two options do you prefer" I asked, caressing her cheeks gently.

Mira glared but I knew I'd already won. They all knew when it came to the words I let out of my mouth, I ultimately pushed through with them.

"You won't get away with this" she threatened for the last time but I just cocked a brow. "I'll do as you say but you don't get to touch me. You make me sick".

I smirked, her words fueling my inner rage. "You're on my territory Mirabella Vito, and I own everything that breaths, live, or eats off my land. I'll do whatever I want to you, whenever I want, and right now, you've got me all hot and bothered" I whispered with a salacious grin then pounced on my prey. Her scream traveled the length of the room but she and I both knew no one was coming to save her.

******

I rubbed at my lips, grinning as I remembered what little Mirabella had tasted like. She'd tried to hold back, tried to fight coming at the mouth of the cousin she claimed to hate but she didn't stand a chance where I was concerned.

They thought Jade was evil, they hadn't seen anything yet. I would do more than she ever did, I'll go the extra mile to have my name revered as hers was. Mine would even be more feared.

I'd spooked Mirabella, but I hadn't pushed through with taking her most treasured virtue, instead, I'd had her trained in the art of pleasing a man with those lush lips of hers. Xavier should be grateful for that, the little dog.

Antonio walked towards me, his grave features tight in the sun. "Hayden is here".

"Hayden?" I questioned before recalling the face of the man I loathed the most in the world. I'd sent for him, but I'd forgotten since I had much more pressing matters to attend to. He was Jade's lucky boy toy. I'd always wondered how a man of his physique would choose to be a submissive for her pleasure. I'd also wondered why Jade choose to stay with him for much longer than her other playthings.

"Tell him to wait. I'll be with him in a minute" I grumbled, my mood souring. The little whore was probably going to make a fuss about Jade and get everyone talking and remembering her.

They didn't talk when I was around but I knew they were all counting the days until she returned. They'll count for ages because their little leader was never coming back.

Antonio walked back to his position and I strode towards the main room.

Hayden stood there waiting, his muscled arm crossed, his jaw set, and his grey eyes harsh in the soft setting.

"What do you want here Hayden? Your master hasn't returned, and with the way I see things, she might never return", I said, trying to rile him up.

His glare deepened as he pushed away from where he rested against. "You told me to come here, so don't give me that crap Ryland. Also Jade will be back and you'll wish you were never born".

I smirked, finding the situation amusing. "You call her Jade now that she isn't here. I thought she was your Master" I reminded, stepping closer to him.

He was an inch taller than me and the height difference made me feel as if he was looking down on me. I hated every moment of it but damn it all to hell if I stepped away.

"I didn't come to exchange words with you Ryland. You and I both know the reason why you hate me, but let me just clear your delusions once and for all, Jade will never want someone like you, not as a man and definitely not as a submissive." He said with a lopsided grin that taunted me.

"Well she's already dead, so I guess this is the end for you then," I said, getting in his face. "I also happen to be the new Don, so what do you think your fate will be Hayden, what do you think I'm going to do to you now that your master isn't here to protect you," I asked, arching a brow and reveled in triumph as fear finally crossed his face.

It was fun to intimidate, but it was more fun to kill, and there was nothing more I wanted than to kill the man who'd managed to get the one thing I'd always wanted.

"If you kill me, Jade will not spare you".

His word made me laugh because we both knew Jade didn't give a shit about anyone. "Now who's being delusional".

"What do you want," he asked on an exhale, his will to antagonize dissipating.

I leaned closer until my lips were almost grazing his ears.

"I want you to seduce and kill my little sister".