Forty three

JADE POV

The casino was crowded, which showed that the business was going well, and as I did a sweep of the building, I could make out the numbers of the high players that were in the establishment. It was our busiest season and as I walked in, accompanied by two of my most trusted guards, looks were thrown my way, some in fear, some in awe.

My eyes raked over the faces of each of the high rollers in the casino, and at the pretty women who were draped over their arms, almost like a part of their accessories.

They acknowledge me as I passed by each of them and I offered a small smile that I was sure looked more like a scowl. It was a hassle to show emotions that I didn't really mean, especially if it was at lots of them, but they were a major piece of my money-making enterprise, hence the courtesy.

The security here was top-notch because I wanted all the players to feel safe while they played to their heart's content.

The bouncers I employed all looked sturdy and I reveled in the knowledge that I could probably take the lot of them down all at once if I wanted to. Maybe that was what I needed. I had to get an outlet for all the pressure that had been building up in my chest.

I'd always loved power, but having so much at my disposal and having to be careful of how I used it made me feel oppressive. But I found that restraining myself was the right path to take rather than wreaking havoc unprovoked, hence why I still acted like the human I once was, and not the killing machine I had become.

I didn't need guards, but I kept them for appearances. Glancing around the club, I could tell exactly the amount of weapons that were in the room, the definition of each of them, and their caliber. I could also see those who wielded the weapons, but I sensed no animosity flowing toward me from any of the corners of the room.

I could make out the distinct heartbeat of each of the men and women in the crowd and the sensual pheromones flowing in the air made my skin itch.

It had been more overwhelming at the start, but there was nothing I could not master if I truly put my mind to it, and with how raw I felt on most days, I made sure to occupy myself with the art of mastering and controlling my powers, but maybe I hadn't tried enough.

Remembering what had happened with Hayden was a testament to the fact, and It left a bitter taste in my mouth that I had lost control when he'd placed all of his trust in me.

We stepped into the elevator, and as it closed, the assault on my mind from the crowd we passed through ceased, and I welcomed the quiet with a sigh. Maybe I had to do more research about what I had become but it all seemed pointless since Ariel had said I was sought of an anomaly. Not fully human, or wolf. I was different, or maybe I was just an outcast, as it has always been.

"Are you alright, you do not look so good" Simone asked, his brows furrowed in concern as he regarded me worriedly.

"I am fine" I gritted out. "Let us just get this over and done with," I said, still feeling on edge.

Taking my frustrations out on Hayden had not been enough to take the restlessness I felt off and I hated every second of it because I'd bruised Hayden. I had flailed his flesh. He probably wasn't going to offer himself back to me for a very long time, which was fine by me because I prided myself on having the ultimate type of restraint, and yet, I'd lost my mind.

I had lost control without meaning to and when I finally came through, it was already too late by then... Simone had managed to stop me before I'd completely killed him. His blood had still been on the dungeon's duvet when I had left this morning.

Shaking the thought out of my mind, I forced myself to focus on the task I had at hand for today. I would not torment myself over things that I could not change. There was no room for remorse especially since he knew all the terms upfront and still choose to offer himself for my use.

Stepping into the VIP section, I smirked as I saw more of our customers getting private shows from some of the escorts, the sound of their moans filling the space.

Simone looked uncomfortable, while Franco just kept a neutral expression on his face. We turned the corner and they became more alert, their hands automatically going to their weapons but they had no reason to fear since I could feel no sense of danger at all. No one in their right mind went against Jade Alvarez and that was a fact. You only did if you had a death wish and I was always happy to deliver.

We stepped towards the meeting room which was secluded from the other rooms that the casino housed. We got to the huge metal door, which was intimidating in the sense that most people that went in never came out.

I placed my palm against the door scanner, and the door swished open once the processing was done.

We stepped into the darkly lit room that looked more like a board room, the only difference being the huge-looking chair that overlooked the other seats. The men were all already seated and I could feel how deep their animosity for me was immediately I stepped Into the room, especially from Edward, the man that had made me call the meeting in the first place.

Edward had the face of a fox, and the smug way he carried himself made him look stronger and bigger than he really was. His right hand sat next to him, his gaze raking around the interior of the room, his fingers tapping rhythmically against his thighs as his gaze collided with mine.

He was worst looking than Edward, and just staring at me made me think about all the differences I could rip his flesh off his bones, especially since he always looked at me as if he wanted to take a bite out of me.

Edward stood up, adjusting his tailor-made suit, as he tried to look regal even though the suit didn't look like it was the right size. He held my gaze with a clownish smile on his lips that pissed me off, but I guess that was his intention because his grin got wider, his pheromones spiking all over the place as he took in the scowl on my face.

"Edward" I called and he smirked. "I see you brought your whole entourage with you for a mere meeting that would have ended in an hour at the most." I taunted, then moved closer to him. "Did you think that I was going to kill you down here? Or was it the other way around?"

"You called to negotiate didn't you, I agreed out of my respect for you because of the power you hold, and the new territory you have conquered, but I also hold a lot of influence Jade Alvarez, and my territory is much larger than yours, so do not test my patience, or I will have no choice but to strike like a tiger that has been pushed up against the wall."

I stared at him, my brain taking longer to process his words because of how absurd they sounded. I burst out laughing because it was downright hilarious. He was more influential and had more territory. Well, he wasn't entirely wrong but that piece of information just made me feel like I was being challenged. I wonder how wide his eyes would go if I took over his territory and sold him off as spoils of war.

"That was a speech if I ever heard one" I got out once I could get my laughter under control. My gaze turned serious and I took a step in his direction. All the guards in the room stood up, their hands reaching for their weapons.

The movement does not faze me. Edward stared at me with a condescending smirk on his lip, his trust in his hitmen astonishing.

He should have been cowering if he knew the danger he was truly in. I could probably rip out his throat before one of his hitmen even got the chance to pull the trigger.

"It wasn't a speech bitch"

He was definitely digging his own grave now."I do not like the tone you are using to address me Edward, and for the duration of this talk, I would advise you refrain from speaking to me in such a manner"

"I will speak as I please. I do not know what Ryland was thinking when he took off and let you take his place, but no matter what it is you think you have achieved, I am not going to suck up to you or do whatever it is you want. You are a little fly just hatching out of its cocoon so better be careful, it is a very harsh world out here. I know you are here because of Ares, but he is of no concern to you now Jade Alvarez. Ares is my property. I bought him, I own him".

I was going to kill him. And I hoped he could see it in my gaze as I choose to ignore his words from earlier.

"You bought Ares from Ryland while I was away, but he was under my protection, so I think we should renegotiate the terms. I will give you two options Edward Jones, one, I pay you whatever it was you used in purchasing Ares, two, you refuse my first offer and you do not get to leave here alive".

Edward stared at me and then burst into a boisterous spurt of laughter that lasted a minute.

His guards joined in too. The sound of their laugh grated on my nerve.

He finally stopped and I smiled.

"Are you done thinking it over?" I asked sweetly, ignoring the murderous look in his eyes.

"I do not accept any of your offers and if there would be anyone that would not leave here alive..." He got out snidely, stepping closer to me until we were nose to nose. "It would be you, little girl".

I smirked. "I might be little Edward, but I can still snap you in two If I wanted to".

"I actually came here to put an end to your madness Jade. This world of crime is not for spineless pretty faces like yours. You are just a bitch who was lucky enough...".

I'd heard enough. My hand lashed out, then dropped to my side. Edward blinked in surprise. His guards all aimed their weapons at me. My two guards were clearly at a disadvantage as they aimed at the six armed men in the room.

"I just killed you," I said with a smile that I was sure looked like the devil's grin.

Edward opened his mouth to speak but only blood spurted out of his lips. His eyes widened comically as he noticed his shirt soaking up the blood that flowed down his severed throat.

The small knife in my hand dripped blood unto the white tiles.

His men all gaped at me, their weapons still aimed in my direction but I could see the fear in their gazes and I could also scent the way their blood had gone cold in their veins.

"You should have picked the first option," I said to his dying form as he staggered to the floor. He gazed at me, the shock in his eyes never disappearing until he breathed his last.

The door suddenly swished open surprising all of us in the room because I had specifically made it so that only those I authorized were allowed inside.

I turned to look at who the intruder was.

His scent hit me first, and it was so intense that it felt like I had been sucker punched.

He stepped into the room, his presence dominating the entire enclosure.

"Dearil Vaughn" I whispered, my eyes connecting with those of my Mate. The one I had rejected.