A not so friendly breakfast

Even a small sound had the girl jolting in fright who was curled in a ball and was sitting on the bed in the same position since last night. Her hands were cold and there were patches of dried tears all over her cheeks. She looked miserable.

After Dylan’s blood-chilling confession, he abruptly left the room but made sure to lock the beauty inside. Evelyn on the other hand was too terrified to retaliate. She had a hunch that Dylan was behind everything but his attitude left her uneasy. The dauntless look on his face made it clear to her that he can’t be harmed even if he leaves hundreds of bodies behind his trail. Moreover, the way the cops dismissed the case, everything became clear as the sky to her.

She was doomed because of two reasons:

One he won’t stop and second,

No one wouldn’t dare to trifle with the Mafia Lord so saving her was out of the picture.

She can’t even go to Xander or Brandon because then she will be putting their life in danger. They might be her shields but at that time things were different. Her fight was against a billionaire but today, she was standing against a gangster. Not a simple one but a psychotic and stubborn ex-husband.

A hard knock on the door made her heart jump out of her ribcage. She palmed her chest and looked at the door with wide terror-filled eyes.

“Come down for breakfast, Princess.”

His sonorous voice rang from the other side but didn’t provide any comfort to the paled girl. With elbows pressed tightly against the chest, Evelyn plastered her back on the headboard and waited for him to barge inside. She even held her breath so as to hear him clearly and guess his next move. Well, you have to be vigilant when you’re in a lion’s cave.

Dylan awaited her response but when he got none, he lost his cool.

“Two minutes, Eve. You know I hate repeating myself.”

His voice held an edge that ran a chill down her spine. She could hear him seething from the other side, knowing how hard he was controlling to unleash the monster hidden beneath him.

Soon the sound of his footsteps faded pouring a bucket of relief over. He had left for good. Letting out a shaky breath, she pushed the dampened locks covering her forehead and closed her eyes.

“I should go. It’s not good to anger him at least when he is not someone whom I knew.”

Evelyn dropped the idea of messing with the man who can easily shove a bullet through her head. Sighing, she got out of bed and collected herself before stepping out of the room.

*****

Twirling the fork between his fingers, Dylan continued staring at the glass of the jar. His lips were sealed in a thin line and the continuous tapping of his right foot indicated his impatience.

His ears perked when he heard the tender sounds of her footsteps. A beautiful smile crept on his face when he eyed the flawless angel descending the stairs with grace. Her gaze was downward, her fingers fidgeting with her skirt, and the way she was constantly chewing her lips, she looked adorable and innocent like a scared little kid.

Dylan scraped the chair back before he sauntered in her direction. Evelyn stopped and took a secretive glance at him.

His jaw was clenched. Her heart trembled at the sight knowing the reason behind it, she hadn’t changed her outfit.

Evelyn had zero trust in this man. She saw the clothes Dylan had left for her still she avoided it because she didn’t want to use his bathroom. For her he was a stranger, how can she take the risk of stripping herself in his territory? What if he clicks inappropriate snaps of her and then blackmails her with them later?

She gulped and straightened her spine as she braced herself for Dylan to lash at her. But to her surprise, he simply grabbed her hand and intertwined their fingers before taking her along with him.

His actions came as another big shock to her. Evelyn watched his broad back with an open mouth as he led her to the dining room.

Pulling a chair for her, Dylan then looked at her, “Sit love.”

Okay, what was even going on?

Curbing her curiosity, Evelyn quietly plopped on the chair while Dylan rounded to the other side and sat on the head chair.

Evelyn silently eyed his attire. He was dressed up in a dapper three-piece suit. His dark hair was jelled and combed perfectly revealing his handsome forehead. Her gaze dropped to his prominent muscles that flexed as he served her breakfast. With the shining Rolex on his wrist and a silver bracelet on his right hand with multiple silver rings adorning his fingers, the man could literally kill someone with his perfect features and impeccable dressing style.

“Done staring baby doll?”

His voice pulled her out of her reverie. Dylan chuckled huskily noticing her red cheeks. Evelyn fisted the hem of her skirt in embarrassment.

Gosh, he just caught her checking him out?

She was busy cursing herself when suddenly she felt a cold touch on her left cheek. Startled, she looked up only to see Dylan caressing her heated cheeks with the back of his knuckles.

Evelyn immediately looked away and tried to recoil but Dylan lunged forward and grabbed her face in his palms.

“Don’t, let me cool you down. You’re burning sweetheart.”

He gave her a mischievous grin and continued caressing her cheekbones with his thumb. His behavior was unsettling. Has he forgotten on which terms they called off their titular marriage?

“N-No, I am mean... I am fine.” Evelyn politely refused before she moved away from his hold. She could have slapped him only if her eyes hadn’t caught the gun tucked in his waistband.

Dylan clenched his jaw, his hands dropped sideways while he stared at Evelyn who was avoiding his eyes.

“Very well then.” He rumbled as he picked up the cutleries and dig in.

*****

Evelyn could hardly eat. Her eyes kept shifting to her wristwatch. It was 9 in the morning and technically she should be in her company rather than having breakfast with her ex-husband aka the Mafia Lord of America.

Unlike her, Dylan was happily chewing his food with no care in the world. She could see the contentment on his face.

Unable to control it anymore, she shoved down the morsel and opened her mouth to ask him to let her leave but ended up asking something else.

Something irrelevant.

“You live here alone?”

Dylan paused and so does she. Her eyes rounded to the size of saucers when realization sunk in.

‘Concerned about his loneliness? Seriously Evelyn?’ Her conscience mocked her.

Dylan lifted his head and met her eyes.

“Nope. I just gave the staff a day off as I didn’t want you to get uncomfortable.” He replied to her with a sweet smile.

Evelyn held the urge to scoff.

‘Wasn’t he also involved in that list? In fact, he topped that list.’

She lowered her eyes and nodded but what he said next left her shaken to the bone.

“But it wouldn’t last longer, love. You will be joining me soon. I wish for the day when you’ll paint my bland and gloomy home with your beautiful colors. The walls will once again echo with your divine laughter and your smile would be the first thing I would see before leaving for work.” Dylan spoke and enveloped her right hand with his.

Her pupils dilated in fear. He was being delusional.

What laughter? He made her scream and cry at every step of their lives. One year that she had spent with him was the worst part of her life.

These words were at the tip of her tongue but she refrained herself from spitting them out. She needs to leave before he really captures her in his golden cage.

Dylan watched how she slowly pulled her hand from his hold before dropping to her lap. She quickly wiped her mouth with a napkin and took a deep breath before speaking.

“Thanks for everything but I need to leave now.” She spoke firmly before looking at him with cold eyes. Sweat broke on her forehead watching his intense eyes. She could easily tell he didn’t like her words as he was literally glaring at her.

Evelyn was panicking inside but she masked her fear with a composed expression.

“Listen, Mr. Black. I appreciate your help but we have moved past everything. I have nothing against you ’cause you’re a dead and long-forgotten chapter of my journal. I have moved on and I hope the same for you. So, just-“

“No”

Dylan cut her words midway. His voice came off as a low sneer that made Evelyn gulp.

She again tried persuading him, “Listen, I-“

“I SAID STOP IT, ALL RIGHT!!!”