REVENGE WITH LOVE : CHAPTER 41 – 50

REVENGE WITH LOVE : CHAPTER 41 – 50

CHAPTER 47 & 48

THE TORTURER OF THE NIGHT.

Tesiera could feel Kracus’s breath on her neck, his lips mere inches away from hers.

But just as their lips were about to meet, a small voice filled the air, “Uncle Kracus! Uncle Kracus! Come play with me!”

Hazel’s voice shattered the moment and they pulled away from each other. The three-year-old girl bounded down the stairs and into the basement, a smile lighting up her face when she saw her uncle.

Kracus turned to Hazel, his disappointment at being interrupted quickly replaced by a wide grin. “Hey there, little one! What do you want to play?”

Hazel grinned up at him, her big brown eyes filled with excitement. “I want to play hide and seek!”

Kracus chuckled. “Alright, I’ll count to ten and you go hide. Ready?” Hazel nodded eagerly, and Kracus began to count.

As he counted, Hazel scampered off to find the perfect hiding spot. Tesiera watched them for a moment, feeling a twinge of envy at the easy way they interacted with each other. She had never had that kind of relationship with anyone after the death of her father. Big Cat tried his best to raise her but the Mafia Godfather was as emotionally stunted as she was. The way he showed affection was completely different from the standard way.

Her thoughts were quickly interrupted by a hand touching her pants, “Go and hide, Aunt Tetiena!”

Tesiera glanced down at the girl and blinked in confusion.

“Come and hide with me!” Hazel began tugging on her pants in an effort to move her, but she remained rooted on that spot. Baffled, Tesiera stared at Kracus who was clearly watching the interaction with a small smile on his face.

“Just indulge her or she’ll never let you go,” he advised, amused.

Tesiera allowed the girl to lead her away to a hiding place.

“I’m gonna count to ten. Ready or not, here I come!” Kracus called out.

Hazel let out a giggle and stayed hidden as Kracus pretended to search for her. Finally, he spotted her hiding behind a stack of boxes and scooped her up in his arms, tickling her until she squealed with laughter. “Let go, Uncle Kracus! Let goooo!”

Tesiera got out of the stack of boxes, watching the both of them. She has never met a man like him before; a hardworking businessman, a gifted surgeon, a generous boss and a playful soul to little children. He…fascinates her.

She was glad Hazel had interrupted them. Whatever it was they were about to do was a mistake. Kracus is a very attractive man and Tesiera knew she wanted him—she saw no reason to lie to herself about it.

She was always the kind of person to go after what she wanted, who she wanted. And, whatever Tesiera Rinderson wanted, Tesiera Rinderson got. But for the first time, Tesiera Rinderson wasn’t going to go after who she wanted. Not only was Kracus her boss and she didn’t let anything interrupt her missions, but he also evoked strange feelings in her. She did things that were out of character and she let her guard down.

Kraccusian Kingston was a dangerous man and it was best to avoid having any other kind of relationship with him that’s not the business relationship they have.

Her thoughts were interrupted when Kracus finally set Hazel down, “It’s your turn to hide,” the girl said to him.

“Oh yes it is. Why don’t you go upstairs and I’ll join you soon to finish our game.”

“Alright, Uncle Kracus!” She disappeared out of the door.

Then, he turned to Tesiera. “Thanks for understanding and giving in to her. Hazel can be quite a handful, but she’s the sweetest little thing.”

Tesiera shrugged it off. “It’s fine, I understand. About what happened earlier—“

“I think she likes you,” he continued, “Mary told me you made bacon for her in the morning.”

“As long as she’s with you, it’s my job to protect her. I was just doing my job.” she stated baldly.

Kracus scoffed and muttered something she couldn’t hear under his breath.

“Huh?” She asked.

He smiled at her, “Nothing. You’re doing a good job.”

Tesiera opened her mouth again, “About earlier—“

“Uncle Kracus! Come play with me some more!” Hazel called out from upstairs.

“Duty calls, I’m afraid. See you later,” he gave her a sheepish grin before he turned and walked out of the door.

Tesiera stood there alone afterward, both relieved and frustrated that the awkward conversation did not happen.
She was a hardened assassin in complete control of her life and emotions, but with him, she could feel that control slipping. He was a dimension she had never explored before and it was better not to explore it.

Over the next two days, Kracus and Tesiera’s interactions were strictly professional. They went about their routines meticulously, picked up groceries they’d need and other necessities. Despite their previous moment in the basement, they both acted as if nothing had happened.

Hazel had fully recovered, and Kracus had announced that they would be returning to Manhattan the next day. That evening, after administering Hazel’s evening shots, Kracus made his way to the kitchen when he heard grunts and heavy breathing echoing through the narrow hallway.

Against his better judgment, he stopped by Tesiera’s bedroom, noticing that her door was slightly ajar. As he peeked in, he observed her on the floor, her hands firmly planted, and her body pushed up, one arm at a time. She was doing push-ups, and she was doing them with fierce determination.

As she lowered herself back down, she counted aloud, her voice steady and unwavering. “Fifty-five,” she said, her muscles quivering with effort. “Fifty-six.” Her form was perfect, her movements controlled and fluid. She was an athlete, a warrior, and she was pushing herself to her limits.

Kracus stood behind the door and watched her in admiration. He was in awe of her strength, her power, and her determination. He could see the muscles rippling beneath her skin, the sweat glistening on her forehead. She had a bullet wound but yet she was unstoppable, unbreakable, and a force to be reckoned with.

His body reacted to her. “Down, boy.” he muttered inwardly. She’s not for us.

She continued to push herself, counting each rep as she went. “Seventy,” she said, her voice a little louder now and breathless. She was deep into the rhythm, well in her groove. He watched as she powered through the set, her breathing becoming more erratic, her muscles trembling with exertion.

Kracus forced himself to walk away. None of his exes were ever like Tesiera—he had a type. Or he thought he did. He was attracted to the woman in a way he’d never been with another woman.

REVENGE WITH LOVE : CHAPTER 41 – 50

That night, Kracus worked tirelessly until he was overcome by exhaustion and finally retired to his bed. The moment he lay down, he felt his eyelids grow heavy and he drifted off into a deep sleep. But then, a piercing scream shattered the stillness of the night, causing him to jolt awake in alarm.

At first, Kracus was disoriented and wondered if he had imagined the sound. But then, the scream echoed once again, louder this time, sending a shiver down his spine. Without hesitation, he leaped out of bed, slipping into his slippers and hurrying towards Hazel’s room.

With a sense of urgency, Kracus flung open the door to Hazel’s room, but to his surprise, she was fast asleep, her small face serene and peaceful. He frowned in confusion, wondering if he had made a mistake. However, as he thought back to the voice he had heard, he realized that it couldn’t have been Hazel’s. It was a more mature voice.

The scream came again, sending chills down Kracus’ spine. “Tesiera!” he exclaimed and shut Hazel’s door.

He made his way to Tesiera’s room, which was an adjoined room with his. The room was literally next to his, what would’ve made him think that it was Hazel?

He rushed towards Tesiera’s door and pushed it open, his heart pounding in his chest. As he entered the dimly lit room, he saw Tesiera thrashing around in her bed, drenched in sweat and whimpering incoherently.

Her distress was palpable, and she cried out, her voice trembling with fear. “No…! D-don’t shoot..!” she begged. “Daddy, give it to him…!”

Kracus stood frozen at the spot. It wasn’t the firm, hard voice of Tesiera he’d become accustomed to, but the voice of a little girl.

That was when the realization hit him hard. Not only was she having a nightmare, but she was trapped in the occurrences of the night she had lost her father.

Kracus’s countenance fell, and a heavy weight of guilt settled in his heart. He couldn’t help but feel somewhat responsible for what had happened to her. After all, it was his own brother who had killed her father. Perhaps he had his own share of guilt to bear.

As he watched Tesiera struggle through her nightmare, Kracus couldn’t help but feel a sense of sympathy for her. Was this a frequent cross she had to bear, reliving that dreadful night over and over again? Despite the years that had passed since the tragic incident, she still suffered from the effect?

His hands fell to his sides as he let go of the door handle, moving to wake her. But before he could reach her, she jolted up from her nightmare, sitting atop her bed, heaving heavy breaths.

The room was dark and dingy, and Kracus stepped back behind the door, unnoticed. As he observed her, he noticed emotions that he had never seen before. She appeared frightened and overwhelmed, and he could tell that she was struggling to keep her composure.

Kracus knew she wouldn’t appreciate being seen in such a vulnerable state, so he hid behind the door.

Suddenly, Tesiera reached for her bedside table and pulled out a knife. She pushed her nightgown away and bared her thighs…

Kracus’s demeanor stilled, and he tilted his head to the side, gazing with confused focus as he wondered what the woman was up to. However, his mouth fell open in a horrified gasp as he realized almost immediately what she was doing. But by then, she had already started cutting open her skin.

“What the hell are you doing?” Kracus stepped out from behind the door, racing towards her bed to try and stop her. Tesiera was startled by his sudden and unexpected presence, visibly flinching.

Approaching her bed, Kracus sighted the blood streaming out of her thighs, and he was appalled. He rapidly blinked at the sight before him, unable to believe what he was seeing.

“I should be asking you the same, doc. Why are you in my room?” Tesiera retorted.

“Helping you. I can’t stand here and watch you do this to yourself,” Kracus opposed, grabbing a hold of the knife and taking it away from her.

“I don’t need your help,” Tesiera refuted, yanking the knife away from his grip and making another attempt to widen the cut that nastily blemished her inner thigh.

“I know you think you don’t, but I will intervene anyway,” Kracus stood his ground, taking the knife away from Tesiera again.

She stared up at him with narrowed brows, impatience surging in her veins. Tesiera glared at him with the all-familiar sinister look of hers, the glowing eyes of a menacing killer.

Yet Kracus was adamant about returning the knife to her. She grunted in frustration, opening the drawers again and taking out another knife. But just as she was about to make use of it, he took it away from her.

“What the fuck?” She barked as he snatched it away from her, she made an attempt to reclaim it but he shifted his hands further out of her reach.

“What are you doing?” Kracus repeated, his tone sharp. “I told you, I’m not letting you hurt yourself,” he continued, his voice unwavering. “I saw you having that nightmare, and I know it’s about that night. But self-harm is not the answer. This is unhealthy.”

Tesiera’s jaw clenched at the realization that he had witnessed her vulnerable state during her nightmare. She felt exposed and violated.

“Get out of my room, Sir,” she demanded, her voice dripping with sarcasm as she emphasized the honorific.

Kracus didn’t budge, his gaze unfazed as he refused to leave.
Tesiera’s frustration grew as she banged her fists against the headboard of her bed.

“You don’t have the right to be in my room or stop me from doing anything,” she seethed. “It’s my life, and my choices, and I would appreciate it if you left me alone. Now give me the fucking knife!”

“Fine then!” he slammed the knife on the bedside table before stepping back. “You wanna gut yourself like a fucking pig? Go ahead and be my guest.”

Tesiera picked up the knife, her eyes brimming like raging fire, holding his own angry stare firmly, she parted her thighs and carved another slit beside the other cut, relishing the prickling pain that followed.

He lowered his eyes to the blood dripping from the cut and a muscle ticked in his jaw. He watched her closely, noticing the tension slowly dissipating from her body.

Silence descended upon them afterward.

Then, Tesiera stood up and walked past him without a word, disappearing into the bathroom. She turned on the shower, letting the water wash over her as it stung her newly-formed wound.

As stood in solitude, her thoughts began to race, and the image of the horror and concern on his face filled her head. She knew he was truly worried—whether it was because he was a doctor or he simply didn’t want to see her blood on his expensive mattress—he had genuine concern about the situation, and she had shut him out.

But it wasn’t as simple as just stopping her self-harm. She didn’t want to do it, but it was the only escape she had. After a while, she turned off the shower and put on her nightdress before returning to her room.

Kracus was still there, leaning against the door with his arms crossed. She was surprised but it didn’t show on her features.

Ignoring him, Tesiera made her way to her bed and lay down, covering herself up. She could feel his eyes on him.

Then, she heard his silent footsteps move, and she deduced that he was about to leave. He paused.

“Just know that there won’t be a repeat of what just happened here, ever again. Not on my watch, not when I’m involved. Next time, I swear to God, I won’t allow you to do it.” Then, his footsteps faded.

Hours after he had left, she couldn’t shake the vow he’d made. It continued to ring in her head.

REVENGE WITH LOVE : CHAPTER 41 – 50

Click 5 below to continue reading