REVENGE WITH LOVE : CHAPTER 81 – 90
CHAPTER 85 & 86.
CAUGHT IN THE ACT
Tesiera and Kracus’s gazes travelled to the door only to see Clinton standing there, his eyes as wide as saucers, nearly brushing his hairline.
And he didn’t come alone, Bose was also standing beside him.
A heavy silence enveloped the room. Kracus was filled with a pang of embarrassment for being caught. But he quickly schooled his features into a stern expression, directing a glare at the two unwanted visitors.
“Oh,” Clinton repeated, his voice tinged with shock.
“Oh…” He said for the third time.
Bose elbowed him discreetly then, “Enough, you sound like a broken record.” Though Bose concealed his surprise better, his face still betrayed a hint of astonishment he couldn’t suppress.
Clinton snapped his mouth shut.
Clearing his throat, Bose took a step forward. “I suppose we should’ve knocked. Sorry, boss.” he offered respectfully.
“But we don’t usually knock during office hours,” Clinton chimed in.
“Well, it seems like we ought to start,” Bose grumbled under his breath.
A flicker of confusion crossed Clinton’s features before realization dawned. His face relaxed, and he nodded. “Right, exactly. We’ll remember to knock from now on.” His gaze shifted to Kracus and Tesiera. “Apologies for barging in on you like that.”
Kracus felt heat rise to his cheeks, his embarrassment evident. However, Tesiera had schooled her face to her usual blank expression as she regarded Bose and Clinton.
When they shot her a look, she tilted her chin defiantly, saying nothing. Damn, at least one of them wasn’t feeling mortified, Kracus thought.
“I, too, apologize. I… um… got carried away.” Kracus responded.
Clinton looked like he was about to say something again, but he closed his mouth at the last moment.
Tesiera picked up one of her daggers that had fallen during their kiss and put it back in its place on her belt. She could still feel Kracus’s lips on hers, making her feel really warm. It was too hot here, I need some fresh air.
Without a word, she walked past Clinton and Bose, and left through the open door without a backward glance.
REVENGE WITH LOVE : CHAPTER 81 – 90
After Tesiera left, the room remained quiet, but Kracus knew it wouldn’t stay that way for long. He walked back to his desk and sat down. Picking up an open file, he acted like he was engrossed in reading through it, but from the corner of his eye, he saw Bose and Clinton was still staring at him.
Kracus was trying to ignore them, but the silence was becoming really uncomfortable. Finally, he closed the file with a slap. “Fine, you can say it.”
“The Torturer!? Seriously, boss!?” Clinton blurted out in shock, the big guy hurrying to his side. “I mean, sure, she’s stunning—honestly, anyone with functional eyes could see that—but she’s also like an iceberg. Deadly, tough as nails, and so cold she could freeze hell over!”
He shook his head disbelievingly, “She’s like someone who’d castrate any guy who dared to get close enough for a kiss, so I was practically traumatized watching your tongue down her throat, boss. I hope your body parts are complete?” Clinton scanned Kracus’s body, as if searching for any signs of bruises.
Kracus let out a weary sigh. “Quit being overdramatic, Clinton. I’m perfectly fine. You’re acting like she’s a mythical beast with three heads, when she’s just a woman. Kissing her isn’t as nightmarish as you’re painting it.” No, it was the exact opposite.
“But she’s the Torturer, remember?” Clinton’s eyes were wide with skepticism. “The same woman we saw dissect a man piece by piece without even flinching, all the while asking him questions like it was a casual chat. Remember that woman?”
Kracus managed a faint smile as he regarded Clinton. “You know, the way you talk about her, you could easily deceive a whole crowd into thinking you’re different from her. No one would associate you with the same guy who once took on fifteen assassins sent to ambush and kill his boss. Not only did he kill them, but he maim their bodies until they were unidentifiable, not even with an autopsy. Hell, you’ve killed people in ways that’d make a person require lifelong therapy.”
Clinton rolled his eyes, conceding, “Alright, you have a point,” he grumbled. “But at least I’m not as icy and emotionally closed-off as she is. If I didn’t see it with my own eyes, I’d never believe that she’s the same woman who had your tongue down her throat just moments ago” he cringed, “Bet it was like tasting ice formed on a cold winter hill.”
The smile vanished from Kracus’s face, replaced by a glare. “That was incredibly insulting.”
Clinton winced, his expression clouded with remorse. “I’m sorry, boss. You’re absolutely right. That was a pretty nasty thing to say.”
“Nasty is an understatement,” Bose chimed in, finally speaking up as he joined Clinton. He gave his friend a knowing look. “Just disregard him, boss. You know that when Clinton’s in a chatty mood, his mouth often starts moving before his brain catches up.”
Clinton shot Bose an irritated glance. But, he turned back to Kracus, his expression earnest. “Bose is right, boss. I really am sorry.”
Kracus took a deep breath, his anger dissipating. He couldn’t even blame Clinton entirely; he had once held those exact thoughts when he’d first met Tesiera.
But, that was before he had the privilege to meet the woman beneath the layers of weapons and leather.
The woman beneath was the opposite of the one she showed the world. In his embrace, she radiated a blend of scorching heat and sweet tenderness. He’d never seen a woman come alive the way Tesiera Rinderson does in his arms, it was amazing. She was amazing.
Bose’s eyes widened, a light of realization dawning upon him. “Hold on a second. That dreamy smile on your face… I saw it this morning too—wait.” His mind raced, connecting the dots. “The tampered window and the weird rewiring job… it was her doing, wasn’t it? That window in the Vacant Room four leads right to your bedroom…” Bose’s gaze shot up, suspicion evident as he locked eyes with Kracus.
Kracus inwardly cursed. He hadn’t wanted them to figure that out.
He swiftly wiped the smile off his face, replacing it with his usual poker expression. “I haven’t the faintest clue what you’re talking about.”
“Holy crap,” Clinton chimed in, frowning as he thought about it.
“Holy crap,” he repeated, the realization dawning on him too. A mischievous grin crept across his face. “Holy Crap!” he repeated, this time exclaiming.
“You really do sound like a broken record, knock it off.” Bose directed to Clinton. To Kracus, he shook his head and puffed out his chest triumphantly, “I knew it! I damn well knew that glitch theory was bullshit, goddamnit.”
“Alright, alright, fine.” Kracus relented, his voice tinged with resignation. He pinched the bridge of his nose, as if trying to stave off a headache. “Tesiera did pay a visit last night, and yes, she did use the bedroom window to get in,” he admitted,
“Ha! So that’s why you had me cancel all your appointments today. You were getting cozy with the Torturer,” Clinton quipped, his grin wide. He was thoroughly enjoying putting his boss on the spot. “Gotta say, boss, you’re quite the sly one, aren’t you?”
Kracus could feel his cheeks flushing. The last thing he wanted was for Tesiera to discover that Bose and Clinton were aware of their… arrangement. Already, he was walking on a thread with the woman. He needed to handle this situation carefully.
“It’s not what you’re thinking,” Kracus interjected, his voice firm.
Bose snorted, “Like hell it’s not.”
“We all know her mission last night was connected to the man who killed her father.” Kracus’s heart clenched at the painful memory. “The bastard dredged up some terrible memories that she’d rather forget, and he said vile things about her father too. It took a toll on her.”
Kracus paused, his expression growing more solemn. “I woke up and found her there. She looked…” he shook his head, unable to put words into how heartbreaking the sight of her last night had been.
Bose’s and Clinton’s expressions had shifted, their amusement had vanished, giving way to seriousness. Bose maintained a neutral facade, though his jaw was visibly clenched. Clinton’s expression turned downright murderous.
“I’m glad she took her time killing with that bastard,” Clinton seethed, his anger palpable. “I saw the footage from his place. She turned it into a gruesome scene, blood and bones everywhere. And hearing that he was involved in trafficking girls, made me so mad. Scum like that shouldn’t be allowed to exist in this world.”
“Absolutely,” Kracus agreed, a resolute nod accompanying his words. “Tesiera saved one of the girls last night.”
“She did?” Clinton’s eyebrows raised in surprise. “Well, color me impressed. I didn’t expect that from her. Guess, she’s got more layers than I thought.”
Bose cleared his throat, drawing their attention. “I’ve been thinking… maybe we could lend her a hand in tracking down the other men responsible for her father’s death. Clinton and I have connections, sources that can unearth even the most hidden information.”
Kracus’s surprise was evident, he didn’t expect that suggestion to come from Bose.
“Funny you say that. I’ve had the same idea,” Kracus admitted. “I’ll talk to Harvey about it soon. She’s taken one down, there’s still Cullian remaining, and two more we’re unaware of.”
“She might already have leads on those other two. Even if it’s just their names, it could be a starting point for us,” Clinton added, his tone serious.
“I doubt she’d be willing to share that information with us. People like her are used to working solo.” Bose thought out loud.
Kracus agreed with a nod. “You’re right. And she took on quite a dangerous task last night. The place she infiltrated was a fortress, armed to the teeth, with tough security systems. Going in alone was practically a suicide mission.”
“We can offer our assistance,” Clinton suggested, determination in his eyes. “She’s part of our group now. We take care of our own.”
“I agree on the part about helping with her mission, but pump the brakes there, on the part about her being one of us now. Let’s not forget she’s not here for the long haul. She’s made it clear she’s not putting down roots. Loners like her don’t stay.” Bose interjected.
Kracus hated the thought of her leaving, but Tesiera had made it clear that she wasn’t staying. He’d have to respect her wishes. When she ups and leaves, he’ll take it like a big boy. “For now, as long as she’s here, she’s one of us. And like Clinton said, we look out for each other. I’ll talk to her about this later. But for now, let’s wrap things up and head home.”
REVENGE WITH LOVE : CHAPTER 81 – 90
After a few minutes of tidying up, they were ready to leave. As they stepped out of the hospital, Tesiera was leaning against a pine tree, cigarette in hand. Despite her reluctant demeanor, her alert eyes scanned their surroundings.
She smoked like a chimney. Kracus exhaled loudly, watching her. Perhaps he could convince her to see a pulmonologist for her lungs, after he managed to check her heart. Could he ever get her to quit?
Upon spotting them, Tesiera straightened and discarded her cigarette. “Time to go?” she asked, her tone nonchalant.
Kracus nodded, feeling her gaze on him as they made their way to the car.
Fortunately, the ride home wasn’t filled with awkward silence. Clinton had seized the opportunity to rib Bose a new one.
“Bose has the picture of his ex, Sharon, on display by his bedside. He’d kiss it and whisper, ‘Please, come back to me,’ before bed every night.”
“Did he really do that?” Kracus inquired, chuckling.
“No, I didn’t,” Bose responded through gritted teeth, sending Clinton—who was grinning broadly—a glare.
Clinton chimed in, nodding. “True, he didn’t, but I could totally picture him doing it,” he added with a hearty laugh.
Bose shook his head, exasperated, “You’re unbelievable.”
“I’m awesome,” Clinton shot back.
While they continuing bantering like kids, Kracus’s attention wandered to Tesiera.
The seating arrangement had them facing each other. She sat across from him, beside Bose and Clinton, her arms folded and her head resting against the window with her eyes closed. He couldn’t help but recall that kiss back at his office.
The memory lingered as he observed Tesiera. Her serene appearance now was so different to the fire burning in her eyes earlier as she kissed him back. The way her lips had molded against his, the hunger that passed between them, not to mention the electric charge—it was a sensation he hadn’t experienced in a long time.
His gaze followed the curve of her profile; the delicate line of her jaw, and the faint flutter of her eyelàshes against her skin. A small smile tugged at the corner of his lips. Tesiera intrigued him in ways he hadn’t anticipated.
She was a puzzle. A compléx mix of strength, vulnerability, and enigma.
He found himself yearning to understand the woman hidden beneath that cold blankness. The woman he’d met earlier in the morning on his bed, the same one he’d caught fleeting glimpses of throughout the day, he wanted to get to know that woman.
Tesiera’s eyes flickered open. She met his gaze briefly before looking away, her cheeks tinted with a subtle hue of pink. Her eyes closed again.
As the car glided along, Kracus’s fingers tapped rhythmically against the armrest. He felt a magnetic pûll toward Tesiera, a force that defied logic. He wanted to get close to her. To really know her. He wanted to unravel those layers of fierce protection that she had carefully buried herself in for so long.
What would she be like with all her guards down?
“You’re being so obvious, boss.” Clinton leaned closer and whispered under his breath, “Jesus, you’re stripping the Torturer with your eyes.”
Kracus directed a piercing look at him, “Mind your own damn business.”
Clinton shrugged, “Just saying.” he said with a straight face, but it was obvious that he was fighting back a smile. “Save some for the bedroom, boss.”
Time passed. As the car kept moving, the hum of the engine intermingling with the lively conversation between Clinton and Bose, Kracus remained fixated on Tesiera. The woman had gotten under his skin like a pleasant bug he couldn’t shake.
Very dangerous this paths he was threading. Because as Bose had mentioned, Tesiera Rinderson wasn’t one to put down roots.
REVENGE WITH LOVE : CHAPTER 81 – 90
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