Page 108 of Watched

“The last man was sexually assaulting his nephew, so Blade was sent in to take him. He then tortured him and killed him…while I watched.”

“So, you want me to act like your Mother Theresa?”

“Stop twisting my words, baby.”

“And what if they don’t deserve it? What justifies death?”

“Cheating, sexual assault, rape. If they haven’t committed something along those lines, I refuse to go after them. I know what we do isn’t ethical, and I refuse where I can. I know it’s hard for you to understand my perspective, but your version of wrongdoing is very different from mine.”

“Wrongdoing? Seriously, Rain? You’re killing people to get land to make more money.”

“They deserve it.” The frigid breeze whips past as he moves to sit on the edge of the bed. His closeness fills my mouth with bitterness. I don’t know what it is… Hatred, disgust, anger…betrayal, possibly.

His stare hardens when I move my leg farther from his fingers reaching for my covered limb. “Do you believe someone who rapes another should die?”

I fill my answer with the bitterness pooled in my mouth. “Of course I do.”

“Someone who sexually assaults another?”

“Yes.”

“What if they were sexually assaulted and then repeated what they saw. Does that excuse it?”

“I—I—” I clear my throat and shake my head. “What’s that saying? Don’t do to others what you don’t want done to you or something.”

He slowly nods. “Confucius. Don’t do unto others what you don’t want done unto you.”

“Yeah…that. It’s very simple.”

A small, almost pitiful smile tugs at his lips. “It’s never that simple, is it?”

The bitterness chokes me, and I quickly confirm it’s anger causing it. “It is.”

“Not to someone who’s traumatised. Does that excuse it? No, absolutely not. Their perception of right and wrong is blurred. Am I wrong for killing someone who commits a vile act like that, Rome?”

“You’re doing it to get land.”

“Does that make what I do wrong? Or is it simply a…fortunate consequence?” Before I can speak, he shakes his head. “I know what you’re thinking. That’s just an excuse, a justification for wrongdoing, and, yes,” his smile widens and he points a finger at me, “I understand why you would see it that way, but understand that I don’t have a choice.” The volume in his voice falls to a whisper. “But I do get satisfaction from what I do.”

Does that excuse it? His father’s company gains from what he and Blade do, but he’s also removing people who harm others. But what about me and my grandfather? We’ve never hurt anyone.

I feel completely empty, lost and confused as I stare at the beautiful man I once craved to hold, the one I dreamed about even when I wished I hadn’t. I’ve hidden my true self away for years. I was honest with him about the shame that has eaten me alive for seven years. I confided in him and let myself be vulnerable around him. I want to break down and ruin his beautiful fucking face, because I don’t know who this man really is.

The door swings open, and Blade casually leans against the door frame. “So, pretty boy is my key to Alexa.” Rain shoots up, cocking a gun out of seemingly nowhere. Blade’s chuckle is like ice injecting into your veins. “Come on, Rain, I won’t kill him right now. I like to earn the surprised screaming that comes with killing someone.”

Rain’s chin lifts, the gun steady in his hand. “I’ll kill you if you so much as raise a finger toward him.”

“Truth prevails, doesn’t it, pretty boy?” He flips his hands, slowly moving his fingers. “The silky blood of those twelve people extends from my hands to his. You know me, brother.” A horrifying grin tugs at his lips. “I like my killing bloody, same as my revenge. You tried to keep her from me for three years; you tried to protect her from the big, bad wolf.” He frowns sarcastically before releasing a terrifying laugh. “It’s a full circle moment, isn’t it? I take your precious boy toy and finally get what I want.”

“I’ll kill you,” Rain whispers.

“Always the hero. Trust me, brother, the villains a thrill.”

I thought Rain was crazy. Blade is fucking insane.

The lowering gun trembles in Rain’s hand. “I’ll get you the jet. You have my word.”

“Good.” Blade smiles. “You know what happens if you don’t.”