CHAPTER 50: 50

"What do you mean you married him? I warned you explicitly to stay away. He’s dangerous, and now you’re telling me you’re his wife? Did he threaten you? Are you in danger?" His voice trembled with anger and fear.

I leaned back, arms crossed, staring intently. His concern was palpable, but its true source eluded me. Initially, I believed it stemmed from my past as a mute girl, abandoned by a loveless adoptive family. But now, I sensed deeper motives at play.

"Editor Damian," I interjected firmly, forcing him to meet my gaze. "Could it be you have feelings for me?"

"Excuse me?" He seemed taken aback.

"If not, then why this concern?" I retorted, irritation rising. "Why worry over my safety and choices?"

"Your grandmother entrusted me to look after you," he insisted.

I scoffed. "If I were truly pitiable, perhaps I’d believe that. But she knew I can fend for myself."

"Please, hear me out," Damian pleaded, placing a badge on the table. It was a police badge, his name and photo prominently displayed. He motioned for me to sit.

"I shouldn’t tell you this," he began, "but I’m undercover investigating Nix Dean."

"Why?" I asked, hoping for answers.

"He’s a serial killer, elusive and dangerous," Damian confessed, his voice low. "I’m gathering evidence against him."

As he spoke of Nix’s atrocities, my thoughts raced. Could this man really take down someone so formidable? Just because he thinks he can.

If Nix truly was a killer, then our paths were destined to cross, for I was no stranger to darkness.

"So, you plan to arrest him?" I pressed.

"If I must," Damian replied cryptically. "But if the law fails..."

"What then?" I demanded.

"I’ll do what’s necessary," he said ominously.

A cold smirk crossed my face. If Damian thought he could outwit Nix, he was gravely mistaken. My loyalty was clear.

"Do what you must, Officer Damian," I declared, locking eyes with him. "But know this, I will protect my husband at any cost."

As I left, thoughts of Nix Dean and his secrets affairs haunted me.

Come to think of it I never truly had proper information about him, but eitherways this game had just begun, and I was determined to see it through.

I arrived at one of the stores in the shopping mall and couldn’t help but scoff at the diligence of the guards Nix had assigned to me. Their presence was like a constant reminder of the complex web of danger and protection surrounding my life.

"Madam, how can I help you?" one of the staff members approached me, her tone polite yet curious. A mischievous smile crept onto my face. As Nix’s legal wife, it was only fitting that I carried myself with the appropriate air of authority.

"Your finest and latest gown design, please," I requested, my voice steady. I needed a gown for the Alpha Four meeting, and who better to provide it than my husband’s resources?

"We recently received these gowns imported from New York," she said, stepping forward with a collection of exquisite dresses. "They are black, dramatic, body-skimming gowns by Tarik Ediz."

I stood up to inspect the gowns on display, noting how the mannequins failed to do them justice. Both dresses featured high thigh slits but with distinct designs. The first was crafted from a black net-like material, fitted around the waist, and off-shoulder. The designer had ingeniously created a floral pattern with the same material. The second gown was a mix of black and grey, with a one-shoulder double-hand top adorned with glass stones. Choosing between them was unexpectedly difficult, and I found myself momentarily at a loss for words.

"Give me both," I finally decided, my voice firm. The staff member nodded and hurried off to prepare my selections.

It had been a long time since I indulged in shopping. This was my chance to make up for it, and I intended to savor every moment.

I made payments as I held both bags in one hand as I walked out of the store but the vibration of my phone called for my attention. Seeing the name of the caller,a smile formed on my lips

"Hello"

"You seem excited little bunny" Zamiel said from the other end of the phone and a chuckle escaped me

"What’s up?"

"i just finished speaking with Alpha one and he agreed" the sound of good news made my heart lip and I threw the shopping bags I was holding over my shoulder "be at the location I told you before 8pm the party starts by nine"

"Okay, I’ll..." My smile suddenly faded when I saw Ella Dalton standing very close to Nix. Anyone might think I hated her because she was betrothed to Nix, but that wasn’t the case. In fact, I hated her because she not only tried to take my place in the Dalton family but also covered up their crimes.

"We’ll talk later. I have to go," I said, ending the call and shoving my phone into my pocket. With confident strides, I approached the duo, but I stopped as the reality hit me hard. Nix wasn’t my husband, even if he was by law. Ours was a marriage of convenience, where I needed to pay him back for the so-called loan my adoptive family owed him, while I used him as a shield to get my revenge. His personal life was none of my concern, nor his doings.

I abruptly turned and dialed Tommy’s number on my phone. "Carmela!" I looked up to see him waving at me with his phone in his hand as he quickly made his way towards me. "Where are the kids?" I questioned.

"With Luna and Xavier. So, what’s up?" he asked, grinning from ear to ear.

Honestly, he surely had his own alluring charm just like Nix, one that could make anyone desperate to have him. It seemed attractiveness ran in the blood of the Dean family.

"How about you become my boyfriend?"

A smile spread across my face as I remembered Tommy’s reaction to my question. He looked like a little puppy being bullied, and I still couldn’t get the image out of my head.

"Let me help you carry the bags," I said from behind him, making him jolt as if he had seen a ghost.

"Are you bent on seeing me dead?" he sighed loudly, making me chuckle. "It’s not my fault you’re so scared of your cousin," I pouted, taking one of the shopping bags from him, but he snatched it away.

"I’ll carry the bags. Nix would have my head on a platter if he found out I let you carry these bags."

"Stop being overdramatic. You’re aware of the terms of this marriage, so why pretend?" I raised an eyebrow, and he just shook his head. "It’s pointless saying anything to you. Just do as you wish, but don’t play such pranks like the one you did at the mall again," he said, walking ahead of me.

I looked around and saw our car was the only one present. Luna had said she was headed somewhere with the kids, and Xavier was with Grandfather, so where could Nix be? I wondered, checking my phone. It was just a few minutes past eight, but I couldn’t help but wonder where he had headed off to. The last time I saw him, he was conversing with my substitute, and I didn’t want to intrude.

Whatever. I don’t really care as long as my plans aren’t affected.

"I’m going to shower and then head straight to bed. Don’t expect me for dinner," I said, snatching my shopping bags from Tommy before heading towards the elevator. I was in a good mood, and I could feel it in my bones. Maybe it was because I would be meeting my old man tomorrow or the fact that I would be getting my revenge. I couldn’t tell which reason it was, but I wanted to savor the moment.

"Hello," I answered my phone on the second ring as I walked into Nix’s apartment.

"I got it," I heard Uncle Scott say from the other end, and my smile only grew wider. It seemed even karma was on my side. I was going to get my revenge and become the heir of the dynasty. I just needed to get the other half of the stamp since Uncle had already found one. But who would be in custody of it?

That’s an issue for another day. For now, I just had to focus on the task at hand.

"I’ll come visit once I get a chance," I said, ending the call before tossing my phone onto the bed and stripping off my clothes as I made my way into the bathroom.

The seal was about to be in my possession, and so was the power I needed. But why do I feel this was just the calm before the storm? Even if I managed to get my revenge, becoming the heir wouldn’t be easy, knowing how keen Alpha One and Four were on getting that same power. But if I used the seal and made myself the heir, and then destroyed it...

"Fuck!" I screamed, running my hands through my hair in frustration.

Who in hell made the rule that for one to become the heir of the dynasty, the seal must be stamped on a legal document?

As if sensing my frustration, the electricity went out.

"Goddamn!" I screamed again, searching blindly for a towel but instead finding a bathrobe, which I wrapped around my body as I made my way back into the room. There was no electricity except for the laptop screen, which provided a little light. I frowned, wondering what a laptop was doing on the bed and who had placed it there. But the images on it caught my attention.

It wasn’t a photo but a video. As I watched the door open, I stepped closer to find Nix’s grandfather walking into the study.

"You knew Lilly and Carmela were sisters but never thought to inform me?" Nix said, maintaining his composure, but his eyes spoke volumes.

Wait, what? How did he supposedly know about my relationship with Lily?

"Run?" Nix’s grandfather suddenly said, bursting out laughing like a maniac.

"You let your son’s murderer walk free, afraid to make an enemy of your dearest friend, but I won’t. If I find out you helped Carmela run away or interfered with my plans for revenge, then be ready to make an enemy of your grandson because I won’t hesitate. She’s a weapon, and I’ll be sure to make proper use of her," he warned, sending goosebumps crawling over my skin.

Revenge? Enemy? What is going on? Who are the Deans, and why do I feel like I’ve been entangled in a web that I can’t escape?

My breath hitched as I stared back at the screen, my heart pounding wildly in my chest. The room seemed to close in around me, the walls creeping ever closer as the video replayed.

A cold sweat broke out on my forehead. Was I the puppet or the puppeteer? The question echoed in my mind, a maddening loop that blurred the lines of reality. My vision swam, and my hands trembled as I struggled to process the betrayal.

But was I the one who was betrayed, or was it the other way around?

I almost jumped out of my skin, feeling a strong hand wrap around my waist, but the realization of who it was did nothing to soothe my racing heart.

"Beloved," Nix whispered, his tone seductive as he rested his chin on my shoulder and pulled me closer. But my eyes filled with tears, blurring my vision. I was lost, unsure of how to react or what to do. Should I confront him or play dumb?

Did he bring me under his roof just to take his revenge? Or was he using me, just as my grandfather had? The questions gnawed at my sanity, each one a dagger twisting deeper into my mind.

What state of confusion is this?