♥ Chapter 5♥

Dominic Castellano.

9:40 PM – Nightclub – Castellano City

Friday.

The drive to the nightclub took longer than expected. The chaotic traffic forced us to stop at times, but it didn’t test my patience. The silence inside the car was filled only with the noise from outside and my own dark thoughts, anticipating the meeting ahead.

After a few minutes, Jack pulled over on a side street to pick up Sérgio. He slipped into the front seat quickly, adjusting himself without a word. Always efficient, he knew now was not the time for unnecessary conversation.

We headed toward the nightclub. As we approached, the atmosphere shifted—vibrant lights flickered in the distance, and the bass-heavy music throbbed through the walls. Jack parked with precision at the side entrance, a private area reserved for our team.

He stepped out first, opening the door for me with his usual precision.

"They have Cooper. He’s waiting." He informed me, his voice firm and controlled.

A slow, cruel smile spread across my lips. I stepped out, adjusting my suit, still stained but not something I cared about. I walked toward the entrance, Jack and Sérgio flanking me like loyal shadows.

The main hall was packed, the pounding music making the air vibrate. Though the club belonged to me, I had never stepped foot inside. The sheer volume of people and the steady flow of money brought me a quiet satisfaction—at least it was profitable.

We crossed the room unhurriedly. My eyes took in every detail, but my focus was set on the VIP room. Sérgio stepped ahead and opened the door, allowing me to enter first. The atmosphere shifted instantly.

The room was a stark contrast between luxury and intimidation—dark leather furniture, dim lighting casting shadows against the walls. In the center, Leandro Cooper kneeled, held down by one of my guards. He was visibly shaking, fear radiating from his body so intensely it was almost tangible.

I sat on the leather couch, crossing my legs with calculated ease. I pulled out a cigarette, and Jack, ever attentive, lit it for me before I had to ask.

Smoking before a kill was a ritual. A way to prepare my body for what came next.

"Leandro," I called out smoothly, taking a slow drag before exhaling the smoke. "Look at me."

He hesitated, but he knew disobedience would be worse. He lifted his head, eyes wide with terror, his trembling hands attempting to hold some semblance of dignity.

"You know why I’m here," I continued, my voice cold. "I hope you have something more interesting to say than excuses."

Terror shifted into desperate pleading.

"P-Please, my lord... M-Mercy... I’ll pay… I have five thousand dollars... Furthermore, I worked non-stop... Please..."

He was sobbing, choking on his own breath, his entire body trembling. I rolled my eyes, impatient with his pathetic display. Taking one final drag, I flicked the cigarette to the floor and crushed it under my shoe.

I stood slowly, my gaze piercing him with cold detachment.

"You know what I love?" My voice was low, laced with cruel amusement. "I love killing. Watching the life drain from someone’s eyes is magnificent. The more you beg, the more excited I get."

His entire body went rigid, terror seeping into every inch of his expression.

I grabbed a fistful of his hair, yanking his head back and forcing him to meet my gaze. His eyes swam with tears, and his face contorted in absolute despair.

"You made the mistake of borrowing money from me," I continued, my voice dripping with sadistic pleasure. "Because I’m not the kind of man who gives second chances. I’m a sadist, Leandro. I’m a psychopath who enjoys watching people like you suffer."

His entire body convulsed with fear, his hands clinging to my suit in a pathetic last attempt to save himself.

"I’m sorry," I muttered, releasing his hair with a look of disgust. "Your organs will be sold on the black market to clear your debt. But since I’m generous, I’ll give you a quick death, considering you managed to gather some money."

Leandro sobbed uncontrollably, clutching onto me even harder, his voice breaking into incoherent pleas.

Without hurry, I adjusted my suit as he drowned in his own despair.

I sat back down on the couch, making a subtle gesture to Sérgio. Without hesitation, he pulled out his gun and shot Leandro in the head.

The gunshot echoed through the room, his body collapsing onto the floor with a dull thud, blood pooling into the carpet.

I observed the scene, a satisfied smirk tugging at my lips.

But then—a sudden noise from outside the VIP room interrupted my moment of pleasure.

Jack reacted immediately, swinging the door open and dragging someone inside. A young man was thrown at my feet, shock frozen on his face. The impact made him stumble to his knees, his wide eyes locked onto Leandro’s lifeless body, drenched in a pool of blood.

"Well, well... what do we have here?" My voice was smooth, almost amused. "A little spy."

The boy trembled, unable to tear his gaze away from the corpse. His fear was so raw, so intoxicating, I felt something inside me stir.

This... pleased me far more than it should have.

I leaned in, gripping his jaw with force, feeling his entire body tense like a trapped animal.

"P-Please…" He murmured, his voice trembling, broken. "D-Don’t kill me... I won’t say anything... Please..."

Every word only deepened my satisfaction.

Something about the terror in his eyes, the way he tried to swallow his sobs… something about him was different.

I had never felt attraction to men before, but this boy... this one was intriguing.

I tightened my grip on his jaw, tearing a small whimper from his lips—a sound that made my smile widen.

Maybe... I had just found a new toy.

"What’s your name?" I asked, my voice firm yet dripping with malicious curiosity.

"A-Asher Bennett," he stuttered, his voice strangled by fear.

"Asher Bennett…" I murmured, rolling the name over my tongue. It felt right.

My gaze devoured him, taking in every detail—his light brown eyes glistened under the dim light, his full lips trembled slightly, and something about him provoked a response in me that no one ever had.

For a fleeting second, the thought of taking him right here, right now, flashed through my mind like a bolt of lightning.

I released his jaw, allowing him to breathe, and smiled—a smile filled with dark intentions.

"You better not say a word, Sojung," I whispered, my voice like a blade.

His eyes widened in confusion, his brow furrowing briefly. He didn’t understand the word, but his terror was so consuming that he only nodded frantically, as if his life depended on it.

"Y-Yes, sir... I... I promise..."

I leaned in slightly, keeping my gaze locked onto his, drinking in every inch of his helpless fear.

"You can go. But we’ll be seeing each other again soon." I let the words slip from my lips, like a sweet venom.

Asher staggered to his feet, his legs trembling so badly he nearly collapsed again. Watching his pathetic escape amused me far more than it should have. I watched as his body disappeared down the corridor, a lazy smirk curling on my lips.

My eyes flickered to Jack and Sérgio, who remained as stoic as ever—but for a brief second, I caught something rare in their expressions: surprise.

They knew I never left witnesses.

But this wasn’t their concern.

"Find out everything about him. I want every detail. Where he lives, who he spends time with, his habits... everything. Do not hide anything from me," I ordered, my voice sharp as ice.

Jack quickly disguised his intrigue, relaying the instructions over his radio. Sérgio simply nodded, unquestioning.

I leaned back against the couch, exhaling deeply.

Asher’s terrified expression lingered in my mind, the vulnerability in his eyes haunting me.

I licked my lips, a feral smirk forming.

"I’ll have him, whether he wants it or not," I murmured. "He’s already mine."

Sojung: Means "precious" in Korean.