Chapter 3 A RECKONING

Victor's POV

The mansion was quiet as I prepared for the evening. The tension in the air was thick with anticipation. Elena Hartley's presence was a key element in my scheme against Gad, my rival in the hard drugs trade. Gad had always been a thorn in my side, and his recent attempts to undermine my operations had only strengthened my resolve to retaliate.

Years ago, Gad had confided in me about his feelings for Elena. His words had been filled with a rare vulnerability, revealing how deeply he cared for her. That moment of honesty had given me a powerful tool for revenge. Now that Gad and I were at odds, taking something he valued dearly was a perfect way to strike back.

I dressed in a dark suit, the seriousness of the evening's plans reflected in my attire. My thoughts were consumed with how best to use Elena. I had no illusions about developing feelings for her; she was simply a means to an end-a tool to inflict pain on Gad and assert my dominance.

When the hour arrived, I made my way to the large bedroom where Elena had been preparing. The room was lavish, adorned with rich fabrics and opulent furnishings, a stark contrast to the turmoil Elena felt.

Elena entered the room, her face a mixture of resignation and defiance. I approached her with a cold smile. "Elena, I trust you're comfortable?"

She met my gaze with a steely look. "Comfortable isn't exactly the word I'd use."

I stepped closer, my hand reaching out to gently brush her cheek. "I don't expect you to be happy about this, but it's important that you understand your role."

Her eyes flickered with anger and fear, but she didn't back away. "And what exactly do you expect from me?"

I tilted her chin up slightly. "For tonight, I need you to be a part of this arrangement fully."

Without waiting for a response, I leaned in and kissed her. The kiss was firm, commanding, and she initially resisted before responding. I guided her gently to the bed, my hands exploring her body with a deliberate touch. Elena's reactions were a mix of reluctance and submission, her body responding to my touch despite her unwillingness.

As we moved together, the room filled with the sounds of our actions. I took control, my movements methodical and assertive, while Elena tried to suppress any sounds of discomfort. The encounter was intense, driven by my desire to assert dominance and make it clear that she was now under my control. Despite the physicality, there was no emotional connection-just a transactional exchange of power.

When it was over, I could see the exhaustion and resignation in Elena's eyes. I didn't offer comfort; instead, I dressed and left the room, satisfied that the message had been delivered. Elena's role in my plan was solidified, and her personal turmoil was a small price to pay for the satisfaction of hurting Gad.

As I walked through the halls of the mansion, I reviewed the next steps in my strategy. Elena would serve her purpose, and I would continue to outmaneuver Gad. My focus remained on maintaining control and ensuring that my position remained unchallenged. Elena's presence was a calculated move, and she was now an integral part of my scheme to assert dominance and achieve my goals.

Four days had passed since I learned that Gad had discovered Marcus's betrayal. I was in my office when the door burst open. Marcus stumbled in, bruised and bleeding, his face a mask of pain and desperation. He fell to his knees in front of me, holding a large sum of cash.

"Victor," Marcus gasped, his voice choked with fear. "Gad's furious. He wants Elena back. Please, I'll give you the money. Just give her back."

I looked down at Marcus with a cold expression. "You thought you could just sell her and walk away? Gad is enraged. Why would I give her back to you? This is business, Marcus. There's no turning back now."

Marcus's eyes were wild with panic. "Please! I'm begging you. He's going to destroy everything. Just take the money and let me fix this."

I leaned back in my chair, studying Marcus. "Gad's not going to be satisfied with money alone. He wants revenge. I've already seen signs of that."

Two days after Marcus's desperate plea, my worst fears were confirmed. Three of my drug shipments were hijacked. These shipments were worth billions, and the loss was devastating. My phone buzzed with a message from Gad: "I'm just getting started."

Fury and frustration boiled within me. Gad had played his hand well. I had to act quickly. The one thread I could pull on was Elena. She might be more involved in this than I had anticipated.

I found Elena in the garden, sitting on a bench and looking lost in thought. Her demeanor had shifted over the past few days; she seemed more resigned but still defiant. I approached her, trying to keep my anger in check.

"Elena," I said, my tone clipped. "I need to know if you have any connection to Gad. Is there something you're not telling me?"

She looked up at me, her eyes filled with a mix of defiance and sadness. "I know him," she said quietly. "And I love him. Though he hasn't told me how he feels, I'm ready to say yes if he asks me out."

Her words struck me like a blow. I had assumed Gad's feelings were one-sided or irrelevant, but Elena's confession revealed a deeper connection. Her love for Gad was genuine, and it was clearly a vulnerability I hadn't accounted for.

I struggled to maintain my composure. "You love him? Why didn't you tell me this before so that I could had play my games well?"

Elena's gaze was steady, though her voice trembled slightly. "Now you know."

I took a deep breath, trying to regain control of the situation. "What Gsd want now is you, and I will make sure he won't." Elena smiled, "you won't do that, and even though you do my heart will never belong to you, " Elena said and then stood up to leave.

As I turned to leave too, I couldn't shake the feeling that Elena's involvement had made the situation even more complicated. Gad's vendetta was now personal, and my plans needed to adapt quickly. The game had changed, and I had to stay one step ahead to secure my position and protect what I had fought so hard to build.