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"I should put you across my knee
and teach you a lesson."

- Dominic
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Chapter 10 - Being The Villain

▪️D O M I N I C▪️

Back at the Calvetti residence, identical black SUVs drove into the large underground garage. The new shipment of guns had arrived while we had been out.

"Good job, Quintin. Everything in order?" I asked while walking around the opened crates.

My eyes scanned over the G36s, MP7s, MP5s, MG3s, as well as a few other weapons. Aleksandr might have good contacts with the Russians, but I had my own connections with other arms dealers. I was particularly fond of doing business with the Germans; their engineering was top notch, and I used many of their weapons to supply my own men.

"With the guns? Yes boss, though we might have another problem," Quintin admitted while scratching the back of his head as he glanced over to Vincent, then back at me.

"What is it now?" I enquired, slightly annoyed, while tracing a gloved finger over the length of a Panzerfaust 3.

"It's Jade. I know that you two haven't spoken in weeks. She's been a bit quiet, and I'm afraid that she might be planning to do something," Quintin expressed his concerns to me.

Growling softly, I ran a hand through my silvery white hair, "I'll handle it. Good job on managing this shipment. You know what to do."

Quintin nodded as he instructed some of the men to move the crates into storage.

Taking a deep breath, I walked over to Vincent who was standing in front of the Pak40 that was parked in the corner of the garage. The large calibre weapon had been painted in purple and grey camouflage.

"Do you think we'll ever have use for an anti-tank gun?" Vincent asked, his face showing no emotion, as always.

"Heh!" I replied, chuckling softly, "You never know, plus I thought it looked interesting sitting next to all the cars."

"Of course you did," Vincent said before moving closer, his voice dropping as he asked, "What are you going to do about Jade."

"I said I'd handle it," my reply was gruff as a frown formed on my face.

The left corner of Vincent's lips lifted slightly, "I'm sure you will."

"Silence! You're always mouthing meaningless mutterings," I grumbled as I pulled a knife out of my pocket, flicking the blade between my fingers.

Vincent eyed the action; it was one of the things that I unconsciously did when I was thinking deeply about something. He had known me for over twenty-five years, and I knew that he had never seen me react this way to anything. But I was glad that he kept silent and did not press the matter further.

It was obvious now more than ever that Jade was most definitely my weakness.

I knew without a doubt that Vincent would make sure that my secret would remain safe even if I did not yet fully understand myself how deep my emotions ran.

Walking over to his new purple Maserati, my second in command stated, "What can I say boss, I'm here to keep you on your toes."

Vincent then sent me a wink as he turned back to admire his new car.

Snarling softly, I resisted the urge to smack the smug look off his face. With a huff, I walked off towards the elevator, my fingers flicking the knife even faster, as I lost myself in thought.

I had not spoken to Jade since our kiss in the library.

The action itself had shocked me more than I cared to acknowledge. I had just intended to give her a quick peck, but it ended up being so much more than that. The way her body had responded to me fuelled a desire in me that I did not even know was possible.

Who would have thought that I would have been moved by something as simple as a kiss? Then again, nothing about the kiss we shared was simple, and I could not get the feel of her lips out of my mind.

Truth be told, I had never kissed another person before.

I grunted as I pocketed my knife, and got off the elevator in order to make my way towards my office, muttering to myself as I walked along the corridors.

Yes, it was true. I, Dominic Calvetti, had never kissed another human being before. I abhorred human contact, I hated other people touching me, and kissing was something that had been much too intimate for me to even consider.

When I had sex, the woman was not allowed to touch me, and they were always positioned facing away from me. It had always been that way, as they knew what they were signing up for when they consented to me using their bodies for my pleasure.

That is what sex was, just a release, there was no need for kissing.

Given my traumatic past, one could understand why I behaved this way. However, that story was for another time as I pushed the dark thoughts away.

I could not afford to reminisce about my time spent at that boarding school, not now.

Shaking my head, I forced my mind to refocus, and the image of Jade's sad face in the library flashed before me. I remembered fighting against the urge to touch her. But in the end, I just had to kiss her, and so I had allowed my instincts to guide me.

When it was over, I had to hide how shaken the exchange had left me.

Unconsciously, as I kissed her forehead, I had whispered the words 'my little hellfire' and I was grateful that at least I had not said it too loud.

The last thing I needed was Jade gushing over the fact that I had given her a special nickname. Not to mention if she knew that she had been my first kiss, fuck, I would never hear the end of it.

She would have no doubt read too much into the situation, and demanded that we give things a try and that was not something that could happen.

I loved fire, and Jade was like gasoline. Together, we were explosive.

Which is why I had been keeping my distance. I needed to regain control over these new emotions that I was developing. In order to do that, I knew that I needed to be the bad guy and push her away as far as I could.

We were too alike, Jade and I.

Both impulsive, violent, and manipulative, who enjoyed causing pain to others. Although the pain Jade inflicted was mostly psychological, but mine also included physical, and I took great pride in the work I did.

The things we both had been forced to endure as children had shaped our sadistic personalities.

We were destructive, yet people were still drawn to us, wanting to follow our commands. Born leaders, that was what we were. The type of people who would stop at nothing until we got what we wanted.

Unfortunately, Jade had set her eyes on me, and I needed to divert her affections elsewhere.

I feared the beast that resided within her, not wanting to acknowledge how good we would be together. Jade hungered for blood, power, and oozed desire. The perfect combination that made her such a deadly weapon.

It was hard to ignore the fearlessness that resided within her beautiful green eyes. I knew that she would be as ruthless as they came.

No matter the cost, I had to do whatever needed to be done to keep her safe. Even if it meant making her hate me.

Being the villain was what I was good at anyway.

After all, I was an abomination, a freak, a demon from hell that loved burning things to ash. One whose own parents had condemned since birth. There was no space in my life for a romantic relationship, and the sooner I could expunge these bizarre feelings, the better.

"Damn her!" I cursed as I entered my office and walked over to the mirror on the wall, scowling at my pale appearance.

————— ▲ —————

Later that evening, when Jade returned from classes, I had one of the men escort her to my office.

Knocking on the open door, she stood by the entrance, and I silently observed her as I sat on my desk, smoking a cigar, while playing with one of my switchblades, twisting the weapon swiftly through my fingers.

I was dressed in my usual attire, a dark purple pinstripe suit. However, since I was at home, my jacket and tie were off, and the sleeves of my white shirt were rolled up to my elbows.

"Come in and close the door," I commanded, not looking at her while I snuffed out the cigar.

Doing as she was told, Jade then approached my desk, "You wanted to see me? Though I must confess that I'm a bit surprised, seeing as you've been avoiding me since my birthday," she said, immediately getting to the point.

That was Jade, blunt as ever.

Inwardly groaning, I resumed leaning against the table, my free hand gripping the edge, "I wasn't avoiding you; I've just been busy."

"You've always been busy, Dominic. That's never stopped you before from making time for me," Jade stated then added snidely, "although, I guess you're just too much of a coward to face me since we kissed. What are you afraid of?"

Growling at her insolence, I suddenly stabbed the blade into the table, "Watch your fucking tone! There's nothing to discuss where that is concerned. You asked for a kiss as your birthday present so I gave it to you, it's that simple."

"That simple, huh? I guess I should've asked you to fuck me instead then?" Jade crossed her arms over her chest as she walked over to stand in front of me.

Exhaling deeply, I growled as I said, "That mouth of yours! I should put you across my knee and teach you a lesson."

Jade seemingly bit lips in longing, her green eyes dilating at my words, telling me that she would not mind. Of course, I should have known that something like that would have turned her on.

She was such a freak, just like me, but I could not afford to think about such things right now. I needed to remain focused on the task at hand.

Getting up from the desk, I pushed her forcibly against the nearest wall as I snarled, "Stop looking at me like that!" I demanded, my breath fanning her lips as I added, "You need to relinquish this romanticised idea of me! We cannot be together; I always end up damaging everything that I touch!"

"What does it matter? I'm already damaged..." Jade whispered.

Her words hit me like a bullet to the chest, as I felt a searing and burning sensation in the middle of my torso. Pushing myself away from her, I moved back to my desk, turning my back to her. I took a few deep breaths as my bare hands gripped the edge of the table once more, trying to calm my anger.

"It was just a kiss Jade, please leave it be," I said softly.

"Really, so that's it? It meant nothing to you then? Nothing at all?" her voice shaking slightly.

I tilted my head up to look at the ceiling, something that I found myself doing a lot in her presence lately. Letting out a ragged breath before turning to face her once more, I was sure she knew that it most definitely meant something from the look in my eyes alone, even if my mouth remained shut.

"Well it meant the world to me, if you didn't know..." Jade's voice trailed off momentarily before she continued to speak, enunciating each word carefully, "You. Dominic. Are. My. Everything."

Glancing away, I blew out another harsh breath as her words washed over me, but I held firm as I replied, "I would only poison your existence, Jade. I don't want you getting sucked into my world, it's too dark."

Walking over to stand in front of me once more, her hands came up to gently cup my face. It took everything in me not to react to her the touch of her fingers against my skin. Her warmth enveloped me as I stared into her eyes.

"I think you're forgetting where you found me, Dom. Don't you remember?" Jade asked.

A low rumble vibrated in my chest as my knuckles tightened while I was painfully reminded of that night, "How could I forget?"

"Then you will recall that I met Enzo at four years old. I've been in your world for as long as I can remember. I don't think I ever stood a chance of escaping even if I wanted to!" her fingers continued to caress my smooth skin, then stilled as she suddenly thought of something.

"I-is that why you don't want me? Because of what happened?" Jade questioned, stuttering slightly.

"God no!" my hands quickly moved up to hold onto her wrists.

She had just been a child; how could she think that any of it was her fault. I needed her to know that there was nothing wrong with her. Even if she saw herself as soiled goods, she was anything but. She had been so brave that night, when Vincent and I found her. I had admired her strength, and always wanted the best for her, she deserved the world and more.

Holding her gaze as I spoke, "I've never looked at you that way, you are so precious in my eyes Jade! I just don't want you getting dragged further into the darkness."

Her eyes bore into mine, "But it's within that very darkness that I find myself most at peace! It gives me the freedom to imagine things that would otherwise be impossible in the light. Can't you see that?"

I found myself leaning into her touch, my voice soft as it pained me to say, "You don't know what you're saying. You may have been dragged into this shadow of a life, but the light that you emanate needs to be seen. You're like a star, Jade. I don't want to see your glow become engulfed by my own obscurity."

Smiling slightly, she replied, "That's what you don't seem to realise, Dom. I love the darkness in you. If you say that I am your light, then you are my darkness. After all, a star cannot shine without the dark."

"I'm sorry, but I just can't risk it. You need to find someone more deserving, someone more your own age," I said simply.

At my words, Jade frowned and removed her hands from my face, "Is that how you really feel?"

Letting out a deep breath, I nodded.

"Very well then. If you must know, I have a date this Friday," she said while trying to break free from my grasp

"Oh?" I arched my eyebrows in surprise, my fingers instinctively tightening around her wrists, "With whom?"

"That's my business," Jade responded haughtily.

Moving fast, I suddenly pulled her towards me, our faces close, "No one in this house has their own business, I am to know everything! Do you understand me? Now I'll ask again, with whom?"

"And you claim to hate it when I call you daddy," she grumbled, though from her husky tone I knew that she was enjoying my firm hold.

Gritting my teeth, I watched her bite her bottom lip. Huffing slightly, she scowled up at me while remaining silent, refusing to answer my question. Jade knew very well that she was testing my patience, as the vein on my top left temple began to pulse.

"If I have to find out who he is, I will kill him..." I threatened as my grip on her intensified.

She winced slightly as she said, "But you just told me to go find someone! You say you don't want me, yet when I attempt to do as you ask, you seek to deny me even that?" Jade's voice was laced with confusion.

Realising that I was acting irrationally, I rumbled and thrust her hands away from me as I moved away from the desk. Walking towards the window, I looked at her through the reflection of the glass pane.

"Fine! Enjoy your date," I said with a snarl, then added as I walked past her, "but I am going to make sure that he's deserving of you."

Jade watched as I left my office, joining Vincent in the hallway who gave her a sympathetic look before we walked off.

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A/N: How do you think Jade's date will go?

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