And I’m not letting anyone destroy me again.

Rage clouded Blake’s vision, and before he knew it, he’d followed Xavier all the way to his house.

The kid let him in. That’s how stupidly trusting he was. “Look,” Xavier had said, setting his bag on the couch, “if you’re here to talk, I’m willing to listen. But if this is about fighting-”

Blake didn’t let him finish.

He smiled, all false sincerity, and said, “No fighting. I… I came to say sorry. For everything.”

Xavier’s eyebrows lifted in surprise, and for a moment, Blake thought he wouldn’t buy it. But then the kid softened, his shoulders relaxing as he nodded. “Wow, uh… thanks, Blake. I knew you’d come along. Maybe you just needed someone to show you it’s okay to-”

The words barely left his mouth before Blake moved. His hands shot out, gripping the boy’s shoulders and shoving him hard onto the carpet. The boy let out a startled yelp, but before he could react, Blake was on him, his weight pressing down as he pinned the boy’s arms above his head.

“You’re too nice,” Blake hissed. “It’s disgusting.”

“Blake, what are you-” The boy struggled, his eyes wide with fear, but Blake’s grip was tightening.

“You really thought I came here to apologize?” Blake leaned in closer, his face inches from the Xavier’s. “You think the world works like that? That people like me just… change because you ask them to?”

“I wasn’t trying to-”

Blake’s hands moved to the boy’s throat, silencing him with a crushing grip. “Shut up. You talk too much.”

The boy’s fingers clawed at Blake’s wrists, his legs kicking weakly beneath him as he tried to free himself. But Blake was stronger, and the desperation in the boy’s movements only pushed him on.

The boy’s face turned red, then pale, his breaths coming in shallow gasps. His eyes were wide, glistening with tears that only enraged Blake further.

Even then, as his strength faded, the boy managed to rasp out a few broken words. “I hope…someone…h-helps you.”

Blake froze for a fraction of a second, those words cutting through his fury. But the hesitation was brief, and he saw the boy go still beneath him, his hands falling limp at his sides.

It wasn’t hard to kill him. No, it wasn’t hard at all. Just a few seconds, a tight grip, and the boy’s breath slowed until it stopped. Blake felt nothing in that moment, nothing but power. He’d controlled the situation, like always. He’d been the one to make the decisions. Xavier’s words had meant nothing.

But then…

Blake walked away, wiping his hands on his clothes, like he was clearing away dust, and he left Xavier behind, motionless on the floor. But a feeling pressed down on him, squeezing his chest.

Why am I feeling so damn sorry?

He shook his head, trying to push it out, trying to convince himself it didn’t matter. Feelings are for the weak. That’s what he told himself. He could hear his father’s voice echoing in his head. Emotions won’t get you anywhere. His father had always been clear about that. Emotions make you weak. They made you easy to manipulate.

So, he shoved the regret away, locked it deep down where no one could touch it, and kept walking.

The rest was a blur. His father handled everything. The evidence disappeared, like it had never happened. Blake’s father had connections, and with a few calls, things were erased. Gone.

But that one sentence Xavier had said before,

.

.

“I hope someone helps you.”

.

.

Blake hated it. He hated that someone- someone he’d killed, had cared enough to say those words. It made no sense.

Why had Xavier said that? Why had he hoped someone would help Blake? He hadn’t deserved help. He didn’t need anyone’s pity. But the words… late at night, they came back.

Blake clenched his fist, jolting to the present when Carter’s voice rang through.

“Yo, Blake?” Carter’s voice cut into his thoughts. “You know where he’s at right now, right?”

“What are you getting at?” Blake shot back.

Carter and Liam sneered, and continued, “Let’s beat the crap outta him now. No one’s gonna stop you. Besides, I doubt that freak’s left the warehouse.”

Blake glared at them. It seemed like the right thing to do.

Then Liam piped in, “Of course, if Blake is okay with beating him-”

Blake stood up, kicking the can out of his way. “Let’s go.”

Carter motioned to Liam and a couple of other lackeys, all of them following Blake’s lead as they made their way out of the club.

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

As they walked, Blake’s mind was set. He was going to finish what he’d started. Ash had made him look weak, and now, Blake was going to remind him who was in control.

But when they reached the street, just as they turned the corner, Blake froze. His eyes landed on them, the last people he ever expected to see right now. Ash…and Lucas?

He was limping. Blake’s eyes narrowed. The memory of how Ash had looked the last time, bloodied and beaten, flashed in his mind.

And Lucas…?

What the hell is he doing with the freak?

Blake’s eyes locked onto Lucas and Ash, his blood boiling as he watched them walk side by side, Ash rolling his eyes and Lucas talking casually.

Like nothing even happened at the warehouse.

Lucas was supposed to be laughing at Ash. He was supposed to be mocking him, just like he always did with anyone who crossed Blake’s path. He was supposed to be right there with Blake, making sure Ash got what he deserved.

Lucas- that bastard- what the hell was he doing? Smiling with Ash? Walking beside him like they were best friends or something? It didn’t make sense. None of it made sense.

But no, there he was, walking with Ash, smiling at him, like they were friends or something.

Blake’s fist tightened around his jacket. He couldn't breathe for a second. That smile on Lucas’s face... it hit him in a way he didn’t expect.

It was too damn genuine.

For a moment, it was like Blake couldn’t even recognize the Lucas he thought he knew. He had never seen Lucas smile like that with him.

It was always about power, always about control. But with Ash, it was like he was... happy? That warm smile, so real, so unlike anything Blake had ever gotten from Lucas, made his stomach churn.

For a second, Blake’s mind flashed to Xavier’s face. That same damn look, so kind and trusting, always so hopeful. Always trying to reach out, to offer help, to smile.

But Blake had crushed that, hadn’t he?

Carter’s voice cut through the haze of thoughts. “Blake, what’s Lucas doing with Ash? Shouldn’t he be at home?” Carter’s tone was confused, a little suspicious. “Didn’t you tell us that he’s not friends with that freak?”

Blake snapped back to reality, his gaze never leaving Lucas. His hands were clenched, fists shaking with rage. His mind was reeling. Friends? What the hell did that even mean? Was Lucas actually...betraying Blake?

He had to fight to keep his voice steady. “He’s messing with us.”

He couldn’t, right? But looking at Lucas, actually with Ash, and it pissed Blake off more than he could say.

Blake took a step back, his jaw tight. “He’s playing with us, right? But I swear, if he’s getting soft, I’ll show him how it’s really done.” His voice dropped low, dangerous. “No one messes with me like this. No one.”

But Blake knew. He knew that Lucas was slipping away from him. It would be about time when Lucas tells Blake to stop. Blake actually was okay with Lucas being the Boss. But…what if…what if Lucas quits?

Liam grabbed Blake’s wrist, “Let’s go right now. We will ask Boss about it later, okay-”

Blake snapped, jerking Liam off, “He’s betrayed us, dammit! He…assured that he would help us find that notes giver, but now…He’s gonna quit. He’ll stop helping us, don’t you know?!”

Blake was furious, but Liam and Carter pushed him back, and forced him to go back to the club.

But Blake muttered curses all the way back, his mind spinning with how Lucas had played with them. He always knew Lucas played mindgames, but with him? No way that seemed possible.

Blake had started to think that Lucas was playing with him all along. Maybe he was lying when he said he had to kill someone, maybe he was lying when he said he’ll help Blake to achieve his goal and to take out anyone who messes up.

Blake’s thoughts spiraled as Carter and Liam dragged him back toward the club. His chest burned.

Blake clenched his fists so tight that his nails bit into his palms. He didn’t care about the pain.

It was nothing compared to the whirlwind inside his head. Lucas had promised, assured, that he would help them figure out who was behind those damn notes. He said he’d stick around, that he’d help Blake take down anyone who dared to cross him. And now? Now, it looked like Lucas was laughing behind his back the whole time.

“Damn it,” Blake growled, his voice low and dangerous. “He has been playing some sick game with me all along.”

Liam glanced back at him, his brow furrowed. “Do you think so, Blake?”

Blake ignored him, his thoughts too loud to focus on anything else. Lucas wasn’t just messing around. He was mocking Blake. Blake hadn’t seen it coming. He’d trusted Lucas, trusted him to have his back, to be the enforcer when things got messy.

“He’s been screwing with me from the start,” Blake muttered, his voice bitter. “Maybe he never gave a damn about helping me. Maybe all he wanted was to screw me over. Play me like some damn puppet.”

Carter snorted. “Lucas? Nah, he’s just bored. You know how he is. Does whatever keeps him entertained. Maybe Ash is just his new toy.”

But that didn’t sit right with Blake. No, this wasn’t boredom. This was calculated. This was deliberate. Lucas didn’t just beat people up for the fun of it- there was always something behind his actions that only he seemed to understand.

“He’s not bored,” Blake snapped. “If he was, he’d have left that freak bleeding in the warehouse. No, he’s up to something. He’s got this...this plan. And we’re all just pieces on his damn chessboard.”

Liam hesitated, glancing at Carter, who shrugged. “So what do we do, then?” Liam asked cautiously. “Call him out? Ask him directly?”

Blake gritted his teeth, his mind racing. What if Lucas really did quit? What if he walked away and left Blake to deal with everything on his own? Blake might be strong, but he didn’t have the kind of training Lucas did.

The guy moved like he was born to fight, always one step ahead, always untouchable.

For the first time, Blake doubted himself. If Lucas wasn’t on his side anymore, what did that mean for him?

He wasn’t stupid- he knew his limits.

Blake swallowed hard. “We don’t do anything,” he said finally, his voice cold. “Not yet. But if he tells us that he’s gonna quit, leave us to deal with this mess, I’ll let him know... I’ll show him what happens when you screw with me.”

Because Blake felt like Lucas mocked him just for the fun of it, beat him because he always had this plan of quitting all along. He knew he’s just gonna quit, so he made sure to beat Blake whenever he got the chance. Whenever Blake messed up, Lucas shoved him, punched him.

And for what?

Just because he was bored? Or was this because he knew Blake was afraid of him, and so, he took advantage of it? No, this was because he wanted to let Blake know that he’s the Boss.

That he will always have an upper hand. He’ll always win.

He’ll always have control.

And that made Blake mad. How could he let Lucas be their Boss, and just let him play some wicked game with their minds? Letting him play with their minds, and just for the fun of it?

Blake scoffed.

This was all getting on his nerves, but only if things could get any worse, a sudden voice cut through from his pocket, he jolted back from his thoughts.

He took out his phone, and squinted at the screen.

A message from Lucas.

Lucas: 4:00 PM. Our hideout. I have something important to say.