The Smile That Started a War
"Never mind the unexpected. Does Bianca De Dominicis have so grudge against ?" Evan’s words cut through the air, sharp and tense.
A sharp comnt from a woman about his grin still burned deep inside. Right then, the mory slowed him - doubt sliding through, blocking what used to co without thought, that crooked smirk he’d worn so easily.
Might that be it - he wondered darkly, forehead tightening - these won just now looked past him cold since his grin felt wrong?
Does my charm just not work here?
Behind him, Ryan De Dominicis shifted on his feet, fingers brushing his neck. Not a clue crossed his mind, yet he said so like soone doubting their own voice. His words ca slow, tangled in uncertainty.
Dark eyes narrowing, Evan held his breath. A pause ca before he spoke, voice low, tight - "When I smile... do I truly seem repulsive?"
Feet moving slightly, Ryan picked each word like it mattered. Not exactly normal, he thought - though that wasn’t quite right either. Sothing about it stood apart, quietly. His mouth almost smiled, but held back, caught between honesty and caution.
Fists clenched at his sides, Evan ground his teeth until pain shot through his skull. For a heartbeat, nothing mattered but driving his palm into that smug face - stopping only when breath caught in his throat.
A slow breath held tight as his eyes locked onto Ryan, sharp and unblinking. What ties exist, he wondered aloud, between the D’Aurelius boy and your bloodline?
"Our families have been friends for generations," Ryan replied quickly, sensing the storm brewing in Evan’s gaze. "Young Master Julian is very close to us. In fact... he was even my sister’s ex-boyfriend."
"Ex-boyfriend?"
A heavy silence followed those three words. Sothing shifted behind Evan’s eyes - darkness took hold, sharp and sudden.
Facing the possibility of her closeness with soone else twisted sothing deep inside him.
Julian... you’re pushing back on purpose, right? Evan wondered, jaw tight.
Last one again, huh? Seems like whenever I notice soone, you’re already stepping in. Not much chance to even try, is there?
Funny thing - his spirits rose just a bit, knowing Bianca De Dominicis hadn’t been hard. For once, despite everything, that detail mattered most.
After a mont of contemplation, he spoke, his voice low and deliberate. "Let’s not rush our plan. I’ll deal with that D’Aurelius kid first, to prevent him from ruining our sche."
Light jumped into Ryan’s gaze. Of course, Brother Evan, he spoke with real respect, his words warm like morning sun through glass. Wisdom sat well on you, he ant every syllable, sound layered with quiet awe.
Floating power like the D’Aurelius na might stir every quiet thing. Should aid reach the De Dominicis, even lightly, their blueprint unravels without sound.
What’s on Brother Evan’s mind now? Ryan wondered, his voice tinged with interest and a quiet excitent.
A whisper of a grin touched Evan’s mouth when he answered. The mont the D’Aureus ho crumbles, you’ll understand, he said quietly. His dark eyes held sothing sharp, just beneath the surface. Talking less was safer, so that’s what he did.
-----------------
Down the street from the De Dominicis place, Evan stopped at the curb. Cold air bit at his skin, mixed with the sll of rain on pavent and the distant roll of cars through Valemont. His phone ca into hand - movents sharp, exact - and he dialed without pause.
Out of nowhere, sound filled the room - soft yet sure, clear through the phone. A mont passed. Then words arrived, smooth and steady, like soone who knew exactly what to say.
"Obsidian King, what are your orders?"
"Liza, how’s the infiltration into the D’Aurelius Group going?" Evan asked, his tone sharp and asured.
Liza Voss responded without pause, dark strands skimming her collarbone as she stood compact yet firm. Success had co - she now held the role of secretary to the general manager.
"Good. You have one week to get what I need. In a month, I want the D’Aurelius household gone from Valemont!"
---------------
Inside the De Dominicis estate, a sudden sneeze burst out of Julian D’Aurelius - jolting him awake mid-thought.
"Damn it... who’s talking about ?" he muttered under his breath. Rubbing his nose, he frowned and murmured, "Shitty system... where’s my reward for completing the plot?"
A sound rang out inside his mind. The alert ca through the system built into him.
Survival marked by a beep - the host made it through part two. Victory brings control over venom, total and unchallenged.
A slow shine lit up Julian’s gold-colored eyes. Not one drop of poison could touch him - hard to find, harder still to keep, in a place where city tales made heroes out of addicts and their daily doses. Take soone like Evan, sharp with cures but just as dangerous when turned wrong. Now Julian won’t have to fear that edge. His path through what cos next just got longer, quieter, safer by far.
Out of nowhere, Bianca De Dominicis showed up just as Julian started to fade into the shadows, a smirk still stuck on his face. Right then, she moved straight toward him, blocking his way without slowing down.
A quiet chill ran through his words when he spoke. What do you want now, he said, tone flat yet cutting.
That lovely forr lover of mine... why stand there like a wall? His mind whispered it, a spark tucked behind sunlit eyes. He knew - oh, how he knew - you couldn’t stop thinking about him
This feels wrong. , soone you’ll never get close to
Your path leads elsewhere - that much is clear. Not here, not with . Evan waits ahead. You belong there, nowhere else
Odd how his grin bothers you now - yet that exact 105-degree curve will win you over later
Just a small lift at the corner of Bianca’s mouth. He is soone off-limits - yet that only pulls her closer. Want grows where it shouldn’t.
Falling for Evan’s smile? Forget it - off to hell he goes!
"Can’t I just talk to you?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly, hurt evident. "Do you hate your ex-girlfriend that much?"
Julian snorted coldly, eyes flashing. "Why ask when you already know?"
If hating you keeps safe, then not doing it ans danger ahead, sister
A shadow moves where heroes won’t look. Survival ans staying out of love stories. When the main character fights for affection, the bad guy walks away. Light chases light; darkness stays cold. Winning hearts isn’t part of the role
It was ant to be, yet never forced - got it? Quit acting like it’s sothing wild
You missed your shot at before. This ti around, it slips through your fingers just the sa
Blinking once, Bianca let her breath out slow before dipping her chin down. Okay, I hear what you’re saying. You’re free to walk away
Sothing caught her eye up front, a quick look that turned sharp. She poked a finger forward without warning. Not him again - what fool had sent Evan walking back into view?
A silence ca, heavy as a blade held still between them, edged with things neither said but both knew.
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