Chapter 7 Seven

Kai

The night started with blood, as too many nights did lately.

I stood in an abandoned warehouse just off the highway, the metallic smell thick in the air. One of our low-level guys had been caught skimming from a shipment. My father sent me to handle it personally — a reminder of what being the heir really meant.

The man was tied to a chair, face already swollen and bloody from the preliminary beating.

“Please, Kai… I swear it was only a few grand,” he begged, spitting blood. “My mom’s sick… I needed it for her treatment…”

I grabbed him by the hair and slammed my fist into his face. “You steal from the Draven family, you steal from me. From all of us.”

Marc stood to my left, arms crossed. Theo watched the door.

My phone rang. I put it on speaker.

“Status?” my father’s icy voice echoed through the warehouse.

“He’s admitted everything,” I said.

“Good. Break his hands. Both of them. Make sure the message spreads.”

The man started sobbing. “No! Kai, please! I have kids—”

I picked up a metal pipe. “You should’ve thought about your family before you betrayed mine.”

The first swing cracked loudly against his fingers. He screamed. I brought the pipe down again and again, methodically shattering bones on both hands while his howls filled the space. Blood sprayed across the concrete.

“Consider this mercy,” I said coldly when I finished. “Next time it’ll be your throat.”

I tossed the pipe aside and wiped my hands. “Clean this up. Drop him where he can crawl to a hospital. Make sure everyone hears what happens to thieves.”

“Yes, boss,” one of the men muttered.

My father spoke again. “Well done. You’re finally learning. Don’t let that college fantasy soften you. Come home soon. We have real work to discuss.”

The call ended.

I exhaled, rolling my shoulders. The adrenaline was still high. Marc clapped my back. “Remind me never to cross your old man.”

Theo looked a little pale but nodded. “Let’s get the hell out of here. The Party might help clear our heads.”

I changed in the SUV — black button-up, dark jeans — wiping the last traces of blood off my knuckles. By the time we reached the party, I had my usual mask back on.

Marc and Theo were immediately deep in it when we arrived. I played along for a while — laughing at jokes, letting girls flirt, pretending everything was normal. But the warehouse scene kept flashing in my mind. The pressure from my father. The blood. The weight of the empire waiting for me.

“I need some air,” I told them after an hour. “Back in a bit.”

I slipped out the back door into the cooler backyard. Leaning against the railing, I tried to breathe and shake off the night’s violence.

That’s when I heard it.

“Please stop! Get off me!”

A girl’s terrified voice.

I turned and saw a drunk asshole in a varsity jacket pinning a girl against the wall, forcing himself on her, hands grabbing roughly while she struggled.

Rage exploded in my chest.

I crossed the distance in seconds and yanked the bastard off her with brutal force.

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?!” I roared, slamming my fist into his face. “You don’t touch women like that, you disgusting piece of shit! Forcing yourself on her, disrespecting her — I should beat the fuck out of you!”

I punched him again and again, knuckles splitting. “You think you can just take what you want?!”

“Stop!” the girl screamed. “Please stop! You’re going to kill him!”

Her voice cut through. I stepped back, chest heaving.

The creep groaned on the ground.

I turned to the girl just as her knees buckled. I caught her before she hit the pavement, strong arms wrapping around her.

She looked up weakly for a second — long dark hair, innocent face, strikingly beautiful. Then her eyes fluttered shut and she went limp in my arms.

“Shit,” I muttered.

I lowered her gently, keeping her supported, and called Marc.

“Backyard. Now. Bring Theo. We’ve got a situation.”

They arrived fast.

“What the hell?” Marc said, staring at the unconscious girl and the bleeding guy.

Theo crouched beside the creep. “This asshole do that?”

I nodded, still holding her carefully. “He was forcing himself on her. Grabbing her, trying to kiss her neck, wouldn’t let go even when she fought. I pulled him off and handled it.”

Marc whistled. “Good timing. Who is she?”

“I don’t know,” I said. “Never seen her before.”

Theo checked her quickly. “She’s out from shock. What now?”

“I’ll take her back to the dorm,” I decided. “My room. She’ll be safe there until she wakes up. You two deal with this piece of shit. Make sure he remembers tonight.”

“On it,” Marc said.

I lifted her carefully — she was light — and carried her to my car. I laid her gently in the passenger seat, reclined it, and drove back to Evergreen Hall.

My room was one of the biggest on campus — basically a private suite with its own kitchenette, large bed, and sitting area. I laid her down carefully on my bed and pulled the blanket over her.

For a long moment I just stood there, taking her in. Long wavy dark hair spread across my black pillow. Soft, delicate features. Full lips slightly parted. She looked so peaceful. So fucking innocent and beautiful. The complete opposite of the blood and violence from earlier tonight.

I shook my head, went to the kitchenette, and fixed myself a sandwich. I ate standing up, watching her sleep.

Afterward, I set up the couch with pillows and a blanket. There's no way I was sleeping actually next to her.

I lay down, staring at the ceiling, the events of the night replaying — broken bones, screams, and now this mysterious girl in my bed.

What a fucking night.