"What the fuck do you think you're doing?!" Ares barked at Sullivan, with his hand around his neck, whilst his back hugged the wall.
"B—" he tried to talk, but the hold on his neck was too hard.
"Boss!" Ivar screamed, running into the room.
"Get out!" Ares said without looking behind him.
Ivar looked from the boss, to the crying Angel, before turning around in defeat, and walking out.
Sullivan stopped struggling when he saw the futility of his attempt. Only then did Ares let go.
He dropped to the ground, and crumpled into a ball.
Ares crouched, until he was leveled with him.
"I never told you to hurt her. This is the last time you do whatever the fuck you choose, and disregard my orders. Now get the fuck out of here!"
Sullivan jumped to his feet, and limped off.
Angel couldn't wrap her mind around what had just happened.
The scary butcher had just been swatted like a fly.
She looked at Ares who was still bent, with his back turned against her.
Never in her life had she witnessed such a switch in a person.
He was usually expressionless, or just generally nonchalant.
This was the most expression he had ever shown, and she didn't know what to think of it, other than the fact it had scared the shit out of her.
Gathering himself together, he straightened, and turned to face Angel.
He eyed the plate in front of her. It was good food by all indications.
Sullivan shouldn't have forced her to eat, but the relationship she had with food was clearly toxic.
"Luciana?" He called out.
A very pretty brunette ran into the room. Angel was fascinated by her looks the instant she saw her.
There were so many gorgeous people in such a dark place. She couldn't fathom how it was all possible.
"Take those away. Ring the kitchen to bring some water, and cookies," he ordered.
Angel's eyes went to him. He had understood. She felt strange that he had understood.
He of all people shouldn't understand her. Or maybe he didn't. Maybe this was all an act to get into her head, in hopes she'd tell him about some stupid diamond.
Her attention shifted, when he dragged a chair, and placed it in front of her.
The girl carried the tray, and walked out of the room, without giving Angel any attention.
She felt a little sad, because she adored pretty people.
There was something about imagining them in the best clothes that kept her excited.
Her thoughts were still occupied when she felt someone grab her.
She let out a little yep, startled by the suddenness of the lift.
Ares dropped her on the chair, then went to the wall.
He leaned on it, so he was directly facing her.
Folding his hand across his body, his eyes scrutinized her.
"Why do they keep doing that?" She asked, unable to keep silent anymore.
"Doing what?"
"Placing these bags over my head, and getting me unconscious? I don't like it. And then that dude had the nerve to force me to eat? I don't like that either."
Her eyes watered, and she hated herself for appearing so weak.
She wasn't supposed to be that emotional in front of him.
He was only going to use her weakness for his selfish goals.
"Why do you hate food?" He asked, catching her off guard.
She threw him a sharp, confused gaze, wondering if she was that predictable.
"Why do you think I don't like food? Maybe I'm just extra cautious so I don't get poisoned by strangers?" She answered smartly.
She expected his lips to twitch the way it did when he was trying hard not to smile.
In their short encounters, she had managed to read that about him.
But there was no humor in his appearance. Even his eyes held no soul.
"Why do you hate food?" He asked, as if the response she just gave him held no water.
"If I don't like food, I wouldn't accept your cookies, would I? And don't change the topic. Tell your dudes, and ladies to stop snuffing the life out of me."
"You don't get to make demands, princess. I told you already."
"Ugh! Not the princess thing again. You know I've actually met real princesses, and they'd be mad if they discovered someone as basic as me was being called one."
Her words made his pulse race. He had not taken notice before, probably because he didn't see the possibility.
However, it was unraveling right before his eyes. What if she was insecure?
The real question was, why would someone like her be insecure?
Most men would consider her gorgeous. She also had a father who could protect, and provide for her.
Perhaps, it was her thing with food. She had to be insecure about that.
"I have a real princess here. She's a friend," he found himself saying, but couldn't explain why he would divulge that information to her.
"You have friends?" She gasped mockingly. "I would never have guessed."
"Why? I haven't hurt you yet. Why do you think I'm not capable of having friends?"
"All we've done is gone around in circles.
I'm guessing you wanted something, and that's why you asked for me to be brought to whatever this is. What do you want?"
"Why did you pretend to faint?"
She sighed in frustration. They were truly going round in circles, and it had gotten boring, very fast.
"Because I wanted your attention. Why didn't you come running to me? You want the diamonds right?"
A flicker of annoyance passed through Ares' eyes. She was fucking with him, and he hated to be fucked with.
"Don't joke with that. I won't be nice with my reaction ," he warned in a tone that passed the message across.
"Then let me go."
"Luciana!" He called again.
She ran into the room once more, and waited for her instruction.
"Take the girl away. She'll stick with you as you prepare for the night."
"I—" she was complaining, but he had already walked away, leaving her in an awkward situation with Angel.