Chereads / Veiled desire / Chapter 16 - my kitten

Chapter 16 - my kitten

Kannan's pov :before murder scene!It had only been two days since that night, but it felt longer. The memory lingered, sharper and more vivid than I wanted to admit. Her moans, that subtle tremble in her voice—they were burned into my mind, taunting me, calling me back.As I sat here, replaying every sound and every look, an unfamiliar impatience built within me. I was never one to crave anyone's presence like this. The thought of seeing her again, the look in her eyes when she realized I was there, that teasing grin she tried to hide—it was enough to drive me mad.Work dragged on, each minute feeling like an eternity. I had a few loose ends to tie up, a couple of people who needed a firm hand—someone to remind them of the consequences of crossing me. I grinned at the thought; it was a hell of a ride, but it was just business. They'd thank me later when they were still breathing.But all I could think about was her. I'd had my fair share of women, and yet none of them stirred anything in me like she did. They were always eager for my attention, clamoring for validation, but with her, it felt different. It was raw, primal, an intoxicating rush that made me want to push her boundaries just to see how far I could take it. She was a puzzle I couldn't solve, and that made her all the more alluring. Every moan that escaped her lips felt like a melody I wanted to keep playing on repeat.The contrast between the girl from my childhood and the one who haunted my thoughts now was stark. The old Hari was sweet and innocent, someone I felt a sense of protectiveness over. But this new Hari? She was a wild card, and I liked it. I was captivated by her strength, her defiance. It was maddening to be so drawn to her, and I couldn't decide which version of her I preferred—the one from my memories or the one who challenged me at every turn.I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts. I couldn't afford to get lost in nostalgia when I had a future to seize. It was almost time to finish this job .I can almost taste the anticipation as I wrap up my call. It's time to unleash the beast within me, and I know exactly how to make her beg for more.I walked into the room, letting my presence alone tighten the man's fear like a noose around his neck. He was tied to the chair, soaked in sweat and shaking, his pathetic, pleading voice grating on my ears. I couldn't help but smirk—he looked ready to grovel on his knees if only he had the freedom to do so. Aravalan had been efficient, as always, leaving him in a perfect state of misery, just how I liked them."Pluck every nail," I ordered, my voice low and chilling. The words sliced through the air, turning the already suffocating atmosphere sharper. I leaned back, cigar in hand, watching Aravalan set to work. The man's pathetic, animalistic screams began almost immediately, each one weaker than the last. They grated on me, more annoying than anything else. How many times had I heard this same drivel? Pleas, apologies, desperate promises—all meaningless, all temporary, and all too predictable.I rolled my eyes, taking a slow, indulgent drag from the cigar. The smoke filled my lungs, grounding me in the familiar feeling of control, power. But his screeching just kept going. It was like he couldn't take a hint, like he didn't understand he was merely a gnat waiting to be crushed. A cold, bitter chuckle escaped me as I tightened my grip on the gun, lifting it lazily, aiming without an ounce of hesitation."Enough," I muttered, almost to myself, but loud enough for him to hear, to realize that his end was a foregone conclusion. He barely had a chance to register the word before I squeezed the trigger, ending his noise, his struggle, his pathetic existence with one precise shot.I took another drag, letting the silence settle, satisfied as the only sounds that remained were the fading echoes of his final breath.As the blood seeped onto the floor, pooling slowly beneath the man's limp body, a dead silence took over the room. Everyone kept their heads down, not daring to meet my gaze, knowing better than to challenge me in a moment like this. The air felt thick, choked with fear. It was perfection.Then came a sound from outside, faint but distinct—a small shuffle, a gasp. I turned, and there she was, standing in the doorway. hari's face was drained of color, her eyes wide with horror as if she'd stumbled upon some monster out of a nightmare. She looked at me like I was the devil himself.A dark heat sparked within me—anger, raw and sharp. Why couldn't she just listen? I had warned her, again and again, that there were parts of my life she couldn't be part of. She was reckless, always testing my patience, dancing around boundaries like they were games. And now she stood there, seeing me in my true element, her terrified gaze fixed on the blood, on the body, on me.I took a step forward, my jaw clenched, my anger boiling just beneath the surface. I could see her instinctively step back, the tremor in her expression unmistakable, yet she didn't break eye contact. Her defiance was there, buried under that shock, like she still wanted answers, still thought she deserved them.My voice was low, icy. "Didn't I tell you to stay out of this?" I didn't wait for her answer—I didn't need it. Her disobedience was obvious, and so was her fear. But she needed to know, needed to understand what it meant to be around me, to know who I really was.I took another step, my gaze locked on hers, the distance between us shrinking with every heartbeat.Her stuttering was almost charming, each word stumbling out as she tried to explain herself, to justify why she was here, why she'd crossed the line. Tears were streaming down her face, and it struck a strange chord in me—this mix of anger and fascination. I watched, almost mesmerized, as the wet trails traced down her cheeks, her eyes wide, helpless. It was twisted, but I liked it. There was something exquisite about seeing her break, knowing only I had the power to bring her to this state.As she stepped back, I took another step forward, closing the distance between us, trapping her against the wall. My fingers brushed her cheek, wiping away a tear "your scared now'' i only want to see this beautiful tears in bed. As her eyes rolled back and she collapsed into my arms, a strange, unfamiliar tightness gripped my chest. I was stunned, caught off guard by the sudden weight of her small, unconscious form against me. Here I was, reveling in the fear I'd put in her, savoring every frightened look and shiver—and yet now, seeing her like this, completely vulnerable, I felt a surge of something I could hardly place. It was a raw, unsettling feeling that left me uneasy.I took a breath, steadying myself, and held her close, carrying her out of the cold, dark room, ignoring the silent glances from the men around me. None of them mattered at this moment. I laid her on our bed, watching her breathe, my hand involuntarily brushing her hair from her face.She looked so fragile now, so small, so... precious. How had she gotten to me like this? I was used to blood and fear, used to dominance and control—those things were mine, my world. But she, with her softness, her stubborn spirit, her fire... she was undoing everything.I sat beside her, tracing my fingers down her arm, feeling that tightness in my chest ease, just slightly, as her breathing steadied. For now, I'd let her rest, but she wasn't escaping this. She needed to learn, to understand the rules of being with me. And yet, a small part of me didn't want to see her break entirely. I wanted her fire, her defiance. She was mine, after all, and no one else would ever understand this—no one would ever touch her the way I could.Just as I was settling in beside her, my phone buzzed. I answered with a low growl, "This had better be important, or it's your last day breathing."The voice on the other end quickly stammered out an urgent update, something that couldn't wait. Frustration simmered in my chest; I hated being called away, especially now. But there was no choice—it was critical.I glanced down at her, sleeping peacefully, her lashes casting shadows on her cheeks, completely unaware of the chaos she'd stumbled into. I brushed a stray strand of hair away, whispering, "Princess, I'll be back soon." She murmured something in her sleep, and for a fleeting moment, I felt a strange ache, an instinct to stay and keep her safe. But I pushed it aside, steeling myself. Business came first.With one last look, I turned and left the room, shutting the door quietly behind me, knowing that, as always, I'd return. And this time, I'd make sure she understood the dangers lurking in my world.Returning to the room, I expected to see her lying peacefully, wrapped up where I'd left her. But instead, the emptiness hit me like a blow, sharper than I'd expected. Her scent lingered, faint, already disappearing, and the open wardrobe mocked me with its hollow silence.A single piece of paper lay on the bedside table, taunting in its stillness. I picked it up, and my eyes scanned over her pathetic attempt to sever herself from me."Kannan, we were not meant for each other. Coming back was only to discuss ending our engagement. I hope you can forgive me. Your Hari."Forgive her? I felt my lips twist in a cruel smile. This was what she thought—that she could disappear, walk away as if nothing had happened, as if she hadn't already etched herself into my life? The thought was almost amusing, but the rage simmering beneath it burned hotter. How dare she believe she could escape so easily?With a slow, deliberate motion, I tore the note, letting each fragment flutter to the floor like the ashes of a foolish dream. My fingers tingled with the thrill of the chase, the cold inevitability of what came next. She didn't know, didn't understand the lengths I would go to reclaim what was mine. If she thought distance or some scrap of paper could stop me, she was mistaken. Naïve."Run, then, if you think you can," I murmured, a darkness settling over me like a second skin. "But you'll find there's no place I won't reach, no shadow you can hide in."The hunt had begun. And when I found her, she'd realize there was no escape—no mercy, no forgiveness.You better be prepared for your actions princess!