Chapter 7 Chapter 7

SHANE

My eyes flickered to the phone on my desk again for the umpteenth fucking time. I reached out and picked it up, clicked it on and stared at the screen.

Still nothing.

“Fucking hell!”

Cursing softly under my breath, I tossed the phone back on the desk and pulled my attention back to my computer screen, trying to focus on the work at hand.

Only for me to pick up the fucking phone and stare at it again. My chest burned hot with livid fury as I glared at the blank screen.

I needed a cigarette so bad.

I never smoke in the office during work hours. Never. But I'm so pissed beyond measure right now to give a fuck about breaking my own rules.

Thirty-six hours. It has been thirty-six fucking hours since the interview clip was uploaded on the Internet.

And as Jace predicted, the clip did go viral. More viral than he'd even expected, drawing more attention to the company and even more business clients.

But those weren't my purpose.

My purpose is Jones.

And I still haven't received any text or call from him! He was supposed to reach out.

Why the fuck isn't he doing that?

I slid the cigarette between my lips and took a slow drag from it, letting it drift down my lungs before I exhaled thick plumes of smoke, watching it curl up in the air.

Reaching out, I picked up the phone and dialed Jace's number. While the phone rang, I took another drag.

He finally picked up. “Hello, sir…”

“What the fuck, Jace?!” I barked into the phone, and I heard him shudder. “You assured me that he would call. Why the fuck isn't he calling?”

“I-I-I d-don't know sir.” He stammered, his voice a perfect embodiment of horror. “The clip circulated all over the Internet, and there were millions of shares and thousands of reposts. Maybe, Henry Jones hasn't seen it yet, or he has but has chosen not to respond... or that he's dead.”

“I don't give a damn fuck if he's dead or has simply chosen not to reach out!” I roared into the phone. “You assured me that this would work. And now my face is all over the fucking Internet, and for what? For nothing! I told you that you're a dead man if this doesn't bear any fruit! I'd start saying goodbye to all your beloveds if I were you. Because if I get nothing by the end of today, you're as good as dead!”

“M-Mr Blackwood, hold on…”

I hung up and tossed the phone.

Then I let out a deep sigh and raked my hands through my hair. The rubber band came off, and my hair spread free onto my shoulders, a few strands falling onto my face.

I leaned forward on my desk and palmed my face.

What has happened to me? How did I become this utter mess of a man? I feel different. I feel unfamiliar. I feel pathetic. I don't feel like the same powerful, dominant, unstoppable god anymore.

Now all I feel is rage, rage, rage and rage!

This shit is unacceptable!

I fucking can't keep living like this!

Just where the fuck is this Jones?!

Where did that bastard disappear to?

I need to find him!

A loud groan tore from my chest, and I tipped my head back to stare up at the ceiling. Then I took another drag.

I must find him.

Bzzzz-bzzz! Bzzzz-bzzz!

My phone started to vibrate. I didn't bother with answering. I let it ring. I bet it was Jace calling to beg for his life.

It stopped ringing after a while. Only to start ringing again a few seconds later. I ignored it and let it ring for the second time.

It wasn't until the fourth time that I got fed up.

“Goddamn it!”

Muttering softly under my breath, I sat upright and snatched the phone from the desk and slid the bar to the right, ready to curse Jace out.

“You fucking…”

“Hello, Shane.”

My heart did the most violent somersault ever. Then started to pound so fucking fast.

That voice.

I could recognize that voice anywhere.

Jones.

“Jo-Jones?”

He chuckled. “That's right. It's me. Your cum rag… oh, sorry… your used-to-be cum rag. It's been a while. I saw the message you sent. Shane Blackwood appearing on the Internet… that's unusual.”

“So, you're alive?”

My voice came out soft, barely above a whisper.

“Shouldn't that be my line?” He asked, voice dripping with sweet mockery. “I mean, I was the one who stabbed you over half a hundred times, slit your throat, and watched you bleed to death.”

My blood should be boiling with venomous rage. I should be seething with unquenchable fury at this very moment. But what's this weird, distasteful feeling? Why am I feeling like this? I do not like it.

Not even one bit.

“So how come you're alive?” He asked, a hint of subtle disbelief and genuine curiosity in his voice, “I’m asking because it doesn't make any sense. You died. I watched you die.”

“Do you still believe everything you see, Jones?”

He hummed, and I could imagine him raising his shoulder in a shrug, “Well, seeing that you’re alive and well even though I watched you die before my very eyes, no. I suppose not.”

“Where are you?” I demanded, voice low and rough.

“Why? So you'd finally get to kill me this time since you were unable to do it the last time?” He taunted, letting out a soft, mirthful chuckle of mockery.

I gritted my teeth, my hand slowly curling to fist by my side. My breath started to come ragged. “I’ll find you.”

“Oh, I know. That’s exactly why I called. I want you to come find me.” He purred, letting out a soft giggle of uncontained excitement. “We're about to play a game of cat and mouse. And I think that's wildly erotic.”

“You have a new sense of humor.”

“So I've been told.” He chuckled again, “Do you like it? I bet you do.”

I said nothing.

“But seriously, answer me, Shane. You didn't really think I didn't know your henchmen would trace this call after I hung up, did you?” He asked, “Oh, Shane, you underestimate me still. You of all people should know better than to make the same mistake twice. Come find me. I'll be waiting for you.”

Then, with that, the line disconnected.

I sat rigid, staring into thin air, jaw clenched tight. My chest rose and fell with unfathomable wrath mixed with something else I refuse to name.

So, he's alive.

That's… a relief. This means I'll be the one to kill him.

He wants me to find him.

Seems like he's grown more balls over the last ten months. I think this just got more interesting.

I tapped on Jace's number and dialed him. He answered just after a few seconds.

“M-M-Mr B-Blackwood, please…”

“Shut your hole and get your ass over here.” I said quietly, “And bring your men with. At once.”