Chapter 001

Arie's POV

"You can kiss sweet Nani goodbye."

The words of my step brother, Michael Burnlow, resounded in my mind as I took a detour to the nearest restaurant for what might be the last shopping I did as a human, for the decision I had now made was designed to ruin my life and all the plans I had for myself forever. It didn't matter that I wanted to regain control of my father's clan, or that I wanted to finally gain sovereignty over Michael and his possessed mother and make them suffer for all I've been through. So long as Nani remained safe in the cabin sitting on the outskirts of the bustling city of Mexico.

I tried to make peace with the idea that I was sold, tagged and marked as Axle's property, the leader of one of the four domineering clans in today's Mexican history. Swallowed the bile that crept up my throat when Michael had smacked me hard across the face when I challenged him about the spreading rumors. The exchange came rushing back to my mind's vision, the effect of the slap still fresh and stinging on my cheeks.

"You just can't sell me off!" I cried.

Michael, his eyes reddened, turned back and straightened the helm of his shirt. "You're worthless to the family's business. The least you can do for us is be of good use now."

"By using me as what?" I fired back, "A slave?"

Michael grinned, walking up to his work desk to fetch the tobacco he had lit up moments before. "No. You will be the solution to our 2 year old debt."

I was stunned by his response. A repayment. That was what I was now. How could I not even have a say on what happens to me? My life? My future?

"And what happened to the money our grandfather —"

"I could snap your neck and that will be the end of this," Michael snapped, dragging a little longer on the tobacco roll, "so shut your mouth for your own good."

"You are ruining everything he worked so hard to build," I wept, remembering how my father had breathed his last in bed, his kind emerald eyes slowly creeping away from the harsh reality of this cruel world.

"He was stupid to think he could be my father. All he did was hand over exactly what I needed: the power."

"And what have you achieved with that power?"

Michael had an evil grin on his face, and I knew better than to push any further. I was lucky to not have been assassinated right after my father's death; it was something I trust Michael to do without questioning his thoughts.

"That clown of a Lord is expecting you in his quarters in two weeks. Prepare yourself, little sister."

The way he spoke so softly made her tummy run wild. His calm demeanor would have made a stranger not believe the same Michael was capable of causing harm to anyone.

"I'm not going." I spat, daring myself to fight with what I had left to fight with: my words. Michael dismissed the guards on standby with the wave of a hand, and when the door slammed shut, I assumed this was the moment he decided to finish me off. A part of me yearned for the sweet taste of death, and another fought to get a sliver of chance to fight my way back to exert revenge on Michael for all he's caused me.

"I couldn't wait for that long to see that old man breathe his last, you know." His voice went cold again, his hazel eyes boring deep into my chest and uprooting my fear. "Your stoic grandfather didn't have much time left either," he kissed his teeth, tossing the tobacco roll and digging his hands into his pants. "Quite lousy for an octogenarian."

I shook my head in disgust, "You … you killed them."

He cackled, "You said that, little sister. I didn't. And who knows? There could be a lonely ass nerd, 600 yards away, who's ready to take a shot at Nani who thinks staying hidden in a cabin is the best trick to play safe. Who knows?"

My ears drowned out his laughter as he walked away from me. Now I understood why his confidence had multiplied. He has every stronghold. He had all the cards to play, it no longer seemed like a fair sport. I was long defeated, and if I carry on, I will be losing the last person who loves me just as much as my father did.

"Don't you dare lay a single finger on her," I growled, though my voice kept breaking, a fresh wave of tears waiting to roll down my cheeks.

He turned around with a smile, "I'm guessing that is a final response of an agreement. Don't worry. Nani will be well taken care of."

"Keep your men away from her!"

"Come on. Who will be there to take care of her when you're gone? Married? Or do you think that son-of-a-bitch is going to let you bring her over to his territory? Act like some caring and respectful gentleman?"

I had no more fight left in me. The hurt in my mind seemed to be suspended in time, and in that moment, I felt grateful, even when all in my heart had been replaced with a void space. My fingers were a hair's length away from gripping the door knob when Michael called back.

"Bear one more thing in mind … "

Whatever he said didn't change the numbness I now feel. All I could think about was how miserable life was going to get right from the moment I stepped out.

These thoughts, like a dark cloud hovering above my head, followed me around. It made me grow more distant towards Nani whenever I returned to the cabin to ensure she had a proper night's sleep. It made me mute when I noticed how people pointed hands at me, how some traders and shop owners were careful to respond to me whenever I came around and sometimes gave me more than what I usually request for. His name was enough to stir this fear they now had for me. The name of a man I had never even met.