You will need the Rivens

Jokel's POV

I left him behind, his face still burned into my mind. Walked away without a glance. He didn't need to feel important. That name—Halo—was a curse, haunting every step I took. I clenched my fists, feeling the cigarette between my fingers smoldering out. This is nothing. He's nothing. Just noise.

But the truth clung to me like bitter smoke. Every word he spat, every infuriating smirk,it crawled under my skin, etched itself into my mind like it belonged there. No. I wouldn't let it. I had control. Never him. I stared out at the fast-passing street, glaring like I could burn away the thoughts myself. He's just like the others, nothing special. But then why does he feel like the one thing I can't shake?

I blamed his father. I wouldn't be stuck in this mess if that coward had shown up tonight. But instead, I'm here. Haunted by him. Everywhere I looked, he lingered, an echo I couldn't silence, a shadow I couldn't outrun. Halo wasn't just a thorn; he was a splinter in my mind, burrowing deeper with every thought.

I gritted my teeth. What the hell was I even thinking?

The memory of his eyes flashed in my mind,too close, too damn close…his breath warm against my skin. I hated how he could make me feel anything, how easily he could rip through the walls I'd spent years building like they were nothing.

With a low growl, I tossed the cigarette to the ground and crushed it under my boot. Enough. He means nothing.

But even as I told myself that, I knew it was a lie. And I hated myself for it.

The car sped into the night, the silence broken only by my ragged breaths. When the estate finally came into view, the fury inside me burned hotter. I got kidnapped tonight because of the incompetent fools I trusted to protect me.

When the car finally pulled into the lit compound, they were all there—those who survived. Kneeling. Heads bowed. Waiting for judgment. Someone had to suffer tonight, and it wasn't me.

The men trembled as I stepped out of the car, their shoulders stiff, eyes wide with fear. At least they knew they had failed me. I walked past them, the weight of their impending doom heavy in the air. My hands itched to release my fury and frustration on them.

Even as I stalked toward the main door, thoughts of Halo haunted me. After I slammed the door, a soft, familiar scent wrapped around me before her arms did. "Luciano," she whispered, clinging to me as if I were slipping away. "I was so worried... I feared…" Her sobs trailed off, but the words stabbed deep.

I sighed, letting the tension drain from my shoulders as I hugged her back. "I'm fine, Mother. But how the hell did you find out?"

"They tried to keep it a secret from me, but you know me," she paused and giggled like a child. "Nothing is hidden from me."

Sighing, I patted her head dotingly. "You should be in bed, Mother," I said, my eyes searching for her caregivers. They weren't far, so I signaled them to come over. I cupped my mother's face and looked into her doe-like eyes. "Have you taken your meds?"

Almost immediately, her mood soured. She wrenched free, her lips curling into a pout. "You're just going to nag me, and I'm not listening!"

She huffed and turned away, stomping off like an angry teenager. I smiled sadly as her caregivers rushed after her, and soon a chase ensued. But my smile vanished once she was gone. The woman I used to know was now nothing but a memory. It all began after my father died, she couldn't bear the loss and she fell ill… mentally ill.

Every meal with her was a reminder, watching her set a place for the ghost of my father, feeding his absence like he was still there. Every time, it gutted me, deepening the need for revenge. I couldn't give her the truth, but I could give her justice.

As I stood there battling my rising anger and confusion about Halo, a silhouette from the living room took form. It was Ramond, my second-in-command, the one who ordered my rescue. His expression was serious, like a lion ready to pounce.

I gave him a look, signaling him to speak freely. "Don Giovanni is here. He said it's urgent."

I ran a hand through my hair in frustration. I hadn't shaken off the chaos from earlier, and now this. "Where is he?"

"The garden, waiting," Ramond pointed.

Clenching my jaw, I brushed past him, heading to confront the uninvited guest. He had gotten comfortable, sitting as if he owned the place.

"Don," I said, settling opposite him with my legs apart, looking him dead in the eyes.

"I heard what happened tonight. I'm glad you're safe," he commented.

"Hmm," I echoed, my disinterest clear. I knew he wasn't here for some lame condolences or well wishes, he had a mission, and I wanted him to state it and leave.

"The Lord of the Skies wants a war, and I know you want to go after him. But you can't win if you go alone," he stated, his brows creasing.

"I'm listening."

"I've already begun the fight, but even I can't win on my own," he said, staring back at me. "I need my strongest allies with me , united, if we're going to win."

We? Honestly, I wouldn't have gotten involved if the damn Lord of the Skies hadn't dragged me into this. Now I must return his 'kindness.' But I'm not angry in fact, I'm glad. Maybe this is what I needed all along.

Pinching the space between my brows, I sighed. "I don't work well with others, but I'll compromise this once, for as long as the war persists, and until we are victorious."

The old Don paused, studying me. He probably didn't expect me to accept his proposition so quickly, but unbeknownst to him, I had ulterior motives that would inevitably make him my enemy. Yet, surprisingly, I was the one in for a shock, as I wasn't expecting what the Don had to say next.

He leaned in, his voice dropping as if sharing a dangerous secret. 'You'll need the Rivens. There's no winning this war without them.'" 

A growl escaped me before I could stop it. "The Rivens? You expect me to fight alongside my father's killers?" My hands clenched the arms of the chair, knuckles white.