I accidentally seduced the male lead of a mafia romance

Chapter 6-Vendetta

/Theodore's POV/

I hate it—the look on her face as I bashed the faces of those same guy that had laughed as they kicked my guts and spat on me, thinking maybe she’d favour them. How ironic! I hated the interest she showed me—the same interest these bastards would do anything to get.

Pain seared in my battered knuckles as I punched them one after the other. At first it was to get a reaction out of her, wondering how that arrogant, calm look on her face would dissolve as I misused the authority she’d granted me.

So my silver eyes would often glance up to meet her ice-cold jade green eyes staring indifferently at me. While I could no longer find any trace of arrogance in them, her gaze remained unwavering, strangely fascinated, and thus my curiosity morphed into rage.

I hate how indifferent and unaffected she was by my actions, and as I swung my fists around carelessly, I wondered what it'd be like to have those same eyes filled with tears and her face distorted with terror.

I was panting heavily as my hands slipped off the collars of the last one of them I’d grabbed, dropping him to the ground after giving him a couple of bruises.

My knuckles sting and my lungs hurt; sweat trickled down my temple and forehead while heat and discomfort spread from my chest.

The field was filled with painful grunts and persistent groans of pain from the guys as they writhed and turned on the floor.

They had all taken my punches without retaliation because, well, that’s what Valentina Raven wanted, and as I pummeled my fists into any parts of their body that could take it, they would anxiously stare in her direction as if hoping she'd be satisfied by the sight.

I wonder what they were thinking, seeing Valentina’s indifferent gaze on them, completely unmoved by their suffering. It’s pathetic how badly they wanted to please her.

“Bring them to the infirmary” Valentina commanded before rising to her feet and walking closer to me. I smirked wondering what she was gonna say to me since I messed up her father’s men.

While I didn’t really leave any of them half-dead since I’m worried I’d end up drawing Don’s attention that way but they’ll stay a while in the clinic since I broke a few things on them.

“Seriously, you should be a little bit more careful with your body” She tsked, grabbing my hands and raising them up.

“And what punishment should I give you for ruining your fists like this Theo?” My heart tightened in my chest at her words wondering if it was my turn to get punished, since something tells me she just wanted to watch our misery knowing we can’t deny her anything she wanted.

“It’s just a joke Theo…no need to look so grieved” She smirked playfully. When the f**k did we get close enough to share ‘jokes’?.

I really wanna kill her. I thought clenching my jaws while my hardened gaze remained on her.

Then, one of the bald men who often follows her around brought over a tray, holding a bowl of warm water, some clean towels, and what seemed to be bandages. While the other surrounding soldiers were led from the drill hall to get treated.

A sharp hiss escaped through my teeth as her wet towel moved over the battered flesh of my knuckles.

“That must have hurt,” she concluded as she gently dabbed the wound.

Just what the f**k is she doing? I wondered, ignoring her as she continued to gently clean the wounds on my knuckles, then my palm, her warm, soft hands brushing my rough, callous-tainted ones.

It feels strange having someone else do this for me. I’ve always done this myself.

“I can take care of myself,” I said through clenched teeth, removing my hands from hers while feeling rather uncomfortable by the contact, but she grabbed them back.

“Both your hands are in a terrible state... I just want to help,” She stated, her voice gentle and gaze warm. f**k, why is she looking at me like that? Valentina stubbornly grabbed back my hands, cleaned my wounds, and even bandaged them as if I f*****g asked for her help.

“You must be exhausted after all of that. You’ll need a shut-eye,” Valentina shrugged indifferently while my brain strangely focused on the loss of warmth as her hands left mine.

I didn’t think she’d be good with her hands since she looked like she hadn’t worked a day in her life, but how is she able to bandage so well? it almost felt like she’s done this before. I thought watching her walk over to Nora, her little pet and my gaze remained on them as they left the drill together.

This is weird and it’s making me uncomfortable. I’d rather she spit at me like she used to, call me names, and make fun of me. What the hell is this? Some sort of new torture? I wondered, feeling confused as I walked back to my newly assigned room.

I had to share bunks with the other guys the Raven family took in before, and during training, I’m forced to sleep on the cold, hard floor, but now I’m sleeping on a warm bed after a warm shower in a bathroom that’s mine alone.

Some part of my brain told me not to get used to it because I know better than anyone not to let their fake kindness get to me. They’re selfish and cruel; reminding myself I’d be dead the moment they found out I’m associated with Wilder.

I sighed and slowly closed my eyes while I normally suffered from insomnia, I fell into deep sleep earlier than I anticipated, and I woke up to a sweet aroma that filled my room as I blinked my eyes open.

On the only wooden table right next to the door were multiple dishes of different food, which were mostly my favourites. The same thing happened yesterday—they were food I never thought I’d laid my eyes on again until I returned to my family, and just like yesterday, I couldn’t stop myself from hungrily gobbling down everything, wondering when next I’ll have a chance to eat something like that again.

Five plates of food, and it only took me 7 minutes.

Shit! I thought, feeling a deep sense of regret because I did it again. I’m not even sure whether the food was poisoned or not; I just ate everything. I’m starting to feel uneasy again; why are they suddenly feeding me nice food?

The uneasiness persisted on the training grounds.

“In a few months, y’all are going to be getting your first mission.” Hope filled my chest as our instructor shouted from the platform where he stood with another carpo.

“Most of you will be dispatched as enforcers while some of you get to run wild... this will test your strengths and everything you’ve learned so far, and to make sure, y’all don’t come back in bags or in pieces; your training for the next few months will be promoted to hellish. Crows-

“Scavengers of darkness” The whole field screams and roars with joy. Yeah, I’m filled with joy too…because soon I’ll be reunited with my family, and I promise you, Ravens, I will make you regret this.

“Y’all are screaming like men... but soon will differentiate the men amongst you from the bottle-feeders, so now, beat yourself up... special reward for the last man standing.” Everyone turned to each other with devilish smiles on their faces.

It’s not the first time we’ve beaten each other up; it makes us stronger after all, but this time, it felt a bit different because they were all looking at me.

I don’t need to be told what those malicious looks on their faces mean.

This battle was no longer a deathmatch; it's now a vendetta battle. I guess they all want to come at me for sending a few of their friends to the infirmary.

Shit! This won’t be easy; I’ll probably end up with a couple of broken bones. since I can’t exactly handle 35 of them by myself but isn’t this bullying?

I’m the youngest in the group after all; most of them are a year or maybe a couple of years above 24 years, and yet they’re snarling at me like dogs to trespassers. Well, technically, I am a trespasser; I’m not even supposed to be here in the first place.

“What’s going on?” Everyone's head shot up to the platform after a familiar voice had dread travelling the crowd.

High on that platform with the instructors was Valentina, sitting with her legs crossed and her expensive white heels facing the crowd.

Her characteristic raven-black hair glistened in the morning sun, and her silky white jumpsuit matched her shoes. I guess it’s only proper to say her beauty’s wasted on her.

“Valentina’s here?” Murmurs and hushed sounds rose from the group. W

We all weren’t expecting to see her sitting there looking down at everyone with that usual arrogant gaze of hers, but I was wrong, her gaze were only ever on me, they were warm. and I could sense it—a hint of worry twirled in those fine orbs.

Even the instructors were in a bind since she looked pretty dissatisfied with the arrangement.

“This is like a competition-

“That’s a stupid ass competition; did you not see how they’re just about to attack one person?” She cut the second instructor off and Ralph stepped in.

“This is how it’s done here, little lady.” Ralph stood tall in front of Valentina towering her with his height; I guess he’s not very fond of her. Ralph and Tobias are both mid-ranks in terms of the mafia ranking and they’re in charge of training the young Crows.

They must have expected her to be intimidated by Ralph.

“I don’t like it, so...how about you do things, my way big man?” She sassed back playfully.

“You can’t tell us what to do here, little lady.” Ralph's deep voice rumbled through the entire field.

“You said it’s a competition; having them all just beat each other up seems pretty...savage and boring. You don’t mind if I spice this up, do you? I mean, the more entertaining this is, the better,” Ralph seemed hesitant.

“Hey big man, I came here because I’m bored... I don’t think you’ll want to keep it that way or do I have to reach my dad first?” Valentina threatened, voice cold.

Ralph's reluctance was sliced to pieces by her strong, confident tone. “Good,“ Valentina smirked after Ralph surrendered.

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