Vicious — 22 (Patreon)

Author's note: Hello everyone! I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas. I personally spent it on my own. I wasn't able to travel to meet my mom and my boyfriend and his family are away in Europe. It's been lonely not going to lie. Anyway, let me know if you had fun! Here is a new chapter of vicious. 

The morning was crisp, the kind that carried a faint chill even as the sun bathed the world in golden light. Y/N sat in the backyard of the sprawling estate, nestled in a shaded nook surrounded by hedges and a small fountain that trickled softly in the background. A silver robe was draped loosely over her shoulders, her legs curled beneath her as she sipped her tea and flipped through the pages of her book.

The tray of her breakfast—half-eaten pastries, fruit, and a steaming pot of tea—sat beside her on the small iron table. She looked serene, completely at ease, her brow furrowing only occasionally when she came across a particularly intriguing passage in the novel.

Harry watched her from the second-floor window of his office, his sharp eyes tracing the delicate movements of her hands as she turned the pages. He leaned against the frame, one hand resting in his pocket while the other held a half-empty glass of whiskey—his own kind of morning ritual.

She was unaware of him, lost in her world, and for reasons he couldn’t entirely explain, he didn’t look away. There was something magnetic about her in moments like this, when she wasn’t guarded or trying to decipher his moods. Here, she was just… Y/N.

Harry’s gaze followed the way the sunlight caught the silver threads of her robe, making her look almost ethereal against the backdrop of the garden. She seemed so at peace, a stark contrast to the chaos that always brewed in his mind and the world he controlled.

From the corner of her eye, Y/N noticed a bird fluttering to perch on the fountain’s edge, and she smiled faintly, her lips curving in a way that made Harry’s chest tighten. He wasn’t accustomed to moments like this—to watching something soft, something calm, and feeling anything but indifference.

His jaw tightened as he turned away from the window, setting his glass down on the edge of his desk. There were meetings to attend, decisions to make, and alliances to manage. Yet as he sat at his chair, his back to the view of the garden, he couldn’t shake the image of her—the quiet woman who’d entered his life and was slowly, imperceptibly, beginning to take root in it.

Charlie broke the silence, his tone hesitant. “It’s Silas. He… moved out during the wedding.”

The words hit like a thunderclap, though Harry’s face betrayed nothing. He leaned back in his chair, his gaze sharpening. “Moved out?” he repeated, the quiet menace in his voice making both men tense.

“Cleared out his place in the city,” Charlie continued, his jaw tightening. “Everything. Furniture, files, even the safe. Gone.”

Harry’s grip on the armrest of his chair tightened imperceptibly. “And no one thought to tell me until now?”

Lex stepped forward, his tone apologetic but firm. “It was too clean, Harry. No chatter, no traces. Whoever helped him was good—paid off the right people to keep it quiet. We didn’t even know until the cleanup crew showed up to find the place empty.”

Harry’s lips pressed into a thin line. He stood abruptly, pacing to the window, his movements deliberate, controlled. “Silas doesn’t make moves without a reason,” he said, his voice low. “Especially not this bold. He’s been simmering for years, and now he’s decided to boil over.”

Charlie glanced at Lex before speaking again. “You think he’s making a play for your spot?”

Harry turned, his eyes cold as ice. “I know he is. Silas has been jealous of everything I’ve built—everything I’ve inherited—since the day he understood what it meant. The power, the respect, the control… he’s wanted it all. And now he thinks he’s ready to take it.”

Lex frowned. “Do we know where he went? Where he’s hiding?”

Harry’s voice dropped, lethal in its calmness. “If you knew, you’d have already told me.”

Both men nodded silently, understanding the implicit criticism in his words.

Harry stepped closer, his commanding presence filling the room. “Find him,” he said, his voice cutting through the tension like a blade. “I don’t care if you have to tear the city apart brick by brick. I want to know where he is, who he’s working with, and what he’s planning. Silas has always been reckless, but this… this is calculated. And if he thinks he can move against me, I’ll make sure he regrets it.”

Lex straightened. “We’ll get on it.”

Harry straightened from his place at the desk, his green eyes narrowing slightly as he switched topics, the sharp pivot in his focus unsettling even to men as seasoned as Lex and Charlie.

“What about Augusto?” Harry asked, his tone brisk. “Any movement on his end?”

Charlie shifted uncomfortably, running a hand over his jaw. “Augusto’s quiet for now. He’s licking his wounds after the last shipment we intercepted. But the silence is... unnerving. We’ve got eyes on his men, but he’s unpredictable. If he’s planning retaliation, it’ll come out of nowhere.”

Harry nodded, absorbing the information. “Keep the pressure on him. Let him know we’re not backing down. If he tries anything, I want to know before he makes the first move.”

Lex leaned forward slightly, his arms still crossed. “Understood. But we need to be careful. Augusto’s not just reckless—he’s desperate. That makes him dangerous.”

Harry’s expression hardened. “Desperate men make mistakes. And when he does, we’ll make sure it’s his last.”

Shifting gears again, Harry turned his attention to Lex. “What about Liam? And the situation at the club?”

Lex let out a frustrated sigh. “Still no word from him directly, but I spoke to his crew. The money from the drug deal—what he owed us—is gone. He funneled it through another distributor, like we suspected, but they haven’t returned a dime. Claims Liam never delivered the full product.”

Harry’s jaw tightened, his eyes darkening. “Liam didn’t deliver the full product because he skimmed off the top. He thought he could double-cross me, play both sides. He’s lucky he’s still breathing.”

Charlie interjected, his voice firm. “What do you want us to do? Lean on the distributor or bring Liam in?”

Harry considered for a moment, the room silent as he weighed his options. Finally, he spoke, his tone cold and deliberate. “Both. Start with the distributor. I want them to understand that working with us means honoring deals. If they have the money, take it. If they don’t—make an example of them.”

Lex smirked slightly, nodding. “Consider it done.”

Harry’s gaze flicked back to Charlie. “As for Liam… bring him to me. Alive. We are going to give him one chance to explain himself, and after that—”

He didn’t finish the sentence. He didn’t need to. The unspoken promise of violence hung in the air, a tangible weight that neither man dared challenge.

Lex and Charlie exchanged a glance before nodding in unison. “We’ll handle it,” Lex said.

“Good,” Harry replied, his voice sharp as a blade. “This family doesn’t tolerate disloyalty. Not from Liam. Not from Silas. Not from anyone.”

Harry leaned against his desk, the tension in the room still palpable. Lex and Charlie stood firm, waiting for his final orders, but before either of them could speak, Charlie hesitated, shifting his weight awkwardly.

Harry’s sharp green eyes landed on him. “What?”

Charlie scratched the back of his neck, his usual confidence faltering under Harry’s gaze. “Uh, there’s… one more thing.”

Harry arched a brow, his patience visibly thinning. “Spit it out, Charlie.”

Charlie let out a sigh, his voice a little sheepish. “It’s about the honeymoon.”

Harry’s expression shifted to confusion, his brow furrowing. “Honeymoon?”

Lex smirked from where he leaned against the wall, clearly entertained by Charlie’s discomfort.

Charlie cleared his throat, trying to explain. “Look, it wasn’t my idea, all right? Giana cornered me before I came up here. Said it was ‘essential’ to ask you about it. And… well, she threatened to cut my balls off if I didn’t.”

Lex let out a low chuckle, and even Harry’s lips twitched briefly with amusement before his face returned to its usual stoicism. “Giana?” he asked, as if he needed confirmation.

Charlie nodded quickly, holding up his hands in mock surrender. “Yeah, Giana. She said something about appearances, bonding, and how you and Y/N need to act like a proper married couple. Told me to remind you that she’s your mother, not your assistant, and that you should ‘handle it.’”

Harry sighed, rubbing a hand across his jaw, the hint of a smirk threatening to appear. “And you couldn’t think of a better way to bring it up than standing in the middle of a strategy meeting?”

Charlie shrugged, still grinning nervously. “Figured it was better to get it over with now. She’s scary when she’s mad, boss.”

Lex chimed in, clearly enjoying the exchange. “He’s got a point. Giana’s the only person alive who can make you second-guess yourself, Harry.”

Harry shot him a warning glance, but Lex just shrugged innocently.

After a long pause, Harry straightened and looked between them. “Fine. Tell Giana I’ll ‘handle it.’”

Charlie looked relieved, nodding quickly. “Got it. You can explain it to her when she inevitably finds my response inadequate, right?”

Harry’s sharp gaze softened just enough to let Charlie know he wasn’t in trouble. “Out. Both of you. And find me answers about Silas, Liam, and Augusto.”

Lex and Charlie exchanged a quick glance before heading for the door, but not before Charlie muttered under his breath, “Still better than losing my balls.”

Lex snorted as they disappeared down the hall, leaving Harry alone once more. The mention of a honeymoon lingered in his mind longer than he cared to admit, stirring a mix of irritation and curiosity. He hadn’t given much thought to what came next with Y/N. Perhaps it was time he did.

The sound of Harry’s polished shoes echoed faintly through the estate as he descended the grand staircase. Y/N still sat in the backyard, the morning sun warming her skin as she read her book.

Then, she saw him.

Harry strode across the lawn toward her, his movements effortless and confident. His black trousers fit him perfectly, accentuating his long strides, and the first few buttons of his crisp white shirt were undone, revealing just enough of his chest to make her breath catch. The sunlight danced off his dark curls, and as much as Y/N tried to feign nonchalance, she couldn’t tear her eyes away.

God, he was attractive. Beyond attractive, really—a force of nature that demanded attention without even trying.

Y/N quickly dropped her gaze to her book, pretending to focus on the words, but her mind betrayed her, replaying the image of him walking toward her. She could feel the heat rising in her cheeks, her heart betraying her composed exterior.

Harry reached the patio and poured himself a cup of coffee, his movements precise and deliberate. He didn’t acknowledge her right away, instead taking his time as he stirred in a splash of cream. He carried the cup to the small table where she sat and lowered himself into the chair across from her, the chair creaking slightly under his weight.

She couldn’t help but glance up as he settled into his seat, her earlier composure slipping. His green eyes flicked to hers, catching her gaze for a split second before she quickly looked back down at her book.

Harry leaned back, taking a sip of his coffee, his eyes studying her. “We need to talk,” he said, breaking the silence.

Y/N raised a brow, trying to mask her nerves with a calm expression. “About what?”

He set the cup down on the table and leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees. “A few things,” he said, his voice measured.

Y/N closed her book, setting it in her lap as she gave him her attention. “Go on.”

He hesitated for a brief moment, his gaze shifting to the horizon before landing back on her. “Do you want to get away for a bit? Get out of town?”

Her brows lifted slightly, caught off guard by the unexpected offer. “Get out of town?”

“Yeah,” he said, leaning forward and resting his elbows on his knees. “Away from the estate. Away from the chaos. Just for a few days.”

Y/N tilted her head, studying him. There was no trace of sarcasm or calculation in his expression, just a rare sincerity. “Are you talking about a honeymoon?” she asked, her tone teasing but cautious.

Harry’s lips twitched into a faint smirk. “If that’s what you want to call it.”

Her eyes narrowed slightly, a hint of amusement in her gaze. “That’s not exactly a romantic proposal, you know.”

“I’m not exactly the romantic type,” Harry replied smoothly, though there was a flicker of humor in his tone. “But if it gets you to say yes, then fine—let’s call it a honeymoon.”

Y/N let out a soft laugh, shaking her head. “And how long is this so-called honeymoon supposed to last?”

“At least a week,” he said. “Maybe less. I can’t promise more, but I’ll do what I can.”

She leaned back in her chair, considering his words. The thought of leaving the estate, even temporarily, was more appealing than she wanted to admit. But there was still an air of caution in her response. “And what’s the real reason for this sudden getaway?”

Harry’s gaze held hers, steady and unflinching. “Maybe I just think we could use the time to figure this out,” he said simply.

“This?” she repeated, raising a brow.

“This marriage,” he clarified. “It doesn’t have to be a fight every day. We can find a way to make it work—or at least make it bearable.”

Her lips parted slightly in surprise, but she quickly masked it with a faint nod. “Alright,” she said after a moment. “Let’s get out of town.”

Harry’s smirk deepened, though it wasn’t unkind. “I’ll make the arrangements.”

As he stood to leave, Y/N watched him, her mind racing with curiosity and cautious optimism.

Harry’s smirk deepened as he rose from his chair, brushing imaginary dust from his trousers. Y/N watched him, curiosity bubbling under the surface of her calm demeanor.

As he turned to walk away, she couldn’t resist calling after him, her voice laced with amusement. “But where are we going?”

Harry stopped mid-step, turning back to face her. His green eyes sparkled with mischief, and the corners of his mouth tugged into a rare, cheeky smile.

“That’s for me to know,” he said smoothly, his tone low and teasing, “and for you to find out.”

Before she could press him further, he turned on his heel and continued walking toward the house, leaving Y/N both intrigued and slightly exasperated.

She let out a small laugh, shaking her head as she picked up her book again. Whatever Harry had planned, it was clear he wasn’t going to give her any more details.