Stephen (Tainted Love #1)

21 | S T E P H E N

STEPHEN

I kill people with passion. And now killing Alessandro has become an important part of my life.

I was in the boxing ring, my nose bleeding and a man standing in front of me, his aim was winning. But he didn't know, I never lost, even if it takes my life. I was Stephen fucking Russo.

I roared, at the thought of hurting Alessa. I hurt her million times. And she would never forgive me. I didn't deserve it either.

The man charged at me, taking us both down. He lifted his fist up, the one with the deadly weapon. I thought I was almost dead. I didn't have any strength left in me. I didn't know what to do. Mu fucking mind was not working. The crowd went savage, I could hear some calling his name, some cheering for me. It was insanity. The air bled fury and danger.

He was bigger and stronger than me now. I was not able to move. He had me pinned down. His eyes flashed darker, murderous.

I was about to lose. I was about to die. But I couldn't die now.

I struggled under his body until I was able to push my arm up. Yes! My target was his neck!

I took the chance. I pushed two fingers into the side of his neck, hard enough to have him cough out a ragged breath. His muscles tightened and he flinched.  I slammed my forehead into his nose in the meantime.

I heard a crack.

He growled, slamming his fist down as he was blinded in pain.

This was my time to laugh. Rolling my hips, I knocked him onto his back. He fell vulnerably and I stood up.

I looked down at him. I didn't know who this man was but all I could see was Alessandro's bloody face underneath me. I saw Alessa's pain, her tears. I saw my happiness with Alessa vanishing away right in front of my eyes and I couldn't even hold it tight. I was this weak! I saw all those beautiful moments that I never thought would come in my life again, disappearing in a snap of finger. I saw nothing but red as I slammed my feet down on his knee, hearing another crack.

I drove my fist into his chest, slamming him into the ground as he tried to get up. He tackled me back, but I was able to land solid punches into his gut. With one hand on the front of his neck and the other hand on his back, I pulled his up and whipped him around and threw him at the corner of the ring.

The screams became louder. But there was barely any movement from the bastard. That was the moment when I knew I won.

Stephen fucking Russo never loses. I looked around, all those cheers were for me. I was the king.

But I knew I lost the best part of my life. I lost Alessa. I was a coward. I was so fucking stupid and blind. How could I not see it coming? How could I forget that my life was so much different and darker than her life? How did I even think of living a normal life with Alessa? How could I even leave her without explaining anything.

I couldn't hide the truth anymore. I had to tell her. It was all my fault. She lost her Nana and it was my fucking fault. I couldn't make anyone happy. I only brought pain and tears in people's life. No matter what it takes, I has to face the reality.

Without giving a single thought, I left the boxing ring. People made a way for their king as I walked with fury. But inside me, there was a boy, scared of losing the girl he fell in love with.

ALESSA

It was too late. Stephen still didn't come home. It wasn't anything new to me though. But I don't know why, I was becoming impatient to talk to him.