My Destiny

~ XXIV~

"You think you can take what's mine and hurt her?" I yell as I pace back and forth in the room, my voice echoing with a mix of fury and protectiveness. Adrenaline surges through my veins, fueling my determination. I pace back and forth, looking between my father, my brother, and Taju.

'I love you, Prince,' he replays over and over in my head. In the mist of all the chaos, Layla's few words were enough to bring me peace.

But right now, peace is the last thing on my mind. I lock eyes with Taju, the man who had dared to lay a finger on Layla, the woman I love with all my heart. Anger boils inside me like a volcano ready to erupt.

My father observes the tension in the room, his face a mix of concern and resignation. He knows he can't defuse this situation anymore. I turn my gaze towards my older brother, Legend, who watches silently, his expression unreadable. Deep down, I wish my brother wasn't in this room. We might fight and compete, but I never wanted to be the reason he took his last breath.

"What do you have to say for yourself, Taju?" I finally manage to utter, my voice seething with venom. Taju, a once loyal mafia leader, now looks down at the ground, shame flickering in his eyes.

"I-I'm sorry," he stammers, his voice barely a whisper.

My anger intensifies at his feeble attempt to apologize. I storm towards him, grabbing him by his throat. "Sorry? You're fucking apologizing? Do you think I will forgive you for what you've done?" I growl, my voice filled with a raw intensity. "You have crossed many line, Taju. You will pay for your actions."

Taju trembles under my grip, his eyes widening in fear. Before I can release him, Brixton steps forward, his voice calm but firm. "We're saving him for Layla,"

I look at Brixton, my trusted ally and friend, and nod. When I got home, I apologized to Brixton for thinking he had anything to do with Laylas disappearance. I gave him a bonus check of a million dollars and a week off work after he has his fun with my brother.

"You see, you all underestimated Layla. She might have been weak and fragile with you, but the Layla I know, the Layla we all know-" I wave my hand between Avery, Benji, Brixton and myself, "She's powerful, strong, and determined. And for you to control her of that with fear and intimation, I'm ready for her to show you why she's called the great Azrael Shero. She will be the last thing you see before you leave this earth."

I walk out in the hallway and see Layla shaking her arms with anticipation as Royal whispers to her. I couldn't hear what she was saying and as soon as Royal spots me, she quiets. They both turn to me and I nod slightly. "Layla, it's time, sweetheart."

A small smile forms on her lips and my heart clenches.

"Let's go." She whispers walking into the room and looking at the three of them tied to a metal chair with a bucket of water near them.

The fear that was once placed in her eyes and heart because of Taju, is gone. It's replaced with anger and resentment. Hatred. The skeleton version of her.

"When I used to think about killing you, it used to be quick and easy. A stab to the heart, maybe drug you and suffocate you for the many times you strangled me. But, then it occurred to me that you no matter how I do it, it won't cure the damage you put me through. None of which I deserved." Layla hums as she looks at me for support.

A pang of guilt intertwines with my burning anger as I hear Layla's words. She's right. No matter what I do to seek justice or make the three horsemen pay for their actions, it won't undo the pain she has endured.

But, it can be the boost to start her healing process. And I'll be there every step of the way.

"I thought I wanted revenge. I thought that I wanted to hurt you the way you have hurt me. But for me to do that, I will need you raped, beaten and willing to do endure anything to survive. Are you willing to do anything to survive, Taju?" Layla hums raising her brows.