Master of Lust

Chapter - 240

Rick looked at him, unperturbed. "And you have no idea how little I care. Now, unless you've got something interesting to say, get the hell out of my apartment."

Saying so, Rick turned his back on them, a clear dismissal. But it was far from over.

Hearing Rick's taunt and seeing the sheer indifference in his eyes, Zack couldn't contain his rage. His taunt was the final straw for Zack. Fury overtook him, and despite his injuries, he tried to get up from the chair with all his strength and lunged at Rick.

He used all his force to push himself up from the chair, but his body betrayed him. The pain from his unhealed wounds, particularly the grievous injury Rick had inflicted, was too much. Zack's knees buckled, and he collapsed back into the chair with a pained groan.

Rick watched with a mix of amusement and disdain. "You really thought you could take me down in that condition? Pathetic," he said, shaking his head.

Zack's face twisted in rage and humiliation. He had barely survived after Rick had shoved a knife up his ass. His family had spent an enormous amount of money, resources, and even some ancient medicines that one could not even buy if they exchanged their lives with Yamaraj, to ensure Zack didn't die from the injury. It had taken two agonizing days, but Zack had somehow managed to pull through.

And the first thing Zack wanted to do upon waking was to exact revenge on Rick. But his father had other plans. Men were posted outside Zack's room to prevent any reckless attempts at vengeance, and "Old Man Graves" was left behind to protect him.

The day after Zack had recovered enough to talk, he called Old Man Graves into his room. The old man entered, his scarred face expressionless.

Once alone with Graves, Zack's frustration boiled over, "Old Man Graves, you have to help me," he pleaded. "I need to get out of here Graves."

"I can't hold back any longer. You have to take me away from here. You will have to help me. Help me kill that bastard."

Old Man Graves shook his head slowly. "Your father gave strict orders, Zack. Leave it to your father, he will take care of that guy. You are not to leave this room until you are fully healed."

Zack clenched his fists, frustration boiling over. "Screw my father's orders!"

Graves, an old, grizzled man with a scar running across his face, merely raised an eyebrow. "Your father left me here to keep you safe, not to aid in your revenge schemes."

Zack's expression turned desperate. "I can't just sit here and do nothing! That bastard humiliated me, nearly killed me! I can't just sit here and do nothing!"

Graves remained impassive. "Revenge is a dish best served cold, Zack. But right now, you are in no condition to take him on."

Zack leaned forward, his eyes wild. "I'll make it worth your while, Graves. Riches, women, whatever you want. Just help me get out of here and deal with Rick."

"Zack, your father would have my head if anything happened to you," Graves sighed, clearly torn, "Your father wants you alive. If you go after Rick now, you won't make it out alive."

Zack's eyes blazed with anger and desperation. "I don't care! I need to make Rick pay," His tone turned pleading. "Please, Graves. You know what it's like to want revenge. Help me, and I'll make sure you're rewarded beyond your wildest dreams."

Graves studied Zack for a long moment, the conflict evident in his eyes. He had served Zack's family for many years and had seen the boy grow into a man. Despite his better judgment, the old man's loyalty to the family and a deep-seated understanding of Zack's desire for revenge won out.

Graves raised an eyebrow. "Worth my while? How?"

Zack leaned forward, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Money. Power. Women. Whatever you want, I can get it for you. Just help me get out of here and take down Rick."

The old man's eyes flickered with interest for a moment, but he quickly masked it. "I have everything I need, Zack. You know that."

Zack's frustration grew. He knew Graves was a man of few desires, but everyone had a price. He just needed to find Graves' weakness. "I can get you more, Graves. More money, more influence. You could retire in luxury, never have to work another day in your life."

Graves stared at him, his expression unreadable. Zack felt a pang of desperation. He decided to play his final card.

"Think about your family, Graves. Your grandchildren. They could have a better life. I can make sure they do. Just help me."

The old man's eyes flickered again, this time with something deeper. Family was a sensitive subject for him. He had always kept his personal life separate from his work, but Zack had hit a nerve.

"Fine," Graves sighed heavily, his voice low and his resolve weakening, "I'll help you. But this is the last time I go against your father's wishes. And we do this my way. Understood?"

Zack's face lit up with a mix of relief and determination. "Understood. Thank you, Graves. You won't regret this."

~~~~~

Rick smirked as he looked at Zack, who was barely keeping his rage in check. "Careful there, Zack. Don't get too worked up and strain yourself, or that tempting ass of yours might even catch Old Man Graves' eyes and tempt the old man here."

Zack's face twisted with fury. His face turned deep shade of red as his grip on the armchair tightened until his knuckles turned white and his nails dug into the fabric.

With a silent command in his gaze, he turned to Old Man Graves telling him to make the move. Graves, understanding Zack's unspoken order, nodded and began to walk towards Rick. His movements were slow and deliberate, as if he had all the time in the world. He kept his hands behind his back, exuding an air of calm authority.

As he approached Rick, Graves spoke in a low, gravelly voice. "You know, boy, there is no personal enmity between us. But oh boy, you chose the wrong guy to mess with, the wrong family to go against. Some people, you just don't mess with."

"You sure about that, old man? You think I am scared of a couple of old men? You don't know me very well," on the other hand, Rick's smirk didn't falter, "Because from where I am standing, you are the one who is chosen poorly."

Even after the taunts from Rick, Old Man Graves continued his advance, his eyes never leaving Rick's. "You have got guts, I will give you that. But guts can only take you so far. Experience, now that's what matters."

"There are some people you don't mess with, Rick. People with power, influence, and the willingness to do whatever it takes."

Rick shrugged nonchalantly. "Yeah, yeah. I've heard it all before. Spare me the lecture, old man."

Old Man Graves' eyes narrowed as he moved closer, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "You should listen, boy. I have seen men like you come and go. Arrogant, cocky, thinking they are invincible. They all fall eventually."

Rick took a sip of his beer, unimpressed. "Is that so? Well, maybe I'll be the exception."

Graves was now just two feet away from Rick. His face remained impassive, but his eyes held a glint of malice. "You're out of your depth, boy," he taunted. Then, in a flash, he shot his palm towards Rick's chest, his speed surprising for someone his age. A smirk appeared on his face as he anticipated Rick's stunned reaction.

But just as Graves' palm was inches away from making contact and crashing into Rick's chest, the old man's smirk froze. Mere inches away from hitting its mark, Rick's hand shot out and grabbed Graves' wrist, stopping the strike dead in its tracks.

Rick's grip was ironclad, and Graves could feel the strength behind it. The old man's eyes widened in surprise as Rick held him in place.

"You were saying?" Rick's voice was calm, almost bored, as he tightened his grip slightly, making Graves wince.

Graves tried to pull his hand back, but Rick's hold was unyielding. Zack watched, his face a mix of fury and frustration. This wasn't going according to plan.

"You thought you could intimidate me? Guess what, old man? I have faced tougher opponents than you." Rick couldn't help but chuckle as he watched the Old Man struggle.

Graves gritted his teeth, trying to maintain his composure. "You don't know what you're getting into, Rick. This isn't just about Zack. You are up against something much bigger."

Zack, seeing his enforcer being bested, felt a surge of desperation. "Graves, do something! Don't let him get away with this!"

Graves' eyes widened in shock. He had underestimated Rick, and now he was paying the price. Rick's grip tightened further, and the old man's face twisted in pain.

Rick leaned in, his voice a dark whisper that cut through the tension like a knife. "You think you are the first wannabe tough guy I have put in his place? Spare me."

"Now you might want to reconsider your life choices—because I am going to make sure you regret every single one of them."

He stepped closer, his eyes cold and unyielding. "You see, I don't just deal with problems; I eliminate them. Permanently. I gave you the chance to back off. But you missed that chance. Now, I will dismantle everything you hold dear, piece by piece, until there is nothing left but your shattered body, waiting for that final blow."

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