Chapter 39: Revenge

Atlas glanced around the room and saw the fear and shock plastered on everyone's face. He had made Xavier immediately arranged a meeting for him to make an appearance.

Every capo in the country who was under Maschera was here at the moment. He was wearing a black hoodie and a mask with a wide, manic-looking smile on it. An icy air of command hung about him, making others lowered their head.

His ruthlessness and predatory mind gave him reputation even among the rest of his kind. His face might be covered but the powerful aura he radiates made him mysterious and dark setting him apart from the rest.

"So, I heard, I was dead." Atlas finally spoke behind the mask, his voice harsh and daunting.

The capos glanced at each other and swallowed. A shiver of dread ran down their spine. They might be the most powerful men in their cities but in front of Maschera they were nothing. His dangerous aura was intimidating to no end.

"I didn't know you all wanted me dead so bad." He gritted out through his teeth.

The capos all dropped on one knee, their right hand on their chest to show submission. Planning to kill the leader of the underworld was accustomed to treason and you and all your family will be eradicated.

"We pledge our loyalty to Maschera!" They all echoed together.

Atlas stared at them, without saying anything. And in that terrible silence their fears grew causing them to sheath in a thick layer of cold sweat. Raw panic jarred their bones making them tremble. Nobody wanted to be enemy of Maschera.

The guy had developed about 100 torturing methods to kill someone and he can do all of this without battling an eye. He was a monster.

"Hmm…. I hope so." Atlas replied his deep-toned, manly voice sent ripples of shiver through them. They knew he did not possess a soft bone in his body and he had proved it anytime he amputated someone like he was studying the human body.

He was a man with an insatiable hunger for power and he would do anything to achieve that. He knew most of the people here in this room feared him more than they respected him not like he gave a damn though.

Life was a battle, and only the strongest survives.

Atlas stood up from his chair and strode slowly towards the capos who were kneeling with their head lowered. He had found the man he was looking for. Lucas Castillo. He didn't think he was a capo. No wonder he was so bold to defiled his brother's rules.

He was kneeling at the far end, Atlas crouched in front of him, his body shaking didn't go unnoticed by him.

"I heard you have been having lots of fun when I was gone. Do you want to share some of your experiences with me?" Atlas whispered in his ears.

Lucas's eyes widened as his heart dropped to his stomach. His horror-filled eyes lifted from the ground and looked at Atlas. His mask with the manic smile made the blood drained from Lucas's face.

"wa..what.a.re.you..ta.lking…abot..Maschera?" His voice thick with fear.

"Did you enjoy forcing yourself on that poor woman?" Atlas cocked his head, making Lucas go numb with dread.

Fear had robbed him of his voice as he stared, petrified at Atlas.

"I asked you a question." Atlas said in a low voice.

"Pl..please don't ," Lucas pleaded shivering. He knew the punishment for rape and it wasn't pretty.

"Hmm wrong answer." Atlas held his chin.

"Maybe you're forgetting so I will remind you." Atlas stood up and walked back to his sit.

"You may all arise." He said dryly.

The capos stood up, glancing at Lucas who was still shivering on the floor. They had no idea what Maschera had told him but judging from his reaction it was something bad.

Xavier entered the room with a small boy following behind him. He looked malnourished and his face was very pale. He was a handsome child but life had been cruelled to him turning into such a pitiful boy.

Xavier stood in front of Atlas, presenting the kid to Atlas.

"His father died last night due to an overdose."

Atlas nodded and beckoned to the child, "Come here."

The boy's eyes flashed with fear but nevertheless he walked towards Atlas.

"What's your name?" he asked the boy softly but he just stared at him not answering.

"He doesn't speak. I don't know why." Xavier told Atlas.

Atlas nodded in understanding. The emotional trauma might have been too much for the poor kid to handle.

"I'm going to get revenge for you, okay? The person who did that to your mama. He would pay. See he is already on his knees like a dog." Atlas pointed at Lucas and the kid gaze followed his hand.

Atlas saw the kid clenching his fist, anger and vengeance flashing across his eyes. He raised his brows behind the mask in shock. It seems he wasn't an unordinary kid.

"Do you want to watch what I will do to him?"

The kid nodded, surprising him even more.

"Are you sure? It would be cruel, gore and heart wrenching. Can you stand it?"

Without hesitation, the kid nodded.

"Hmm I'm going to break his mind, body and soul. Because rapists didn't deserve to live."

The kid looked up at Atlas. His eyes shining with unknown trust. Apart from Meredith, the kid was the first person to make his heart flutter. Atlas didn't know why but he knew from now onwards, the kid was under his protection.

He had no idea, how much his decision today would affect his life.

"Alright, if it gets too much. You can leave and wait for me outside."

The kid nodded, glaring at Lucas.

To say Atlas was surprise would be an understatement. The murderous intent shining in the boy's eyes surprised him. Guess trauma brought the worse in the people.