THE DEVIL’S HEART
The Devil’s Heart – Chapter 28
(Her possessive devil)
©Goodness Okoye
_____________________________________________
The silence in the hotel lounge was suffocating.
Hazard’s cold eyes moved slowly from Pispa…
…to August.
Neither of them spoke.
But the tension between the two men was sharp enough to cut the air.
Pispa finally broke the silence.
“H-Hazard… it’s not what you think.”
Hazard’s gaze returned to her.
“And what exactly do I think?” he asked quietly.
Pispa opened her mouth…
But no words came out.
Because honestly—
She wasn’t even sure herself.
Hazard stepped closer.
Slow.
Dangerous.
Each step echoed on the marble floor.
August felt his heartbeat pound harder in his chest.
He knew one thing.
If Hazard stayed here much longer…
The truth might come out.
And if that happened—
Wayne would kill his parents.
Hazard stopped right in front of them.
His eyes settled on August.
“You.”
The single word sounded like a warning.
August forced himself to stay calm.
“Yes?”
Hazard’s voice was ice cold.
“Why is she here with you?”
Pispa quickly answered.
“We were just talking!”
Hazard didn’t look at her.
His gaze stayed locked on August.
“About what?”
August swallowed.
“A job.”
Hazard’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“A job.”
Pispa nodded quickly.
“He told you before about the chef opportunity, remember?”
Hazard was silent for a moment.
Then he finally looked at her.
“And you believed him enough to leave the mansion at night?”
Pispa frowned.
“I’m not your prisoner.”
Hazard’s jaw tightened.
“You are under my protection.”
“And I didn’t ask for it!” she shot back.
The words hung heavily in the air.
August watched the two of them.
Something twisted painfully in his chest.
The way Hazard looked at her…
The way Pispa argued with him…
There was something deeper there.
Something dangerous.
Hazard exhaled slowly.
Then he turned back to August.
“Listen carefully.”
His voice was calm.
But the threat underneath it was clear.
“If you drag her into anything suspicious…”
“…you won’t leave this city alive.”
Pispa’s eyes widened.
“Hazard!”
But August only nodded.
“Understood.”
Hazard stared at him for a few more seconds.
Like he was trying to read something hidden behind his eyes.
Then suddenly—
Hazard’s phone vibrated.
The sharp sound broke the tension.
He looked down at the screen.
Victor.
Hazard answered.
“What is it?”
Victor’s voice came through urgently.
“Boss… something’s wrong.”
Hazard’s expression darkened.
“Speak.”
“There’s movement at Wayne’s warehouse.”
Hazard’s eyes hardened instantly.
Victor continued.
“Our people saw armed men entering the building tonight.”
Hazard’s mind began connecting the pieces.
Wayne.
The sudden meeting.
The strange behavior.
His gaze slowly returned to August.
August felt a cold sweat run down his back.
Hazard ended the call.
Then he spoke quietly.
“To both of you.”
Pispa blinked.
“What?”
Hazard grabbed her wrist suddenly.
“We’re leaving.”
Pispa pulled back.
“Hey! Wait—”
But Hazard’s eyes were sharp now.
Alert.
Dangerous.
“This place isn’t safe.”
August’s heart stopped.
If Pispa left now—
Wayne’s plan would fail.
And his parents would die.
He stepped forward quickly.
“Wait!”
Hazard turned slowly.
August forced a smile.
“Pispa still hasn’t agreed to the job meeting tomorrow.”
Hazard’s eyes darkened.
“What meeting?”
Pispa looked confused.
“Oh… right.”
She turned to Hazard.
“The restaurant owner August mentioned wants to meet me tomorrow night.”
Hazard’s expression became unreadable.
“And where is this meeting?”
August hesitated.
For a split second.
Then he said it.
“At the old industrial district.”
The exact place Wayne told him.
Hazard stared at him.
Silence.
Long.
Heavy silence.
Pispa looked between them nervously.
“Why are both of you acting weird?”
Hazard suddenly smiled.
But it wasn’t a warm smile.
It was the smile of someone who just discovered something interesting.
“Fine.”
Pispa blinked.
“What?”
Hazard released her wrist.
“You can attend the meeting.”
Pispa’s eyes widened.
“Really?”
Hazard nodded slowly.
“Yes.”
But his gaze shifted back to August.
Cold.
Sharp.
Because deep inside…
Hazard already knew.
Tomorrow night wasn’t a job interview.
It was a trap.
And someone here…
Was helping set it.
Across the city…
**
Wayne sat in the dark warehouse office.
A slow smile spread across his face as he looked at the security screens.
“Good,” he whispered.
“Bring her closer…”
Victor stood beside him.
“You think Hazard will come?”
Wayne chuckled softly.
“Oh, he will.”
His eyes gleamed with excitement.
“Devils always protect what belongs to them.”
Wayne leaned back in his chair.
“And tomorrow night…”
“…I’ll take what he values most.”
*
Back in the hotel lounge…
Hazard stared silently out at the storm outside.
Pispa noticed the strange look in his eyes.
“What are you thinking?”
Hazard didn’t answer immediately.
Instead he said quietly—
“Tomorrow night…”
“…stay close to me.”
Pispa frowned.
“Why?”
Hazard’s voice dropped low.
“Because the person waiting for you…”
“…is someone I’ve wanted to kill for a very long time.”
Pispa froze.
And August felt his heart sink.
Because tomorrow night…
Everything was about to explode.
**
The rain had not stopped.
By the time they returned to the mansion, the storm had grown heavier. Water dripped from Hazard’s coat as he walked into the grand hallway.
Pispa followed behind him, annoyed.
“You didn’t have to drag me out like that,” she complained.
Hazard didn’t answer.
He walked straight toward the staircase.
Pispa crossed her arms.
“Are you ignoring me now?”
Still nothing.
That only made her angrier.
“You know what? Fine!” she snapped. “Next time I won’t even tell you where I’m going.”
Hazard suddenly stopped walking.
Pispa almost bumped into his back.
He slowly turned around.
His dark eyes were burning.
“Next time?”
Pispa blinked.
“Yes. Next—”
Hazard stepped closer.
Too close.
“So you plan to keep meeting him?”
Pispa frowned.
“Meeting who?”
Hazard’s voice dropped dangerously low.
“August.”
Pispa rolled her eyes.
“Oh please. He’s my friend.”
Hazard’s jaw tightened.
“Friends don’t secretly meet in hotels at night.”
Pispa scoffed.
“You followed me there!”
“I protected you.”
“I didn’t ask you to!”
Hazard suddenly grabbed her wrist and pulled her closer.
Pispa gasped softly.
“H-Hazard—”
His face was only inches from hers now.
Rainwater still dripped from his hair.
His voice was rough.
“You think I enjoyed seeing you with him?”
Pispa’s heart skipped.
“What…?”
Hazard’s eyes darkened even more.
“The way he looked at you.”
Pispa blinked.
“He always looks at me like that.”
“That’s the problem.”
Her breath caught.
Hazard leaned closer.
“You’re too careless.”
Pispa tried to pull her hand away.
“I’m not your responsibility!”
Hazard didn’t let go.
His grip tightened slightly.
“No,” he said quietly.
“You’re not.”
For a moment, silence filled the hallway.
Pispa felt confused.
Then Hazard suddenly moved even closer.
His voice became a whisper.
“You’re something worse.”
Pispa’s heart began beating faster.
“What does that mean?”
Hazard looked directly into her eyes.
His gaze intense.
Possessive.
“Something I don’t want anyone else touching.”
Pispa froze.
Her face turned red instantly.
“H-Hazard, that’s—”
Before she could finish—
Footsteps echoed from the hallway entrance.
August had just walked in.
He stopped the moment he saw them.
Hazard holding Pispa close.
Their faces only inches apart.
August’s expression darkened.
Pispa quickly pushed Hazard away.
“This is exactly what I was talking about!” she said angrily.
Hazard didn’t even look at her.
His eyes stayed on August.
Cold.
Territorial.
August forced a smile.
“Sorry. Did I interrupt something?”
Hazard finally spoke.
“Yes.”
One word.
Sharp.
August chuckled awkwardly.
“I just came to drop off some documents.”
Hazard walked past Pispa.
Stopping right in front of August.
The difference in their presence was terrifying.
Hazard’s voice was calm.
But threatening.
“You should leave.”
August’s jaw tightened.
“I wasn’t talking to you.”
Hazard leaned slightly closer.
“Everything in this house involves me.”
The tension between them was suffocating.
Pispa stepped between them quickly.
“Okay, that’s enough!”
She grabbed the papers from August.
“Thank you. You can go now.”
August hesitated.
His eyes flicked toward Hazard again.
Then he finally turned and left.
The moment the door closed—
Hazard grabbed Pispa’s chin gently and turned her face toward him.
Her eyes widened.
“What now?!”
His voice was quiet.
Dangerously calm.
“Stay away from him.”
Pispa frowned.
“You don’t control me.”
Hazard stared at her for a moment.
Then he smirked faintly.
“No.”
His thumb brushed lightly under her chin.
“But I do get jealous.”
Pispa’s breath caught.
Her heart thumped wildly.
Hazard leaned down slightly.
Stopping just inches from her lips.
His voice was a whisper.
“And you don’t want to see what happens when I am.”
Pispa froze completely.
Because for the first time…
She realized something terrifying.
Hazard wasn’t just protective.
He was possessive.
And somehow…
That made her heart race even more.
**
The night of the meeting arrived.
The old industrial district was quiet.
Too quiet.
Abandoned factories stood like dark skeletons against the cloudy sky. Broken streetlights flickered weakly as the wind howled through the empty streets.
A black car slowly pulled up in front of the warehouse.
Hazard stepped out first.
His dark coat moved slightly in the wind.
Pispa followed him.
She looked around nervously.
“This place feels creepy.”
Hazard’s sharp eyes scanned the entire area.
“I know.”
Pispa looked at him.
“Then why did you let me come?”
Hazard’s voice was calm.
“Because I wanted them to show themselves.”
Pispa frowned.
“Who is ‘them’?”
Before Hazard could answer—
The warehouse door slowly creaked open.
A tall figure stepped out.
Wayne.
His calm smile spread across his face.
“Well… the devil finally arrived.”
Pispa’s eyes widened.
“You!”
Hazard’s gaze became dangerously cold.
“Wayne.”
Wayne walked down the steps slowly.
“I must admit, Hazard… you’re predictable.”
Hazard didn’t move.
“You kidnapped August’s parents.”
Wayne shrugged casually.
“They’re comfortable.”
Pispa gasped.
“What?!”
Hazard’s voice turned colder.
“Where are they?”
Wayne smirked.
“Inside.”
Suddenly—
The warehouse lights turned on.
Dozens of armed men stepped out of the shadows.
Pispa’s heart nearly stopped.
“H-Hazard…”
But Hazard didn’t even flinch.
Instead…
He smiled.
A slow.
Terrifying smile.
Wayne raised an eyebrow.
“You’re smiling?”
Hazard calmly removed his gloves.
“You made one mistake tonight.”
Wayne chuckled.
“Oh?”
Hazard’s eyes darkened like a storm.
“You touched something that belongs to me.”
Before anyone could react—
Hazard moved.
FAST.
One of Wayne’s men tried to grab Pispa.
CRACK!
Hazard punched him so hard the man flew into a metal crate.
Pispa gasped.
“H-Hazard?!”
Another man rushed forward.
Hazard grabbed him by the collar and slammed him into the wall.
THUD!
The man collapsed instantly.
Wayne’s smile slowly faded.
“Interesting.”
Three more men attacked.
Hazard moved like a predator.
A punch.
A kick.
Another body hit the ground.
Metal tools crashed everywhere.
Pispa stood frozen.
She had never seen anything like this.
Hazard wasn’t just fighting.
He looked like a demon unleashed.
Within seconds…
Five men were already down.
Wayne’s expression darkened.
“So the rumors were true.”
Hazard wiped a drop of blood from his knuckles.
His eyes locked onto Wayne.
“You should have stayed out of my life.”
Wayne laughed softly.
“Or what?”
Hazard took one slow step forward.
“Or I end you.”
Wayne snapped his fingers.
More men rushed forward.
This time they surrounded Pispa.
One of them grabbed her arm.
Pispa struggled.
“Let go of me!”
Hazard froze.
The air around him suddenly became terrifyingly still.
The man holding Pispa laughed.
“Move again and she gets hurt.”
Wayne watched with amusement.
“Now that’s better.”
Hazard’s eyes turned darker than night.
His voice dropped to a whisper.
“Take your hand off her.”
The man tightened his grip.
“Or what?”
For a split second—
Everything went silent.
Then—
Hazard moved.
Faster than anyone could see.
CRACK!
The man holding Pispa screamed as Hazard twisted his arm violently.
Pispa stumbled free.
Before the other men could react—
Hazard grabbed a metal pipe from the ground.
His movements became brutal.
One man fell.
Then another.
And another.
The warehouse echoed with the sounds of bodies hitting the floor.
Pispa covered her mouth in shock.
This wasn’t the calm Hazard she knew.
This was something else.
Something dangerous.
Within moments—
Almost every man was down.
Only Wayne remained standing.
Wayne stared at the destruction around him.
Then he slowly clapped.
“Well done.”
Hazard walked toward him slowly.
Each step heavy with rage.
Wayne smiled faintly.
“You really are a devil.”
Hazard stopped just inches away.
His voice was deadly quiet.
“And you touched what’s mine.”
Wayne leaned closer.
“Is she really yours?”
Hazard’s eyes flashed.
“Yes.”
Wayne chuckled.
“That makes this even more fun.”
But before Wayne could react—
Hazard grabbed him by the collar and slammed him against the wall.
BANG!
The entire warehouse echoed.
Pispa’s eyes widened.
“H-Hazard!”
Hazard’s voice was low.
Filled with pure fury.
“If you ever come near her again…”
His grip tightened.
“…I won’t stop at breaking bones.”
Wayne stared back at him.
But instead of fear—
He smiled.
Because even now…
His plan wasn’t over.
Outside the warehouse—
Police sirens suddenly filled the air.
Red and blue lights flashed through the broken windows.
Wayne laughed quietly.
“Looks like the night is getting interesting.”
Hazard’s eyes narrowed.
But Wayne whispered one last thing.
“You saved her tonight…”
His smile widened.
“…but the game has only started.”
Hazard released him.
Wayne walked toward the exit calmly.
Disappearing into the flashing police lights.
The warehouse finally fell silent.
Pispa slowly walked toward Hazard.
Her hands were shaking.
“You… you fought all those men…”
Hazard looked at her.
His intense eyes softened slightly.
“Are you hurt?”
Pispa shook her head.
“No…”
For a moment they just stood there.
Then Pispa whispered softly,
“You really went crazy back there.”
Hazard stepped closer.
His voice quiet.
“They touched you.”
Pispa’s heart skipped.
Hazard gently brushed a strand of hair away from her face.
“And that was enough.”
Pispa stared at him.
Her cheeks turning red.
Because for the first time…
She saw exactly how dangerous his protection could be.
And strangely—
It made her feel safe.
**
The next morning felt strangely peaceful.
Sunlight poured gently into the mansion kitchen.
Pispa stood in front of the counter chopping vegetables, trying to calm her thoughts.
But her mind kept replaying the warehouse fight.
Hazard’s eyes.
The rage.
The way he said “She’s mine.”
Pispa shook her head quickly.
“Why am I even thinking about that stupid devil…”
Just then—
Her phone rang.
Pispa glanced at the screen.
Mel.
Her little sister.
Pispa smiled instantly and answered.
“Mel! Why are you calling during school?”
A cheerful voice came through the phone.
“Because I miss you!”
Pispa laughed softly.
“You saw me two days ago.”
Mel giggled.
“I know, but guess what!”
“What?”
“My school is having a cooking competition next week!”
Pispa’s eyes lit up.
“Really?!”
“Yes! And I told everyone my big sister is the best chef in the world!”
Pispa’s heart warmed.
“You little liar.”
“I’m not lying!”
Pispa leaned against the counter, smiling.
“Alright, alright. I’ll come help you practice this weekend.”
Mel gasped happily.
“Promise?!”
“I promise.”
But before Mel could say anything else—
A strange voice suddenly spoke in the background.
“Time to go, sweetheart.”
Pispa froze.
“Mel… who was that?”
There was a short pause.
Then Mel answered casually.
“Oh! It’s the man who came to pick us up.”
Pispa frowned.
“Pick you up? From where?”
“School.”
Pispa’s heart skipped.
“Mel… who told you to leave school?”
But Mel was still cheerful.
“He said Leo sent him, Dulcie didn’t go to school so I had to leave.”
Pispa’s voice suddenly became sharp.
“Mel listen to me carefully. What does he look like?”
But before Mel could answer—
The phone line went dead.
Pispa’s stomach dropped.
She immediately called back.
No answer.
Again.
No answer.
Her hands began shaking.
“No… no no…”
At that moment—
The kitchen door opened.
Hazard walked in.
He immediately noticed her pale face.
“What happened?”
Pispa looked up at him.
Her voice trembling.
“Mel…”
Hazard frowned.
“Your sister?”
Pispa nodded quickly.
“She just called me from school… and someone took her!”
The air in the room instantly changed.
Hazard’s expression became dangerously calm.
“What do you mean someone took her?”
Pispa explained quickly.
“The man said Leo, Dulcie’s friend sent him!”
Hazard’s eyes darkened.
“Leo’s friend wouldn’t do that.”
Pispa shook her head desperately.
“I know!”
Just then—
Hazard’s phone vibrated.
He looked at the screen.
An unknown number.
He answered slowly.
“Speak.”
A familiar voice chuckled on the other end.
Wayne.
“Good morning, Hazard.”
Hazard’s eyes turned cold.
“Where is she?”
Pispa’s heart nearly stopped.
Wayne laughed softly.
“Straight to the point. I like that.”
Hazard’s voice dropped.
“If you hurt that girl—”
Wayne interrupted calmly.
“She’s perfectly fine.”
Hazard remained silent.
Wayne continued.
“She’s actually very adorable.”
Pispa covered her mouth, tears forming in her eyes.
Wayne’s voice became darker.
“But children can be fragile.”
Hazard’s grip on the phone tightened.
“What do you want?”
Wayne chuckled.
“Oh come on. You already know.”
His voice turned serious.
“Bring Pispa.”
Pispa froze.
Hazard’s expression hardened.
Wayne continued.
“Tonight.”
Pispa shook her head silently.
Hazard didn’t speak.
Wayne added one last thing.
“And Hazard…”
His tone became icy.
“If you bring anyone else…”
“…the girl disappears forever.”
The line went dead.
The kitchen fell silent.
Pispa looked at Hazard with panic.
“H-He has Mel…”
Her voice broke.
“We have to save her!”
Hazard looked at her for a long moment.
Then he spoke quietly.
“You’re not going.”
Pispa stared at him in shock.
“What?!”
Hazard’s eyes were cold.
“He wants you.”
Pispa stepped closer angrily.
“He has my sister!”
“And I won’t let you walk into his trap.”
Pispa’s voice cracked.
“So what do you expect me to do?!”
Tears rolled down her cheeks.
“Just sit here while Mel—”
Hazard suddenly grabbed her shoulders.
His voice firm.
“Look at me.”
Pispa hesitated.
Then slowly looked up.
Hazard’s eyes burned with something intense.
“I will bring her back.”
Pispa shook her head.
“You can’t promise that!”
Hazard leaned closer.
His voice low.
“I can.”
Pispa’s breath trembled.
“Why are you doing this?”
Hazard answered without hesitation.
“Because she’s your sister.”
Pispa blinked.
Hazard’s voice became even quieter.
“And that makes her mine to protect.”
Pispa’s heart skipped painfully.
Because she suddenly understood something.
Hazard wasn’t just fighting Wayne anymore.
He was fighting for her.
And somewhere in the city…
**
Inside a dark room…
Mel sat on a chair, scared.
Beside her stood a boy her age.
He smiled gently.
“Don’t worry.”
Mel sniffed.
“Are you sure?”
The boy nodded.
“He just likes playing games.”
But outside the room—
Wayne stood watching through the glass.
His eyes cold.
Because tonight…
He would finally break the devil.
**
The Edwards house was usually quiet in the afternoon.
Mr. Edwards sat at the small dining table reading a newspaper.
Shirin was in the kitchen washing vegetables for dinner.
Dulcie sat on the couch scrolling through her phone lazily.
Everything felt normal.
Peaceful.
Until the phone rang.
Mr. Edwards looked at the screen.
Pispa calling.
He smiled slightly and answered.
“Pispa, my girl—”
But the moment he heard her voice…
His smile vanished.
“Dad…”
Her voice was shaking.
Something was wrong.
“Pispa?” he said quickly. “What happened?”
There was a short silence.
Then she said the words that made his heart stop.
“Mel has been kidnapped.”
The newspaper slipped from his hand.
“What?!”
In the kitchen, Shirin froze.
“Kidnapped?” she whispered.
Dulcie shot up from the couch instantly.
“What’s going on?!”
Mr. Edwards stood up, his voice rising with panic.
“Pispa what are you saying?! Where is your sister?!”
Pispa’s voice broke through the phone.
“I don’t know!”
Shirin rushed into the living room.
“What happened?!”
Mr. Edwards placed the phone on speaker.
Pispa explained everything quickly.
The strange man.
The call.
Wayne.
And the demand.
Silence filled the room when she finished.
Shirin covered her mouth.
“My child…”
Tears immediately filled her eyes.
“Mel… my baby…”
Shirin clenched her fists angrily.
“That psycho kidnapped a CHILD?!”
Mr. Edwards’ face turned pale.
His voice trembled.
“This is my fault…”
Pispa quickly responded.
“No Dad! It’s not!”
Mr. Edwards shook his head slowly.
“I should have never accepted Wayne’s offer.”
Dulcie looked at him.
“What offer?”
Mr. Edwards sighed heavily.
“That man approached me days ago.”
Shirin’s eyes widened.
“You knew him?!”
Mr. Edwards nodded sadly.
“He offered me a job in his academy.”
Dulcie frowned.
“And you didn’t think that was suspicious?”
Mr. Edwards looked down.
“I thought it was just business.”
Pispa spoke again from the phone.
“He wants me to come to him tonight.”
Shirin immediately shouted.
“No!”
Her voice shook with fear.
“You’re not going anywhere!”
Dulcie agreed.
“That man is crazy!”
But Mr. Edwards remained quiet.
Thinking.
Pispa whispered softly,
“If I don’t go… Mel might—”
Her voice broke again.
Dulcie started crying.
“Please don’t say that!”
Shirin paced around the room angrily.
“We should call the police!”
Pispa hesitated.
“He said if we involve anyone… Mel will disappear.”
Silence fell again.
Heavy.
Painful silence.
Then Mr. Edwards spoke quietly.
“Is Hazard there with you?”
Pispa looked toward the kitchen doorway in the mansion.
Hazard was standing there.
Silent.
Listening to everything.
“Yes,” Pispa answered.
Mr. Edwards took a deep breath.
Then he said something surprising.
“Put him on the phone.”
Pispa looked at Hazard nervously.
“Dad wants to talk to you.”
Hazard walked forward slowly and took the phone.
“This is Hazard.”
On the other side, Mr. Edwards’ voice was firm but tired.
“You’re the one protecting my daughter.”
Hazard didn’t deny it.
“Yes.”
Mr. Edwards sighed.
“That man… Wayne… he’s dangerous.”
“I know.”
Mr. Edwards hesitated for a moment.
Then he said something that surprised everyone in the room.
“Save Mel.”
Hazard’s eyes darkened slightly.
Mr. Edwards continued.
“I don’t care what it takes.”
Shirin gasped.
“Edwards!”
But he didn’t stop.
“My daughters are all I have.”
His voice broke slightly.
“If anything happens to them…”
Hazard remained silent.
Mr. Edwards added quietly,
“You look like a dangerous man, Hazard.”
Hazard replied calmly.
“I am.”
Mr. Edwards nodded slowly.
“Good.”
His voice hardened.
“Then be more dangerous than Wayne.”
The call ended.
Hazard slowly lowered the phone.
Pispa stared at him nervously.
“What did he say?”
Hazard looked directly at her.
His voice calm.
“Your father gave me permission.”
Pispa blinked.
“Permission for what?”
Hazard’s eyes turned cold.
“To destroy Wayne.”
ACROSS THE CITY…
Wayne stood inside the dark building watching Mel through a glass window.
She sat quietly looking scared.
Wayne smiled faintly.
“Tick tock…”
He glanced at his watch.
“Let’s see how far the devil will go for you, Pispa.”
Because tonight…
Someone was going to break.
TBC…
