THE DEVIL’S HEART
The Devil’s Heart – Chapter 29
(Her possessive devil)
©Goodness Okoye
_____________________________________________
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.
**
The air inside the mansion felt heavy.
Pispa stood frozen in the kitchen, staring at Hazard.
“To destroy Wayne?” she repeated softly.
Hazard didn’t answer immediately.
Instead, he walked to the counter and picked up his phone again, dialing a number.
A few seconds later—
“Victor.”
Victor’s voice came through instantly.
“Boss.”
Hazard’s tone was calm.
“Gather everyone.”
Victor paused.
“The whole team?”
“Yes.”
Victor understood immediately.
Something serious was about to happen.
“I’ll have them ready in twenty minutes.”
The call ended.
Pispa stepped closer to Hazard.
“You’re planning something.”
Hazard looked at her.
“Yes.”
Pispa shook her head quickly.
“Then I’m coming with you.”
“No.”
The answer came too fast.
Too firm.
Pispa’s anger flared.
“That’s my sister!”
Hazard’s eyes darkened slightly.
“And Wayne wants you there.”
“Exactly!”
Hazard stepped closer.
“That’s why you’re not coming.”
Pispa clenched her fists.
“So what? You’ll go alone?”
Hazard’s expression turned cold.
“I never go alone.”
Just then—
The kitchen door opened.
Corey walked in, chewing gum casually.
“Well, well…” he said lazily. “I heard we’re going hunting tonight.”
Pispa frowned.
“You knew?”
Corey smirked.
“When Hazard moves like this, it’s never for something small.”
He glanced at her.
“Relax, chef girl.”
Pispa glared at him.
“My name is Pispa.”
Corey raised his hands in surrender.
“Alright, Pispa.”
Then his eyes moved to Hazard.
“So… Wayne finally crossed the line.”
Hazard nodded once.
“He took Mel.”
Corey’s playful expression disappeared instantly.
“That idiot kidnapped a child?”
Hazard’s voice dropped.
“Yes.”
Corey exhaled slowly.
“Well…”
He cracked his knuckles.
“Looks like someone’s about to die tonight.”
Pispa felt a chill run down her spine.
The calm way they were talking about violence was terrifying.
But right now—
She didn’t care.
She only cared about Mel.
“Hazard,” she said quietly.
He looked at her.
Pispa’s voice trembled.
“Please bring her back.”
Hazard stared at her for a moment.
Then he spoke softly.
“I will.”
ACROSS THE CITY…
Mel sat quietly in the dark room.
Her small hands were folded on her lap.
The boy beside her looked bored.
He kicked the chair lightly.
“You’re really quiet.”
Mel sniffed.
“I want my sister.”
The boy sighed.
“She’ll come.”
Mel looked at him.
“How do you know?”
The boy shrugged.
“Because that man wants her.”
Mel frowned.
“Why?”
The boy leaned back in his chair.
“I don’t know.”
Then he smiled a little.
“But my uncle likes playing games.”
Mel didn’t like the sound of that.
Outside the room—
Wayne stood with two armed men.
One of them spoke nervously.
“Boss… Hazard might bring his men.”
Wayne chuckled softly.
“I hope he does.”
The guard looked confused.
“You do?”
Wayne nodded.
“Yes.”
His eyes gleamed dangerously.
“Because tonight… I’m not just kidnapping a girl.”
He turned toward the glass window again.
“I’m baiting a devil.”
Back at the mansion…
The underground garage was now filled with men.
Victor stood beside a black SUV, giving instructions.
“Check your weapons.”
Metal clicks echoed through the garage.
Corey leaned against a car, spinning a knife in his fingers.
“Feels like old times.”
Victor looked at him.
“You enjoy this too much.”
Corey smirked.
“Only when the enemy deserves it.”
Footsteps echoed from the staircase.
Hazard walked down slowly.
The entire room went silent.
Every man straightened instantly.
Victor stepped forward.
“Everything is ready.”
Hazard nodded.
Then his eyes moved to Pispa.
She had followed him downstairs.
Her arms were crossed stubbornly.
“I’m still coming.”
Hazard sighed quietly.
“No.”
Pispa walked right up to him.
“If you leave me behind… I’ll go there myself.”
Victor and Corey exchanged looks.
Corey whispered,
“I like her.”
Hazard ignored him.
His eyes locked onto Pispa’s.
“You don’t understand what tonight will be.”
Pispa’s voice was steady.
“Then explain it.”
Hazard’s expression hardened.
“War.”
The word echoed in the garage.
Pispa swallowed.
But she didn’t step back.
“My sister is in that war.”
Hazard stared at her.
For a long moment.
Then finally—
He spoke.
“Fine.”
Pispa blinked.
“Really?”
Hazard pointed toward Victor.
“You stay beside him.”
Victor nodded immediately.
“Yes, boss.”
Hazard’s voice became serious again.
“But if anything happens…”
His eyes locked onto Pispa’s.
“You run.”
Pispa didn’t argue this time.
Because deep inside—
She knew this night was going to be dangerous.
Very dangerous.
At Wayne’s building…
The rain had started again.
Thunder rumbled in the distance.
A guard suddenly ran into Wayne’s office.
“Boss!”
Wayne looked up calmly.
“They’re here.”
Wayne smiled slowly.
“Good.”
He stood up and adjusted his coat.
“Let’s welcome our guests.”
Outside—
Several black SUVs stopped in front of the building.
Doors opened.
Hazard stepped out first.
Rain fell on his dark coat.
His expression was calm.
But his eyes—
Were pure storm.
Behind him, Victor and the others followed.
Pispa stepped out last.
Her heart was pounding violently.
She stared at the dark building ahead.
“Mel…” she whispered.
Hazard walked forward.
Then suddenly—
The front doors opened.
Wayne appeared.
Clapping slowly.
“Well done,” he said mockingly.
“You came faster than I expected.”
Hazard stopped a few meters away.
“Where is she?”
Wayne smiled.
“Straight to business.”
His eyes moved toward Pispa.
“Hello again.”
Pispa glared at him.
“If you touched her—”
Wayne raised his hand lazily.
“She’s alive.”
Pispa’s heart eased slightly.
Wayne then looked back at Hazard.
“But first…”
He spread his arms.
“Let’s see how far the devil will go.”
Suddenly—
The rooftop lights switched on.
Dozens of armed men appeared.
Snipers.
Pispa gasped.
Victor cursed under his breath.
“Ambush.”
Wayne’s smile widened.
“Welcome to the game.”
Hazard slowly looked around.
Then he laughed.
A low.
Dangerous laugh.
Wayne frowned slightly.
“You’re laughing?”
Hazard’s eyes turned cold.
“You think this scares me?”
Wayne tilted his head.
“No.”
Hazard stepped forward.
“But it should.”
Because in the next moment—
Gunshots exploded into the night.
BANG!
And chaos began.
**
Gunshots echoed across the building.
BANG! BANG! BANG!
Pispa flinched as Victor quickly pulled her behind one of the cars.
“Stay down!” he shouted.
Hazard had already moved forward like a storm.
Two men rushed him.
THUD!
One punch sent the first man crashing into the wall.
The second tried to shoot—
Hazard grabbed his wrist and twisted it.
CRACK!
The gun dropped.
Pispa watched in shock again.
But her mind was not on the fight.
It was on one thing.
Mel.
Her sister was inside that building.
She looked at Victor.
“Where is she?”
Victor kept firing toward the rooftop.
“I don’t know!”
Pispa clenched her fists.
Her heart was racing.
“I can’t just stand here.”
Victor glanced at her.
“What?”
But before he could stop her—
Pispa ran.
“PISPA!” Victor shouted.
But she had already dashed toward the building entrance.
Inside the building…
The hallway was dark.
Dust covered the floor.
Pispa’s breathing echoed loudly.
“Mel?” she whispered.
No answer.
She moved deeper inside.
Her hands trembled as she pushed open the first door.
Empty.
The second door.
Also empty.
Then suddenly—
She heard something.
A soft voice.
“Pispa?”
Pispa froze.
Her heart jumped.
“Mel?!”
She ran toward the sound and pushed open another door.
Inside the small room—
Mel sat on a chair.
Tied.
Her eyes widened the moment she saw her sister.
“PISPA!”
Pispa rushed forward immediately.
“Mel!”
Tears filled her eyes as she quickly untied the ropes.
Mel threw her arms around her tightly.
“I was scared!” she cried.
Pispa hugged her back.
“It’s okay… I’m here.”
Mel sniffed.
“I knew you would come.”
Pispa kissed her forehead gently.
“I’m sorry it took so long.”
But then—
Pispa noticed something.
The other chair.
Empty.
“Where is the boy that was with you?” she asked.
Mel wiped her tears.
“He left.”
Pispa frowned.
“Left?”
Mel nodded.
“He said his uncle called him.”
Pispa’s stomach tightened.
Something felt wrong.
Very wrong.
Just then—
CLICK.
A gun being cocked echoed behind them.
Pispa slowly turned.
Wayne stood at the doorway.
Smiling.
“Well…”
Pispa’s blood ran cold.
“I was wondering how long it would take you to find her.”
Mel clutched Pispa tightly.
“Who is that?”
Pispa’s eyes burned with anger.
“You psycho.”
Wayne chuckled softly.
“Such harsh words.”
He stepped inside calmly.
“I kept my promise. She’s alive.”
Pispa stood in front of Mel protectively.
“Let us go.”
Wayne tilted his head.
“Hmm.”
His eyes studied her.
“You know… Hazard came exactly as I predicted.”
Pispa didn’t respond.
Wayne’s smile widened.
“He really cares about you.”
Pispa’s voice was cold.
“What do you want?”
Wayne laughed.
“Oh, Pispa.”
He raised the gun slightly.
“I already got what I wanted.”
Pispa’s heart dropped.
“What do you mean?”
Wayne’s eyes gleamed.
“I wanted the devil to lose control.”
Suddenly—
Heavy footsteps thundered down the hallway.
Wayne sighed dramatically.
“Ah.”
Hazard appeared at the door.
His eyes immediately found Pispa.
Then Mel.
Then Wayne’s gun.
The air turned deadly.
Hazard’s voice was low.
“Step away from them.”
Wayne smiled wider.
“And ruin the fun?”
Hazard’s gaze turned terrifying.
“If you pull that trigger…”
His voice dropped into something dark.
“…there will be nothing left of you to bury.”
Mel clutched Pispa tighter.
“Pispa… I’m scared.”
Pispa whispered softly.
“It’s okay.”
But Wayne laughed again.
“You see this, Hazard?”
He gestured between them.
“This is exactly why you’re weak.”
Hazard took one step forward.
Wayne instantly pointed the gun at Pispa.
“Another step and she dies.”
Hazard froze.
The silence was suffocating.
Then—
Mel suddenly spoke.
Her small voice shaking.
“Please… don’t hurt my sister.”
Wayne looked down at her.
For a moment…
Something strange flashed in his eyes.
Then he smirked again.
“Relax.”
He slowly lowered the gun.
“I’m not killing anyone today.”
Pispa frowned.
“What?”
Wayne shrugged.
“Tonight was just a demonstration.”
Hazard’s voice was ice.
“Of what?”
Wayne leaned closer.
“Of how easy it is to take what matters to you.”
Hazard’s fists clenched.
Wayne stepped back toward the door.
“But don’t worry…”
His eyes locked onto Pispa again.
“I’ll come back for you.”
Hazard moved instantly.
But Wayne had already stepped outside.
Smoke bombs suddenly rolled into the hallway.
HISSSSS!
The corridor filled with thick smoke.
Mel screamed.
Pispa coughed.
“Hazard!”
When the smoke finally cleared—
Wayne was gone.
Hazard stood there breathing heavily.
His eyes burning with fury.
Pispa slowly stood up with Mel in her arms.
“She’s safe.”
Hazard walked closer.
His voice softer now.
“Are you hurt?”
Pispa shook her head.
Mel looked up at him shyly.
“You are the scary man my sister lives with?”
Hazard blinked slightly.
Pispa almost laughed through her exhaustion.
Mel added quietly,
“Thank you for saving me.”
Hazard looked at her for a moment.
Then gently placed a hand on her head.
“You’re safe now.”
But his eyes turned dark again.
Because somewhere out there—
Wayne was still smiling.
And the war…
Had only just begun.
**
The mansion felt strangely quiet that night.
After everything that had happened, everyone looked exhausted.
Mel was finally asleep in one of the guest rooms, wrapped safely in blankets. Pispa sat beside the bed, gently brushing her sister’s hair away from her face.
Her heart was still beating too fast.
Every time she remembered Wayne pointing that gun…
Her hands trembled.
A soft knock came from the door.
Pispa turned.
Hazard stood there.
He leaned against the doorframe, watching the two sisters silently.
“Is she sleeping?” he asked quietly.
Pispa nodded.
“Yes.”
Hazard walked inside slowly and looked at Mel for a moment.
His voice lowered.
“She’s brave.”
Pispa smiled faintly.
“She always is.”
For a few seconds neither of them spoke.
Then Pispa stood up.
“I need some air.”
Hazard nodded once.
“I’ll come.”
Pispa shook her head.
“No. I’ll just go to the garden.”
Hazard didn’t argue this time.
But his eyes followed her as she left the room.
Outside the mansion…
The night was cool and quiet.
Pispa walked slowly across the garden, trying to calm her thoughts.
But suddenly—
A voice spoke behind her.
“Pispa.”
She froze.
She recognized that voice.
She turned.
“August?”
He stepped out from the shadows near the gate.
Pispa frowned.
“What are you doing here?”
August looked tired.
His eyes were filled with guilt.
“I needed to see you.”
Pispa crossed her arms.
“After everything that happened tonight?”
August sighed.
“I know you’re angry.”
“You lied to me!” Pispa snapped.
“You brought me into Wayne’s trap!”
August ran a hand through his hair.
“I had no choice!”
Pispa stared at him.
“What do you mean?”
August looked away.
His voice became quiet.
“Wayne has something on me.”
Pispa’s anger faded slightly.
“What kind of something?”
August hesitated.
Like he was fighting himself.
Then he whispered—
“My parents.”
Pispa frowned.
“What about them?”
August’s voice trembled.
“They owe him money.”
Pispa blinked.
“A debt?”
August nodded slowly.
“A huge one.”
He looked back at her.
“And Wayne said if I didn’t help him bring you… he would kill them.”
Pispa felt her chest tighten.
“So that’s why you kept helping him.”
August nodded.
“But that’s not the worst part.”
Pispa’s stomach twisted.
“What else?”
August hesitated again.
Then finally said—
“Wayne isn’t just some criminal.”
Pispa frowned.
“What do you mean?”
August looked straight at her.
“He’s connected to people much bigger.”
Pispa’s heart skipped.
“How big?”
August whispered the words slowly.
“International weapons dealers.”
Pispa’s eyes widened.
“And Hazard…”
August swallowed.
“Hazard has been on their target list for years.”
Pispa felt a chill run down her spine.
“You’re saying Wayne is trying to kill him?”
August nodded.
“And you.”
Pispa froze.
“Me?”
August’s voice became heavy.
“Because Wayne thinks you’re Hazard’s weakness.”
Before Pispa could respond—
A cold voice cut through the night.
“I was wondering when you would start telling the truth.”
Both of them froze.
Hazard stood a few meters away.
His expression was dark.
His eyes locked on August.
August cursed under his breath.
“H-Hazard…”
Hazard walked closer slowly.
“You knew about Wayne’s connections.”
August stayed silent.
Hazard’s voice became colder.
“And you didn’t tell me.”
August clenched his fists.
“You would’ve killed me.”
Hazard stopped right in front of him.
His gaze was terrifying.
“You’re not wrong.”
Pispa stepped between them quickly.
“Stop it!”
Hazard’s eyes flicked to her.
Pispa spoke firmly.
“He was trying to protect his parents.”
Hazard didn’t answer.
Instead he looked at August again.
“Stay away from her.”
August’s jaw tightened.
“She’s not your property.”
That was the wrong thing to say.
Hazard grabbed August by the collar instantly and slammed him against the gate.
BANG!
Pispa gasped.
“HAZARD!”
Hazard’s voice was dark.
“You think I didn’t see the way you look at her?”
August glared back.
“And you think I didn’t see the way you control her?”
Hazard’s grip tightened.
Pispa grabbed Hazard’s arm.
“Let him go!”
But Hazard didn’t move.
His eyes burned with jealousy.
“I warned you.”
August didn’t back down.
“Pispa deserves better than being treated like something you own.”
Hazard’s temper finally snapped.
He raised his fist—
But Pispa stepped in front of August.
“STOP!”
Hazard froze.
His fist hovered in the air.
Pispa’s voice shook.
“I’m not something you two fight over!”
The silence was heavy.
Hazard slowly lowered his hand.
But the anger in his eyes remained.
August pushed himself off the gate.
“You see?” he said bitterly.
“She’s not yours.”
Hazard’s voice turned deadly quiet.
“Leave.”
August looked at Pispa one last time.
Then he walked away.
But before disappearing through the gate—
He said one last thing.
“Wayne isn’t finished.”
Then he was gone.
Pispa turned toward Hazard angrily.
“You didn’t have to attack him!”
Hazard stared at her.
“Yes, I did.”
Pispa frowned.
“Why?”
Hazard stepped closer.
His voice was rough.
“Because I hate the way he looks at you.”
Pispa’s breath caught.
Hazard’s eyes softened slightly.
“But what I hate more…”
He leaned closer.
“…is that you don’t seem to notice.”
Pispa’s cheeks turned red.
Inside the mansion…
Two people were watching from the balcony.
Cher.
And Nam.
Cher crossed her arms.
“Well… this is interesting.”
Nam smirked slowly.
“I told you.”
Cher looked down at Pispa.
“That girl is ruining everything.”
Nam’s eyes gleamed with evil.
“Then let’s ruin her first.”
Cher raised an eyebrow.
“How?”
Nam’s smile widened.
“Oh…”
He whispered.
“I already have the perfect plan.”
Cher leaned closer.
“What plan?”
Nam’s voice dropped.
“Something that will make Hazard hate her.”
Cher’s eyes sparkled.
“And what’s that?”
Nam chuckled darkly.
“We make him believe she betrayed him.”
Cher smiled slowly.
“Oh…”
“That’s wicked.”
Nam looked back at Pispa in the garden.
“And the best part?”
He grinned.
“She won’t even see it coming.”
TBC…
