Chapter Text
Valentino's POV
The door slams shut behind me with a force that shakes the frame. My fists are clenched so tightly my knuckles ache, and my breath comes out in harsh, ragged gasps. I can’t remember the last time someone pushed me this far, let alone a demon like her. The nerve, the audacity...thinking she can challenge me every time we meet and get away with it.
The cool night air does nothing to calm the storm raging inside me. The neon lights of Pentagram City blur past as I march through the streets, each step heavy with barely restrained rage. I’m seething, my mind replaying the argument over and over, each of her defiant words like a knife twisting in my gut. Who does she think she is? She’s just a newbie. She wouldn’t dare talk back to me like that. It’s nerve-wracking.
I don’t even realize where I’m heading until I find myself standing in front of the Vee’s tower, the massive structure looming above me like a monolith. Without hesitation, I push through the doors and head straight for the elevator. The demons I pass scatter out of my way, their eyes wide with fear. They can sense the danger, the volatile energy radiating off me like heat.
When the elevator doors slide open at the top floor, I step out into the penthouse. It’s quiet, too quiet. and that only serves to fuel the fury bubbling up inside me. I need to release this anger, need to let it out before it consumes me. I spot a group of Velvette’s demons in the hallway, chatting and laughing like they don’t have a care in the world. I didn’t even notice them before, and it pisses me off.
My vision tunnels, my mind narrowing down on them as if they’re the source of all my problems. Before they can react, I’m on them. My hands, all four, lash out, grabbing the nearest demon by the throat and lifting her off the ground. She sputters, her eyes bulging in terror as I squeeze tighter, my grip merciless. The other demons scramble to get away, but I’m faster. I hurl the demon across the hallway, sending her body crashing into the table in the middle of the penthouse, shattering it into splinters.
The sound of destruction is like a balm to my anger, but it’s not enough. I need more. I grab another demon, this time a snake-like creature, and slam her against the wall. My claws dig into her scales, drawing blood as I lean in close, my voice a low, dangerous growl.
-You think you can just chat and laugh without a care in the world while I’m dealing with this shit? Do you have any idea who I am?-
The demon stutters, her eyes wide with terror, but I don’t care. I throw her aside like a ragdoll, her body hitting the floor with a sickening thud. The other demons have run away by now, desperate to escape my wrath, but it doesn’t matter. I’ve made my point. So, I continue to break everything I have around me, everything that comes to hand.
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The penthouse is in shambles, broken furniture and shattered glass littering the floor. I stand in the center of it all, breathing heavily, my chest heaving with the effort of controlling my rage. But even with all the destruction around me, I don’t feel any better. If anything, the anger is still there, simmering beneath the surface, waiting to boil over again.
-Dammit.- I mutter, running a hand through the white fluff around my neck, my fingers brushing over the red hearts in it.
I can’t get her out of my head. Delta. The way she stood up to me, the fire in her eyes, the way she didn’t back down even when I was ready to end her right then and there. It’s infuriating, maddening, but there’s something else too...something I don’t want to admit. I need to get out of here. I need to clear my head. Breaking everything is not enough. I need more.
Just as I’m about to storm out of the penthouse, the elevator doors slide open, and Velvette and Vox step out. They both take one look at the carnage I’ve left behind and exchange a glance. Vox's usual smug expression fades as he surveys the wreckage, while Velvette’s carefree demeanor falters, her phone slipping slightly in her hand as she notices her models dead…once again.
-What the hell happened here?- Vox demands, his voice cold and glitching as he steps closer. He’s trying to keep his composure, but I can see the tension in his stance, the sparks of electricity coming from him and the way his fingers twitch like he wants to strangle someone. Probably me.
Velvette hovers behind him, with a cautious frown. -Val, what did you do?- she asks, her tone annoyed but laced with concern. -This place looks like a war zone. And why are my models ripped apart…AGAIN!?-
I glare at them both, the anger still burning hot in my veins. -I’m not in the mood for either of you.-
Vox doesn’t back down, his eyes narrowing as he steps closer, his voice lowering. -You’re never in the mood when things don’t go your way, but this…- he gestures to the broken furniture and the bloodstains. -this is something else. You’re losing it, Val. It’s the second time already. What the fuck is going on with you? Not even Angel makes you act like this.-
I shoot him a warning look at the mention of Angel’s name, as if I’m not already angry enough. -Don’t test me, Vox...- I warn, my voice low and dangerous. -you wouldn’t like where that leads.-
Velvette steps forward, placing a hand on Vox's arm to calm him down. -Look, we’re not here to fight,- she says, sighing. -we just want to know what happened. We know how short-tempered you are, but you’re not usually this…- she hesitates, searching for the right word. -…downbad.-
I scoff, brushing past them both. -It’s nothing you need to worry about.-
But Vox isn’t letting it go. -If it’s about that Overlord, Delta, then it’s our business too. You’ve been obsessed with her, and it’s affecting everything. It affects us too. We can’t have you losing control.-
-Obsessed?- I snap, turning to face him, my fists clenched. -She’s a nuisance, a problem that needs to be dealt with. Nothing more. What am I saying? She’s not even a problem…she’s entertainment to me.-
Vox crosses his arms, not buying it for a second. -Yeah? Then why is she the only thing you’ve been talking about for weeks? You think we haven’t noticed? Why did you even break everything if she’s just entertainment? You’re slipping, Val.-
I step closer to him, my anger flaring up again. -You don’t know what you’re talking about, Vox. You think you can tell me how to run my life?-
Velvette steps between us once again, trying to defuse the situation before it escalates further. -Hey, hey, boys, let’s not do this, okay?- she says, looking between the two of us. -We’re on the same side, remember? We need to stick together.-
I take a deep breath, forcing myself to step back, to regain some semblance of control. -I’m handling it.- I say through gritted teeth, though even I don't fully believe it.
Vox shakes his head, clearly frustrated, but he lets it drop for now. -Fine. But don’t think you can keep this up without consequences, Val. We’re watching.-
Velvette looks at me once again before they both leave, the tension still thick in the air. As the elevator doors close behind them, I let out a frustrated growl, my fists clenching and unclenching as I try to calm the storm raging inside me.
I glance around at the wreckage of my penthouse, the chaos a reflection of my mind, and for a moment, I consider smashing something else, just to feel the fleeting satisfaction of destruction. But no. I need something more than that. I need a release, a distraction, something, or someone, to help me forget the anger, the frustration, the maddening obsession with her. With a sudden decision, I head for the door, leaving the mess behind without a second thought.
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The streets of Pentagram City are alive with the usual nighttime chaos. Demons prowl the streets, clubs and bars glow with neon lights, and the air is thick with sin. It doesn’t take long to find what I’m looking for. She’s leaning against a lamppost near one of the more upscale clubs, a demon whose silhouette is enough to catch anyone’s attention. Her curves are exaggerated, her smile sharp, and there’s a glint in her eyes that tells me she’s more than willing to entertain whatever mood I bring. Perfect.
I approach with practiced ease, a smirk curling my lips as the lingering frustration from earlier simmers beneath the surface. My charm, a weapon as sharp as any blade, slides effortlessly into place.
-Wanna have some fun?- my voice is smooth, deliberately casual, but carrying enough weight to leave no room for doubt about my intentions.
She tilts her head, her eyes scanning me with a mixture of curiosity and recognition. Recognition, of course. Everyone knows me. Her smile grows wider, dangerously enticing. -With you? Absolutely~- her voice is a purr, each syllable oozing with seduction.
Without another word, I extend a hand. She takes it, her grip light but confident, and I lead her away from the bustling club scene. I don’t bother with small talk; she’s not here for that, and neither am I. This is what I need. A distraction. A reminder that I’m still in control, that I can still have what I want, when I want it.
We reach one of the more lavish hotels, and I secure a room without a second glance at the stunned concierge. Inside, the suite is opulent, gilded edges and velvet furnishings, over-the-top even by Hell’s standards. But I don’t care about the setting. It’s a means to an end.
As the door clicks shut behind us, she steps closer, her hands already finding their way to my chest, her touch light but insistent. I let her, my smirk deepening as I lean in, brushing my lips against her ear.
-Show me how much fun you can be.- the words are a low growl, deliberate and teasing, designed to set the tone.
She complies eagerly, her laugh dark and promising as she tugs me further into the room. Her movements are fluid, practiced, and I know this is far from her first time ensnaring someone. But it doesn’t matter. This isn’t about her. It’s about me. About burying Delta, Vox, everything else to the back of my mind.