Wrath of Love (Olympus Syndicate #1)

Chapter 3

CHAPTER THREE

ARES

THE SAME NIGHT.

A s I waited on my motorcycle across the street from the Argos library, the cacophony of traffic faded, granting me a moment of solitude with my thoughts. It had been a foolish assumption, on my part, to think that meeting with Titan would be a good idea. Yet, I couldn't escape the realization that my presence had exposed my betrayal of the club.

I turned off my engine and observed the vehicles approaching the library. Onlookers crowded along the edges despite the barricades blocking them, as esteemed guests exited their vehicles. The elite embraced this as the biggest night of the year.

They masqueraded as compassionate philanthropists, loudly proclaiming their dedication to give back to the city of Aeolopolis; however, only the naive would believe their generosity. It was merely a facade, a strategic move to garner favor and mask their true motives.

The Aetos family had an insatiable thirst for dominance with their ruthless tactics and mafia dealings. Everything in this part of the city embodied the Aetos family, marked by their tainted money and powerful influence over people.

Aeolopolis City once had pristine parks and gardens, where citizens sought solace and found respite. Now, the city has been transformed into a barren wasteland that killers and drug lords use as their battlefield.

In certain parts of the city, walking without protection is a death sentence. People disappear without a trace, their faces eventually plastered on missing persons posters or flashed across the news. But everyone knows the truth—once you're gone, you're not coming back.

The once lush and vibrant landscape was replaced with desolation, scarred by the Aetos family's destructive path. Ouranos, the city's untouchable crime lord, reigned supreme while the citizens suffered in his wake. People paid for Ouranos’ protection, but those who didn’t, paid a much steeper price. These conditions only emphasized the stark division among the people: those in power and those barely surviving.

The Olympus Syndicate ruled these streets, ready to exact revenge on anyone who dared challenge them outside the elite's protection. The people of Aeolopolis were known for their influence and affluence, often with deep ties to the Aetos family, but they would never set foot near the squalid, crime-ridden area of Mythsia. That part of the city was a world away, avoided by the elite who preferred to keep their distance from its harsh realities.

The anger and thirst for vengeance that my father, Zeus, had harbored toward Ouranos was unparalleled. Ouranos held power over most of Aeolopolis, except for Mysthria, where our club held dominion.

We had always known he would leverage his power to try and gain control over our turf and displace us, but he underestimated the resilience and solidarity among us. The people of our part of the city would never submit to the Aetos family, not if they stood with us.

My grandfather, Chaos, was tortured and forced to cede control when Ouranos’s father was running the show. Amid the mafia’s torment, Chaos struggled to survive. Yet he didn’t run away. No—he fought back. He created the Olympus Syndicate to lead and fight for innocent men overtaken by the elite.

After Chaos died, my father, Zeus, assumed control of the gang, but following my mother's death, an all-consuming darkness began to seep into the very core of his being. He was gradually eroded by a chilling, relentless void, which devoured every remnant of goodness within his heart.

Zeus was not just the man with dark tendencies, but a true monster. His eyes, that once were filled with warmth, now mirrored ruthlessness. Every word he spoke carried a threat, and his actions left a trail of despair. The fear he instilled wasn’t just in his enemies; it seeped through the clubhouse. He became a monster, and under his guidance, my brothers and I were transformed into the very demons that haunted the nightmares of others.

As much as I fought it, I embodied my father’s brutal nature to create wars. I was molded to be his punisher. I found a thrill when I became the villain that everyone was terrified of; the last person people saw before their souls left their bodies.

When someone crossed the Olympus Syndicate, I became blinded by rage. I had blood on my hands, and the screams of my victims still paid me a visit when I slept. So, I tried not to sleep.

Leaning on the handlebars of my bike, I watched as Ouranos’s limo pulled up. The crowd cheered. How unaware could you be to idolize someone who found pleasure in killing his own kind?

The burner phone in my pocket vibrated. I slipped it out and looked at the screen.

Titan

Meet me in the back in twenty.

My jaw twitched as I stared at the message. Titan was walking a tightrope. He came to me about a year ago with the idea of opening a bar near our clubhouse. The clubhouse compound was around Mysthria Harbor, which was near the shipping yards, and it was a haven for pleasure. Strip joints and casinos, infused with the latest designer drugs. It was a place you didn’t go unless you had a reason to do so.

When Titan said, “I wanna set up a business on your side of the city. It’s going to be called, Pandora .” I had to admit I was surprised. He explained that to make this work, he needed to ensure he wouldn’t gain a reputation as the owner. Titan and I were determined to break away from our families and build a better future for this city. We didn’t want to keep repeating the same old cycle of generational trauma that had already done so much damage. We saw what could be, and we weren’t about to let the past destroy what we could create together.

As the frontman of the business, my reputation as a ruthless killer and formidable warrior preceded me. This notoriety ensured that no one dared to ask questions, as everyone was aware that crossing paths with me could be lethal.

I wasn’t sure what to think at first, but it was clear that Titan was desperate to break free from his father’s control. Pandora offered him a way out, a place where he could carve his own path, away from his family’s notorious reputation. I never fully understood his need to escape. We had countless talks about his reasons for opening the bar, but he always sidestepped my questions with vague answers. Still, despite the risks, I decided to take him up on his offer. Deep down, I realized we shared the same desire—we both wanted freedom from the grip our fathers had on us.

My father depended on me for everything, and I did my best to conceal the pain it caused. As Zeus's chosen weapon, he thrust me into the heart of every perilous situation, wielding me as his warrior. He commanded me to eliminate rival gangs with ruthless fury.

I was engulfed in the darkness of my actions, my hands stained with the blood of countless victims, each one dragging my soul deeper into the abyss. Every inch of my body was covered in tattoos that marked the wars I had faced. The bullets, stabbings, and attacks on the Olympus Syndicate were etched into my skin, a permanent reminder of the hell I could never escape.

My other phone rang in the inner pocket of my jacket. I pulled it out seeing my brother’s name, Apollo, on the screen. My family could wait, whatever my brother had to say was certainly less important than the situation at hand.

Ignoring the call, I threw the phone back into my pocket. I needed to meet Titan.

Apollo was the youngest of the boys and a twin to my sister, Artemis. Hephaestus was the eldest, and I held the position of being the second youngest. Our sister, Athena, was two years younger than Hephaestus; yet she always appeared to have control over everything. It was clear that she constantly tried to stay in our father’s good graces, and as a result, she received special treatment.

Standing in the gardens of the library, I felt vulnerable—this wasn’t my territory. As I stood beneath the tree, I watched Titan rushing down the steps of the terrace. I had suggested meeting at our usual spot on a dead-end street, but for some reason, he needed to talk to me sooner.

"What am I doing here, Titan?" I asked, annoyance creeping into my voice as I crossed my arms over my chest.

“Ares, I'm working on getting the cash, but I’ve hit some obstacles,” Titan pleaded. “We need to talk about the future of Pandora.”

Despite my efforts to maintain a calm and collected demeanor, frustration bubbled within me. Titan's pacing and agitation only added fuel to the fire. It had been months since he had contributed to our shared financial responsibilities for Pandora. I found myself shouldering the burden of forking over the money to keep the club afloat. It was heavy, and I couldn't help but feel the resentment build within me toward Titan. I promised him a grace period to gather the funds, but now it was time to settle the payment.

“Titan, I can’t keep this up for you.” I stood there with my hands in my pockets, keeping my demeanor cool while watching him have a meltdown. He was a grown man who had never experienced the real world. At thirty years old, Titan still depended on his daddy for support.

“I know,” he hissed as he looked back at the terrace of the library, then back to me as he continued, "I know you wanted me to ask Hermes, but I had a better idea. I asked my father.” The mention of Hermes’s name caused my fingernails to dig into my palm. He was my half-brother. My father had slept with Hermes’ mom when he and my mother were fighting, and he wound up getting her pregnant. That had not been a fun conversation. Zeus never claimed or acknowledged Hermes as his own, or so he told us.

The main reason I wanted to reach out to Hermes in the first place was because he had control of some high-end hotels nearby that were doing well. An investment from him would give us the opportunity to keep up with our club. I acknowledged the risk of aligning with him, but his support would prove beneficial. The last thing I thought Titan would do was ask his father to invest instead.

“You can’t be serious.” I felt my blood boil as the rage surfaced. I flared my nostrils, inhaling as fire clutched my throat. “You were supposed to do what I asked.”

“Father wants to help. He insists on being part of this. Don’t worry, I’ve got it under control.” He pressed his hands together like a prayer, his eyes wide with fear. Titan must be in deeper trouble than I thought—he’d never ask his father for help unless he was desperate. Getting in bed with Ouranos would be the final nail in my coffin. If the Olympus Syndicate caught even a whiff of that, I’d be excommunicated, no questions asked.

Suddenly, a woman appeared to step out from the bushes. We froze.

The moonlight shone on her porcelain skin and gave her an ethereal glow. My lips parted, enamored at her grace as she walked toward us. Cascading curls framed her radiant face, and her plump lips were an irresistible temptation. The fabric of her dress clung to her body, hinting at the softness beneath. With each step, her hips swayed, accentuating her curves. She was a celestial vision with a goddess’s likeness.

As she approached us, I could almost feel the warmth of her energy encompass me, as if electricity surged between us. The scent of her perfume wafted toward me, a heady mix of floral notes and something elemental; it ignited a fire within me. My fingers itched with the desire to trace every inch of her delicate silhouette, to feel the softness of her brown curls as they slipped through my fingers. The thought of grasping her neck, my hands exerting a gentle pressure, sent shivers down my spine. I wanted to soak up all her alluring beauty as my primal soul devoured hers.

“Aphrodite, go back to the party,” Titan snapped as he pointed toward the building. I wanted to break his hand for yelling at her, but I kept my cool. My eyes drifted towards a diamond necklace that dipped between the curve of her breasts, and I pictured her naked, wearing only that. A growl left my lips.

“What is going on?” Aphrodite demanded, dragging her dress through the wet grass. Something inside my soul was pulling me toward her. I have never felt such a burning passion to be near someone. I clenched my fists, forcing myself to stay grounded as the fire within me surged, threatening to consume every shred of control I had left. The moonlight glinted off the diamonds nestled against her skin, and I wanted nothing more than to tear away the distance between us.

“Go, Aphrodite. Now!” Titan blocked her view. She gave a dainty nod before turning to head back inside.

I had to break these feelings because I knew it would drive me to do something reckless. But even as I turned away, the image of her, draped in diamonds and moonlight, was burned into my mind. Aphrodite managed to enrapture me within minutes. I felt screwed. There was no chance of escaping her.

I shook my head, attempting to get back to the focus of this visit.

“Titan, figure your shit out. We have until Friday before we get some heat about this.” My eyes narrowed in his direction. We needed the money to keep the business afloat. Pandora has been killing it this past year, but in the last couple of months, money has been draining faster than we can make a profit.

I wouldn’t ask my family for help; my goal was to avoid being associated with dirty money. It would attract unwanted attention from the police, and I didn’t need that heat on me as well. I wanted Pandora to remain separate from OS.

“Fine.” Titan ran his hands down his face as he released a deep breath.

I had to leave before someone caught sight of me.