World Traveler Villain

Jade is bald?

****

{Chapter: 329 Killing}

Pepper averted her gaze, jaw tight. "You're so goddamn full of yourself. It's disgusting. Only brain-dead zombies would fall for your bullshit. Anyone who actually likes you has clearly lost their damn mind."

William gave her a crooked, cocky grin, the kind that made you want to slap it off his face. "Well, sweetheart, maybe you're finally going crazy then. That would explain the way your eyes keep darting to my lips."

"You arrogant bastard. You're fucking insane!" Pepper snapped, her voice sharp as glass.

William stared at her lips deliberately, voice smooth as silk and just as dangerous. "And you've got a stubborn little mouth I can't stop thinking about. That's the kind I like."

Without warning, he leaned in and kissed her—hard.

Pepper's eyes widened in shock as William's lips crushed hers. "Mmm—y-you, mmph!" She struggled to push him off, her fists weak against his chest. But her body betrayed her, frozen by the chaos in her heart.

He finally pulled away, smug and shameless. He licked his lips, savoring the taste. "Mmm… much better than last time. You're getting bolder, Pepper."

She was panting now, cheeks flushed. "I… I didn't want that. I didn't agree to that, you asshole. You forced me."

William chuckled, brushing his fingers gently against her lips, as if mocking the moment. "This kind of force suits you. Every time you mouth off, I'll just remind you this way."

Pepper's eyes blazed with fury. "I swear to God, I will fucking bite you."

"Oh?" William said, raising an eyebrow with amused anticipation. "Go ahead."

She bit his finger hard—hard enough to draw blood but nothing happened to his finger. It felt like biting iron.

He let out a laugh, more impressed than hurt. "Not bad. That bite had some spirit. Makes me wonder what else you can do with that mouth."

"You are so fucking gross," she hissed, spitting out his finger. "Every thought that crawls into your head is covered in dick and dirt."

William shook his injured finger with a grin. "We'll finish this little lovers' quarrel later. Right now, I've got real business to handle."

"You think this is flirting?" Pepper barked, hands clenched at her sides. "You're fucking delusional. Go find a sow to hump."

"I already did," William smirked. "She's standing right in front of me."

"Then fuck you. You're the sow!"

With a mocking wink, William vanished in a flash, reappearing in front of Killian. The sudden shift in atmosphere was like a crack of thunder.

"Killian," William said coldly. "I nearly forgot you existed. Dealing with Tony and kissing your bait distracted me for a moment. But don't worry. You're still on my list."

Killian was suspended in midair, wrapped in psychic force like a fly in amber. He tried to smile, but it was more of a grimace. "Mr. William… your power is… astounding. I didn't think even Tony Stark could be reduced to a quivering mess so fast. You're truly… terrifying."

'Fuck, this guy's on another level,' Killian thought, his mind racing. 'He wiped us out like we were nothing. I kicked the wrong goddamn hornet's nest.'

Pepper folded her arms, her voice laced with venom. "What's wrong, Killian? This isn't the glorious plan you were hoping for? You wanted William here—well, congratulations. He's here now."

Killian forced a smile, trying to salvage whatever dignity he had left. "Of course I wanted Mr. William here. His presence elevates everything. I mean that sincerely. His strength is a blessing to AIM."

Pepper rolled her eyes. "Suck-up."

William cocked his head. "A blessing, huh? That's not what I heard. I could've sworn you wanted to enslave me, force me to do your bidding. You were going to use Pepper as leverage, right?"

Killian's grin faltered. "That was… a misunderstanding. A test! Yes, a test."

"A test?" William's tone was deadly casual.

"Yes!" Killian nodded rapidly. "This whole thing was a recruitment trial. We were searching for someone truly powerful—someone who could lead AIM into a new age. You were our chosen one, Mr. William. That's why we created this scenario. And you passed with flying colors. We are prepared to pledge our loyalty—our lives—to you!"

William's expression didn't change. His silence dragged out the tension like a blade across skin.

"You know," William finally said, eyes narrowing, "that speech would've been more convincing before you tried to break me like a dog."

Pepper scoffed beside him. "He's full of shit. You should burn him where he floats."

"Tempting," William said, his fingers glowing faintly with power. "Very tempting."

"That was all a misunderstanding—a joke, really. Please don't take it to heart, Mr. William," Killian said with a forced smile, his voice syrupy with false sincerity. "AIM's technological prowess is unmatched. I believe we can be of real service to someone of your... caliber."

William raised an eyebrow, playing along. "Hmm. Sounds promising."

"Oh, come the hell on," Pepper snapped, stepping forward, her eyes blazing. "He's obviously lying through his teeth. You'd have to be brain-dead to fall for that."

Killian turned toward her with a disingenuous chuckle. "Pepper, I know my methods may have been misunderstood, but the reason I brought you here was to bring you and Mr. William closer. My intentions were… noble."

Pepper let out a sharp, disbelieving laugh. "Wow. You kidnapped me, drugged me, and tied me up... all out of the goodness of your heart? That's a new brand of psychotic."

"It was all for your benefit," Killian said earnestly, as though he actually believed the shit he was spewing. "I only wanted to create an opportunity—for destiny to unfold."

"I swear to God, if you say 'destiny' one more time, I'm going to bite off my own tongue just to stop hearing it." Her voice cracked slightly—whether from fury or conflicted emotion, even she didn't know. A part of her hated William. A part of her hated that she didn't really hate him at all.

Killian turned back to William, ignoring her. "Mr. William, could you kindly release me from these restraints? I'll be able to serve you more efficiently."

William tilted his head, feigning confusion. "Untie you? Are you actually asking me that?"

Killian's smile faltered. "Well, yes... you're the head of AIM now. Isn't that what you wanted?"

William tapped the side of his head with a finger. "Are you damaged up here? I was mocking you, genius. You think I'd take orders from the guy who tried to use my Pepper as leverage? You're not even worth the dirt under her feet."

The words hit Pepper like a bolt to the chest. My Pepper. The possessiveness in his tone shouldn't have stirred her, but it did. Her heart fluttered—and then she cursed herself for reacting like a teenage girl at prom.

Killian, however, was not touched. He broke into nervous laughter. "Let's not be hasty, Mr. William. I'll issue an official apology to Ms. Potts immediately. Pepper, I truly am sorry."

Pepper gave him a cold, deadpan glare. "You're sorry now? You think that's going to undo the trauma, you flaming piece of shit? Go rot."

William cracked a smirk. "Killian, try to die with a shred of dignity. Feel honored, at least—you're dying at my hands."

Killian's face twisted. The fake humility dropped like a mask. "If you've got any balls, let me go. Let's settle this in a fair fight, man to man!"

William snorted. "Ah, there's the real you. Finally dropped the good-boy act. Sorry, I'm not into 'honor duels' with scum who kidnap women. But sure, let's play your little game."

A surge of blue light shimmered in William's hand before the golden machete appeared, gleaming ominously under the lights.

Killian's bravado wavered as he saw the blade. "Mr. William, wait—I was wrong. Let's talk. I genuinely believe AIM and you—"

"Save it for hell," William said flatly. "I'm sure you'll meet plenty of eager collaborators there."

With a single flash, William slashed his golden machete through the air.

Killian's scream echoed across the ship as his body split cleanly in two.

"I—I'll never forgive you… even in death..." Killian gasped, his torso writhing grotesquely.

Then the body began to glow, turning red-hot. A humming energy built up rapidly.

"Shit!" Pepper shouted. "He's going to blow!"

Before anyone could react, the two halves of Killian's body erupted in a fiery explosion—rivaling the force of a very small tactical nuke. The shockwave tore through the ship, engulfing everything in a wave of fire, smoke, and twisted metal.