Lost in Life

Chapter 27

Zayn

Every muscle in my body tenses at Killian’s words.

Fuck.

Without another word, I stride over to Nova and scoop them up into my arms. “Seriously?” I mutter under my breath. Sh-they turn their wide eyed gaze to me, reaching up and wrapping their arms around my neck.

Nova opens he-their mouth to say something, but I shake my head, silencing their words. They press their lips in a grim line, tucking their head against my chest.

I climb into the back of the sedan, keeping my hold on Nova.

That was too fucking close.

My arms tighten at the thought.

West clambers in behind me, scooting on the seat so our thighs are pressed together. I resist the urge to wrap my arm around him as well, the need to protect him from Killian nearly overwhelming me.

The entire ride back to our headquarters is filled with a tense silence. The tension so thick it’s almost palpable.

By the time we slow to a stop before the mansion, I still haven’t formulated a plan. The only thing I know is I won’t let them touch Nova or West. Not while I still have breath in my lungs.

Killian climbs out of the car, indicating for us to follow with a tilt of his head. I take a deep breath and open the door, taking my time as I shuffle from the vehicle.

I had made a plan, one that could have worked. But Nova being Owen’s daughter?

I look down at their petrified face, my chest constricting. Now that I know the connection, I can see it clearly in the angle of h-their cheekbones, in the small curve to their nose. Our eyes meet and even the shape of their eyes reminds me of his.

Yeah, it complicates things.

Breaking our eye contact, I gently set them down onto their feet. As I bend to help steady them, I whisper in their ear, my voice barely a breath. “Follow my lead.”

Straightening, I nudge them to walk in front of me, gesturing for West to follow. I square my shoulders, shutting off all emotions so as not to let my feelings weaken me.

If we’re going to make it out of this alive, I need to be at my best. My deadliest.

Walking behind the two, I can’t fight the terror at losing them.

Killian continues his long strides, not sparing us a glance. I let out a relieved breath at the small window it offers. As quickly as I can, I type out a message to Tavish.

Me

I need everything you can gather on Rex.

I mean everything. Now.

Sending it off, my phone buzzes immediately.

T

K

I nearly snap my phone from the rage his casual response elicits. Breathing through my nose, I remind myself he doesn’t know the situation.

Not really.

Me

Life or death kid.

T

Got it

Putting my phone away before I snap it in half, I run through the inkling of a plan forming in my mind.

It’s a stretch, but it might be our best shot.

Just before we reach the door, my phone buzzes again.

T

Well this just got interesting.

I watch the text bubbles as he types, my heart hammering in my chest.

T

I want extra chips this time

A moment later the small device in my pocket buzzes. Glancing at Killian to make sure he’s still focused ahead, I tuck away my phone and pull out the device, cursing internally as I try to get through the security measures.

I open the new message, a little of the heaviness lifting at the promise it holds.

T

Secure link

Maybe we can make it out of this alive after all.

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Everly looks us over as Killian closes the door before going to stand beside her, the click of it latching loud in the otherwise silent room. Taking a step forward, she runs her hand down Nova’s hair, humming softly.

I tense, fighting the urge to rip off her hand for touching what’s mine.

Everly notices my reaction and scoffs. “Oh calm down, Zayn.” She admonishes, leaning back against her desk. “I’m just admiring my sister’s beautiful hair.”

Nova’s eyes widen and they choke out, “Sister?” A flash of pain mingles with their hesitant excitement.

Everly looks them up and down, nodding her head. “That’s right, lovely. Welcome to the family.” With a wink, she looks over to West. “And who are you, big boy?”

West glances at me, his face pale. She waits patiently for his response. When he appears unable to form a word past his terror, I take a step forward, pulling her attention back to me. “My new recruit.”

Everly looks between us, her eyebrows shooting up. “Is that so?” She asks, her lips twitching.

I nod, gesturing toward both Nova and West. “They both are.”

Everly rubs her chin thoughtfully, looking at the two with much more curiosity than before. After several more moments of tense silence, she returns her gaze to me. “And tell me, Zayn.” Pushing upright, she picks up a knife from her desk, running her finger along the blade. “Why would I allow these two into my society? What makes them worthy to join?” She watches me closely as I pull out my small device. Killian bristles at my movement but she holds up a hand, stopping his reaction.

I unlock the device and hand it over to her, the screen showing all the data Tavish had gathered. Pointing at Rex’s face, I explain, “This guy was responsible for thousands of deaths. He ran the local opioid street market, but on top of that was a conniving scumbag who preyed on innocents.” Everly’s eyebrows shoot up at the word. One which I have discovered since her takeover matters more than anything.

The protection of the innocents. Her one rule in our new society.

She’s unlike her step-father in that manner. His careless lack of remorse for who was harmed in his pursuit of power a direct contrast to her insistence to protect those who cannot protect themselves. My mind flashes back to the rumors of one such person who was harmed by the man.

Clearing my throat and pushing aside the guilt gnawing at me, I continue. “See, these two?” I gesture toward West and Nova. “They helped me put an end to him.” Holding my hand out, I wait for Everly to hand over the device again before pulling up a few photos I took earlier.

Offering her the device once more, a sense of pride wells up inside of me at the impressed look on her face. Tilting the screen toward Killian, she arches an eyebrow. “Impressive.” He rumbles, returning to his stoic position.

Chuckling, she hands back my device. “Quite.” Looking over West and Nova once more, she sets down the blade. I subtly release a relieved breath, the symbolic action not lost on me. “You know what this means, right?” She asks, glancing at me.

I nod, knowing I’m going to get an earful from the two spitfires, but at least they’ll be alive. Sort of.

Raising her arms, her eyes twinkle as she proclaims, “Welcome to Societas Exspiravit.”