Ruthless Reign

Chapter 4

“You going to get that?”Kaleb asked me as we left the autobody shop, holding the backseat door of the Bronco open as I slid onto the seat.

Iglanced at my phone screen, seeing the incoming call from Dad and hitting the side button to silence it. “No. It’s not important.”

Iwas sure Dad wouldn’t agree, but since he wasn’t technically ‘Dad,’ I wasn’t sure if I technically cared right now. I had enough to mentally sort through and physically deal with as it was. I didn’t need Mr. Hart breathing down my neck as well.

Kaleb’seyebrows twitched together, but he didn’t push it, closing the door behind me.

“Wait up!” I heard someone call and squinted through the windshield to see one of Damien’s men rushing over to have a word with Kaleb and Hardin. Hardin shut the passenger door without getting in so I had to strain to hear their conversation outside.

Myphone buzzed incessantly, blocking out most of what they were saying, and I groaned to myself, jamming the button to silence the next call and the next. By the time they got in the Bronco, I had two more missed calls from Dad and a couple new messages from Toby and Kate asking where I was and if I’d be home later after work.

Therewere a couple from Aodhán, too, asking why he hadn’t seen me around campus or at Death before Decaf. Asking me if I was okay. I didn’t know how to answer any of their questions right now.

Ididn’t know what to say because I had no fucking idea if I’d be going home. Going back to class. Going to work.

Andeven if I were able to do any of those things, I doubted I’d be doing them alone anymore.

“What was that about?” I asked as Kaleb started the car.

“Zade’s going to talk with the Kents tonight. He was asking if we’d go with.”

“We’re not,” Hardin said gruffly.

“Why not?” I asked.

Neitheranswered. So, obviously they weren’t going to do their jobs or their duty to their father’s empire because of me. Awesome.

“Why did he want you guys to go with him?” I asked, hoping I’d at least get an answer to that. SomethingI could use to convince them that they couldn’t use me as an excuse not to actively have a hand in fixing this whole fucked up situation.

“TheKents are a smaller family run operation. Hardin and I went to middle school with their son and his best friend who is also in the gang. Zade thought we might be able to convince them to stand with us when the time is right.”

“Can you?” I prompted.

Noanswer. “What if I went with you?”

Silenceas Kaleb pulled onto the road.

“That’s why you aren’t going to help, right? Because of me? Because you want to stay attached to me at the fucking hip?”

Iwatched a muscle jump in Kaleb’s temple from the rearview mirror.

“Take me with you then. I don’t have to go inside. I’ll just wait in the car and you can lock the doors. No one will even know I’m there.”

Kalebsighed. “I mean, maybe if?—”

“Absolutely not,” Hardin interrupted.

Ikicked the back of his seat, making him jolt forward and whip around to glare at me in a way that made my blood chill and my stomach squeeze at the same time. “Stop being a dick,” I hissed. “What if you guys not going tonight means they say no? Hmm?”

“Then they say no,” Hardin hissed right back.

“Great and then we’re stuck at square one. You don’t get it, do you? If you guys don’t do your part, then this goes on longer than it needs to. Maybe ‘this’ doesn’t end at all. MaybeI stay ‘in danger,’” I put air quotes around the words and give my best impression of a grouchy ass Hardin voice. “Or maybe that’s what you want? As long as I’m not safe you get to keep me right where you want me.”

“Vixen…”

“Kaleb…” I mimic, hating how I sound but hating this bullshit more. I’m not going to be the reason more people are hurt. I won’t be the reason more people get killed.

I’dbeen there and done that back in ThornValley. This was a fresh start. A new me. AndBecca 2.0 wasn’t going to cower and hide while other people put their lives on the line.

“Literally the least I can do is go with you and wait in the car.”

Kaleband Hardin shared a look.

“Fine,” Kaleb said and I watched Hardin’s upper lip curl, but he didn’t fight his brother, instead turning his acidic stare back to the window.

“But if you step one toe out of this car?—”

“I won’t,” I rushed to say. “I swear.”

Theugly truth was that I didn’t want to. As fucking if I wanted to go into another gang lair and stand next to people who know how to kill me fifty different ways. Yeah. Hard pass. I’d stick with the evil I knew thank you very much.

Irealized where we were going only a minute before we got there. I knew better than to think they were dropping me off at home, though.

“You won’t make your shift at DeathBeforeDecaf,” Kaleb said as he pulled past the cafe, and I peered in to see Toby passing two hot coffees to a couple at the counter with that massive smile of his.

“Three’s a crowd for my bedroom at the apartment,” I said, assuming they were planning to stay with me. “One of you will have to take the couch.”

Thetiniest smirk pulled at Hardin’s mouth, and I wanted to kick the back of his seat again. I didn’t say which one of them would share my bed. Maybe tonight it would be Kaleb, if only to teach Hardin a lesson in manners.

“We aren’t staying, Vixen,” Kaleb said, an apology in his eyes as he flicked his gaze up to meet mine through the rearview. “We don’t need to put Toby and Kate in danger, too.”

Mystomach turned, and I swallowed, clenching my teeth. I hadn’t even thought of that. Suddenly all the pride I felt earlier when I offered Damien a solution he actually liked—and commended me for—evaporated. “Right.”

“Figured you would need a change of clothes,” he explained as we parked and Hardin jumped out to clear the street and the alley where the entrance to the apartment was. “Maybe some girl shit, too, or whatever.”

Ofcourse.

Wewere just here for a quick pit stop so I could pick up the pieces of my life I finally found a place for and move them again. Totally fine.

Hardinled us up the stairs and Kaleb followed behind me. I could feel his stare tracing the curves of my body with every step we took.

“Keys,” Hardin demanded when we got to the top, and I dug them out of my bag, tossing them at him.

Iwas pretty sure I could unlock a damn door myself, but I was tired of arguing already. Actually, I felt like I needed a nap. I blamed Hardin’s insatiable appetite. We were up until practically dawn in his room. My greedy pussy didn’t mind, even if it was a bit battered, but my body…that was another story. My muscles felt like I’d run a full marathon and my joints creaked like I was fucking tin man. Then there were the bruises. I could really use a hot bath.

Ialmost moaned at the idea, knowing I’d likely have to settle for a shower at their place later.

Hardinpushed into the apartment, his fingers twitching, but he didn’t draw his weapon as he stalked through the living room and down the hallway, opening the doors to every room. He gave Kaleb a nod and he nudged me inside.

“Grab what you need, Vixen. We should get back.”

Ishouldered past Hardin to get into my room, digging through the pile of clothes in my closet to unbury the suitcase there. I had a feeling an overnight bag wasn’t going to cut it and who the fuck knew when I’d be able to convince them to bring me back here.

Whoknew if I would ever be coming back.

Thethought made my belly twist and sour with acid.

Iwould, I reassured myself. I survived a gunshot wound to the chest back in ThornValley. I’d survive this, too. No matter what happened.

Hardinstood sentinel by the arched window, arms crossed as he looked down over the street below like every person he saw personally offended him.

Ithrew clothes haphazardly into the suitcase, adding a couple pairs of shoes for good measure, though I doubted I’d be needing my ManoloBlahniks, I couldn’t stand to be parted from them. WhenToby tried to sell them I almost bit his hand off.

“Doubt you’ll be needing those, Hawk.”

Icocked my head at Hardin, who was making no secret of eyeing the stiletto heels atop the mess of clothes in the suitcase. “Hawk?”

Hislips tightened, but he didn’t elaborate. I supposed there were worse things to be called. Besides, if my bestie was a Crow, at least I could be in the aviary species, too. Hawk. Cute. Maybe that meant he thought I was worthy. Just as worthy as her.

Itried to hide my smile as I packed some undergarments and the sturdiest pair of flat bottomed shoes I owned.

“Wait, Hawk?” Kaleb asked, eyebrow raised at his brother.

Hardin’sjaw flexed.

“Isn’t that what you called that big ass moth that, like, lived in your room for weeks last year?”

Amoth?

Afucking moth?

Withdelicate powdery wings that break when you touch them?

Thethings that literally eat away at curtains and sofa cushions?

Iglared at Hardin, who didn’t even have the decency to look sorry.

“Don’t forget your charger,” Kaleb said, pulling it out of the wall beside my bed to toss it into the suitcase. “Hardin always steals mine and breaks them, so I don’t have an extra one for you.”

Ishook my head, rolling my eyes at them both, still seething over the new nickname.

“Anything in here you need?” Kaleb jerked open my nightstand drawer.

“Don’t—” I blurted, but it was too late to stop him.

Hewhistled low between his teeth as he looked down at my treasure trove. “Damn, Vixen.”

Helifted the giant purple dildo from the pile and raised his brows.

“The fuck is all this?”

“My toys,” I answered plainly. “Don’t you know it’s rude to open a lady’s drawers without asking?”

Irefused to be embarrassed. I knew what I liked, and my appetite was not very easily sated. At least it wasn’t before these guys. I wouldn’t let myself think about the last one. The only other man who ever made me come without the use of a toy to aid him. I shuddered.

Hardinstalked over from the window and plucked the dildo from Kaleb’s grasp, dropping it back into the drawer and then slamming it shut. “She won’t be needing any of that shit.”

Kalebshouldered Hardin out of the way with a scoff, tugging the drawer back open. “Speak for yourself, man. Toys are friends, not foes.”

Ibit back a laugh at the color creeping into Hardin’s face as his brother picked out a good selection of items, dropping each one into the suitcase with exaggerated excitement.

Hebit his lower lip, lifting a brow in my direction as he examined the largest butt plug I owned as if he doubted it would fit. I gave him a look that conveyed it did and he blinked, muttering something under his breath that sounded like I’m going to need to see that as he dropped it into the suitcase to join its sinful cousins.

Hardinleft the room with a tight jaw and darkness shadowing his eyes. We heard the front door slam behind him as he left to go and wait in the car.

“Don’t mind him,” Kaleb said, coming to brush my hair back behind my shoulder, letting his fingertips linger lightly against my neck for just long enough to make me shiver. He smiled at my response, and I licked my lips, in wonder at how my abused pussy could even respond to him after what his brother did to me last night. “He’s never been good at sharing.”

Iswallowed hard. “ThenI guess we’ll have to teach him how.”

“Yeah?” he asked and something in his tired eyes gleamed. I saw surprise there. Relief. And something I didn’t want to name just yet.

“Yeah.”