Twisted in Chaos (Destructive Devastation #2)

Chapter 59

Despair doesn't even touch the mountain of darkness gnawing my insides and taking my brain for a murderous ride. I want to take fingers, toes, and some goddamn ear lobes. Especially the ones of the guards I've been avoiding for the past few days. Grace insisted we stay locked up in the bedroom we created for Journey. Trapped like rats, that’s what we were. But I'll be fucked if I follow those rules. Ever. Hopefully, they think I've been eaten by lions or something by now. I mean, it’s a possibility for anyone else who wanders in here. Not with me, though. These cats are like my family. My babies. They recognized me the moment I walked through the gates with a sullen expression and numbness tingling in my fingers.

Numbness.

It’s an odd feeling. It sucks all the emotions I should feel into a vacuum of nothingness. Like a black hole sitting inside my chest and absorbing everything. Even my beating heart.

I rub at my chest as it aches. Slowly, feelings have been coming back in small waves. Mostly anger and destruction. Worry, too. My people are inside that mansion, left behind because I couldn’t stand being locked away and forgotten. My brain wouldn’t let me. Memories of my dad’s dead eyes staring through me—haunting me. Every night when I close my eyes. Is that how death truly feels when it’s someone so close to you? Yes. The answer is yes.

Fuck.

For two days, I’ve been wallowing in my secret room, which I built into the cave of my lion’s enclosure. Only I was privy to the building of this secret apartment. Fit with a kitchen, bed, TV, and anything else I could possibly need when I craved solitude. Sometimes a guy just needs a little privacy when he’s rubbing his cock. Here I’m free to come anywhere. And that’s the freedom I thought I would crave.

So, here I sit, curled up in my secret room, contemplating what I should do next—besides slit throats and take some fucking names. I whistle to myself as I make coffee and put some cream in it. Bummer. I’m going to run out soon if I’m not careful. But if the devious little plan I’ve been cooking up comes to fruition, I won’t be here much longer. I hope Daddy Jer won’t be too mad at me for planning without him. He gets all angry and snarly when shit is out of his control.

Oh, well.

This is my show now.

I grin when the flip phone I had stashed in here comes to life, blaring some snarky song I selected just for Olivia.

“Oliviaaaaaa,” I sing-song, plopping down in the recliner near my secret door. “Any news?”

“You’re awfully cheerful for a guy stuck in a lion’s den,” she huffs—no doubt shaking her head at me.

“Don’t insult them. They love me,” I chide, sipping my hot coffee with a smirk. “So…” I trail off, setting my steaming coffee cup down.

“One day, they will, without a doubt, eat you, Arrow. I swear to God,” she grumbles under her breath. Her heels click against the floor, echoing in my ears. Oh, so she’s at the office. A door shuts, and then, it’s just me and her. “We’ve got eyes on Grace and her movements. It seems all her businesses were raided. Any ideas?”

“Nope,” I say, popping the P. “That’s news to me.” No way in hell am I telling a government agent we have new awesome allies who stepped up and knocked down some doors at our expense. Well, theirs, too. Semantics and all that.

Whatever.

“Well, since you’re playing innocent, and I have no idea what I’m talking about. Masked invaders raided thirteen out of twenty businesses newly signed over to Grace Viotto. They left no survivors. Surprisingly, they didn’t burn the buildings down. Any idea why?”

“Could they be holding everyone by the short and curlies for future business ventures?” I question in a hum, giddy with the success of our little takeover. Now, if they’d invade the damn mansion and take Grace and her minions out, I’d be a pleased boy.

Ah, well. That’s what Olivia is for. My big, bad, Veritas agent, looking into every possibility for me.

“I’m guessing that would be the reason,” she sighs, probably pinching the bridge of her nose.

“Maybe, maybe not. Who knows with those criminals; they get themselves into trouble. Something I’m not, by the way. I’m a good Catholic boy.” My heart sinks at the reminder of my dad. Fuck. Why? Stop feeling like this. If I just had someone to murder, I’d be feeling just a little better, damn it.

“Anyway, I’m ignoring that, too. We’re getting a task force together, Arrow. But we need a plan. If Grace remains at the mansion with her guards around her, she’ll never surrender. It puts Journey, Jericho, and Shepp in harm’s way. You understand what I’m saying, right? You need to either get Grace out of the fucking mansion and by herself, or collect your merry band of psychos and hide out in your cave.” By the time she’s done speaking, heat rests behind her words. “Despite me being in the government, you’re all still my family. Ya got it? Don’t fucking die.”

“Aw, Liv. You warm my little black heart. Family?” I say, holding a hand on my chest. “But I’m on it. I’ll go collect my Kitten and the others.” Although, if I don’t, Kitten could be all mine. Nah. I shake my head. I love her too much to take her away from Jer and Shepp.

“Yes, family,” she sighs. “I’m getting things in order, but I need you to do your part, too, Arrow. Okay? No funny business. We need to get this done ASAP.” I can only imagine the stern look she’s throwing my way.

“Got it, boss,” I quip. “I’ll get the gang into my cave, and then we’ll…”

“No! Do not finish that disgusting sentence. Family, remember? Family doesn’t discuss butts and stuff,” she shrieks, cutting me off.

“You’re rude, Liv. I was going to say we'll be safe. Nothing about fucking and…” My nose wrinkles when the line goes dead. I pull the phone from my ear and shrug, closing the flip phone. “So rude.” I shake my head, relaxing further into the chair while sipping my coffee. I’ll need all the fuel I can get to retrieve my beloved and her extra dicks—my bros.

I slump a little. I miss them. This mourning period has been lonely and dark. I need Jer to pull me from the brink of everything. That’s why he’s my Daddy Jer. And… I tilt my head at shouting coming from beyond the cave. Oh, please tell me they’ve sent someone else in here to retrieve me. I love a good bloody show. AKA when Nova and Max tear her guards to pieces as they shit their pants and slowly die. Lions-2 Guards-0.

That’s solid entertainment that I can’t miss.

When I stroll out of my secret door, making sure the rock slides back into place and covers my secret room—I head out to the mouth of the cave. Ah, what a beautiful day to watch another guard die. Or so I thought.

I instantly perk up at the sight of my silent giant making his way through the enclosure with… My face twists at his expression. Fresh tears stream down his cheeks. Well, now I will have to kill someone. No one makes my Sheppy Boy cry except me. And not even me. I hate to see the big man sad.

"Arrow!" I may have the emotional range of a centipede, but I can feel the utter devastation in Shepp’s voice from here, even if I hadn’t seen his face first.

My fingers curl at my side when I step out into the cool sunshine, watching my babies get to their feet. Their eyes watch Shepp with curiosity but don’t approach.

"Stand down," I say, waving a hand at Max and Nova, who promptly plop down into the grass again, yawning and cuddling together.

Aw, they’re so damn cute.

Guards shout Shepp's name with deep authority, but he ignores them while searching for me. His eyes are wild and unsure right before he makes it to the cave.

"Howdy, Sheppy Boy. Did you come to join the party?" I grin when he stops in front of me.

And I halt.

All the jokes I have on the tip of my tongue dry up at the look in his eyes again. I've never pretended to understand any sort of emotions. We've all been put through hell. Him, especially. I was born this fucked-up way and kissed by the devil. But Shepp? He was transformed into the man he is through the trauma his stupid fucking dad inflicted.

"You're alive," he murmurs with glassy eyes, shaking his head.

"Of course I'm alive. Don't tell me Daddy Jer thought I succumbed to my lions’ teeth?" I grin again, putting a hand on his shoulder. "Now tell your favorite Arrow what happened because you look like Grace stomped on your favorite dog and threw him to the sharks."

"Worse," he mumbles, sucking in a breath.

"How can that be worse?" I ask, tilting my head and immediately going on alert. "What did she do, Shepp?" I’m deadly serious. I’ll go to bat for this man. He’s my brother. Even if I joked about leaving him behind so I could have my Kitten’s pussy all to myself. I wouldn’t have. Maybe I’d lock them in a cage for a few hours so I could have my fun.

But still….

"She fucking took my work," he whispers, squeezing his eyes shut. "They took my room and cleared it out, and now it's going to be a fucking nursery," he grits out. But just as quickly, he shakes off the anger boiling under the surface and hides it from me. I still see it, though. It’s right there in his expressive eyes. "So, I came here. Hoping to find you still in one piece. Were they even fed this entire time?"

"Grace, in all her wisdom, continued to let the zookeeper keep them fed and alive. They would have torn her apart if she hadn't." I grin at that, imagining her lifeless body on the grass, along with her stupid fucking guards.

Fucking Shadow.

I can't wait until she fucking dies a miserable death at the hands of Jericho. He's the only one who will be able to do it. I'd be happy too. But, it's owed to him. She took so much from him. Time. Love. Everything. Blah. Blah. Blah. Fuck her. Fuck this. I'm so ready to unleash on all of them, but I hold myself back. If I hurt someone out here, then my Kitten pays for it in there.

"She always loved the animals..." Shepp trails off, running a hand down his face.

"You know what, Sheppy Boy? We'll find them, okay? Even if I have to kill everyone to get the answers. There will be blood! But there will also be a damn victory.” I grin confidently. I will not let my brother down. Those paintings meant a lot to him. Just like the toes I keep in a jar in the basement. They’re my trophies—my toephies, if you will.

"Thanks." He clears his throat. "So, what have you been doing for two days?" Right. My guy doesn’t know about my secret escape.

"The usual." Thinking about how I can take Grace down. Keeping my Kitten safe. Contacting Olivia so she can get her ass here and help. "Nothing special." I shrug.

Shepp blinks a few times. "Right," he mutters, looking back at the lions sprawled out on the lawn. "They'll be okay with me in here?"

"They love you and Jer and, of course, our girl. They wouldn't harm us. They'll protect us from those morons." I nod to the man standing in the middle of the den, pointing a gun at us, threatening our lives with his snarl.

Shepp turns, eyeing where I'm looking.

He’s just in time for the bloody entertainment.

"The boss wants you both back in the mansion," he growls without fear.

Idiot.

"Come and get us then, big boy!" I say, waving at him. Shepp stares at me like I've lost a few screws in my mind. Maybe I have. Two days of solitude will do that to a guy. "I'm a little desperate for more action." I grin when the idiot puts one foot in front of the other. Well, slowly. Max and Nova make their move, standing on either side of me protectively. Who needs guard dogs when you have lions? Pfft. “You should see the way they sink their teeth into the enemies,” I whisper to Shepp, hoping the dummy trembling in his boots hears me.

"Arrow," Shepp growls when I move him behind me in the cave, shoving him back.

"Have no fear, Sheppy Boy. He won't have time," I say, waving a hand when the man stays back. “Step behind me,” I murmur to Shepp as the tension rises.

"You both need to come back right now. She won't give you another chance." He narrows his eyes, gripping his gun firmly. A small laser shoots from the handgun, pointing directly at my chest. Usually, they don’t make it this far without being torn to shreds. They’re smart, though. Not one of their bullets has injured my babies.

"I'd be careful there, Einstein. My babies don't take too kindly to threats.” I grin, tilting my head.

"Then do this the easy way." He shrugs, not giving a shit what happens to him. But he will when his intestines become lawn decorations.

"What's the easy way? We come with you while you continue to hold a gun to our chests? Or..." I give him a knowing look when Max and Nova bare their teeth at the threat, continuing to march forward. My fingers run through the fur on their heads until they’re practically purring under my touch. All it will take is one word, and they’ll be on him like fresh meat for dinner.

The man looks terrified, staring at them with such fear I'm hopeful he'll piss his pants. Ope. And there he goes! It’s running down his legs and forming a wet spot on his pants. God, I love this part of scaring people.

"That really won’t deter them from biting you, you know that, right? They don’t mind the smell of piss from a scared man,” I say, shrugging. Max looks up at me, practically rolling his eyes at my statement. Okay, maybe they hate the smell of pee from their victims, but still.

“The easy way means the both of you leave this enclosure with your lives!” he shouts shakily, fixing his posture. One wrong move and his finger will slip on the trigger, and I’ll be a dead man walking. Bummer. I have more to do in this life—like meet my baby.

“Besides, did you really bring a gun to a pussy fight?" I ask, lifting a brow.

"I'm not afraid of your domesticated lions. They wouldn't..."

"At the ready, babies," I hum when they instantly listen. "You know, I trained them myself? Everyone said getting them to listen to me was impossible, but I proved them wrong. You should ask your pal over there. He got a front-row seat to the show."

The man shudders, looking around at the carnage he stepped over. Who misses intestines on the fucking grass? That guy, I guess. Wouldn’t that be red flag number one? Blood, guts, and body parts on the lawn? These aren't Halloween decorations, pal. His eyes whip to a group of guards outside the gates, shaking his head.

"I..." he quivers slightly, showing his fear.

And then he makes his fatal mistake.

His eyes dip, staring each of my babies in the eyes, basically waving a red flag in front of them and priming them for the attack. He shudders when they both take a few calculating steps together and bolts in the opposite direction.

Good luck with that.

"Well, now you've done and signed your death warrant. I'd say you can outrun them, but..." I smirk when he's pinned down and screaming. It's like music to my ears when he gurgles under their claws and teeth. "Good Max and Nova," I chirp. "Have fun with your new chew toy. Maybe another one will walk in shortly. By the way, boys! They don't take too kindly to threats." I grin when the guards back away from the fence and run toward the mansion, whimpering like kicked dogs. One of them even stops to vomit on the grass. Gross. They saw the carnage from the other two. Why are they sooooo surprised now? Amateurs.

"Jesus," Shepp grunts, turning his back on the carnage.

That's the difference between him and me. I watch with glee, loving when they rip his damn leg off and toss it in the air like a toy. Fucking brutal. And I love it with every fiber of my being. It mutes the despair of my dad's death. Finally. A little, at least. Maybe they'll send more guards in here, and my babies will have their way with them. But if they shoot my lions, the real beast will come out to play.

Me.

No one will be left breathing.

"Let's have a seat in here, Sheppy Boy. Take a load off and enjoy your new getaway for the time being," I instruct, taking Shepp back to a secret part of the cave.

"What the fuck?" he asks, all slack-jawed and in surprise at my fully furnished apartment.

"Welcome to my second favorite place in the world,” I say with arms wide open.

"What's your first?" he breathes, taking in space.

"Journey's pussy, of course." I shrug, pulling him to the bed and forcing him to sit. "So, tell me everything."