Chapter 12 #2
I didn’t speak but I grabbed him by the collar and slammed him back against the wall so hard the plaster cracked. "You start a commotion in my club again," I said, voice low and lethal, "and I’ll bleed you dry and hang you from the rafters. "
He stammered something, eyes wild with fear but I didn’t care, instead I shoved him toward the door. "Get the fuck out, and don’t every come back."
I turned and looked up to see Layla watching me from upstairs. Even with distance between us, I could feel the heat in my chest, the way my fury burned hotter the moment I sensed her tension. I took out my phone and made a call. "Bring the twins. Now."
Minutes later, they arrived, two figures moving through the club like predators cloaked in shadow. The twins, Ashen and Rael.
Both wore combat-grade tailored suits, matte black from head to toe, the kind of clothing designed not just for style, but for utility hidden weapons, armour-reinforced stitching, and lines that screamed menace.
Their white-blond hair was tied back, identical braids down their backs.
Pale blue eyes, almost silver, scanned the room with the precision of assassins.
Even in the chaos of the club, they moved like they were born from shadow.
Identical in every way but utterly distinct in presence.
Ashen was the quieter one, tactical, observant and lethal with knives and shadow-work.
Rael was fire to his brother’s ice, he was explosive a master of brute force, a nightmare in hand-to-hand combat.
Both were born of vampire blood, changed under the full rite, but kept separate from politics and bloodlines.
Their loyalty belonged to me, and now it would extend to Layla.
I met them at the foot of the stairs. "My mate is under your guard now," I order. "No one touches her, not even one hair strand."
Ashen nodded silently, his pale eyes meeting mine with understanding.
Rael gave a slow grin. "It’ll be our pleasure my lord."
I turned, making my way up the stairs to introduce my woman to Ashen and Rael. Layla was seated in one of the leather-lined booths, sipping a glass of water, her gaze scanning the club’s decadent chaos. When she saw me approaching, her smile was instant, soft, a little uncertain, but real.
"Layla," I called, my voice low as I stepped beside her. "These are Ashen and Rael. They’re going to be watching over you at night, unless I’m there myself."
The twins flanked me like shadows come to life. Layla’s eyes widened as she took them in, two towering figures of intimidation and elegance, their features sharply carved and unnervingly beautiful in the dim lighting.
Ashen bowed his head slightly to Layla. "It’s an honour."
Rael offered a wink and an easy grin. Layla blinked at them a confused look on her face, then she glanced at me. I gave a firm nod, and she seemed to relax a little, nodding in return.
Layla blinked up at them, clearly taking in their sheer size and intimidating presence. Ashen inclined his head respectfully, his expression calm and unreadable. Rael just gave her a cocky half-smile and said, "We’ll make sure no one even breathes wrong in your direction."
Her lips twitched. "I appreciate that… I think."
"You’ll be safe with them," I confirm. "They are the best at what they do."
Just then, the heavy door near the back of the lounge opened and in strolled Viking and Volken like they owned the night, which, in some ways, they did.
Viking’s shirt was half-unbuttoned, tattoos peeking out as he moved with that unpredictable energy he always carried.
Volken was his usual composed self, tailored dark suit, eyes scanning like a hawk.
"Well, well, if it isn’t our favourite queen-in-training," Viking called out as he dropped into a seat, grinning like he’d just started a bar fight.
Volken smirked. "Careful, Vik. You’re going to scare her off."
Layla arched a brow. "I’ve seen scarier things in my fridge."
Viking let out a laugh and held up his drink. "She’s got teeth, I like that."
Volken nodded approvingly. "Smart too. Roman wouldn’t have picked just a pretty face."
"No," Viking added, leaning forward, elbows on the table. "He picked someone that’s already making this cold bastard soften up. You should see him at home hovering like a mother hen. It’s pathetic."
I shot him a look. "I can still break your jaw with one hand; you want me to show you?"
Layla giggled. "Please don’t. I kind of like his face. "
Roman growled at her words, but Viking beamed like he’d won something. "I told you I was charming."
While the banter continued, Ashen and Rael took their positions near the entrance to the upper lounge, two silent sentinels. Their mere presence was enough to keep any curious eyes or wandering bodies far from where we were seated.
The music thumped below, lights flashing over the bodies packed on the main floor, but up here, it was all shadows, power, and laughter. Layla was starting to fit in, not just as my mate, but as part of the family.