Chapter 2
A whole dayhas passed in a whirl, working on our laptops to try to pinpoint my uncle’s whereabouts. Yet nothing has come up.
The tranquility of the island has helped me reset the shit that’s been going on in my head since I found out my mother is still alive. I needed space and time to think, to breathe, and I know I could never have done that while in Tynewood, not with my parents’ secrets coming to light and the shitstorm Thane left behind.
At the same time my mother returned from the dead, I learned my uncle is Rukaiya’s father. I’m hoping Heinrich can help me find her biological mother. I want to give Rukaiya closure because not only is she Etienne’s girlfriend, she’s also family. And since we changed the rules of the Sovereign, she’s been given a place at the table as a Crown.
Heading over to the liquor cabinet, I find the bottle I want and pour myself a vodka. Then stepping out onto the balcony, I gulp the harsh liquid down in the hopes it will take away the fucking anxiety twisting in my gut.
I’ve arranged a flight for tonight to Amsterdam. It will be a short trip, and Grecia is accompanying me. We’ve been working closely together since she arrived here, and she’s been a great help in tracking down the information I need.
I lean against the balcony railing and stare out at the beach, recalling when Grecia turned up there, uninvited, a few short weeks ago.
Even though it’s early in the morning, the sun burns brightly, and I push my shades up to the bridge of my nose to protect my eyes. There aren’t many people about yet, but I know in the next hour or so, this place will be swarming with tourists.
I’ve traveled to Capri because I want to disappear from the world for a while. Once I’ve got my head back together, I intend to put all my efforts into locating Thane.
The moment my feet hit the cool sand, I stop and take in the ocean view that greets me. This place is heaven, and the miles of sand and clear blue waters stretching out in front and on either side of me are all I need right now.
“Tarian?” My blood chills at the sound of my name. I’ve traveled all the fucking way here to be on my own, and someone knows me.
Jesus, can’t I escape? Even if it’s just for a couple of months.
Turning in the direction of the voice, my gaze rakes in the familiar beauty strolling toward me in denim cut offs and a tiny bikini top that does nothing to hide her tits. She’s so fucking hot, but I have to focus. I can’t allow myself to be distracted by pussy right now.
Instead of greeting her, I jerk my chin up.
“What are you doing here?” she asks when she reaches me.
Grecia Birchwood is not what, or who, I was expecting to find when I left my apartment earlier.
“Vacation.”
My clipped response doesn’t go unnoticed, but I know Grecia doesn’t give up that easily. She’s the type who’ll keep hanging around, and even if I tell her to leave me the fuck alone, she’ll pretend she didn’t hear me.
“There are rumors you’re not coming back,” she tells me as we walk along the beach.
She’s right. When I left Tynewood, I told everyone I had no intention of returning. I’d decided to run and never look back.
“Who knows what the future will bring,” I respond with a shrug.
I don’t look at her as I speak. I want to, though. I crave the human connection, but I force myself to focus on the ocean instead.
She waits a beat before admitting, “Sometimes I feel like running away. Being free from my family and the influence of the Sovereign makes it easier to think. Kelli is constantly going on about the importance of the society, and I find it exhausting.”
Grecia’s confession makes me stop for a moment. Finally, I glance at her. She is everything I admire in a woman—poised, elegant, and beautiful. Her tanned skin is like smooth caramel, and her wide eyes are golden as they shimmer in the sunlight. She has perfect, pouty lips, and her slight curves make me want to pull her onto my lap and have her writhing on me as she moans in pleasure.
Regal. That’s what I think when I look at Grecia.
With her gaze locked on the water, she doesn’t notice me staring at her, so I keep on taking her in. I watch how her small smile tilts the corners of her lips. Her expression suggests she’s having similar dirty thoughts to the ones I’m having.
“Why don’t you take me on whatever adventure you’re planning. I can help you.” Her suggestion almost makes me scoff. Do I really want her with me when I walk into one of the most dangerous situations I’ve ever been in? “I may be female, but I can handle myself,” she adds.
Her assurance makes me turn toward her. I’d love to watch her fight. Maybe even kill someone. I don’t know why, but the thought of it makes my dick hard. I’ve always been a man-whore, just like Etienne and Ares, and I wouldn’t mind taking a ride on the G-train if she’s offering with no strings. But if Grecia thinks she’s getting any love from me, she’s sorely mistaken.
“In that case, I guess I should say, welcome to the adventure of a lifetime.” I quirk a brow at her, waiting for her response.
“Sign me up.” She winks playfully.
Then with an excited squeal, she shoves her shorts down those long, lithe legs, unhooks her bikini top, and races into the water.
And right then and there, I know she’s going to be a handful, in more ways than one.
I can tellGrecia’s waiting for something to happen between us. I can’t allow it, though, because if I take her once, I know I’ll crave her again and again—like a junkie hooked on the high.
“Tarian.” Her voice comes from behind me, and I turn to look at her.
She’s standing in my bedroom with those wide, honey-colored eyes pinned on me. I’m not wearing much, just a pair of boxers, and I know she’s drinking in every inch of me.
“What is it?”
“Are we leaving soon?” she asks as she joins me on the balcony.
I sigh and turn to her.
“Yeah, listen, you don’t have to come with me. This is something I probably should do on my own. Heinrich isn’t the nicest man to be around.” My voice is low, and there’s a warning laced through every word.
I honestly don’t want Grecia near him.
“I like traveling with you,” she smiles, placing her hand on my arm. I shrug off her touch and immediately chastise myself for my response. “Sorry,” she mumbles.
“I don’t deal well with affection,” I bite out. “You know this.”
Grecia nods. “I know. Sometimes I wish you’d stop closing yourself off.”
“If you don’t like it, I suggest you head back to Tynewood.”
I say shit like this to her to make her see what an asshole I am, and how incapable I am of being in a relationship. But as soon as the words are out of my mouth, I’m hoping she doesn’t leave. There’s a push and pull between us, and I’m always the one pushing.
Leaving her on the balcony, I head back into my bedroom and grab a pair of jeans. Once I’ve pulled them on, I ease up the zipper and fasten the button before turning back to her. It’s easier to hide my feelings when we’re working together and she’s not tempting me with those soulful eyes and wishful smiles.
“I can’t go home,” she tells me. “You know I can’t face them yet.”
Nodding, I shrug on my T-shirt that has a massive Tool band logo splashed across the front.
“Then grab your bags. I want to head out now.”
Once Grecia leaves me, I open my emails and search for any new messages. I’ve managed to hack into Thane’s server and download his emails, but none of them have offered up any hints as to his current location. There’s a rumor that my uncle has returned to the States, but I’m waiting on an email from Heinrich to confirm whether that’s the case.
I open the message app that allows me to read hacked inboxes but find nothing of interest. I do, however, discover Mommy dearest has been active. She’s been trying to contact Hilary Durand, which makes me wonder what she’s up to. It occurs to me my mother might be hiding something from Thane, but if she is, I have no idea what it could be.
The sun has almost set, and the light in the room is dimming as I zip up my suitcase and carry it through to the living room. The driver should be here soon.
I hope I’ll get what I need in Amsterdam.
My phone buzzes, and I pull it out to see another email coming through. It’s the one I’ve been waiting for, confirming that Thane is back in the States, but Heinrich doesn’t know where my uncle’s headed.
I intend to go after Thane once I’ve been to Amsterdam to meet with Heinrich. The leader of the Dutch faction of the Sovereigns has some useful information about my family he wants to give me in person, and he’s told me he’s located Rukaiya’s biological mother. It’s not every day you learn you have a cousin that you never knew existed. I’m hoping if I do something good for Rukaiya, she’ll forgive me for walking away from Tynewood before we had a chance to get to know each other.
After this meeting, though, the only thing on my mind will be revenge. I intend to end Thane, so I can put the past behind me and focus on the future without worrying about the shit my family’s done to me.
The vibration of my phone alerts me to another new message.
Tonight, there will be a meeting of Elders. Bring the entertainment, and in return, we’ll give you information about your family and the woman you’re seeking. – Heinrich
With a smile, I open the front door just in time to see our driver pulling up to the curb. The heat of the day still hangs heavily in the air, and I shrug off my jacket, draping it over the suitcase.
When Jerome walks in, he shakes my hand. “Hey, man, good to see you again. I can’t believe you’re leaving already. We didn’t get much time to catch up.”
“Yeah, I know. I’ll be back at some point with the rest of the guys. Thanks for taking us to the airstrip. I just wanted to say goodbye before we fly out,” I tell him.
Jerome’s father is Billy, the gym owner who’s helped Ares in the past. When Jerome left Tynewood, he moved to Capri to live with his mother. Billy wasn’t happy about it, but I think he knew it would be better for his son to live abroad rather than join the Sovereign.
“It’s all good. You know you’re always welcome to stay with me if you want to come back.” His invitation for us to visit him here means a lot. “You seen my old man lately?” Jerome asks.
“Nah, not for a few months,” I tell him. “But I know he misses you.”
“He still doing the fighting thing?”
I nod and Jerome shakes his head. “Asshole will never learn. I’ve told him countless times to leave that shithole and move here.”
“I’ve a feeling Billy likes living there because it’s where he grew up, and now Abner’s in jail, there’s no longer any threat to him. Your dad may not be part of the Sovereign anymore, but deep down, I think he misses being involved in the intrigue, and with all the drama going on at the moment, Tynewood’s the place to be. Did you know my mother is still alive?”
His eyes widen as I get him up to speed on what’s been happening back home. Even to my ears it sounds like a goddamned soap opera.
“Where’s Etienne?”
“Well, he’s living with his girlfriend, who’s also my cousin, at the Durand house.”
“Girlfriend? So The God of Love has finally settled down.” Jerome shakes his head and chuckles as he mentions the nickname we gave Etienne when we were at school.
“Yeah, he’s fucking pussy-whipped,” I tell him.
I can’t help but smile at the idea of my best friend with Rukaiya. I never thought I’d see the day when Etienne would become a one-woman man. I also can’t believe it’s my cousin he’s fucking.
Jerome heads out to the car carrying a couple of suitcases. I’ve packed everything I brought with me from Tynewood, including my hacking equipment, which has come in very handy while I’ve been away. Working for Abner gave me a lot of experience when it comes to computer systems. Before I stepped up as a Crown and Abner was arrested, I used to do his bidding. That was before we found out what an asshole he is. Ares’ father isn’t a good man, and now he’s rotting in jail where he belongs.
Focusing on the here and now, I head to Grecia’s bedroom. I silently watch her from the doorway. Her curves are accentuated by a tight pair of yoga pants and a tank top. I know when she turns around and I feast my eyes on her ample tits, my dick will stand at attention.
I’ve jerked off to the thought of Grecia Birchwood countless times, but I know it would be a mistake for us to get involved. She’s a friend and could be a Crown if she chooses to step up and take the position, so it would make breaking her heart very messy.
It’s far too close to home.