Chapter 53 Kane
KANE
Idefinitely have a broken rib as I stumble into one of Niko’s clubs, hugging my side. I don’t know the criminals he works with well enough to know their names while they stare at me, but I manage to get myself to the bar as bass vibrates through my aching body.
Pressing my hand to the bar top, I shout over the music, “I need Niko!”
The woman pouring a drink looks at me, then to the side where I’m sure security are watching. Fuck, I can’t stand anymore. Not after the beating I took in the warehouse or being left on the side of a dusty ass road and walking miles to get here.
Thankfully, my new ally, Vlad, was kind enough to drop me off at the closest point to Niko’s family’s territory after giving me directions, the arrogant fucking prick.
My phone is fucked so I can’t even call him to find out where he is.
I’m sure I have a concussion somewhere on my long list of injuries too, but I slam my hand against the bar top, repeating, “Niko! Your boss. Get him.”
A familiar voice pipes up behind me. “Baby Xandros?”
I only manage to turn my head enough to see Scarlet, making my stomach lurch. Her eyes widen at whatever state I’m in, but she stops security from causing more injuries as she wraps her arm around my waist. “I know him. Help me take him into the office.”
They keep me on my feet as they guide me through the crowd celebrating fuck knows what. Once we’re inside Niko’s office, she shoos the security away.
“He’s got her again,” I admit, bracing for an attack. “I’m sorry, I tried to stop it.”
Her face falls, all bravado lost as she pales. “You know everything?”
My confirmation is slow, a meager fucking nod.
With her hand trembling, she locks the door then slides down it, bringing her knees up to her chest. “Kane.” She lightly rocks her head against the door. “You were supposed to protect her.”
“Do you think I don’t fucking know that?”
Scarlet doesn’t scream at me for my tone, a sign of how well and truly fucked I am.
“They took her from me,” I explain. “I tried to keep her safe—I’ve been fucking trying to find the fucking island. You don’t get to sit there, pointing out the obvious. Call your mother, your father, fucking anyone and get the name of Helene’s island so I can get my fucking wife back!”
“Island?” A small crease forms between her brows. It slowly flattens with the horror taking over her features as she plasters her back to the door. “The island? No one knows where the Kobalts call home.”
“Ask Ruby. She was at the wedding, she’ll know. Scar, please, I’m begging you.” I lower to my knees for another Leroux, clasping my hands together. “Look, I’m begging.”
“You didn’t have a normal wedding, did you?
You had the ceremony?” she spits. “You all fucking lied to me.” Her rage takes over but I don’t move as she cocks her arm back and punches me in the face with enough force to daze me.
“You fucking dickhead. Why the fuck did you let her go through that?” She kicks me in the thigh, causing me to stumble back.
“I didn’t know.”
Her face contorts as she looks at me with pure disgust. “You didn’t know you were raping her? What the fuck do you think tying her up to a breeding bench while those sick cunts bleed all over her was? Their traditions are generations old, but consent isn’t a new fucking concept.”
She continues cursing at me as she brings her phone to her ear. “Ruby? You need to help.”
She puts it on speaker for me to relay every fucked up thing that’s happened. Ruby already knows the wedding shit, so I don’t go into those details, but Scarlet is clearly adjusting to the information as she wavers between rage and tears.
“I don’t know where she is.” My voice is weak as fuck. “I don’t know where any of them are.”
“Kane?” Ruby says in the same gentle tone as always. “I’m sorry for what’s about to happen to you. But if you don’t bring my sister back here safe and sound, I will personally make sure it’s worse. Do you understand?”
“Yeah.”
“Good. Now, say goodbye to Kane Xandros. Everything Delilah loves about you, that you find comfort in, will die—and you’re going to be the one who kills it.” She falls silent as I stare at the seconds ticking over on the screen.
She drags in a deep breath before she says, “Welcome to your new life as Kane Kobalt.”