24. Adrian
The next morning, he woke up to several texts from Ivory.
My Sweet Witch
Sorry, I totally passed out :( I tried not to get distracted, like you said, and ended up hyper-focused on homework until I had no energy left.
But I did think of you last night.
It’s probably not what you had in mind, but here’s a picture to hopefully avoid some punishment.
He smiled, wondering if she knew how much she’d revealed. Some punishment, but not all of it? Whether she meant it as a subtle hint or not, he wasn’t about to miss the implication. Being a good girl all the time was difficult—even for his sweet witch, who he had no doubt could be just as naughty as she was nice.
The photo she attached looked like it'd been taken in her dorm, presumably before leaving for class that morning. She’d used the ribbon to tie back a section of side-swept bangs and done her makeup with sparkly eyeshadow. Even with foundation, faint dark circles hung under her eyes. Perhaps it was better that he hadn’t had the chance to keep her up.
However, her smile looked more radiant than ever, and whether that had something to do with the new hair color or their new dynamic, he loved to see it. He saved the photo to his phone and sent a reply.
Good morning, beautiful.
I hope your studies were fruitful, remember to reward yourself.
I also see you’re eager for punishments, that’s good :) The picture you sent is particularly sweet, so I won’t be harsh. Answer this, and you’ll be in the clear: what about riding my bike turns you on?
Of course, a punishment wasn’t really called for. Her end of the deal hadn’t been mandatory, but since she mentioned it, he decided to play along.
Either way, he’d planned to ask her about the bike. He’d been surprised when she admitted it had such an effect on her, but he suspected something from the beginning. Could be the adrenaline, or maybe she enjoyed being afraid and knowing he’d still keep her safe, but he wanted to hear it in her own words.
She was probably in class at the moment, so he set the phone aside and started getting ready for the day. His only lecture would begin in an hour, and after that, he had work until dinner time. Then, once it was nice and dark out, he’d set things into motion.
A text came in as he sat down with a fried egg and some toast for breakfast. Luckily, it was from the only person he wanted to hear from.
Good morning yourself, handsome 3
For the reward, (since you insisted) I bought a hot chocolate. Hold on, I’ll send a pic. They made a cute design with the creamer. And I’m not…eager. Maybe a little, but only because it’s coming from you.
Forget I said that.
About the bike thing…I like being close to you. It’s like my fate is in your hands.
His lips twitched. Forgetting was the last thing he’d do when it came to her.
He pondered the last message she sent. So, she was a true submissive—aroused by letting go of control. She also wanted the chance to be obedient and know the rules would be enforced. Several scenes came to mind, and he stored them all for later.
Giving her his full attention was going to be fun as hell.
But it was important that she got over being so strict with herself. Trying to live up to impossible standards would only make it harder for her to excel, and he’d rather she worked towards her own goals instead of what she thought others expected of her.
A photo of her hot chocolate came in; a fancy heart swirled into the froth like she’d mentioned. He wished the picture included more of her than a gloved hand, but he saved it regardless and then snapped a photo of his boring plate and sent it along with a reply.
I like to hear that, all of it. My food is less cute, but it does the job.
I’ll make you cute food someday.
You’ll be my cute food someday.
Her response had made him smile, and his chest warmed when she sent a blushing emoji.
Have you had any cravings to smoke?
Nothing too bad.
I’m going to keep myself busy tonight to keep my mind off it.
Or to let off some steam. It was a win-win as far as he was concerned. Not so much for the other party involved, though.
About time for me to leave for lecture. I might not be able to talk much for the rest of the day, but I still expect you to hold up your end of the deal.
Okay. Stay warm, it’s freezing outside!
Will do. You too.
3
She sent a purple heart back, and a weight settled on his chest as he closed their messages.
Cold or not, he had no choice but to ride his bike to campus. He’d used all his savings to buy that beauty, and nothing had been left over to maintain a car. No regrets.
Heated seats would’ve been nice, though.
???
As the sun set and dusk took over the snowy roads, even his thick leather felt more like a piece of paper. He cut the engine off a block away from Beta Rho and rolled his bike behind a cluster of evergreens, careful not to leave a scratch.
The snow sparkled and his footfalls crunched on the unshoveled sidewalk. Most of the lights were on inside the house, but it didn’t look like they had a crowd tonight. It was probably a casual evening full of the brothers and their personal guests. The back porch had been abandoned to drifted snow piles, much less inviting than the last time he’d been here. A handful of voices drifted out of cracked windows framed with red string lights.
He wondered why Jace would waste his time with a bunch of privileged brats who didn’t give a shit about true brotherhood—but then again, this was Jace, the precious baby who could inherit the Yu legacy without lifting a finger.
Everyone knew their father gave Jun all the real work, which left Jace with enough freedom and leniency to wind up here. Flaunting expensive jewelry and wearing the club’s symbol like a runway model was clearly more important to him than learning the family business. With all that partying, Adrian doubted a college degree would teach him what he actually needed to know, especially with the underworld.
All the better for him, though. Jace was close enough to the Dragons to know things he shouldn’t and foolish enough to spill details he didn’t realize were significant. Like who gave him that ring.
It might not be much of a lead, but it was something, and at the moment, that was all Adrian needed.
Creeping around the side of the house, he spotted Jace’s uncovered bike parked next to the red Mercedes he drove in the winter. What a waste. The bike would be rusted by spring. Silver skull accents on the handlebars were unpolished but still gleamed in the faint light, and the dark red stones set into the eye sockets glared back at him. Red and black leather covered the seat and a small pack on the side, protecting at least some of it from the elements.
A damn nice bike, one that must cost twice as much as his.
With a solid kick, he sent it crashing to the ground. The metal clanged against the Mercedes and left behind a decent-sized scar. Someone shouted from inside, and the blinds rustled on a nearby window.
Ducking behind a tree trunk, Adrian hid out of sight and waited.
“Shit, man, it’s the bike,” a voice called out from the back door, cracking it open enough to let out a sliver of light.
“Fuck,” another replied. “Jace! Someone fucked with your shit!”
“Hey man, I’m not sticking around to catch the blame,” the first said. The second cursed and replied something indiscernible, then their heavy footfalls raced up the stairs. Left hanging on its hinges, the door swung open as a gust of air swept through the yard. Snow blew across the deck and whipped past Adrian’s face.
Then the door slammed against the siding of the house, and Jace marched outside with a string of curses. His hands balled into fists, displaying three silver rings, one bigger than his largest knuckle and plenty easy to spot despite the dim light.
A tall blonde appeared in the door frame, pulling a sweatshirt down her arms. “Jace, what happened?”
“Fucking hell, Serena. Get inside,” Jace spat, squatting down in the snow to right the fallen bike. “I didn’t ask for your help.”
She huffed and slammed the door shut, leaving him alone.
Just what Adrian had been waiting for.
“Aw fuck no,” Jace hissed, his attention now on the Mercedes. “Fucking dammit, he’s gonna murder me.”
“Looks like someone’s toys got a little damaged,” Adrian said, moving out of the shadows enough for Jace to see half his face.
“Son of a bitch,” Jace cursed, turning away from the vehicles to stomp over. Razed hair exposed a vein on the side of his temple. “You’re gonna fucking pay for this.”
Jace cracked his knuckles. Adrian laughed under his breath. A flash caught his eye, the details of the large ring now clearer. A serpent clinging to a red gemstone.
“No one touches my property,” Jace snarled, curling his lip. “Especially not you.”
Adrian stepped back and led them both further under the trees. “Too bad. Looks like I already did.”
“Don’t think I forgot about last time—payback’s a bitch.” Jace lunged forward with the first swing, but Adrian dodged. Fighting blinded by rage wasn’t much better than being drunk and high.
“Pretty boy thinks he can have anything he wants, doesn’t he?” Adrian taunted, ducking to the side. A little fun before the real questions never hurt anyone.
Jace’s eyes narrowed. “You think because you got my sloppy seconds, that makes you better than me?”
Damn.
Him.
Jace threw another punch, but this time, Adrian moved faster. He took a minor hit to the side of his face and his own fist collided with Jace’s front teeth. He hissed, lungs filled with frigid air.
That felt good.
They both took a step back before swinging again. With every punch, Adrian made sure to hit harder than the last. But Jace refused to back down, as he’d expected. Hot blood dripped from his nose, the metallic taste settling in his mouth as they exchanged blow for blow. Soon, both were panting, pain radiating up his fingers to his arm. Adrian tightened his fist and went for an uppercut.
Using the shadows as cover, Jace twisted and grabbed Adrian’s arm before the hit could connect.
The air got knocked from his lungs as Jace threw him to the ground. A flurry of snow scattered at the impact, the cold biting into his neck and back. Another searing pain exploded in his abdomen, and he struggled to regain his bearing.
“Pathetic fucker,” Jace growled, unleashing another brutal kick. “Know your damn place.”
Adrian coughed up blood and turned on his side, fingers clawing into the ground. He had enough strength to stand but didn’t waste the energy. This was the perfect time to get the information he came for, right when Jace thought he had the advantage. Men became their weakest when they thought they’d won.
“Your ring,” he rasped, forcing one knee underneath his body and moving a hand closer to the top of his boot, where he kept his blade. He didn’t intend to use it and would rather walk away like last time, but he didn’t have to worry about Ivory getting hurt and wasn’t about to take any chances if things got ugly. “Where’d you get it?”
Jace snorted, inspecting the silver that decorated his hand. “Can’t help but grovel for what you’ll never have, I suppose.”
“Who gave it to you?” Adrian demanded, earning him another kick to the side. He grunted as he dug the heel of his boot into the dirt, bracing against an exposed tree root.
“Shut up,” Jace ordered. “You want to know about the ring?” He bent down, sneering as he waved the silver dragon in front of Adrian’s face. “It’s a symbol of who I am, of my family, and what we’ve done—what we can do. Our rule is ordained, and anyone who gets in our way will pay with blood. It means I could kill you right now, and no one would know. No one would care. I bet they wouldn’t even find the body.”
So that’s what the ring meant—a family emblem. The killer hadn’t been just a Red Dragon. They’d been a Yu.
Adrian’s fingers brushed the handle of the knife, but he had to hold back. Better to let Jace think he won. Lose the battle, win the war—pride was a small price to pay for knowledge.
“Too bad you’re not worth my time.” Jace tsked and stood up. “Freeze to death for all I care, but the next time you try to fuck with me” —another hard kick came toward his face, but Adrian moved his arm to block just in time— “will be your last.”
Snow crunched as Jace walked away, then the bike rattled as Jace set it upright, and finally, the back door opened and shut.
Steam curled from Adrian’s cracked lips and melted the ice crystals in front of his face. After another minute, he got up and brushed himself off, then turned to walk back to his bike. Pain shot through every cell in his body. He let out a gruff laugh.
Fuck.
Everything hurt.
One thing was certain—when Ivory found out about this, she might beat him up worse than Jace had.