Chapter 25
Chapter Twenty- Five
Thiago
Adrenaline has flooded my bloodstream, and all my sore muscles and aching wounds become background noise to the rage screaming inside me.
The crowd celebrates around me, chanting for more violence, urging me to grow closer, my hand clenched into a fist—all I can picture is slamming it down on his lying face.
The warehouse hums like a live wire, music pulsing through the air, as my eyes roam through the sea of people who grind and push against each other.
All mindless ants repeating the same vicious cycle, so utterly unaware that even this is controlled by Velarium.
Nothing is free in the world, not even basic entertainment.
I stop.
Sucking in breath as I rake my fingers through my waves, feeling the tension settle deeper into my body.
From the corner of my eye, I spot Ezra. My feet move on their own, drawing me closer to the source of my current problems. He’s talking to someone in the shadows, as if he could hide from me…
his best friend? I scoff, knowing he has been…
All this time, I've been working on trying to find our way out of this while he’s sinking deeper, dragging us along with him.
I step in between them, and Ezra’s eyes move slowly over the length of me and meet my gaze. All the asshole does is lazily grin.
“We need to talk,” I say through gritted teeth, my tone harsh and clipped.
Ezra nonchalantly looks over my shoulder; the coldness in his posture reminds me of Peter. Something so unrecognizable to me. I don’t even catch the other guy as he turns to leave. Ezra slowly shifts towards me—a knot forms at my ribs.
“Why didn’t you tell me about Zayden?” I ask. My voice is rough, like it’s been dragged through gravel, trying to mask the pain it causes me to doubt him. “Why?”
Ezra’s jaw flexes, and a flicker of hesitation flashes across his face before he waves a hand dismissively. “You’re bleeding all over this, T… when he’s not yours to keep.”
I laugh, bitter and short. “I’m bleeding all over this… How about June? Remember her, the girl we grew up with, or do you not care?
He steps closer, ignoring my words. “You think you’re saving him? Saving Nico?” he scoffs, his indignation slaps me in the face with each word. “Yourself? Thiago, the only thing you’re doing is dragging everyone into the same fucking fire. You’re already burning and can't even see that.”
His words hang in the air like smoke—thick enough to choke on. I can’t stand the sight of him. The calm arrogance, the way he talks like he’s already written my ending, much like he’s accepted his.
Maybe that’s what I missed… I’ve been fighting for so long that I didn’t realize he’s surrendered to all of this… If that’s the case, then there’s no hope for a better future.
I shove past him, the lights flickering overhead.
My pulse hammers along my temples. I need air.
I need distance before I do something I can’t take back, especially when he looks at me as if he’s waiting to see my next step.
I clasp my hand over his shoulder, causing him to flinch, but he recovers quickly.
Ezra’s voice is low when he grabs the back of my neck, bringing our faces closer.
“You accepted the deal and Peter… Act like it. You’re a Safra.
Not one of them,” he murmurs, the smell of whiskey and cigar thick on his breath.
I look into his hardened gaze, and I smile.
Pressing my forehead against him, accepting our fate for what it is.
“You’re right,” I murmur, moving my hand away from his shoulder and onto the back of his neck. “But one thing is non-negotiable.” I pull him closer until our breaths mix, until he feels the truth vibrating off my bones. “Zayden is mine.”
Ezra's jaw ticks.
A flicker of anger flashes in his eyes before he shuts it behind that dead calm he’s perfected.
He doesn’t push me away. We remain in a stalemate.
He simply exhales slowly, like he’s already decided how this ends for both of us.
But who is he to determine that? I release him with a playful charm, using my natural carefree demeanor to pull down his defenses, evaporating the tension between us.
“Lead the way, brother, and I’ll follow.”
He studies me for a moment, taking a sip of his drink. His eyes never leave me as he tries to determine whether to believe me or not.
“That was easy,” he breathes out, his shoulders relaxing. “I guess Peter was right, Zayden is truly your Achilles’ heel.”
My brows knit together, nose flaring. “What the fuck does that mean?”
A grin spreads across his face as he says, “You have something to lose.”
The realization is a cold one.
I played a good game, but he had the better hand, and now they know exactly how to get me to fall in line. My jaw clenches, and my stomach churns, but I hold his stare—not allowing him to see defeat. Not even as he downs his drink and claps his hands after setting the glass down.
“Everyone falls in line, T. Everyone.” Ezra leaves, and the silence he leaves behind feels heavier than the fight.
The room tilts, the walls closing in like they’re trying to crush me back into obedience. I stand here, breathing through the ache, realizing he’s right about one thing—I do have something to lose.
And that’s exactly why I can’t fall in line.
I practically run out of there, Ezra’s words still clinging to the back of my skull as I push through the crowd, making my way down from the VIP area.
I take the stairs two at a time, needing a drink…
maybe air. Anything but the suffocating weight that’s lodged between my ribs, making it impossible to breathe.
I couldn’t see Zayden like this. My hands tremble, and I can’t seem to get a grip.
The urge to scream has me walking outside to the man-made balconies.
The night air hits hard, cool and crisp.
The city stretches out below, skyscrapers cutting through the dark.
And if you only focus on what’s on top, you will never notice the poverty that lies below.
For almost a second, I feel human again, until footsteps sound beside me.
From the corner of my eye, I see Sledge, who makes his way towards me, a glass dangling from his fingers.
“You look like you’ve been chewed up,” he says.
“Feels about right.”
He takes a slow drink; eyes fixed on the skyline. “What happened tonight? Wasn’t it supposed to be Zayden? So what happened?”
I lean against the black metal railing, unsure what to respond to him with. It’s not like I had any idea about it either. I shrug, opting for the truth; maybe it would lessen the burden. “Ezra changed it.”
Sledge’s gaze flicks toward me. “You had no idea?”
“None.”
He studies me for a long moment, the silence stretching thin. “I don’t like that… Changes like that are dangerous.”
I laugh under my breath. “Welcome to my world.”
Sledge only nods before finishing his drink and setting the glass on the railing. “Get some rest,” he says as he straightens. “You look like you’re about to break something.”
With that, he walks away, leaving me alone with my thoughts. The wind cuts through my shirt, sharp enough that it stings. I look down and, for a second, I envision myself falling… That’s when I spot him… my moon… near the side exit, slipping through the alley, trying to outrun me.
“What a bad boy you are,” I muse, tracking his movements through the parking lot, trying to sneak out of here and away from me.
Unluckily for him, I enjoy the hunt—it’s my favorite part.
I push myself off the railing and head for the fire escape, my feet hitting each metal step in a rhythm that matches my pulse.
I move fast and quietly, keeping to the shadows until I’m close enough to see him glance over his shoulder.
He doesn’t see me.
And that’s his fatal mistake…
When he turns the corner, I catch him—one hand over his mouth, the other pulling him back against me. His body goes rigid, muscles coiled, breath hot against my palm. The way his body recognizes me—it’s perfect.
“Easy, Ruas,” I whisper, voice rough and close to his ear. “You really think you can run from me? And I wouldn’t chase?” I chuckle at that.
He twists, elbow driving into my gut hard enough to knock the air out of me. I grunt, but don’t let go. The fight in him is pure fire, and I want to be the gasoline that causes it to explode.
“Let go,” he snarls, voice muffled against my hand.
Blood rushes to my cock, as I hold him tight while he squirms. Only stopping when he feels my erection.
“Look how beautiful you respond to me,” I whisper into his ear, letting my breath fan against his skin, forming tiny goosebumps against his flesh.
“Safra,” he warns… and this time, I do let him go. Slowly, I step back just enough to meet his glare.
“I told you to wait for me,” I say, nodding towards the warehouse. “You’re hurt. And you’re not going anywhere without me.”
He wipes his mouth, defiance burning in his gaze. “You don’t get to decide that. Fuck. Off.”
“Unfortunately, I do,” I quip back with a lopsided grin. “I do, Ruas. You know that. I know. Get the fuck in the car, Zayden.”
He steps around me, grumbling the words. “No.”
Thankfully, the car is parked right around here, and if I have to use a little force, then so fucking be it—he’s getting in that car one way or another.
I hate myself for what I do, but I use the only weapon strong enough to disarm him.
No, not the gun at my hip, but his leash. His best friend, Nico.
“You want to help Nico?” I ask quietly. “Then get in.”
Zayden’s jaw tightens, but the mention of Nico freezes him.
The fight drains from his shoulders, replaced by something heavier—guilt and maybe fear.
He exhales through his nose, muttering a curse, and finally storms past me.
I’m on his heels as he beelines to the Benz, pulling out the key from my pocket.
I click the unlock button, running past him and opening the door like a true gentleman.
He slides into the passenger seat, and I shut the door before he can change his mind.
I slip inside beside him and turn on the engine, headlights cutting through the parking lot as I pull us out of here. The drive is quiet. Streetlights cast a warm glow inside the car. Zayden keeps his eyes on the window; his mouth shut and refuses to look at me. Brat.
My grip tightens around the wheel. The city continues to blur into streaks of gold. Every turn feels like a countdown to the moment he’ll ask what I’m doing, why I’m dragging him deeper into this mess. It must be my conscience playing tricks on me, because he doesn’t ask.
When I reach the hilltops, he moves forward.
And by the time we turn to my street, the world feels smaller.
The mansion sits on the highest peak of the street, taking up an entire corner, surrounded by high walls and a golden gate.
It’s quiet here, too. Zayden turns to me, his lips parting to speak before slamming back shut. I park, kill the engine, and step out.
Zayden hesitates before following, his movements stiff and guarded. He stops before reaching the front door, glancing over his shoulder and asking, “Why am I here?”
“I need you to trust me,” I say, shoving my hands in my pockets. I know it's an impossible task. I’m asking for a lot out of someone I’ve taken so much from. “This is the only place I feel safe enough to talk.”
His dark eyes flicker between me and the mansion, suspicion written across every line on his face. The golden gate hums shut behind us, locking out the world we just escaped. And from the looks of it, Lucia isn’t here. He doesn’t move. His shoulders rise and fall, slow and deliberate.
“You really think this place is safe?”
“Not necessarily,” I respond truthfully. “Just a better choice.”
The porch light buzzes overhead, throwing fractured shadows across the marble steps.
I shove my hands deeper into my pockets, fighting the urge to reach for him—to prove to him I’m not the monster he thinks I am.
Zayden studies me for a long moment, then exhales, easing the tension in his jaw enough for exhaustion to show through.
I push open the door, allowing him the freedom to decide.
He walks past me, making sure to shoulder check me as he does.
I follow behind him, closing the door after me. He turns. “You said you wanted to talk,” he mutters. “So, talk.”
I let out a sigh.
My eyes take in my hell. The opulence, high ceilings, the sterile pristine of the white bone walls, and grand master stairs have pressure building behind my eyes. “Funny that this is the only place I can think straight,” I tell him without looking back at him. “Because no one ever listens.”
I hear him chuckle behind me. “Sure. Or maybe it’s a place where no one can see what you’re hiding.”
I shrug. “Maybe both.”
I turn then, watching as he shakes his head, muttering something under his breath. The more I drink him in, the thirstier I get… What is it with me and this fascination that consumes me? Ezra's voice still lingers, slithering its way into my head.
You have something to lose.
With a smile, I meet Zayden’s scowl, and he’s right. And that’s exactly why I brought Zayden here.