Chapter 2 - Raphael
Raphael
WE HAVE KILLED FOR HER. SHE IS OURS NOW.
Citizen Soldier Playlist
“Through Hell”
We have killed for her.
She is ours now.
Blood still stains my hands, dripping off the blade. The only thing in this damned world that gives me any feeling, any meaning.
Drugs, liquor, gambling…none of them hold the same thrill that comes with plunging a knife through the heart, the adrenaline rushing through the veins when I watch the light leave their eyes.
Feeling their souls slip from their bodies, knowing I have sent them to hell.
Because every goddamn mark deserved hell.
She doesn’t deserve hell.
But we’ll bring it to her regardless.
I tilt my head, inspecting her, assessing. So much life in her eyes, the color of a hazel blaze. The lavender of her hair effortlessly weaves into the golden brown. A cascade of silky curls rains down to her hips.
So familiar. And I know why.
And it makes me all the more a devil for what I’m planning.
Next to Jude, she looks small, almost fragile.
But I know better. She’s fire wrapped in soft flesh, all curves and defiance.
Her wide hips twist as she fights, her body as wild as her spirit.
She’s not narrow at the waist, but it only makes her more enticing, accentuating every lush line of her figure—the kind that draws eyes, the kind that begs to be worshiped and ruined.
Even now, with tears streaking her flushed cheeks, she won’t surrender. She thrashes, her lips parted in fury, plush and trembling. Those wide, doe eyes burn, holding that spark, that resistance.
I wonder how long she’ll keep it once she’s in our cage.
With his body turned to the side and hands shoved in his pockets, Vincent’s trying too hard to pretend he doesn’t notice.
But even his eyes stray to her full tits rising and falling with each breath, hunger darkening his gaze.
And me? I only watch and wait, knowing the fire will make the breaking all the sweeter.
Rory is edgy as fuck. Unlike me, killing does not sate him. It only feeds his appetite. A beast off his leash. And only I hold the ability to pull back on his reins…or loosen them.
When my loose cannon of a brother advances to her, cups her chin with his bloody hand, and reminds me it’s his birthday, she flicks her eyes to him.
Fear flashes there, but her defiant eyes lock with mine.
Yes, she knows who the alpha is. Bold, little queen staring down a monster, daring him to do his worst. Her name is as beautiful as she is. Briella.
“Bring her,” I finally say. “To the cabin.”
A savage grin spreads across Rory’s bloody face.
“No!”
It leaves as a whisper, but there is more rebellion in her whisper than in an army. I observe as she kicks harder than ever, managing to twist enough for Jude to loosen his hold. It’s the second time she brings her teeth down. Hard. Drawing blood.
“Fuck!” Jude growls.
I’ll commend her when she doesn’t stop there. After he lets go of one hand, Briella spins around and drives her knee hard into his privates.
Doesn’t matter how strong we are compared to her; a knock to the balls is still a knock to the balls.
The second she’s free, the little violet tears off into the woods. Rory could have easily grabbed her, but I know that wicked glint in his eyes, his muscles practically vibrating.
Thirsty with lust, he sinks into a crouch. He needs the hunt tonight.
“Rory,” I say in a low warning. He doesn’t look at me, but his stiffening posture assures me he’s listening. “You can’t play with her if you kill her. Is that understood?”
All he offers is a firm nod. It’s enough. I mark Seth, but shake my head, denying him permission to follow. Too much competition. Rory will take it too far as the more dominant predator.
“Go.” I unleash the beast.
With an eager growl, Rory charges into the woods.
Twisting the knife in my grip, holding onto the last drippings of blood tingling my fingers, I turn to Vincent. “Go after him.”
“The fuck?” he grunts, his dark eyes daring to challenge me. “Why do I get stuck babysitting the socio?”
I sharpen my eyes against his. “Because you’re built like a bear and can stop him if he gets out of hand.”
Vincent snorts, crossing his bulky arms over his chest. “Why can’t Jude do it? He’s the tallest and the smartest.”
Jude smirks, lifting his bloody hand with exaggerated flair.
“Smart enough to know why Raphael needs me here at present. Besides, I’ve already shed blood for this cause.
” He straightens the collar of his crisp white shirt with his good hand, flicking an imaginary speck of dirt from the sleeve.
“And, unlike you, I actually dress for the occasion. Other than Raphael, someone has to maintain standards around here.”
Yes, we all know I hold the highest standards in everything. But I also hold the authority and the right to break those goddamn standards whenever I choose. None of them would be standing here without me.
We are not blood. But we are still brothers, united by the hellhole of a foster home we grew up in.
“I’d volunteer, but…” Seth lets out a breathy laugh. He might be good at swinging the axe and throwing a decent punch, but Seth is the earth that Rory burns. Not the water to control such fire. Or a very controlled storm in this case.
Vincent rolls his shoulders, his massive frame flexing with barely restrained irritation. He doesn’t remove his mask. “This is bullshit,” he mutters, but his feet are already moving. He turns and stalks into the woods.
I watch him disappear, gripping the blade harder. “Go on, bear,” I mutter under my breath.
Rory may be the beast, but Vincent is the hammer we bring down when things start to splinter.
We’ll see how long that defiance of hers can stand against monsters like us.
By the end of this, she’ll either belong to us completely—or she won’t survive at all.
And no matter how I try to deny it, I want her to survive.