Chapter Thirty
HUNTER
“My apologies for the interruption,” the Boss of the Fola greeted as he regarded Coby. “But considering what my son has been planning right under my nose, I’m afraid it just couldn’t wait.”
He smiled, and I stretched my fingers toward my gun.
It was my first time being in the same room with Malcolm Kilpatrick, but Coby had already warned me that he and Ocean were not on good terms. That was putting it lightly.
It made me question why we were living in the man’s house if he was such a threat to us—that is, until I caught on to what Ocean was doing.
And why he’s been so busy the last couple of weeks.
He was seizing the throne while his father was away.
Marrying Coby was just insurance—to make sure the rest of his family didn’t have a reason to challenge him once he was Boss.
It would have been the perfect plan if Malcolm hadn’t caught wind of it.
He glowered at Coby now like she was the ruin of his kingdom, and I wondered how mad Ocean would be if I shot his father in the face.
“If you’re done here,” Malcom said in a polite tone that I didn’t buy for a moment, “I’d like to escort you back to my home so I can have a chat with my son.”
“I’m sorry, but we’re not allowed to get in the car with strangers,” Coby said with equally false sweetness. I swallowed my snort.
Malcolm clearly didn’t find Coby as funny and clever as I did because his polite expression darkened with displeasure.
I didn’t care if it was wise to threaten the mafia don. I unholstered my gun.
Malcom’s men did the same.
“I’m afraid I wasn’t asking. If you want to marry my son, you’re going to have to learn that refusing an order from me comes with severe consequences. Starting with her.” Malcolm jammed a thick finger at me.
Ocean had carefully chosen Coby’s bodyguards—men only loyal to him, which meant they could only be dead. I was only still alive because I’d been in the dressing room eating his bride’s pussy.
Coby must have come to the same conclusion because she gave the man a gracious nod that threw me off guard.
I’d been so focused on Malcolm that I hadn’t noticed her posture.
Her spine was ramrod straight, her shoulders thrown back, and her hands were clasped dutifully in front of her.
Coby’s poised but meek pose made my gaze narrow.
Someone had been in her ear, and I had a good guess who.
Effie.
She carried herself the same way.
“In that case,” Coby said, “lead the way, sir.”
Some of the violence rolled off Malcolm as if he was pleased with her sudden submission. Not having received the same lesson in surviving Malcom, I stepped forward to tell her she wasn’t going anywhere with this man when Coby cut me off with a quick, pleading glance.
“Trust me,” she whispered.
Coby started forward before I could argue, leaving me with no choice but to follow her and the Boss of the Fola out the door.
A black and chrome Bentley Mulsanne was waiting at the curb when we stepped out.
The sidewalk on the far side of the street seemed overcrowded, while the one we occupied was terrifingly deserted.
Eight more goons kept a perimeter, their faces grim as they watched for threats.
At least half those eyes were locked on me.
I forced myself to appear unthreatening as I waited for Coby to climb into the chauffeured car.
Malcolm hadn’t killed me yet when I should have been just as expendable as the others.
It meant Ocean’s father knew more than he let on, so I calmly walked around to the other side of the car, but my steps faltered when I spotted a familiar figure lingering in the crowd.
Kellan had a phone plastered to his ear, and I could see the tense lines around his mouth from here as he spoke. Our eyes met, and for once, he didn’t look smug or amused as he blended back into the crowd.
The sheer alarm in his eyes told me that Ocean had no idea his father was back in town. Malcolm had clearly flown back from Ireland and immediately sought out Coby and me.
Exhaling, I climbed into the car and steeled myself.
I could do this. I could get Coby out alive. Nothing else mattered.
The Bentley had rear-facing seating with diamond-quilted leather hand-crafted to make you feel like royalty. I felt like dog poo, and it only made me think of Coco, who was at Glamis waiting for me to come home.
I knew as soon as the car door closed behind me that I never would.
“Coby, what the hell was that?” I whispered. We only had seconds before Malcolm joined us.
“Just trust me,” Coby whispered back. “He’s dangerous.”
“So am I.” I didn’t mean that arrogantly. It was just a fact. I could and would protect her from that man.
Coby’s eyes were wide with horror as she shook her head. “Not like him. You’re not a monster.”
Malcolm was suddenly filling the seat across from me.
The remaining seat across from Coby became occupied as well, and I sized up the grim-faced guard before glancing at Coby, who was doing the same.
The air was alive with Malcolm Kilpatrick’s poison as the limo promptly drove away.
“You must forgive my bad manners,” Malcolm said as he cut the end of a cigar and lit it.
“My son has always been defiant, but I believe I underestimated the lengths he’d go to challenge my patience.
” With his gaze pinned on Coby, who was shrinking against the seat, he said, “I’m afraid he’s misled you. ”
“Misled me?” Coby parroted.
“My son is already engaged to marry someone of my choosing—someone den fhuil1. So you see… You cannot be allowed to marry my son. He will wed Niamh next week, and I’m afraid you will be used to set an example.”
“Last we checked, your son is a grown man,” I said. “I’m sure he can marry whoever he wants.”
“My son’s pet will not speak unless spoken to,” Malcolm barked.
“Who the hell is Niamh?” I asked as if he hadn’t spoken.
“His cousin,” Coby said hoarsely. Horror was written all over her face, which had paled. “Niamh is his cousin. She’s just a fucking kid.”
Ewwwww.
Suddenly, it felt as if I had just landed in the middle of a trailer park soap opera.
It was too disturbing to watch.
“Wow, you’re even nuttier than I thought,” I taunted. I whipped my head toward his goon. “And what the fuck are you looking at?”
The henchman lunged for me.
Unfortunately, I didn’t get to use the super cool defensive move that Abel had taught me.
Because Coby was there.
I marveled at how fast she had to move to get one of her heels in hand before he could grab me. The goon screamed as Coby embedded the sharp five-inch heel into his ear. I felt the warm spray of his blood after I unsheathed my knife and drove it through his chin to shut him up.
The divider behind us lowered, and a gun appeared, but I quickly disarmed the goon in the front seat by snapping his wrist in two moves.
Thanks, Abel.
I was still holding on to the henchman’s arm when my gaze met Malcolm’s thunderous one. I only hesitated the second it took me to remember that he was Ocean’s father. And then I remembered the disgusting shit he was trying to force his son into.
Fuck it.
I kicked out and drove my boot into his stupid face. Malcolm’s head snapped back, and his old ass slumped against the seat. Blood gushed from his crooked nose, but he was knocked out cold.
The limo suddenly swerved, and the driver slammed on the brakes. I didn’t have to question whether he was armed, too.
I was reaching for my gun to take care of him when Coby screamed my name. “Hunter!” She flung open the door and grabbed my hand. “Forget it! Let’s go!”
Even though I really wanted to spill more Fola blood, I didn’t fight her as she pulled me from the car.
Together, we darted down the street, but we weren’t alone.
Tires squealed behind us. When I looked back, it was a familiar lone Denali cutting away from the rest of the traffic to race after us. The rest of Malcolm’s goons were too busy rushing toward the limo to check on the Boss to bother with us.
Cutting down a side street, I pulled Coby behind me, but that damn SUV was closing in fast as I led us both down a narrow alley.
It was wide enough for the Denali to fit un-fucking-fortunately, so I picked up the pace.
Believing we were pinned, the truck slowed as Coby and I approached what appeared to be a dead end.
I knew better.
The Blood mafia might have ruled Black Veil, but the streets were my playground.
Coby and I barreled full speed ahead, aiming for the hairline crack in the fence. If you didn’t know it was there, you’d miss it. It was a favored escape route amongst my fellow degenerates, but it was the first time I’d used it to evade someone other than the cops.
The driver of the Denali beeped the horn to get our attention, and I could feel Coby’s steps slowing from her confusion.
Cursing, I tugged her forward before she could stop.
Pushing aside the broken chain link, I didn’t realize I was holding my breath until Coby slipped through the fence without looking behind her.
“Keep going!” I shouted when she stopped to wait for me.
Coby’s adrenaline was rushing too fast to question my reasons. She kept going, and I watched her round the corner before following.
“Hunter! Stop!” a familiar voice shouted once I stood on the other side.
Fucking Kellan.
I straightened and paused to flip off Ocean’s associate, and then I was gone. I knew Kellan would report to Ocean that I’d run from him. I just hoped Coby could forgive my deceit. Penniless, we raced through the city on foot, and we didn’t stop until we reached the unlikeliest havens.
“You couldn’t help yourself, could you?” Coby snapped as soon as the front door slammed shut behind us.
“Coby, not now.” I wasn’t ready to have this argument, not just because I hadn’t caught my breath yet. Abel had been right. My stamina was shit. And we weren’t out of the woods yet. “Let’s just get what we need and go before your brother comes home.”
“Go? Why? We can just stay here. Roshaun won’t mind.”