7. VII
VII
Spencer
I twisted with an elaborate jujitsu move, taking Emerson by surprise. Climbing onto her back, my legs squeezed her waist as my arm encircled her neck in a tight chokehold from the rear.
She knew the drill; I’d knock her out if I had to. Emerson struggled against me a few seconds longer, finally submitting by tapping my arm in quick succession.
I released her, and the sore loser elbowed me in the chest as our bodies detangled out of position.
“Oof,” I said, breath whooshing out of me. “Meek, you cheating little shit. You hit me in the boob.”
Emerson flopped onto her back, big bouts of air releasing from her chest that could only be laughter. Rolling over, I hit out with a quick punch, making direct contact with her breast.
Her wheezing cackles succumbed to a painful groan, rolling into a ball on her side. “Fucking bitch.”
Micah laughed beside us, leaning back on her hands. We’d been sparring on the temple floor for the past couple hours. All in activewear, hair messy, bodies sweaty, muscles strained. It was good to have them to myself again. With all the added extras, I couldn’t remember the last time it had only been the three of us.
Tanner was out of town on business while the sibling duo searched for a way into the Caverns from the underground catacombs.
“You haven’t been back to Playhouse in a while?” Micah asked.
“Got bored.”
Her nose wrinkled, challenging my answer. “You spent fifteen thousand dollars last time you were there. And you’re telling me you’ve grown…bored?”
“Okay. I may have caused a scene, so I can’t go back yet.” I’d ousted myself to save Echo’s life. I had no doubt he’d be all over surveillance, questioning Remi about my entire existence.
I relayed the previous events to my sisters, their amused expressions cracking at the seams.
Emerson held onto her spasming ribs. “You know, we could use this to our advantage. You were already scoping out Vice for an alliance. Since you’ve saved their lives, that should work in our favour.”
Echo’s image flashed in my mind—particularly the livid expression he had as the door cut off his line of sight. “Hmm, that’s a work in progress.”
Emerson leant forward, elbows resting on her elevated knees. A flash of gold shimmered between her fingers as she rhythmically rolled a coin across her knuckles. Ever since Micah had brought that coin home from her mission, it hadn’t left Emerson’s hold. The Treasury dragon engraved on one side, a date and address on the other—a date that was fast approaching.
“You ready?” I asked.
Emerson inclined her head. “I will be.” With her expertise, she was best suited for the task at hand, not that it would be easy.
The coin was an invitation, guaranteed entry into the infamous Reaper Rally. An international drag race renowned for its number of casualties… Organised and run by the elusive Treasury. The only rule? There are no rules. First person to the finish line wins. The prize in question… Whatever you want. Name your price, and it shall be yours.
The Treasury was the most difficult organisation to obtain information on. Extremely secretive and mysterious, no one even knew their real name. The Treasury was a term coined by the underground because of their infamous deals and elaborate transactions.
Micah sagged down to her back. “I’m going to go insane if I have to stay here another night.”
“Damn, M, why didn’t you say? You know you can come with me tonight if you’re looking for a good time.”
“Where—”
“It’ll be worth it, I promise. You coming, Meek?” I asked, and Emerson agreed. “Dress to impress, ladies. It’s a black-tie event.”
Yeah, the trifecta are back in action.
Emerson, light and airy, wore a shimmering blue satin gown that directly matched her eyes, her blonde hair curled in soft waves down her back. No one would guess that underneath all that was a grease monkey who’d prefer to be in a garage working on an engine.
Micah went the dark and sultry route, shining brunette hair ironed dead straight and black lining her lids, accentuating her amber eyes.
“What face are you going with tonight?” she asked, running stark red lipstick over her lips.
I grinned, automatically transitioning my features into the same angelic mask I wore at Playhouse. The epitome of virtue in my white silk dress.
Micah paused and shook her head with a smile. “If you say so.”
“Remind me, where are we going again?” Emerson asked.
“Remi gave me exclusive VIP tickets to the theatre tonight. He’s the male lead.”
“Remi? Your friend that you pay an exorbitant amount of money to fuck…but don’t actually, fuck?”
I snickered. “The one and only.”
“Well, we may as well get free tickets out of him! Thieving bastard.”
“Couldn’t agree more,” I replied, adjusting the thigh sheath that housed my favourite blade.
We were interrupted by a low wolf whistle from the door, which was blocked by Psycho leaning against the archway.
“And where do you think you’re going dressed like that , golden girl?” His gaze was solely isolated on Micah as if his ardent need could pierce straight through her flesh.
Psycho loomed closer with a hunter’s grace, fingers tracking down her bare arm to lift her hand and kiss the back of it. “This is new,” he said, referring to Micah’s exposed skin. Her dress was black, backless and halter neck-style, coloured tattoos on full display.
I gave a derisive snort, and Emerson groaned, both of us wordlessly agreeing to escape the stifling atmosphere, strapping on the rest of our weapons at speed.
A flare of movement caught my attention and I shrieked when a fat rat stared directly back. “Fuck this place! As soon as I can, I’m out of here.”
Psycho turned, and I knew he was going to say something to piss me off. “What’s wrong with our home?”
“I love rich and pretty things. Like me.”
“Rich?” His arms spread wide to encompass the derelict temple. “Pretty? How do we even know that’s your real face?” His eyes scrutinised my changed features.
My fingertips ran over the handle of the paring knife I hadn’t yet strapped. Emerson crept up behind me and stole the weapon before I could throw it at his face, and Micah slapped the back of his hard head with a resounding whack .
Unfazed, Psycho leant down to whisper in her ear, his hand tracking down her naked spine. Cringe.
I bypassed the lovesick duo and geared for the underground garage. “Two minutes, Micah.”
Emerson and I were waiting with the motorbikes when Micah finally made her appearance ten minutes later, her cheeks flushed, a dreamy smile on her lips, with slightly smudged lipstick.
“Sorr—”
I held up a palm. “How the fuck am I the one not getting laid around here?”
ECHO
It was intermission, and the theatre was packed with the pompous elite of Junction City. They analysed my frame with depreciating eyes, judging me for what they believed me to be—a criminal. They were right, of course, although entirely too hypocritical to ever admit they weren’t any better.
Those men with perceived power shunned me in public only because, deep down, they knew I fucking owned them. I was privy to their secrets, their deepest desires. It also helped that I’d fucked half their wives… More accurately, all their wives.
I spared a glance at my white gold watch, counting down the seconds to the finale of the show. Aster remained adamant that she wanted to stay, and after our last near-death experience, I wasn’t about to leave her.
I’d easily caught the perpetrator who poisoned our drinks. With just enough time to ingest the antidote, I’d dragged her down to the basement and wrenched the answer out of her tortured body within two seconds flat. She’d indeed been sent by Ludus Maximus in retaliation for Appleberry.
I didn’t know which was more insulting—the Ludus sending such an amateur to kill us or the fact that if it were not for the sexy stranger and her intervention, they would have succeeded.
The stranger … My saviour and unfounded infatuation. Her image mocked me with that fake, alluring appearance. A fucking illusion. I’ll find the real sight of her if it’s the last thing I do.
Remi was no help at all. After questioning him on his frequent guest, I’d learnt nothing of value from his interactions. It left a writhing pit of bitterness in my gut, the unfamiliar feeling leaving me in the most atrocious mood. I have to get laid. This is the longest I’ve been without pussy, and it is obviously driving me insane.
I stood behind Aster, who was in deep conversation with a young gentleman who bore a chiselled jaw and blue eyes that were striking against his black hair.
“Terrible what happened at Oakview Asylum, Alexander,” Aster said. “That was Arthur’s last speech, wasn’t it?”
Alexander nodded. “It was, unfortunately. I was unable to make that event. My father was shaken after the shut down.”
Their words filtered away as a young woman pulled on my sleeve. Her large eyes seemed familiar, but I couldn’t pinpoint from where.
I gave Aster a signal that I was stepping out and let the woman drag me down a scarce corridor. Pulling up short, I said, “If you have a message, make it quick.”
She pouted while her hand reached for my belt. Whacking her away, I leant further into her space, her back hitting the wall. There were a few strays further down the hallway who hadn’t been alerted to our presence yet. “I’m not going to fuck you in this hall.” I was all for voyeurism, but when I said I wasn’t in the mood, I fucking meant it. “Tell me what you want.”
Her big eyes sparked with want as her hand ventured towards me. “You. I need to feel you again.”
Again? Slamming her wrist above her head, my mind clicked over… Her face hovering below me, those same big eyes lined with tears as my cock filled her throat.
Recognition flooded to the forefront. “I told you, like I tell every other—ahh…” What is her name again? “It’s just the once—and I gave it to you, just that once . You’ve had your turn, gorgeous. You don’t get another,” I said, retreating a few steps.
Tears began to drop down her puffy cheeks. “I know that’s what you said, but I thought we had a connection.”
I rubbed a hand down my face to hide my frustration. It looked like she was on the verge of sobbing, and I wouldn’t be able to stand that.
“Rebecca!” a shrill voice called. We both turned to a woman barrelling towards us. She was the spitting image of the crying girl in front of me—with a few extra age lines.
“How dare you touch my daughter, you filth,” she said, face reddening with anger…and guilt.
My lips tilted up with realisation. “Your daughter sought me out. Tracked me down for another ride of this cock. Just. Like. You.” Both faces drained of colour, their mouths popping open like goldfish. “I guess I can make a concession for you two, though. I’ve never had a mum and daughter at the same time?”
They scurried away as if a fire was lit up their asses. I bet they would actually be contemplating it, too, the dirty fuckers. Despite the offer, I’d never relinquish my three almighty laws.
After a thorough chuckle, I made my way back to Aster and stopped short.
Leaning against the wall was a vision in pure white silk. Black wavy hair was tied in a high ponytail, and hypnotising brown eyes traced my frozen frame. Her pouty lips pressed out a large pink bubble, mouth lifting up the sides, giving way to a mischievous smile before the bubblegum popped.
My body automatically leant towards her, knowing I’d be hit with that signature mouth-watering sugary scent that I was now obsessed with.
With a haughty wink, she sashayed through a side door.
Run, candy girl, I’m in the mood for something sweet.