Chapter 18 Nova
NOVA
“It seems like some of the local turned supes have been going missing. There are three that have been confirmed by their families as missing and another two that have recently disappeared, reported as not coming home or showing up for work.”
Glaring down at the receiver, I pushed my breakfast of cooked steak aside and growled in frustration.
“Good work, Devin,” I replied, “but I need you to see if you can find any leads as to where they could’ve disappeared to.
” I needed something, just fucking something to give me a direction to dedicate myself to. Fucking anything.
He told me he was going to dig around some more, and before I hung up, I reminded him to check all the dump spots we used to get rid of bodies. Whoever it was might be trying to hide what they were doing by blaming it on us.
“Got it, Boss. I’ll let you know.” Click.
As soon as he got off, I shoveled the protein into my mouth, trying to eat my feelings and fill my stomach to drown out my wolf’s incessant whining.
She was hurting, and I knew that. I’d separated her from her mate, one that said they wanted to be with her, too, but I was having a hard time getting over the pain, the hurt.
I needed time to think and work through this.
It was years’ worth, so it was going to take me longer than a fucking day.
A whole day and night of not seeing him, not saying more than a few words via text, was torture in of itself. I’d watched those little texting dots run and run and run until a one-word reply came through, and disappointment seeped in.
I didn't realize how big of a space Zeth filled in my daily life. With how much it hurt to be away from him, it was almost as bad as being with him while not being able to have him.
So, it seemed I was fucked either way.
What made it worse was that Geof Groskey was supposed to fight tonight, but he’d missed his flight in Germany and wouldn't be stateside until tomorrow.
I had to scramble to see who was available and could get here on time.
I finally got some fighter from Brazil, Deslen Tacnon, that was already stateside and ready to go as the underdog against Copland Banner.
His manager promised me that he would make this fight worth it, claiming this would put Deslen on the map.
I was in no position to argue, so I gave him the slot. One massive problem fixed.
Shoving another mouthful of that perfectly seared meat in my mouth, I chewed lazily. The flavors slid across my tongue without meaning, just texture and warmth filling a body that felt too cold inside.
There was no shortage of work for either Zeth or me since the fight was tonight. Everything needed to go perfectly. The venue was getting set up for the media, and the celebrities were piling in. My most trusted men were already holding down security, so all I needed to do was show up and smile.
Ezra had called me first thing this morning, asking if I needed anything or wanted her to fly out, even if it was just for support.
I told her I was fine and not to waste the jet fuel.
I wanted to show her that I could handle this all on my own.
I could pull my weight, helping the Syndicate become more, just like she wanted.
Calix texted me in the sibling chat.
Cal: Sending you a surprise.
Cal: You're welcome.
Cal: I’m the best brother ever.
My brows pinched, but before I could respond, Aniyah’s texts flew in.
Niyah: You’re our only brother
Niyah: It’s not hard
Niyah: It's much harder to be the best sister
Niyah: Which you know…
Niyah:
Riot chimed in, sending well wishes. Short, clean, and to the point.
Riot: Don’t worry. You got this.
Sometimes she made me laugh by just how little she said.
Nova: Thanks, guys.
Nova: Make sure to watch!
As soon as I hit send, a message from Ezra followed.
Ezra: All the casinos nationwide will be showing it, utilizing all the prime TV spots. We also have a few promo videos running, advertising the new fighter as a dark horse pick. I’ll tell you what the take is by the end of the night.
I puffed out a chuckle after reading that. Good old Ezra, already thinking about how much money the fight was going to make and how to maximize its visibility. It was her way of supporting me as best she could… and I appreciated it.
Feeling a little more myself, I went up to take a long, hot shower—the kind where it was so hot your skin almost burned off—which felt good. Somehow, all my problems melted away beneath that water.
After the shower, I got a text from Conrad.
Conrad: Excited to see you tonight.
Rolling my lips into my mouth, I tried to keep myself from smiling too wide.
With Conrad, it was easy. I could feel his eyes on me, wanting me, not assessing me, and I liked it. Furthering his own business ventures felt like it was second to enjoying me, and I liked that. I knew where I stood with him. I wasn’t trapped in this will-they,-won’t-they situation like with Zeth.
Despite initially thinking of Conrad, my mind drifted to Nick. Had he gotten the present I sent him? I couldn't have him representing the Rossey clan in anything less than a suit, so I’d made sure he had one. I sent off a quick text, asking if he got it and if it fit all right.
It took him a while to text me back. Those damn little dots kept popping up then disappearing until a picture came through.
It was him holding the suit up against his dripping wet body, like he’d just taken a shower.
I bit my lip, and when the warmth at my wrist intensified, I almost texted him to come over. Almost.
Throwing my phone on the bed, I went to my closet and opened it, looking at the black silk pants and sheer top I’d picked out for tonight. It was one of my only outfits that was fancy enough for this event. I was more of a jeans and top kind of girl.
Thinking about all three men being there tonight, looking stunning in their attire, I lamented my decision. I should’ve bought a dress.
Shrugging my shoulders, I slid the pants on, accepting my lot in life, like always. It was then that a text came through from Zeth, and my heart stopped.
Z: Incoming
What? My face scrunched as I typed out my reply, but before I could send it, the sound of heels clacking against my hardwood floors echoed from below.
“The party of the family is here!”
My eyes went to my door. Aniyah? Closing my closet, I made my way to the stairs and looked down to see my younger sister directing people with racks of clothes to come into my house and set up.
“Yep, right there. Oh! And that one over here. I want the maybes to be on this side.”
Tightening the band on my robe, I went down and watched my five-foot-nothing sister, decked out in black thigh-high stilettos and matching stocking, toe my boots near the door with a scowl.
“Get those out of here,” she mumbled before throwing her designer leather jacket and purse onto the couch.
She twirled toward me in her pleated black mini dress and threw her hands up.
“Surprise!”
Crossing my arms, I looked her up and down. “You going to a funeral?” It was odd to see her in all black. Her long, wavy white-blonde hair, which reached the center of her back, was the only contrast.
Putting her hands on her hips, she announced, “I'm downplaying my looks and style to heighten yours.” When I lifted a brow, her lips wiggled in amusement.
“Or maybe I lost a bet with my mates, and this was the outcome.” She shrugged before mumbling, “They know I love my sparkles. I'm beginning to think they have a goth girl fetish, which, I mean, I’m in, but just fucking ask me. Is that so hard?”
I needed to stop the rambling before it got any worse. “Don’t get me wrong, I love seeing you… but what are you doing here?”
Her heels clicked as she came closer, an evil twinkle in her eye. “Because, dear sister, tonight’s a big night, and I knew what you would be wearing…” She flicked her hands at my robe, opening it enough to show the pants I hadn't even buttoned yet. “This,” she finished in disgust.
“Hey!” I closed the robe, feeling more self-conscious about my outfit choices than showing my full bare chest. “Ezra wears stuff just like this!” I thought the defense made sense, but Aniyah wasn't buying it.
“I mean, sure, but she makes it a sexy blend of feminine and masculine, like pairing a set of trouser pants with a lacy bra and long chain necklace. Or when she wore that suit top and long jacket with nothing underneath or those pants that had a half-skirt on top.”
She eyed me like she knew me better than myself. “And let me guess, you planned to pair this with a sleeveless white tunic that went up to your neck, showing off nothing but your muscular arms.” You’d think I was planning to commit a crime based on the level of offense in her voice.
“I like my muscular arms…” I weakly mumbled the protest, not feeling as passionate about my defense as I usually would.
She moved behind me, circling her arms around me.
“Yes. Yes, of course. Your arms are gorgeous, but you have a taut and tempting stomach, some gorgeous, shapely legs, and a rack that is just screaming for some attention.” I jumped at the sting she gave my ass when she smacked it.
“Not to mention these gorgeous big booty cheeks will have all the boys chasing after you if we accentuate it a little.”
Shrugging her off me, I growled, frustrated about the whole situation. She knew that I was self-conscious about my figure or lack thereof. She just laughed, patting me on my arm. “This is why you need me here today. I’m going to help dress you and do your makeup and hair. Just like the old days!”
Clapping her hands in excitement, her iridescent wings came out as she flew backward and started to pull the covers from the racks. My eyes doubled in size when I took in the rows and rows of dresses. Had she robbed a whole boutique and brought it to my house?