Chapter 7 Raven
Raven
Raven descended the staircase from the third floor, his gaze sweeping over the dining room below.
The space buzzed with lively conversation among the performers awaiting him— a symphony of personalities blending in soft laughter with the occasional growl of morning irritability.
The atmosphere was vivid, almost tangible, wrapping itself around the room, around him.
When negotiating with his father about how he wanted to run the business, he insisted on taking charge of their upkeep, overseeing the legality of the marriages, and managing security with the help of his associates.
The daily operations kept him constantly on his toes.
Living in a house filled with performers who exuded effortless allure and confidence in their charms had proven to be a unique challenge.
Rivalries and backstabbing were frequent, forcing him to referee countless disputes over the years.
Despite the chaos, he'd never lacked for an active sex life. A mere snap of his fingers was enough to summon any of them to his bed; each was willing to follow his direction without hesitation. His tit for tat game with Mynx last night left him sexually frustrated and tense.
Raven had no time for dating or personal relationships; the relentless demands of the Kings consumed every moment of his life.
He filled the house with people who served the organization.
They became his domain—a world he controlled, where he indulged without distraction.
He didn't make space for anything beyond the business.
Instead, he built an ecosystem that obeyed, performed, and never asked for more than he was willing to give.
And now all he could think about was her.
His dreams last night had been full of her—skin, scent, the way she looked at him like she knew something he didn't.
Stoker met him at the bottom of the steps and fell in beside him as they headed toward the dining room. Elanah paused at the entrance, watching Raven with a slow smile before slipping inside.
"Is she gonna be a problem?" Stoker asked.
"Let's hope not. Elanah's a free agent—under contract by choice."
"I thought you two were done."
"We are. I told her last week to start focusing on her future. She just seems determined to keep fighting for something she's never going to get."
Stoker snorted. "Maybe you should stop being so damn desirable, Raven."
Raven didn't smile. "I'm not sure how I could've been blunter than 'Thanks for the good time. I hope you find true happiness at Blood Lust—with one of the members.'"
As the two entered the dining room, they split apart, each heading to their seats.
Conversation temporarily halted as they did.
Few people overlooked his presence—his broad, muscular build and imposing height made him a striking man, impossible to ignore.
For a moment, all eyes were on him— before the usual morning chatter resumed.
Everyone casually returned to their plates, piling food onto them, his arrival now nothing more than a familiar rhythm in their daily routine.
Raven made his way to his seat at the head of the table; his eyes landed on Elanah, who had chosen the spot beside Mynx.
He inwardly groaned at the sight. Their encounter a few weeks ago had been —brief, but afterward, Elanah made it clear she wanted more from him than he was willing to give.
Raven had a strict approach to relationships.
When women failed to understand the boundaries he set, he cut ties immediately.
The emotional complexities they brought to his life were more than he cared to handle.
He'd decided long ago love wasn't for him.
It was a sentiment he had no interest in exploring.
The lifestyle he led wasn't a place a woman could endure long—the violence, the wars, the bloodshed inevitably broke them.
He'd watched his mother endure it as a child; it was something he would never be able to force on a woman.
His Butterfly sat seemingly unfazed by the unfamiliar environment.
Mynx observed the other women intently, as though studying them with a mix of incredulous wonder and curiosity.
It was clear by the look on her face that she was wondering how they managed to lead seemingly everyday, happy lives in their current circumstances.
Raven paused at Mynx's chair.
"I see Shelby found you this morning," he said.
"I'm here, aren't I?" Mynx shot back.
"And as eloquent as ever," he replied.
She stuck her tongue out at him, and Elanah turned toward the exchange, her smile fading to something unreadable.
Mynx turned back to her meal, picking at it like a bird. Raven felt the urge to take her right there in front of everyone—burn away that streak of spite with something primal. Consequences be damned.
Elanah's glare caught his eye.
Not now.
Her radiant smile returned as his focus landed back on her.
He met it with a curt nod, impassive. If she registered the dismissal, she didn't show it.
He could only hope she'd take the hint and move on.
But hope wasn't enough. He needed a strategy.
Redirection. Introducing her to eligible members this weekend would be crucial.
If all went according to plan, it would shift her focus, ease the tension, and finally give him the breathing room he needed.
There was no denying her beauty. Her mahogany skin glowed under the low light; elegance etched into every feature.
Dark lashes cast soft shadows as she lowered her gaze, fork tracing idle patterns across her plate.
The pout tugging at her lips was a subtle rebellion wrapped in allure, designed to draw attention without a word.
She'd be trouble for Mynx.
Raven picked up his fork and tapped it against his water glass. The crisp clink sliced through the table's low murmur. Conversation stilled. Eyes turned to him. He had their attention—exactly as intended.
He rose with deliberate authority, his voice slicing through the morning chatter. "Everyone, all eyes on me for a moment." He paused. "For those of you who haven't noticed, we have a new addition to Blood Lust this week. I'd like you all to meet Mynx." Raven motioned in her direction.
Mynx stiffened, her glare sharp as she met his gaze.
A subdued chorus of hellos followed. Their expressions ranged from subtle smirks to feigned indifference, but the undercurrent of judgment was unmistakable.
It wasn't outright hostility—it was the quiet, calculated scrutiny of a group accustomed to finding cracks in even the most polished facade.
They were all looking to find Mynx's now.
"I expect you all to help her settle in," he said, voice firm. "Show her the ropes. Guide her the way you were when you first arrived."
His tone didn't invite discussion—it carved the expectation into stone. "That's an order, not a request, so I expect you all to obey it."
He took a final sweeping glance around the room to ensure his words landed.
"That's all. Carry on." He sat, the command lingering in the air as Mynx braced herself for what came next.
With that, he settled back into his chair, letting the room's lively rhythm resume.
Elanah's gaze flicked to Mynx and then back to him, a sly smirk curling her lips.
Her coffee cup, as if by accident—or perhaps not—slipped from her fingers, sending steaming liquid splashing onto Mynx's lap before the cup clattered to the floor.
Mynx jumped from her seat as the hot liquid soaked through her dress and came into contact with her skin.
"Oh—I'm so sorry," Elanah said quickly, dabbing at the spilled coffee with her napkin. "Here, let me help you with that."
Raven froze, uncertain whether to intervene. The air shifted. It was sharp, electric. Mynx wasn't playing along with Elanah's feigned sweetness. She was furious.
She slapped Elanah's hand away, anger flashing in her eyes like a dare.
Her posture was rigid, coiled, as if daring anyone to touch her, make a move against her.
Before the moment could fracture into something explosive between the two women, Destiny—ever the quiet fulcrum of the group—leaned in, her touch featherlight, and spoke to Mynx.
She murmured, “Easy. It was just an accident,” keeping her voice low and steady. The words didn't erase the tension, but she paused it—held it in suspension like breath before a scream. She watched the woman, waiting for her next move.
"I'm Destiny, why don't you come upstairs with me—we can find you something clean to put on. You probably haven't had time to shop yet, and we're about the same size."
Not waiting for Mynx's response, she offered a small, knowing smile and continued. "Come on—" Destiny pulled at her hand softly. It wasn't just a suggestion—it was an escape route, one Mynx could take if she wanted to ease the tension of the moment.
Mynx hesitated for a heartbeat, her sharp gaze flicking over the blonde beside her.
Destiny's expression held no judgment, only easy warmth that softened Mynx's resolve, chipping away at the tension in her posture.
A scowl lingered on her face, but it softened.
Her shoulders relaxed just a fraction. With a slow nod, she rose, stepping away from the table and following Destiny out of the dining room.
Conversation swelled behind them, but he noticed Mynx barely registered it as she followed Destiny up the stairs.
Her exit was a temporary truce in an unspoken battle Elanah launched, one that Raven knew was far from over.
Elanah turned back to Raven, batting her eyelashes innocently.
Frustration simmered just beneath his surface.
He clenched it tight, barely keeping it leashed as she pushed him closer to the edge.
With controlled precision, he moved back from the table, tossing his napkin onto his plate before turning on his heel and leaving.