TWELVE #2
Snarling, I take the butcher knife from Amara's hand, and like the night I stabbed my husband, I let loose. I swing the massive knife at the man's side, hitting his hip. I never said my coordination was superb.
"How does it feel to be stabbed in the side, motherfucker?" I pull the knife out and swing at his kneecap next. "I don't think you will be holding anyone down with this knee again. "
I can hear Amara squealing with laughter beside me while clapping her hands, but I don't bother looking at her. Instead, I swing the knife, like I'm swinging a baseball bat, and embed it right into his gut.
"Did you think it was okay to take the lives of so many innocent women? What are you thinking now—knowing that you are going to die at the hands of women?"
I start to swing again, but an arm grips me around the waist and tries pulling me back. I fight them but then his voice is in my ear.
"Don't make his death quick, little lamb. Let him suffer," Nyx pulls the butcher knife from my hand and hands it back to Mara. "Come on, let's get you back to the Hall. We have matters to discuss."
I let Nyx pull me from the warehouse, my chest heaving up and down as I try to catch my breath. I can't believe I did that! I was killing a man, and I was enjoying it.
"Look at me, Raya."
I look up at Nyx, who has me against the door of his car. A small smile curves his lips, and it isn't a sadistic or wicked one either. His next words are a huge surprise, though.
"I'm so proud of you, little lamb. You don't know how much that meant to me."
And then, he's opening the door and helping me into the car, not saying another word.
As soon as we returned to the Hall, I followed Nyx into his office.
He had insisted that I ride with him, yet he refused to say two words to me.
The tension was once again thick in the car, and although I wanted to shower as soon as we got home and wash away what we had just done, my stepbrother had other plans.
He told me to follow him, and there was no room for argument. It's best that I get this done and over with now. I don't have to work at Unholy tonight, so I want to just use the day to relax. Once I can get Nyx to give me my inheritance, I might look at places to travel to.
Nyx goes straight to his minibar and pours himself a drink and some in a second glass. When he tries handing it to me, I shake my head, refusing the liquor.
"No, thank you. I don't drink any hard stuff. "
"Drink it, Raya. It's only a shot, and it will help relax you."
"Nyx, please don't—"
"Drink it."
Sighing, I take the glass from his hand and then toss it back. I wasn't expecting the smoothness of it. It was perfect. It slides down my throat easily enough, and the warmth that consumes me instantly calms my nerves.
A smirk plays on Nyx's lips. "See, I told you."
I hold the glass out to him and ask, "Can I have more, please?"
"No."
"What? Seriously?"
"If you're not used to drinking hard shit, then you have already had enough. I don't want you drunk for what we are to discuss."Nyx takes my glass and sets it down on the small bar.
"What exactly do you want to talk about, Nyx?"
"Your future,"he simply states.
A sigh of relief escapes my lips at the thought of finally being able to talk to him about getting my money and getting out of his hair.
I know I've mentioned it before, but he's ignored it.
As much as I despise him now, I can't deny the deep attraction I still have for my stepbrother after all these years.
Some would say I need to tell him the truth about what happened that day, but would he really believe me?
After all, I'm not sure what his father told him or showed him and how damning it truly was.
No, unless he comes out and asks me for my side of the story, I will not give it to him.
He seems to like assuming things, and it hurts if I'm being honest.
We knew each other inside and out; we were the best of friends, and for him not to talk to me first to find out what really happened? Well, that was the deepest cut I've ever felt. What he does now doesn't matter; nothing will ever compare to that.
"Okay…"The word trails out of my mouth as I slowly lower myself into one of the two chairs in front of his desk.
Have I mentioned how much it hurts sometimes to look at Phoenyx Beckam? To know what those lips of his feel like and how much I used to yearn for his touch? I still do, but I know our time has passed, which is another reason I must leave.
His hard gray eyes scrutinize me from across his desk once he sits.
I don't dare be the first to look away; I will not show weakness in front of him.
Had I looked away, I may have missed the softening of those eyes for the briefest of moments, or maybe it was just a trick of the lighting because, once again, they are as cold as ever.
"You have mentioned your trust before, and I haven't given you my answer to that…"His words trail off.
I hold my breath, concerned with what his answer may be.
Contrary to what I say about leaving, if he releases my money, that will make the reality of me going all too real.
I know it's for the best, but that won't make it hurt any less.
I may despise who he's turned into, but I haven't stopped loving the boy he once was.
"I will release your trust to you on two conditions,"Nyx informs me, and my hope begins to sink.
I should have known there would be conditions; always conditions with him. Although, he really hasn't asked for much since taking care of Ken's body for me, so maybe it won't be so bad. So, I sit here and wait for him to continue.
"First, you must agree to sign a prenup."
I stare at my stepbrother, trying to figure out what a prenup has to do with my inheritance. Ken is dead, and even if he wasn't, it would be too late to sign one since we are already married.
"I-I don't understand. Ken is dead—"
"Fuck Ken. This has nothing to do with him, and you're right; he is dead, and he will never be found…"
"So, what prenup are you talking about then?"
Suddenly, something clicks, and I straighten up in the chair, my head shaking back and forth. A grin so deviously placed on his lips greets me as Nyx nods. No—he can't mean…
"Oh, yes, Lil' Sis —you and I will finally say I do ."