FORTY-ONE
Saraya
"Will you just work with me here, Mara? I'm sorry I choked you out last time; it won't happen again," I plead with the little psycho.
Amara just stands there, looking at her fingers like she's bored, ignoring me altogether.
I caught her in the billiard room at the bar, enjoying Nyx's bottle of Johnny Walker Blue, as always.
When she turned to me after I said her name, her eyes raked me from head to toe like I was going to be her next meal until I shook my head.
She understood my meaning and rolled her eyes.
I need to learn how to fight; Mara is the best one to teach me. It's been almost a week since the bombing, and I've been released from bed rest. Asking her is hard, but I want to learn from the best. Apparently, that doesn't matter because she refuses to help me.
"I'll tell you what," Mara says. "As soon we've taken care of the bastard that bombed the club, I'll start teaching you."
"But I want to learn before that. I want to show Nyx that I won't be a liability." I know it's a long shot, but I must try at least.
Her laugh is a bit cynical, mocking me like I'm some na?ve girl. It pisses me off, but if I want her help, I must play nice. However, the fact that she's doing it specifically so I can't go, has me marching up to her and looking her in the eye.
"Wow, you've got some balls of steel coming up in my space like this, uninvited." Mara's brow arches.
"Listen here, little psycho, I'm not a little girl who needs others to fight my battles for me. I get these are dangerous people; I'm not stupid, but I refuse to let others get hurt while I sit here twiddling my fucking thumbs! "
Mara comes within centimeters of my face, her dark blue eyes glaring into mine.
"You don't fucking get it! It took me years to become this little psycho , and it took a lot of killing assholes before these Heirs allowed me to fight in battles.
Do you honestly believe that one little session with me will prepare you for what those motherfuckers have in store?
They ruin women like you. They kill needlessly—and don't think for a minute that our guys are going to have it easy going after the South Crew. "
"They're the Gods of Nyte's Hall; they should have an army behind them," I state, not wanting to back down just yet.
"Jesus, Raya! They only took over a year ago.
They're still trying to figure out who's a friend and who's a foe after the way their fathers ran this town!
They. Trust. No. One! They can't even trust the PD, as you very well know.
This town has gone to shit, and the Heirs are doing everything they can to turn it around. "
I understand everything she's saying. I do have eyes and ears, but that still doesn't change the fact that it was my life that was threatened, and I should have a hand in dealing with the fucker! I'm tired of having to depend on everyone else to protect me.
"Either you teach me how to protect myself or not. It doesn't much matter, I will not stay behind when the time comes," I warn her.
Mara grins and shakes her head in disbelief.
"You won't stop until Nyx finally dies trying to protect you.
Let this be a warning, Saraya. If you dare put yourself in danger, and it causes Nyx to have to protect you, and he dies because of it, there will be no place where you can hide where I won't find you.
When I do, you will die a very slow and painful death at my hands. "
Mara shoves me to the side and walks away, leaving me here by myself. I've got goosebumps popping up because of her menacing speech, and it's finally sinking in just how dangerous this little mission is. Amara is usually a smartass bitch, but I could see it in her eyes, she's worried.
Running my hand through my hair, I sigh and sit on one of the stools in front of the bar. Mara left the whisky bottle on top of the bar, and instead of putting it back in its place, I bring it to my lips and tip my head back. I like my whiskey cold, but this will do for now.
"Well, what do we have here? I leave you alone for a couple of hours, and I come home to an empty bottle of whiskey and a fiancée whose fucking crocked."
I lift my head off the bar and look at Nyx. Does he have a twin? My forehead creases, and the room spins. I go to stand, and I stumble. Thankfully, Nyx is right there to catch me—as always. I yank myself out of his hands.
"I'm fine. At least let me walk myself, sheesh!"
He lifts his hands defensively and grins. "Have at it, little lamb. You're a big girl who thinks she can drink a bottle of whiskey; I'm sure you can walk on your own afterward, too."
I hate his mocking tone. He reminds me of Mara. I don't care if they're right; I still hate it. I take a step and then another before I realize that even the room is against me because it spins, trying to knock me down just like everyone else.
Familiar hands grab me. I fight them, but they hold firm.
"Stop fighting me, goddamn it!" Nyx curses, and the next thing I know, he's tossing me over his shoulder.
If I was dizzy before, I'm really dizzy now, being held upside down. I ball up my fists and beat at Nyx's back. My feet kick out, not caring if I make him fall over.
"Put me down, asshole!"
His hand comes down on my ass hard. "Keep it up, Raya, and I won't wait until you're sober to punish you."
"You will not lay a finger on me, Phoenyx! "
"You're right, Phoenyx won't, but Nyx will. You just earned yourself a ride on the Nyx Express, and I'm not talking about my cock, either."
"Pssh, I won't fuck you even if my life depends on it!"
His hand comes down on my ass again, and I squeal.
"I'm about ready to wash that mouth out with soap. I don't like liars, little lamb."
"What am I lying about?" I can't even remember what I just said to him.
"You said you won't fuck me even if your life depends on it, and we both know that you're a slut for my cock."
I start to rebut, but then I groan instead. "I think I'm going to be sick."
All the bouncing as he walks up the stairs while having me over his shoulder is not the best thing for my stomach. The spinning room isn't helping me, either .
Nyx quickens his steps and enters the bathroom off our bedroom, pulling me from his shoulder before spinning me toward the toilet. I feel my hair being pulled back as I drop to my knees and hug the porcelain god.
"Oh God, what was in that whiskey?" I groan as my stomach threatens to empty.
"Oh, I believe forty percent alcohol by volume and eighty proof," Nyx replies smugly.
"Just don't…"
"Don't what? You asked a question, and I answered it."
"Oh, and you just happened to know the alcohol proof volume thingy?"
"Raya, it's what I drink. Of course, I know the volume and proof."
"You're just loving this, ain't you?" I ask drunkenly.
"You're a brilliant woman, Raya. You should know how to use the word ain't, " he chuckles.
"You're the reason I'm drunk. You don't get to make fun of me." I try pointing at him, but I don't know which direction I'm even pointing in.
"Why am I the reason for your inebriation, little lamb?" I can hear the amusement in his voice.
When I go to tell him exactly why, my stomach chooses to release its contents, and I retch—loudly, I might add. Once it starts, it doesn't stop, and the whole time, Nyx is sitting behind me, rubbing my back and holding my hair.
I don't drink often; it's no wonder I'm now sick to my stomach. I'm lucky I didn't give myself alcohol poisoning with the amount of whiskey I drank. I blamed Nyx, but I know I only have myself to blame for the position I'm in at the moment.
"Shh, it's okay, let it all out," Nyx coos when I groan.
Once my stomach settles and I can finally remove my head from the white bowl, I lay on the cold floor, my cheek pressed against it, loving how it feels on my heated face.
Do you think Nyx can leave me to suffer alone, though?
Of course not. He brings a washcloth over and cleans my face like a child.
I don't bother swatting him away because he'll ignore it.
"Come on, baby. Let's get you to bed." He lifts me to my feet and helps me stand at the sink so I can rinse my mouth out first.
"Thank you," I tell him once I'm lying down in bed .
Nyx sits on the edge and pushes some of my hair away from my face as he smiles at me. "No need to thank me, little lamb. It's my job to take care of you."
"What if I don't want you taking care of me?"
His brows furrow. "What do you mean?"
"I'm a big girl and can take care of myself. I don't need you always doing things for me—or protecting me," I throw in at the end.
"Ah, well, you better get used to it, because I'll always do both. I know you can do things for yourself, but I enjoy it. I was robbed of doing it for many years."
"Stop." I can't take it when he's being so nice after I've been a complete douche.
"Stop what?"
"Stop being so nice. You should be lecturing me for drinking so much and…" I don't know what else.
"You don't like me lecturing you, remember? You're not a kid, but I will tell you that as soon as you're sober, I'll be punishing that beautiful ass of yours."
My emotions are all over the place. I was just pissed at him, and now, as I look at Nyx, I can feel the love I have for him. I've been difficult and demanding. He's had his club bombed and his girlfriend almost killed. The least I can do is not give him anything else to worry about.
"Nyx, can you promise me one thing?"
"I'll promise you anything as long as it's within my power and it won't cause you any harm." His smile gets my lady bits igniting.
"Will you promise to come back to me and not get yourself killed?"
His face softens briefly but then hardens, but not in a bad way. I've seen it happen before when lust takes over. His hand comes to my neck, squeezing gently as he leans in.
"I will always come back to you, little lamb."
"Good, because I love you—and I don't want Mara coming after me." I slur my words slightly and close my eyes, smiling.
Nyx chuckles. "No worries, baby. I just got you back; you're not getting rid of me that easily."
"Mm—that's nice," I say and curl up on my side, letting sleep take me.