Chapter 35 #2
“My grandfather built this guild and passed the position of Ace of Spades position to me. I intend to hold it by blood and loyalty.”
Easy walked up to him, passing him his grandfather’s medallion in a box, nestled in velvet. Kaine pulled it out, pushing down his grief. The ceremony that should’ve accompanied the medallion was lost in tonight’s betrayal and disarray.
“The next to come after me better not miss,” he told the room. “Everyone except the heirs, out.”
His security helped escort the dead men’s families out, all but the two who would be claiming their fathers’ positions.
Kaine settled in the chair in front of his godfather’s dead body, his tiger still riding him.
At this point, the animal was there to protect Kaine from the emotional fallout.
He turned to the two remaining shifters in the room, Moore’s eldest son, and Perretti’s daughter.
Both had gone to the same schools as he and his siblings. It saddened him. Kaine reminded himself that he had to go through his men again because he couldn’t be sure if Griff planted anyone else on his team. Anyone that Griff had hired had to be fired or tested for their loyalty.
Fuck.
The amount of work that would take.
“Titles,” he demanded.
Sidney stepped forward. “Ace of Diamonds.”
“Hearts,” Samuel told them.
“Will there be an issue with what just happened?”
They both shook their heads.
“It had to be done,” Sidney said. “I thank you for sparing my mother. My father was out of control, and to be honest, you’ve done us all a favor.”
Samuel nodded his head. “It was past time for new blood and my father had no intention of leaving the title until he was in the dirt. Now we can move this shit into this century.”
Kaine agreed with them. “That means Kenneth was Ace of Clubs. And clearly after the top spot.”
“You’re not meeting with us one at a time,” Sidney commented.
“As Samuel said, it’s time for shit to change. Secrecy allowed their betrayal to fester. If we are equally held accountable to each other, then there is less likely to be treachery.” Kaine shrugged.
“Who will carry on the clubs?” Samuel asked.
Kaine swallowed because the job should’ve been Griff’s. “Of the remaining families, which do you consider trustworthy?”
No answer came from either and that reassured him. If even they were wary, then they would be on board with him purging the ranks to test the loyalty of the remaining members.
“Let’s take the month,” he told them. “We’ll meet and decide then. There will be fallout from this, and that will allow us the time to really see who is loyal to the guild.”
They nodded in agreement. He pulled out the wooden chest that his security had left at his feet before they left. The medallions within were bloody, taken off the dead bodies of the men who had betrayed their oaths.
He forced down the tears at the ace of clubs medallion and took a deep breath. He passed them the diamonds and hearts.
“A month to choose, and regroup. Our next meeting will hash out everything. I want disloyalty purged from both teams. The next time this happens, I’m taking out the entire line. Top to bottom,” he promised.
Finally, Kaine inclined his head, and Eve let her team in the door to clean up the bodies and mess that had been made in the stampede that ended the ball early. As the team entered, he stood and left the ballroom, his siblings at his back.
“Lucky?”
“Tucked safely at the house,” Eve assured him.
Kaine worried what his mate would think, having seen that part of him.
He thought about it the whole way home, mourning the innocence that he’d taken from Lucky.
How would she see him now? Entering the gates of his family estate half an hour later should’ve relieved the weight on his shoulders, but with all that he had learned this evening, he didn’t know how to deal.
He took a moment before getting out of the back of the truck to gather his tiger further under control.
The animal, now that blood was spilled, was grieving anew.
Finally, he stepped out of the car, and a scent reached him.
Kaine looked up and at the corner of the house.
His mate waited for him in her panther form.
Instinct took over and he started stripping, answering her animal’s call.
By the time he reached her, his tiger had fully taken over.
He shifted and rubbed against his mate’s flank, her purr settling him like nothing he’d ever experienced.
She bumped her head against him before biting on him.
He licked across her face, reveling in his mate. She chuffed against him and took off.
His tiger gave chase. She was faster and could run longer, but she settled at a pace that he could keep up.
It was perfect to tire him out and stretch his muscles.
She wrestled with him, nipping at him. The animal growled, whined, and released his grief to its mate.
He lost track of time as her panther rough-housed with his tiger, giving them both an outlet for all those pent-up feelings.
He hated being the monster his father had molded him into, but to keep his family safe, he would be that and more.
Through his mating bond, he felt his mate’s acceptance, and his chest tightened.
They ran for an hour until his body finally cried out for rest. He shed his animal form, following his mate back into the house.
In their bathroom, Kaine leaned against the vanity, afraid to look in the mirror.
He’d killed his godfather tonight, and though it was necessary, he knew it would haunt him.
Lucky started the water in the shower and guided him inside once it was warm.
“Are you taking care of me, Lucinda?”
Her response was a snort. “Don’t call me that.” She soaped up a wash cloth.
“Okay, Brielle.”
She rolled her eyes in amusement and washed him off, her gentle ministrations nurturing a part of him that craved forgiveness for his actions tonight.
“Did tonight change the way you see me?”
She only paused a second before she resumed her care of him. “It scared me. I don’t like you going to that dark place.” She pulled his chin down to make him meet her eyes. “But I will never fault you for making sure that we’re safe. I take everything that comes with you.”
Kaine tugged her closer. “I love you.”
“And I love you.” She stepped back and rinsed him off. “You need a vacation.”
He hummed and pulled her back into his arms, closing his eyes. Now that he had her reassurance that nothing between them had changed, his tiger finally relaxed. Regret for the actions he’d had to take would come deep in the night when he couldn’t sleep, but for now, he cherished his mate’s care.