Chapter 6
Selene
As I sit on my bed reading, I try to control the rage building inside me. My body aches — bruised, a cracked rib, half my face swollen and turning purple by the minute. Don’t even get me started on the stitches in my bullet wound, or the graze or two on my body.
Then there’s the twenty-year-old, terrified girl in my guest room.
I was going to end Barbra.
After executing every damn man at that house, I stole a couple of their phones for Lily.
Once I managed to get myself and a shaking, traumatized Kathrine a good two miles away from the house, I called in.
Lily and Max raced to our location to pick us up.
At least Kathrine’s presence saved me from a long conversation.
I toss my book onto the bed and let out a frustrated sigh. Still too worked up to relax.
Climbing out of bed, I throw on my baggiest sweats. I can’t bring myself to put on a sweater, so the tube top Lily left me in will have to do.
My stomach growls as I head downstairs.
When I get to the kitchen, Max is setting down some takeout on the island. He knows me well.
“Hungry?” He opens a container with crispy fries and a greasy, delicious-looking cheeseburger.
“I’m famished. Gravy?” I try to smile, but the scab on my lip stops me as he slides a small container toward me.
“You shouldn’t be out of bed, you know.”
I roll my eyes at him.
“I’ve taken worse beatings in training, Max. I’ll be fine.”
He grunts in displeasure and shakes his head.
“Is Lily still with Kathrine?”
I agreed for Lily to stay with her as Lily is a lot better in emotional situations.
“Yeah, she is. She also got the background check on Barbra. You were right — the one your father has is misinformed.”
I let out a frustrated huff as I scarf down the burger.
“Of course it’s fabricated. Does she happen to have any Russian ties?”
“Yeah,” Max responds, “she’s some whore for the enforcer of the Russian mob out of New Orleans. But how she ended up here is a mystery.”
The fucking whore of an enforcer. It makes sense.
The Russians have been trying to make a move in Vegas for years.
Father, the Italians, and the Gaelic Reaper MC all decided they didn’t want Russians on their turf.
The second they killed the Pakhan and his wife and son, we all made it clear — no Russians here.
“So, this little wench somehow got to Father, poisoned him over time, and got into his head,” I mutter. “But that’s not all they wanted, is it?”
Max shakes his head. My mind starts racing, thoughts flying in a million different directions. Until—
“They want Onyx. We hold the most power here, and the MC and Italians count on us to keep things clean for them. If they had Onyx, they’d have Vegas.”
I laugh to myself. Barbra failed. She got nothing.
“That’s why she had you kidnapped. If you disappeared, she’d get it all.”
I nod at Max before I hear a bubble of laughter.
“Here I thought you put me as the beneficiary of your will and the company. You sneaky bitch!”
This time, I do smile. Fuck the pain.
Lily laughs, and Max stands there, looking between us, eyes wide.
“Always be prepared.” Max says with a laugh.
“Exactly. And now that I’m ‘missing,’ I can go hunting while she tries to leech her way in here. Then I get to watch her lose everything again.”
Lily beams at that.
“You little minx. So, you’re going to be a dog and play dead?”
I scoff. “Not a dog. And I’m not playing dead. I’m playing missing person.”
“Okay, that means we need to move you. I have to be out of my mind trying to track you down.”
I hum my agreement. “Hopefully, you’re a better actor than that wench.”
We all laugh.
“Well, I’ll definitely be better than her. We also need somewhere to put the girl.”
Max and I share a look, then both turn to Lily.
“Lil, I think she’d be best off at the compound you built for your mom and sisters.”
I’m not joking when I say “compound.” That place is locked up tighter than Fort Knox. There’s the main house for her mom and sisters, Lily’s house, and a small cabin.
“I already called Mom,” Lily says. “She agreed. It may be best for Kathrine, especially after I explained a little of their past times.”
“Oh, wonderful. That way maybe she can start healing. Now, any ideas for my location?”
I know we have a couple of safe houses all over Vegas, but they could all be compromised. I definitely can’t stay at a hotel.
“What if we call in a favor with one of the heads?”
“That could work. Use one of their safe houses, especially the Reapers. Barbra thinks they’re just a small-town gang.”
“I’ll give them a call. You girls will need to clear out tonight.”
I nod my agreement as Max walks off to make the call.
“Are you doing, okay?”
I look over at Lily, who’s worrying her lip between her teeth.
“I’m fine, Lil. I promise. Now come help me pack.”
She offers me her arm, and I let her help me up the stairs.
“I’ll pack your bags for you. You shouldn’t be using that shoulder too much yet.”
I smile as she grabs my suitcase and a duffle.
“I’m going to need field clothes. Nothing fancy!” I call out as she struts back into my closet.
“You’ll only be going out at night, right?”
“Of course. You know that’s when I do my best work.”
She comes back out, arms full of black clothing.
“Yes, yes. The Wraith is the shadow of death.”
We burst out laughing, though mine sounds more like a wheeze.
“You’ll also need to transfer my work phone data onto a new one and handle the business while I’m gone.”
Folding everything up and packing it in my suitcase, she wanders to my bookshelf and grabs a few books tucking them into my suitcase as well.
“Ah, yes. Run it for you while I secretly wait for the wench.”
She gives me a wicked smile and a wink.