Chapter 43
Forty-Three
KAELEN
Ilamented leaving Willow’s nest. I had never experienced anything as fulfilling as spending a heat with my mate. My entire life had been spent working, reviewing finances for the pubs and casinos, guarding our interests, protecting my family.
For a few days, none of that existed. Willow—my omega—had been my focus, my reason for breathing.
As we wandered through the house, I kept her tucked into my side, unable to stop myself from grazing my fingers across my bite mark.
Every time I touched it, my alpha beamed with pride.
And it seemed the touch affected Willow as well, an endearing quiver shaking her tiny frame whenever I showed attention to the spot.
An unnatural quiet drifted down the halls. I kissed the top of her head. My strong girl continued to impress me. I was honored that she chose me. That her omega found solace with my alpha.
I found what I had always wanted. What my parents had. Something I wasn’t sure I was destined to have. Willow was a queen—my queen. Powerful and steadfast.
Delicate fingers ran over my fitted black t-shirt and I purred louder for my omega.
A surge of happiness flared over our bond, and I tangled my fingers in her hair, tugging her head back. I claimed her lips in a bruising kiss.
The bond was a two-way street. A constant stream of emotions moving fluidly between us. Her contentment sang in the bond, eliciting a flare of protectiveness from me.
It wasn’t until we arrived in the living room that I heard the distant clang of pots in the kitchen that usually followed Aileen.
As much as I didn’t want to leave Willow, I made a promise to her. One I was happy to satisfy. I stopped, turning to look at her.
No matter how often I gazed at her, I’d never stop being in awe of her beauty. Immediately, my hands found her face, holding her like the precious treasure she was.
“Why don’t you go find Aileen? She can get you something to eat. And then Liam can take you to see your mom. I have work I need to do. I’ll find you tonight.”
Part of me wondered if there would be regret or hesitancy there, but no. The most brilliant resolve glittered back at me.
“I’m not very hungry after a certain alpha fed me this morning,” she beamed, playing with my hair.
I hadn’t tied it back yet, knowing how she loved to play with it. If anyone else did it, I’d snatch their hand away. However, I quite enjoyed it when my mate did it. I traced the freckles on her cheeks, mapping the constellations with my fingers before kissing the tip of her button nose.
“Beautiful.”
A pretty pink flush colored her cheeks, and I must have been the Grinch, cause I swore my heart swelled three sizes.
“I think I’ll spend some time with mom. I don’t need an escort to the guesthouse in the gardens.”
“Probably not, but Liam has grown fond of Isabelle. He’ll take any excuse to say hello.”
Rocking up on her tiptoes, she pressed a kiss to the corner of my mouth.
“Tonight. It’ll be done?”
The warmth of her love in the bond brightened the darkness corroding my flesh. While I wanted to draw out Sterling’s pain, I wanted to be back with my omega even more. Besides, with what I had planned, he likely wouldn’t survive more than a few hours.
Despite being an alpha, he was weak with no honor. I gave him minutes before he begged for mercy. Mercy I wouldn’t give. And then, after an hour or two, he’d beg again.
But this time, it would be for death. Too bad for him, demons weren’t merciful.
“Yes, mo chroí.”
As if I could deny her anything.
“Later then,” she murmured, disappearing into the kitchen.
I licked my lips as my gaze roamed over her delectable arse flexing in those tight pants. Leggings should be illegal. My dick twitched, clearly disagreeing with me and wanting to see our omega in more tight, skimpy things.
Rolling my shoulders, I scrubbed a hand over my face. I shook off the love-drunk look, replacing it with something harsh and indifferent.
The air grew colder as I descended the stairs into the basement. A metallic scent permeated the damp, dank space. Mixed in with it was the faint burned edge of fear. I refused to stop the sinister sneer sliding into place, enjoying the way it stretched across my lips.
Patrick stood by the door, offering me a silent nod as I slid past him. Cool metal stung my palm as I pushed the door open, closing it behind me with a loud click. My brow furrowed at the oppressive stench of sulfur corroding the air.
An iron chair sat bolted in the center of the room, William Sterling restrained in it. Dark bruises marred his cheeks, thin cuts caked with dried blood under them. Impulsive as he was, I wasn’t surprised Liam took a few swings.
A shadow of the arrogant man stared up at me, his dark eyes emotionless. No longer did a powerful senator grace my presence. Instead, a broken, pathetic monster trembled under my glare, anticipating what was to come.
Beady eyes tracked my movements as my boots echoed over the stone floor. On the small metal tray sat a pair of pliers, a lighter, some cigarettes, and a few of my other favorites Liam knew to leave for me.
I pocketed the lighter and cigarettes, moving until I stood in front of Sterling.
Without a word, I tore his dirty shirt from his body, the buttons raining over the concrete. The other alpha snarled, yanking his bound wrists. The metal restraints dug into his skin, making blood drip onto the floor.
My hand shot out, pinching his chin, my nails biting into the flesh.
“Why? Why did you torment your daughter and wife?”
Silence.
I didn’t expect an answer. Men like Sterling didn’t have a reason. At least not one they’d ever admit out loud. Because it’d be admitting they were weak.
The flames from the lighter danced in the dim room as I lit a cigarette, Sterling’s eyes bulging. I twirled the Marlboro around for a moment, admiring it before I snuffed it out on his chest, under his collarbone.
A piercing howl mixed with a sob rang out as he bucked. The acrid scent of melting skin burned in my nose. I ignored it, burying the butt deeper into his flesh, smirking as ashes floated to the floor.
Once done, I tossed the cigarette aside, lighting a second one.
Sweat clung to my nape, my heart oddly steady despite the rage coiling inside me like a flaming serpent.
Every fiber inside me demanded vengeance. Commanded me to gut him, to make him pay for the things he did to my wife. I sucked in a breath, pushing the cigarette into his skin. I rotated my wrist, urging it harder into him.
“St-Stop. Stop,” Sterling babbled, still thrashing uselessly in his bindings.
Freezing, I gave in to the white-hot anger. I burrowed my hand in his greasy hair, yanking hard.
“Tell me, Senator. Did Willow cry and beg for you to stop?”
He stayed quiet, with only the sound of his ragged breath cutting through the silence.
“No. I suppose not. Because she’s strong. Stronger than you. My wife probably stayed stoic, waiting for you to leave before showing any signs of distress. She’s a warrior. And you’re a coward.”
More screams filled the air, reminding me how much of a demon I was. Satan reveling in the screams of his condemned. The metal pliers sat heavily in my hand. Pure fear blazed in Sterling’s eyes.
And I fucking laughed. Grinned like the demon I was, bathing in the flames of hell.
Hours later, and still an endless stream of adrenaline fueled me. Discarded, bloodied teeth and nails littered the floor, Sterling’s face covered in blood, snot, and tears.
“Plea—please. Kill me,” Sterling slurred, both his eyes swollen shut.
“You’re lucky I miss my wife,” I hissed.
He lasted longer than I believed he would.
Time lost meaning in the dark, soundproof room, but I guessed the moon had long since risen. The bond beat with a residual warmth. My omega was pleased. Content. And I wanted nothing more than to clean up and join her, holding her close while I licked my bite.
“You only ever did two good things in this world, Sterling. Fathering Willow and bringing her to me.”
His lips parted, and the blade in my hand sliced cleanly across his throat, blood pooling in a wet puddle at my feet. The senator slumped over with a final, gasping, wet breath. His body twitched before going limp.
Turning away, I removed my cell, texting Sweeney.
Tomorrow morning, a story announcing William Sterling’s heart attack would run in the paper.
Patrick eyed me, unbothered by the blood streaking my beard and skin.
“Take care of that,” I ordered, jutting my head towards Sterling’s body. “I need my omega.”