Chapter 12 #3
Illi cackles and wiggles his fingers at the guys like he’s an eighty-year-old woman trying to coax them into trying his cookies.
Harley scowls, clearly not thrilled to see him, but he no longer looks nauseated around him so I’ll take it as a win.
Blaise shrugs and smiles at me, trusting me implicitly. Oh, my sweet naive rock god.
Then there’s Ash.
He surveys Illi with a detached look and then looks at me. “This is the Butcher?”
I nod and wait him out.
“Anyone touches the Wolf or my sister while they’re under your protection, I don’t care what the fuck they call you, I’ll be the one doing the butchering.”
Harley looks at his cousin like he’s lost his damn mind, but also like he’s fucking impressed. I’m swooning a little because only Ash would threaten a man whose latest victim is still bleeding at our feet.
Illi smirks at him, his eyes twinkling like a proud fucking father. “I’d expect no different from the son of Joseph Beaumont.”
Ash takes that better than I was expecting, and Illi gives me another nod before gesturing at us to follow him as he leads the way into the cesspit also known as Colors Night.
The warehouse is already writhing with people, the music is so loud it takes a second to learn how to breathe again, and Avery clutches at my hand as the bodies close in on us.
It’s not until Illi gets us to the platform with the staircase that the black lights hit me, my tattoos instantly glowing, and the crowd parts like the Red Sea.
Avery lifts our linked hands then stares down at my arm, turning it and marveling at the tattoos.
It’s too dark to read her face properly, but I know she’s going to snark me out for this.
The second story is invite-only and safer than the bottom level.
When I had told Illi that everyone was coming, he’d arranged to have some guys keep an eye on Blaise, Ash, and Avery while we’re in the meeting.
I’m wary about it right up until we meet them at the bar and they dip their heads at me with that fear-drenched respect that can’t be faked.
Their eyes don’t touch Avery at all and when Illi signs to them to guard her with their lives, they agree willingly.
I make a note to ask Illi what they owe him for.
Blowing out a breath, I kiss Avery’s cheek and give her hand a reassuring squeeze which she returns easily.
Ash and Blaise both do eyebrow acrobatics at Harley and then give me a quick peck on the lips as we move off.
Harley wraps his arm around my waist and pulls me into his body.
I let him, offering him what little reassurance I can before we hit the elevator.
There’s only one way in and out of the room we’re heading to, and that’s the service elevator. The thug guarding it flinches when he sees Illi and fumbles over himself to get us in it. Illi grins and waves at him as the cage-like door shuts and we start to move, excruciatingly slowly.
I pull away from Harley’s body but keep a hold of his hand, taking one last deep breath.
“Illi, we need a minute,” I murmur, and the tattooed mass of muscle moves soundlessly to the corner, staring down at his shoes.
I hate that Harley doesn’t like him because he’s actually the best guy, just a little fucked up and dangerous.
Like me. He’s going to be able to hear every damn word we say, but he’s trying to give us some sort of space which is fucking decent of him.
Harley’s hand tightens in mine. “I know the rules, I’m not going to lose my shit.”
“He’s going to try to provoke you. Look at what he has us wearing. Just ignore him and remember that I’m going home with you and sleeping in your bed tonight. I’ve made my choice, and he’s not it.”
Harley nods and presses his palm over my heart. “You got your knife on you? Or is Illi the only one who’s going to be stabbing people tonight?”
It’s the first time he’s called him Illi, not the Butcher, so I’m taking that as another good sign. Illi chuckles quietly and I scoff at them both. “I have one in my boot, but I trust Illi. I’ve seen him throw a cleaver before; he’s got this under control.”
Harley scowls and drops his hands from me. He looks over his shoulder at the Butcher and says, “Who the fuck did you throw a cleaver at in front of her? For fuck’s sake.”
Illi grins and steps back up, taking his place behind me right as the elevator grinds to a halt.
“I threw it at the guy who held a knife to little Wolf’s throat when we broke into the Vulture’s den of evil to spring my wife.
Caught him in the throat and the cunt squirted blood all the fuck over us like in the movies.
Was so fucking cool, and little Wolfie made me promise her I’d show her how to do it.
I did, by the way, so don’t piss her off in the kitchen. ”
The doors scrape open right as Harley nods at Illi and mutters, “Okay. You’re a decent enough sort of guy.”
Illi roars with laughter, and we step into the meeting room together.
Holy fuck.
I hope I know what the hell I’m doing.