Chapter Seven
XADEN
“Please, I swear I didn’t do anything.” I twist the blade in his side and relish in the sound of his pained scream sounding out around the empty warehouse, his blood coating my hand.
I love the feeling of it on my skin. This motherfucker is dealing with my pent up rage from seeing that little bitch this morning.
I had planned to hunt that cunt down after I destroyed her brother and father and cemented my place as the head of Somerset and Stormsend.
I am the Don of the Cosa Nostra now, and it’s my job to lead my family and finally end the war between the two towns that my piece of shit father was too gutless to do.
Instead of thinking about the people we were supposed to protect, he chose greed.
He wasn’t satisfied with just ruling Stormsend and Somerset, he wanted more, and in the end it led to me killing him because of what he took from me.
It should have been me that died that night.
I’m living on borrowed time.
My sister was the one who was born for this role, she was a leader and knew how to think outside of the box and get shit done.
All I know how to do is kill. I was my father’s greatest weapon and I hated it.
I wanted to get the fuck out of this place and never look back.
Never take another life or inflict excruciating pain on another human, but it looks like that was a fucking dream because the more I kill, the harder I crave it.
Hearing the screams and pleas of mercy from my victims is the only thing that shatters the vortex of pain I live in daily.
For those short hours, I am a god. I choose if they live or die and in those minutes I feel something other than nothingness.
I’m not a shell, I’m a monster seeking vengeance against those who tried to wrong me. I get to alleviate some of my anger and thirst for blood. I can function clearly for a few hours afterward.
“He’s dead.” Cas’s voice shocks me out of my rage induced numbness. I look at the fucker I was torturing and groan.
“He died too fucking fast,” I snarl.
Caspian snorts and shakes his head. “You worked too fast and didn’t take your time.
You are rushing these fucking kills and not gathering the intel we need, X.
” The tinge of aggression in his tone sets my blood ablaze and I hunger for him to push me further.
Cas is a good fighter and I know if he was strapped to a chair he would take a lot longer to kill than any of these other fucking weak pussies.
“Are you challenging me?” My tone is filled with longing and hunger. He knows I have been itching for a good fight and someone worth my time and skills to interrogate.
He shakes his head and scoffs. “I’m not your fucking enemy, Xaden!
” he snaps angrily as he pushes off the far wall and stalks toward me with a purpose.
Caspian Vought is a big motherfucker. He is a formidable sparring partner and can hold his own in any fight, but he and I both know if it came down to it, I would fight harder and dirtier than him and would win.
Cas stops when there is an inch of space between us.
“I’m here to help you. I’m not your enemy, brother, so stop trying to make me one!
” He grips the front of my shirt and pulls me in until our foreheads touch.
“I’m with you, Xaden. I’m not fucking going anywhere.
I will have your back and fight by your side through this war. ”
Some of the anger inside me lessens at his words.
“Help me take down my enemies and I will help you get revenge against the cunt who took your girl from you.” At the mention of KennaDee his eyes darken and tension rolls through him.
I know for a fact Caspian is burning up inside and picturing all the ways he plans to tear Masen Kellar apart for killing the girl he loved.
Ever since he found out that Toren wasn’t driving that night, he’s changed.
I still don’t believe the bitch. The whole losing her memories and the feel sorry for me act she had going on didn’t fool anyone, especially me. She is nothing but a selfish lying cunt who needs to be put six feet fucking deep.
“How long before we go after them?” I release him and take a step back. Cas stands there staring at me expectantly.
“The plan is in motion. With me taking over, I’ve had to weave new alliances and assure the men under Lorenzo’s payroll that I am the better choice.
I know you are tired of waiting, so am I, but I won’t fight this battle without knowing I am going to be the fucking victor.
I won’t give that cunt the chance to best me.
I want the fucking Kellar name wiped from existence.
I want to use their deaths as a warning to anyone who dares to try and fuck with us. ”
“What are we doing about them trying to move into Hollow Hills?” That’s what this is all over, the greed of Lorenzo and Steven has caused both towns to pay the price.
I never wanted to expand, I just wanted to get the fuck out of here and play hockey.
I wanted out of this fucking town and away from the bullshit that came with living here. Turns out… I was wrong.
I’m now the Don of the Cosa Nostra and there is no out for me. I can never leave this place. In the heat of the moment, I never thought of that when I slit my own father’s throat. My anger ruled me and the devil inside took control, cementing my place here as the head of Stormsend.
“We’re going to war against all of them, brother.
” Surprise ripples across his face but I see the hunger in his green eyes.
Caspian wants to fight and wreak havoc to release his pent up rage.
Much like me, this life was never a choice for him but now that he’s in it and sworn loyalty to me, I will never let him leave.
The only way out of the Devlin Cosa Nostra is in a wooden fucking box. “I need his lips for my treasure jar.”
Cas scrunches his eyes closed and shakes his head. “You just murdered a guy and then go and say treasure jar!”
“Your point?” I snarl.
“You lose all my respect every time you say that shit.”
I may not be able to play anymore but I still come to early morning training with Cas.
It fucking aggravates me that I can’t be out on the ice with my team.
It’s my job to lead them, not Caspian’s.
That’s my fucking team, my captaincy, yet I’m stuck on the fucking sidelines all because I lost control and beat the shit out of my enemy.
At least I still have a sister for you to fuck with.
That’s all it took for me to lose my control.
Masen knew what he was doing. That cocksucker knew I would lash out and because of that, I’ve been benched pending a hearing from the board.
I may own all of Stormsend but I don’t own the NHL.
I know I’ve lost my chance at playing, but it still doesn’t kill the hope that somehow the board will overlook what I did.
It wasn’t even the fight between me and Masen that had them wanting me gone, it was the fact I nearly killed Toren and the dumb bitch didn’t even try to fight.
She wanted me to end her miserable life.
The cunt has nothing and no one. Her family hates her and wants her gone, she has no friends except for Harper who is now Cas’s pet.
I got what I wanted from her, used her to get at her brother and father.
Handing them the bloody sheets as proof I defiled the princess of Somerset was orgasmic.
“Devlin.” I tear my gaze from the team and look to the side to see Coach standing there with a stern look on his face.
I scoff and focus back on the team and watch them train.
That motherfucker likes to think it’s because of his training that the team is so good but we all know the truth, they got to where they are because of me. “You’re a good player, son.”
I growl low in my throat. “I’m not your son,” I grit out through clenched teeth.
He sighs dejectedly and leans against the wall beside me. I fight back my irritation and bite the inside of my cheek to keep from snapping at the bastard.
“One moment will try to define you, but if you prove that you are more than that moment they won’t have a choice but to overlook the past. Stop using your fists to find a way out and start using your damn stick, kid.
” I whirl around and face the son of a bitch who clearly has a death wish.
The motherfucker stands there staring at me with a challenge in his eyes.
The beast inside me rears its head, urging me to take the fucker out and sate the bloodlust burning inside me.
He can try to play dumb all he likes but everyone knows I’m the one in charge now, and speaking to me how he did… means certain death.
“You think you have the fucking right to tell me what to do?” My tone is menacing and filled with warning. I press forward until my chest brushes against his. I give the fucker credit, he doesn’t back down or step back, he stands there stiff with an angry look in his eyes.
“I have the right to keep you benched or put your ass back on the ice.” That revelation surprises me but I don’t let it show. “If I put you back on the team I risk all their chances.”
“But?” I grit out.
He scrubs a hand down his face in frustration.
“We don’t stand a chance against Somerset in the rematch game without you.
” My ego soars inside me hearing him finally admit that the team isn’t shit without me.
“I have conditions, Devlin.” I smirk, which just has him narrowing his eyes.
“You don’t train with the team.” My features tighten in annoyance.
“My career is on the line here, too. If anyone finds out I am playing you in that game, I’ll be fired. ”
“And?” I taunt, earning a glare from the washed-up has been.
“And you little prick, no one else would risk their career for you!” I hear the truth in his damn words and it fucking pisses me off.
“You train alone. No one aside from Caspian will know you are playing in that game. If anyone finds out, I’ll bench your ass and make sure the board knows you’re a loose unit and can’t be trusted not to cause another fight on the ice, am I clear? ”
The alpha in me wants to tell him to fuck off and kiss my ass but the dream of going pro that I used to fuel me for years takes over.
I know I can never leave this place, I made sure of that the night I became the head of my family, but it doesn’t stop me from wanting it, not just for myself but for Neave and Miles.
“Crystal,” I snarl.
He nods. “Don’t make me regret this, Devlin.”
I scoff. “I ain’t promising shit.”
He sighs tiredly and shakes his head. “Waste of fucking talent,” he mutters as he turns and stalks off.
I snuff out the small ember of hope swirling inside me.
I may never get to play pro but I sure as shit can beat Kellar and Kyle in the rematch and prove to every motherfucker that I am the best player and if my life was different, I would be the best choice to be drafted.