63 #2
His lips dust over mine, inciting gasps and growling displeasure from the Elites. He smacks his lips together.
“I'm gonna jump straight to it, skipping through all the bullshit. I don't beat around the bush. You got me? Some of you already know Mortensen is dead. I fucking killed him. He left me with a fucking mess to clean up, so let's get some shit straight.
His choices left a lasting mark on everyone and a bad fucking taste in my mouth.”
He shouts over the jabbering gasps. His eyes hold a fiery intensity as if daring anyone to question his authority.
A few of the elder Elites step forward. One of them grumbles.
“She is sterile due to your actions. She cannot produce an heir, and even if she was capable, she is not pure. Women do not get mixed up with our world unless they are on their knees. Don't make the mistake your father did. Stick to purity. Your bloodline is pristine.”
The Elite looks at me with pure disgust and hatred as he strokes his scruffy salt and pepper beard.
Kieran glowers. His hand drops from mine.
He takes slow measured steps off the platform.
“She is sterile, thanks to yours truly. My savagery knows no bounds when it comes to what's mine. You will show her the same respect you will give me,” he barks.
The Elite stands down reluctantly.
Kieran yanks me forward, his grip is iron tight. I stumble over my own two feet at the force. The crowd eyes me like an outsider. “Clara has full authority to do as she pleases. She needs no permission from me. Her judgement is absolute, just as is mine.
If anyone has a problem with it, we can talk,” he smooths out.
Another Elite shouts from the crowd. “Mortensen's actions were justified. We want free rein. Women are never, and will never, be superior. No female has ever led—” his words are cut short by the pop of Kieran's gun. Smoke radiates from the barrel. The Elite collapses to the floor in a thudding heap.
Blood spills from his corpse along the concrete floor pooling on the expensive Beckmans of the surrounding Elites.
They scatter like roaches. What a travesty it would be to get blood on their shoes.
I scoff. It's a shock. Not the blood, but their reaction.
The last few weeks I've grown accustomed to the sight of bloodshed, yet they scatter from it.
Kieran has no problem delivering the hammer of justice.
These Elites could never lead. They don't have the stomach for it.
I'll make sure Kieran succeeds in every way I can.
His mouth buttons into a tight line before his smirk peeks through.
“Anyone else wanna talk?” He waves his gun around, flashing them a deceptive smile.
The room goes silent. “Good.” He drapes his arm over my shoulders.
“She will be my wife. I'm glad we've come to an understanding.”
Zain, Vesper, and the crew push through the crowd to join us on the platform in a show of solidarity. Kieran's smirk widens. “Questions?”
No one says a word. The Elites disperse, getting back to their salacious activities without a hint of argument. Kieran pulls me in tighter. His arm still stretches around my shoulders to my neck.
“Sweetheart, go with Vesper for a bit? Got some shit to go over with the boys.”
I frown. What happened to equality? He must sense my displeasure because he tips my chin up and teases my cheek with a gentle bite before running his tongue ring over my bottom lip “Nah, stop that bullshit line of thinking. I can feel your mind drifting. I promise I'll fill you in,
but right now there's a lot of important shit I need to take care of. Trust me?”
I nod. He smiles. “Good girl, head to my office. I'll be in shortly.” He slaps my ass making me jump.
Zain exchanges some words with Vesper. She stomps her foot looking particularly peeved about whatever he tells her.
Ultimately she slinks over to me. She sighs.
“I'm still not completely over being back at this place. Somehow we're expected to just continue on like nothing happened?”
her sad eyes fall to the floor. I never got to ask her what happened when we got separated when Mortensen kidnapped us.
Did they touch her, too? Did they break her in?
This isn't the place for the weak. No longer am I afraid.
I'm involved with something bigger. I reach out to comfort her.
She flinches. “Let's talk more in the office, okay?”
I urge her, noticing a few Elites lingering to eavesdrop.
She agrees and follows. When the door clicks closed, she lets the floodgates open.
She's strong, but sensitive. If they touched her, Zain might very well go full chaos.
She can't handle the abuse the way I can. She's too innocent. Too soft.
“What's wrong? Tell me. Did they hurt you? You don't have to be scared anymore.”
I assure her. She sinks into one of the chairs.
”No, they didn't touch me,” she starts. Her eyes find me.
“This has just been a lot to take in. Kieran being my brother.
Finding out Pearson lied. Finding out I have a father. Do you think Pearson knew I was
Mortensen's? I never knew my mother was involved with the Void. There were so many secrets. So much betrayal. I mean fuck, Kieran set Mortensen on fire. He killed him.”
She shakes her head quickly. “I'm not upset that he killed my father. I mean I know it had to be done, I just—”
I sink to the floor next to her. “Vesp, it's okay to have big feelings about everything that's transpired. I mean honestly you've been dealt some crazy shit the last few weeks.
I cannot begin to imagine how you feel. What is important is what you do with your life now.
You have Zain, Kieran, and me. You have the protection of the Elites now.
Hell, even Val, Silas and Grey will be there for you.
I guarantee it. Regardless how anyone feels about Kieran and I, they will obey us otherwise they will be punished.
No one will mess with you. It's going to take time and maybe a bit of therapy to keep moving forward and that's okay. It's nothing to be ashamed of.”
She reaches out to squeeze me. Her soft tears fall along my shirt as she sobs into my shoulder. “Thank you.”
With the girls occupying the office we take one of the private rooms to talk in and there sure is a fuck load to discuss. Zain leans against a wooden bed post. “What's your plan?” he asks.
I shoot him a playful glance. “Glad to see you put yourself back in the Elite circle.” He glowers and flips me off. I snicker. “Testy, eh?” I tease. My smirk quickly fades when I realize it's time to get back to Void business.
I pace around the room, my boot thud along the floor. “I never wanted to be my father,” I state.
Grey pushes off the wall. “We know you're not. Doesn't mean you can't hold a firm hand and keep things as they are. Or you can shut it down. We stand beside you either way. It seems you got through to the Elites. They know you are the rightful heir, and nothing changes that,” he encourages.
I grunt in response. Grey's always been good at that shit.
Being sensible and observant. He keeps his involvement to a minimum.
I'm sure he isn't pleased I've dragged him into this shit.
If he isn't, he doesn't complain. Val kicks his feet up on the tufted stool in the corner and dusts his fingers through his blonde hair.
“Listen, you know we've got your back. Personally, we should keep shit the same. You've got no qualms with how shit is run or how the girls are used.”
He shrugs. He loves indulging, so it isn't too far off to assume he's thinking with his cock again.
He is right though, I don't give a shit.
Keeping things running smoothly would be the smartest solution.
A win-win for everyone involved. Elites still get their dick wet.
Offerings still get a full ride scholarship along with the perks of being spoiled.
Sometimes the money is worth the abuse. The only issue there could be is will Clara stand by my side through this shit? The Void destroyed her. Either way, she doesn't get to leave me.