TWENTY-SEVEN
Nyx
I stand here panting, with my hand over my chest wound.
Fuck! I exerted myself too much. Fucking Raya isn't the cause of the pain, though.
No, it was the destruction of the billiard room where I found three of my four friends fucking around, and I went ape shit on them.
Thinking back, I know I could have handled it better, but fuck—I was livid.
"What the fuck do you think you were doing by keeping this information from me?" I had roared as soon as I walked into the room and saw Cray, Zilas, and Amara fucking around.
"Calm down and tell us what has your panties in a bunch." Zilas stepped away from Mara, fixing his clothing.
I glared at our little devil and sneered, "Why don't you tell me everything you told Raya about her fucking father."
The surprise at hearing this crossed her features briefly, but she also came forward.
Her top was long gone, her breasts spilled out over the cups of her bra.
The tight leather skirt she'd been wearing was bunched over her hips, and she didn't move to straighten any of it.
The smirk on her face was the only indication that she was trying to entice me, but to her dismay, it didn't work.
"I think someone needs a good fucking, or his dick sucked at the very least." Mara had licked her lips.
My cock hadn't stirred at all like it had in the past whenever she had mentioned or offered sexual favors. I have my little lamb back, and she will be the only one relieving any tension I may have in the future .
"I'd take you up on the offer, but I don't want you to know what Raya tastes like." I had said it to hurt her at the time, and it worked, but now I kind of feel like shit for doing it.
She had straightened her spine and clothes before turning her back on me and going to the bar to get herself a drink. Zilas's voice drew my attention to him.
"This is why we hadn't told you yet. We knew you would fly off the handle had you discovered that Kappel was Raya's father."
"How can I protect her if I'm left in the fucking dark about shit?"
"You needed to heal first, Nyx! You were shot in the chest, for fucks sake!" Zilas exploded on me, but I didn't back down.
I got into his face and snarled, "And I would do it all over again if it meant protecting her! How dare any of you think playing with Raya's safety is okay!"
"Dude, we didn't see any harm in holding off telling you until we could do it in a way that you wouldn't go off—"
I had cut Cray's words off by picking up the nearest armchair and throwing it over the bar, shattering the long mirror behind it.
With my chest heaving, I hadn't stopped there.
Next came the table beside the chair and then one of the lamps.
The fear that gripped me at the thought of what would have happened had I not known about Kappel's motives only fueled me more.
It had taken all three of them to calm me down and stop me from completely destroying the room. Once I had calmed down enough, I pushed them all away and fled. Now I'm standing here, pain slicing through my chest and thoughts of what I'm going to do to Kappel once I get my hands on him.
As soon as Raya informed me of her father's identity, I knew, without a doubt, that Kappel had used her as a pawn in his little game. Kappel has wanted God status for as long as I can remember; that's why our fathers kept him close. If you ask me, he should have been taken out long ago.
Where does Clyde Kappel get off ignoring his daughter for all these years and then think it's okay to use her when it suits him?
You can't tell me he didn't know she was his daughter.
It now makes sense how he treated her when he met her at Unholy.
It was unusual for him not to flirt or make passes at any female, and Raya is fucking gorgeous.
If Kappel thinks for one minute that he has any legal rights to my little lamb, he will find out quickly just how wrong he is.
Raya is fucking mine. Mine to keep, mine to use, mine to fuck, mine to protect, and the most important one—mine to fucking love.
Saraya Abbott is my queen and will give the town of Nyte their next heir, and I will be damned if anyone tries taking her away from me again.
I sit in the blacked-out Sedan's back seat with Adrik while Cale drives.
Zilas and Cray are in the SUV behind us, and Tucker, along with Arlo, Charlie, and Kato, one of Cray's men, are in a third vehicle.
We aren't ignorant of the fact that we are coming to meet a drug lord.
I left Mara back at the Hall to protect Raya in case this was some kind of a setup.
I'm not too worried, though. Nyte's Hall is a fortress, and we have plenty of security.
The fact that Pike wants to meet with me, and knowing what I now know, there is a good chance that he's going to want to get rid of me as soon as I tell him that he's not getting Raya.
He probably assumes that I will just hand her over to him.
Clyde would have been better off taking care of her ex and giving her to him sooner.
He should know that I protect what's mine.
As we sit here and wait for these assholes to show up, I glance over at Adrik. I'm still not too happy with any of them for keeping shit from me. It doesn't matter the reason. Regarding Raya, I need to know everything , and Adrik, of all people, should know this.
"I won't apologize, Nyx. Had you not just been shot a little over two weeks ago, we would have told you, but you're fucking injured; you shouldn't be here now." My friend stares at me like I should agree and forgive him.
"What the fuck would you do if it was the woman you loved?" I ask him.
A smirk grows on my friend's lips. "Women love me, but I don't love them back. I only love what they can do for me, and don't pretend you weren't like me. Before Raya showed back up, you went through women like crazy."
"I'm not denying it at all," I reply and shrug. "All of that has changed now that Raya is back. The need to consume her—to own her, is back in full force, and no other woman will ever come close to what that fucking woman does to me. "
"I get it, I do, but what good are you to her if you hurt yourself because you're not healed entirely? Nobody can protect her as good as you because you love her—she needs you."
I scoff as I think of my little lamb's attitude and sassiness. Wondering if what my friend says is true. She's survived this long on her own, but I understand what he's saying. That doesn't mean I have to like it.
Pulling my phone out, I type out a message to my little lamb.
ME: Are you being a good girl for our little devil?
Grinning, I set the phone on my thigh, knowing that she was going to be pissed at my question. When my phone buzzes with an incoming message, I read it and throw my head back, laughing.
LIL LAMB: If by good girl you mean have I not throat punched her yet or stabbed her with a spoon, then yes…I have been a good girl.
ME: A spoon?
LIL LAMB: Yes, a spoon. It's dull and will hurt a hell of a lot more…duh.
ME: Don't sass me…
LIL LAMB: Then don't say shit that will make me sass you.
ME: Keep it up, little lamb…
When nothing more comes through, I pocket my phone and sigh. That woman's mouth gets my dick hard every fucking time, but I never want her to change. A frown quickly replaces my grin when I think about Raya and Mara being together. Mara is dangerous. I hope Raya doesn't push her too far.
I pull my phone out once again.
ME: Don't do anything to harm her, even if she pisses you off.
LIL DEVIL: Oh, I will do something, but no harm will be involved.
ME: Mara….
LIL DEVIL: What? Then you better hope your little lamb is a good little lamb because this wolf has been hungering for a taste.
ME: You won't…
LIL DEVIL: Won't I?
I growl and toss my phone on the center console.
"What's the matter? Having a little tiff with your little lamb?" Adrik chuckles.
"No, our little devil will be in a heap of trouble if I come back and find out she's touched what is mine!"
"Oh, I doubt Mara will hurt Raya—"
"I'm not talking about her hurting her…"
"Ahh, I see," he says, then turns his head so I don't see his grin, but it's too late.
I'm about to lecture him when two SUVs similar to the one Cray and Zilas are in pull up. Adrik and I check our pieces, just in case. I put mine back in its holster under my suit jacket while Adrik tucks his in the back of his pants. When we exit the Sedan, a strapped Cale also joins us.
Laughter comes our way from the approaching drug lord. "You look as if you're ready for a war, Phoenyx Beckam."
I glare at his use of my name. "It's Nyx, but you can call me Mr. Beckam ."
"Aw, are we not friends, Phoenyx?"
Pike's attitude tells me that he's here to rile me up. I need to keep my head straight, not let him get to me. Shoving my hands in my pockets, allowing my jacket to open enough to show just a peek of my piece, I look the guy dead in the eye.
"What is it that you want, Pike. I'm a busy man these days." I act bored as I ask.
"You were told to bring the girl." Pike's smile turns into an annoyed grin as he looks around and says, "Yet I don't see her among your little gang."
We have three more bodies than he does, so I'm not too worried about whether he tries starting anything. He'd be stupid if he tried. Deciding to play with him just a bit, I grin at Adrik, who returns his own before my eyes land on Pike again.
"Our little devil is at home, so no worries, you're safe from her."
The drug lord runs his fingers through his goatee and snickers. "Ah, yes. Your little assassin is a spitfire who I would love to tussle with—some other time—but I think you know who it is I'm referring to."
I shrug. "The only other woman that I can think of is my fiancée, who is still in my bed, where I left her."
He doesn't need to know the truth. If I had my way, she would be in my bed, too crippled to walk after the hard fucking I want so badly to give her. The smirk that grows across my face only adds fuel to the flames I've ignited.
"Kappel, her father, has promised his daughter to me. It's part of our alliance." Pike tries to keep his cool, but I can tell he doesn't like being tested. Too bad this isn't a test!
I look to Adrik and to the other two Heirs before my attention goes back to the asshole. "I'm sorry. I'm a bit confused as to what you are talking about. I've never known Kappel to have a daughter, so for him to promise you one, isn't this something you should take up with him?"
"Don't try to be funny, Beckam. You know damn well who I'm talking about. Saraya McNally is my future bride."
"I think you mean Saraya Abbott , daughter of the late Layton and Jessica Beckam. Saraya Abbott, who is also my stepsister and responsibility—oh, and the future Mrs. Beckam."
The drug lord sneers in disgust. "You would fuck your own sister?"
I shrug. "Why not? It's legal, she's hot, and her cunt fits me like a fucking glove."
Cray and Zilas chuckle behind me, but I don't dare take my eyes off the fucker in front of me. I can see it in his eyes that he's about two point five seconds from drawing his weapon on me.
"If that's all you came here for, then this meeting is over…" I turn to walk back to the car, but he stops me.
"I only want to be able to handle my business in the town of Nyte. It's got so much potential. I'll forget doing business with Kappel if you and I can come to an agreement."
"You don't get it, asshole, do you?" Zilas is the one to speak up this time and I stop to ensure Pike doesn't draw on him. "We are cleaning the filth from the streets of Nyte, and that includes drugs. Why the fuck would we make any kind of deal with you?"
"Watch yourself, boy," Pike sneers. "You better know your place and let your boss handle the business."
Oh shit! He did NOT just go there…
Before any of us can get to him, Zilas has his Glock out and shoved against Pike's forehead.
The drug lord's men all draw on my friend, so we do the same.
With twelve gunmen pointing their guns, I'm worried that someone may not come out of this alive.
Well, worried that one of our men won't come out of this alive.
"I highly suggest you do your homework before coming into our fucking town and making demands or insulting us." He leans his face closer to Pike's and says, "Zilas fucking Carlson—at your motherfucking service, bitch."
Pike grins and then uses his hands to order his men to lower their guns. "My apologies, Mr. Carlson. I hadn't realized that all the Heirs would be in attendance."
"Yeah, well, when someone is trying to bring trash into our town and take what doesn't belong to them, you better believe that you will deal with all of us."
Cray and Adrik step forward to stand beside me, and Pike's eyes land on us. "I see. Well, my mistake. I will have to meet with the Kappels about other arrangements."
Zilas steps back, lowering his gun, and responds, "You do that. While you're at it, make your arrangements for another town and keep your fucking shit out of ours."
Pike nods and steps back before returning to the SUV he arrived in. I don't miss the glare he sends us as they pass by on their way out of the old train station parking lot.
"We haven't heard the last of him. You know that, right?" Cray's voice breaks through as I stare at the departing vehicles.
"Oh, I know," I reply. "He will be back, and we will be ready."