Mafia Beasts: The Complete Series, page 13
A server appeared. “May I take your drink order?”
Cade said, “Two scotches and Syrah for the lady.”
I glanced over at the Fae in surprise. Hah, he’d called me a lady. Maybe there was hope for him and he could be polite when he really tried.
He scowled my way. Or not.
Zane’s palm slid up my arm to linger at the back of my neck. It was another possessive embrace, just screaming to anyone who noticed, that I belonged to him. It was my turn to scowl, partly because out here in the open I felt too exposed, and because his closeness was comforting. Wedged between his and Cade’s large frames, I felt safe, which surprised the fuck out of me.
From my spot, I watched as the place filled and people took their seats. So far, I hadn’t seen even one familiar face. Orion wasn’t here, as far as I could tell. Disappointment settled in my gut.
Cade tensed, drawing my attention to the man who approached. He was massive and tall with dark hair and eyes. His deeply tanned skin and easy swagger gave him a certain appeal. He halted before us and both Cade and Zane rose to their feet. I followed them up, hoping it was the right move.
“Damian,” Zane said with a flat voice.
The man, Damian, grinned and his eyes flashed with a golden light. Wolf. “Let’s hope for a good fight tonight.”
“I suppose that would depend on the outcome and which fighter you’re rooting for, wouldn’t it?” Zane’s palm rested on my lower back. His heat sank through the clingy fabric.
Damian’s gaze landed on me then flicked away. “By a good fight, I mean blood. I want to see a lot of blood.”
“You would.” Zane sneered. “May the best beast win.”
“Indeed. Then we’ll know who’s stronger—Penumbra or Eclipse.” Damian bared his teeth.
Startled, I jerked back, brushing against Cade’s arm. He frowned down at me. This Damian fellow was with Eclipse—their leader. He had Orion.
I opened my mouth to demand he tell me where my brother was being held, then thought better of it. This wolf exuded danger. His dark eyes flashed with menace. Better he didn’t know who I was or my relation to Orion. Instead, now I had a face to go with his name. Damian Garcia. One piece of the puzzle clicked into place. Now, I needed the rest—Bryon Vexx and his son, Elias, and anyone else who was connected with my brother these days.
When Zane didn’t rise to the bait, Damian glared and turned away to find his own seat. The lights dimmed. We sat down again, but their attention was still on Eclipse’s leader.
Finally, Cade leaned in. “Smart girl,” he said. “So you do know when to keep your mouth shut.”
I narrowed my eyes at him. The man really knew how to give a compliment. Whatever.
A moment later, the place erupted with cheers as the fighters emerged one after the other. Lucas was a sight in nothing but boxer shorts. Several women screamed his name, which did this funny thing in my chest. It tightened, and I balled my fists in my lap. Lucas spotted me and winked. My insides warmed.
Cade let out a choking sound, but I ignored him.
The other fighter, Maddox, received an equal number of cheers and hoots. My stomach flipped in the nausea kind of way. The man was larger than Cade, his muscles had muscles, and he was going to murder Lucas. I couldn’t watch.
The server took that moment to show up with our drinks. I took a huge gulp of the spicy fruit wine. The alcohol went straight to my head but did little to calm my nerves.
It seemed as soon as the fighters entered the ring, the punches started to fly. They fought in human form for the first round. Blood flew, fists crunched against bone, and I downed my wine in a matter of seconds.
I hadn’t been sure what to expect, but the level of savagery was over the top. Violence was a necessity at times—when trying to save your own skin and your loved ones. But this… this was violence for sport. The crowd ate it up and screamed for more.
This wasn’t only for sport for the two crime syndicates, this was a turf battle.
Lucas was doing surprisingly well against his larger opponent. I couldn’t help rooting for him, knowing what the outcome meant for these men. I cringed at each blow he took. The second round was even worse, when they shifted into wolves, and went at each other with teeth and claws.
Maddox delivered one particularly damaging swing, and I covered my gasp with my hand. Zane tightened his hold on me. Cade remained rooted in place like a statue, transfixed by the match.
I spotted Damian across the arena. He was surrounded by men and women with glowing eyes. They all watched the fight with rapt enthusiasm. I scanned the members of Eclipse, unsure of what I was looking for, Orion maybe? He wasn’t among them.
My gaze lifted to the private boxes higher up, and a familiar delicate profile with short blond hair caught my attention. Every cell in my body froze. Claire. But it couldn’t be her because she was dead. I’d seen her body hanging in our dorm room with my own eyes.
Claire’s doppelganger was leaning toward the man beside her, speaking to him. She had the same slim jawline and pixie cut. Even her hand motions and body language brought up vivid memories of my childhood best friend.
The woman faced forward, and her icy blue gaze latched onto me. My heart hammered against my ribcage. It was her. Impossible.
I blinked and she was gone.
The crowd roared and clapped. I was jostled as both Cade and Zane lurched to their feet. In the ring, Lucas’s wolf panted over Maddox. The larger wolf lay in a corner, bloody. The rise and fall of his chest was the only indication he was alive.
Cade went to Lucas in the fighting pit, and Zane helped me to stand. I glanced up at the private balcony seating again, but the box was empty. A chill swept up my spine. Had I seen Claire’s ghost tonight? Why here and why now? It didn’t make any sense.
What if she was alive?
That thought brought up too many questions. A world where Claire walked among us, living, poked numerous holes in my reality. No, it wasn’t possible. She was dead.
Zane held me firmly against him as he steered us through the crowd. I let him, too stunned and confused to care. We went back through the door that led to the hallway and fighter preparation rooms. A couple of Penumbra guards followed us in, with a third on their heels. Before the door closed, an ear-piercing bang filled the air. The last guard fell forward to the concrete floor.
I stared in horror as blood from a bullet wound seeped through his shirt. Then Zane was shouting at his men, and I was hauled toward the exit.
Chaos erupted around us as people fled. I couldn’t make any sense out of the screams and shrieks. More gunfire rattled off in the main part of the building. Was Eclipse attacking us because they’d lost the fight? Fuck, I needed my wand.
Outside, Zane pulled me to the side of the building. A stream of people exited after us, shrieking as they stumbled over the bouncer’s dead body. A couple of well-aimed bullets took out our two remaining guards.
Zane shielded me with his body as we ran for the corner. Gunfire zinged through the air around us, kicking up gravel. We rounded the other side of the building and crouched down.
“We need to get out of here!” I shouted over the din. Unfortunately, the vehicles were parked out in the open lot, which the shooter had in his sights. With Zane’s vampire speed we might be able to make it to the car and inside, but then we’d only be safe if the vehicle was bulletproof.
He scanned the area, searching for what, I wasn’t sure. This side of the building was in shadow and housed several dumpsters.
The revving of motorcycles caught my attention right as they appeared around the corner. Six riders cut off all our exits. They were dressed in black leather with full helmets. Each of them brandished a wand.
Two spells hit Zane and he fell to the ground. Exposed, I made a run for it. A jolt of pain seared my back and I stumbled. My ankle twisted in the high heel shoes, and I went down hard. Gravel bit into my forearms where I broke my fall.
A pair of rough hands dragged me upright. The man turned me to face his helmet-covered features. “Now I’ve got you,” he said in a raspy voice.
I shoved my knee between his legs with as much force as I could muster. He let out an oomph. I clawed out of his grip, my gaze landing on the tattoo between his thumb and forefinger. A stylized V encircled by an ouroboros—a snake eating its own tail.
I turned away too late. His fingers wove through my hair and yanked. I fought him with fists and kicks. His hold firmed, and shooting pain exploded over my scalp. He landed a punch to my gut. I doubled over, gasping, and he let me drop to the ground again.
A snarl, followed by a flash of white fur, plowed into him and they both went down with a crash. Magic pummeled the other bikers who retaliated with their own spells. I stayed lying on the gravel, covering my head with my bleeding arms until I could draw in a full breath. Then I crawled toward the dumpsters that offered some shelter from the raging battle.
Someone grabbed my shoulders, and I rolled to the side, ready to strike. Zane’s shiny silver eyes met mine. I sighed in relief.
“Hold on.” He scooped me up and ran. The world became a blur around me as I held on to him.
A second later, I was shoved into the back seat of an SUV. Zane pushed me over until I was practically sitting in some dude’s lap. I glanced up to find Ash, the Fae I’d stuck with a knife, glowering down at me. Retreating, I situated myself in the middle seat. The front doors opened, and Cade and Lucas climbed in. Cade, in the driver’s seat, wasted no time shifting into gear.
Bullets plinked against the glass and metal. I ducked down. The car swerved, wheels kicking up earth, as Cade floored it. We made it out of the lot and onto the highway, leaving the shooter behind.
I glanced through the rear window at the glaring headlights of multiple motorcycles. They sped after us.
“Fuck!” Cade said and shifted gears. “Ash, take care of them.”
“On it,” the other Fae said. He rolled down his window and blasted our pursuers with yellow and orange magic.
20
EMMA
Zane caught my chin, forcing my attention to him. “They want you. Do you know why?” His intense gaze bored into mine. Blood stained his lips and the white tuxedo shirt. His coat was gone. “Why?” he asked again.
“No. I-I don’t know.” I tried to ignore the volley of spells hitting the vehicle. “They must be the hunters. I told you, I shouldn’t have gone out. They found me.”
“It doesn’t matter.” Zane released me. “We’ll keep you safe.”
My stomach twisted. The hunters had found me, which meant not only was my life in immediate danger, but my captors’ lives as well. I’d made the same mistake as all those years ago when I sought refuge with others. The hunters would destroy everyone in Penumbra Syndicate, same as they’d killed my friends who’d taken me and Orion in.
I sat with that thought. A week ago, I would have welcomed the demise of my captors. Now? I wasn’t so sure. Scratch that. I didn’t want them dead because of me. These thick-headed bastards were going to get themselves killed trying to protect me and I needed to convince them to let me go.
The hunters wanted to kill me, not them.
As much as I hated being trapped in their mansion, I’d come to see it as a safe haven. For the first time in my life, I’d felt safe. I’d taken advantage of the situation when I should have told these men that I would bring nothing but bloodshed to their doorstep.
I peeked over the back seat. Only two motorcycles were left, and one exploded in a blast of orange magic. The last one skidded to a halt, letting us get away.
Cade didn’t slow until we crossed the gates in front of the manse. He parked in a large garage behind the house and cut the engine. His gaze caught mine in the rearview mirror.
He turned in his seat. “I always knew you were trouble.”
“Then you shouldn’t have kept me here!” I spat back at him. “Give me my wand and I’ll leave. You’ll never see me again.”
He sneered. “Sounds good to me.”
“Not happening,” Lucas said, his tone final.
“She stays.” Zane looped an arm around my shoulders.
Cade wasn’t the one who needed convincing. How was I going to talk Lucas and Zane into letting me go?
Ash hopped out of the vehicle as a pair of headlights shone in the driveway. Two more SUVs showed up with blood-covered Penumbra guards, who limped their way inside. I had no idea how many were killed tonight, but all their deaths were on my hands.
Long ago, I’d sworn to myself others wouldn’t suffer to keep me safe. I couldn’t bear the guilt. Tonight, that oath was torn away from me—broken.
If it had been Eclipse attacking their rivals, I wouldn’t have cared. That was Penumbra business to deal with. But the hunters… they only wanted me.
Cade glowered at his companions. He exited without a word, slamming the door shut.
“Let’s get inside.” Zane let us out.
As soon as Lucas emerged, I gasped. He was covered in blood, deep gashes, and swollen bruises.
He smirked at my reaction. “It was a good fight. Both inside and outside of the ring tonight.”
“You’re insane,” I said.
His grin grew wider. “I think you like me.”
“Not a chance.” I turned away. In the garage light, I glanced down at myself and groaned. The designer dress had smudge marks and was torn. The poor satin shoes were scuffed. “This is why I can’t have nice things.”
Zane chuckled. “Come on. I’ll buy you another dress.”
I woke with a start. Something was clawing at my insides trying to get out. A sheen of sweat coated my skin, and the sheet was tangled around my legs. Slowly, my head cleared, and I gazed around the room. I was alone. A tray sat on the desk. Everything appeared so normal.
I’d been dreaming—having a nightmare. The night before crashed through my consciousness, and I sat upright. The hunters. They’d found me. I wasn’t safe here anymore.
Quickly, I dressed and gobbled down the still warm breakfast. I had to convince Zane and Lucas to let me leave. It was in their own best interest to release me.
I found all three of them in their office, working in silence at their individual desks. Zane and Lucas glanced up with curious expressions. Cade took one look at me and closed his laptop. He headed for the door, but as he passed, I reached out to stop him. He flinched away from my touch.
“Stay,” I said, my voice pitched low. “I need your help.”
His brow dipped. “Why the hell should I help you?”
“Because you want me gone, and I need you to help me convince them to let me go.” I waited, holding my breath. He continued to glare; his jaw clenched.
“Fine.” He returned to his desk.
The other two shot daggers at him, and I sighed.
“Hear me out—” I began.
“You’re not leaving.” Lucas folded his arms, causing them to bulge in his black T-shirt. I sure was going to miss that sight.
Zane pursed his lips. “Speak. It won’t change our minds, but I think it’s time you told us everything. I want every detail of these hunters.”
I took a seat in the chair in front of his desk. Where to start? The only way to convince them was to leave nothing out. They needed to understand how relentless the hunters were, and how many had suffered trying to protect me.
“It started right before I turned twenty-two and Orion was ten,” I began. “Mom fell sick, very suddenly, and passed away. Our dad died when I was a teenager, and we don’t have any other family.” I licked my lips. “Right after my mom’s funeral, I received the first note from my stalker.”
“Stalker?” Lucas growled the word.
I nodded. “That’s what I call him. He’s both a guardian angel and a murdering creep all rolled into one.”
“How so?” Zane asked.
“Well, the first note said to run, or I’d die, and that he killed my mom. Since then, the notes have arrived with warnings, or threats, depending on how you look at it. Soon after, the hunters would find us.” I sucked in a breath. “Anyway, I took the stalker’s advice and ran with Orion. He was so young and didn’t fully understand what was going on. I went to my college dorm to get help from my best friend Claire, and her family. But my stalker, I think, beat me to her, killed her, and left a message warning me against seeking help from others. He wasn’t lying either. We’d stupidly stayed with some friends and they were murdered. We barely escaped. Since then, we’ve been hopping from city to city around the country. The stalker and hunters always find us, no matter how far away we go, however random the city I choose next.”
Zane stroked his thumb across his bottom lip. “Do you think this stalker is one of the hunters?”
“I don’t know. Why warn me that the hunters are coming if he’s a hunter himself?”
“You’re right, that makes no sense.” Zane swept a hand over his dreads. “But your stalker has inside information on those who want you dead.”
Lucas said, “A third party spy or assassin that’s gone soft on Emma?”
I shook my head. “Why kill my mother, admit to it, then spend the next almost eight years protecting me? I don’t get it. I don’t even know why these people are after us.”
“Have you tried to communicate with them?” Cade asked.
“Yeah. Once or twice.” I let out a humorless laugh. “The first time resulted in a bullet to my shoulder. The second opened my stomach and I almost died.” I skimmed my palm over my abdomen. “After that, I gave up. They show up and I run. End of story.”
Though I had several more scars to show that I was too slow in my escape at times.
“Tell us about them,” Zane said. “All the details you can recall.”
“They wear black leather.” I shivered, bringing up the memory of last night. “I know they’re witches because they all have wands, as well as other weapons. I’ve never seen any of their faces. They’re always obscured by magic or, like last night, wearing helmets. It’s always more than one who shows up to kill us.”
