Mafia Beasts: The Complete Series, page 32
Had he hurt me? Yes. But he was also horrified by his actions. And he’d kissed me back—with so much desire I just knew he’d been keeping it pent up for a while now. The big, grumpy Fae with a cruel tongue did want me after all. And I... was intrigued.
Like me, he carried plenty of scars on the outside, visible for all to see, but he had even more hidden within. Those inner wounds were the ones I wanted to discover. He knew mine. Hell, he’d helped me uncover deep secrets I hadn’t known were lurking in my depths. Because of that, I felt freer, more myself than I ever had before. Me knowing my own past could have destroyed me, but instead, it made me stronger.
I wanted to help Cade in the same way he’d helped me. To get him to face his inner monster and bring it to light. To free him.
If he should have learned anything about me by now, it was that I always paid my debts. I owed him.
Cade had saved my life from Garrett, and I’d returned the favor by making sure he hadn’t bled out from that gruesome wound. The Fae aided me in discovering my own secrets, let me face that darkness, and liberated me from my fear. I would do the same for him. Just as Lucas gave me his protection, in return I would protect him with my life. Zane let me explore my deepest desires without judgment. I would uncover his as well.
These damaged souls couldn’t hide from me because I was one of them. Forrest would pay for taking me to the breaking point, for shoving me over the edge—though maybe I should thank him for it. He’d opened up a whole new world to me.
Nah. The things I was going to do to him would make me even more of a monster, but I didn’t care. In fact, I looked forward to it. Damaged souls were dangerous, and one day soon, both Eclipse and 5th Circle would find out just how far we were willing to go.
Samuel sighed. “That’s enough for today. You’re not making any progress.”
I lowered my wand, letting the feeble spell drop away. “I know. I’m sorry, I just have a lot on my mind.”
“Well, to make up for it, I’m going to have you read the books I had brought up to your room.” He gestured toward the mansion. “I expect a full report by the weekend. Now, off with you.”
I nodded and strode to the garden side door. An early lunch wasn’t a bad thing. Then I had my firearms training with Lucas, combat with Cade, and office work with Zane—the same routine as every day. Most nights I was so exhausted I ate dinner alone in my room, then dropped into my bed.
The entire mansion began to shake. I braced myself against the wall to keep from falling and waited it out. A crash sounded from the direction of the garden. I bolted back the way I’d come and barged through the door to find Samuel laying in the snow. Red stains dotted the white where a chunk of stone had detached from the building and struck his head.
I knelt beside him, noting the rise and fall of his chest. Taking my new malachite wand in hand, I murmured a simple spell to stop the bleeding from his head wound. The crimson liquid congealed.
“Samuel, can you hear me?” I asked. He didn’t so much as twitch. The guy was out cold.
Someone must have seen what happened, because a moment later, I was surrounded by the doctor and several other Fae. They descended on Samuel and pushed me out of the way.
I gave them the space they wanted, stood, and hugged myself against the cold. Focusing instead on the side of the house, I studied the damage. Fissures ran through the stone. Pieces were missing, like the chunk that had hit my teacher. The random earthquakes were going to collapse the entire structure. Was that what the enchantress had in mind? When the time came, would the earth simply open up and swallow the house whole, Penumbra and all its members with it?
I released a long, slow breath. Everywhere I looked, we had enemies. But at this point, time was our worst adversary.
Shaking away the dismal thought, I left the doctor to do his thing and headed back inside. We’d have to be more vigilant while training out in the garden. Death by falling debris was not on my bucket list. I doubted it was on Samuel’s either.
I’d been surprised when Cade showed up for my second training session with him in the gym. Part of me had really expected him to ditch. Though, during that lesson and all throughout the week, he made sure not to touch me unless completely necessary. His demeanor was cold, detached. I’d tried to bring up what had happened between us, but Cade shut me down. That part I wasn’t surprised by at all—just disappointed.
Thanks to Samuel, who had recovered fine, I spent my lunchtime reading about dark magic techniques and theory. Dry. That was the only word to describe it. The content was interesting, but the author’s style couldn’t have been any drier. Even so, I read every word and aced the verbal quiz Samuel gave me this morning.
“Very good.” He folded his arms, and a grin tugged at the corners of his mouth.
I beamed. I was learning a lot in a very short time. Already, my confidence level with spell work in general had increased. Everything he was teaching me was the next level, advanced magic, not all of it dark either, that I had missed out on learning because of 5th Circle. Better late than never.
“Now, let’s see what you’ve got.” He straightened and produced his wand. Without any other warning, he flung a curse directly at me.
I squealed but blocked it in time. Was he fucking insane? He could have seriously injured me or worse. I shook my head and smirked. Yes, he was crazy. And this shit just got real.
Narrowing my focus on him, I let loose a series of spells. He ducked, parried, and blocked. One broad stroke of magic hit a ceramic planter, and it shattered, spraying shards over his head. I viciously grinned.
He retaliated by crumpling the pavement at my feet and I landed hard on my hands and knees. Another curse came flying at me and I rolled away to avoid it, then regained my footing.
Instantly, I teleported to right behind Samuel. But he knew this trick. Ducking my spell, he rounded on me and pulled my back into his chest. He had me in a lock hold. Panic welled in my chest, but for only a moment. I slammed my foot down on his boot and when his arms loosened enough, I jabbed my elbow into his stomach. His hold broke away.
I rushed behind a bench, using it for cover as I flung a flesh-eating spell at him. He barely erected a shield in time. I was getting faster, stronger.
Not allowing him to recover, I blasted his shield with lightning strikes. It wobbled and weakened so I advanced. Out in the open, I walked toward him, never letting up on my assault. His brow furrowed with concentration. Just a little bit more and I’d have him at my mercy. I’d finally win.
Samuel, the wicked devil, simultaneously lowered his shield and teleported. His stunning spell connected with my gut. The next thing I knew, I was sprawled on the hard ground unable to move or catch my breath.
My teacher stood over me and murmured as blue sparkles floated into my body. Suddenly, I could breathe again. I inhaled gasping breaths. His hand appeared near my face, and I took the offering. He hauled me to my feet as if I weighed nothing.
“That was much better,” Samuel said. “It would seem we caused a bit of havoc. I think we’re done for today.” He tucked away his wand.
I glanced around, only vaguely having registered the crowd that had gathered near us. An internal pull brought my gaze straight to where Zane, Lucas, and Cade stood a bit apart from the others. In the blink of an eye, the vampire was at my side.
His fingers splayed over my low back. “Are you okay?”
“Perfectly fine.” I brushed myself off.
“Wonderful.” He whispered conspiratorially, “You almost had him.”
“I know. I was so close.”
“Next time, I’m sure you will.” He leaned in, his breath teasing my ear. “You’ve been such a good girl, I think it’s time for a break. Take the rest of the day off. Tonight, we’re going out. Wear something... delicious.”
I shivered at his words. Glancing at the other two, I noticed Cade turn away and catch up with Ash. Lucas stalked closer. He ran his knuckles down my arm, but his gaze rested on Zane.
“You’re on your own today, sweetness. We’ll see you tonight.” The vampire began to move away, and Lucas followed.
“Where are you going?” I tucked my wand away.
Lucas answered, “Mama Holt needs us. Her allies will be arriving soon, and we need to make sure everything goes according to plan.” He exchanged a meaningful glance with Zane.
Right. We were about to have a houseful of crime bosses and their men and women. I could deal with Penumbra, especially now that I was getting to know some of the members better, but the other syndicates would surely be different. I didn’t know them and that put me on edge.
“Can I help?” I asked. I wanted to know what the arrangements were and be in on the planning.
Zane shook his head. “No need. We have it all under control. You should relax and not worry about it. Take some time for yourself.”
I huffed, my fists settling on my hips. “I should be involved. I want to know what’s going on. Unless Mrs. Holt specifically said she doesn’t want me, I think I should come.”
Samuel chuckled, shaking his head as he walked past us to the house. I ignored him and waited for a response from the bosses. Zane had told me before that if I wanted to be in, then I should be all the way in. He was fucking coddling me now. I didn’t like it.
Lucas shrugged. Zane studied me with those endless pools of black. “Very well,” he said. “Come.”
I dropped my arms to my sides and approached them. They took up positions on either side of me as we strode inside and into Mrs. Holt’s private quarters. She sat next to Cade in one of the pair of chairs. The sofa was open for the three of us to take.
She smiled, catching sight of me. “I’m glad you came, Emma. A leader should always show interest in the details.”
I frowned, puzzled. I wouldn’t exactly call myself a leader. It wasn’t like I was a boss—but I also wasn’t just their girl either. A member of Penumbra, with my own agenda, that’s what I was. Apparently, Mrs. Holt saw me in a slightly different light.
I settled onto the couch between the wolf and vampire. Cade stared from across the coffee table, his expression unreadable. But it was Mrs. Holt who commanded our attention.
“They’ll be arriving next week,” she said.
“Who, exactly?” I asked.
Mrs. Holt pinned me with her pale-green gaze. “Those who owe me a favor. Let’s see, there’s the Nox Coven Cartel from Los Angeles, the White River Wolves from Denver, and the Tri-Cities Conglomerate from the east.”
“The east? Not the tri-cities in Washington?” The area I was referring to was east and south of Seattle.
Mrs. Holt’s eyes crinkled with amusement. “No, dear. The tri-cities they’re referring to are Boston, New York, and Philadelphia.”
Oh. Totally different.
“My concern, naturally,” she continued, “is all of them under one roof. At least they aren’t rivals and they’ll be on their best behavior, but I’d like to put the vampires in the east wing, second floor, the wolves in the west, and I suppose the bears will have the attic rooms. That should do.”
Everyone murmured their agreement. Mrs. Holt said, “The full moon is a week from today. We’ll let Eclipse shift and run off the moon’s amplified energy. They’ll be tired and dozing after a long night on the hunt. Then we make our move the following morning before dawn.” She leaned back in her chair. “Tell me we have good intel on Eclipse’s movements.”
Zane inclined his head. “We do. We’ll continue to watch them, but we have a comprehensive map of where they’re residing throughout the city. Most will be at Damien Garcia’s estate. All the houses are in their own territory. They haven’t crossed our line since Lucas...”
I stiffened. Silence fell over us at the reminder that they’d killed Lucas. The energy in the room pulsed with rage. That was one line Eclipse shouldn’t have crossed, even with the backing of 5th Circle. Zane had filled me in on the situation. Luckily for us, their allies had abandoned them and now they were vulnerable, apparently hiding over on their side of Seattle and hoping we wouldn’t retaliate. Stupid dickheads.
I couldn’t even find it in me to feel sorry for them. They deserved what they had coming. With them out of the way, I’d be one step closer to getting what I wanted—Forrest Nightling. Don’t get me wrong, I looked forward to getting back at Eclipse too—for doing Forrest’s bidding. They were just as guilty as that sadistic witch.
“Each night we’ll have a formal dinner with the bosses and their seconds. I’ve arranged it all with Cook. We’ll offer more casual dining for everyone else in the cafeteria. We will all attend—yes, even you, Emma.”
I hadn’t said anything, but she’d read the question on my mind. “Okay.” I swallowed, already feeling in over my head. Three bosses and their seconds, plus us didn’t make for a huge dinner party. It would be fine. At the same time as my nerves shot up, I was also curious about what on earth mob bosses talked about over dinner. Was it all guns, drugs, and money?
Glancing at my present company, I inwardly laughed at myself. Crime lords or not, they were all still people.
Mrs. Holt chatted details with the lords for the next hour. Though Zane, Cade, and Lucas had technically taken over as the bosses of Penumbra Syndicate, the favors Mrs. Holt was calling in were all on her—not them. Apparently, it was expected for her to make the arrangements and get the bosses’ approval for it all.
Once she’d finished, I asked, “What did you do for them that they owe you this much of a debt?”
Four pairs of eyes turned on me. I glanced at each one. None held annoyance, only amusement, except for Cade’s. Was I not supposed to ask that?
“Just favors, my dear. I’m afraid they’re their secrets to tell, not mine,” Mrs. Holt said.
Cade grumbled, “Perfect. Because a question like that at the dinner table will go over great.” He glared. “Everyone’s business is their own. You’d do well to remember that.”
Yes, it is. Until you go digging around in their heads. Fucking hypocrite. I bit my tongue, unwilling to rise to the bait. It was nothing more than a defense mechanism—for both me and Cade. But there were times I wished I was a Fae and could give him a taste of his own magic. God, he got under my skin.
Zane placed a hand on my knee as if holding me back with the simple touch. Cade scowled when I didn’t reply, but he also didn’t say anything more, just shot me his death glare. Call me crazy, but it made me want to kiss him again.
Mrs. Holt stood, and that was our cue to leave her sitting room. On my way past her, she said in a low tone, “Remember, they need a firm hand. Don’t let them push you around.”
I bobbed my head.
Easy for her to say. She had their respect and loyalty. I was still trying to prove I was worthy of getting those two things—especially from the Fae-beast who ran hot and cold often enough to give me whiplash.
I wasn’t sure if her advice was actually good. Did Cade need a firm hand? Or would compassion serve better? I eyed the huge Fae. He looked like he’d been dealt a firm and harsh hand all his life. Maybe he could use some gentleness for once.
The thought struck a chord deep in my chest. My annoyance with him dissolved. Could it be that under his hard exterior, he was just a broken man who didn’t know how to pick up the pieces and make himself whole again?
Maybe we weren’t so different after all.
20
EMMA
That evening, after a long, relaxing bath, I searched through the wardrobe for what to wear. We were going out dancing. Out of the mansion and away from safety, which gave me pause. Last time we’d gone out, to the New Year’s fight night, 5th Circle had attacked us and we’d barely escaped. I didn’t want a repeat of that night.
At the same time, I wasn’t going to stay hidden on this estate for the rest of my life. My stalker hadn’t sent any more notes since my return here. I wondered if he thought I’d taken his advice and fled far, far away.
Nope. Not this chick. I was so done with running.
Pulling out a mini skirt and sparkly tank top, I slipped them on followed by a pair of ass-kicking boots and a leather jacket. The all-black ensemble appeared both badass and elegant at the same time, probably because every piece had that high-end designer look. It still made me nervous wearing clothes that cost more than my monthly rent.
Rich men. Not long ago, I had them all pegged as assholes. Now? I could get used to this kind of luxury. Eventually.
I took one last glance in the mirror, grabbed my purse, and headed downstairs to the garage. Zane opened the car door, and I slid into the back seat next to Lucas. The vampire joined Cade up front, and we headed out with a couple of SUVs on our tail.
Lucas rested a possessive hand on my knee for the duration of the drive. He leaned in close and said, “You look beautiful, baby.”
I gave him a smile and let my gaze wander over his dark shirt and jeans. Cade insisted on blasting the overly dramatic orchestral music so there wasn’t much chance for conversation.
The hour passed quickly as the freeway turned to glistening, rain-drenched city streets. We pulled into a reserved space in a lot right next to a three-story concrete building. The sign outside flashed bright red letters V-A-M-P-T-O-P-I-A.
Zane opened my door. He held out his hand, and I took it. Tonight, he wore a black button down, suit jacket, and slacks. His dreadlocks, falling loose around his shoulders, framed his strong jaw. He slid his other hand to my lower back, and we started toward the club.
Lucas caught up with us, as we followed two guards toward the entrance, his heat soaked in at my other side. Cade trailed behind with several of Penumbra’s members taking up the rear.
As we neared, I noticed the line to get in went around the block. For a second, I wondered how long we’d have to wait, then remembered the bosses owned this place.
