Chapter Six
Sylan
Ifocus on the steady beep of the heart monitor pinging into the otherwise silent underground room and try to count my blessings, but it’s only vengeance that fills my thoughts. And fear for her. I owe myself that small truth. Kane will die and when he does it will be by my bullet through his brain.
And then I’ll hunt Katriona down and next time I have her in my arms she won’t get away from us.
NO, the voice in my head growls. You’re not a monster.
But the demon in me knows she’s ours and it’s only a matter of time before she’s back where she belongs. Under our protection. In our lives, our arms, our beds.
Katriona is the one woman who can save us. If there's one single chance of us not going to hell, she's it. Her sweet, kind soul is our last salvation.
I take one last look at my friend fighting for his life in our basement facility and turn on my heel, heading for the elevator. Someone slipped up and I’m going to find out who gave away our location. No one knew we were coming to the club tonight. I’m going to find out who put Katriona in danger and then make sure it never happens again.
“Let me know when he needs more blood. I’ll be upstairs.”
Drake takes up my place beside Grey. “I’ll give the next round. I’ll call you after that.” He sounds as exhausted as I fell.
Everything about our life is under the radar. Getting the authorities involved in this would tie our hands so it’s on us to right the wrongs dealt to us. Trust isn’t something that comes easily, but we lucked out in one area. A doctor willing to work in the shadows is worth the cost.
I nod at the doctor waiting off in the corner, head bent, eyes on the floor. “Make sure he doesn’t die. Doc. Make damn sure.”
His gray head bobs in understanding. “Yes, sir.”
Good.
Back upstairs, I glance around my darkened office, my friend’s blood still on my hands.
Tonight's scuffle would have repercussions.
The night Kane called a truce we agreed to pay off his debts to the family back East for them on one condition—we unite our causes.
That’s when we found out about Katriona. He offered her hand in marriage for the ten million he owed. We didn’t agree at first but after a week of watching her, seeing her live her life free of her father and the three of us couldn’t stop the desire of having her to ourselves. Why? Why would we want her, pull her into the darkness? Because we’re fucking bastards who want the forbidden and she’s tempting as the forbidden fruit was to Adam in the Garden of Eden.
We signed contracts with Kane and paid out the debt over a course of six months as requested. In the meantime a few maneuvers and Katriona fell under our roof, our protection as we waited.
Nikki served us well. I’ll have to remember to up her pay. Move her to another club where she can be of help again. Her cover here is burned.
“Mr. Ward. A detective is here to see you.”
Nikki slips into my office silently. I wave her off.
Shit. It was only a matter of time before they showed up. Kane broke all the rules of engagement tonight and now another hell is on my doorstep. Sore fucking loser. Kane couldn’t die soon enough.
I wave in a balding man who looks ten years past his prime. He pauses, his trembling hand glued to the doorknob, letting his eyes adjust to the dim lighting no doubt. I really don’t give a fuck if he’s scared to step into a dark room with me so I don’t move to make it easier on the man. Intimidation is ninety percent of my job description or the whole fucking underbelly of this town would turn on me.
“Detective Robles. Either step in or get the fuck out,” I greet him dryly.
I watch him cross my office and I gesture to the chair across from me. I’m not in the mood for charades and subterfuge tonight. With little ceremony I toss a white envelope on the desk and watch his greedy eyes light up.
“I hear your son is needing a scholarship in the upcoming year. Let’s make that happen.”
I move across the office and see his eyes soaking in the debauchery of the Attic and know this meeting won’t take long.
I pass a single malt to the pasty-looking man.
“Mr. Ward. I…” he struggles to find his words and I lose my temper.