“Who’s there? Where are you two supposed to be?” The guard reaches for his gun, spotting us.
Shit.
I turn on my heel, my heart throbbing in my throat. I can’t get thrown into solitary confinement cause I don’t doubt the Warden would just leave me in there until my time runs out.
A roar sounds from inside the laundry room, and I swallow a scream and notice it’s just Rowan and me in the corridor. What the heck is Nelos doing? Gunshots go off followed by a guy screaming. Then it’s quiet. So silent I hear the pounding of my pulse in my ears.
Seconds pass.
Even more time, and Rowan and I exchange looks. He shrugs. “Guess, Nelos is taking care of business.”
Rowan pushes me behind him as the doorknob turns. The door opens and Nelos is standing there with pants on that are too short and a shirt that shows his cut abs like he’s just changed wardrobe in the fastest possible time, wearing whatever he grabbed first.
I let out a cry of relief and rush into his arms. “Oh my god, I thought you were hurt.”
“Nah.” He chuckles.
“What about the guard?” I ask, a sick feeling hits my stomach. “Did your— your wolf burn him up?”
He cups my face, staring down into my eyes. “It’s part of me now. Are you going to be able to deal with that?”
I shudder, remembering Skul’s death. How the fire scorched him from the inside out. But this is Nelos. My first love. He didn’t ask for this just like I hadn’t intended to kill a god and end up here.
“I didn’t realize this was going to be an emotional fucking affair,” Rowan butts in, gaining himself a sneer from Nelos.
Nelos grabs me by the arm and drags me into his arms, his lips on mine, and suddenly I feel like I’m in high school and this is all for some kind of primal show of ownership.
Rowan clears his throat. “Unless we’re going to have an orgy right in the hallway with the three of us, we need to go.”
I shove my hands against Nelos’ chest, but he takes my hand in his.
“Where to?”
Shoving aside all tension I already feel between these two, I lead Nelos and Rowan through winding turns and hallways, praying that I’m going the right way and not getting us lost. And what if Xanth isn’t there, but on duty? It’s a risk I’m taking.
I force in a breath, cause this is the best chance we have, and I knock on his door.
When there’s no answer, my shoulders slump.
“Where does this lead?” Nelos says.
I bite my lip ’cause I’m sure he’s not going to like my answer. “It’s Xanth’s private room in the prison.”
His brow pinches, and darkness clouds his eyes. “What the fuck? Why are we here? And how is it you know where this is?” Nelos growls.
“Good to see I’m not the only one in the dark here,” Rowan adds.
I bite my tongue to avoid bringing attention to us in the corridor we definitely shouldn’t be lingering in.
“Either of you know how to pick a lock? Cause we’re going to be spotted out here any minute.”
Nelos gives me a hard look. “We’re going to talk about this later.”
My stomach clenches. But I keep my chin high, refusing to let them intimidate me with all their dominant alpha crap. I’m under no illusion these men are strong, each one refusing to bow down to anyone, taking what they want. But right now, I need them to pull their damn heads in and just work as a team.
“Fine, but can we just focus on this now?” I say.
Nelos bends down and examines the lock. I face Rowan because I’m sure my leering while he’s trying to figure out how to get us inside will only distract him. And I’m worried about the guards marching down this hall any moment. But Rowan leans against the wall with a smirk and like we have all the time in the world.
A sudden sizzle sounds next to me, and I scoot back from the unexpected sound. Nelos’ hand is a claw engulfed by flames and placed over the lock, melting most of the lock. The door opens and he stands, gesturing us inside.
“Shit, you melted the whole thing,” I murmur, knowing this isn’t going to be a good thing.
Rowan is laughing and wandering inside.
“You wanted in fast, and you got it. Beggars can’t be choosers,” Nelos answers.
“He’s got you there,” Rowan answers from inside the room, making a beeline straight for the fridge. Seems these two are better at being team players than I expected… except it’s in a game of pitting against me because I forced them into this situation. Well, they can suck it up a while longer.
“Hope you’re right about this guy, Shaye,” Nelos says, closing the door behind us. “Or we’re all fucked up.”
Chapter Eighteen
Shaye
Twenty minutes later and Xanth hasn’t come to his room. Has he been sent away? Possible since the Warden had him beaten up and the fact that I haven’t seen him since yesterday when I tended his wounds. But we need him, we can’t get into restricted areas without him. All the guards know each other, so I really don’t think they’ll buy Rowan or Nelos as guards even if they dress in Xanth’s uniforms in case he doesn’t come back. Their tattoos alone would give them away.
I pace as I try to think of what to do. One of us sneaking out to find him might work, but what if we don’t find him.
The door squeaks open and I rush forward, but a gun in a hand emerges first, and I freeze. Oh god, oh god, we’ve been found out. My breaths turn into pants. I’m never going to find out the answer for Project X and I’ll be thrown into the fighting pit.
“Hands up,” a crisp, deep male voice says, and a stranger emerges into the room.
Nelos stiffens, his fists clenched and his skin starting to glow orangey-red like the color of his fire wolf. While Rowan in the recliner in the corner looks bored but twirls a switchblade in his hand. Where did he get that? I shake my head, thinking he must have plundered Xanth’s room while I fretted and paced. I slink forward and the guard's eyes widen, then his hand holding the gun tenses, swinging between Nelos and Rowan.
The door suddenly swings open, and Xanth bursts into the room.
I gasp.
Xanth offers me a wink, then throws himself at the guard.
There is a blur of fists and the gun fires and my scream burns my throat.
“Shaye?” Xanth points his gun at the men. “What the fuck are they doing here?”
“Can’t we all be friends?” Rowan asks, stepping closer to me.
“You’ve got two seconds to tell me what the hell you assholes are doing in my room and with Shaye or I see how many holes your bodies can hold.”
“Try it.” Rowan cracks his knuckles.
A crack sounds and I wince. “Stop, stop.” I wince.
Nelos or rather his fire wolf growls and I’m pretty sure if his beast comes out, we’re all screwed.
“They are with me, Xanth.” I drift closer to him, placing a hand on his arm. “And I need all three of you to help me.”
“You don’t need any of these fucking bastards.” Xanth snarls. “They are filthy criminals.”
“So am I,” I answer firmly, but inside my gut twists. “I have a problem and I need help from all three of you.”
Xanth looks from me to Nelos and Rowan who haven’t backed down either and he keeps his gun trained on them. “Tell me.”
I let out a shaky breath. “The Warden has given me two days to find out about Project X. Whatever Skul was involved with and that’s all we know. If I don’t find out, I’m being tossed into the next battle, and I’m not ready. I’m going to die if that happens.” My words speed up as my breath catch in my chest. “So we need your help to get us into closed-off areas, like Skul’s cellblock, without getting caught or questioned so we can find some information. Anything for the Warden.”
He stares at me for a long moment, the hardness around his eyes softening for a moment. “And these two?” He grunts.
“Rowan knew Skul and where he might have hidden
something. While Nelos can question his cellmates. They’re going to talk to them before they do to me or you.”
He puts his gun away and rakes a hand through his hair. “Then that means you can stay here where it’s safe.” Xanth’s shoulders relax. “The three of us will go handle this.”
I shake my head. “No, I can’t. We’ve less than forty-eight hours before I’m fucked. I’m not sitting around when I can help.”
“The Warden won’t hurt you, we won’t let him,” Rowan says, brushing the back of his head and his fingers come back bloody. “Just a scratch, Shaye, no need to get worried over nothing, hey?”
“First, you don’t have any control over him.” I shiver, sparing a glance at Xanth because even he as a guard couldn’t keep from getting attacked for pissing him off. “Second, we need to pull together and figure this out.” Part of me is certain there is more to this than we even thought.
“Get two other dickheads,” Xanth growls.
Nelos puffs up, his eyes turning from dark brown to a golden color.
“Better a dick than an asshole.” Rowan snorts.
“Stop it. We are in this together, so suck it up.” God, I swear the tension in the room was like they were going to pull out their cocks and start measuring to see whose was longer. “This isn’t the time for male ego shit. If you care for me at all, then help me by working together and stop this crap. Otherwise, I’m going to be the latest attraction in the fucking fighting pit Friday night. You three are the only ones I trust in this prison, and I’m asking for your help.”
All three guys bristle at each other but stop their insults.
“So what’s the plan?” Nelos’ asks, and I’m so relieved his eyes are back to their rich brown color.
“First, we scope out Skul’s room for any clues while Nelos spies on his cellmates for any info.”
Rowan shakes his head. “Bad idea. They don’t know him and will clam up as soon as they see him.”
“You got a better idea?” I ask, hopeful.
“Yeah. You and Nelos search Skul’s cell while Urban Cowboy here keeps watch. Just check every cranny, everything in that cell from ceiling to floor.”
“Gotcha.” Nelos nods.
“How are you going to get Skul’s cellmates to talk?” Xanth asks.
He flashes me the biggest smile that makes me think he can make anything possible. “Don’t worry, sweetcakes, I’ve got my ways.”
“Don’t call her that.” Xanth’s jaw twitches.
Fuck. If he’s going to act like that with a silly nickname, I hate to see what he does when he realizes I’m sleeping with all of them. I push aside the thought for now because I’ve way bigger stuff to worry about right now.
Fifteen minutes later, I’m in Skul’s cell with Nelos. Xanth is waiting at the end of the corridor to keep any guards or any prisoners from coming this way. Though I don’t know how he’s going to keep the guards from asking questions and investigating.
Nelos and I have moved the two bunk beds out of the way and I’m clawing at each crack in the cement, feeling like an idiot. Above me, Nelos is using one of the beds to reach the ceiling and poking up there in the cracks. “Really think Rowan is having all the fun and sent us here on a wild goose chase.”
“We already found the healing vials and whatever that black goo is.” I nod over to the corner where the stack of four vials are. Rowan had said that Skul was related to Circe, so I didn’t want to think about what the black, inky substance might be. Though having the healing vials on hand would come in great— especially if we couldn’t figure out this Project X and I could smuggle two or three into the fight arena with me. Sure, it wouldn’t be fair, but I had no doubt whoever they were going to put me up against was going to be way worse than Bono.
Rowan
Blood coats my knuckles, but I don’t fucking care. These three idiots had hurt Shaye and are due as much punishment as I can get away with before the guards come. Though, I don’t hurt the girl among them. She trembles in the corner, her knees drawn to her chest.
This seemed almost too easy, but unless I got the information I needed, it’s a complete waste of my time.
“I swear, we don’t know anything about any Project X,” her voice wavers with tears. “And we won’t tell anyone about this. Promise. Just let them go.”
The grief in her words makes me stop punching the guy I’m holding. The other one has a hand clamped to his nose, blood oozing down his fingers. Echoes of booted feet reach my ears. Guards. Fucking great.
“Fine. If any of you come near Shaye or lay a hand on her, you’re dead.”
They nod in unison like broken bobble head dolls.
I shove the guy away from me and stalk off. Fuck it all! I’ve gotten nowhere close to answers for Shaye and time is running out. Last thing I need is to end up in solitary again where I can’t do her any good. The thought of my precious Shaye in the fighting pit has me desperate to do anything to stop it. The need pulses through my veins.
Hell, I’m almost willing to call in my dad for protect— “Son of bitch.”
Loki, dear old dad, had come to me in solitary asking about Shaye. I squeeze my eyes shut, trying to remember exactly what he’d said.
He mentioned the big fight coming up and Shaye. He wanted me to rig the fight and ensure his bets paid off.
“What I have planned for her will be the biggest event yet. Yet, she can’t win that fight. Ensure this, and you’ll get your ticket out of this hellhole.”
A pain tightens in the front of my throat. Mother-fucker, he knew about this the whole damn time and only cared about winning a damn bet. Worse, Shaye doesn’t have a chance. She can’t get in that ring. Not now, not ever.
I throw my head back and yell, “Loki.”
No response. I dash down the hallway to my cell for some privacy. Writing on the floor and walls in blood out in the hallway will get me thrown in the cage and I have to be free enough in this hellhole to help Shaye.
“Hey, boss, you want—” Rob starts.
“Out. And make sure no shithead disturbs me.”
“You got it.” Rob jumps up from the floor where he was doing pushups and leaves me alone.
I go to my bed, lifting the mattress and dragging my fingers along the metal until I reach the jagged metal piece. I scrap my palm on the sharp edge and grunt as pain bears down on me from the fucking cuffs. But I have to do this. For Shaye.
I kneel on the cement floor and start drawing the runes to call my father in my blood and pray the fucker shows up.
Xanth
My power slinks around me like a black cloud while I’m thinking of Shaye alone with Nelos. I grind my teeth not wanting that maniac touching her. She’s mine.
All of me yearns to march back in that cell and throw Nelos out— make him watch as I fuck her sweet cunt until she’s screaming my name.
I turn to do just that when a shiver rolls down my spine.
Fuck!
The lights flash and the telltale sign of a god or goddess visit shakes the walls.
My comm in my ear pops and snaps. “All available units, secure your area and guard the boss.”
“Shit, shit, shit,” I curse under my breath. There are only a few gods that the Warden would ask for extra protection against. My dear old dad. The bigger question though is why the fuck is he here?
I trek to the end of the hallway where it branches off in several directions. First, I check behind me to make sure Nelos and Shaye are still hidden in Skul’s cell. Then I merge out into the hallway, following the chills across my skin when I head away from the Warden’s office.
There’s no sign of my dear old dad… So Hades isn’t here for a meeting with the Warden? “What are you up to?” I murmur under my breath.
I bite down my power which jerks in my veins at Hades’ presence. The last thing I need is him sensing me and asking for updates or drawing out my fears, which I know will hold anything happening to Shaye. Giving him the ammunition against me and wors
t, against her, isn’t something I’m willing to gamble with. But at the same time, I have to find out why he’s here cause whatever it is, it isn’t good. A visit from the god of death is a fucking way to add to my screwed up day.
At the corner next to the rec room, a long shadow sucked all the light out of the room, and I stiffened, well aware of his presence. So, I remained concealed, hidden from sight, and waited to find out what was really going on.
“You promised to take care of her, yet she’s still alive,” Hades’ voice has my breath freezing in my chest.
“How was I to know the bitch would take on Bono? He wanted her dead as much as us,” a male voice answers. “No one told us she could take water like that.”
I can’t place the guy talking to Dad, but I can’t move any closer or I risk Hades sensing my presence.
“Who is her god-parent?” Hades practically hisses.
My ears feel like they’re on fire trying to overhear the answer. If I get this info, Shaye will be ecstatic. I’ll be her fucking hero by bringing some light into her dark world.
“That’s just it,” the guy answers, “No one knows, and no one’s claimed to be related to her either.”
Hades snorts. “Who would want to for a little god-killer.”
The guy laughs along, but then his chuckle turns into a choking gasp. My dad’s power surges over him and I have to hold my breath in order not to give myself away.
“You make sure this time that she is in the upcoming fight. I’ll take care of the rest.”
I back up several steps, before hurrying down the hallway back to Shaye. Fuck! I have to warn her. Hades— my dad —is out to kill her and no one, not even a god has ever escaped his wrath and death’s embrace.
Not Shaye, not my Shaye.
Is he at the bottom of everything? Setting up Shaye? But why play all these games and not take her out himself?
Overhead, the fluorescent lights flicker again followed by a double boom of thunder. Shit, shit, shit. That’s all we need, another damn god deity inside these walls.
Sinful Gods: Paranormal Romance (Hell's Playground Series Book 2) Page 11