by K. L. Ramsey
“Am I?” she asked.
“Yes, but none of that matters,” he breathed.
“Right—because you hate me,” she whispered. “Listen, I know we got off on the wrong foot, but I hope that we can at least be friends. Not right away, but at some point.”
What could he say to that? He wanted to tell Nix that he didn’t hate her. Hell, he didn’t want to like her as much as he did. He even jerked off to the thought of her in his shower last night, but there was no way that he’d admit that to her. No, he didn’t hate her at all—he liked her, and God help him, he wanted her.
“I don’t hate you, Nix. Not even fucking close,” he cut the engine to his car and slipped out of the driver’s seat. It was time to face his best friend and from the knowing smirk on his face, it wasn’t going to be pleasant.
“Thought you had some errands to run before our meeting?” Finn asked.
“I lied,” Damion admitted. He knew that Finn would be like a dog with a bone if he didn’t outright admit the truth. “I was picking up Nixon because her tires were slashed, like yours, and I just didn’t want to deal with your shit.”
“My shit?” Finn asked. “What the hell are you talking about?” Nixon joined them at the front door and Finn shook her hand, pulling her in to gently kiss her cheek. “Good to see you, Nixon,” he said.
“You too, Finn,” she said. “Damion seems to be under the impression that you believe that I’m his type.”
Finn shrugged, “You are,” he said.
“I’m not,” she argued. “For that to be true, he’d have to like me, and he doesn’t.”
“Oh—he likes you, Honey,” Finn drawled.
“Okay, can we table this discussion for another time?” Damion insisted. “I’m sure that Rock will be here any minute and I don’t want to be talking about my type when he gets here.”
“Your type?” his uncle asked. “And, what exactly is your type, Damion?” Rock asked.
“Jesus, you’re like a fucking ninja,” Damion griped. Rock laughed and held out his hand for Damion to shake. He hesitated for just a minute and then remembered why he was there—to convince Rock to join forces with him, Finn, and ultimately, Nixon. Damion extended his hand and shook Rock’s.
“Good to see you, Damion,” Rock said. “It’s been a long time.” He wanted to point out that it had been years, and if he had his way, it would be decades. No, scratch that—he wanted to tell his uncle that if he never saw him again, he’d be just fine with that. But, that wouldn’t work in their favor to get Rock to agree to an alliance with them that didn’t involve him taking any part of their company.
“It has,” Damion lied. “Good to see you too, Rock. How about we go on in and have some lunch?” he asked, holding the door open for his uncle.
“Of course,” Rock agreed. “Always so eager to get on with business. We can catch up over lunch and then hopefully, do a little business.” Damion agreed even though his gut was screaming at him to turn the fuck around and walk back out of there. He promised Nixon that he’d at least hear Rock out and then, he was going to have to figure out what to do about the sexy little blond, because letting her believe that he hated her wasn’t an option.
Nixon
Nixon tried to choke down some of her lunch, but it was tough to do. She was a nervous wreck and ready to get on with the business portion of their lunch meeting. The disingenuous pleasantries that Damion and Rock were sharing over their lunch were making her feel sick to her stomach.
All she could muster for her end of the conversation was a few hums of approval and a laugh or two. She pretended to be very interested in the salad that she ordered, moving the vegetables around on her plate, and no one seemed the wiser. Rock had just returned from the restroom when she noticed her brother walking in through the front door of the restaurant.
“Fuck,” Damion mumbled under his breath when he looked up to see Carter walking towards them. “What the hell is he doing here?” he asked.
“I didn’t tell him where we were meeting,” Nixon whispered back to Damion. She really didn’t tell her brother anything about her meeting with Rock today, other than it was happening. “How did he figure out where I was?”
Rock and Finn turned to see who the two of them were staring at and whispering about. “Who found out where you are, Nixon?” Rock asked. Nixon wasn’t sure how to answer her boss’s question. She wasn’t sure what to do about her brother walking over toward their table.
“My brother,” Nix whispered.
“I didn’t know you had a brother,” Rock said. “You should ask him to join us.”
“But the meeting,” Nix protested. She worried that inviting her brother over to their table would only be inviting trouble into their lives.
“I don’t know if that’s a good idea,” she insisted.
“Nonsense,” Rock said. Carter stood beside their table and she didn’t miss Damion’s groan.
“Damion,” Carter said, nodding in his direction.
“Carter, what are you doing here?” Nixon asked. She stood, trying to block Rock’s view of him as if just laying eyes on her brother would tell him that he was a Lust.
Rock stood and rounded the table. “Hi,” he said, holding out his hand. “Rock Greed.”
“I know who you are, Mr. Greed,” Carter said. He shook Rock’s hand and Nixon realized that she was holding her breath waiting for the other shoe to drop.
“Oh,” Rock breathed. “I take it your sister has told you about me then? Don’t believe everything she’s said.”
“Not really,” Carter said. “I know of your reputation. You’re a part of the Deadly Sins Syndicate.”
“I am,” Rock agreed.
“Well, now, that’s something that we have in common,” Carter said.
“How so?” Rock asked.
“Shit,” Damion grumbled from behind her. Nix turned and shot him a look. “Can’t you do something to stop him?”
“No,” Carter said. “My sister doesn’t control me. You see Mr. Greed, I’m Carter Lust.”
“Carter Lust?” Finn asked. “Wait—if this is your brother, why is your last name Ryker?”
“Our mother’s last name was Ryker,” Nixon said. She sat down in her seat and her brother stood behind her. “After our parents were murdered, Carter and I went to live with a distant cousin. When we were of age, I changed my name and Carter left the country.”
Rock stooped over her and practically got in her face. “You’re fired,” he said.
“You can’t fire her,” Damion said.
Rock looked like his head was about to pop right off of his neck. If Nixon wasn’t so upset about losing her job, she’d find the whole scene funny. “I can do whatever I damn well please,” Rock insisted. “Besides, she lied to me about who she is—that gives me grounds for terminating her contract with Greed Enterprises.”
“I get that she lied to you, Rock,” Finn said. “She lied to me too, although I’m betting my business partner already knew the truth. But, this might work to our advantage.”
“How so?” Rock asked.
“If the three of you can join your families to fight the Gluttony Syndicate, you will have four families instead of just three. You’ll be able to turn the odds to your favor, Mr. Greed,” Carter said.
Rock sunk into his chair and ran his hands through his salt and pepper hair. “If this is true—if you two are Lusts, things are about to get real. The Gluttony Syndicate killed your parents. They’ll want to finish the job.”
“We know that,” Nixon said. “We know how dangerous this is. At least, I do. My brother might be a little clueless though.”
“I have a feeling that they already know,” Damion said. “Nix’s tires were slashed yesterday and so were Finn’s. I think that maybe someone is trying to keep us from forming an alliance,” he said. She had to admit, she was starting to wonder if that wasn’t true. Her and Finn having their tires slashed on the same day as their big meeting couldn’t have been a coincidence.
“With the four of our families working together, I think we will stand a chance against the other three families,” Finn said. “Just give this a chance, Rock.”
“Our company isn’t part of this negotiation,” Damion added.
“And if I refuse?” Rock asked.
“Then, the three of us will form an alliance and you will be the odd man out. I’m betting that the Lust, Envy, and Pride families will be able to build quite the resistance against the other families. You want to be a part of this, great. If not, We’ll take down the Greed’s with the rest of the Syndicate,” Carter said.
Rock stood and looked around the table. “I’ll think about it,” he said.
“Don’t think too long,” Damion warned. “We’re moving forward with or without you.”
Rock threw down a few hundred dollars and turned to leave, “You’re still fired, Nixon,” he shouted back over his shoulder as he walked out of the restaurant.
“Fucking great,” she grumbled.
“Well, that went well,” Finn teased. He stood and rounded the table, holding out his hand to Carter. “Finn Envy,” he said.
“James Carter Lust,” her brother said, shaking Finn’s hand.
Finn chuckled and looked at Nix. “Your family must have been heavy into politics, huh?” he asked.
“Yes,” she breathed.
“Enough pleasantries,” Damion growled. “What the hell are we supposed to do now?”
“Exactly what we said we would do,” Carter said.
“We’re going to find a way to work together to keep the Gluttony family from finishing the job they started,” Fin added. “You have my backing. The Envy Syndicate will have your back.”
“Thank you,” Carter breathed. “Nix and I appreciate that, Finn.”
“I already promised your sister my protection,” Damion said. “But you will have the Pride Syndicate’s full backing also. I won’t let the Gluttony family touch you, Nix,” he promised. Damion reached for her hand and she slipped hers into his. She didn’t care that Finn or her brother were watching their every move. Nix also didn’t give a fuck that wanting Damion Pride was an awful idea. As soon as he walked into the conference room just the day before, she felt like she was being drawn to him in some way. It was crazy and she couldn’t explain it, so why try?
“I’m glad to hear that,” Carter said. “Because I have to leave town again for a bit.” Nixon pulled her hand free from Damion’s and stood to face her brother.
“What do you mean, you’re leaving town for a bit?” she asked. “You just got here.” She cleared her throat when her voice cracked with emotion. She hadn’t seen her brother for so long and now, she was going to have to watch him walk away again.
Carter pulled her in for a quick hug. “I know, Sis,” he said. “But I have an important meeting, and if the Lust Syndicate is going to make a comeback, I’ll need to attend.”
“Where are you going?” she asked.
Carter smiled down at her and shook his head. “It’s best if I don’t tell you, Nix. If the other Syndicate families find out about this meeting, it could mean trouble for both of us.” He looked back over to Damion and Finn, “No offense guys,” he offered. “I just need a little time to get to know you before I trust either of you.” They both shrugged and nodded as if they got it, but she didn’t. Why couldn’t her brother at least tell her where he was going?
“Will let you me know that you’re safe—you know, when you get to where you’re going?” she asked.
“Of course, Sis,” he agreed. “In the meantime, would it be okay if my sister stays with you, Damion?” he asked. Oh no—no, no, no. There was no way that she’d be able to stay with Damion Pride and not end up making a complete fool of herself by admitting how she felt about him.
“That’s not necessary,” she loudly whispered to her brother.
“Yes, it is,” he argued. “You had your tires slashed and you were scared enough to run to Damion’s place when you thought that I was an intruder. Something’s up and until I can figure out what, I want you protected. Damion’s offered to protect you, so—win, win.”
“No,” she protested. “I’m fine at my house. Besides, I have a gun.”
“Actually, I have your gun,” Damion reminded.
“What the actual fuck is going on here?” Finn asked. “Why do you have her gun, Damion?”
“It’s a long story,” Damion said. “I’ll fill you in later.” Finn looked like he wanted to argue with Damion until his friend turned his back on him. “As for protecting your sister, Carter, I give you my word that she’ll be safe. If she won’t come to stay at my place, then Oak and I will just go stay at her house.”
“Stop talking about me as if I’m not here,” she shouted.
“Who’s Oak?” Carter asked, completely ignoring her. She growled in frustration and the three guys laughed at her. Nixon hated when the boy’s club was acting like, well—boys. The three assholes standing around her, making all of her decisions for her, and pretending that she didn’t exist, was starting to piss her off.
“Oak is his dog. She’s a hell of a lot sweeter than Damion and probably has better manners than her owner too.” Nix stared Damion down as if daring him to disagree with her.
He shrugged and smiled, “She’s not wrong,” he agreed. “So, what’s it going to be, Nix?” Damion asked. “You coming over to my place, or are you getting two guests for a sleepover at your place?” There was not going to be any getting out of this shitty conversation. The three cavemen who stood over her weren’t going to give her a pass on this one. She was going to be stuck with Damion Pride and there wasn’t a damn thing she’d be able to do about it.
Damion
Nixon had agreed to pack an overnight back and stay with him, at his place, and he had to admit, that worked for him. Just the thought of having to pack up Oak, all her puppy paraphernalia, and crate, made him tired. Oak seemed pretty excited to have a sleep-over guest and he thought it was pretty damn cute the way Nix played with his dog. Most women, that he brought back to his place, weren’t even remotely interested in having a puppy knock them to the ground and lick them until they were a giggling mess.
She asked where she could put her bag and he wanted to tell her to put it in his master, but he knew that doing so would have Nixon Lust walking right back out of his house and across the street back to her place. He had made Carter a promise before he took off for parts unknown, and he planned on keeping that promise. Nix would have his protection and hopefully, that would buy Carter some time to get the Lust Syndicate back up and running.
“You don’t have to babysit me, Damion. I don’t expect you to have eyes on me twenty-four, seven. You have a company to run and I have—” She didn’t finish her sentence and he could feel her sadness.
“You’ll find something new, Nix,” he promised.
“I’m not worried about a job right now. I’m more concerned that Rock will tell the other families who Carter and I are. I mean, Carter blew our cover before we could get Rock to agree to an arrangement between your and Finn’s families. That was a critical error that could cost both of us our lives. He didn’t think about the consequences—just rushed into that restaurant and ruined everything. Then, he went and left town, leaving me to pick up the pieces again. Dumping me on you was a dick move too,” she breathed.
“I don’t mind having you here in my place, Nix. In fact, I kind of like it.” Damion was sick of tiptoeing around the sexy little blond. He was avoiding her because she worked for his uncle, but now that she didn’t anymore, making Nix his felt like a damn good decision. He crowded her space, waiting for her to tell him to back off or leave her the fuck alone, but she didn’t. Nix didn’t make a move to push him away or step back from him. Nixon’s breathing sped up and the way she watched him made him hot. He thought about her looking at him just the way she was when he je
rked off in the shower the night before. He wanted to push her up against the wall and trap her between it and his body. Damion wanted to demand that she give him a chance, that she move her stuff to his master bedroom, that she let him touch her and make her his. But, he couldn’t. Hell, he couldn’t seem to get any words out and when Nixon snaked her hands up his body and wrapped them around his neck, he didn’t flinch. Damion shut off all of the thoughts screaming through his mind and dipped his head to kiss her. He was finally going to taste her and that was all that mattered—not any of that other stuff.
He kissed his way into her mouth, slowly walking her back to press her ass up against the wall in his spare bedroom. God, she tasted right. Kissing Nix felt like he was finally figuring out his life and he had a feeling that she was supposed to be a part of it. This was crazy. They were just sharing a kiss, but it felt like so much more.
Damion broke their kiss, leaving them both panting, loving the way she coyly smiled up at him. She knew exactly what she was doing to him and judging from the look in her blue eyes, she had so much more planned for him.
“Nix,” he whispered. It sounded like a warning, and maybe it was.
“Damion,” she breathed.
“If we do this, there won’t be any going back. If you become mine, you won’t be able to push me back to the friend zone,” he said.
“Fine by me,” she said and shrugged. “We were never friends, to begin with.” He wanted to argue with her, but she was right. They had known each other for all of a day and a half now, and they weren’t friends. Hell, he didn’t even like her at first.
“True,” he breathed. “Is that a yes then?” he asked. Nixon shyly nodded and he picked up her bag, grabbing her hand in his to lead her out of the spare room.
“What are you doing?” Nixon asked. “Where are you taking me? Listen, Damion—if this is too much, just tell me, but please don’t send me back to my place. It’s not safe.”
“I’m not sending you away, Honey,” he growled. He pulled her into his room and dropped her back by his dresser. “You can unpack later, but right now, all I want to do is make you mine. You’ll be staying in my room, in my bed—understood?” She shyly nodded again. “Be sure, Nix,” he barked.