Bloody Ties

by Claire Marta

  There’s a reinforced basement with some bunkers. Toss Jamal in one of those until I decide what to do with him.

  I have no slaves or donors here, but I’ll get them before nightfall.”

  “We’ll take care of everything.” Michael says.

  “Are you okay, brother?” I ask.

  “Besides the fact that I’m pissed I didn’t get to kill the bitch myself, I’m fine. I need a bed. Haven’t slept properly in almost two weeks.”

  “You and me both, brother.” Oscar says as he joins us.

  “Find a bed and get in it. I don’t want to see or hear anyone until dusk. That’s an order.”

  “Well, I sure as fuck ain’t gonna argue with that.” Phillip says, pulling his wife close.

  We walk up the steps to the warehouse like mansion. The inside is much nicer than the outside, I can almost feel the relief that runs through all of my siblings.

  “Come dusk we will begin the real plans to the rest of our lives.” I tell my family. And with that I’m climbing the stairs to my rarely used bedroom.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  Ava

  I’M SEETHING.

  A night in a new location once more tied up and under guard. If I could give Damien a right hook to the face and get away with it I would. He wants my compliance. My trust. But he’s continuing to act like anything but an ally. The fact I even warned the fucker of his father’s plans hasn’t seemed to soften him.

  He’s been keeping his distance. Since the night I blew Helen’s brains out he has made sure we have never been alone. I know he is trying to fight the attraction we both still feel. Can see it in the heat in his eyes every time he looks my way. It makes my body tingle and ache.

  “Damien, when are you going to stop tying me up?” I snap the moment I am bought into a lavish sitting room. “I’m starting to think you have some kind of fetish.”

  This time at least I am not wearing a collar. The guard who had collected me for the meeting leaves without a word.

  Turning from the impressive bay window that looks out onto the garden he stalks towards me with a predatory grace.

  “I won’t deny I see an appeal whenever you’re tied up on a bed. You’re temptation of the worst kind, princess. One I can’t indulge in right now, even though my dick wants nothing better than to be wrapped in your pussy’s tight embrace.” He murmurs just loud enough for me to hear.

  The brush of his knuckles down my arm leaves goosebumps in their wake. “I have to ensure you aren’t going to run off.”

  “And where the fuck am I going to go?” My temper rises. “Either my father or yours would snatch me the moment I step away from your protection. I’m not that dumb.”

  “True,” circling me he settles himself down in one of the plush sofas. “And maybe I should give you a little more trust, which is why I am including you in this meeting.”

  Noise behind alerts me to the fact we are no longer alone.

  Phillip, Oscar, Michael and Sheila have joined us.

  For once they don’t look at me as if I am some spoilt nuisance they want to be rid of. A begrudging respect is now in their eyes.

  The unease I felt at killing their mother in self-defense has lessened since the other night. I now know there was no love lost between them.

  “What are we going to do with Jamal?” Phillip asks.

  At Oscar’s silent gesture to sit I perch my bottom on a cushion beside him. With my wrists still bound I rest them on my knees.

  “I want you and Sheila to see what you can squeeze out of his head. If he knows anything that can help us I want to know.” Damien’s words are quiet.

  I can’t imagine what he is thinking. His right hand man turning on him after years of loyalty. It has to hurt. Make him less trustful of those in his circle.

  “And then?” Phillip persists.

  “We can’t keep hold of loose baggage. Once we have everything he can give I’ll put a bullet through his heart myself.”

  The emotionless expression on Damien’s face makes me shiver in apprehension. He truly meant what he said about anyone crossing him.

  “I can’t imagine Lucius’s rage once he finds our mother dead.” Michael mutters from his seat. Bump on his head healed after feeding. He doesn’t have a scratch on him.

  “He’ll be out for the blood of whoever is responsible.” Oscar’s gaze slides my way.

  If their father’s temper is anything like my own, I know if he catches me my death will be agonizing and long. It’s not something I want to think about. I need Lucius dead as badly as they do.

  Keeping my emotions hidden I stare back blankly.

  “He’ll be dead before he can retaliate and the princess is under my protection. Nothing will happen to her on my watch or yours understand?”

  Damien sounds like he means it. A warm sensations invades my chest. This male is a killer but he keeps his word. Having someone else other than Kylie looking out for me is something new and strangely I find myself liking it.

  “Have we located the hole he’s crawled under yet?” He continues.

  “A suite at the Hilton.” Phillip informs him. “He’s there with more than a dozen men.”

  “That building isn’t the most secure place.” Sheila points out from where she sits next to her husband. “We could take him out with little difficulty.”

  “I want the schematics of the building to see if it’s doable. We don’t need this hanging over our heads any longer than we need to.” Damien shifts as he rakes a hand through his blond curls. “Any news on locating Chevaliers yet?”

  “No,” Sheila responds, her voice tight. “It’s only been a few days. We have people making enquiries, but it will take some time.”

  “I want to know the moment you have something. I don’t care what I am doing or what time of day, you bring it to me immediately.”

  Phillip and Sheila’s heads nod.

  “What about my father?”

  Damien’s gaze easily finds mine. “We will deal with that bastard after we have finished with ours, with your help of course. We don’t want to be stretched to thin. Then when the dust is settled we’ll deal with who’s in charge.”

  “The Carr coven falls to me. It won’t matter who you have taking control, you’ll soon have infighting on your hands. I doubt you can deal with two civil wars tearing your resources apart in such a short space of time.”

  “She’s right.” Oscar agrees in irritation.

  “Then we’ll use you as a figurehead. A puppet of whoever I decide is in charge.”

  Damien’s arrogance is breathtaking.

  Curling my fingers into my palms I try to bury the urge to leap across the space and deck him.

  “I won’t agree to that.” I growl back.

  I’m done being someone else’s pawn. If he thinks I’ll meekly go along with this then he’s a fool.

  “You’ll do exactly what I say, princess. If I have to find a legitimate way to seal the deal I will. This territory belongs to the Rochesters. The Carr coven will fall under our rule.”

  The blood draining from my face so fast leaves me feeling dizzy and sick. I can’t believe he’s threatening me. To my knowledge the only valid way to claim rights over a coven would be through a mating or an heir.

  Running from one forced mating I am not about to be coerced into another. Damien had told me I didn’t have to fear him.

  Taking a deep breath I try to dispel the sudden sensation of weakness as my vision dims. I’ve never fainted before in my life. I don’t know why I’m having an attack now. Maybe it’s the lack of regular feeds or the thought of being passed around like an object. As the lightheadedness passes I ease back to rest against the cushions.

  The concern that momentarily flashes in Damien’s silver eyes is something I am sure I just imagined.

  Why would he care if he’s already thought of handing me off to one of his brothers?

  Fooling myself into thinking he intends to take care of me any further than I am
useful will only get me hurt.

  He doesn’t have a heart.

  Damien

  He doesn’t have a heart.

  She’s not even trying to shield herself anymore. Does she think she’s safe here?

  “It’s not that our brother doesn’t have a heart, princess.” Oscar says. “It’s that he knows when is the best time to use it and when it’s not.

  He’s not soft. You are.

  You want to control a whole coven? You’d be run over. We are more than capable of handling it.”

  “I’m not just going to hand over what is rightfully mine.” She hisses.

  “We’ll see.”

  “I’m not marrying one of them, either.” She jerks her head to where Michael and Oscar sit.

  My brothers smile at how naïve she is.

  “Who said anything about them?” I ask, quietly.

  Her eyes go wide and she doesn’t say anything for a few minutes. “Like hell I’m going to tie myself to you.”

  “I don’t like it any better than you do, princess.” I sigh.

  She stands and glares. “I’d like to go back to my cell.” She seethes.

  “As you wish.” Oscar taunts, motioning a guard to come get her.

  Once she’s gone it’s Michael that says, “You’re not going to do it. Are you, brother?”

  “I don’t have a choice. We need to take our state back. The only way to do that is to be married to the enemy.”

  “Guess it’s a good thing you like her cunt.” Sheila remarks.

  I grunt but don’t respond. “We’re not going to go after Lucius yet. Let him stew in his anger first. While he’s busy tearing the city apart looking for us; we’ll slowly affirm our acquisition of his livelihood.”

  “It’d be easier if we just killed him.”

  “The last thing we need is the human police after us because a bloody massacre happened in their fancy hotel.” I remind my sister.

  “Why do you think he chose that hotel?”

  “Probably figures we were watching the condo.” I answer Phillip.

  “Are we?”

  “Of course, brother.” I smile. “He’s not the only one with spies.”

  “You’re sure Jamal doesn’t know where we are?” Oscar asks.

  “I know what I’m doing with my own power,” Sheila snaps.

  Before anyone can say anything else, all of our phones begins to ring. “Fuck.” I utter, seeing the name of one of our warehouse managers on the line.

  “This isn’t good, brother.” Phillip says as he checks his phone.

  “What?” The word is repeated three times as my brothers answer their phones.

  “Got a problem, Boss. Shipment was stolen right from under us. Damn English bastards.”

  “I’m on my way.”

  “Hijacks across the whole fucking state.” Philip spits.

  “I need to get to Brooklyn. That’s where the hit would ruin us the most. I need Phillip with me. Oscar I need you to gather a few men to stake out Lucius and Abigail. You won’t be going with them though. We can’t afford to have anyone separated. It’s too dangerous.

  Michael go ahead and prep Jamal. When I get back I want to speak with him.

  Sheila go talk to Kylie. We need to find the fucking Chevaliers.”

  Everyone disperses to do what they’re told.

  Phillip and I are in a car on the way to the airport. I hope that Vega doesn’t regret his decision to allow us use of his private plane. It’s a six hour drive from Rochester to Brooklyn, I did not plan on having to cross the state twice in one day, but these fucking bastards can’t stay in their own business.

  “You realize we could be walking into a trap.” Phillip says.

  “I know. Which is why we’re calling for backup.” I reply, dialing Rodriguez. “Time to prove your word.” I say when he answers.

  Ava

  Damien is going to marry me. I’m actually stunned, angry that this is what they would do just for power. But then, isn’t that what my father had intended to? Build alliances, keeping what is his from falling into the Rochesters’ hands.

  It doesn’t matter what I want. It’s never mattered. Everyone has already decided how my life is going to go.

  Back in my room and still tied up I stare at the pretty floral pink wallpaper on the wall. As prisons go this is the nicest one I have seen yet.

  Ava?

  What? I bark back at Kylie’s soft question whispers into my head.

  Que se passe-t-il?

  Switching to French I answer her back. Damien intends to mate me so they can control my coven. They don’t think I’m fit to run it myself.

  I have no idea if any of these bastards have taken the trouble to learn this language, but it’s something my mother insisted I learn.

  If they are listening into our mental conversation I am hoping they don’t understand. The defenses I have are back up high. I don’t need them poking around in my head again.

  Kylie sighs. You’re not.

  It hurts more than I am willing to admit hearing her agree with them.

  Ava, you are young. Naïve in certain ways and not ruthless like they are. She continues. You wouldn’t last long. More than likely someone would come along and force you into a mating to take over anyway.

  I wouldn’t…

  You wouldn’t what? She snaps back cutting me off. Let it happen? You’re not strong enough to do this alone. Stop acting like an angry child and start looking at the bigger picture. This way you get to live. Damien would maintain the coven and it wouldn’t be ripped apart and destroyed. You gain a male who’s cold-blooded enough to do what is needed, but also someone who protects his own. It might be a loveless union, but it’s better than what your mother ever had with your father. This situation would benefit you. Although I still don’t think we can trust them all the way.

  She’s right. I know she is.

  I’m lucky that he’s actually considered this. It would mean I was still be the heir, even if it’s an illusion.

  The prospect of fucking him every night doesn’t disgust me. In fact it’s probably one of the only highlights I have in the arrangement.

  I know at least it wouldn’t be boring.

  Maybe the lust between us would eventually burn out. At this point I don’t know.

  I just want to decide what I want for once. I tell her as my anger seeps away. I’m sick of being told what I have to be and what I have to do. Tired of being tied up.

  Honey, we don’t always get what we want. Her response is quiet and shaded with sadness. I don’t want to see anything bad happen to you. Damien gets what he wants, but you still maintain your position at his side. You’ll be the head of the Carr coven as his wife. It’s better than any of the alternatives. I don’t believe he would treat you badly. It’s not in his best interests if he did.

  I’m not so sure. Damien is not soft, even though sometimes I fool myself into think he could be. He will never love me. That, sadly, I am certain of.

  If I step out of line I am more than sure I would be punished. That thought churns my already upset stomach.

  Could I love him?

  A sense of being watched prickles my skin. Opening eyes that I hadn’t realised I closed, I glance around the empty room. Nothing stirs. Door shut, I know the guard is just outside.

  Scooting up using my arse, I sit up as best I can with my wrists still secured to the head board. The feeling hasn’t gone.

  After Helen’s attack, being alone has left me spooked. Without a weapon I am an easy target. Surviving one assassination attempt doesn’t mean I’ll be so lucky next time. It’s just one more thing to add to my list of bitterness towards Damien.

  If what he is proposing is going to work he really has to work on his trust. Having his men protecting me is something I no longer have confidence in. Not after the last time I was left.

  Ava?

  Kylie has sensed my unease through our still open connection.

  I don’t think I’m
alone. I tell her switching back to English this time.

  Ava Chevalier. The words are a whisper breezing through my mind. Soft, masculine, and triumphant.

  The power I can sense is so immense it leaves me trembling.

  “Who’s there?” I can’t keep the fear from my voice. Only Damien and his brothers know that name here.

  Nous vous avons trouvé, un petit—We have found, you little one.

  Who has found me? My confusion only grows. Is this some kind of trick of my father’s or Lucius’s? How the fuck have they found us so fast? Damien was confident this place was off their radar.

  The presence doesn’t linger. Thick around me one moment, a second later it’s gone.

  Ava? Ava? Kylie’s words are a panic.

  I’m fine. I assure her quickly. Whoever I sensed is not here now.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  Damien

  I DON’T LIKE THIS, BROTHER.

  Neither do I. I answer. Blood, drugs, and unidentifiable objects lie scattered on the floor. The phone call from this warehouse manager came too late. Which can only mean one thing, it’s a trap.

  Phillip and I split up, guns drawn, senses tuned to pick up anything.

  There’s a shift in the air when I enter the backrooms. Most probably wouldn’t be able to pick it up, however, no one else is as open as I am.

  I keep moving as if nothing is wrong.

  On silent feet the creature watching me drops from its vantage point. Big mistake.

  There’s a knife in the man’s belly before I even turn fully around.

  One swift kick sends him through a wall.

  No longer trying to sneak up on me the next assailant rushes me, I brace and then go flying across the room. My head connects with the concrete floor, but I don’t let that faze me.

  Before I’m even off the ground I shoot two of the men advancing on me.

  Shots ring out from the open door and then Phillip walks in. “Stupid idiots.” He spits.

  Sitting up I move slowly. Not even I’m immune to getting thrown across the fucking room.

  “You all right there?”

  “Never better. They hit like pussies.”

  We grin at each other but it’s short lived.