by M. G Rayne
“Pretty Bird, you ok?” I open my eyes and make eye contact with eyes so dark they look like there isn’t a pupil there. Kane is kneeling in front of me with a frown on his face.
“Sorry, I must have zoned out.” Looking around, I notice Tom and Marcus are gone. It’s just us in the living room.
“Where’d everybody go?”
“Plans have been made, Baby. Tom went to do his errands and Marcus has gone to the gym.” Guilt consumes me again. I am taking up too much time from the guys because they feel sorry for me. God, I am such a selfish prick.
“I need to go home.” Standing up, I head to the stairs in search of my phone. I'm sure I left it on the bedside table.
“You're staying here.” His tone tells me not to argue. I don’t want to fight with him but I want my own things. Turning to face him, I bump into his rock-solid chest. Slowly I lift my eyes to his.
“I really appreciate what you both have done for me but I need to go home.”
My heart is terrified at the thought of going home because for some reason he makes me feel safe. But my head is telling me it’s best I go before I continue to think too much into what is going on with us. Way too much is going on in my head, I need to put space between us.
“Please, stay here. I need to know you’re safe.” His eyes are pleading with me to agree, but I can't. I need time to process everything alone.
“You and Marcus can check on me. I just need some time, Kane.” I hope he can see on my face that I need this. It’s the only way for me, my coping mechanism.
With a huff he gives a slight nod of his head. Relief comes over me. I honestly thought he was going to fight me on his. I continue my journey upstairs in search of my phone. It was where I left it, with my keys. Looking around the bedroom floor, I spot my jacket. Grabbing all my stuff, I head back downstairs to where Kane is waiting. When I get there Marcus and Kane are having a heated talk. I clear my throat to catch their attention. Marcus turns toward me.
“You're staying here. End of discussion.”
“I'm going, Marcus. Simple as that.”
“No, you're not, Hellion. I will tie you to the bed if I have too.” Both me and Kane say not a chance at the same time. Marcus starts telling Kane all the reasons why I shouldn’t be going home. I make my way to the front door, leaving the guys to argue amongst themselves. I need food, a shower and my own space.
As I am walking toward Kane’s SUV, all of the guys I pass say hey or give a nod of the head. Huh, that's weird.
I turn to lean against Kane’s car when I spot him making his way over. With a nod of his head, he gets into the driver's side and I get in the passenger side.
The drive to my place is quiet, both of us listening to the radio. Once we pull up outside it, I feel kind of nervous. Kane is gripping the steering wheel so hard his knuckles are white. Just as my fingers brush the door handle, he speaks.
“You sure about this, Pretty Bird?” With a slight smile, I lean over the center console and kiss him. I pull back to see shock on his face, give him a nod and get out of the car.
Kane.
Striding up and down the hallway, impatience is the only thing I am feeling right now. It’s the day of Mel's funeral, and I am waiting for Pretty Bird to message and tell me she is ready. The wait is driving me insane. Two nights ago driving away from her apartment gutted me. I nearly turned around halfway home and went back. I didn’t want to leave but the look on her face when she told me she was going home said everything. Pretty Bird has mainly had to rely on herself, then Tom and Mel. I can’t blame her for wanting to be on her own. Marcus didn’t speak to me once I got home, telling me I should have put my foot down and forced her to stay. But I know that would do more harm than good. Thinking of that night, the major thing that has played in my head over and over is her kissing me as a thank you. Not because we are both horny, but because she wanted to kiss me. I have thought of nothing else. Since being at home, she did keep in contact with me like she said she would. We spent a lot of time talking on the phone which is new to me but the strangest thing of all was the fluttery feeling I got in my stomach seeing her name flash across the screen. The feeling is new to me, but if I am being honest with myself, I kind of like it.
“Where is she, Kane?” Marcus grouches from the side of me. I hadn’t noticed I had stopped pacing. Just then my phone bleeps with a text from her saying she is outside waiting.
What the fuck? Marching from the kitchen, I head outside to find Pretty Bird on the front grass. It’s not the best time to say this but all I can think is how beautiful she looks. In a classic black dress with her hair high in a ponytail on her head and zero makeup on. My baby is stunning. A smile spreads across my face at how uncomfortable she looks. But the best thing of all is she has stayed true to herself, wearing her leather jacket over the dress and some biker boots on her feet.
“I thought I was coming to get you?”
“I got nervous. If I had stayed put any longer, I would have talked myself out of going.”
“We best head out.” We all walk over to the car, I am driving. Reika goes to get in the back but Marcus shakes his head and jumps in chuckling to himself. Settling herself into her seat, I notice she is fidgeting like she is uncomfortable. I can’t help the smirk that pulls at my lips.
The drive to the cemetery is silent. Pretty Bird's emotions are all over the place. Even Marcus doesn’t say anything stupid.
We make it to the cemetery with enough time to search for Tom and find out where he wants us. Keeping an eye on Pretty Bird, I notice her movements are very sluggish, her hands shaking. I am gutted for her having to be here doing this. You can tell from her face that she would rather be anywhere else but here. Tom spots us from a few feet away and gives a wave to let us know we can come over. There is another man with him who must be doing the service. We shake hands and then he shakes my brother’s hand, and with a nod to Reika he turns and heads in the direction the other man has taken.
The service passes in a blur. I have Pretty Bird tucked into my side as I support her weight. She is trying to be strong; I only hear the occasional sob leave her throat.
Marcus is holding her hand in a show of support. Listening to the words Tom said for Mel made nausea turn in my gut and unease still sits there for some reason.
Everybody slowly starts to leave as the coffin is lowered into the ground. I am just about to ask Reika if she would like a few minutes alone when I see Tom heading our way. The dam breaks inside Pretty Bird and she launches herself at him and starts to sob uncontrollably.
“I never want to see you again.” The words that come out of his mouth with such venom roots me to my spot. She pulls herself back so she can get a better look at him. From where we are standing, I can only see the back of her head. I am able to hear his words, but I can’t hear hers.
“You should be in the ground. Not her,” he screams in her face as his chest rises and falls rapidly.
“Get your shit out of my apartment. You are dead to me.” At his words, my Pretty Bird stumbles backward. My mind has cleared from shock and I rush forward to catch her before she hits the ground, then gently placed her down.
“Tom, please, don’t do this.” she begs in a broken voice.
“I want you gone today.” After this final statement, he leaves. Looking down at Reika, she is hysterical, mumbling incoherent words to herself. I look at my brother, who is just as confused as I am. I throw him the keys to the car. As he leaves, I kneel in front of my heartbroken girl, seeing the defeat and acceptance on her face. I can’t let her think she is the cause of all this. She was a child when her father got involved in whatever shady crap he did. But I will not let her believe she killed her family. She is stronger than this.
Chapter Seventeen
Reika
Despair. Hatred. Guilt.
All these emotions are roaring around my body. My inner voice is telling me to stop causing people misery. Everyone I care about either dies because of me,
or hates me because of the impact I cause on their life. On my knees in the cemetery, I want to end it all just to get rid of this heartache and leave people in peace. Through tear filled eyes I see Kane kneel in front of me. Why is he here still, he must have heard everything Tom has just said to me. The name from my past repeats in my head, I am The Reaper
“Baby, listen to me.” I shake my head. I don’t want to hear what he has to say. I want to be left alone.
“Tom is wrong. It is not your fault. You can’t blame yourself for this.” That’s where he is wrong. My parents died because I couldn’t save them. Mel died because of things in my past. Tom was right to walk away when he did, so he doesn’t end up hurt or worse. Not answering his words, I shuffle backward trying to get away from him but Kane stalks forward, following my movements. Doesn’t he get it? If he stays around me, he will die. Gripping my arms, he lifts me from the ground.
“You didn’t cause this,” he spits into my face with so much annoyance. I just stare at him unable to answer.
“You are stronger than this.” His eyes are looking at me, but he is so lost in his rant it looks like he doesn’t actually see me.
“Pick yourself up and become who you are.” His voice is laced in so much emotion, it breaks a little.
“Find out what the hell happened in your life. Why? People have been taken away from you.” His voice is growing louder. People close by must be able to hear him now.
“Then you fuck their world up, Baby. You are The Fucking Reaper!” A new sense of purpose flows through my body. He is right. I can’t be blamed for the shitty hand life has thrown at me.
“We will find them and make them pay.” Anger and lust combine in my body from his words.
My father always told me to control your own destiny and Kane’s words have reminded me of that. I can’t change what has happened up until now but I can make damn fucking sure it doesn’t happen to anyone again. My father has done things that still impact me now. I will find out what is going on. Clearly things have been hidden from my past, but for what reason? It is time to find out who the hell I really am. If people get in my way, they will pay in blood.
Kane.
Watching the fire ignite in her eyes makes all the blood flow to my cock. There’s my Pretty Bird.
I really shouldn’t be feeling excitement at this moment, but seeing her eyes brighten with a spark and watching her stand taller than she has done in weeks, makes my body thrum with anticipation. She will have blips where she starts to crumble again but I will be there to keep her standing. She needs an answer to who she really is, and being honest with myself, I want to know too. Dropping a white lily into the ground, she strides toward the car with a newfound purpose. Just as I am about to open her door, she turns to me with a puzzled look on her face.
“I’m homeless.”
“No, you're not.” With a scoff she shakes her head at me.
“Tom wants me out, Kane.” Shit, I forgot he said he wanted her gone today.
“Yeah? You are staying with us now. So may as well make it official.” I’m grinning like a cat that got the cream.
“Make what official?” Marcus gets out of the car with a shit eating grin on his face.
“Us.” A smirk works its way across my face.
“Us!” she screeches like it is the most horrifying thing ever.
“Yeah, us. It’s happening, Baby. You just need to catch up with the script.” I can’t stop myself from teasing her. Looking over at my brother, his eyes are twinkling with amusement and a look that says God help you.
“I want my own room. And there isn’t an us, Kane.” Her voice doesn’t sound as sure as she is trying to seem. It’s kinda cute, really.
“If it makes you feel better.” I chuckle as I get into the car. The room is a moot point as she will be staying with me.
We head back to the house. I will send some of the guys to go over and grab Pretty Bird’s stuff. Maybe accidentally lose something that I can put in my wardrobe for her.
Pulling up outside the house, Pretty Bird jumps out of the car before it stops and takes off across the lawn like her ass is on fire.
“I’m going to pick a room,” she shouts over her shoulder while disappearing through the door.
“When are you gonna tell her, brother?” Marcus chuckles like this is his new favorite TV show.
“Don’t know what you mean, bro.” Sarcasm drips from my voice. Tears start streaming down his face. My brother falls to the floor full on belly laughing at the situation.
Chuckling to myself, I head to the house to find out where my Pretty Bird is hiding. Lost in my own thoughts I am suddenly shoulder checked from behind, Marcus can be such an asshat at times. I look up and see Marcus charging toward the house with a huge grin on his face. Just as he enters the front door, the little shit throws me the deuces over his shoulder.
Reika.
Running down the landing, I pass Liam's room then Marcus’s. Kane’s room is the master right at the end of the hall. I don’t know where my feet are taking me. Skidding to a halt a couple of doors down from Marcus’s room I brush my fingers on the doorknob. Why the fuck have I agreed to this?
“I had a feeling you would pick this one!” Looking over my shoulder I find Marcus leaning against his door frame with a shit eating grin on his face.
“Oh, yeah?” What makes him so sure I don’t know what is on the other side of the door. I might not like it once I am inside.
“Check it out. Meet us in the office when you’ve finished.” Nodding to him in agreement, I turn and face the door.
Butterflies are having a house party in my stomach, bringing nausea to the party with them. Just standing here is strange. For some reason I can’t bring myself to open the door. I take a deep breath, pull up my big girl's panties and turn the knob. The door swings open to reveal a bedroom the size of my old apartment. I mean the place is massive compared to what I am used to.
The walls are different shades of grey with white and black artwork on different walls. This gives off a contemporary dark feeling to the room. A wide smile spreads across my face. I love it. A corner sofa is off to one side with a huge flat screen TV on the wall. On the other is a built-in wardrobe that runs the full length of it. What draws my attention from here is the massive, super king size bed in front of the windows with a pale grey comforter. Squealing like a schoolgirl, I run and dive bomb onto the bed. At my height I can spread eagle and my hands and feet don’t dangle over the sides.
“This is amazing.”
It's perfect. This room is just me. Rolling off the bed, I realize there is a door straight across from the bed. Curiosity gets the best of me because Marcus told me that the guy’s rooms are the only ones that have en-suites.
Opening the door, I step into an ensuite with a full-length shower, sink and freestanding tub. It’s bigger than my last bathroom. It's in the same color scheme as the bedroom.
My phone beeps in my pocket. I pull it out hoping to find a message from Tom. It’s just an email about becoming a better you. Shit.
I’ve been in here for an hour and half. Crap, I was supposed to meet Marcus in the office. Shit. Running full speed out of the door, then jumping down the stairs two at a time, I make it to the office door quickly. It opens just as I am about to grab the handle.
“Took you long enough, Hellion. We thought you had fallen asleep.”
A blush spreads across my face, because of embarrassment. I can’t believe I got carried away.
“Ooops.” With a sheepish grin on my face, I make my way over to the desk. Kane is staring at me as I take a seat. His gaze cause’s heat to travel around my veins. I wiggle slightly in the seat, trying to distract myself from the feelings his stare is causing. Staring at each other, neither of us break eye contact. Lust may be roaring throughout my body, but I won’t look away.
“We need to talk.” Well that sounds sinister. I can’t stop the chuckle that escapes my lips. Kane’s brows furrow.
�
��What about?”.
“There’s a big knockout fight coming up.” Ah crap, my stomach turns as flashes of that day play in my mind.
“Death Royale?” Both guys rear their heads back with a horrified expression on their faces.
“How do you know?” Marcus asks with a worried tone to his voice. My memories are taking me down the rabbit hole, as guilt courses through my veins at the reminder of what happened to my friend. Realizing we only buried her today and my reaction to the room I have chosen, tremors start to work their way through my body.
“He wanted to know the plan for it. He thought Alexander had entered me.” Realization dawns on them who the man is I am talking about. I didn’t leave these parts out to Tom about what happened that day, he told Kane everything he knew. Both of them move over to the other side of the office. Whispered words are thrown about rapidly. With both of them distracted, my mind continues to race with all the emotions I am trying to keep locked down.
Chapter Eighteen
Reika
Loud voices draw my attention back to reality, following them I see Kane and Marcus having a screaming match. Both of them are arguing on how to deal with a guy to get me out of the Death Royale. Memories of my beating from Liam flash to the forefront of my head. The pain from that kept my emotions at bay, the Death Royale may be a good thing after all.
“I’ll do it.” I speak into the room hoping the sound of my voice will stop their argument. Their voices grow even louder with every sentence.
“I. Will. Do. It!” I shout.