by Katie Reus
“Of course. As long as you don’t mind me still working there.”
The most primitive part of him hated it. “You don’t need the money.” That much he knew without a doubt. She’d never said how she came to be so wealthy or exactly how much she had, but as the daughter of a goddess, he could figure it out.
She snorted, making little circles on his chest with her fingers almost absently. “Neither do you.”
True. He shrugged.
“I started working there because I wanted some experience in the human realm and because I’d heard your club was an all supernatural one. Made it easier to just be myself. I’m not saying I want to work there forever, but right now I’m having fun figuring out what I want to do.”
“You’re part owner now anyway,” he murmured.
“What?” Her hand stilled on his chest.
“You need to sign a few things but I started the process yesterday.”
Her eyes were wide. “You didn’t have to do that.”
“I know. I wanted to. I own a lot of companies, but this one is my favorite and it’s where we met. You should have a stake in it too.”
“Just when I think you can’t get any sweeter.” She shifted so that she was on top of him and straddled him.
Shuddering, he raked his gaze over her sleek, naked body. He ran his hands up her hips, over her ribs and cupped her breasts—
A sharp knock on his bedroom door made him freeze. “Bo!” It was Ian.
Someone better be freaking dead. “I’m busy.”
“You’ve got company on your front lawn. Looks like fae warriors.”
Nyx moved off him lightning fast. He wanted to tell her to stay put, that he’d take care of this, but knew that wasn’t going to happen. It took restraint he didn’t know he had not to go all caveman on her. His female was more than capable of taking care of herself.
“Give me a sec,” he called out, grabbing a pair of discarded pants as Nyx dressed in jeans and one of those filmy, flowing tops.
He grabbed a gun from his closet, tucked it in the back of his pants. Then he pulled a blade from one of his drawers, kept it at his side. He preferred to fight hand-to-hand in combat, but sometimes weapons were unavoidable.
“It could be my father,” Nyx murmured, pulling the door open. Her expression was apologetic.
“If it is we’ll deal with it,” he said. Then to Ian. “How many?”
His brother, dressed in combat gear, already had his talons unsheathed on one hand and a wicked-looking blade in his other. His eyes had gone shifter and for the first time since meeting him, Bo had an idea what kind he might be. He pushed back his shock. There’d be time enough to ask the male what he was later.
“I see five. Could be more hiding in the trees. Rory’s getting Liberty in lockdown with a full range of weapons right now. He’s gonna join us in less than sixty seconds.”
“My house is spelled, protected. They won’t get in here.” Not unless they had dragons attacking it or maybe RPGs might do some damage. He’d worry about those possibilities later.
“Exactly how big is your property?” Nyx asked as they reached the foyer.
“About five acres, give or take. But the gate and walled areas are spelled too. Whatever happens in here, humans won’t see any of us. They’ll just see my car parked out front.” Most of his vehicles were in his garage but he kept one right in front of the main door for a quick getaway if necessary.
“About that…” Ian trailed off.
“They hurt my ride?” He’d left his vintage Mustang out today.
“It’s on fire.”
Bo’s rage burned bright as he yanked open the front door to see five fae males, all in warrior garb on his front lawn, just as Ian had said.
And his car was smoldering with smoke billowing up in black plumes. Yep, someone was going to die. It didn’t matter that Bo could fix it. Messing with his ride was a declaration of war. And if these fools thought they could take Nyx, there were no words to describe their stupidity.
“I could just transport them all to Antarctica and leave them.” Nyx’s voice shook with rage as she stared out at the males.
“You know any of them?” he asked as they descended the steps. The males were tall, with ivory skin, and they all had black hair like her. With supernaturals it could be hard to distinguish true age. They looked to be in their thirties but that could be deceiving.
“Yes,” she said through gritted teeth. “The one in the middle is the male I was supposed to be mated to. His name is Vesa.” Her words were quiet enough for only him and Ian. “Let me try to talk to them, see what this is about.”
Ian just snorted. “It’s about you.”
Bo didn’t fight his instinct as he moved in front of Nyx when they’d rounded the smoking car. “Get off my property, now,” he snarled, letting his beast show in his eyes.
The tallest of the five stepped forward. He was good looking in the way only supernaturals could be. Classically handsome, with slightly pointed ears. His jaw tightened as he looked first at Bo, then rage flickered across his features when his gaze landed on Nyx.
“This is what you threw me over for?”
“We met one time, dude.”
Under any other circumstance Bo would have found Nyx’s use of the term “dude” funny. “You don’t speak to her. Ever.” His voice sounded more animal than human. His demon rippled at the surface, clawing, ready to take over in a second. Unlike shifters, who sometimes struggled with their shifts, his change would be instantaneous.
The male drew out a short sword. “I’m here to fight you to the death. You took my female and I’m here to demand recompense.”
Bo rolled his shoulders once. Oh yeah, that was something he could get on board with. “Just you and me. Winner walks away free and clear.”
Nyx stepped in front of Bo and faced the male. “Are you freaking kidding me? He didn’t take me, you moron. I’m a person, no one owns me. You can work that crap out with my father, but you and I—there is never going to be an us.”
“I’m aware of that,” the male snarled. “I wouldn’t want you now anyway, whore. I still have the right to fight your male.”
Nyx took another step forward, the ground beneath them rumbling as she moved.
Bo grabbed her arm. “Let me do this.” Because in the supernatural world, power was the only thing that mattered. He needed to kill this male, to show the other fae that he would and could kill for his female. It would send a message.
When she looked up at him, annoyance on her face, he shook his head once. “I know you can kill this male.” Or more likely all of them. “I need to do this for us.” And okay, for himself.
She paused once, nodded, then stepped back. Worry flickered across her features, but then she masked it. Good, he didn’t want her fearful for him. She needed to know he could take care of her, defend her. Even if she didn’t need him to. “If any of your warriors try to interfere I reserve the right to kill them,” she said to the fae male.
The males just chuckled—as if they thought that idea was hilarious. Bo resisted the urge to smile at their stupidity. They must truly have no idea how powerful she was.
Ian cleared his throat. Loudly.
“Fine, and he reserves the right to kill them as well. Do you agree to the terms?” she demanded, every inch the haughty princess.
Bo loved it.
The fae male nodded. “Agreed. No one interferes. If they do, both sides reserve the right to respond in self-defense.”
“Weapons?” Bo asked, figuring the male would want one.
“Blades,” Vesa said, withdrawing another short sword.
Bo held up his blade as well as his talons. “These are my blades.”
A nod. “Fine.”
Nyx grabbed his arm, yanked him down for a quick kiss. “Be careful,” she whispered low enough for only his ears.
Just like that the others moved back, giving their leader space. Bo was aware of Ian and Nyx stepping back
as well, and even of Rory stepping outside, but he kept the majority of his focus on the dark-haired male.
He’d never battled here, never killed anyone on his home turf. There was a first time for everything.
The male stepped wide, starting to circle him in a dance Bo was familiar with. They would test each other, look for strengths, weaknesses.
Keeping his stance loose, relaxed, Bo rolled his shoulders as he circled with the male.
“I’ll kill the female when I’m done with you,” the male snarled, moving in a fraction.
Bo knew that wouldn’t happen. Mainly because this male wouldn’t attempt to kill a fae princess. He knew that much about fae politics. Also because he wasn’t remotely strong enough to take on Nyx. But the words set loose his demon half, gave him the freedom to let everything else go and attack.
There was no coming back after threatening a male’s mate. Nyx was everything to him, his reason for breathing.
Vesa swiveled his swords with clear skill, the blades whistling through the air with the quick movements.
Too bad for him Bo wasn’t going to attack straight on. Though he knew the male expected it.
With about fifteen feet of space between them, Bo took one lunge at the male, inwardly smiled as Vesa moved into his warrior stance, struck out at Bo.
Using all the power in his legs and the momentum of his lunge, Bo sprung into the air, jumping up over the male. As he flew over him, he sliced his talons against Vesa’s face and the side of his neck as he passed. Not a killing blow, not even a debilitating one.
But it would piss off the male, make him look weak. Bo didn’t want to just kill him, he wanted to send a clear message, humiliate the male before he dispatched him to Hell.
Using his demon speed, Bo sliced at the male’s back, shredding through his tunic and digging through skin in rapid-fire slashes.
The male howled, turned with his blades swinging.
But Bo was too fast. He ducked one blade that would have sliced at his head, then struck out at the male’s other arm, nearly severing it completely. The short sword fell to the ground with a clanging thunk.
The male screamed, the sound agonizing as he drove his remaining blade at Bo, trying to hit him anywhere.
But the male was too weakened and no match for Bo’s fighting skills. He’d known it by the way the male had shown up. If he’d been a true predator he’d have just infiltrated the house or gone after Bo elsewhere. Somewhere like the parking lot of his club. He wouldn’t have announced his presence and he sure as shit wouldn’t have made a production of burning Bo’s car. This male was weak.
Vesa’s blade glanced by his ribcage, barely breaking the skin.
Bo ignored the sting, dropped his own blade and released his other talons. With one hand he grabbed the fae’s good arm, pulled him close. Simultaneously he shoved his talons into the male’s chest. He ripped through bone, flesh and cartilage, and pulled out the male’s heart. Vesa’s face was frozen in shock, his mouth slightly open, his eyes unblinking with abject terror. Like he was shocked this had been the outcome. Fool.
Blood poured out of the male’s chest. Bo held the heart up, then kicked at the male’s body, letting his corpse fall at his feet with a resounding thud.
Knowing it was barbaric, he threw the heart at the stunned fae males. He could see murder in their gazes, knew they wanted to attack. But he’d seen enough damn death to last a lifetime. Even if his demon craved the blood and war, he’d give them a chance to leave.
“Your leader wanted this fight, we all followed the rules. I’ll allow you to take his body and go. But if any of you attack, we’ll kill you and we’ll hunt down your families and do the same.” The last part was a total lie, but he was done with this. And he didn’t want his mate to have to kill anymore either. She’d done enough of that the last week. “And,” he didn’t look as he pointed behind him, his hand bloody, “what she’ll do to you is worse than what I just did.” Let them stew on that.
As if on cue, the ground started to rumble again.
Only when the males sheathed their swords did it stop.
Bo stood back, watched as they lifted the dead fae’s body and practically raced to the end of his long, winding driveway. If the humans saw that little scene once they left the boundaries of his property, then that was just something he’d have to deal with later if cops came sniffing around his place.
Once he was sure they were gone, he turned to Nyx, a part of him still fearful she’d reject him because of all the violence. The second he focused on her, he knew the fear was unfounded. She rushed at him, uncaring about all the blood as she embraced him.
He held her close, closed his eyes against the top of her head, inhaled deeply. This female meant everything to him.
“I need to go see my father again, make some things clear to him,” she finally murmured, pulling back to look at him.
“You’re not going without me.” That wasn’t even up for debate.
“I know.”
He pushed out a breath, surprised she wasn’t arguing.
“But first we need to see a dragon about a favor.” She looked down at her top, now ruined, and winced. “And…we definitely need a shower.”
Chapter 19
“Thank you again for coming with me,” Nyx said to Arya Petronilla. The female was in full-on warrior mode, as her daughter Keelin liked to put it. Wearing heavy boots, cargo pants, and a fitted long-sleeved T-shirt, she looked ready to kick ass.
“We’re happy to.” Arya glanced back at her mate, Dragos, and Bo, who were standing behind them on the huge porch with oversized columns. “We’ll always be grateful for what you did for Keelin. I…don’t even know if we’ll ever be able to repay you.”
Nyx felt bad for even asking Arya to ‘return the favor’ but she needed to show her father what would happen if he came after anyone in her life again. Not that she was certain Linos had known what Vesa had done. She was about to find out though.
“Let me try again,” she said, ready to knock on her father’s door. She wasn’t certain he was even in London still. And while she could have just transported directly into his home she’d wanted to do this with a little bit of decorum. He hadn’t returned her calls in the last couple hours though so she wondered if he was even here.
“No.” Arya stopped Nyx from knocking with a gentle hand. “I scent fae behind the door. They’re ignoring us.” At that, she just kicked the door, sending the heavy thing flying into the foyer of her father’s mansion. It splintered down the middle skidding across the polished marble tile.
Two fae males wearing black slacks, white shirts and black jackets went for their weapons. Guns, not blades. Annoyed, Nyx sent a heavy vase flying off a nearby pedestal, knocking both males on their asses.
As they scrambled to their feet, going for their weapons again, Dragos and Bo moved into action, subduing them on their stomachs. To give the males credit, they didn’t whine.
A female stepped out of the entryway of a sitting room, cleaning supplies in hand, her eyes wide.
“Please tell my father I’m here,” Nyx said quietly.
The female nodded and hurried away, her shoes soundless as she disappeared down a hallway.
Moments later multiple sets of footsteps snapped against the hallway. When her father appeared with two of the males who’d been at Bo’s behind him, she saw red.
“You sent them?”
“No!” he shouted even as the males shook their heads.
“We came here to inform him of what happened,” one said, stepping forward. He even bowed his head slightly, as if in respect.
She nearly snorted. Fae and their politics. “Did you know Vesa was coming?”
“No.” But something flickered in his eyes. Nyx didn’t think her father had been foolish enough to send Vesa directly, but she also didn’t think he was completely innocent. As a fae prince he’d know a lot about what his people were up to.
She decided to let it go though. Mostly.
“I told you what would happen if you bothered me again.”
He flicked a very nervous glance at Arya, but straightened. “I had nothing to do with Vesa’s attack on your…mate.” He said the word with unconcealed disgust.
“From this moment forward our relationship is severed. If you or any fae come after me or anyone I care about you’ll go to war with me and the Petronilla clan.” She glanced at Arya, grateful for her and Dragos’ presence. It was one thing to make threats, but another completely to bring in this kind of backup. And there were witnesses, which was even better.
Last time she’d gotten her father’s promise but they’d been alone. This time, she was getting a contract. Signed in blood.
“Yes, little prince,” Arya practically purred, her dragon clear in her gaze. Sweet Lord, the woman was scary. “I’m already annoyed you’ve been ignoring my phone calls.” She made a tsking sound. “So rude.”
“I wasn’t informed you’d been trying to contact me.” He frowned, his expression almost sincere.
Arya just lifted a shoulder, smiled, though it was more of a baring of teeth. “It’s okay. I destroyed your house in Morocco. There were no casualties. I allowed everyone to exit the premises.” She said it matter-of-factly, as if what she’d done by allowing his people to live was so very magnanimous. “I also informed them if they contacted you about it I’d come back and kill them all.”
Nyx fought to keep her expression neutral as Linos looked at Arya in horror. “What?”
Arya simply nodded. “It’s ash.”
Nyx cleared her throat, wanting to stay on topic. “We’ll just call that a casualty of your rudeness. I’m here to officially relinquish my title of princess and any claim I have on anything under your lineage. In this realm or any other.” She didn’t want anything from him anyway, but this was a big thing to the fae. She was giving up her claim to everything her family had to offer, divorcing herself from them. Well, they could keep everything. She had Bo, friends, a real life.
“In exchange we’ll sign a contract, in blood, stating that you and all fae will leave me and anyone in my life alone. Anyone and everyone. If I’ve spoken to someone once, they’re off limits.” She knew it was a ridiculous demand, but wanted to get her point across. “If you don’t, you’ll deal with me. You’ve barely seen a fraction of what I can do.”