Twins

by Tiya Rayne

  She smiles and gives me a thumbs up before digging back into her food.

  I watch her for a moment. Studying her features. She does resemble Lia in some ways. The eyes are different though. There’s something in Emory’s eyes that draws me to her.

  “Why don’t you talk?” I blurt out.

  She stops eating to look up at me and lifts her brow slightly. Placing her fork down, she then begins to sign.

  “They don’t like it when you talk.”

  Her statement sparks my interest.

  “Who are they?”

  She lifts her hands to reply, but both our attention is drawn to the doorway once we hear the shuffling of footsteps nearing. When Emory turns back to me, her eyes tell me this conversation is no longer an option. She doesn’t want to talk about it around Lia. I can respect that.

  “What the heck is that awful smell?” Lia says, coming around the corner. She freezes when she sees me.

  “Come sit, we made breakfast,” I say and the kid nods vigorously, the things in her hair clinking together.

  Lia rushes over to the pan and looks in before covering her mouth.

  “How are you two eating this?” She snatches the fork out of Tiny Rambo’s hand and then takes the one from me.

  “Hey, I was using that.”

  “Seth, half of the eggs weren’t even cooked. And the rest are burnt. You are not feeding this to my child.” She takes the pan to the trash and empties it.

  “I offered to make cereal,” I say, defending myself.

  She takes the pan to the sink but stops and looks over her shoulder at me when she spots the eggshells in it. “Seriously?”

  I shrug.

  Lia rolls her eyes and starts to pick the shells out of the sink and tosses them in the trash.

  “Thanks for letting me crash here last night.”

  “As if I had a choice in the matter,” she says without looking at me.

  “Still, I appreciate it.”

  I try to hide what it actually meant to me. Being able to go somewhere and feel wanted, for who I am and not what I can do. I know I’m not the one she wants, but she at least cares enough about me to let me stay last night.

  She turns around, leaning her back to the sink and folds her arms across her chest. “I’m dating Lucien now. Which means, you are a permanent fixture in my life. I got your back as long as you never try to cook for my daughter again.”

  Tiny Rambo’s hair things click, drawing my attention to her laughing at me. “You betray me, little soldier. I’m wounded.”

  Her shoulders shake harder as she pats the seat next to her. I find myself sitting down at a counter, for the first time, feeling like my presence isn’t the bane of anyone’s existence. I feel at home.

  Chapter 33

  Surrender Hawk

  Lucien

  * * *

  We failed. Even after a month that shit still tears me up. Since then, I haven’t been able to track Rasheed. And with him out there with knowledge of Malia and untraceable, I’m even more stressed.

  You would think knowing this would make me want to stay away from her. It should be enough of an incentive to make me cut things off, but I can’t.

  “Tonight, right?” Malia’s voice comes through on the other end of the phone, pulling me out of my thoughts.

  I’m leaning up against the side of the building of the Church’s New York headquarters. My phone to my ear, but my eyes watching everyone around me.

  “Yes, tonight.” We were going to try a new hibachi bar and grill.

  “I’m excited. I heard it’s good. Emory is the one who suggested it for us.” I smile at the mention of her daughter.

  Although Emory seems to like me, I don’t think we’ll ever have what she and my brother share. For some reason, she adores him. Their bond grew more after that breakfast he spent with her.

  Yeah, I was pretty pissed when I got Malia’s text the next day. Seth had no right showing up at her place.

  “Well, if she suggested it, we have to go.”

  Priest pulls up in his matte black Charger and climbs out of the car, heading to me.

  “Hey, baby. I have to go. I’ll be there around six tonight.”

  “All right.” I can hear the smile in her voice. “See you then.” I wait until she hangs up before I disconnect the call.

  “What the fuck are you smiling about?”

  “Hello to you too, Priest.”

  He ignores my comment as the glass doors to the Church building swings open. I was a little confused when he asked me to meet him. Technically, I’m still on suspension and not allowed on the premises but leave it to Priest to ignore the rules. The moment we walk in I spot Ari.

  “Ugh, I didn’t have enough caffeine for this shit,” Priest grumbles, before heading to the coffee maker in the corner.

  “Hey Lucien,” Ari greets me with a smile. “Long time no see.”

  Her hair is tipped green today and is wrapped in two space buns on the sides of her head.

  “Hi, Ari. How’s it going?”

  She shrugs. “Pretty good. It’s been quiet around here lately.” She glances around as if she’s looking for someone. When she focuses back on me, she leans forward and so do I. “Your two Disciple friends were here a few days ago, getting chewed out by the big man.” By big man, she means a Cardinal. “Seems whoever they’re looking for, they haven’t found yet. They wanted another job, something about a bigger pay out, but big man told them if they can’t find the small job, they can’t handle the bigger one.”

  If I know Shep and Wolf, that shit ate them up.

  “Still no idea who they’re after?”

  She shakes her head and leans back. “No, but if I find out, I’ll tell Milo to let you know.” Her face lights up when she mentions Many’s name.

  “So. You and Many?” I ask as Priest joins us.

  Her smile widens. “Milo is an extraordinary man and he has a really big dick.”

  The coffee Priest sipped flies out of his mouth. I don’t blame him, I cringe too. I didn’t want to know that about my brother.

  “It’s curved like a banana and I like bananas,” she continues to blabber on.

  “Ari. Ari,” I say cutting into her conversation about Many’s dick and some vampire academy book. “We get it. We don’t need the details.”

  She blushes. “Sorry, I got carried away. I can’t talk to anyone else about us. Well, you know why.”

  Her voices pitches and I understand her better than anyone else. Even though Ari works for the Church, their relationship would still not be approved. The Church doesn’t want any outside commitment. Anything that could change your loyalty has to go.

  “It’s all right. I’m glad you’re happy.”

  “You know what would make me happy?” Priest says. “If I could wipe this fucking conversation from my head and you could notify Pope I’m here.”

  Ari shrugs and turns to do her job. I spin on my heels to glare at Priest.

  “What the hell, Priest? We’re here to see Pope?”

  He briefly looks to me and then back to Ari.

  “Pope says you can come up,” Ari informs us.

  Priest leads the way to the elevator. Once we pass the front desk, we can no longer talk freely. I check on a regular basis, and I know for a fact the cameras in the lobby are without sound, but the ones in the rest of the building can pick up all audio.

  We ride up in the elevator in silence. When we stop and the doors open, we walk out onto the top floor straight into Pope’s large office.

  I’ve never been here before which is a good thing. No one wants a reason to be in his office. The entire top floor is his domain. It’s made up of a large glass open space. You get a view of the city from any angle you turn.

  The floors are marble, the furniture is made up of heavy woods and leather. A full bar and sitting area sits on one side. In the middle is a full water fountain with a chrome geometrical shape in the center.

  Some of the best Dea
cons stand around the room. Well, the best he can find other than my brothers. The moment we step off the elevator they search us. I had no idea we would be coming to see Pope, but I seldom travel with weapons. They do pull a magnum off of Priest.

  “I want my shit back before I leave here,” he says to the Deacon holding his weapon.

  Stepping down into the area, the Pope’s huge desk comes into view in the corner. However, standing in the center of the office with his back to us and his hands in his suit pockets is Pope.

  “Don’t fucking act like you don’t know we’re here. I don’t have time for the theatrics.”

  My eyes widen as I turn to Priest. I know my handler has balls of steel, but I didn’t think he was this bold. Pope turns around, there’s a smile on his face, but I can tell Priest’s disrespect pissed him off.

  “Nathaniel, Luciano, sit.” He points to the sitting area near the bar.

  Priest and I walk over and take a seat. Priest leans back, placing his foot over his knee as if he owns the place. I opt for a more alert posture, elbows on my knees ready to jump up at any sign of trouble.

  Pope takes a seat in the leather chair across from us. He looks to be about the same age as Priest. However, whereas Priest has a few sprinkles of gray at his temples and in his beard, Pope’s hair is jet black, unnaturally so. He is much cleaner cut, with a side part and no facial hair. He’s also slimmer than Priest, but they both have the same silvery gray eyes.

  “I’m glad you gentlemen could meet me today,” Pope starts. “I know you’ve been on pins and needles to find out when Gabriel will be released.” Pins and needles is an understatement. “Upon further review, I have decided that Gabriel will not be released this year.”

  “What?” I blurt out, but it gets drowned out by Priest.

  “What the fuck do you mean Beast isn’t being released?” Priest leans forward in his seat. “It’s been five years. His time is up.”

  Pope grins. “Here is the problem, Priest,” he says the name Priest as if it’s an insult. “I call the shots around here. You and your band of merry men have forgotten that. What I say goes. He doesn’t come out.”

  “Bullshit, take it to the Council. Let them vote.”

  The sneer on Pope’s face shows his contempt for Priest. “I already did. They agreed what happened the last time we tried to wrangle him in is good enough reason to keep him caged.”

  “There is no way the Council would have voted against Priest that way.” Despite who the Pope is, the Council loves Priest. In fact, he was supposed to be Pope, but he turned it down.

  Pope narrows his eyes at me. “It seems your beloved handler has lost favor with the Council. Especially since he was incapable of returning Kilian.”

  That’s what this was about. They’re still punishing us for Hawk. This is bullshit and they know it.

  “Now, unless one of you happens to remember something vital about that night and are willing to give up Kilian, then I’m afraid my hands are tied.”

  “Let’s call this what it is,” Priest says. “This is another one of your attempts to control Beast. Still trying to play catch up with me?”

  A deadly glare crosses Pope’s eyes, but the smile remains.

  “When are you going to give up this big dick, little dick competition with me?”

  “There is no competition, remember I know the story,” Priest replies.

  For the first time the smug smile slips from Pope’s face and fury replaces it. Eventually he smooths his features and returns them back to normal.

  “Just because one whore told you a lie to boost your head, doesn’t make it law.”

  Priest tilts his head to the side, cracking his neck. “This isn’t a conversation you want to have with me.”

  The tension in the room thickens so much, the Deacons move their hands to their guns. In return, I start to twitch my finger. It’s silent as Priest and Pope scrutinize each other.

  Pope grins. “We got sidetracked,” he says, holding up his hand. “My decision is made. Surrender Hawk or Beast stays.”

  Priest’s jaw tenses, but he doesn’t respond. Pope waits until he realizes Priest won’t answer.

  “Very well.” Pope stands. “This should teach you a lesson, Twin. It’s obvious that your handler has favorites. Even though he claims to be different. He would risk the sanity and wellbeing of one of his men for another. Who would he risk you for?”

  I don’t glance at Priest, but I don’t have to, to feel the tension and anger radiating off his body. None of us have ever felt as if Priest shows favoritism. He treated us all equally and punished us all the same. This has never been a thought for me, until now.

  “I wonder,” Pope continues on. “Would he have your back if he knew of your brother’s failed attempt to bring down Takar Rasheed.” Now it’s my turn to freeze. When Priest turns to me, anger and disappointment war within his eyes.

  “But,” Pope goes on to say. “I’m pretty sure he already knew about that. You gentlemen may go.”

  Priest shoots to his feet. “Let’s go, Twin.”

  Before I can stand Pope adds. “I know you plan to go see Gabriel. And for today, I will allow it, but after this visit, you will no longer have access to the Beast.”

  Priest turns and storms away, snatching his gun from the Deacon who holds it out to him. I follow behind Priest. Once we get to the elevator, Pope calls out. “I’ll be sure to let Beast know why he’s staying longer than planned.”

  The elevator doors open and we both step in.

  “I can explain,” I say the moment we are in privacy.

  “Save it,” Priest barks. “We will discuss it later.”

  We ride in silence to the basement. The Church doesn’t have too many Deacons who they deem special. Ones who require a little less free time. Beasts is probably the most known one. It isn’t that he’s hard to control, it’s just once the killing fog takes over him, it tends to keep a hold of him much longer than others.

  We walk down the narrow hall, security guards pass us. They call these the catacombs and try to refer to them as apartments. However, we know what they are, prison cells.

  I’ve been coming down to these catacombs since I was nineteen, when they first put Beast down here. I can tell you every door on this hall. So it catches my eye when something is different.

  The first door on the right is open. Never in my many years of being here have I seen that happen. In fact, that door usually has as many guards as Beast’s.

  Two guards stand in front of Beast’s door. They glare at us when we arrive.

  “Open the door,” Priest commands.

  One of the guard goes to question him. “Have you been cleared by Pop—

  Priest chops him in the throat before he can finish his sentence.

  “Yes,” he replies to the fallen guard. “I have.”

  The other guard doesn’t ask. Instead, he punches in the code and uses his card to open the steel doors. Priest tugs at his suit jacket, then steps over the prone body of the guard. The steel door is closed behind us and we’re faced with the metal door of Beasts apartment.

  Priest knocks three times and then turns the knob. Only we’re allowed that privilege, anyone else who tries would probably be killed before they stepped over the threshold.

  The place is freezing, which doesn’t surprise us. There are no decorations. No pictures on the walls or anything that usually makes a home a home. It lacks warmth with its minimal furniture, the others picked out for him and I.

  We find Beast in the middle of his living room, his long golden hair tied up in a man bun. He’s doing chin ups on the bar hanging from the ceiling. The demon faced tattoo on his back snarls at us as it covers the crisscross of old scars.

  We don’t stop him. Instead, we wait until he finishes. After another twenty or so. He drops his legs and hops down. Beast grabs the towel off the couch beside him and wipes his face, still with his back to us.

  “They’re not letting me out?” he says, tossing
the towel onto the chair and then turning to face us.

  He stares at us blankly with those pale green eyes. Beast towers over the average man and rarely do I see him smile. He chooses his words and never speaks to anyone outside of us—his family. His presence is intimidating to most, but to us he’s our brother.

  “No,” Priest says, taking a seat on the sofa. “They aren’t. Some shit went down with Hawk and…”

  Beast holds up his hand to stop Priest. “He okay?”

  Priest and I look to each other and then back to Beast. Priest nods, that’s the only answer he will give. Beast understands the response. He folds his arms over his chest.

  “I don’t come out unless you roll over on Hawk?”

  “That sums it up,” I reply.

  Most people treat Beast like he’s dumb. A guy his size who never talks with cold dead eyes, I can imagine they think he’s spaced out most of the time. Even Priest and the brothers never expected much from him.

  They never thought he was dumb, but they consider him unattached. Not me. I knew it the moment I first saw him. There’s something about Beast, something that lies dormant inside him. I should know.

  “What do you need from me?”

  That’s why we’re a family, and why Pope’s words about favoritism are bullshit. I’d do anything for my brothers and they would do the same for me. All it takes is a word, and Beast would try to tear these walls down. If Priest were to only hint he wanted Beast out of here, he would be free today. However, Priest has been right, something is definitely going on around here.

  “Nothing,” Priest tells him. “I’m going to see if I can call in some favors, get the council to overturn their ruling.”

  “All right.” With that, Beast walks over to the punching bag in the corner of the room and starts wailing on it.

  Priest looks to me and I can tell we’re thinking the same thing—that was too easy.

  “You sure you’re all right, brother?”

  Beast stops punching and looks over his shoulder with a smile.

  “My time will come, brother,” he says before going back to pounding the bag.

  The door opens and three Deacons and five armed guards walk into the room with their guns aimed at us.