Total pages in book: 146
Estimated words: 147801 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 739(@200wpm)___ 591(@250wpm)___ 493(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 147801 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 739(@200wpm)___ 591(@250wpm)___ 493(@300wpm)
“With what?”
“Something.”
“Well, un-busy yourself and join me. What are bros for?”
“Can’t. You should stay away as well.”
“Well, fuck me sideways, I’m left with pacifist Gaz.” He narrows his eyes on me. “Don’t bore me to tears with all the reasons why I shouldn’t do this either.”
“Ask Vaughn to join,” I say.
“The most useless of all due to his constant absence. Why the fuck that little shit is still in New York is beyond me.”
“I’ll convince him.”
“You fighting will be more possible than him flying here without an initiation.”
I tap my fingers on the table, then grab my phone. “Let me try something.”
So I also need Vaughn to show up and put a leash on that motherfucker Yulian. And no, Niko beating him up isn’t a permanent solution.
Also no, this has nothing to do with how I saw Yulian laughing and hitting Kayden on the shoulder on campus.
Me
V, miss me?
V
Only if you missed me, G.
Of course I did.
Something tells me you’re going to manipulate me now.
Aw, you have that little faith in me?
Sometimes. Let’s hear it.
I’m only texting to see how you’re doing with your girlfriend.
Ex-girlfriend.
Wow. She really cheated with Yulian? That sucks, man.
I had my revenge :)
Do you believe the initiation night was enough?
For now.
I think you could do better than that, V. Not sure it affected Yulian that much tbh. He’s such a fuckboy who’s always flirting around.
I attach a picture I took of when he was with Kayden, specifically picking one where Kayden’s face is hidden as Yulian wraps an arm around his shoulder and laughs like a whore.
What? I only took pictures for an occasion like this. And it pays off because Vaughn immediately replies.
Who’s the other man?
A professor you don’t need to worry about. Yulian does that with everyone.
Everyone?
Uh-huh. Can’t keep it in his pants and goes for anyone. Heard he’s openly bi, like Niko, and equally adventurous.
Openly? Does the motherfucker know what type of mafia he’s set to fucking inherit?
He’s cursing. Good. Vaughn rarely curses, so this is a promising sign.
Maybe he thinks it's okay because Niko is doing it.
Niko isn’t the son of the leader. He can get away with it, but even he has to watch himself in front of older family members.
Idk, really. Maybe it’s just rumors floating around.
Of what sort?
All sorts. I can collect info if you like.
I’ll owe you one.
You got it.
Niko wants you to come help him raid the Serpents’ mansion and beat Yulian to a pulp.
I’ll arrange something.
I take a screenshot and cut everything except for the last two texts. “Niko?”
He pauses bickering with Jer and Kill, calling them traitors and being an absolute drama king. As I show him the screenshot, he grins wide. “You’re the motherfucking best, Gaz.”
I know.
I lean back in my chair with a small smile. Yulian has been on my nerves since that first night.
And while Kayden said he’s never been with another man besides me, I’m not going to give him any openings.
He said I didn’t have a choice in being with him, but he’s wrong.
He doesn’t have a choice in being with me.
I’ll slice his fucking dick off if he even entertains putting it in another person.
And that’s only the beginning of the things I’d do to him if he considers betraying me.
I blame it on the chest disease he gave me.
He’s the one who started this whole game, so he shouldn’t reproach me for taking it too seriously.
Kill stands up and puts the phone to his ear. He smirks at me as he says, “Hi, Dad. I’ve been meaning to call you…”
My mood immediately darkens, and I throw the fork on the plate as my brother goes up the stairs as if he has some sort of secret with Dad.
He doesn’t.
But it still sours my fucking mood.
I need my arrows and a goddamn target.
22
KAYDEN
Istep out of the taxi, pulling the lapels of my coat over my neck as I open the umbrella.
Because of course it’s raining, as per the UK’s shit weather.
My phone vibrates and I stare at Jethro’s name and consider not replying. Yes, he got me Gareth’s location by hacking into his phone, which is why I’m by the archery range, but now, he should kindly fuck off.
With a sigh, I pick up, fleetingly noticing the pretentious matte-green sports car parked by the entrance. “What do you want?”
“Aside from you returning to US soil and abandoning all this nonsense?”
“Aside from that, yes. Make it quick.”
“You’re obsessing way too much over that kid. You need to reconsider this and see if you’re doing it for the right reasons at this point.”
“If that’s all…”
“Management is struggling, and Grant is making everyone's life hell. You should come back, even temporarily—”
“No.”
I don’t even think about it, because I won’t. That would undoubtedly make me lose Gareth. He’s still trying to slip away at any chance possible, giving me the silent treatment and ignoring me in a heartbeat.