Page 16 of The Aftermath

“You know what I mean.” I know exactly what she means. Out of every fucking girl around, Angel is her person. I’ve never seen Tamsyn hang around with any of the other girls before. Now that I think about it, I’ve never seen Angel either.

“I’m not going to hurt her. At least not in any way she won’t like,” I chuckle. Tamsyn slaps at me when it’s time to change again. Rylan brings Angel back to me and snatches Tamsyn out of my arms. With Angel back where she belongs, I feel like I can breathe again.

“Your friend threatened me.”

“What? Tamsyn?”

“Don’t act so surprised. You know how she is,” I tell her.

“I love her. There’s no doubt about that. What did she say?”

“Not to hurt you. Which is funny because you fucking love it when I make it hurt.” Her cheeks blush, and I find I like that look on her.

When the music is over, I leave Angel with the guys and Tamsyn as I go on a hunt. I find Matt outside on one of the balconies, thanking God he can’t see the one further down with Simon hanging off it.

“Silas. How is your night going?”

“I have a question, and I want a straight answer.”

“Okay. Ask,” he instructs, turning to give me all his attention.

“I want Angel. And before you tell me the leaders get to choose, I already know that, and I don’t fucking care. I want her.”

“I see. You know we have rules here, Silas.”

“And rules are meant to be broken, Matt. Name the fucking price. I don’t care what it is; I’ll do it.” That seems to interest him a little more than I thought it would. I figured he’d tell me to fuck off and get out of his sight, but he hasn’t done that yet.

“You love her?” I snort a laugh.

“Is that what we’re calling it?”

“I understand, Silas,” he says, looking around me to be sure no one else is listening. “I’ll speak to the other leaders.” I shake my head. That isn’t good enough. I need to know no other man is going to put his hands on what belongs to me.

“No. I’m asking you. Not them. We all have a price, right Matt?” I know there’s something he wants he can’t get himself. There’s always a fucking price. Matt clears his throat and glances around once more before stepping closer to me.

“What you’re asking me to do goes against our rules, Silas.”

“I know that, and I’m asking anyway.”

“Do you understand you would have to keep this secret from everyone? Including Rylan?” He knows the three of us are best friends, and we don’t keep shit from each other, but this? I will fucking keep this secret.

“Ry, Levi, and I have been raised in this society, Matt. We’ve grown up in this, and we’ve learned a long time ago how to keep our mouths shut. Rylan is my best friend, but what I’m asking you goes far beyond friendship. It’s more, so much fucking more.” He must understand me because he nods his head.

“The mayor.”

“What about him?”

“He knows about the society. How he found out is beyond me. We are tightlipped when it comes to the Kings and the Gods, and yet something was leaked to him. I want to know who, and I want them both taken care of,” he says. I reach up and scrub my hand over my face. Fuck. Getting close to the mayor without Ry and Levi’s help is going to be a bitch. “Those are my terms.”

“And you’ll make sure she’s mine at the ceremony?” I ask him.

“I will give you my word.” Coming from Matt, that means a lot. I know this isn’t how things work here but then things are never what they seem in the Kings. I reach out my hand and Matt takes it in his.

“I’ll handle it.”

“Very well. Then you have a deal, Silas.” He pulls his hand away and walks past me as I gaze out at the night sky. I don’t know what the fuck makes me do the things I do and especially for Angel. She belongs to me, and she has since the first time I laid eyes on her.

Taking a long, deep breath, I walk back inside to find the guys. When I do they’re drinking more than they should be.

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