Page 51 of Darkness

NYCTO

Without taking the shot sitting in front of him, Void sits back and watches me. I bring the glass of tequila to my lips and throw my head back, letting the caramel-colored liquid burn all the way down my gullet. “Hit me, Stace,” I demand, slamming the shot glass back on the bar.

Void places his hand over the top of my glass, halting Stacey from pouring my fifth shot. “He’s had enough,” Void tells Stacey, then tilts his head, instructing her to leave.

I grumble under my breath and shove his hand away. “You’re a fucking pussy.”

“I am? You’re the one up here sulking or some shit.”

“I’m not sulking.”

“You gonna pout and throw a tantrum?”

“Fuck you!”

“Why are you acting miserable. Eva’s staying… isn’t that what you wanted?”

I groan, swiveling on my stool and turning my back to the bar. “Yes, and it’s all going to plan…”

“Then what the fuck are you bitching about?”

“What if Eva finds out? What if someone lets slip? What if this all comes tumbling down around my stupid ass and she leaves? Not only does it put her in danger but us too. I have royally fucked this shit up from the start.”

Void slaps my shoulder. “Then, we have to make sure Eva never finds out.” He picks up his shot, tips it my direction in a salute, then throws it back.

Now he finds a reason to drink.

“That’s exactly my point. Eva can’t find out. No matter what. You have to drill it into Ivy.”

“She’s smart. She knows what’s on the line.”

“You think Eva’s gonna stay down there all night?”

“You’re the president of Tampa Defiance. Stop thinking with your dick. Get your head into gear, Pres.”

“The fuck did you say?”

“Look, I know Eva has your balls in a vise, but since she came into our lives, you’ve put this club at risk. You’ve changed into this person I don’t even recognize. I’ve never seen you so tied in fucking knots. While it’s good to see you putting someone before yourself for a change, you’re putting her before your brothers, and that could be dangerous for all of us.”

I glare at him. “You got your panties in a twist ’cause Ivy’s not putting out for you?”

“You’re an asshole.” He stands, shoves the glass across the bar in frustration, and walks off.

It wasn’t my intention to argue with Void. He’s been the only brother on my side through this mess. The one brother I can count on. Taking Eva and Ivy in has been a hardship for the club, and if Andrés finds out, we will be in a world of shit.

Running my hand through my hair, I glance at the stairs again, willing Eva to come up, but there is no sign of her. So, I stand to make my way to my room. Eva needs to spend time with her sister—I get it. I’ll give her that. I also have to show some trust that they won’t leave. For now, I need to have a shower and wash some of this frustration off me.

As I open the door to my bedroom, it’s a strange feeling, entering and Eva not being there. The whole room smells of her, amplifying her absence. It’s intoxicating.

After heading into the bathroom, I close the door and take off my clothes, then reach into the shower and turn on the hot faucet as far as it will go, only adding a bit of cold once it has heated up. The lighting in the room is dull, just the way I like it.

I stare back at myself in the mirror. “You really are a fool, Nycto,” I murmur to myself, then step past the glass divider, which has already fogged up, and let the beads of scorching hot water ignite my skin. I hiss through my teeth at the burn. I need it as punishment. Cleansing. I’ve made bad decision after bad decision.

I’ve made one good one too.

But for the good of one isn’t necessarily for the good of the many.

Saving Eva was not my best move, but I can’t deny I am glad I did it. She might fight me, resent me for my actions on some level, but I did it all to save her from a life of hell.

---