Page 62 of Brightness

“Never trust a DeLuca,” Nycto finishes. “Okay, we need to check it out before this gets out of hand. We’ll ride out there to see what Tony has to say.”

“Thanks, Pres. Appreciate it.”

***

There is something different about riding Reva. I can’t explain why. Maybe because I bought this ride with Ivy, I have more of a connection to her. There’s something about it which makes everything disappear, and all my troubles seem so far away. Though in the back of my mind, I know when we arrive at Tony’s house in Miami, trouble is going to be the first thing I find.

We ride up to the large, white driveway, then pull to the front of the house. Guards walk down the path, a six-man gun salute waiting for us as we park. I side-eye Nycto, who doesn’t even bat an eyelid. Nycto, Whiskey, Ominous, and I jump off and start the walk toward the front door, but the guards halt us.

“What the fuck do you want… rebels?”

The other guards cackle as if that was some sort of insult.

I roll my eyes at the cunt. If we had a dollar for every asshole who thought calling us rebels instead of Defiance was an insult, we’d be rich. Dickhead!

“Need to speak to Tony. It’s important,” Nycto grunts out, obviously as unimpressed as I am.

“He’s had his fill of you. He has no need to speak to you again.” They snicker once more, and I groan.

“Okay, that’s gonna get old real fucking fast. Tell Tony we’re here, or I start shooting,” I demand, pulling out my gun and aiming it at the idiot.

They all point their guns at me as the front door opens, and Tony steps out. “Abbastanza!” Tony snaps at his men. “Defiance are our guests. Treat. Them. As. Such!”

They lower their weapons while I do the same.

Tony assesses the four of us. “Dash isn’t with you?”

Nycto hesitates. “Ah, no. He’s… indisposed.”

“Pity. Mia would love to see him again.”

“Children do love playing with other children,” I mumble.

Nycto glares at me as Tony waves his hand through the air. “Come. Obviously, we have business to discuss.”

We follow Tony, but Nycto pulls me aside. “Behave your-fucking-self. No exceptions!”

I nod, and we continue. We walk through to an open living room—the place is enormous. Tony gestures for everyone to take a seat, so I move to the giant chesterfield armchair at the end of the leather sofas. Everyone widens their eyes, shaking their heads as I go to sit.

Tony sneers. “It appears your VP does not know protocol, Nycto.”

Everyone stares at me. “What?”

Tony purses his lips. “I sit first. I also sit in the same chair every time.”

I scoff. “Well, Tony, you’re dealing with Defiance. And from what I’ve been told, we’re at a truce. You’re no better than us, we’re no better than you. That custom doesn’t stand if we’re supposed to be equals.”

Tony glances at Nycto, but he shrugs. “He’s got a point, Tony.”

Tony shudders but walks to the leather sofa sitting next to his chesterfield armchair. I am sure it’s taking everything in him not to pull out his gun and shoot me. “You’re strong-willed, Void. It’s either going to get you far, or get you killed. I haven’t decided which yet.”

I shrug. “Hopefully both, just one a little later than the other.”

Tony chuckles. “Now, what is it I can do you for?”

Nycto nods for me to explain. I sit forward in Tony’s chair, my hands on my knees as I exhale. “We had a threat come through to the club toward me and Ivy. I need to make sure it wasn’t you.”

Tony stands abruptly, running his fingers through his hair, sheer panic crossing his features. “You need to keep Ivy protected. If you can’t, then bring her here. I need her, Void. I need her blood for Mia. It’s too valuable. I’ll likely need her again in the future. You must protect her!”

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