Page 33 of Gilded Desires

After wrapping up the mission, Rush and I dropped everything to be by his side. The days we were away I barely ate and Rush, I don’t think he slept from the worry. We secured our target and that is when a miracle happened, according to the doc.

For a week he danced on the edge of death. Fuck, this is going to sound nuts, but hear me out. Within mere hours of us arriving at his bedside, the man who flirted with the reaper for nearly eight days regained consciousness.

Shocked the holy shit out of all of everyone.

Everyone except Rush and me.

The doctors called it a miracle. To us it sealed our fate. The first time we saw the blue of Aziel’s eyes Rush and I knew our lives were connected in ways none of us could ever describe. But we knew we would share everything in our lives: our home, our pain, our joys and even the women we take to bed.

After a couple of crash and burns with a few ladies who thought we were freaks, we decided relationships were not for us. No woman will ever understand our bond. It’s better to leave it at that. Besides, if we get killed that will only leave someone heartbroken and I don’t need that on my shoulders.

The first night Aziel walked out of the hospital we made a pact: Live together, love together, die together. We catch shit about it from the boys back on base, but we don’t care.

Thunder echoes over the vast waters of Lake Michigan.

When we get her on stage and between us it will be beautiful to see her uncover what I suspect is a wilder side of a very woman who is just beginning to discover herself. My mind wants to take my thoughts deeper and wonder if her soul will seek out and forge with ours. So I let it wander through the fantasy as shadows grow long overtop the cabin. The sun relents control to the bursts of lightning flashing across the horizon.

I only hope the storm rolling in isn’t an omen of what’s to come.

Nine

Belle

It’s almost five the next afternoon before I am back on Club Genesis property. No way in hell I took the men up on their offer to drop me off at home. I might as well slap a flashing neon sign on my forehead: Mafia princess, stay clear.

Nope. Not happening. I like Gage, Aziel, and Rush. I do not want to scare them off. Before they released me—their words, not mine—I had to promise to call them later tonight so we could discuss the details of the contract. Only then was I able to escape their teasing kisses and warm arms. Not that I wanted to.

Feathers of anticipation at what I have done leave me anxious and excited. I’m all about adventure and adding excitement to my life, but if my brother finds out what I’ve done I have no idea what he will do. For the most part I have a strong bravado, but there are times my knees shake. Not out of fear for what he will do to me. Harlon would never hurt me. But out of fear of disappointing the man who has always been there for me. That is almost worse than a physical beating.

There are hidden passageways only a select few know about. After the cab drops me off a block away from the club, I use them and make my way to the top floor. I pause outside my door and take a deep breath and send up a silent prayer of gratitude I didn’t run into anyone.

I rub a hand down my borrowed Guns N’ Roses T-shirt and too-big sweatpants—another reason I took the hidden backways.

“I don’t owe anyone an explanation for my actions. I am an adult. The family business is not my concern. I have a right to do what makes me happy.” I quietly chant my rehearsed mantra over a couple of times.

I slip the golden key to my room into the old-fashioned lock and turn.

“So how was dinner? Or did you go straight for the dessert last night and stay for breakfast given it’s been twenty-four hours since you left.”

My heart attaches itself to my throat and hangs on like Tarzan swinging on jungle vines. Wide-eyed, I scream and slap a hand toward the light switch. White light floods my small entryway and living room. Adrenaline shoots through me and I nearly pass out from fear.

I clutch my chest. “MyfreakingGod!”

Piercing blue eyes latch onto me and the devilish smile lifting my cousin’s nude-colored lips has me moving from wondering if this is my end to wanting to commit a murder of my own.

“Damn it, Sapphire! I nearly died walking through my freaking door.” I drop my dress on the end of the small sofa and walk around the coffee table to kick at my cousin’s Jimmy Choos.

“Why the hell are you sitting in the dark and ambushing me Godfather style? What if I had a gun? What if I had shot you? What if I had brought visitors?” I exclaim each possible scenario and the longer I talk the higher my voice scales.

She takes in my borrowed attire while she’s dressed to kill. Almost literally given her job title. The emerald power suit she’s encased in hugs her breasts and hips with the same amount of compression.

Her soft laughter turns wicked. She planned her attack. Probably from the second I walked out the door last night.

“I regret giving you a key to my room,” I shoot back, heading for the small kitchenette off to the left of the main entrance. It’s an open floor plan between the front door, living room and long bar that serves as a countertop and eating area. The bedroom is off to the right when you walk into the place and so is the single bathroom. My brother usually likes leaving the cozy suites for members, but I claimed this one as mine. I hate being at the mansion so far outside the city. Here I feel tapped into the energy. There all I feel is dead and shoved into a corner.

I grab a bottle of water from the fridge and hand one to a cocky and smiling Sapphire.

“Harlon isn’t in here, is he?” I force my nerves to settle by focusing on the swirling lines decorating the wallpapered walls. They are in silver while the background is black. I’m starting to see a pattern between all the low-key high-crime locations in this city.

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