Page 52 of Forever Filthy

“Huh?”

“Vatican thought for sure that he would show tonight.”

A cold shiver runs down my spine. “Why would he think that?”

“It's a masquerade ball, you could be anyone tonight and no one would know if you were telling the truth or not.”

“He’s grown bolder.”

“How so?”

I look around to make sure no one is paying us any mind. The only person who seems to be watching is Tate but her attention is focused on Alex, not me. “He took out two of my girls and sent megifts.”

He nods his head. “I know you have upped your security and altered things at your home, those measures are putting a wrench in his plans.”

“Why do you sound so angry about that?”

His eyes darken and I suddenly feel severely outmatched. “Because it means he will grow desperate. Desperate men do stupid things and that doesn’t bode well for you.” Whatever he sees on my face has him reaching across the table to place his hand on top of mine to ease some of my worries, but then a tingleof awareness shoots through me and the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.

They’re here.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Hayze

We’ve hidden in the shadows most of the night, going unnoticed and passing ourselves off as security. Vox nearly blew our cover when he saw Nova walk in with Vivian, both of them beautiful but Vivian took my breath away in her dress. It's a weird design of a dress, only a strap to keep it up over her right shoulder and the rest flows around her like toga, but there are sections missing that show off her flawless skin. She captivated the attention of all the men in her vicinity but it wasn’t just the dress that had me stumped, it was the masks they both wear.

They are wooden like our own, but they are painted red and only cover half their faces, Nova’s has two horns to match Vox’s, which pleased the big fucker but Vivian’s has an antler type hornon the side leaving the other side bare. She wanted to represent the three of us.

“Who the fuck is that?” Ezekiel snarls from beside me. I follow his line of sight to see some cocksucker standing behind our girl at the bar but what has me seeing red is when she spins around and beams at the sight of the cunt and launches herself at him. Without meaning to, I take a step forward only for Archer to yank me back.

“Calm down, we have a job to do tonight,” Arch warns.

“I have to get Nova out of here,” Vox says in a tone that borders on painful. I look toward Nova and feel for her because she looks so distraught. She’s in a room full of people yet she looks so alone aside from David who stands guard beside her. When Nova suddenly snaps her head up and begins to frantically scan the room, I know it's because of that tether she has with Vox, she knows he’s here. “Come to me, witch,” Vox murmurs and then suddenly she stares directly at us. I know for a fact she can’t see us in the dark corner but she sure as hell feels Vox. When she moves toward us, David grabs her but she yanks free of his hold and says something to him, then she is gliding across the room.

Even with his mask firmly in place I can tell Vox is smiling. He loves knowing that he can’t hide from her, those two can track each other without much effort and it’s a skill I fucking envy. She walks blindly into the darkness and within a split second of being shrouded in the dark Vox has arms around her and she clings to him like a lifeline.

“Hello, my little witch.” Nova says nothing as she pulls back and pushes his mask up and removes her own, only to claim his mouth. The three of us turn away from them and focus back on Vivian. I was fully prepared to stand back and watch this play out until he placed his hand on top of hers. I lose all restraint andstorm toward them, watching as she sits up straight and tenses. Oh, so you can feel us like Nova feels Vox.

I feel Arch and Ez at my back but neither of them stop me, it’s too late anyway, she knows we are here and the fucker she is sitting with has spotted us. I come to a stop behind Vi. Ez and Arch flank me on either side. Without having to be told Vivian slowly withdraws her hand from under his and returns it to her lap. The three of us continue to glare at the fucker who sits there without a single flicker of any emotion, he looks like a fucking creep.

“Alex, meet my…” I wait for her to call us herfriendsand shred my fucking dignity to pieces. “Guys.” I want to beat my fucking fists against my chest hearing her call ushers. “Ez, Arch, Hayze, meet my friend, Alexander Denver.” Ice fills my veins.

The Butcher!

Before any of us can say anything he speaks. “Remember we are in public and much like yourselves I have an identity to protect, so how about we have this conversation at a more private location?” His tone is calm and even.

“The penthouse is free, we’ll go there,” Vivian says, pushes back from the table and stands, but still she won’t face us. Alex stands and motions for her to lead the way. She does but we all crowd her and form a barricade. As we pass David, I nod in his direction but he looks to Vi who just nods and smiles, letting him know everything is fine. When we make it into the main lobby and she heads for the elevators, but I grab her wrist and force her to stop. She slowly turns to face us and the moment she does all the breath rushes out of me at the look on her face.

“Vivian, I must go. I’ll be in contact soon, enjoy your night.” Vi turns to watch Alexander storm out of the hotel, a blacked out jeep is waiting for him. None of us utter a word until the jeep disappears from view. It’s as if time has come to a standstill as we all wait for her to finally look at us. It feels like hours havepassed before finally she gathers the strength she needs to turn to us. I know the fact we are wearing our masks doesn’t seem to make it easier for her to look at each of us.

“You shouldn’t be here,” she mutters.

“I got your code and I spoke the terms of the Filthy Few to be certain. We know why you did it and said what you did but this time it's you that needs to listen to us,” Ez says in a tone that leaves no room for argument.

“Now, are you going to lead us up to this penthouse or am I throwing you over my shoulder again?” I ask, earning a sexy smirk from her.

“In this dress? I think not,” she rebukes.

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