Page 190 of Darling Wildfire
“Fuck you—Viktor, Kon—seriously?” Nyx snapped.
He made to step forward and Viktor punched him solidly in the jaw. Atlas snarled but Kon pressed the barrel into his face and he stilled.
“Turns out your people aren’t as loyal as you thought,” Vetticus said, the false sadness on his face at odds with the glitter of amusement in his eyes. “Cuff him.”
I heard movement behind me as two men came and yanked my wrists behind my back.
“On your knees,” he said forcefully.
I could feel Vetticus’ gaze boring into mine. The club was silent, the tension high. My jaw clenched as I slowly sank down onto the ground, my glare locked onto Vetticus. He stepped up to me, the smugness pulling at his lips as his eyes glowed with triumph.
“Ah, I always did prefer you in this position,” he said.
His hand caressed my jaw and I turned my head away. Vetticus just laughed.
“I told you I’d bring you to your knees before me.”
Vetticus basked in the moment as he stared at me, then seemed to catch himself and turned to his men, waving his hand over my shoulder.
“Line them up.”
“Vetticus, you have me,” I growled. “Leave my men out of this.”
Vetticus just looked at me with a condescending look like I should know better.
“Come on now, Kraven—where’s the fun in that? Besides, it wasn’t part of the deal.”
His men moved towards Atlas, Lachlan, Graham and Nyx. They were restrained and forced to their knees off to one side. His men and a few Bratva stood behind them with guns to their heads.
“What deal?” Nyx asked, his attention jumping from Demetrius to Viktor who had his hand on his shoulder.
“Oh, that’s right you wouldn’t know,” Vetticus chuckled. “You’re all going to play in the next game.”
Nyx’s mouth thinned and his gaze turned murderous but he didn’t make any other comments.
“My, my—this is a familiar sight,” Vetticus grinned as he walked the line. He ended in front of me again and paused, slowly pulling brass knuckles from his pocket he placed them on his fingers.
“I’ve waited a long time for this.”
He slammed his fist into my jaw. Once, twice—a third time and I collapsed to the ground. The men must have tried to move because I heard barked orders and a scuffle,then I was getting hauled back to my knees.
“Oh yeah,” Vetticus exhaled loudly and chuckled. “It feels good to have you back.”
He walked over to Demetrius and slung an arm around his shoulders. Demetrius stiffened but his face remained unreadable, cold and calculating.
“I’m liking this partnership already,” Vetticus said. “Alright, load ‘em up! It’s time to go!”
I was hauled to my feet and dragged towards the door. The others were given similar treatment but then I heard Vetticus speak.
“Wait,” he called. “Bring the Reaper back.”
Viktor and Kon shoved Nyx back down to his knees in front of Vetticus and he pointed his gun at him. “Vetticus!” I barked. I took a step towards them but the men hauled me back.
Atlas fought savagely to get free. “No!”
“I think you need a reminder of who’s in control,” Vetticus sneered. “Pity—but all is fair in love…and war.”
Vetticus’ finger settled on the trigger.
