Page 1 of Razor's Edge
PROLOGUE
Vice/Edge
Istand under the shower's heat, water running down my back, and try not to break. We left one club for another, and I’m not completely convinced we are better off. Men don’t do something for nothing, especially in our world. The men in this world are brutes, ruthless, and take whatever they want without thought for those they hurt on their way. Voices outside my door bring me back. I turn the water off and step out to see what they are talking about.
Cracking the door open, I listen as they talk about how pissed their Prez will be because they took us. I note to myself to talk to Vixen before we get much further into this with them. A drop of water from my hair hits my foot, causing me to step back and pull the door open. No going back now. I step out, leaving my back to the mirror covering the wall behind me. The leader lifts his chin to me before turning to leave.
Then they call Razor, who is big with short, cropped hair and blue eyes so bright they glow. He stands and starts to speak before he catches the reflection of my back in the mirror. His eyes go wide before turning so dark it’s like staring into nothing as he loses his shit. Duck jumps from the bed and gets between Razor and me as I stand there and shake, frozen in fear. The god at the door spins around like he is ready to fight until Duck speaks, shaking with rage.
“What the fuck is your damage, Razor?”
“Mydamage? Are you fucking kidding me? Did you see her back? They fucking did that to her? Those pieces of shit did that to her!” Razor roars. Duck relaxes a fraction, which causes me to calm down.
“Man, I know they did. Why do you think I got her out? They will pay, brother.” Duck advises like it’s no big deal. I completely relax. Razor isn’t angry with me but with the situation.
The guy at the door tells us all good night and heads out. Duck turns to me, taking my hands and guiding me to the edge of the bed. Razor squats in front of me and doesn’t say a word. I look up from my twisting hands in my lap and make eye contact with him. His eyes are beautiful. They pull you in, making you want to lay bare your soul.
“It’s going to be okay. I’ll make it okay!” he says with such conviction I might actually believe him.
“Okay, you, let’s get this back all taken care of. It’s probably going to hurt,” Duck states, breaking our moment.
“It probably will, but it’s not the first time this has happened to me,” I reply, ashamedly looking at my hands.
“Hey, talk to me. We’ll get through this together,” Razor commands, making my eyes snap to his. I never expected such a soft tone to come from a man of his caliber.
“Why are you being so nice to me? What’ll I have to do in return?” I question them.
The hands on my back pause, and the man squatting at my feet looks shocked by my words.
“Why would you ask such a thing? Vice, we don’t want anything from you,” Duck replies, and I flinch at the name Ice gave me.
“Oh, shit, did I hurt you?” Duck asks me, placing both hands on my shoulders.
“No, not at all. I just don’t … umm,” I stammer, unsure how to say I don’t want to be called that awful name.
“Tell us what’s going on in that gorgeous head of yours,” Razor says, reaching out and squeezing my hand lightly. It takes all I have not to shy away from his touch.
“I don’t want to be called Vice. Ihateit,” I retort, finding my voice for the first time in four years.
“Okay, no more of that. What shall you be called then?” Duck asks in an utterly fake British accent, making me giggle.
“Lo,” I say. “It’s short for my first name,” I barely get out through my giggles.
“Then Lo it is. Now tell us what you like to do,” Razor softly commands.
I tell them about my interests, short of my knack for computers, coding, security, and hacking. Once Duck finishes with my bandages, he leaves me with Razor to get us food. Then, we spent the rest of the night talking about nothing until I fell asleep.
There are hands everywhere. Grabbing hold of my arms and ankles. I beg Ice not to hurt me. I didn't do anything.
“Ice, please, it wasn’t me. Ice!” I beg as the first lick lands across my thighs.
“You know what you did. Flaunting yourself in front of the brothers,” Ice says in a tone designed to freeze the blood in your vein.
“I wasn’t, Ice, I swear,” I get out just as another lash hits my lower back.
“You want to flaunt it to all the brothers? Maybe we should allow them all a turn,” Ice hisses as he lifts his hand.
“Lo, wake up! Lo, come on, babe, wake up.” Someone speaks loudly.
