Page 78 of Blood & Lace
My brothers were probably cursing up a storm, cleaning up a mess that wasn’t planned or at least expected was always annoying.
The talk felt like it went on for hours as time ticked by. It took too long for them to part ways, leaving behind the promise of a wire transfer. The only thing that had truly caught my attention was the amount of zeros that were promised. I’d get a bit of the cut, and the way my bank account was looking lately, I was going to need it. I’d spent most of my money on the wedding and then what I had left went to any gifts I could secure for Onyx.
Blood flaked off my knuckles and face. I rubbed at it, peeling off small pieces. It was like when I was a kid and would covermy hands with glue only to wait until it dried to peel off the flaky bits.
When the room was finally cleared and we headed out the same way we came, only then did my body relax a bit. “I hate working with politicians,” I grumbled.
Damian grunted in agreement as he rolled his shoulders. The air felt great the moment we got outside. We leaned against the car, waiting for my brothers to join us. The sun was on its way down, bathing the sky in oranges and pink hues. Nash appeared first. His suit jacket was gone. The clean aesthetic he no doubt worked hard for was a mess. His dirty blond hair stuck up everywhere. He spotted us and headed our way with his phone out already, his mouth set into a frown. Prince was no different, and he wiped the blood off his face. His rich brown skin hid any of the hits he probably took to the face.
“Fucking spineless assholes,” Prince muttered.
I couldn’t agree more. I took each of my brothers in. They could hold their own in any fight. We all grew up learning how to take down anyone that opposed us, but it didn’t mean I didn’t worry about them.
“You hurt?” I asked Damian.
My older brother shook his head. He stabbed out his cigarette and pulled out another. He chain smoked anytime stress started to get to him. “I don’t like how they ambushed us in there.”
“Want me to go handle him?” I asked.
Prince crossed his arms, staring at the doors like they’d come back in and beg for us to put them out of their misery. Damian was silent for a bit before he shook his head. “Them. It wasn’t just one person, although he made himself known.” Smoke billowed out of Damian’s parted lips. “He doesn’t die. He wasn’t wrong; he's an opportunity we can’t afford to ignore.”
“Who, Reggie?”
Damian cocked a brow at me. “Régis.”
“Same thing,” I muttered back. I’d much prefer to kill him, but I nodded all the same. I checked my phone and swore. “I’m going to be late for dinner.”
“Go ahead, we're done here.” He sucked in, forcing the cherry of the cigarette to glow brightly before he ashed it. “I’ll take everyone in my car.”
“You sure?” I wanted to get to Onyx, but I didn’t want to abandon my family either.
“We all know you’re whipped for that bloodthirsty twink,” Prince said.
I was, wasn't I?A smile tugged at the corners of my lips as I thought about my sweet bella.
Damian nodded just as Nash jogged over to us. “Make sure you hit up Emir later.” He pointed to my hands where a few cuts rested and waved to my grazed bicep.
“Got it.”
Prince knocked knuckles with me before I headed out. I checked the time once more and called in an order at one of the bakeries Onyx loved so much. I’d have just enough time to pick up something and then head back home.
My messages still hadn’t been read, but that was okay. I’d be home soon.
20
LUCERO
Air sawedin and out of my lungs as I raced up the emergency exit stairs to get to Onyx's floor. I checked my phone, groaning at the time. My husband hadn't set a time but I didn't want to be late either. The last thing I wanted was to leave him waiting up again. There was still blood soaked into the fibers of my clothes and my knuckles were split. The graze on my bicep throbbed. None of it mattered as I stormed into the apartment.
"Bella?" My heart beat erratically as I moved further inside, looking for Onyx. I placed the container of macaroons down on the table before I started to search for my husband. I checked every room until I stopped outside of his office. The bookshelf was slightly ajar. "Onyx?"
There he was, the man of my dreams, sitting at his desk and poring over papers. He was so focused I doubted he even noticed that I was there. I crept inside, staying light on my feet so I didn’t disturb him. Onyx chewed on his bottom lip, pulling at the thin skin as he circled a few things on the paper in his hand. His shoulders were tense, nearly kissing his ears.
I lowered myself until my ass rested on the plush carpet. I held my breath to slow myself down, even as my lungsscreamed in protest. Tendrils of adrenaline continued to coax my heartbeat, forcing it to race. I ignored it all, content to sit there and wait for Onyx to finish.
Time trickled by, the sight outside the window even darker than before.
He’s so beautiful.
