Page 2 of Dead Devil's Playground
I turn my head to the side, my gaze falling on Kai. His chest rises and falls steadily, the picture of a man deep in sleep but as I look closer, I notice the telltale curve of his lips. He’s not asleep at all, and I doubt he ever was. Kai's eyes suddenly open as though he feels me staring, glinting with mischief and desire as he locks his gaze with mine.
A slow, lazy smirk spreads across his face, one that has my heart beating faster and my pussy about to beg for more. But he doesn’t say a word, just gives me a knowing wink before closing his eyes again, his expression smoothing back into one of feigned sleep. Allowing his brother to have his moment. No one could ever say they aren’t good at sharing.
Before I can dwell on it too long, Rev reappears with a warm, damp cloth in his hand. His eyes meet mine as he kneels beside me, his expression softening as he carefully cleans me up, his touch tender.
When Rev's done, he tosses the cloth into the hamper and slides back into bed beside me. I turn my head to look at him, catching the faintest hint of a smile playing on his lips.
"Will that help you sleep now, baby girl?" he asks, his voice husky.
I hum in response, my body relaxing against his. It takes me a moment to recall that this late-night fuck was his attempt to help me clear my mind and ease my restless thoughts. I sink into his embrace, feeling his warmth surround me as he draws me close.
As I’m about to settle against him, I feel Kai’s arm slide around me, pulling me back toward him. Rev grunts in annoyance at the intrusion, but there’s an underlying amusement in his voice as he mutters, “Seriously, Kai?” I can’t help but giggle softly, my heart fluttering at the warm press of both their bodies.
Closing my eyes, I allow myself to be lulled by their presence. The rhythmic rise and fall of their breathing soon syncing with my own.
But it doesn't take long for my chaotic thoughts to take root once more, gnawing at the edges of my mind. Both Rev and Kai have already drifted off again, their breathing steady and deep, but sleep remains elusive. With a sigh, I gently extract myself from their embrace, careful not to wake either of them.
I slip out of bed, grabbing the thin, soft gown from a chair nearby. I don’t bother tying it; our penthouse above the Devil's Lair is at the top of the tallest building in the city, and I’m not about to turn on any lights. Instead, I make my way to the bar, pouring myself a glass of bourbon. The rich amber liquid shimmers in the low light as I walk toward the wall of glass, staring down at the city—my city.
Dawn is creeping closer; I can tell by the soft edge of blue to the sky. Dead Devil's Night is approaching, and despite my efforts to clean up the cesspit that sprawls out beneath me, I know there will always be someone trying to resurrect the ghosts of the past. Recently, there have been more reports of forces working to bring back true chaos, like what nearly killed me and the twins all those years ago.
I take a sip of bourbon, letting the burn of it ignite something inside me. It seeps through me like a slow, soothing fire. Quelling the storm of thoughts rushing in, but it doesn’t quite settle the chaos in my chest. I may not rule this goddamn city with an iron fist, but I’ve ruled it with a blade so sharp it'll make anyone think twice before stepping out of line. If anyone daresto try and do to others what was done to me? I’ll make sure their blood stains my hands.
Down below, the city lies still, a quiet so thick it feels suffocating. But I know it's not real. It’s all just a damn facade, broken only by the distant hum of a world that’s waking up. I stand there for a moment, lost in the taste of bourbon and the quiet hum of the chaos I’m preparing for. I’m pretending it’s peaceful, but we both know that’s bullshit. I’ll have to confront this new threat head-on, just as I always have.
Dead Devil’s Night isn’t about peace. It’s about blood. About destruction.
Another sip. The burn is a comfort, but it doesn’t last.
Something’s coming, I can feel it. A storm waiting on the edge of the horizon. Something’s brewing, ready to drag me back into the mess I’ve spent years trying to clean up.
I take another sip, close my eyes briefly, and let the fire lick at my insides. The rush of it, the warmth, the bite. It keeps me steady for a second, but I know I won’t stay steady forever.
If they think they can threaten anyone I love? They have no idea who they’re fucking with.
I’ll tear them apart. Piece by piece. And then I’ll put their bodies on display like the trophies they are, for all the assholes in this city who think they can take what's mine.
This is my city. My playground.
And if they want to play?
I’ll fucking play.
Chapter 2
Ry
Bythetimethesun has crawled its way into the sky I’m already hunched at the dining table, drowning in a sprawl of contracts and permits like they’re crime scene photos. The new club is supposed to open in days, but every scrap of paper feels like a live grenade waiting to blow in my face. My brain should be on numbers, deadlines, signatures. Instead, it keeps circling back to the city—how the whole rotten thing feels like it’s vibrating on a fault line. Waiting to crack. Waiting for someone to bleed.
I don’t hear Kai until his fingers slip through my hair, tilting my head back so he can steal a kiss. A lazy brush of lips—infuriatingly soft. It should annoy me, but instead it knives right into my chest, easing the tension I’ve been chewing on since last night. Still, it also reminds me I need to redo my hair. Blonde’s fine, but for the grand opening? I need to look sharp. I need a statement. Something that sayslook at me and know I’ll carve you open if you blink wrong.
“Did you even sleep, gorgeous?” Kai’s voice is thick with sleep, still dripping from whatever dream he crawled out of, but the concern underneath makes my teeth itch.
I hum, unwilling to give him the satisfaction of an answer. Like it matters. He’s already wearing that worried expression like a badge. I sigh, because ignoring him is useless. “Not really.”
He’s winding up for a lecture, so I cut him off with a raised hand. “Don’t start, Kai.” My voice comes out sharper than intended—teeth snapping. He doesn’t deserve it, but I’m not in the mood to be handled like some fragile thing.
His mouth quirks, half-pissed, half-amused. “You’re lucky I’m not Rev, but even I’ve got limits. That attitude’s only cute until it’s not.”
