Page 2 of Deranged (American Street Kings 3)

“Onyx—”

“Stop.” I glared at Granite. “I’m not taking your place. It’s a stupid fucking idea, and I’m not doing it.”

Since it seemed like everyone was storming out, I did the same, whether Granite dismissed the meeting or not. Everything was fucked up now, anyway. Emotions were high, and everyone had an opinion of their own. Clearly, we wouldn’t be coming to a decision today, so no use in wasting time by sitting around a goddamn table going back and forth on the same fucking subject.

“Yo, Onyx.”

I let out a breath and leaned my head back. “Not now, Granite. I’m way too fucking sober for this right now.”

“Is Manic right?”

I spun around, my glare meeting his gaze. “I dunno, brother. You tell me. Is the reason you’re so hellbent on keeping the deal because you’re trying to keep Alyx safe? You’re afraid Slither will come after her?”

“Yes.” He didn’t hesitate for a second. “After what I’ve seen them do to Neon, I can’t fucking sleep at night. I almost lost her once, and there are no fucking words to describe the fear I felt while Tanit had her. I’m not taking that chance, Onyx. Not with her.”

“So, that’s it, then? This is all just to protect her, and fuck what the rest of us think?”

Granite took a step forward, squaring his shoulders like he always did when he tried to intimidate someone. But not me. I was long past the point where his size and that icy glare made me want to cower away to a fucking corner.

“Alyx is my life now, Onyx. And so is this club. But don’t make me choose, because I swear to God, I’ll choose her. I will choose Alyx if I think for one second that I can no longer protect her here.”

I narrowed my eyes. “Are you saying if I don’t go ahead with this, you’ll leave the Kings?”

“What I’m saying is I’ll do everything I can to make that son of a bitch pay for what he’s done. But if the time comes when I have to make a choice, I’ll choose her. It will always be her.”

I shook my head. “It’s not my place. That is not my motherfucking seat. It’s yours, and I don’t understand why we have to fuck with how things work around here.”

Granite crossed his arms. “Why don’t you want this?”

“Because it’s not right.”

“Is it because of Kate?”

“What?”

Granite relaxed his shoulders, rubbing the back of his neck. “Listen, I know you and I haven’t exactly seen eye-to-eye ever since—”

“Don’t, okay? That horse has been ridden to death. Stop using Kate as an excuse for everything.”

“That’s not what I’m doing.”

I leaned against the wall. “This has nothing to do with Kate. Yeah, we had our differences, and I was pissed because she chose you over me. But that’s way in the past, brother. I’m over it.”

“And Alyx?”

I scowled at him. “What about Alyx?”

“You care for her.”

“Stop. Stop right there.”

“It’s the truth. You had a connection with her.”

“Listen,” I pushed myself off the wall, “I am not one of those pathetic little fucks who wants everything his big brother has. I don’t envy you. I don’t want your fucking life. And I sure as hell don’t want your woman.”

Granite pulled his pack of cigarettes from his jeans pocket. “You were there for Alyx when I couldn’t be. You took care of her when I couldn’t.”

“Because it was the right thing to do.”

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