Page 98 of Goddess of Mayhem

I scoff. “Can I renege?” I mumble.

He beams at me in the most sarcastic way. “No, take backsies. I trust you more than anyone else to be by her side while I’m handling this.”

I groan, pissed that I’m going to miss any action, but I’m not here to fight with him. I’ll do whatever Lion needs me to do. “Christ, fine. Operation Bestie is a go.”

He nods. “That’s a good girl.”

I perk up with excitement at the praise speaking to my filthy soul. “Fuck, I love when you talk dirty to me.”

Lion’s face scrunches up as if he’s put off by the thought and I cackle at his unease. “No. Just…” He rolls his eyes. “No.”

He goes to walk away, trusting me to go find Akila but then he stops. “I can’t tell you everything, Seren, but I can tell you this… and I want to be the one to tell Akila.”

“So many secrets.” I’m tired of them, even if they’re not meant for me.

Lion turns to face me again and he rubs the back of his neck. He shoots Liam another glare then meets my eyes. “I know who Akila is and why she was so familiar.”

I shrug. “Marcus Lorenzo’s daughter, I know this.

He shakes his head as if I’m wrong. “And Alya Lorenzo.” He pauses, his amber eyes bouncing between mine. “Mal, Alya Turner is Akila’s mother. Akila looks just like Alya… that damn picture you were obsessed with when we were kids—"

I just blink at him for a few moments letting myself absorb the bomb he just dropped on me. “Lion,” I deadpan. “I was named after your girlfriend’s mother. Our parents used to…” My nose wrinkles. I might get enjoyment out of making my dad uncomfortable but the thought still… “Oh, god. That’s why he was acting so off at the ball.”

Lion nods. “I put it together when I introduced her to him. Between my papa and yours being masters of masks, I knew something was off when Uncle Nate let his fall. Not much can catch him off guard. I thought you should know. Akila isn’t the enemy, and I don’t know what Alya has told her of her and your dad’s past.”

There is so much to process here. Akila is the daughter of the only woman my father loved. The woman he left to marry my mother. “I won’t say anything,” I say but it comes out as a whisper.”

He gives me a tight smile. “Thanks.”

Lion turns away and walks in the direction of his office. I stay sitting, absolutely mind fucked from what he just told me. Liam comes into my view and grabs my chin, so I’m forced to look at him.

“You good, baby?” Liam asks softly, concern etched in his face as he looks at me with furrowed brows.

I nod then stand. Liam’s hands fall to my waist like they always do lately, it’s almost natural at this point. “Yeah, I’m okay. Just wasn’t expecting that information is all.”

Liam drops his hand, interlacing our fingers. He lifts our joined hands and kisses my knuckles, burning me alive with those blue eyes.

It’s such a couple type thing to do and it makes me uneasy, but I don’t hate it.

I like being his.

I leave Liam in the sitting room to bullshit with Lion’s right hand, Ruiz Calvarno, and make my way toward Lion’s room. When I stayed here I slept in the room Akila originally stayed in, now she’s bunked up with Lion. And now that she’s injured I imagine that’s where she would be resting.

The room is dark and Akila’s body shifts in the bed to a sitting position when I enter the room. I understand Lion’s anger now that I see the damage her ex did to her. She’s covered in cuts and bruises from the beating she took.

My jaw clenches ready to storm out of here and tear through the city myself to find this Jacob Coleman.

Akila’s brows pinch together, her voice rough from sleep. I had likely woken her up from a nap. “Malia?” she asks.

I’m sure Lion brought her up to speed on the fuckery that is my life, and this isn’t about me, but her confusion in seeing me makes sense.

“Need anything?” I ask because what do people say in these types of situations? I’m sure she’s tired of people asking her how she’s feeling and tiptoeing around. I know I would be.

“What are you…?”

“You’re hurt, Akila,” I cut her off. “You’re important and I want to help.” I more than want the ground to open up and swallow me whole right now.

Akila wrinkles her nose. “You’re supposed to be hiding,” she says, raising a perfectly arched eyebrow.

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