Page 5 of Love & Violence

“Are you proud of yourself?” my father asks without looking at me.

“Generally? Yes,” I reply. “Or are you referring to something specific?”

“Don’t get smart with me, boy,” he says in a perfectly calm tone. My father is almost always in control. “I was there when you came into this godforsaken world. I can just as easily be the one who takes you out.”

We glare at one another. I am his son, after all. Very few things in this life scare me. I am a product of the environment I grew up in and the people who nurtured me along the way. I won’t back down from a challenge for anything.

“Marco. The man you killed tonight,” Zero says, enlightening me as to what has my father’s panties in a twist.

“Ah…” I rub at the light stubble on my chin. “Yes, I am exceedingly proud of that work.”

“Do you want to start a war?” my father asks. “I know you’re a twisted motherfucker, but I can’t believe you would want to see the streets run red with blood.”

“He deserved it.”

“That wasn’t your call to make.” He slams his fist on the table, shattering the facade of cool collectedness he wears like armor.

“Then you should have sent Cian to deal with the problem,” I smirk, knowing it’s my job.

I know I’m pushing all his buttons, and it’s likely to get my ass kicked, but the frustration running through my veins has me pushing for a fight.

“Get the fuck out!” he yells. He glares, knowing that nothing he says will have an effect on me.

Taking my time, I leave his office and head toward the kitchen for a snack.

“Isn’t it a little early to be pissing him off?” my sister Rylee asks with an eye roll.

“Probably,” I say as I hug her before heading to the fridge.

Of all the people in my life, she’s the only person I would never challenge or demean. I love my sister with everything I am, even if I’m not always exactly sure what that means.

“Oh my God,” she gasps.

“What?” I spin around at her stunned tone, looking for any signs of danger.

“I can smell her on you. Your mate.”

Her eyes are wide with surprise when I cover her mouth with my hand.

“Shit, Rylee. Keep your voice down.” I hiss.

She nods, and I release her.

“But why? Isn’t this supposed to be something great? When do I get to meet her?”

I can see and feel her excitement. Most of the time, we all forget she’s a female, but I can now see the girl she works so hard to hide from the world.

“I don’t know,” I grumble as I start to make a sandwich. “It’s complicated.”

“What!” she exclaims. “If this bitch thinks she’s too good for you, I will fucking—” but I cut her off.

“It’s not that, Dutchess. Calm down.” How do I explain this without giving away too much? “Her father hates me.”

“Fuck him.” She has her hands on her hips.

“It’s not that simple.” I rub a hand down my face before taking a bite of my sandwich, even though I’m not hungry anymore. “It could be bad for everyone, not just me.”

“Listen to me, Draven.” She points at me. “You only get one mate in this life. One chance at true happiness, and you shouldn’t let that pass you by because of this club, our family, or hers. I wouldn’t.”

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