Page 34 of Created in Chaos

Lucian nods in agreement. “That doesn’t surprise you?”

“No, you’re insane.”

“Good. And?” he prompts, urging her to continue.

“And he told me I should just suck it up and go home, push out a few babies, and be happy with what I get. It’ll be worth it in the end.”

“Christ!” I bark.

“And what did you tell him, lamb?”

“I told him they can shove their money and power up their butts. I make my own choices.”

He smiles with real menace. If I didn’t know what he was capable of, it might not be frightening, but I do. “I’ll deal with Alden. He won’t bother you again.”

“What are you going to do?”

“Kill him. Your grandparents signed his death warrant when they sent him here. There is no other punishment for invading another founder’s property.”

“You can’t kill him. He’s your cousin.” She shakes her head with denial, but Lucian’s right. The die has already been cast. Alden is dead. He knew the consequences of coming here.

“Do you see how desperate they are for you now? They will stop at nothing to get you and turn you into a broodmare that they can control. This entire system is fucked up.” Lucian rips a pair of black slacks off the end of the bed and jerkily pulls them up his legs.

“I know it is, which is why I want nothing to do with it. I don’t want to control people’s lives and make rules. I just wanted a fucking family,” Nova yells in response.

“Well, you’ve got one now, lamb, and you best believe we’ll do anything necessary to protect that.” With his pants still unfastened, he stalks over to Nova, who holds her ground with her jaw set as he gets all up in her space. “And watch your goddamn mouth.”

Her eyes flare just as she opens her lips, probably to put him in his place, but my ballsy brother smashes his mouth to hers, kissing her and stealing any argument she might have had.

When he pulls back, his lip is bloody, but the smile on his face speaks volumes.

And I thought I was the one with a death wish.

LUCIAN

If I didn’t need to deliver a declaration, I would hand her a chain to loop around my neck so she could tug it while I fucked her until she couldn’t move. My dick is so hard, I’m not sure I’m going to be able to walk straight.

I watch her lick her teeth, wiping away the red smear of my blood. She may think she doesn’t like to punish me, but it’s always her first response, and I fucking love knowing I drive her insane like no one else can and she still can’t resist me.

Toxic doesn’t even begin to describe how I feel about her, and I need to know she feels the same. I reach for her hand and place it over my cock, letting her feel how badly I need her. The fire in her eyes shifts to pooled embers of desire, causing her to soften her stance, as if she’s just as ready for me. The buzzing under my skin that drives me to push her transforms into a low hum I can manage with her compliance—a small reminder that I can never really get her out of my system no matter what.

It’s terrifying and exhilarating to feel so untethered yet so attached. Never in my life did I think anything would control me the way she does, yet she managed it without even trying. My chest constricts at the thought of losing even a piece of her. I’m tempted to tell her how she scorches my insides and I love the burn, but as I roll my tongue around my mouth, the words evade me. I can’t describe how I feel, let alone voice it.

“What if I asked you not to kill him?”

The bubble of sentiment pops, replaced by a low, simmering emotion that’s just as potent—rage. She would save him, a traitor. “Don’t,” I warn, turning my back on her and any reproach I might have seen in her eyes if I dared look.

I swipe my phone off the bed and dial my head of security, Lev. “Alden was on the property. I want every tunnel sealed. Start with the ones leading to the beach house. Have someone scour the security feeds for an image of him so I can provide evidence of his treason, then bring me the person responsible for allowing him into our territory.” I end the call without any verification that my orders will be followed, but I know they will be.

Lev is Gertrude’s son and as loyal as they come. Too bad my uncle and his son don’t know the meaning of the word.

My next call will be delivered to the head of each founding family. The line is only to be used for emergencies and official founders’ business. A single beep sounds after the ring, allowing me to record my message.

“This is Lucian Morningstar, head of the Morningstar family. Today, our property was breached by Alden Black, who lost his founding title along with all the other members of his family when his father betrayed his name. Alden is currently employed by the Umbras, and I have to assume he was following their orders when he violated the island treaty. I’m calling a meeting in forty-two hours to provide proof of his treachery and to punish him for his treason, as is my right. I’m also requesting the Umbras be held responsible for their charge’s action and be castigated for their complacency in this matter. I will leave their penance to a majority vote.”

I hit the star key before hanging up, and my phone vibrates with an incoming call to repeat my message in the next heartbeat. My voice is smooth and unaffected, but it’s an act. I’d like to kill Astrid and Alden with my bare hands while Rory watched.

I hit end after only a few seconds, not needing to hear the entire message repeated. Leaving the Umbras’ punishment up to a vote could backfire and mean they get off without any repercussions, but in doing so, I’m showing I’m willing to play by the rules—for now anyway. I’m also planting the seeds of subversion from the Umbras for all the other founders to see and judge for themselves.

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