Page 27 of Infuriated

The school’s already closed to the public when I make my way in, but both lovebirds can usually be found here. Charlie is closing the door to his garden when I round the corner and approach the large reception. I’m about to greet him when I see that he’s not alone. He’s with Ezra, his long-term friend, who joined theFrères Perdus. He’s lounging on one of the comfortable sofas, legs crossed at the knee, a beer in his hand. I know that Mia mentioned that some of the wackos had come with Gabriel to the States, but with Ezra sitting here, that reality is being slammed in my face. And I’m not liking it one, tiny bit. Ezra’s eyes shoot up when he sees me and he lets out a muffled cry, causing Charlie to turn around. He smiles at me.

“Oh, hey Kai. How are you? Samuel’s already left for the night. Ez, this is Austin’s cousin.” We shake hands in silence, which is a little awkward, and then I turn to Charlie. “Where’s your man?”

“At the Butterfly. Logan will be there tonight, so he went to pick him up.”

“Oh?” I check my phone, but there are no new messages. “What’s the occasion for Logan showing up?” Charlie’s lips curl into a timid smile.

“I think Sam mentioned something about Angelique wanting to go out tonight.” Logan’s wife, of course.

“Nice.” I turn to Ezra. “You coming as well?”

“No, I’ll stay here, with my boyfriends.” Ezra blushes. “They should be back soon.”

“Boyfriends, huh? So they all came? Where are they off to?” I don’t trust those fuckers. At all. Ezra shrugs, making me like it even less. But then Charlie smiles at me, breaking the tension. “And you, Charlie? You joining us at the Butterfly?” He rolls his lips in hesitation, then sends me a shy smile.

“I’d like to go, but—”

“Then I’ll take you. I know you don’t like big crowds.” Charlie beams at the invite, his blond curls dancing around his face, and it gives him an angelic glow.

“I’d like that, Kai. Samuel would have taken me, but I wasn’t up for it before. Plus he went to pick up Logan and, you know.” Yeah I know. I wouldn’t voluntarily share a car ride with that guy either. I watch Charlie place the flowers he picked into a glass vase. “But, now I am. Ezra and his men are sleeping here during their stay, so we’ll let them have their privacy.” Well, I can’t blame him for not wanting to stay around those guys. “Let me get my coat.”

The entrance door down the hall closes with a loud bang, and Ezra swallows thickly. Hushed voices become louder as the newcomers approach us. I know the moment they round the corner, because their conversation stops, just like the temperature drops, and slowly I turn around.

“Hi.” Ezra’s voice sounds small. TheFrères Perdushave made their entrance, and for some reason it never fails to bring goosebumps to my flesh. There’s something sinister about the way they dress, the way they behave, the way they kill… and that’s coming from me. Though I’d rather use my fists or a gun to put pressure on someone than use a rope. Gaëtan and Théo look at me, faded conversation sucked into the dry air. I’ve always thought they made a strange pair, Gaëtan and Théo, but I’m not so sure anymore now. Gaëtan’s my size, with intense, light eyes that now dart between me and Ezra behind me. His raven hair is braided, and hangs loosely over his nape, a sharp contrast to his cream shirt. Théo’s smaller, though not as small as Phoenix. His dark curls are as unruly as Phoenix’s though. But their true difference is in the eyes. Phoenix has wide eyes that either radiate shyness, fear, or defiance. Or they get that closed off gaze whenever he’s trying to block himself off from the world. Théo’s eyes are light, and shimmer with madness. Oh, and crazy he is.

“Qu’est-ce qu’il fait là?” Gaëtan grumbles. Frankly, I don’t need to speak French to understand that he’s not happy with me being here. And I don’t mind leaving. At all. But still… I don’t like the guy, so I won’t go without at least pissing him off. That’s just the kind of dick I am.

“Why the hell are you here in NY? I don’t believe you were invited to the wedding.”

“Wouldn’t you like to know?” Gaëtan drawls, and the tips of his lips curl into the slightest of twitches. He gives Théo a gentle push in the small of his back, and the gorgeous madman passes me with a filthy wink, before greeting Ezra. I hear them kiss, the silence filled with sighs and murmurs, and I keep my attention on Gaëtan while I think of something to say. “It may have occurred to you that we’re having some issues with All Saints. I wonder, are you gonna be on our side?” Gaëtan’s twitch turns into a full-blown smile and his bright eyes flash.

“Really? I believe that we already had this conversation back home.”

“If back home is France, then please forgive me for not recalling the outcome of that.”

“Then perhaps you should ask your own brothers to refresh your memory.” Without sparing me another glance, he shoulders me as he passes, and I turn my body to face him, fuming. Turning over my shoulder, I find Ezra sitting on Théo’s lap, his face practically buried in the dip of the madman’s neck. Gaëtan approaches them, his back turned to me, only to cup Ezra’s head and pull him closer to his crotch. Théo lowers the front of Gaëtan’s pants, and guides Ezra deeper forward.

“Alright, time to go.” I do not want to see this. Gaëtan turns over his shoulder, a superior smirk on his face.

“That sounds like the best idea you might have ever had. Remember, you’ll recognize your friends when you least expect it.” I narrow my gaze at that, searching for meaning.

“Charlie! We gotta go!” My treacherous eyes can’t look away when Ezra’s head starts bobbing.

“I’m here.” Blond curls dance in the air, instantly making the atmosphere lighter, as he dashes by, a light coat around his slender limbs. I exhale in relief. “Let’s get the hell outta here.”

* * *

The Butterfly was Vic’s choice and her first real estate project executed on a shark loan. It has turned out to be a great choice. The nightclub sits by the water, and houses in one of the renovated warehouses that were recently sold by the council. The place is buzzing every night, and when we make our way inside, I can already tell that tonight’s no different, despite the early hour. People are already lining up outside, looking eagerly my way in hope that they’ll catch my gaze to greet me. I wasn’t lying when I told Phoenix about people and danger—they love that shit. They know that logically, I shouldn’t be the guy to know, being in a gang and not making a secret of it anymore, but it still brings that kick. When we walk through the VIP entrance, Charlie tenses next to me.

“Are you alright?” I shout over the music, and he nods, his blue eyes blinking rapidly. I’m not sure what to do to reassure him, but most certainly don’t want to lose any carefully earned points with Samuel, who’s possessive as hell. I guess delivering his man to our table is the best I can do. “Come on, follow me, we’ll go to the back.” Around us there are grinding bodies everywhere, and party-goers, dressed up eccentrically, are singing along to the lyrics. Bartenders are moving around, carefully dancing around each other as they serve the thirsty crowd. Yeah, the place has got a good vibe, and a great alternative for our drugs and sex business. Whatever happens with All Saints, or Austin and Connor investing in real estate in Western-Europe, investments like these have turned out to be a solid backdoor for when things turn to shit.

I can already see them sitting, our family, comfortably sprawled across the lounge tables that have been set out for us, attitude with the capital A. Shining brightly in the middle, like some fucking king, is Logan Donnelly. He’s wearing his usual baby-blue shirt that matches the brilliant color of his eyes, and a pair of tight pants. His dark hair is slicked to the side, showing his square, arrogant features. Charlie tenses even further—and frankly, I can’t blame him—when their eyes meet. Logan’s flash practically glows as he watches us approach. He acknowledges us with a jut of his chin. It’s meant to be friendly, but no matter how you play it, a shark will always be deadly. And Charlie knows it.

Ignoring the predator, I hug Austin and Ro instead, fistbump Connor and Big, then turn to find Mason and Samuel chatting at the far end. Gabriel’s sitting in between them as he sips a cocktail with a straw. When he sees Charlie, his face lights up and he waves for him to come over. Good, mission accomplished.

I’m about to go in and greet the Business king, when Owen, standing discreetly in the corner, flags me over.

“What’s up?” I ask when I’m within hearing distance. “You got news?”

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