Chapter 3 - Rocky

“Don’t shit with me.” I march to him, grab him by the collar, and haul him up to his toes. He’s slimmer than me, but he’s still heavy. My brawns protest as I take the bulk of his weight.

He doesn’t blink, just stays calm, and I am struck with the realization that the idiot is telling me the truth.

I let him go so suddenly he loses his balance.

He rights himself then clasps out his hand. “I’m John.”

I double over my arms over my chest. “And I don’t like owing debts.”

“I had you followed—not difficult given you are the only leader to rise out of the East End, who they all turn to for direction.”

“So you know my whereabouts… big shiting deal. It’s not like my movements are exactly a secret.” I crack my neck. It’s time to put an end to this charade. “What do you want?”

He clasps up his arms, palms face up. “To watch you come face to face with Alter, to see the surprise on his face when he reads the intent in your eyes.” He chuckles the sound without mirth.

“You want that asshole dead, fine.” I shift my weight from foot to foot, training my look on him. “Still doesn’t explain why you didn’t murder him already. Why wait for me to take this opportunity?”

“You are his son. His heir.”

My shoulders tense. I hate my dad and everything he stands for. Still can’t

deny his tainted blood runs in my veins. He took my dominion mother when she was in warmth, then turned her away when she was pregnant. She’d been forced to sell herself to survive and raise me, while he’d mated another but never managed to impregnate her. The irony of the situation isn’t lost on me. I had come here to murder him, but apparently, I’ll be leaving with more than his blood on my arms.

“The title of General is military-driven, yet this city runs on hierarchy and on genetic connections. You have his bloodline." John's look narrows, "It’s why the people will accept you when you take over his position. It’s why his own Council will support you.”

“And what’s in it for you?” I frown.

“Nothing.”

“Bull-shiting-shit.” I take a step forward, making sure not to hide the aggression I sense. It’s a sight I know has made many a grown leader quake and move out of my way. Not this guy. Interesting. I’ll need to watch out for him.

He shifts his weight from foot to foot. The early morning sun strikes his features, and he raises his palm to shade his eyes.

Something in the gesture tugs at a memory long forgotten. A chill rolls down my back. "We've met before?"

"Indeed." He draws himself up to his full height. "Right here in the stronghold, as a matter of fact."

"We fought in the courtyard." My mother had brought me when I'd been fifteen as a last attempt to try to get my dad to recognize me. As we'd passed the central square, I'd seen a boy take on a grown man twice his size in a fight and win. I had to challenge him.

"You won that time too, Leader." He shifts his weight from one foot to the other. "I knew then you would become a fighter to be reckoned with."

"I am the best." I rake my fingers through my hair. Nope, not ego, it's just a fact. I haven’t lost a fight yet. "What's in it for you? Why are you throwing your support behind me?"

His mouth draw up in a slight smile that doesn't meet his eyes. “Second.” “What the shit?” I growl.

“You have a problem with making me your second once you take over?” He double overs his arms over his chest.

“You plan ahead, don’t you?” I rub the back of my neck.

“You don’t.”

“I lead with my gut.” I slap my chest.

“It’s what will make you a compelling leader; you make quick decisions and follow them through. You have the charisma, that something that will make people want to follow you.” He cuts the air with his hand.

“No shit.” I peel my mouth back at him.

“It only adds to your aura, your reputation.” He wipes his fingers on the material covering his thighs. Sweat beads his forehead. Idiot isn’t as calm as he appears to be.

I could throttle him first, then go on to finish what I came for. I flex my fingers at my side.

“If you want to murder me, it’s too late.”

We reach the doors of the stronghold. The guards at the door block our way.

“He’s with me.” John jerks his chin at them.

The first guard looks from John to my face, then shuffles aside.

Swiveling around, I grab his collar and shove him against the wall so he is suspended with his legs dangling above the ground. “I still don’t shiting trust you.”

“The sense is mutual. We don’t have to like each other, but we need each other.”

The idiot is right, and that doesn’t make this any better.

I reinforce my hold on him, and he coughs, "How is it possible that the General of London only had two guards on duty?"

He clasps up his arms to show he doesn't mean me harm, that he isn't reaching for his weapons, and damn if that doesn't raise my hackles even more. "What’s your game?" I smash him against the wall so hard that the sword on his back slams into the wall. The noise echoes down the corridor. It's so loud that it's bound to warn the General, not that I care. It's only going to liven up the proceedings and damn if I am not looking forward to fighting with the old man before I finally send him off on his final journey.

"Speak, asshole, or I promise you, you won't live to see dominion pussy again." John's shoulders tense. Fear rolls off him in waves, but his look stays steady. "I dispatched the other guards to the outskirts of the city to hold off a possible impending threat from the Vikings."

"Right." I bare my teeth. "And you did all this to clear the path for me?” "I did it for myself." He raises his chin.

Okay, that’s better. Ambition, I understand. Selfishness, I get. Doing what it takes to survive... well yes, that's my religion. "I should murder you... except," I release him, and his legs hit the ground with a thump. "It looks like I need your help."

He’s going to ask for his pound of flesh sometime soon, and then… I am not sure what I’ll do then. Probably murder him anyway. Bet he's guessed that too, so it’s interesting he's still sticking around. Apparently, my dad made a shitload of enemies... yes, I get that from him too.

There’s a sound from the door at the far end. “Shit.” My heart begins to hammer.

John jerks his chin in the direction of Alter’s room. “Go.” I turn away from him and stride toward the suite.

“I’ll make sure no one else comes through.” His sound follows me.

All these years I’d bided my time, waited to take revenge. Now I am here at the door to the room of the enemy I’ve hated all my life. My pulse beats at my temples. Sweat beads my palms. I grab the handle to the door of the suite, and my hand slides off.

Why the shit am I so nervous?

The guy’s not my dad.

The idiot never acknowledged my existence, not even the one time my mother brought me to this very stronghold. He'd brought her to this very suite, then shited her in front of me. Later he'd flung us out like we were worth nothing. Now, his death is mine.

Another sound comes from behind the door. There’s a low scream, then thumping.

Adrenaline laces my blood.

I grab the handle again, push open the doors, and stalk in.