Kade POVI wait until I hear the door click shut before I move. Giving it a minute, just in case Rook decides to double back, I force myself up, ignoring the dull throb of pain spreading through my body. My ribs ache, my muscles scream, but I push through it. I have to.I grab the first clothes I can find, pulling them on quickly before making my way to the window. Sliding it open, I glance down, jaw clenching. Dropping straight down will hurt like a bitch with my injuries. But the drainpipe, it’s sturdy enough to hold me.I don’t give myself time to hesitate.Swinging a leg over, I grip the pipe tightly, muscles straining as I lower myself down, moving slow and controlled to avoid making too much noise. The second my feet hit the ground, a sharp pain shoots up my legs, but I swallow the groan that threatens to slip out. No time for that.I stay low, scanning my surroundings, waiting for movement, but there's nothing. Good. I keep my body close to the shadows, moving fast toward the o
Kade POVThe team finishes their drinks, calling it early because they’re responsible, because they know better than to push it before a game. Tyler watches me for a second before clapping a hand on my shoulder. “You staying?”I don’t know anymore, I don’t know what the fuck I’m doing, what I should be doing. I feel like I’m floating, weightless and untethered, completely fucking lost.“Yeah,” I mutter. “I'm not tired yet.”They don’t push, don’t ask questions, just leave with a few parting comments about not getting into more fights. Then I’m alone, and it’s worse.It hits the second they’re gone, that feeling that’s been coiling tighter and tighter inside me finally snapping loose. I feel like my skin is too tight, like something inside me is clawing to get out, like if I don’t do something, I might actually fucking shatter.I need to move, to hurt, to do something that makes me feel.The music is loud, bodies pressed together in the dim lighting, and before I even think about it, I
Rook POVAs I step into the office, I scan the room, my eyes landing on the Capos, soldiers, and whoever the fuck else is lingering around. They don’t need to be here for this.“Get out,” I order, my voice sharp. My father doesn’t even look up from his desk, but everyone else hesitates, glancing at him for confirmation. He exhales, shaking his head like I’m a fucking inconvenience.“Go ahead, leave,” he says, dismissing them with a wave of his hand.I wait until the door clicks shut behind them, the room falling into silence, my pulse pounding in my ears.Then I snap. “What the fuck are you doing?”“Trying to work, Rook,” he replies, calm as ever, not even sparing me a glance. “But you’re stopping me.”His fucking tone. Like I’m the one being irrational. Like I’m the one causing problems.“You know what I mean!” I slam my hand on his desk, my patience gone. “Taking Mercer to that fucking illegal fight, forcing him into the ring, what the fuck were you thinking?"Finally, he looks at m
Rook POVDo I know I come first? If I do, surely he will leave Mercer alone? “Then let him go. Stop making him throw games,” I say, watching him carefully, waiting for the usual excuses, the same cold justifications he always gives.He stares at me for a long moment before finally speaking. “You prove to me this is serious, and I will.”I laugh, sharp and humorless. “So it’s serious enough to make him fight for his fucking life, to make him kill men, but not enough for you to stop using him?”“There’s a difference between attachment and a real relationship, Rook. You’re obsessed, and that’s dangerous. But if you ever figure out how to build something real, ask me again.” He turns, walking back to his desk, his focus already shifting. “Until then, sit. You can help me with the next issue.”I don’t move at first, still thinking, still turning over his words, still wondering what fucked-up test he’ll put Mercer through next just to prove a point. Would Mercer agree if he knew it would g
Rook POVThis guy was fucked the moment he stepped through that door. My father leans back slightly, fingers tapping lazily against the desk. “We’re not unreasonable men, Vasquez. You’ll get your week.”Vasquez exhales sharply, relief crashing through him like a damn tidal wave. His whole body slumps, the tension pouring out of him as he reaches for the cash on the desk like it still belongs to him. “You have no idea how much this means, thank you, I swear, I’ll get the rest,” he turns to walk out, voice shaking, eyes practically glossy with gratitude.Pathetic.I don’t even look at Vasquez anymore. I’m watching my father, waiting for the tell, and there it is, that small, knowing smirk. The one that always means very bad things for the idiot in front of him.My father barely tilts his chin, and the men standing by the door move instantly. “Take him.”Vasquez freezes. “W-wait, what?”The guards are on him in seconds, gripping his arms, yanking him up from the chair before he can even
Rook POVKade’s place is empty, not a single sign that he’s even been back. The frustration is building, tightening in my chest because he’s not supposed to be out there alone, not after everything. I already know where I’m going next to Tyler. His team has to know where he is.I pull up outside his place and knock. No answer. Grinding my teeth, I knock again, harder this time. I hear movement inside, a muffled curse, then the door swings open, and Tyler stands there, looking like he’s seconds from slamming it shut again.“The fuck do you want?” His glare is sharp, his stance rigid, and I almost laugh at the audacity of it.“Looking for Kade. Where is he?”His shoulders tense, and I can already see it, that fucking lie forming, the hesitation in his expression.“Don’t fucking lie to me, Taylor,” I snap, my patience gone. His jaw tightens, and then he exhales, rubbing the back of his neck before finally nodding.“What happened to him?” His voice drops, his suspicion evident. “He claims
Rook POVHis gaze meets mine, and there’s something dark there, something wrecked and spiraling, something that makes my fucking chest tighten.I keep my hand at his throat, but softer now, my thumb brushing over his jaw instead of holding him in place.“You think this fixes it?” I ask, my voice quieter now, the edge fading. “Letting some stranger touch you like you’re nothing?”He laughs, but there’s no humor in it. “Maybe I needed to feel like nothing.”That’s it. That’s the fucking truth of it, the thing he’s been chasing, the thing that’s been eating away at him since the second he walked out of that fight alive.He doesn’t want to feel powerful. He doesn’t want to feel like a survivor. He wants to feel like he’s not even fucking there.I don’t think. I just react.My hand slides from his throat, moving into his hair as I grip it tight and pull his head back, forcing his mouth against mine.It’s not soft, not careful, not any of the things it should be. It’s a claim, a fucking bra
Rook POVHis fingers tighten around my wrists, not pushing me away, not pulling me closer, just holding on. Like he’s waiting for something, like he doesn’t know whether to fight or just let go completely.I study his face, the tension in his jaw, the way his chest is still rising and falling too fast, like he’s barely breathing through it. His skin is too pale, his lips still parted from the force of our kiss, and I don’t know if I want to shake him or fucking kiss him again.“You’re coming with me,” I say, my voice low but firm.His fingers twitch against my skin. “No.”I exhale slowly, forcing myself to stay calm even though I’m on the edge of grabbing him and throwing him over my damn shoulder. “Mercer.”His jaw tenses further, and his grip on me tightens. “I don’t need a fucking babysitter, Rook,” he mutters, and I scoff, shaking my head.“No, what you need is a leash and a goddamn tracking device, because if I leave you alone for five minutes, you’re either fighting for your lif
Kade POVAfter a while, she grabs my hand and tugs me toward the edge of the dance floor. “Come on, let’s sit. I need a drink, and you need to tell me why I’ve never seen you before.”I let her lead me toward one of the small lounge areas near the bar, keeping my expression relaxed even though I don’t like the way her fingers press against my wrist. It’s light, barely there, but I still feel it, a reminder that I don’t like being touched by anyone book Rook. I don’t let it show.She slides into the seat first, crossing her legs as she leans back, completely at ease. I follow, keeping enough space between us to make it look natural but not enough for her to think I’m uncomfortable.“So,” she drawls, reaching for her drink. “Are you going to tell me your name, or am I going to have to keep calling you mystery man?”I smirk, taking a sip of my own drink before answering. &ld
Kade POVI glance between the men, weighing my options. Who can pull this off? Who can get close without looking like exactly what they are?Before I decide, Nikolai sighs and gestures toward them. “They all look too much like capos to do it.”He is right. None of them blend in. They all carry themselves like what they are, dangerous men who make people nervous when they walk into a room. I need someone who can pass as harmless. Someone she won't see coming.“Rook could work,” Nikolai glances at me.“I’m not getting him involved in this.” It’s too much of a risk.“Plus, you have to remember, Declan knows Rook, so his daughter will as well.” Jaxon looks at us.Good, because I didn’t want Rook in the center of this. “I’ll do it,” I say, and Nikolai stares at me. “No one knows me yet, not enough to know who I am, which was proved by your friend and
Kade POVThe clock on the wall reads just past two in the morning, but neither of us has moved from our seats. The only sound in the room is the faint hum of the security system and the occasional click as Nikolai skips through the footage frame by frame.I lean forward, elbows on my knees, staring at the screen. We have been at this for hours, combing through every angle, every possible lead, trying to figure out who the hell took the shipment.“Pause it,” Nikolai says suddenly, his voice sharp. My eyes snap to him as he leans in. “Zoom in on that.”One of the men in the frame shifts slightly, turning just enough for the camera to catch his profile. The image is grainy, but it is enough.Nikolai exhales through his nose, his expression unreadable. “That'ss Declan Voss.”I recognize the name the second he says it.Declan doesn't live here. He is from out of town, from another city and doesn't come h
Rook POV“Is there anything I can do?”He shrugs slightly. “Until we get a name of who took the shipment, nothing can be done. Then it is up to Kade.”I roll my eyes.“Are you really not going to ask him?” He leans back and laughs.“No.” I will not ask Kade if there is anything I can do.“Why?”“Because I told him if he needs me, he should ask, and I will be there instantly. So me asking if there is anything I can do to help him is unnecessary. It also makes it sound like I am checking in on him or trying to say he cannot handle it alone.”He laughs and lifts his glass. “You are delusional if that is what you really think.”“Maybe he would not, but that is how I feel.” I rub my face, feeling exhaustion pull at me.“Look, I am going to see him. Go to bed and get some sleep.”I watch him stand and grab his jacket. “Why are you going? You do not need to.”“Because you are worried about him and will not
Rook’s POVI don’t usually worry about Kade when he’s working. Okay, I do, because I know how quickly things can change. But today? It feels different. There is something heavier about it, something I do not like. He has done his usual thing of messaging me every few hours with an I’m alive! like he thinks it is a joke.Still, the time between those messages? Torture. Normally, my dad is around, so I can ask him for updates, and he has them. But even he is gone today.I place the box down, and Rose smiles at me. “He will love it,” she says.I am not so sure. Buying for Kade is hard. He is weird. His only real interests are hockey and work. Outside of that, he has no hobbies.He is not picky when it comes to gifts, but every time I ask what he wants, or at least for an idea, I get the same response. I do not want anything.That response caused an argument last month. I told him if he really did not care enou
Kade POVRook smirks as he flips another pancake onto the growing stack. “You look like you’re plotting something.”I set my coffee down, crossing my arms. “Yeah, I’m thinking about throwing you out of your own damn house.”He bursts out laughing, and it's loud, like I just told the best joke he’s ever heard. He tilts his head, still grinning. “You think that would stop me?”I arch a brow. “Pretty sure it would.”He scoffs. “Kade, come on. I know this place better than you do. There are secret ways in. I could be in here before you even realize it. You’d go to bed thinking you’re safe, and then…” He leans in slightly, lowering his voice. “Bam. There I am, watching you and waiting.”I stare at him. “You do realize how creepy that sounds, right?”Rook shrugs, completely unbothered. “Yeah, but that just makes it better.”I shake my head, picking up a pancake from the plate and taking a bite straight from it. “You really don’t have
Kade POVI’m late, and I can’t afford to stay in bed with Rook any longer. “I need to move,” I murmur, pressing a quick kiss to his lips before slipping out of bed and heading straight for the shower. I hear him moving around the room, and moments later, he joins me.“When I said I’m late, I meant I need to get going,” I say, turning to face him.Rook just shrugs like it’s nothing. “You’re fine. My dad said he’d keep things moving and let you sleep.” His gaze locks onto mine, waiting for me to argue. “So slow the hell down and actually spend time with me. Or is this just going to be a case of you fucking me and running off after like always?”I tilt my head, frowning. “You know that’s bullshit.” The words come out firm, meant to be the truth, but even I know there’s some weight to what he’s saying. More often than not, I barely stick around for five minutes after.Rook leans into me, a teasing smirk playing on his lips. “So, what’s
Kade POVI tilt my head back into him instinctively, surrendering just enough for him to notice, because beneath the bickering and banter, lies an undeniable connection that binds us tighter than any words could capture.His hold on me tightens, and I push back more, my ass rubbing against his cock. Groaning, he bites at my neck, his hips bucking.“You realise all that time you spent bickering and refusing could have been spent in pleasure, right had you just accepted you were going to give in sooner?”I groan and nod. “I didn’t plan to give in, you wore me down. Now shut up and fuck me,” I mumble.“You don’t need to tell me twice,” he whispers and I feel his cock pushing against my ass. The sensation of him pushing in slightly has me groan. I squirm beneath him, trying to force him to do it quicker, but he remains slow.“Rook,” I warn, my voice low and needy. His name is a plea on my lips, a desperate call for him to quicken his pace.
Kade POVA nudge pulls me from sleep, and I groan, barely registering the fingers trailing down my spine. When they stroke lower, I thrash slightly, trying to shake them off.“Rook, behave,” I grumble, voice still thick with sleep.Instead of listening, he climbs onto me, his chest pressing against my back, his warmth seeping into my skin. “No can do,” he mutters. “Time to wake up. You slept through the whole damn day, it’s nearly dinner.”“Shit.” I slept that long? I try to push up, but he shoves me back down, pinning me.“I’m bored,” he mumbles against my neck, his teeth scraping before he bites.Sighing, I try again to roll over, but he keeps me pinned. “Then go play with yourself. I slept in,” I mutter.His fingers trace slow, teasing lines down my sides, sending a shudder through me.“I’d much rather play with you,” he whispers.“Of course you would. For fuck’s sake, Rook, I’ve barely even got my ey