Rook POVTraining fucking sucks. Every muscle in my body is screaming, my breath is heavy, sweat clings to my skin, and I’m grinding my teeth through every drill, pushing harder just to get through it. The tension in the rink is thick, like everyone is waiting for something, like they still think Axel is going to show his face, like he’s stupid enough to walk back into this locker room after what he pulled.Even if he wasn’t dead and buried, he wouldn’t come back.He knew. The second he lost his cool and made that hit, his career was done. He burned every fucking bridge he had, and there was nothing left for him except the public fallout, getting dragged through the mud, getting forced to make some bullshit apology on camera while everyone watched him crash and burn. That was the path he was on, and if things had gone differently, I might have had to sit through it, watch him grovel, listen to him beg for a second chance he was never going to get.But he doesn’t get that now. There’s
Rook POVMercer is still standing in front of me, covered in blood that isn’t his, shaking with something I can’t fix, something I can’t take back.“I didn’t know,” I say, and my own voice sounds too rough, too strained. “Kade, I swear to fucking god, I didn’t know he was going to—”He laughs. Loud, sharp, bitter, like I just told the funniest fucking joke in the world.“Didn’t know?” His eyes blaze as he takes a step forward, and I don’t move. “Didn’t fucking know? You’re Rook. The golden son. The one who gets away with every fucking thing he does because Daddy has his back. And you expect me to believe you didn’t know?”“I had no clue he was gonna do this,” I repeat, but Mercer isn’t hearing me.“You didn’t know,” he mutters, running a hand through his hair before letting out another laugh, low and humorless, shaking his head. “Then explain something to me, Rook. If you didn’t know, then why the fuck did he tell me I had to prove myself to be with you?”My stomach twists, a slow, si
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
Kade POVSuddenly she moves fast. One second, she’s grinning at me, and the next, she’s leaning in, her lips pressing against mine without hesitation.I push her back instantly, shifting away as smoothly as I can without making it obvious how much I don’t want this. She blinks, surprised for half a second before smirking like this is all some kind of game.Laughing it off, I force down the frustration curling in my chest. “You’re a bit forward, aren’t you?”She tilts her head, her fingers tapping against the table. “And you’re a bit slow at taking hints.”“Do you want to do something?” I shake my head, pretending I'm amused instead of irritated. She watches me for a moment before sighing and stretching her arms out.“Like what?”She leans in slightly, eyes glinting with mischief. “Come with me. I know there’s some really good whiskey in these crates. We could take a few bottles and get drunk.”That catches my interest.I sit back, considering. Here, I’ve got an easy excuse to shut her
Kade POV“What about you?” I ask, shifting the topic slightly. “What would you do if you weren’t working with him?”She tilts her head, considering. “I don’t know. Maybe run something legitimate, something with actual structure. My own thing, away from all the crap he’s dragged me into.”I keep my attention on her, letting her talk. She wants to prove herself, wants to be seen as more than just someone working under her father. That might be useful.She leans in, smiling at me. “But enough about that. Let’s talk about you now.”Before I can respond, her hand slides over my thigh, fingers trailing higher. I laugh, catching her wrist before she can go further. “Calm down, we’re in public.”She pouts playfully but doesn’t pull away immediately. “You afraid of a little attention?”I smirk, keeping my grip loose but firm. “Not a fan of giving everyone a show.”She sighs dramatically, finally pulling her hand back. “Fine. I’ll behave. For now."I chuckle, taking another sip of my drink. “Th
Kade POVShe keeps flirting, keeps finding excuses to touch me. A hand on my knee when she laughs, a brush of her fingers when she reaches for her drink. I play along, giving just enough to keep her engaged, but every touch makes my skin crawl. I don’t let it show.Her phone buzzes, and she glances at it, sighing before muttering under her breath.I take a sip of my drink, watching her. “You good?”She rolls her eyes. “Just my dad being an asshole.”Bingo.I let out a short laugh, shaking my head. “Yeah, I get that.” I exhale, swirling the drink in my glass before muttering, “Mine went and got himself killed.”She pauses, her fingers still resting against the stem of her glass as her eyes flick back to me. “Shit. How?”I shrug, keeping my expression neutral. “Got involved with the wrong people. The Volkovs. Thought he could play their game, but he wasn&rsqu
Kade POVThe taxi ride to the club feels strange. It has been years since I have needed to take one, but showing up in my usual car would be a mistake. I keep my hood up, staring out of the window as the city moves past in a blur. Titan is not my kind of place, loud and packed with people trying too hard to impress each other, but for now, it is where I need to be.When the taxi stops, I step out and pay the driver before heading toward the entrance. The bouncer barely glances at me as I walk inside, the heavy bass of the music vibrating through the floor beneath my feet. The scent of alcohol and sweat lingers in the air, neon lights flickering overhead.I move to the bar, keeping my steps casual, blending in. Sitting down, I glance around, scanning the crowd for her.It doesn't take long to find her. She's near the VIP section, sitting with two other women, laughing as she sips her drink. She doesn't look concerned, doesn't look like someone hiding a sto
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