Chapter Sixty-four: Veins of Vengeance (Trigger Warning)

Lillianna’s Point of View

I was too riled up after meeting Chloe and Sam unexpectedly, and even though I’d had the last word, I was unsettled. I needed control. I needed attention. I needed sex.

I finally made that phone call and reconnected with my old crew. I’d missed them, and they had missed me. We spent several hours making up for lost time. My wrists and ankles still were a bit raw from being bound for so long. It had been a while since I’d been tied up like that and fucked roughly. God, I’d missed it.

They were angry that Xavier had dismissed me. Furious that I’d been discarded like trash for the true Brzezinski heir. Aamon was the stepson of Casimir Brzezinski. I had to beg that they wouldn’t go after Xavier. They loved to see me beg, and I was quickly assured that they wouldn’t kill him. Teach him a lesson, but not kill him. I made them promise they wouldn’t cripple him. That cost me. I was still walking with pain, but I’d secured that promise and enjoyed immense pleasure with my pain.

Rei’s days were numbered. If I couldn’t eliminate her, the boys would. They would do it as much for me as they would for their hatred of Xavier. I applied ointment to my ankles and wrists, covering them in gauze to help heal after my hot shower. I poured myself a strong drink and sat naked, sipping it on my couch. No one would see me. No one would care. I really was on my own for the first time in a long time.

It was surprisingly liberating not having to worry or care what anyone else thought. I loved Xavier Woods, but I’d tried to change how I was at my core to feel worthy of his presence in my life. I was always this way. I’d just pushed it down so far for so long the last ten years. I’d found a bit of release with the jobs Aamon gave me with the organization. But, somehow, they believed that I made work for them cleaning up after me. I was thorough, and I liked blood. I was also very good at what I did. I really didn’t see the problem.

After I left the boys' place, they quickly drove around our small town to check for any suspicious activity. The enforcers were still present, keeping an eye on things, and Xavier's motorcycle remained parked in the driveway. Rei was still there, and Aamon had found out about my visit. The enforcers assigned to watch over me were not exactly friendly; ever since Xavier got involved with Rei, many within the organization seemed distant towards me. Trying to get to Rei there would not work in my favor.

Emmanuel texted me to lay low. He was thrilled to have his favourite toy back and didn’t want anything happening to me. I was flattered, although annoyed. I could take care of myself. I let the boys do what they wanted with me. With my skill set, I could have very quickly turned on them. But I wanted to feel the pain as much as the pleasure with them, and they had delivered repeatedly.

I refilled my glass and thought about what I needed to do next. I had come to terms with the fact that Xavier would never be mine. But I couldn't accept Rei having him either. She didn't deserve anything good. I didn't want her to have anything at all. I wanted her out of the picture entirely, and I wanted to be the one to make it happen. I yearned to see the light in her eyes disappear as she struggled for her final breath while her body drained of blood. Rei had taken everything from me, and now I wanted to take everything from her in return. I wanted vengeance.

If Xavier had thought to change the locks and update his security system, he’d likely have fixed the window I had planned to sneak in through. My plans for dealing with Rei at the restaurant had been ruined. Sam and Chloe were waiting for me when I went to Xavier’s apartment. Something wasn’t adding up. Someone was watching me and reporting back to Aamon.

I had to be under surveillance by someone I wouldn’t suspect. Someone who knew me from my circle of former friends. Was it Matt? Tom? I knew it wasn’t Grace, but what about Sam or Chloe? There was a new girl with Alex at the restaurant, but she seemed to be just a placeholder. A distraction fuck for him. It couldn’t be her. She hadn’t been in the picture long enough.

I shivered, not from the cold but from realizing I had become complacent. I’d learned to watch my back constantly and do what I needed to survive but never to let my guard down. And with Xavier, I’d done just that. I stepped over the mess I’d just created and got dressed.

I thought about cleaning up the mess but realized it could work in my favour when I planned to disappear. It would look like I’d put up a struggle, and it was foul play. I had nothing left to lose. My best friends had both chosen Rei. They were all that mattered, and I’d lost them.

I packed a bag with only what I needed. I was about to grab my various fake identification documents but then hesitated. It wouldn’t just be the law I would be running from. It would be the Brzezinski family and their associates. They would know, or be made aware of, the fake names and disguises I would use. I screamed in frustration. I hated starting over. And yet, here I was again.

Rei would eventually need to go home to her kids. The oldest kid wouldn’t be able to watch them on her own for much longer. I didn’t want to do anything in front of those kids. There had to be a way to get to Rei without hurting those children or Xavier. I stomped back to the living room, chugged my drink and poured a third. It was time to come up with a way out and get revenge. All I had left was my own life, and I wasn't going to give it up without a fight. But before I left, I would make sure Rei paid for what she took from me.