Biting down on my inner cheek, I leaned all my weight into a forceful shove, pushing the she-devil far enough away to give me a split second to rip the bat from my leg, freeing it from my jeans right before she came at me once more.
Time slowed as she charged toward me, my brain switching into survival mode. Swinging hard with all of my strength, I watched as the barrel of Louie collided with the side of her skull. Loud cracks of bone pierced through the static that filled my ears, her whole body slamming violently against the wall before falling to the floor like a lifeless rag doll.
I shuddered at the sight of her bloody face, Devon’s head visibly dented where my strike had landed. I wanted to reach down and check for a pulse, but I’ve seen far too many movies to know that as soon as I dropped my guard, she would stab me—probably in the side of the neck, knowing my luck; and then it would all be over.
I squeezed my eyes shut, taking in a deep breath before taking two more swift swings at her face. Her bones crack and shatter on impact. When I was done, I staggered a few steps back, taking inthe mess I’d made; the life I’d taken—my bat as bloody as the carpet and wall.
There was a first time for everything, and in that moment, I should’ve felt remorse over what I’d just done. But I wasn’t.
I didn’t see the body of a dead woman lying on the floor.
I saw my future.
And every fuck I no longer had to give.
Chapter 5
Rhylan
CELEBRATION.
After completing our test, every cowboy was flown individually by private jet to Las Vegas, where a blacked-out Escalade delivered us to a mansion in the middle of fucking nowhere.
Lush green grass greeted us in contrast to the vast desert landscape as we passed through black iron gates that sealed the property off like a fortress. It was like driving into a painting; the grounds of the mansion were far more beautiful than what I’d expected.
As the SUV circled the drive, a large fountain’s white lights morphed into a bright orange shade, clearly visible even in the middle of the day.
“Kerosene Cowboys.” The driver announced as I continued to stare at the water, glistening in the sunlight.
“Excuse me?”
“Your signature color within the MUR is orange; every revue has its own. Heaven Down Under is red, Red Magic is blue, and Temptations is green.”
My brows furrowed as I tried to make sense of the color coding choices.Wouldn’t red magic be… red?
“Why orange?” I cleared my throat. “Who determines the colors of the revues?”
“It’s a color. Does it matter?”
“No, I suppose not. Just genuine curiosity...”
“Just be glad you’re here. You’re the first revue to join the society in over twenty years, and I’m sure you won’t be the last. Not if Dustin has any say in the matter.”
“Dustin. He’s the leader, right? The one who came to the bar and announced the test—threw all seventeen of us to the fuckin’ coyotes.” I knew who he was; I just wanted confirmation.
“He’s not a bad man, and the requirements for membership have been the same for decades. Be glad you only had to take one life to join. The others have three tasks in their initiation, and anyone who joins the Cowboys after you will follow the same process.”
“How do you know all of this—as a driver?” He knew a lot for someone who wasn’t a direct member himself. Although… he was wearing the signature ring.
“While the organization is a secret, within our brotherhood we keep none. Dustin is upfront and candid with his plans. All you have to do is ask. He’s always willing to share.” As the leader of the MUR, Dustin seemed far more intimidating than his driver wasmaking him out to be. “Best not keep the boss waiting. Wouldn’t want to start off with a bad first impression.”
“Yeah… sure.”Let’s go with that.
After exiting the vehicle, I took quick strides up the steps, and the double doors swung open on my approach, revealing a gentleman waiting to greet me on the other side.
“Master Slate has been expecting you. Rhylan Ross, I presume?” The elderly man spoke with a heavy English accent.
“That’s me.” I nodded briefly before my gaze started to wander the foyer, taking in the intricate details and marble flooring.Goddamn… so this was how the other half lived...
