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"Anyways..." I drawl, turning my attention to Gage, knowing that he will be the one to try and fight me on this. "Yesterday when I was at Hunters, I decided that I want him to move into my townhouse. He and his boyfriend broke up and he needs a place to go and my house is empty so it's the easiest solution for him. I just need to go there soon to pack up some of my things and make space for him."
Gage's eyes narrow a fraction and I straighten my spine, already knowing he's going to throw a colossal tantrum over this. My previous nervousness over having this conversation is gone in an instant and is replaced with anger. I am tired of this shit and I just want things to go back to normal. Hopefully, they understand that and we can all find a way to get my life back while still keeping them in it.
Shaking his head, Gage goes to open his mouth, likely to give me twenty reasons as to why I shouldn't go back to my previous residence, but I interrupt him before he can even start.
"No," I say sternly, showing him how serious I am. Standing up, I brace my hands on the edge of the table and lean in, making sure to look each of these annoying pricks in the eyes as I glance around the room.
"I know what you're going to say but it'sfine. I will be safe. You can even come with me if you want. You guys haven't seen or heard anything about Drew's location and I highly doubt that he's just sitting around, waiting for me to show up. Honestly, he's probably long gone by now. Whatever his drama was with me, I don't think it's so deep that he's out plotting some sort of epic revenge, especially if he knows I'm with the Diablos now. I just want to go get the rest of my stuff that I haven't had access to for over a month and clean out my place for Hunter. He's my best friend and he deserves a home and I have one to offer. So no, I am not listening to any more of your reasons for keeping me locked up inside your fancy house. At some point, I need to get back to living and you all just have to figure out a way to make that happen. Got it?"
I'm met with silence and wide, shocked eyes as I wrap up my little speech. Honestly, I'm a little shocked myself. I've never spoken to any of them like that. Correction, I don't know if I have ever spoken to anyone in such a demanding way before this, and I have no idea why I chose right now, this moment, or these men, to do it with. Maybe because despite the fact that I know they will grumble and complain about my decision to leave this house and return to the land of the living, I'm safe with them. No matter how mad they may get, I'm in no danger with them.
It's freeing knowing that you're in a safe, protected place where people support you instead of having to cower in fear over the repercussions of speaking your mind.
"Fuck baby girl, is it weird to say I think it's hot when you get all demandy like that?" Madd groans, not so subtly adjusting his dick. I choke on my spit at his casual horn-dog ways. He smirks and throws me an exaggerated wink and I can't help the laugh that bubbles up my throat at his antics. Rolling my eyes, I turn back to the rest of the men who are now looking at each other as silent words pass between them.
"Nope, nu-uh!" Planting my hands on my hips, I cock one to the side and channel the inner bossy, demanding vibes Gage always throws my way coupled with the glare Nyx wears like it's his goddamned job to do so. "We already talked about this. No more silent conversations. So share your thoughts with the class or don't talk at all."
Maddox cackles like a deranged person, Stone covers his smirk with his hand, Nyx's glower turns into a look of complete and utter bewilderment, and Gage, well, my grumpy man looks like a fucking tomato with how red his face is. I can imagine that the second in command of the notorious, terrifying Los Diablos is not used to being bossed around by anyone but his psychotic father. Especially not a 5-foot nothing, tiny little woman but oh well, there is a first time for everything. Unfortunately for him, I am not afraid of his glare now that I've seen his softer side.
Gage's jaw flexes as he grits his teeth, indecision clear in his eyes. After what seems like hours, his face finally softens. Relaxing back into his chair he sighs loudly before nodding once. "Fine. But you're not going alone, you—"
"Iliterallyjust said that you guys can come with me," I growl, fighting the urge to stomp my foot with indignation. His eyes flare at my tone and attitude and he's probably seconds from giving me the punishment speech again. Part of me hopes he does because, despite the many times that he's threatened to spank me, he's yet to do it. No, that's not true. He did it last night when he, Maddox, and I were together.
My cheeks heat at the memory of the way I rode Madd and sucked Gage's dick at the same time. I never thought threesomes were in my future but I'd be lying if I said it hasn't crossed my mind many times since meeting these men. Gage's eyes turn heated and I immediately know that he's aware of where my thoughts have gone. Swallowing deeply and forcing my new, ever-present libido down, I raise a brow at him and lift my hand in a gesture telling him to get the fuck on with it.
Gage's lip tips up in the corner but his heated stare never falters and I know whatever he's about to say doesn't diminish the fact that he is indeed planning my imminent demise in the form of a red ass. "As I was saying,Isabella," he begins, my full name rolling off his tongue in a way that is both threat and benediction all in one. "You will not go alone, you will not be unprotected and you will listen to whatever you are told to do while there, no questions asked." I open my mouth to object but he holds his hands up, silencing me. "No, you had your turn to speak, now it's mine. You're right, we have not been able to locate him but that does not mean he's not here, it just means he's smart and we need to be smarter. We need to try harder."
Gage pauses and his irritated eyes flit to Stone who looks as though someone just kicked his puppy and told him Santa isn't real. The look of utter defeat and self-loathing that crosses his face at the subtle reprimand is enough to make me want to literally punch Gage in the face. But just as quickly as the sadness came, it's replaced with a coldness. Stone turns toward me and I have to restrain a gasp. His beautiful blue eyes that always tug on something deep in my soul are currently unrecognizable as they fill with anger and vengeance
"Iwillfind the motherfucker," Stone murmurs, his indignant gaze locked on mine with the silent promise of retribution. I gulp down the sudden lump in my throat at the number of emotions that are currently flickering over his face. The way he's looking at me right now tells me that there is so much being said in this silence, beyond just his anger toward Drew for what he's done. He's looking at me like he personally has let me down and he's hating himself for it. He's looking at me like what's happened to me in my life is his fault alone and he would do anything to fix those mistakes. But mostly, he's looking at me like I'm something precious to him and he's now vowing to protect me with all that he's got. Andthatemotion is the one that currently has my knees locking up so quickly that I drop back down into my seat to hide my reaction.
"It's not his fault, Gage and you know it. We're all being pulled in fifty different directions right now with everything going on in our lives and Isabella'sexis not the primary concern," Nyx spits the words and sends a scathing glare in my direction before looking back at Gage and continuing. "Stone can only do so much and he's the one taking on the most shit for us so back the fuck off and if you're so worried about your littlegirlfriend, then handle that shit yourself."
After that gauntlet is thrown, many things happen at once.
Gage slams a fist down on the table so hard, his drink spills and I honestly think he's fighting his need to either punch his best friend, or maybe even shoot him. "Nyxon!"
Stone shoots his cold glare in Nyx's direction but I see it's also laced with confusion. I'm not sure what part of that would have been confusing, maybe because Nyx stood up for him against their leader?
I suck in a harsh breath at Nyxon's words and my hands begin to shake beneath the table. Why is he so fucking mean? What did I do to make him hate me?
Maddox releases a low, menacing growl and his hand clamps down on my thigh and squeezes. My head shoots in his direction, finding him glaring at Nyx with a look so terrifying, that I almost want to peel his hand off of my leg and cower. Madd's fingers flex on my thigh, digging slightly into the muscle, causing me to whimper. His head flies in my direction and his hand immediately releases my bruised flesh. His face floods with guilt and I realize then that he was unaware of his actions because he was abruptly filled with anger over Nyx's words. With this new knowledge, I grab his hand and guide it back down my leg, showing him with my actions rather than words that I trust him implicitly because no matter how new this may all be, I do.
Madd gives me a small smile but his attention turns back toward Nyxon. His thumb idly rubs circles along my inner thigh and whether conscious or not, I think he's trying to soothe the small hurt he created. It softens something inside of me. These men all struggle with their emotions as much as I do with mine, if not more. We're all a bit fucked up and trying to make it in the world, navigating it one situation at a time. The thought even softens me toward Nyx, a fraction.Maybe less.
"Watch your fucking mouth Nyxon!" Gage growls, his voice low and full of barely contained rage. "We are all dealing with a fuck ton of bullshit right now. Between the threat of the Diaz Cartel breathing down our necks over the last shipment being stolen, the shit show with Franco's fields that Gus will not fucking give up on, and now, a war with Matteo Grossi over Gus's colossal fuck up. I am well aware of how fucked we are. Not to mention the fact that we arestilltrying to end the sadistic bastard and every single one of our plans seems to be blowing up around us at once. However, that does not mean that this isn't just as important. Maybe if you're head wasn't so far up your fucking ass where Isabella is concerned, you might realize that and if my relationship with her is such a big fucking deal to youbrother, maybe you should do something about it."
My eyes widen and I almost choke on my tongue at Gage's comment about me. Nyx lets a feral sounding growl that in any other situation, may make my panties wet. But right now, with the way he is looking at Gage with nothing but pure venom, I'm actually fighting the urge to scoot back in my chair and away from the threat.
"Fuck.Off."Nyx rumbles, the words barely audible beneath the burning anger in his voice.
I'm so confused as to what is happening right now, especially considering all I wanted to do was inform them I am going home soon. In my mind, it was a simple and logical conversation and how and the hell it turned into some sort of angry pissing match is beyond me but I don't know the men and their dynamics well enough to interject or stop the fight before it progresses. And what is all of this about war and the Cartel? I know that Diablos business is fucked up and these men are involved in illegal and scary shit, but they've done all they can to keep me out of it besides the day they explained the origins of the gang.
At first, I was happy to be kept in the dark but now, I'm not so sure. The more I get pulled into their lives and wrapped up with them, the more this is beginning to feel like a permanent life change rather than a temporary house swap for safety reasons, the more I find myself wanting to be let in. I want to be in the know. I want to be on the inside with them, in their world, no matter the consequences.
Stone finally pulls his confused stare from Nyxon and slides it to me. He meets my eyes and something passes between us, though I'm not totally sure what it is. I feel like he's apologizing for something and I honestly don't know what for. He quickly looks away and all it does is confuse me more. When the tension in the room becomes too much for me, I finally gain the nerve to speak up.
"Okay," I say, drawing the word out and making all of them reluctantly end their stare down and turn towards me. "What and the fuck is going on right now? I didn't mean to start a fight between you guys," I pause trying to swallow down the words wanting to break free but am unable to do so as they continue to spiral through my mind. "What do you mean by war?" I blurt, but rather than be embarrassed or try to take the words back, I sit up taller in my chair and harness all of bad-bitch energy I can muster and meet the men with an unflinching stare, letting them know I won't be backing down.
