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Thump.
Thump.
“You couldn’t,” a voice says from behind me as I land a hit and the bag swings high.
I spin around, ready to attack the person who dared to sneak up on me. Zero sense of self-preservation.Idiot.
Edward sits with his ankles crossed on the wooden bench along the far wall, a white towel dangling from his hands.
Thwack.
The heavy bag slams into my back, knocking me forward and forcing an unsuspectingoomphfrom my throat. Edward chuckles, and I glare up at him from my place on the floor.
“Shut it, old man,” I grumble, getting back to my feet, and shaking the tension and stiffness from my arms.
Edward holds out the towel to me, and I take it with thanks. “What are you doing down here?” I ask him, wiping the sweat from my face, neck, and bare chest.
“Eden was asking after you,” he tells me, a knowing glint in his eyes.
I haven’t seen Eden in two days, not since I put her in bed and laid beside her all night. My draw to her is too strong. My desire for that woman muddles every thought, every emotion, every action I make. And Daemon’s right, with her past and Donovan coming for her, we need to be alert, clear headed—no distractions.
“Is she okay?” Did I miss something while I was down here?
“She was asking the same about you. I thought maybe you could check in with her, let her know you’re still alive and just being an ass and avoiding her.”
I cock my head to the side, my brows shooting up in surprise. “I am not,” I protest. “I’m just busy trying to keep her safe. There’s a lot that needs to be done if we’re going to keep her stepfather … uncle … Virgil, from getting to her. Not to mention Vincent and Donovan. Which reminds me, I need to speak with Lucifer. Do you know if he’s in his office?”
Edward stands and steps forward, placing a hand on my shoulder. “You’re avoiding the issue at hand.” He raises his other hand to silence the protest about to spill from me. “Which is fine. For now. But you can’t avoid what’s in here,” he places his hand over my heart, “forever. Sooner or later, you will have to face the past and decide what you want for your future.”
He gives my cheek a light pat and walks away, whistling a tune that’s a little bit jovial and a lot taunting. I smirk at the old man’s back, not giving into his daring taunt to try and contradict him.
The front doorbell rings through the large manor and I jog up the stairs, slipping a shirt over my head and down my torso as I go. I meet Lucifer at the front door in time to watch the bike messenger ride off down the driveway. In Lucifer’s hand is a white envelope with something written in near perfect penmanship.Fancy.
“What is it?” I ask after he opens and reads whatever it contains inside.
“A threat,” Lucifer states, his tone cold and unyielding. He hands the note to me. Three lines is all it contains. Three ominous, threatening lines.
This is only the beginning. I will have what is mine.
You have two days to return her to me.
~Virgil Larson
A loud explosion from outside vibrates through the walls and floor of the house. Beyond the open front door, flames lick the air and smoke bellows from Lucifer’s burning car.
“He’s a dead man,” I growl, my trigger finger itching at my side to put that man down like the piece of shit he is.
“No,” Lucifer says coolly, his eyes narrowing on the burning car as his mind plots. “No.” It’s only a whisper of the word, but paired with the tilt of his head, and the corner of his lips tipping up into a sadistic grin, it’s enough to make even me shiver with the impending retaliation he’s planning. “We let him play his game, let him think he has the upper hand. And when he’s comfortable in his control, we rip it away from him and make him regret every decision he’s ever made.”
Liking his plan to tear this man’s world apart, I release a deep breath and mutter, “Well, someone needs to die, and soon.”
Lucifer looks me over, lingering on my twitching hands. His expression returning to one of neutrality, his normal air of authority and coolness. “Maybe start with her tormentors from the club. I’m sure Harley and Xavion can help you obtain a list of her regulars.”
A slow sadistic grin splits my face. Red coats my vision and thoughts of warm blood dripping from my fingertips as my blade cuts out the hearts of the men who abused Eden’s body and tormented her mind, fills me with a sick anticipation and joy.
I pull out my phone as I head off to my room to change and send a quick text to Harley and Xav.
KAIN
