Page 73 of King of Inferno

“It’s not just Ray and Taylor,” Reilly says.

Ardan sighs. “Yeah, I know. Billy is like a dam ready to break. Is it me, or is it like something has been holding me back from breaking the wall myself to let it flow?”

“I know the feeling,” Reilly says.

“I haven’t been that cautious. I’ve been provoking her to release that fire I feel brewing,” I say.

“Do you think that’s wise?” Reilly asks.

“For her, it feels right. If she’s anything like me. It’s wiser to release the pressure cooker than to let it build.”

“You’ve always tried to explain that to us. I trust your judgment. She’s your mate. I know you wouldn’t do anything to harm her. Just be careful,” Reilly says.

“What didn’t you tell us?” Ardan asks.

“I learned some things about Taylor, but I think Kendrick should be around when I share.”

“Do you think it has something to do with what happened here tonight? What do you think happened to our nephew?” Ardan says.

“I don’t know if they are connected, but it’s not impossible.”

“Your guess is as good as mine.” Reilly shrugs.

We all fall silent for a moment. There is so much at play here. I don’t believe any of it is coincidence.

“He was here by magic. I say the gods are playing more of their games,” I mumble.

“Why? We haven’t heard from them since we were boys. Why are they meddling now?”

“Time is different for our father. What has been centuries for us is a moment for him. We can’t be bitter or hold hatred if this is him,” Reilly says.

I give a bitter scoff. I have a lot of thoughts and feelings about how our parents abandoned us. Reilly, being the youngest, doesn’t hold the same anger the rest of us do.

“Spoken like the true baby of the family you are. Fuck him and his games,” I bite out.

“It has been the four of us for so long it doesn’t matter to me what our father might be up to. That’s our nephew and Kendrick’s son. I will do all I can to help him find out what’s going on,” Ardan says.

“As will I.”

There’s no question about how I will show up for my brother and his son. Any way I can support them, I will. Anything I can do, it’s already done.

“I still feel his essence. He is still a life force. That’s a good thing,” Reilly says.

“I say we all keep an eye on our mates. Watch them for changes. Maybe the change came from Ray and not the baby. She has been getting stronger,” Ardan says.

“Agreed,” Reilly and I say in unison.

I frown as I feel Ricci trying to summon us again. Ardan’s eyes glow as a pissed-off look comes to his face. None of us want to answer his calls. I have half a mind to go to him just to burn that ring off his finger.

“What the fuck does he want?” Ardan snarls.

“I told the packs not to accompany his shipments any longer. He’s probably pissed about that,” I reply.

“That and I took the glamour off his businesses. The naked human eye will now see it all for what it is,” Reilly says and shrugs.

“Some mob boss,” Ardan snorts. “He ain’t shit without us.”

“I’m sure that’s why he’s in a panic. He can reel that shit in. We’re done serving him. He deserves everything that comes his way from here on out. You feel me?”

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