Page 61 of Empire

“Wow, you made vows to protect the brotherhood of The Circle, and yet you’re so easily throwing them under the bus,” I say, taking a single step toward him and watching as his eyes shift around the room. He knows damn well just how much trouble he’s in. “You know what that tells me, Aleksander?” I question, drawing my dagger. “That your word is not something I can rely on.”

I take another step, and Dalton and Sawyer do the same, closing in on him. “You betrayed me, Alek, and in doing so, you betrayed the blood. Betrayed your brothers.”

My words send a sharp pain through my chest as Oakley’s face appears in my mind.The real blood heir. The real grandchild of Julius DeVil.I am nothing but a fraud here.

Alek’s gaze drops to my dagger, watching as I spin it between my fingers and he shakes his head, desperate for some way out of this. “I . . . I—”

“I need a name, Aleksander. Who’s behind these attacks on Oakley Quinn?”

He spits at me, a nasty sneer pulling up the corner of his lips. This desperate attempt to save himself quickly morphing into obvious guilt. “I’ll never tell you,” he spits. “You don’t deserve to stand there. You’re weak, pitiful. You’ll run Empire into the ground.”

“A name, Alek,” I repeat, taking another step, a lion closing in on its prey. “Give me a name and I will make this quick.”

His eyes become frantic, trying to watch us all at the same time. In a desperate bid for freedom, he whips around and bolts toward Sawyer, a dagger in his hands. We pounce like the fucking hungry carnivores we are.

Instead of shrinking away from Alek’s blade, Sawyer embraces it, stepping into him and moving like lightning. He’s untouchable, like a fucking ghost in the night, simply playing with his toys.

There’s nowhere he can run from us, and in the blink of an eye, we’re right there, his back against my chest and my blade at his throat. His dagger clatters to the ground as a sick enjoyment brings me to life. “I’m not going to ask you again, Alek. Give me a name.”

“Rot in hell like your piece of shit father.”

I let out a heavy sigh, realizing I won’t be getting what I need, and with that, I draw my dagger across his throat. I let his body fall heavily to the ground, then with a small nod to the boys, we turn and walk right back out the front door.

Chapter 24

OAKLEY

Thesunpeeksoverthe horizon, and I find myself sitting up in bed, staring out the massive floor-to-ceiling window. The view from Zade’s home is like nothing I’ve ever seen, and while it remains the same day in and day out, I can’t help but feel as though it’s always something new.

Bright rays of golden light stretch across the sky, cutting through the city, and a low blanket of clouds creates the most stunning contrast, making me feel like a queen as we hover above it all. I could sit here for hours on end, simply watching as the sky changes around us.

Glancing at the small clock on the table, I realize it’s barely past six in the morning. I let out a groan, squishing my head back into my pillows and pulling the blankets up to my chin. It’s way too early to be awake. I stayed up late with Dalton until I crashed on the couch and somehow woke up in my bed. I can only assume he carried me in here like a perfect gentleman.

A strange warmth spreads through my chest at the thought of this unusual connection I share with him. He betrayed me in the most brutal and ugly way, and yet when he’s around me, that’s exactly where I want to be. There’s something about that cocky grin and all-too-confident demeanor, but the bullshit that flies out of his mouth—what can I say? The guy makes me laugh, makes me want to start enjoying this time with him and forget about the ugliness of his betrayal.

My gaze remains locked on the view, and as the sun continues to rise in the morning sky, I realize falling back asleep is never going to happen. Letting out a sigh, I throw my blanket back and trudge to the bathroom before taking care of business. Only as I stand in front of the mirror, my gaze shifts over the remaining bruises on my throat and the healing cuts on my wrists, and I find myself way overdue for a little self-care. And no, I don’t mean that I’m about to rub one out in the bathroom. I need to be pampered.

Spying the oversized shower behind me, I peel off Dalton’s shirt and search through the cabinets for anything I can use to help me feel like a woman again. Coming up with nothing but a loofah, razor, and men’s shampoo, I realize this will have to do until I get a chance to collect the rest of my things. Though something tells me that will take longer than anything has the right to.

Taking my borrowed things, I slip into the shower and scrub my body before putting every effort into making me feel alive. I wash my hair and scratch off the last remaining remnants of my shitty midnight blue nail polish, and by the time I step out of the shower, I feel like a whole new person.

I take my time doing my hair and getting dressed in a cropped cami and a pair of sweats that are so comfortable, they should be illegal.

It’s very rare I wake up this early. Not wanting to let the day slip away from me, I venture out into the penthouse, wondering exactly what my limitations are on my imprisonment here. Am I strictly confined to the penthouse or do I get free rein of the hotel and its amenities? I mean, I googled this place yesterday. There’s a huge resort-style pool on level three with a cocktail bar full of daiquiris, and if I’m going to be here, then I might as well live it up in style. Besides, I could never afford to stay in a place like this on my own.

The penthouse is quiet, though I don’t expect anything else from four overbearing, giant assholes. They’ll probably sleep till three or four in the afternoon before coming out simply for the love of frustrating me.

As I head toward the kitchen, I find myself trailing past the boys’ bedrooms instead. Dalton’s and Sawyer’s are empty, and my brows furrow, wondering where the hell they could be. Not interested in going anywhere near Zade’s room, I wander toward Easton’s, the only room with a closed door.

Surely they wouldn’t leave me here alone. Not after my little performance of following them into Empire.

My curiosity gets the best of me, and before I can mentally scold myself, my fingers curl around the handle, and I gently push the door open to find Easton fast asleep in bed. I watch him for a moment, my gaze lingering on the bandage across his shoulder. I’ve been checking on him as much as possible, but let’s be honest, he’s not the type of guy who wants someone doting on him and making sure he’s taking his painkillers.

I go to close the door when his rumbly voice breaks through the silence. “Need something?”

I cringe and shake my head. “No, sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you,” I tell him. “I thought you might have all taken off. Dalton and Sawyer aren’t here, and I didn’t want to risk what would happen if I accidentally woke Zade.”

He peers up at me, amusement in his eyes. “So you took your chances with me?”

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