by Tigris Eden
Lindy grabbed her pack off the ground.
“Lip, help them. We need to head back.”
“No! We can’t. Attia has to have them.”
“Why would you think Attia has them?”
“It’s because of me. Attia wants me.” She looked up into Diamond’s face, could see the anger swirling in the depths of his now light brown eyes.
“You didn’t say anything to me about Attia coming for you. That bitch is crazy.”
Everyone knew Attia was crazy. She wrote the manual on insanity. It was the reason no one ever bothered her on her island.
“We head back now.”
“We can’t.”
“Oh, yes the fuck we can.”
Diamond stood, pulling her up by the arm. He was rough. Barely gave her a chance to pull herself together. She’d tried. Her skin hurt. Below the surface, she could feel her bones shifting, gearing up for battle. For the first time, Nadya felt real physical pain. Incapable of movement, she stood still. It didn’t stop Diamond from lifting her up into his arms and carrying her with Lip and Lindy following. The effects of what she was feeling were crippling. Her heart banged painfully against her now sore ribcage. The tempo too fast for her to control with simple breathing. She’d promised to protect them. Now they were gone. Taken by Attia. Diamond’s hand gripped the back of her thigh to keep her in place.
“She’s overreacting and you’re hurt,” Lindy complained. “Put her down, let her walk. We can make it back to the house and stay the night before we go back to the Quarry.
Cas heard the entire conversation.
“You guys going to the Quarry?
Lindy turned, eyeing Cas. “It’s none of your fucking business where we’re going.”
Cas held a stick in his mouth, moved it a few times before taking it out and spitting on the ground at his feet. He looked down at the dirt, seemed to think about what to say next before he spoke again.
“Hope you folks are just passing through. We overheard some of Attia’s people talking. They’re headed to the Quarry in a few days. Said something about joining up with the Ibanez brothers. Diamond’s a dick, and if we were more organized we’d probably take him on ourselves. But even still, we ain’t that stupid.”
She felt Diamond stiffen. Nadya held her breath. Attia was coming with the Ibanez brothers?
V
He didn’t care if Cas thought he was a dick, because he was. It wasn’t his job to coddle the people of the city. It was his job to see to their survival. But mostly his. He did as much as he could with what he had. What he was given. What he took. Diamond wasn’t going to tolerate even the possibility of a hostile takeover. He’d be ready when Attia and the Ibanez brothers showed on the Quarry’s doorstep.
His brain shorted for a few seconds when a thought surfaced. Nadya. All of this had happened because of her. Possibly the bomb, her fake fucking family… Maybe even their run-in with the group now. Her lies can’t be that far-reaching. She’d played him. He was sure of it. How deep of a chord, he wasn’t sure.
“We’re leaving. Now.” The order was sharp. Nadya wiggled in his grasp and he let her.
“What about my family?”
“They aren’t your family, you told me so yourself. Your game ends here.”
“I told you the truth!” she yelled.
“No, bitch. You didn’t. If I find out you’re one of Attia’s girls, I’ll remove your traitorous spine through your asshole.”
“Fuck this bitch. Let’s just leave her here. We need to get back to the Quarry,” Lip seethed.
“As of this moment, contract is on my terms. You hear me, Nadya, you don’t get a say, there is no negotiating” Diamond’s voice was a menacing growl. He was in control of this situation. For all he knew, her entire plan was to get him out so that Attia could get in.
Diamond locked eyes with Cas, who stepped back. The other male knew who he was now, and the stench of fear rose between their group and his. Only it was one-sided.
“You’re certain Attia and the Ibanez brothers are headed towards the Quarry?”
“Heard them say so myself. So did Villa.”
Attia wanted to go head-to-head? Fine. He’d bring the helmets.
“Lip, when we get to the house, arrange for pick-up and have Phyr and Emerald come with some of the guards from the Quarry. I want to be ready.”
Lip nodded, and the four of them returned the way they’d come. He didn’t sit Nadya down even as she squirmed in his arms. He had a feeling if he did, she’d take off.
Chapter 10
They were back at the house. It had taken them no time at all. Diamond locked her in his room. Nadya would have tried to leave if not for the deadly vines clinging to the walls outside the window. He’d put her in a room she couldn’t escape. Emerald and another male she hadn’t met yet named Phyr, had shown not twenty minutes after she, Lip, Lindy, and Diamond arrived. They’d come in vehicles. Actual working vehicles. If they’d used those or even a drifter earlier, they would have reached Inwood in a matter of hours. Anna and her daughter would still be where she’d left them. Her plan was fucked. Things weren’t going the way she’d hoped. What the hell do I do now? Nadya thought about attacking the first person to walk through the door, but that would be no good. She was still healing from her gunshot wound.
Yeah, the bitch at the bakery had hit her despite what she’d said to Diamond afterwards. The bullet had grazed her shoulder. The scar already smooth. She healed fast. Unnaturally so. To others, she knew her scar would look more like a bruise.
The pain she’d experienced earlier had been replaced by determination. When they’d gotten back to the house, Diamond had tried to interrogate her, and although his methods had resulted in a split lip and cracked rib, she had allowed it. It was all about conserving her strength. Diamond was not a gentle man; he more than lived up to his monstrous reputation.
The door opened, and Emerald walked in with Phyr. The male eyed her from head to toe. Recognition swept across his gaze for a moment before his eyes went blank. Phyr’s irises were a fathomless blue. His eyes bored into her, peeling away layer upon layer of her emotions. The stare was too intense, and she was the first to break eye contact.
“Hey there, pretty lady. I’m here to check you for any wounds needing attention, and Phyr here is going to give you some items to keep you safe as we make our way back to the Quarry.”
“I’m Sapphyrus, but everyone calls me Phyr.”
Interesting.
It wasn’t lost on her that his chosen name was ‘fear.’
“I’m just going to see what kind of steel will fit your hand. We need to get back to the Quarry fast, and because we drove in, well, the entire city is now wide-awake. I don’t have to tell you Diamond is a target. It’s one of the reasons he doesn’t go out much. People want him dead. He says you know how to handle a weapon, and although I like the knuckle knives, don’t need the merch getting too close to danger.”
“Merch?”
Phyr shrugged.
“Sorry, it’s a bad habit. I don’t think before I speak.”
“Come over here, let me take a look at your back and stomach,” Emerald rumbled. She liked him. Didn’t want to see anything bad happen to him. Emerald could easily become collateral damage when the walls finally came tumbling down. He and all the others that were under Diamond’s hand didn’t see things the way others did. They had it good; better than most. If anything, he’d die trying to protect his Sovereign; she couldn’t see him stepping aside.
Reluctant to walk over, Nadya stared at the giant male. Emerald was larger than life with eyes so unreal she thought they were implants. She moved when his eyes warmed and his lips tilted into a calming smile.
“I won’t hurt you, aroha,” Emerald held out his large hand, beckoning her to come closer.
He checked her cuts from the leeches that were already scabbing over. He didn’t say anything about her lack of fresh wounds. He simply left, leaving her behind with Phyr.
Phyr was tall, almost as tall as Diamond. It put him well over six feet. His black hair was long and wavy. Full, sensual lips and a pierced, aquiline nose rounded out a handsome and manly face with a touch of softness. He didn’t say much at first, only stared. He walked a full circle around her, his eyes roaming over her body from head to toe. She was mostly covered in dry mud, but she felt he was sizing her up.
“Is there a reason you’re staring at me so hard?”
“You really untouched?”
“If you mean have I ever slept with a man, the answer is no, I haven’t.”
“Asking price?”
“Excuse me?”
“What’s the asking price?”
Who even cared?
“Diamond hasn’t discussed pricing with me.”
Phyr shook his head before clicking his tongue.
“He won’t either. The bastard is probably asking for pure Wave if I know him.” She heard him curse under his breath.
“Possibly.” Nadya turned with him, or she tried to, but he placed a hand on her shoulder.
“Getting your measurements just now, hun. Try not to move so much.” As he circled her, he whispered words in a foreign language. Words that sounded familiar but she couldn’t place.
Phyr got close, too close for her comfort. His body heat penetrating her skin. He didn’t care that he was making her uncomfortable. His hands reached out, grabbing her wrists. He dropped her arm then bent and felt her thigh.
“There a reason you’re touching my thigh?”
“As I said, measurements. If I was trying to feel you up, you’d know it.”
Phyr eyed her one last time and walked out, locking the door behind him.
Bastard.
There was something different about Phyr. Off. His vibe was all wrong to her, not like the others at all.
Lindy burst through the door, food tray in hand.
“Eat this. We’re moving out in five. You’re not going to have much time to eat when we get to the Quarry. Things are moving fast now. Try and keep up.”
“Keep up with what?”
“Were you not listening? Attia is coming. When she gets an idea in her head, she follows through. All the way. I doubt Lavarious has enough time to muster everyone together. If I know Attia, she’ll strike fast and hard. She won’t give us the chance to think about what’s coming, she’ll just show up.”
Lindy got in her face then.
“Boom. Whole city goes to shit. Attia is the second coming.”
There was some bread on the tray and something to drink. Nadya took both and digested as much as she could as fast as possible. She needed the energy.
“Slow down.”
“You said we’re moving out fast. Let’s move.”
Lindy motioned for Nadya to follow her out. They descended the stairs to where the others were waiting. Phyr, Emerald, and Lip were suited up and fully outfitted with all manner of weapons. Phyr held out a dagger longer than most. It curved, and the handle was made out of wood that was fashioned with a strap so she could hold on to it. He handed her a sawed-off shotgun and bullets to go with it, as well. He also gave her a stick with two different circular saw blades. Lastly, he handed her a hammer that was modified with a claw at the end.
“These should suit you. Put the blade flat against your thigh and connect the handle to your belt. The gun can rest against your back, and the hammer hangs off the belt loop. All quick and easy to get to. Wrap the ammunition belt around your waist, or you can strap it to your chest. The saw, keep it in your hand and use the strap to wrap it around your wrist, at least twice. It can’t be pulled from you, but if you’re not careful, you can cut yourself. You need to be comfortable, and at the same time have your weapons at the ready. We’re pulling out in the motorcade. It means noise.” Phyr stepped closer to her and grabbed her hair lightly. “It means everyone and anyone that wants a piece of us, Attia included, will hear us coming. Shouldn’t take us but ten, twenty minutes’ tops to get to the Quarry from here, but anything can happen. Stay close.”
“Stay close to me,” Diamond interrupted.
Nadya turned his direction and tried not to spit fire. He wouldn’t even consider going to Attia, meet her halfway to try and negotiate for her family. He’d been very clear about his intentions. His only concern was the Quarry.
Emerald had a huge spray gun that shot fire as well as bullets. Lip held weapons similar to hers. Lindy was sporting a crossbow and a machete. Diamond was weaponless as far as she could see, but she didn’t want to focus on anything the man had. If they left her alone for even a second with him, she would take him down. She wouldn’t kill him, but she’d cripple him for sure. He was her main source of information on the Towers, and although it pissed her off to digest all the shit he’d given her, she had no other choice. Not right now, but later, when she had what she needed, well, her heart to heart would be in the literal sense, not in the metaphorical one.
“Everybody move out. Stay sharp. If you see a Rager or one of Attia’s people, take them out. Take them all out. Top priority is to get back to the Quarry in one piece. Let’s move,” Diamond growled.
They all filed out of the house. There were two vehicles, each outfitted with plates of armor. The windows were also reinforced, and there was barbed wire on the roof of one of the vehicles where a man stood behind some sort of large cannon gun. Diamond made her get into the back with him and Lip. Phyr took the front seat and Emerald and Lindy were in the other vehicle. The engines roared to life and the vehicles began to move.
“Lip, you get ahold of Thys? I want her girls safe. If you can’t get her on the line, tell Zira I want her to gather all the girls and move them over to the Towers. Any of them. I want a handful of the ladies with us at the Quarry, though. As for the rest, alert the Towers to expect company.”
“Thys is dark. As is Onyx. I can’t get either of them on the comm.”
“Shit.”
“What does that mean?” Nadya asked.
“It could mean nothing.”
Lip looked her way and shook his head. “Or, it could mean everything. What if Attia got ahold of them, or worse, Martinez and Maddox.”
“The Ibanez brothers?”
“Yeah. Genysis has been dark for a while now, and we were all wondering what it meant. But Thys reported all was quiet there. We thought maybe Ragers, but Marius and Diamond have an understanding.”
There it was. Confirmation. He knew about the Ragers organizing and hadn’t done anything about it.
“Lip, your mouth is going to get you in a lot of fucking trouble.”
“Seriously. You have Phyr outfit her but you’re going to keep her in the dark?”
“She’s only armed until we get to the Quarry. When we get there, she’s going into Yolanda’s care and will be auctioned off to the highest bidder.”
“Asking price?” Phyr popped in.
“Asking price?”
“Yeah, how much are you going to sell her for?”
“Nadya is not for sale.”
“No, just my pussy, apparently.”
That got everyone in the vehicle’s attention. Diamond didn’t say a word. Lip grunted, and Phyr turned in his seat to eye her.
“I’m right here you know. I, of course, haven’t signed shit, so who’s to say I can’t go back on our deal.”
“Try it and see what happens?”
A cruel laugh escaped Nadya’s mouth. She was going to do more than try.
“Try it and what? You gonna hurt me? You promised me my family, you did not fucking deliver!”
“Bitch, understand me when I say you are not going back on our deal. Furthermore, if your fake family is with Attia, they’re either dead or somewhere in her camp. I’m going to assume they are in her camp. At least, your sister is. Your mother, I can’t guarantee. You withheld information from me. In the end, all of this is your fault. Had you told me Attia was after you, things would be different.”
“How?”
<
br /> “Too late to find out now. Your ass is up for auction the moment Yole says you’re ready. I didn’t go out into the city to risk my life and get nothing in return. I’m one hundred percent invested, and now, so are you.”
The inside of the car was too small. She ground her teeth to keep from screaming. It was irrational behavior, and she wasn’t going to let things get out of control. She was furious. Her left eye had begun to tick. Her heart started to pound inside her chest, making her breaths falter. Nadya gripped the handle of her saw blade, her fingers cramping. This was not going to go down the way he planned. If Diamond thought for one moment she’d go gently, he was wrong.
“You never said how much,” Phyr interjected into the silence.
“You can’t afford her, my friend. Trust me, she’s not worth it anyway.”
Phyr looked at her again but said nothing else.
No one did, and even if there were more words to be had on the subject, they weren’t going to get the chance to have them. There was a roadblock. Complete with fifty Ragers and overgrown dogs the size of their trucks. They were animal Splices.
“Well, so much for getting to the Quarry in a handful of minutes,” Lip said, drawing his blade.
“I live for this shit,” Phyr laughed before opening his door and jumping out of the vehicle. He didn’t even wait for direction from Diamond.
V
“Lavarious Diamond!”
Fucking hell. Marius.
Marius. Code name Silver Fox when he’d been with Diamond. They’d all taken to using call signs instead of their given names. It was Marius who’d convinced Diamond to go into the city to fight off the Ragers. There was a time when he thought he could trust Marius above all others. He’d taken Marius at his word when he’d promised they’d all return in one piece.
Bullshit.
From the start, Marius was maneuvering his plan into position. Only, it backfired, and Diamond had ended up Sovereign of the city. Marius couldn’t lead, he’d become infected. His once silver eyes were now outlined in red.
Their relationship once he became infected was strained. Marius was already considered crazy by most of the team prior to becoming infected, but after, he’d become even more so. He suffered at the hands of his infliction and could only be reasoned with on a good day. When did he ever have good days?
