Blood and Wrath (Blood and Ruin Series Book 2)

Standing at the entrance to Kiarra’s room, I watch as she glances in the mirror at the silver dress she has on.

It reaches just below her knees, the tight fit accentuating every one of her delectable curves.

She’s beautiful… stunning. A siren that will always call to my mind, body, and soul. The way she moves, speaks, and commands the attention of the entire room simply by walking into it is breath-taking.

She has no idea the power she wields over us all.

It was Jax’s idea to all go out, but one we all agreed on. She needs to be reminded that there is more to life than pain and suffering.

We could all see the dark shadows across her face. She still hasn’t told us everything that went on while she was at that facility, but it was still early days. We had the rest of our lives to help her heal.

A small frown puckers her forehead as she glances at the silver dress. I want to reach out and kiss it away, to make sure she always feels safe and happy and, most importantly, loved.

She spots me staring and gives me a small tentative smile. I can see from the look in her eyes that she’s still too lost in her own thoughts. I want to know those thoughts, every little thing that crosses her mind, every single emotion she feels. I want to know how to fix any and all of her troubles.

“Something wrong?” I ask her, hoping there’s something I can help her with. Maybe then it will ease the tight ache building in my chest.

She laughs, the sound warming me. “I can’t reach the zipper.” She glances at me with those stunning green eyes and draws me to her. “Could you?”

“Of course.”

She pulls her long dark waves to one side as I move closer. Stepping up behind her, I swallow hard at the sight of her bare back.

Reaching out, I run the back of my fingers down her spine, hearing the quick intake of her breath. I smile and continue to drag my fingers down to the middle of her back, where the zip is open.

I love how easily she settled back in with us. And even though we have a long way to go to learn about each other’s pasts, and everything that comes along with it, I know we can get through anything now that we’re together.

Dragging the zip up slowly, I lean in and brush my lips against the top of her back, hearing a gasp as soon as my lips touch her.

“Rion…”

“Yes, Siren?” I place another kiss on her shoulder and then another on the curve of her neck.

She tilts her head to the side, giving me better access. I run my nose up the length of it, placing a kiss beneath her ear. She shivers, leaning back into me, the warmth of her delicate body heating my own.

I wrap my arms around her waist, pulling her tight against me and let the feeling of being whole and part of something bigger than myself wash over me.

“I’m here, Siren, for whatever it is you need. I may not be the most vocal of our family, but I will always be here to listen or help you with whatever it is.”

Twisting around, she looks up at me, biting her lip. She smiles, but it doesn’t reach her eyes.

There are some things I instinctively know, but other times, like right now, I can’t get a read on what it is she needs. I reach out with my senses, trying to get a feel for it, but all I sense is a mixture of emotions swirling around one another.

The first and largest emotion is… love.

Something that has always been there between us all. I felt it when we were just children, though I didn’t understand it at the time. But now it’s grown into something more. Something I never thought I would have.

The next emotion is hope. A lightness that swirls around her love, protecting it and keeping it safe. Worry slithers through it, trying to push past her swirl of light and then next to it sits… pain. It coils around every other emotion, taking root deep within it all.

I wish I could take it away. Along with every other negative emotion she feels.

She shakes her head, glancing down at the dress. “It’s silly where your mind goes…”

I take her hand and kiss the top of it, beseeching her with my eyes to share her thoughts with me. I will always treasure and protect them, keeping them safe.

“I never got to pick what I wanted to wear…” She bites her lip again, looking down at the dress. Shame and embarrassment pulses among her emotions now.

“You’re stunning,” I tell her, hoping she’ll hear the truth in my voice.

Though she was beyond that. The dress she chose brought out every one of her captivating curves and bewitching features. I was enthralled the minute I saw her, imaging all the ways I could show her how much I adore every inch of her mind, body, and soul.

“But if there’s something else you’d like—”

“No, this is perfect,” she says with a frown. Her words were at one with her emotions, confusing me once more.

“Then why do you look sad? I promise no one will be upset if you hate what we bought you.”

We’d remove every item and start again until she has everything she’s ever wanted and more. She deserves the world, and I intend to make sure she has it.

She laughs. “No, really, I love it.” She glances over at the open closet. “King… he used to pick out everything for me. It was always short and tight, making me feel like I was…”

“Cheap?” I finish for her, finally picking up where her mind has gone.

She nods her head, and I promise myself that when I get my hands on that bastard, I’ll tear him apart, limb from limb, and make him slowly bleed out while I do it.

I pull her into me, breathing in her enticing scent. She wraps her arms around me, leaning her head on my chest.

I bask in this moment, letting it melt the cold shards in my veins with its warmth. She’s the only one who’s ever been able to make me feel this way.

When our little group was formed as kids, we knew there was something missing. We felt it.

But it wasn’t until she came along, did we figure out it was her.

None of us wanted to be anywhere else but by her side, and when she was taken, we fractured, becoming lost while slowly drifting away from one other.

Even with the link trying to keep us together, we never became whole again. Not until we saw her in the Cardinal Three.

Neither Kai nor I feel truly worthy of her love. One of the many psychologists my parents sent me to would say it stems from being abandoned by my birth parents.

But I think it’s down to the environment we were brought up in, and those who surround us throughout it.

My parents only saw me as a power play, a chess piece, and molded me as such. If it were not for meeting Kai, and then the others, I’d still be that lanky boy, lost inside himself and too afraid to step out into the world. And then I would have never met my Siren.

Something I can’t even bear to think about.

My heart thrashes thinking of all the years she’s had to put up with King and his guards. My mind races to all the dark places, thinking about what she’s had to suffer through, and stutters to a stop when I think of her being hurt in a different kind of way.

She told us that no one had hurt her like that, but my mind doesn’t listen, wanting to see the truth in her eyes when she tells me.

“I know you told us no one ever… hurt you like that, but…” When I don’t continue, she pulls back, looking up at me, waiting for me to finish.

Still so patient with me, she waits while I gather my thoughts. I fix a stray piece of hair behind her ear.

“Did he or anyone ever force…” A tremor works through my body at the thought of someone touching her like that. Of their filthy hands on her—

She takes my hand, squeezing it. The look in her eyes is unyielding as she stares up at me. “No.”

The breath I was holding leaves me at once.

“No one touched me like that. They were either too afraid of King and didn’t realize he didn’t give a shit about me or knew what my ability was and preferred to see if they could break me in another way.”

I snap my jaw shut so quickly I nearly crack it. Her answer did not sooth the beast inside me.

“Who?” My voice is dark, my basilisk wanting to take over. “Tell me who, and they’ll be dealt with.” I’ll hunt each and every one of them down. They’ll never see me coming.

For even thinking they could hurt her, I’d crush their bodies, breaking every bone before slicing them apart and making them bleed out slowly. I’d revel in their pain and watch on happily as they choke on their own blood.

She is ours. Ours to protect. Ours to love and make happy, and if anyone stands in her way of that… they will pay dearly.

“It doesn’t matter now. I’m here with you all, and I don’t plan on ever leaving.” She gives me one of her soft smiles, and even if it melts my cold, dark heart, I still want to find my new prey and destroy them.

“They don’t get a pass because you have a kind heart.”

She shakes her head, still looking at me with nothing but patience and love. “My heart is far from kind—”

“You don’t see what we see. You don’t see the light you carry with you. But we do, and if we have to spend every day for the rest of our lives making sure you see it too, we will.”

She melts under my gaze; her smile reaching her alluring green eyes.

“Thank you,” she whispers.

I lean in, kissing her forehead, and inhale her scent to carry it with me. Pulling back, I smile down at her.

“No need to thank me, Siren, I’d strike the world down to make you smile. Now pick something you want to wear, and if you can’t find it here, say the word and we’ll get you whatever you need.”

Her soft laugh slightly soothes the raging beast inside me.

“I think I’ll stick with this one. I just need to find some shoes.” She gives me a soft smile before heading into the closet.

I leave her to it, turning and making my way down the hall to my room. I dial one of the contacts we use to find those who might not want to be found.

He picks up on the first ring.

“What can I do for you, Alpha?” Benjamin, our resident tech guy and a crow shifter, asks.

“I need a list of the guards King used over the last six years. Have it to me in the next hour.”

He clears his throat, hesitating. “It might take longer than—”

“Within the hour.” My voice turns sharp. He knows better than to try to tell me no.

“Yes, sir.”

I hang up and search for what I need. Once we’re back from the club, I’ll slip out and start on the list.

I pull out my new long black daggers, inspecting them. The light glinting off the sharp edges brings a smile to my face as I imagine all the ways I’m going to break them in.

No one hurts my mate and gets away with it.

It’s time to go hunting.

Kiarra

Finishing off my hair and make-up, I glance at the long length of mirror the guys had delivered for me earlier today. How they knew my size was beyond me, but anything I’ve tried on so far it fits like a glove.

I tried to tell them again that they didn’t need to get me all this stuff, but they just glare at me and tell me I deserve to be spoiled.

I didn’t have the heart to tell them I don’t want to be spoiled, especially when their eyes light up any time they have something new to give me.

Glancing back at the mirror, I twist and turn, checking to see how see-through the fabric might be.

The silver dress is long, reaching just below my knees with crisscross straps at the back and thin single shoulder straps in the front. The light material molds to my body like a second skin, accentuating each and every curve.

Satisfied that I’m not showing anything I don’t want to, I pick up the expensive curling iron and finish styling my hair into thick, loose waves. Once that’s done, I lightly brush through it, leaving it down.

My make-up is subtle, my eyes the only thing standing out with a hint of sparkle that makes the green of my irises pop. I add some black open-toe heels, and I’m done.

It’s a far cry from what King would have allowed. His voice in the back of my head tells me the dress is too long, not showing enough skin, and that I haven’t got enough makeup on to appease his clients.

But no more. No more choices will be made for me.

Taking a deep breath, I shake the thought of King from my mind and grab my purse. I make my way out through the hall. The guys’ laughter at something rings out, making me smile.

It isn’t until I’m at the entrance of the lounge do I see them, making me come to a stop. Jax is wearing all black. A black leather jacket, jeans, and shirt. His tattoos are striking against his skin and clothes, making his bad boy look complete.

He rolls his shoulders, smirking at something Luka says. The movement stretches his taut muscles against his top, reminding me of the feel of each one against my body.

I squirm in spot and look at Axel and Luka. Axel is wearing a light gray top with dark jeans, and Luka has on a white shirt with black trousers.

Axel has his jacket off by his side, revealing his tattooed sleeve and hand. I bite my lip as my eyes trace over each one, my mind drifting to what he could do to me with those strong hands.

Luka stands behind him, his hard angles and defined muscles visible through the shirt and jacket. His hair is messy but styled, making me want to run my fingers through it right before I pull him in to me.

My eyes finally land on Rion and Kai. Both wear dark suits, the cut tailored to their hard, toned bodies, making my own body heat up and my core wet.

The more I look at them, the more worked up I get. It isn’t until one of them laughs out loud that I realize I’m still standing there, gawking at them.

Shaking my head at myself, I walk into the lounge.

They all turn, hearing my heels, their smiles frozen as they take me in… I smile, giving them a little spin.

“Damn,” Jax breathes, his brows raised as he takes my look in.

Luka swallows hard, his mouth slightly open as his eyes trail down my body. The heat I felt a moment ago turns into flames the longer he stares.

“Beautiful,” Kai says, distracting me from Luka’s heated look. Kai’s eyes trail down the length of my body and back up again, and just like with Luka, it leaves a burning trail in its wake.

I look at Axel, finding his eyes narrowed and his jaw set, making me wonder what I did to piss him off now. I open my mouth to ask but stop when he catches my eyes. The heat in them scorches me on the spot.

“Princess…” Axel growls. A warm shiver slides down my back.

Rion walks towards me, blocking Axel from view. His eyes darken as he searches my own.

“You’re beautiful, Siren. There aren’t enough words to describe how devastating you look right now, but it’s the truth.” Locking eyes with me, he takes my hand and brings it to his lips, kissing it softly. “Exquisite.”

The rest of the guys move around me. My eyes land back on Jax. He’s staring at me with nothing but heat and hunger in his eyes. Seeing that I caught him, his smirks grows.

Leaning over, he whispers in my ear. “When we get back, I’m going to mark every delicious inch of you as mine.” His warm breath curls around my hair and down my neck, making me shiver.

“Maybe you should change.” The others whip their heads toward Axel so quickly that they nearly get whiplash. He sees their angry faces and rolls his eyes, waving a hand in my direction.

“We’re going to be fucking fighting them off the minute we enter the club.”

I roll my eyes at the guys as they frown, not liking the idea, but Rion speaks over them.

“We’ll be doing that, anyway. Let’s get going.”

Before I get a chance to reply, Rion has a black coat in his hands, holding it out for me. I thank him as he helps me put it on.

Axel sighs, dragging a hand down his face. “Whatever, it’s their funeral.” I’m ready for his bossy attitude when he walks over to me, but instead, I am left speechless by the depth of affection in his eyes as he looks at me. “You’re fucking stunning, Princess, but anyone who even thinks about looking your way will regret it when I burn the eyes from their sockets.”

The guys grunt in agreement like the possessive alphas they are.

I’m about to call him out on his insane reasoning when he swoops down to kiss me. I gasp as he slides his lips and tongue along my mouth before deepening the kiss. It’s the type of kiss that pulls you in and consumes your every thought. He molds his lips to mine.

I place my hands on his chest, feeling the quick beat of his heart against my hands. I drag them down his chest, and he pulls me closer, moaning into my mouth. I lean into him, deepening the kiss, wanting him to consume me whole.

His grip grows more possessive, more intense, as he slides his hands down my back. I bite his bottom lip, making him groan.

“Princess.” He growls, making me smile.

A throat clears from behind us, making us break apart. I bite my lip, finding Rion smirking at us. “Maybe we should go? Before it’s too late.”

Looking up at Axel, I take a step back, trying to get my heated body under control. I completely forgot what we were doing, and by the smug look on his face, Axel knows it. I glance around at the others, finding nothing but smiles and heated looks. No judgement or jealousy on any of their faces.

“Well… unless you’d rather stay here?” Jax says, his gaze moving down to my lips as I wet them.

Axel barks out a laugh, the deep rumble in his voice still thick with lust. “It was your idea to go out and have some fun.”

“I can think of many other ways we can have fun tonight,” Jax says with a wicked smirk, making me want to reconsider and find out what he might have in store for us.

I open my mouth to answer when Luka speaks up.

“No,” he says, making us all turn to him. “We’re going out. Kiarra didn’t get all dressed up to stay in all night.”

Something inside me warms at his words. Luka always thinks about everyone but himself. I walk over to him and kiss his cheek, taking hold of his hand.

He smiles down at me, a sparkle in his eyes.

Jax pouts. “Fine, but we get to have our own party when we get back.”

“Deal,” I tell him before anyone can start. Savage smirks fill the room with my answer.

“Well, then… let’s get out of here. The quicker we leave, the quicker we can get back,” Jax says, waving me forward.

I shake my head at his antics.

Jax snaps forward, grabbing me and slamming his lips to mine, making me melt against him. Falling into the kiss, I let myself go, letting Jax take full control.

I go to grab his shirt to pull him closer, but he drags his lips from mine, taking a step back.

There’s a smirk on his lips as he licks them while I stand there in a daze, still trying to catch my breath from that kiss. He chuckles, sending me a wink before turning to head out, leaving me hot and bothered, craving some form of release. I frown, wondering if I should take him up on the offer to stay here instead.

Luka smirks down at me, knowing where my thoughts just went. Taking my arm in the crook of his elbow, we leave the large penthouse, heading towards the open lift, where Jax stands.

Having only seen the inside of the apartment, I glance around and down the long hall, wondering what’s behind the doors that line them.

“Does anyone else live here with you?” I ask them.

Kai turns to me, giving me his full attention. “No. The security guards rotate shifts, but they leave once they’re done. Same with the doormen and anyone else that works for us.”

“So, it’s just us?”

Luka runs his thumb along my hand. I look up at him. “This is our home. Or, at least, we hope it will be if you want to stay here.” His eyes are hesitant as they search mine.

But they have to know by now that I won’t leave them. Not after everything we’ve been through.

I’m about to tell them as much when Jax speaks. “But just know if you ever think of leaving, we’re coming with you.” He gives me a narrowed look, making me think I still have some work to do before they see I’m not going anywhere.

“There’s nowhere else I’d want to be.” I give him a soft smile and watch as his tense shoulders drop.

We all step inside the large lift. It’s wide enough to fit double the number of people with the long mirrors, making it look even bigger.

Kai presses the button for the ground floor, and I watch as we move down each one.

“What’s on all these other floors?” If no one else lives here, then what was on all the other nine floors?

“It was originally an office building. After we built the penthouse, we made the floor below it into our base of operations,” Kai tells me, his smile growing at the look on my face.

I couldn’t believe they made all this themselves.

“There’s also a gym, weapons, and training room. A couple of floors down from that, we have an entire floor of guest rooms and then, apart from the underground basement, the rest are still being refurbished,” Jax says like it’s no big deal.

“I’ll give you a tour later.” He winks. “We can play hide and seek, but if I find you, I get to keep you.”

I roll my eyes at the possessive ass. “You already get to keep me. I’m your mate.”

Jax’s smirk grows as he tilts his head toward the guys. “I meant from them.”

Luka slaps him upside his head. I laugh at the hurt look Jax gives him while rubbing his head.

“I’m afraid they’re a package deal,” I tell him, still smiling to myself.

Jax sighs. “Fine. I guess they can spend some time with you, too.”

“How kind of you,” I tell him with a deadpan look.

Jax’s smirk grows. “That’s me… The gift that keeps on giving.”

“More like the one you can never fucking return,” Axel mutters, giving him the side eye.

I’m still laughing at the two of their expressions when the lift pings open.

Stepping out, I glance around, getting a better look at the place the guys call home. It’s not a hotel, but the refurbishments they did to it could make it feel like one. The lounge is long with a reception for the security guys and chairs spread out for anyone waiting.

The expensive touches are subtle, just like them.

An older man with graying hair rushes out, apologizing while averting his eyes. Dressed in a full navy suit, he heads to the door to get it for us. “Have a good evening.”

“Thank you, Jeffery.” Kai nods, passing him.

I thank him and then mouth Jeffery to Jax, who smiles, sending me a wink. All they need now is a butler, and they’ll be sorted. I say as much to them, which earns me a laugh.

“The butler is only here on the weekdays.”

I start to laugh but stop when I see they’re serious.

Shaking my head, I push that little tidbit of information to the back of my mind and look around.

Outside, the lights from the building guide our way right to the glossy black Hummer limo. The monster of a vehicle looks like it would fit at least twenty people, if not more. Why the hell would we need all that space?

I turn to look at Kai, raising a brow. “Are we taking a limo?”

Jax steps up beside me. “Only the best for our mate.”

“But it’s… huge.” I glance back at the enormous thing.

“Baby, if you’re worried about size… I hate to tell you, but none of us are exactly… small.” Jax looks at me with a serious expression before narrowing his eyes on Axel. “Well, except for Axel and his micro dick.”

Luka chokes on air, as if he’s imagining what one looks like, then tries to cover his laugh at Axel’s disgusted look. But his expression makes me laugh, and as soon as I do, Luka loses it, joining me.

Axel narrows his eyes on Jax. “We both know my dick is bigger than your shitty stump.”

Jax smirks, stepping up to Axel. “That so?”

“I mean… if you need me to check…” They both whip their heads toward me as I give them a wicked smile. I shrug. “I’m more than happy to get a measuring tape.”

Jax’s smirk grows. He’s about to head back inside when Luka drags him toward the limo. A driver appears out of nowhere, opening the door for us.

We get in as Luka pulls Jax inside. “But I want to prove myself to my woman.”

I roll my eyes, glancing around the inside of the limo. The interior is a beautiful black, similar to the outside, with T.V.s lining all around it.

Jax huffs, gets up, and heads straight for the bar sitting at the back of it.

“I already know how big your dick is. It’s Axel who needs to prove himself.”

Five pairs of heated eyes swing towards me as Jax barks out a laugh, sending me a wink.

I blink up at them, giving them one of Jax’s innocent smiles. His laughter grows as I turn my focus to Axel. I see the challenge light up his eyes, making my smile turn anything but innocent.

“Oh, it’s on, Princess.”

I lick my bottom lip, watching as his eyes darken and lean back.

“Looking forward to it.”