The pit was a chaotic mess of sweat and bodies grinding, and it hadn’t changed an inch since I last stepped inside its darkness. I told the group of soldiers from Scorpios to wait outside the Pit for me.
I could feel my chest throb as if finding that rare, lost connection that once tied my soul to this hell. Each step surprised me more than the previous. I found myself not craving the darkness, the intensity and chaos. I felt the gentle beat of my own peace inside of me. With time, the need to fight, the need for bloodshed eased. I had focused all my energy on cleaning the streets in Boston, of keeping the new Scorpios soldiers in line.
The vibrations from the crowd’s cheers and the fighters’ heavy feet stomping across the ring below moved through my body.
Each step closer into the depth of the crowd made my fingers clench. Everyone surrounding me was too invested in their own chaotic world to notice my return.
Wearing slacks and a black dress shirt, I stood out. I didn’t wear my old worn jeans or black t-shirts anymore. I wasn’t a reflection of my old self.
A few of the bouncers exchanged looks with each other and then turned back to me, examining me.
I wasn’t afraid to get dirty. I wasn’t afraid to wear my power in suits if it made men listen. That’s what I learned in Boston. A man in a suit running the streets terrified them more as I broke bones and limbs to prove a point.
Us, Knights, were a deadly family.
A hand landed on my shoulder and I tensed, glancing behind me.
“Savage returns at last,” Steel said, flashing his teeth, the piercing in his top lip shining in the dim lighting. He looked me over, his smile faltering and I knew he could sense a change in me.
I worked my jaw. “Is Danny still here?”
I didn’t have time to waste with chit-chat.
Steel froze and slowly nodded. “At his regular table.” Another smile began. “You fighting tonight?”
I frowned, looking back over to the ring below, a fight occurring right now. The sound of bones cracking, of flesh meeting fists, was like a distant memory. There were sounds I had heard every night and day for years.
“Not tonight,” I said, gruffly and walked away. As I moved through the crowd, some of the demons recognized me. A few whispers were exchanged, but most of them just stared back.
As I neared Danny’s table, I spotted Tegan by the railing, her back was to the ring, eyes on me, wide and unblinking.
I looked away. I didn’t have time to focus on her, and she wasn’t the girl I wanted tonight. No, that girl was back at Scorpios. So close, yet so far out of reach. But I needed to deal with Danny first before returning to Lex. I needed to clean the last of the darkness out.
People moved out of my way and I caught a glimpse of him. He was bent over his table, a joint tucked in his mouth, his hands full of cards, playing with his entourage. The taste of belladonna filled my own mouth, but it wasn’t what I craved. I craved Lex’s heart.
But for now, I needed to deal with this asshat.
I stopped at the edge of his table and I watched him closely. The noise of the crowd and the fighting grew louder, but his table quieted and a few stopped, their cards clenched in their grips.
“Well, well, well. Would you look at who the cat dragged in…” Danny didn’t look up, puffing on his joint. “What the fuck do you want, Knight?”
I licked at the tips of my teeth, hand clenched at my side. “Would you prefer to speak about your connections to Ares outside, or in front of your little harem?”
Danny’s hands squeezed the cards tightly, folding in his grasp. His dark eyes swung to mine, a glint to them. “Trying to taint my name, Savage?”
I clenched my jaw. “Don’t have to. You did that all by yourself.”
His table grew quiet, exchanging glances at each other.
Danny pushed himself up, throwing his cards on the table. He gestured to me to follow and I did. As we reached the entrance, I glanced back, seeing Steel and Tegan both watching me from the bar.
The cool air struck my cheeks, but I welcomed it.
Danny turned in the alleyway, facing me. At the sound of the door opening behind me, I gritted my teeth.
His entourage, his fucking bouncers were surrounding me. I laughed aloud, the sound as sharp and cold as the wind.
Danny was afraid. Of me. Fucking good.
“You seem different,” he whispered, scanning me over. His hands shook.
I didn’t respond, only staring back at him coolly.
“Talk, Knight,” he hissed out, his face beet-red in anger.
“I managed the transfer of Scorpios taking over Ares,” I said, my voice clipped. “It didn’t take long before I came across folders and folders of information. Information of Scorpios’ meetings, their whereabouts. Information about the Pit.” I stepped closer, the bouncers edging closer with my every move. “And the contract of you agreeing to supply information to Ares. In exchange for money, for power. To run the Pit. To become a commander for them. I also found proof of your dealings with the hunters. Selling low-class demons for good cash. You forgot to clear your tracks, Danny. Bad move.”
Danny’s nostrils flared.
“The Pit was owned by Ares, wasn’t it? All these fucking years, these fuckers had an in right under our nose. Right on our fucking territory,” I snapped. “Attacking their own establishment… that was wise. Who would think they’d kill their own clients. And why? But if your clients are the enemy… take their money and kill them.” I shook my head. “Always thought it was really fucking convenient how you happened to not be there the night they attacked. Guess I should’ve caught onto that sooner.” There was an ugly sneer on Danny’s face, and a smirk appeared on my lips at that. “But… Ares doesn’t own the Pit anymore, Danny. Ares is now in Scorpios’ hands. In my fucking hands.” My voice rang out in the darkness. “So you know who it belongs to? Me. It all belongs to me.”
I didn’t manage Scorpios, but my brother did. I wanted to irk Danny. I wanted to make him uncomfortable and angry.
Instead of the anger I expected, Danny chuckled. “Bullshit. You’re not getting an inch of this place. Over my dead body.”
“As you wish,” I shrugged.
And then he snapped his fingers.
A fist met my face and my vision blurred, blood filling my mouth.
My beast surged forward and I attacked, twisting his bouncer’s arm and each time they cried out in dire pain was a victory to the demon inside of me.
One stabbed my arm with a knife and I paused, glancing at the few men left. Fear awakened in their eyes as I left the knife in and lunged.
When I stood, a few men staggered to their feet, but I didn’t stay.
“You’re outnumbered, Danny,” I hissed, wiping the blood from my bottom lip.
Danny frowned but stiffened at the sound of boots crushing the gravel behind me.
He turned, catching sight of the Scorpios soldiers.
He darted forward, but I caught his arm and bent it back, dislodging his arm from his shoulder.
He bit back a cry.
“You’re going to kneel,” I snapped. “For everything you did to Lex and my family.”
Danny couldn’t run from me. When I found the folders, everything made sense. He had planned the attack with Ares. That’s why he hadn’t been there that night. He had been working with hunters to slowly rid Scorpios of their lower class and soon move his way up the ranks.
I shoved him into a soldier and they handcuffed him. I didn’t miss the white-hot glare Danny sent me as he turned.
“Lock him up at the townhouse. Tensley and I will decide what should be done with him,” I commanded.
Danny’s dishonor to Scorpios he would pay with his blood.