Page 9

T he thought of Damian stepping to Dream, of him getting close enough to threaten her, had me seeing red. The images flashed in my mind—Dream’s soft, caring eyes, her gentle presence, her unwavering support—and it only made the rage in my chest burn hotter. She was innocent in all this, untouched by the poison of my family’s legacy, and Damian had the nerve to bring her into it? No, he was going to pay for crossing that line.

I’d been searching for Damian all night, tracking down every lead I had on where he might be hiding, but he was slippery, had turned off his phone, and vanished from every spot he thought I wouldn’t know about. It was like he’d planned for this moment. Like he’d known I’d come after him if he went too far.

The last place I could think to check was the condo he thought he’d kept hidden from me. I arrived, the anger pulsing through my veins as I pushed my way into his apartment. The first thing I saw wasn’t Damian—I was surprised to see it was Kita, sitting on the couch with an expression somewhere between scared and defiant. My blood boiled as I crossed the room and yanked her up by the neck, watching her flinch.

“Where the fuck is he, Kita?” I growled, watching her face for any sign of a lie. “You better start talking.”

“He’s gone, Damier. He just… left. He didn’t tell me anything about where he went. He told me I could stay here until the lease is up.” Her voice was trembling, but I wasn’t buying it.

“Right,” I sneered, tightening my grip just enough for her to get the message. “You know something. You’ve been fucking him. So, tell me, what’s he got planned? And what the fuck is your involvement?”

Her eyes darted to the side, and she swallowed hard. “All I know is… he’s out to get you, Damier. That’s all he ever talked about—taking everything from you. He is sending people to you, starting with my brother.”

“And you didn’t tell me?” I shot her a death stare.

“I was scared! And you weren’t fucking with me. I didn’t feel like I needed to.”

I watched her carefully, considering her words. Maybe she was telling the truth, maybe not. But the fact that Damian had bailed told me all I needed to know. He was running, and he wasn’t about to stop.

I let go of Kita, shoving her back onto the couch, and she fell with a cry. “I should kill you, but I’m not because shit is hot right now. Stay out my way, Kita, and stay away from Damian. If you are with him when I catch him, I’ll kill you too,” I said, my voice a low, dangerous promise.

She looked up at me, her eyes wide, and for a moment, I saw a flicker of fear before she turned away, hugging herself.

Leaving Kita in tears, I stepped out of the condo and drove into the night, the city lights flashing by in a blur. I could feel the adrenaline surging in my veins, the taste of vengeance thick on my tongue. If Damian wanted to play dirty, I’d give him what he wanted, one way or another.

Lil Ken had done his part, running through the list of names and addresses of everyone who’d been there for the robbery. Tonight, I wasn’t going to Troy—no, I’d save him for later. But there was another one on that list, and I had plans for him. He would be the one to send the message to Troy while I was on vacation.

I pulled up to the address, quiet and dark. Hocus and Uncle King were already waiting for me, their eyes as sharp and focused as mine. We didn’t waste time with words; we knew what needed to be done.

The three of us crept through the house, moving silently until we heard the muffled sounds of the shower running. The kid was in there, clueless as to what was coming for him. Hocus gave me a nod, his grip steady on his weapon as we edged closer to the bathroom.

I raised my revolver, finger steady on the trigger as Hocus yanked the shower curtain back. The boy’s face went pale the second he saw me standing there, his eyes wide with terror. He didn’t have to ask who I was; he already knew.

“Damier,” he whispered, voice shaking as though saying my name might save him.

“Yeah, you know who the fuck I am,” I snarled, my gaze dark and unyielding.

Then, with a single movement, I turned the gun to the girl beside him, who was frozen in shock. I didn’t hesitate as I pulled the trigger, her blood splattering against the tile as she slumped down.

The boy screamed, his voice strangled as he tried to scramble back, his body shaking so hard he lost control of himself, the smell of his own fear filling the air.

“Now,” I said, my voice cold and unforgiving. “Where the fuck is my shit?”

The kid stammered, barely able to get the words out. “T-Troy,” he choked. “T-Troy has it… please…”

Before he could finish his plea, I pulled the trigger again, the gunshot echoing in the small space. His body slumped to the floor, and I watched, my heartbeat steady, my rage finally starting to fade.

Leaving the house, I let out a long breath, knowing that tonight was only the beginning. I still had business with Troy, and he’d get his soon enough. But for now, my night wasn’t about the bloodshed. I had something, or rather someone else, waiting for me. I also had an early flight that I wouldn’t miss for the world.

The thought of Dream grounded me and pulled me back to a reality that didn’t involve revenge or violence. I needed her tonight; I needed to feel her softness, her peace. She was my calm after the storm, the only thing that kept me from getting completely lost in this life.

I drove through the streets, pushing down the surge of adrenaline that had fueled me all night. When I finally pulled up to her townhouse in the Hollywood Hills, I found her waiting in her doorway, wrapped in the dim light spilling out from inside. The second I stepped out, she looked up at me, her face softening in a way that made everything from tonight fade into the background.

“You went all out with these roses, Damier. My kitchen and living room look like a flower shop.” She snickered as I walked up the stairs. I sent her twenty dozen roses from Million Roses because she was worth every one of them. After my brother approached her, I felt bad about his actions, so it was my way of making it up to her. She was strong, though, and went on with her everyday life like it never happened.

“It’s just how I feel about you, baby.”

As soon as we were inside, I didn’t waste time with words. I pulled her close, pressing my lips to hers in a kiss that held everything I’d been holding back all night. She melted into me, her touch soft and warm against my skin, and for a moment, all the anger, all the bloodshed faded into something gentler, something that only she could bring out in me.

We moved to the bedroom, our bodies intertwined, my hands gripping her, grounding me. I needed her more than I needed revenge, more than I needed anything.