Page 13 of Dark & Darker Still (Vane and Roc: Origin)

Twelve

Alice

Nix has his arm around me when we walk into the front door of the Joker’s Den.

Jade found me at Kenny’s and gave me the short version of Roc’s plea.

Next time I see Lainey, I have to give her a big kiss on the cheek. She was absolutely right about disappearing for a while. The fact I disappeared and ended up in Nix’s bed was just a bonus.

When we walk in, attention follows us.

I don’t spot Vane and Roc right away, so I cross the room to my table in the back. Jade, Salty and Warren are already there.

“Bold!” Salty says and raises his glass to me.

“Have they announced it yet?” I ask Jade.

“Not yet.”

Earlier today, I’d considered forgoing step 2 of the Lainey plan and leaving Nix behind. But when Jade told me Roc wanted me home specifically for Vane’s engagement announcement, I dug my heels in.

If he wanted to rub salt in the wound, then I would throw fuel on the fire.

I know none of this is healthy or right, but I don’t care.

Sometimes I want the Madd brothers to feel some of the pain they inflict on others.

Salty orders us drinks. The table quickly fills up with Joker Sunrises and tumblers of Summerland whisky. I down my whisky, then immediately turn to my Sunrise. I don’t want to feel anything at all tonight. Most of all, depressed.

We’re laughing at one of Salty’s stories when Vane and Roc come in from the back entrance.

Vane’s attention shoots to me, then to Nix close by my side. The moment he sees the assassin, his jaw clenches, teeth grinding hard against each other.

Sometimes, when I’m with Vane, I think of a quote I read years and years ago in a dusty Wonderland library.

All extremes of feeling are allied with madness.

And what’s more extreme than obsession?

I’m not even sure why Vane and I play these games, why we’re both reluctant to walk away, so desperate to win.

In my brain, I know he’s bad for me. Like a glass of milk that’s sat out too long, that’s curdled and turned sour.

And yet all logic leaves my brain when he’s in front of me, when he’s pretending I belong to him and no one else. I sink my teeth into him just as much as he sinks his into me. And we are forever gnawing on each other’s bones trying to satiate a hunger that can never be turned.

He crosses the room.

All eyes are on him, including mine.

I can never stop looking for him and looking at him.

I should walk away.

I should leave Darkland for good and never look back.

Halfway through the Joker’s Den, he snaps his fingers and several of his men fall in line behind him.

The volume of conversation in the Den lowers until their voices are just hushed whispers.

When Vane reaches the table, his leftenant is beside him with three of their Bonebreakers behind them.

“Should I be flattered?” Nix says.

The entire Den is hanging on, waiting for Vane’s response.

“Did you miss the sign at the door? No assassins allowed.”

“He’s here as my guest,” I answer, but Vane doesn’t look at me. He just stares at Nix.

“I just want to drink and celebrate.” Nix winds his arm around my waist and tugs me closer to his side. Vane follows the movement.

My heart is thumping hard against my rib cage.

I don’t know why adrenaline is pumping through my veins with the heat and speed of a thrill.

This shouldn’t be thrilling. This should be annoying.

And yet…Vane is doing all of the things I wanted him to do. To show that he cares, even though he insinuated he didn’t.

“Leave, Nix.”

“Or what?”

Vane pulls out his pocket watch and checks the time. “Or I’ll let time run out.”

Not many people this side of Wonderland know what Vane and Roc are. They’ve heard the stories, given some weight to the rumors. But the brothers don’t shift in broad daylight if they can help it, which means all of the stories have stayed stories.

The fact Vane is threatening to show his cards proves just how much he does care.

About me.

Can I stop this marriage? Can I make him mine for the rest of our days?

Is that even what I want?

I’ll figure it out later. Right now I have my proof and that’s enough.

I pull away from Nix’s side and stand up, gesturing for him to follow me. “I’ll walk you home.”

“No, you won’t.”

I look over at Vane. “You told him to leave. So, we’re going to leave.”

“You’re not going with him.”

“Yes, I am.”

Vane pivots his body, angling toward me. “No, you’re not.”

My heart lodges itself in my throat as anger burns up my sternum.

I am both vindicated and pissed. He doesn’t get to marry someone and then dictate every little thing I do on the side.

“It’s all right,” Nix says, and gets up behind me, his chest to my back.

He draws his arm around my waist, sinks his mouth to my neck and kisses me.

Vane and I continue to stare each other down.

“Come find me when you can,” Nix adds and then guides me up to his mouth with his hand on my chin. We kiss and we make it count.

When we pull back, Vane’s eyes are glowing yellow.

“Congratulations on your upcoming nuptials,” Nix tells Vane. “I’m sure you’ll love the life of a husband.”

He laughs and pushes out the door.