Page 67 of Gambit
I stroll over to the traitor, each step measured and full of intent. James watches me with those gorgeous hazel eyes that don’t miss a fucking thing. Tarquin is cracking his knuckles, a restless energy about him that lets everyone know he’s itching for some action. Oliver is the picture of relaxed elegance against the wall, but the darkness in his gaze tells a different story.
“Please,” the man whimpers as I raise the bat. “I’ll do anything.”
“You already did,” I spit out and swing hard.
The crunch echoes off the walls.
“Ouch,” Felix states loudly from next to the man with the battered face. “That looks like it fucking hurt.”
We exchange a wicked grin, and I hand it over for him to have a go. This traitor is his find, so he gets to play, too.
“Aww, thanks, sis,” he says and knocks out the guy’s kneecaps in rapid succession.
The room falls silent, save for the agonised moans of the man slumped in the chair. His fate was sealed by his own treachery, a lesson to those who might consider a similar path. I turn away, the thrill of justice served warming me more than any embrace.
“Business concluded?” James asks, his voice low but with an edge that denotes his readiness to switch gears.
“Concluded for me,” I confirm, my gaze lingering on the men I love. They’re my partners in every aspect of life. The balance to my fire, the steel to my resolve. “Felix, bring me my bat when you’re done.”
“Will do,” he grits out and swings hard.
The rest of us leave the room after I’ve picked up Demon and step out into the quiet energy of The Nest. This is our realm, where power and pleasure interlace.
As we make our way through the crowd, I feel it—all eyes on us, some admiring, others envious. We’re a force together, untouchable. Raphael’s arm is around my shoulder, James’ hand is at the small of my back, Tarquin and Oliver trail us, eyes always alert.
At our private booth that overlooks the city, Victoria joins us with drinks. “Happy birthday, bitch,” she says, sliding a tray of champagne flutes onto the table.
“Thanks,” I say, but push the glass away that James sets in front of me.
“Oh?” he asks with a raised eyebrow.
I give him a nervous smile. “Nothing gets past you, does it?”
“Are you?”
“Yes,” I murmur with a slight blush. “I am pregnant.”
There’s a stunned silence, but then the booth erupts into cheers and exclamations. Raphael’s grip tightens momentarily, a silent vow of protection and devotion before he leans in to press a fierce kiss to my temple.
“Holy shit, Eliza! That’s fucking amazing!” Tarquin states. “We’re going to be Dads!”
James’ smile is one of pure warmth. “We’re going to have a little badass running around,” he says, the amusement dancing in his eyes.
Oliver’s laugh is rich and comforting as he leans over the table to wrap me in a gentle but heartfelt embrace. “We’ll make sure our kid knows how to throw a punch before they can walk,” he jokes, the promise in his words clear as day.
I feel a tiny flutter in my chest, and I choke back the breath that hitched. I’m scared. Scared to bring a baby into this world, but then I look at each of my guys and my best friend, all partof this same world and we turned out all right. Sure, we’re a bit unhinged and revel in the violence, but our parents raised us to thrive in the darkness. I just hope I can do that same for our little one.
“Obviously, we don’t know who the father is,” I blurt out, stopping the conversation dead.
Victoria snickers and slips out. “I’ll leave you guys to navigate that one.”
“Who cares?” Raphael asks with no hesitation. “This child is ours, and we will all love it unconditionally.”
“Of course we fucking will. There’s no question of that,” Oliver says.
James nods as Tarquin grips my hand from across the table. “All in, remember?”
“All in,” I repeat, feeling a bit lighter now.
The night carries on with laughter and plans for the future—a future that feels brighter with the prospect of a new life amidst our unconventional family. As I look around at the faces of the men I love, each unique and unwaveringly loyal, I realise that our child will be born into a world where love knows no bounds and loyalty is thicker than blood.
Our lives are intertwined by more than just romance or shared endeavours; they’re forged by a strength that cannot be broken. Together, we are invincible, an empire that thrives on love as much as power.
“Forever and always,” Raphael adds, his embrace a fortress around me.
“Nothing can stop us,” Tarquin growls, his grip firm and sure.
“Nothing will,” I affirm, my voice a sultry promise as I pull them all closer.
We’re a force of nature, five souls merged into one unstoppable entity. Here, in the embrace of darkness and power,we show the world exactly who we are and what we’re capable of. This is our kingdom, and we rule it with iron fists and hearts entwined, ready to pass it on to the next generation, where they will walk through the fires of Castle University, just like we did.