Page 6 of Volatile King (The Kings of Wayward Academy #6)

M yles

“You’re doing great, Ren,” Rosie said as she helped Ren back into bed.

I’d wanted to jump in and help every two seconds.

Watching Ren struggle to walk and speak was the hardest thing I’d ever endured, and that included watching the limo flip off the road.

At least that night, I had been able to pour my rage into chasing down Owen.

I had accomplished something, but this…was too much.

She was such a fighter, and other than being there for her if she fell or holding her hand… I was useless.

The sweetest person I’d ever known was struggling, and she never should’ve been put in this position.

Owen never should’ve escaped. I had him in my grasp, and he slipped through my fingers.

He had been destroying the things I loved since I was a boy, and he had almost stolen the most precious person in my life away from me.

My Snowflake was everything, and not only was I completely useless to her recovery, but Liam had muzzled me about her being married to Nash. I mean…are you fucking kidding me? My hands balled into fists.

“There we go, all tucked in,” Rosie said, drawing my attention back to the bed and Ren, whose chest was rising quickly with the exertion.

Pushing away from the wall, I grabbed Ren’s hand and brought it to my lips. I didn’t just kiss her fingers. I let my lips linger on each one until a soft blush crept across her cheeks. I’d never grow tired of that look in her eyes.

“If you need anything, just press the call button.” Rosie slipped out, leaving Ren with me and Blake. Theo and Liam had gone home to shower and get clean clothes, while Nash was still keeping his distance. Best idea the fucker ever had.

Blake walked over and sat on the opposite side of the bed, and picked up her other hand.

“You look wiped,” Blake said, and Ren nodded. Her eyes were already half-hooded with sleep.

“Yesss,” she said, on the first try, and I smiled wide.

“Yer doing incredible. Get some sleep and we’ll be right here if ya need anythin’.”

Ren nodded and squeezed my hand as I leaned in and kissed her forehead. Closing my eyes, I conjured all the positivity I could and pictured it going to her. I had no idea if that shit actually worked, but I was willing to do anything to help.

My phone rang as Ren slipped into a deep sleep. I grumbled under my breath when I saw Nash’s name. I walked away to answer.

“What?”

“Meet me at Volatile in thirty minutes,” Nash ordered.

“I’m not leavin’ Snowflake,” I said.

“Just do it. You’ll like the reason,” Nash said, and hung up before I could tell him to fuck off.

Glancing at Blake, I quietly fumed so I didn’t wake up Ren.

“The fucker wants me ta meet em at Volatile.”

Blake shrugged. “You can’t avoid him forever. Not unless you plan on leaving the rest of us.”

I marched back and forth across the room. “I don’t like yer logic.”

“It’s the truth. He was a dick yesterday…what else is new? It’s Nash, he’s always a dick. He’s said worse things to me.”

That was true. Nash had said spiteful shit to all of us, but he fucking took off and married Snowflake, and she didn’t even know about it. Now, because of this accident, I had to keep my mouth shut, and it made me his accomplice. I hated it.

Walking over to Ren, I stared down at her beautiful face and gently moved a silver strand of her hair.

She was supposed to be mine. I’d loved her from day one, and he stole that from me.

I knew he had feelings. I was fine with him joining our band of merry men, but…

to marry her…not tell her…not even ask us…

fuck, not tell me privately. That was what pissed me off.

Blake grabbed my shoulder, forcing me to look at him.

“I don’t like what he said, but try looking at the bright side.”

“Nah, there ain’t one,” I said, crossing my arms.

“I know you don’t want to hear this…but…

considering who her dad is…she could’ve gone to anyone.

She could’ve been ripped away from all of us, and we wouldn’t have had a say.

At least we know Nash, and I get the feeling that Nash won’t push us out.

We won’t let him, but neither will Ren. And let’s face it, the rest of us never had a chance. ”

I glared at Blake, but he made a point that I hadn’t thought of before. Jesus…what if she had been married off to someone like Lawrence, or some douche on the other side of the world…shite.

“I’m not saying let him off the hook. Hell, make the jerk squirm, but…this isn’t the worst outcome for us. Ren will definitely have a few words about it when she finds out,” Blake said.

As much as I hated the idea of keeping anything from her, the fact that she was going to give Nash a beatdown almost made it worthwhile…almost.

“Fine, I’ll go, but you don’t leave her alone for even a second,” I growled.

“I won’t, you have my word.”

Grabbing my hoodie, I marched out and almost ran straight into Mr. Genovese in his wheelchair.

“Oh, shite. I’m sorry, sir,” I said after I course-corrected to avoid plowing him over. He looked me up and down, and his stare alone made me sweat. This was Ren’s real father, and he held all the cards for us, now more than ever. “I didn’t see ya.”

“You’re one of the boys dating my daughter, yes?”

I swallowed hard. “I was the first. I’d like to set that record straight. I have loved Ren from the moment that I first laid eyes on her, and I would die for her.”

He rubbed his chin. “Interesting. So why weren’t you the one to come and plead your case for her hand?”

I couldn’t say that it was because Nash was a prick and didn’t tell the rest of us that he’d figured the mystery out. Instead, I stuffed my hands in my jeans and looked at my sneakers.

“I’m not leadership material. I wish I was worthy, that my family was worthy of someone like Ren, but the truth is, sir…I was always out of my league.”

“And Nash is going to let you remain in…whatever this relationship is with all of you? I’m still trying to understand this myself. There are five of you,” Mr. Genovese asked, making me smirk.

“Aye, there are five of us, and Nash doesn’t have a choice because I’m not going anywhere. I love Snowflake with me whole soul, she…she saved my life. She’s my angel.”

He leaned back in the wheelchair, folding his hands in his lap.

“I recognize you now. You’re Owen McCoy’s son.”

I bristled at the mention of the man I loathed with a rage of a thousand burning suns.

“Aye, unfortunately.”

“I’ve heard rumors. Rumors in our community don’t always mean much, but…I have a feeling that there is some truth?”

I looked down. “Aye, probably worse than what you’ve heard.”

Mr. Genovese sighed and shook his head.

“No child should ever have to live through something like that.” I crossed my arms. “I’m sorry you suffered.” I lifted my eyes to his and realized how similar they were in color to Ren’s. “If my daughter loves you, then…welcome to the family, son.”

“What?” I stumbled back as if he’d punched the air from my lungs.

“Unless you don’t want to be,” he said. Before I could stop myself, I lunged at Mr. Genovese and hugged him. “Okay…you can let go now,” he said, and I jerked back, smiling my ass off.

“Yer serious?”

“Yes, I mean it.”

“Can I call ya Mr. G?”

He smirked and then chuckled. “Sure, that’s fine. Just remember that Lilya can’t know about me or any of this until she starts to remember on her own.”

I looked at the closed door and hadn’t thought about how difficult this must be for him, not able to go into the room, and Ren not remembering who he was to her.

“I won’t. I don’t want anything to hurt Ren’s chances of recovery. Did you want to sit in the room with her and Blake?” Mr. G glanced at the Ren’s room. “She’s sound asleep.”

“Yes, I’d like that.”

Blake looked up from scribbling in his song journal when I poked my head inside.

“Mr. G would like to sit in here. You good?”

Blake nodded, and I held the door open for Ren’s father to roll into the room.

“Thanks,” he said, before I quietly closed it behind me.

Well, that was unexpected. I looked back as I marched for the exit. I really hated it when Blake was right, but in this case…I’d keep an open mind.

1 0:10 PM

Liam’s car was parked behind Volatile when I pulled up. That was good since he would stem the bloodshed. Right or not, I was still fucking pissed and would be for however long it took.

Hopping out of the Shelby that Ren had refurbished for me, I shivered.

The nights were getting colder, and the snow would be here soon.

I needed to get a truck or at least some winter tires.

Now that I knew I was broke— thanks, Nash —I had no idea how I was going to afford anything. Shit, I was fucking spoiled.

After a sharp knock on the back entrance, I stood back and waited. A minute later, Nora popped her head out. She’d become a real staple around here and essential to keeping this place running.

“Hey, the boys are downstairs,” she said, pointing out the direction.

“Thanks.”

Through the door and down the concrete steps, my boots echoed in the otherwise quiet stairway. If it hadn’t been Nora sending me down here, I’d think that I was being lured into a trap. That was the vibe this place gave off.

Nash was leaning against some crates of alcohol when I walked into the storage room. At least that was what the outside of the boxes said.

“I was beginning to think you weren’t going to show up,” Nash said.

“I was tempted to refuse, but Blake talked me into it. What do you want? And, ya better not say to hug it out, cause I’m not ready.”

Nash stalked toward me, pushing the hood of his sweatshirt off his head. I braced for another fight.

“I’m not sorry,” Nash said, and I rolled my eyes.

“Shocking.”

“I mean, about the marriage. I am sorry about how I handled it and the things I said to you,” he said.

“You were just telling me how it is now. Makin’ sure I know my place and all that,” I said through gritted teeth.

Owen couldn’t have fucked me over harder. He made my existence a living hellscape, forced me into a life of crime, and had me do his dirty work. Then the fucker went insane and had our assets seized before he tried to kill the only woman I’d ever loved—with family like that, who needed enemies.

“Maybe, but I’ve never seen you as lesser. I treated you like that yesterday. I’m sorry. You’re my brother, and you’ll always be my brother.”

“Does this mean yer not gonna try and push me outta Ren’s life?”

Nash looked away and then smirked before he laughed. I had no idea what was so funny.

“Can you actually picture Ren allowing that to happen even if I wanted to kick you all to the curb?”

“Truth.” I snorted. “Bet yer sorry now that ya didn’t fight harder for her in the beginning,” I said, twisting the knife just a little. “Admit it, I have great taste.”

Nash rolled his eyes.

“Yeah, yeah.” He held out his hand. “You don’t need to forgive me, but I need you to understand that I love you as family. And…I need to make sure we are still on the same side of this fight. I don’t want to finish this war without you.”

Deep down, I knew that no matter how angry I was at Nash, he would always be my brother.

I gripped his hand. “Aye, yer a feckin dick, but yer me brother, blood or not.”

“Good. Then I have a gift for you,” Nash said, turning and walking deeper into the underbelly of the club.

We were heading for the cells, and that could only mean one thing.

This area wasn’t on the floor plan and was only accessible by a secret door.

Liam and Theo sat quietly in the corner while Owen hung from chains in the center of the room.

His toes touched the floor, but otherwise he was strung up like a slab of meat… very befitting.

“The MC took good care of our guest while we waited for Ren to wake up. But I think it’s time you got the revenge you deserve.”

Nash clapped me on the shoulder as Owen’s head slowly rose. His eyes met mine, and the usual terror that in the past had made me succumb and shake in fear was gone. He’d destroyed the parts of me that should care.

Just like with Devin…I felt the weight of who I’d been under his thumb fall away. Owen no longer controlled me. He was nothing, and he was going to die screaming as the Devil took him home.

Owen’s fate was sealed, and I let him see the truth of that in my eyes.

“Aye…ya do know the way to me heart. This is a gift I can get behind,” I growled.