Chapter 51

Chapter Fifty-One

Nova

“Go where?” I ask Nikoa.

His eyes shine with remorse. “You have to return to Thomas?—”

“No. You have Nexus,” I interject.

“We do, but until we can guarantee he will fulfill his bargain, then we need you to return and play along for a while longer. The sooner we have Kelly back the quicker we get you out.” Dread unfurls inside me. I drop my gaze to my feet and try to calm my racing heart.

“Hey?” Ez cups my face between his hands and forces my head up. “I swear the second we get your mom we’ll get you out.”

“Okay,” I whisper.

Ez wraps his arms around me and crushes me against his chest. “Vox is going to take you back.” I stiffen in his hold.

“Why?” I grit out.

“Because he is the one who came and picked you up when Nexus was kidnapped, Thomas trusts him to a degree now and he will lean on Vox to help him, which keeps us two steps ahead of him. He is going to mobilize the Saints to help him track down his son and we need to know when this is taking place.” Wanting to get this over with, I hug Ezekiel bye and promise not to tell anyone he’s alive. In return, he promises me that when this is all over we’ll sit down and talk. When Nikoa and him leave, shit turns awkward real fast. Vox stalks toward the woods, leaving me no choice but to follow him. I keep a couple feet between us.

When we reach his car, he goes to the trunk and begins stripping off his clothing. I'm like a moth to a flame, unable to tear my gaze off him especially when he yanks his shirt off and exposes all that tanned, inked skin. My mouth waters at the sight of him and I curse myself for being so fucking attracted to him!

As if sensing my gaze on him, he flicks his eyes to mine and glares. “If you didn’t just accuse me of being a selfish murderer I might actually be tempted to fuck you right now.” My breath hitches. “But, I’m a coward, right?” I flinch at his cold harsh tone and avert my gaze from his, gnawing on the corner of my lip.

I really fucked up, I shouldn’t have said what I did but all his lies and secrets made it hard to see through the mask he wore and see the good inside him. He was cruel and mean to me and yet I still fucking let him inside me. I cross my arms over my chest and turn my back to him. Ever since I moved here things have changed so fast I have barely had a chance to catch my breath.

“Get in,” he clips out. I do as he says and climb inside the car, trying to shrink as far into the seat as I can, the last time I was in here I wound up riding him.

That won’t be happening tonight!

The tension radiating between us is making it hard for me to breath. I know he has every right to be mad at me but I’m also fucking furious with him! Neither of us says a word the entire drive back to Thomas’. When Vox parks the car out front, I can’t help my eyes from straying next door where I see Vivian’s bedroom light on. A pang of guilt hits me in the gut. I wish more than anything I could run over there and tell her the truth, but I also don’t want to put her in danger or worse, have my mom hurt because I couldn’t keep my mouth shut.

I reach for the handle but Vox’s words stop me. “You saw three masked men try to extort money out of Nexus. They abducted him and told you to deliver Thomas a message.” I peer over my shoulder at him.

“What message?”

“The life of your mother for the life of his son.”

I balk at him. “He’s going to know I had something to do with Nexus being taken!” I screech.

“He can't do shit, if he tries anything Hayze and Archer will send videos and believe me, witch, Nexus doesn’t have a high pain threshold. Now take this.” He pulls a manilla envelope from the glove compartment and hands it to me.

“What is it?”

“Just give it to him,” he snaps before tossing the pack at me and climbing out of the car. I follow his lead. Vox doesn’t stop to knock, he just pushes the door open and walks in like he owns the place. He changed into a pair of Converse sneakers, dark blue jeans and a white shirt. It’s a stark contrast from the black clothing he was wearing earlier but I get it, Thomas saw a picture of them in all black but given what he is wearing he is exposing all his tattoos. “Thomas?”

The sound of thudding footsteps has me staying put in the living room. Vox stays where he is and leans against the wall crossing his arms over his chest. He keeps all traces of what he’s thinking and feeling from showing on his face as Thomas barges into the room with Principal Daniels and two men I haven’t seen before. Thomas looks from Vox to me and the look in his eyes as he stares me down sends a shiver of fear skating down my spine.

“What the fuck happened tonight?” he shouts. I reel back and clutch the envelope in my hand tighter. “Answer me, you little bitch!”

“I-I…” I become tongue tied, unable to get the words out. I shoot a pleading look to Vox to help me but the bastard just glares back at me. I swallow and remind myself that my mom is counting on me right now. “Nexus told me to go with him.”

“Why?” Thomas screams, spit flying out of his mouth and a crazed look can be seen in his soulless eyes.

“Because he said they would come if I was there,” I answer. Thomas comes toward me and I force myself not to back away. I know he is trying to scare me and the reality is, he is but I refuse to let it show. I won’t give him the satisfaction of seeing me crumble before him.

“And they just so happened to take my son and not you?”

“I didn’t know—” He back hands me across my cheek and I lose my balance, falling to the ground, tears instantly pricking the backs of my eyes.

“You lying whore, my son had no reason to?—”

“Eleanor Denver,” Vox says, drawing Thomas’ attention to him. I look up to find Vox has pushed off the wall and stands there with his fists clenched at his sides. To everyone else he looks calm and indifferent but I can tell from the way his eyes have darkened and his jaw is locked that he’s mad.

“Who the fuck is that?” Thomas snaps. Vox finally flicks his gaze to me and there is nothing but deep rooted hatred in those eyes.

“Give it to him,” he barks. I tentatively reach out and hold the envelope out to Thomas who snatches it out of my hand. While he is distracted tearing it open, Vox comes to me and offers me his hand. I take it and allow him to help me to my feet. He pushes me behind him and uses his body to shield me from Thomas and the others. “Where the fuck did you get this?” Thomas asks as Vox shifts slightly so Thomas can see me.

“They gave it to me,” I answer and hate that my voice trembles.

Thomas turns to the other three men and orders them to get out and tells them he will meet them in an hour. He doesn’t utter another word until the front door closes behind the three men. “Did you know about this?” he asks Vox.

“No. I had no idea about this until Nova texted me to come pick her up,” he answers without skipping a beat.

Thomas looks… worried. I’ve never seen that look on his face before and I would be lying if I said I wasn’t enjoying his torment.

“If this gets out…” Thomas doesn’t finish his sentence.

“I know. Which is why we need to put an end to this before it gets out,” Vox says, faking concern.

“Are we sure this information is accurate?”

“I thought it was best to bring it to you so you could have Fern validate it.” I have no idea who this Fern person is but Thomas seems to know exactly who he is referring to.

“Good thinking,” Thomas says.

“Have they made any demands?” Vox asks. Thomas cuts a glance to me and narrows his eyes.

“Get upstairs, you’re not to come out of that room until I say.” I nod and drop my gaze to the floor as I scurry out of the room and race up the stairs to my room. I lock the door behind me even though I know it won’t stop Thomas from getting in here if he wanted to. I try to keep my mind off everything and take a quick shower, then change into my sleep shorts, crop top and pull my hoodie on and climb onto my bed. I tuck my legs under myself just as my phone rings. When I see who is calling, I swipe to answer the call and bring it to my ear.

“Hey,” I say.

“Why is my brother's car in your driveway?” Vivian asks.

“He’s here to speak to Thomas,” I answer quietly.

“Nexus sent me a video a couple of hours ago,” she chokes out, her muffled cries spear me right in the chest.

“What video, Vi?” I ask just as I hear the lock turning on my door. I stiffen in anticipation until the door opens. Vox strolls in, carrying something that looks like a pair of tweezers in his hand.

“It’s a video of Ezekiel, Vox killed him, Nova!” My eyes widen and Vox’s eyes narrow.

“Vivian.” At the mention of his sister's name his entire body turns rigid. “I don’t think?—”

“I know what I saw! He killed him and then forced Archer and Hayze to leave me.”

“Do you want me to come over?” Vox shakes his head but I ignore him.

“No. I have a plan and I’m going to make the three of those bastards pay for breaking my heart. Mark my words, Nova, I will make them pay!” Before I can try and talk her out of it she ends the call. The air whooshes out of me and I slump forward, hating that I can’t tell her the truth.

“Block her number.”

I snap my head up and shoot him a scathing look. “Fuck you.”

“Don’t push me, witch. Block her number and stay the fuck away from her.”

“You can kiss my ass,” I snap as I climb off my bed and storm into my closet to change my pants so I can go next door. Vox, of course, follows after me and slams the door closed behind us. I whirl around ready to hurl insults at him but the fucker shoves me forward and uses his body to pin me in place against the wall. I turn my face to the side so I don’t crush my nose.

“The next time you offer me your ass, I’ll fuck it.”

“You pig! I never offered you shit?—”

“The only piggy around here is you, witch.” I cringe. “You stay the fuck away from my sister or I tell Thomas this was all your idea.” I glare at him from the corner of my eye.

“He would never believe you!” I spit.

“He saw you fucking the very masked man that kidnapped his only child tonight, you really think he would take your word over mine?”

“Get the fuck off me, Vox,” I grit out through clenched teeth. He pushes off me but doesn’t step back. I turn around hating that I have to brush up against him to do so and have no choice but to crane my neck back to meet his gaze. “Why are you even here?”

“Because Thomas wants you watched in case your friends decide to come back.”

I snort. “If only he knew who my friends really were, huh?” Vox cages me in and places his hands on either side of my head, he’s so close I can feel his breath fanning my lips. His pine and cedarwood scent surrounds me and drives me crazy.

“You are the most frustrating fucking person I have ever met.”

“Ditto, dick bag.”

“I thought I was a coward?” He leans in until his lips ghost over mine. I suck in a ragged breath, hating how my body reacts with need whenever he’s near.

“I thought you were a killer as well,” I admit.

“And?”

I allow the fight to drain out of me as I stare up at him. I don’t hide my feelings from him and allow him to see everything. I’m so sick of playing games and always feeling like I’m being pulled in two different directions, so I decide to risk my pride and my… heart.