Chapter 19

West checked his multi-slate for the dozenth time in the past three hours, but there were no new messages. He couldn’t stop wondering what was so important. Nix had commented on it in the group chat, a thing he’d never done before. Usually, he was pretty quiet there, in fact, only giving one or two-word responses when someone asked him something directly.

He’d gotten better over private messaging though. Whenever West texted asking him how his day was or what he was doing, Nix usually replied within a few minutes. It was…nice.

Relationships had never been his forte. There was always too much to do and worry about for him to have ever even considered anything serious. But over the course of the past couple of weeks, he’d realized there was something intoxicating about having a romantic person to come home to.

He liked that his bed rarely went cold. Liked having an extra person at the breakfast table, even if Nix wasn’t exactly a morning person and was grumpy as all hell with them before he’d had at least two cups of coffee. Actually, he even liked that.

A couple of nights ago, he’d even allowed Nix back on his computers to help with the search. True to his word, Nixie had reached out to some contacts he had who were doing their best to locate information on Serendipity.

Aka, Rase.

West’s hand clenched around his fork and he struggled to maintain an even expression. He should have killed that guy when he’d had the chance, but Yejun had been more upset, so West had left the decision to him. Eventually, they were going to have to come clean and explain to Nix they knew who Serendipity was, but…

Truthfully, West had always sort of had his doubts. He’d kept them to himself for fear of setting Yejun off, knowing his friend needed time to heal and distance himself from the situation and the memories of Iris and what she’d almost accomplished.

In the beginning, West had looked into Rase himself, suspecting that perhaps he was more involved than they’d known, but he hadn’t been able to find any proof. Maybe Nix would have more luck. He was certainly smart enough to see something West might have missed.

He liked that, too. It was sexy.

Nix was sexy.

Man. He fucking wished Nixie was here right now.

“Are you listening to me at all?” his father, Demitrious, asked from across the round table meant to seat five. They were at one of the restaurants at the Club House, and he was in a piss poor mood because Lake had bailed last minute.

He wasn’t the only one annoyed by that fact, but West was at least grateful Beck had arrived and joined them.

“Not really,” West replied, picking up his wine glass to sip leisurely at the dark purple contents.

Demitrious’s face turned scarlet, but Beck intervened before things could get too far out of hand.

Unfortunately.

“It appears the opposite has been quiet as of late,” Beck said.

“Yes, it’s a good thing we were able to silence them, even if it doesn’t last for long. Lake has you to thank for that.” Demitrious held up his glass in a toast.

The night West had stayed home with Nix, Lake and Yejun had gone to the Club House where a voting was taking place for higher level active members. Lake’s uncle had been behind it, insisting they take a vote before things progressed any further. His stance was Lake was too young, and someone with more worldly experience should take the throne.

Beck had openly voted against his father—something that couldn’t have gone over well between them. He’d stood by Lake’s side throughout the entire meeting, according to what West had been told.

“My father’s attempt to have Lake removed due to his age was preposterous. I want to be as much help to my cousin as possible so he doesn’t feel like his family has turned against him. Also, I’ve heard they’ve made great progress in locating the hacker we’re after,” Beck said proudly, placing a warm hand on West’s shoulder.

This morning, Nix had rested his head there at the breakfast table while Lake had made prepared his coffee. It’d been an odd slice of domestic bliss, an intimate gesture that had nothing to do with sex. It’d caught West off guard and he’d stared at the other man for a long time until Yejun chuckled at him and snapped him out of it.

If Nix were here, would he do what Beck had just done? Redirect the conversation? Or would he get up and shout at his father for being an asshole? Was West thinking too highly of himself for wanting to believe it was the latter?

There was always the chance this developing attachment went one way. Nix still spent just as much time with Yejun, after all. It was clear he didn’t have a preference. But that didn’t mean he didn’t like West on at least some level…Right?

They all knew how he felt about Lake, even if he was still acting a bit coldly toward him. It was going to take time for him to get over the claiming bite, but that was understandable. Someone like Nix, who’d always enjoyed the pleasure of freedom, wouldn’t take kindly to being forced into an eternal bond with anyone.

“Oh?” Demitrious quipped. “What has Lake found?”

West refused to take the bait. However… “I’m not convinced we’ve got the right person just yet.”

Beck frowned. “Really? I thought I heard the lead was sound.”

“This person is definitely involved,” he agreed. “But I don’t buy he’s the master. There’s someone else working behind the scenes, I’m sure of it.”

“And what does Lake think?” Demitrious asked.

“My cousin isn’t the best with computers,” Beck said with a light laugh. “I’m sure if there’s something to indicate there’s another suspect, West would be the one to find it during his search. Do you have any clues?”

He shook his head. “We need to find Serendipity first. Then we’ll interrogate him.”

“Who is this person again?” Demitrious waved the waiter over and tapped his glass more vigorously than was necessary.

“Isn’t he the boy you and Yejun beat up in Café Soul last year?” Beck pursed his lips. “What was that for again?”

“He made the moves on someone Yejun was involved with,” West lied, sticking to the story he and the others had come up with shortly after the event. No one could know the real story, especially not his father. He’d trust Beck with it if it were up to him, but it wasn’t.

The truth involved all three of them, and he wouldn’t go against Yejun’s or Lake’s wishes no matter what he personally thought of the latter’s cousin.

“That Iris girl, correct?” Beck was clearly trying to steer the conversation away from the task to help West avoid more comments from his father.

West appreciated it, but this also happened to be a subject he wasn’t fond of discussing.

“The one who was expelled?” Demitrious scowled. “What a waste of funding. I can’t believe riffraff like that are even still allowed enrollment. If it were up to me, Foxglove would be turned into a private university immediately. Only those set to enter Club Essential should be allowed access to our curriculum. Do you know how much effort went into cultivating that school to make it what it is today?”

Yes, but West also knew the man sitting across from him had very little to do with that effort.

Demitrious Corleone liked to take credit for accomplishments he didn’t make. They were well aware he would attempt the same once they did catch the hacker. But it didn’t matter.

Once Lake took the throne, West’s father would be in for the shock of a lifetime.

“Still,” Beck sighed. “Terrible what happened to her.”

“I hardly think expulsion is the end of the world,” West said. The only reason she’d gotten off with just that was because it’d become obvious she hadn’t been aware of the severity of her actions. Yejun, despite how livid he’d been, had taken pity on her in the end and opted for banishment over—

“Yes, well, she died, so…” Beck shrugged but then lifted a brow when West stared at him. “Didn’t you know?”

“No.” He shook his head, unsure how to feel about this revelation. “Are you sure?”

“Yes, she was one of my students. The family reached out after it happened, hoping I could help answer their questions. Unfortunately, I wasn’t very much help.”

“Questions?”

“According to her mother, she took her own life.”

West was admittedly surprised. He hadn’t known her very well, but Iris hadn’t struck him as the type of person to easily succumb to a shit hand. She’d been kicked out of Foxglove, sure, but she’d made it away with all of her limbs and no physical harm to her person—unlike Rase, whose offense was far less extreme than hers had been.

“Why would she do something like that?” he asked before he could help it.

“Why does anyone do anything?” Demitrious, clearly bored by the topic, downed his fourth glass of wine and then finally stood up. “Let Lake know I was disappointed not to see him here—actually,” he held up a hand, “never mind. I’ll call him myself. Beck, always a pleasure.”

Beck stood and bowed, but West didn’t bother.

He just couldn’t understand. Iris had been virtually let off the hook, and for something as serious as treason and assassin—

“Are you all right?” Beck rested a hand on West’s back. “I apologize. I didn’t realize you knew her that well. I was certain you wouldn’t care what became of her since you and Yejun ran her off campus.”

“It’s fine,” West said solemnly.

Beck’s multi-slate went off then and he frowned down at the screen.

“What’s wrong?”

“It’s nothing,” he sighed. “A student has suddenly begun to cross boundaries, that’s all.”

“That’s what you get for being a hot, young professor,” West teased, trying to regain some semblance of a normal mood. Whether or not Iris had taken her own life or simply died of other causes, it didn’t affect his life. “Add rich to the list. Of course they’re throwing themselves at you, especially now that Lake is officially off the market.”

“Has he made an official announcement?”

“Not yet, but everyone’s seen the claiming mark on Nixie’s neck.”

“And…” he shifted on his feet awkwardly, “you and Yejun?”

West grinned. “If you want to know if June is falling for him, just ask.”

Beck huffed. “Well, is he?”

“Do you want the truth, or would you prefer I lie?”

“You’re always honest,” Beck replied. “It’s your best personality trait.”

Nix had said something similar to him before.

“If you really don’t want to miss your chance, better gain some courage.” West pushed to his feet. “It might already be too late.”

Beck flinched. “He likes him that much?”

“Maybe. It’s hard to tell, you know how June is. But if I had to guess?” He nodded. “Yeah.”

He was introspective a moment and then, “What about you?”

“Me?” West was going to bite him, but first, he needed to discuss things with Lake. Even though his best friend hadn’t given him that courtesy, he refused to be a hypocrite. He’d express his intentions moving forward, and he and Lake could hash it out from there.

Of course, he’d have to have a talk with Nix as well. He’d mentioned it before, but couldn’t tell if Nixie had taken him seriously or not. Honestly, West hadn’t taken himself all that seriously in the beginning either, so he couldn’t blame him if that were the case. It could still be considered a rash decision—he didn’t have nearly as much history with Phoenix Monroe as Lake did—but West wasn’t the type to shy away from the things he wanted.

And he wanted Nix.

“What’s not to like?” he ended up saying. “You’ve met him.”

“Yes, he’s attractive and intelligent, just your type,” Beck agreed, though he didn’t smile back at him.

Probably still too upset about learning Yejun was slipping further away.

West refused to end up like that. He wouldn’t hide his feelings and potentially miss the opportunity to have the person he wanted most. That was the one thing about Beck he’d always looked down on. The guy was far too timid when it came to his own desires. A lot of that was because of his father and not wanting to be lumped into the same mold as him, but still.

“How’s Hendrix doing?” West changed the subject. “I haven’t seen him around the Club House recently.”

“He’s on a business trip,” Beck said.

“A business trip? Or is he off somewhere scheming?”

Beck grunted. “Who knows? With only five months left before Lake can be crowned, I wouldn’t put it past him to be desperately searching for a way to have him removed from the line of succession.”

“Good luck. He’s been trying to do that since we were kids.”

“Very true.” Beck sighed. “What is wrong with our fathers? They have everything they could possibly want, more riches and influence than half the people in the galaxy, and yet they’re both so obsessed with the throne. Between you and me, sometimes patricide sounds mildly appealing.”

West laughed. “If you ever decide to go through with it, give me a call. Maybe we can help each other out in that department.”

The two of them headed toward the elevators, and he tried to contain his impatience over getting home. Lake and Yejun should have been there for a while now. Had they helped Nix with whatever his problem had been?

“Do you have another class to teach?” He figured small talk as they stood in the elevator could serve as a distraction.

“Yes, in,” Beck checked the time on his multi-slate, “twenty minutes. What about you?”

“I’m going to the Roost.”

“Don’t you have training tonight?”

“I’ll reschedule.” One of the perks of being the captain of the boxing team.

“Careful, you can’t go pro if you don’t keep with it.”

West chuckled. “Really? You think skipping out on a single practice will make me soft? You know, Yejun and Nix are at the Roost right now. I guess I could just leave them to their alone time and be the responsible athlete you want me to be.”

Beck straightened his spine as the elevator came to the level for the parking lot. “I suppose you’re right. One practice won’t make a difference for a fighter of your stature.”

He was too easy. West shook his head at him and stepped out.

“…cheating?! On the Demons?!” a female gasped.

West came to a stop and turned in her direction, finding two older club members heading for the same elevator he’d just exited. When they looked up, they both froze. “What did you just say?”

They shared a scared look, but then the blond one wrung her hands and replied, “Everyone’s talking about it on the Foxglove campus.”

“She’s one of the professors in the science department,” Beck informed him.

“Apparently, Nix Monroe was caught outside the Roost getting intimate with another man,” the female professor added, possibly emboldened by Beck’s presence. His reputation as calm and collected, a genuinely nice guy amongst monsters, was well known. “Yejun and Lake caught them and someone was rushed off to the hospital.”

West swore under his breath and took a step toward his car, stopping to deliver a warning glare at them. “If I find out you’re spreading these rumors once I leave, I’ll have your job.”

She quickly dipped into a low bow, but he was already moving away, confident the message had been received.

There had to be some type of misunderstanding. Nix would never cheat on them—for multiple reasons. For one, he was already getting it from both West and Yejun on the daily. Just this morning, he’d complained about needing a break even.

The second reason was even more obvious. He wasn’t a moron. There was no way he’d risk pissing the three of them off, especially now that he was bound to Lake. Hell, Nix had been on his best behavior for weeks because of that, trying to find his footing and make things work. It was self-serving, of course, West knew. Nix was trying to protect himself the only way he was able, by adapting and compromising where he could.

And it’d been working.

Lake had stopped insisting he was followed everywhere the second he stepped foot outside the Roost. Yejun only fucked him in his studio, so there could be some separation between where Nix lived and where he was bedded. West only screwed him in his bedroom, and was keeping the secret like Nix wanted. In return, Nix didn’t shy away when any of them touched him anymore. He sat with them for meals and lobbed jokes over the kitchen counter. He wasn’t happy per se, but he was getting there. West was sure of it.

He sped out of the parking lot, barely even registering that Beck was still standing by the elevators, watching as he raced away.