Chapter Twenty-Seven Nathan

Iwas going to get him back.

The roar of my car's engine was like a fierce dragon waking from its slumber, echoing through the streets as I barreled toward Venom Custom Motors, my brother's favorite haunt.

Alex had crossed a line—ratting me out to Ba—and I wasn't about to let that slide.

My mind should have been on the impending confrontation, but Abby...hell, Abby wouldn't leave my thoughts. The way she arched under me at the club, that mix of pleasure and power. Then two nights ago, when I'd taken what I wanted; it was wrong, but it ignited something dark within me.

But last night, with her looking up at me, green eyes full of fire, giving herself willingly—the memory sent a jolt straight to my cock, remembering how she'd sucked me off, how she'd come as she clenched around me.

I'd never been one for relationships–fleeting connections with power-hungry girls or one-night stands were more my style. But with Abby, it was different. The quiet moments we shared had an air of something like normalcy, something I'd always longed for but never allowed myself to fully grasp.

As Venom loomed ahead, a sick feeling twisted in my stomach. I couldn't shake the ticking time bomb feeling that came with every thought of her now. The domesticity we played at was under threat, and it was because of my own blood.

Because of my recklessness, because of my family.

But most of all because of my piece-of-shit brother.

I parked with a screech, the sound ripping through the air and alerting anyone inside to my less than pleasant arrival. My heart hammered against my ribcage, not solely from the adrenaline of confrontation, but from the decision weighing on me.

Abby…I wanted to keep her, damn it, even if it was selfish. She wasn't just another body to warm my bed; she made me feel like there might be more to this life than bloodshed and power plays. But if Alex's games meant she was a liability...

I clenched my fists as I stepped out of the car, the leather of the steering wheel still warm from my grip. If keeping myself and my family safe meant eliminating her, could I do it? The thought filled me with a cold dread, yet I knew in this world, sometimes you had to sever your hand to save the arm.

I pushed the door open, the sound of metal clanking and engines revving greeting me like an old friend. Except today, there were no friendly faces. Alex was lounging in a grease-stained chair, talking with his constant companion Javi Alvarez, while the third point of their friendship was under a car, long legs sticking out. Alex's gaze locked on mine, and I saw that familiar flicker of apprehension cross his features.

"Hey Fangs," Javi began.

But that was as far as he got.

I stormed over, my steps deliberate, my purpose clear. All the pent-up frustration, all the fear for Abby's safety—it exploded out of me. Before anyone could react, my hand shot out, fingers wrapping around Alex's throat. I slammed him against the wall, the echo of the impact bouncing off the concrete floors.

"Hey!" Javi exclaimed, shock painted across his face. But this wasn't his fight, and both Neon and Javi knew better than to get involved when blood was at odds.

"Sorry, Javi," I said through gritted teeth, not taking my eyes off Alex. "Family business."

Alex's heels scraped against the ground, trying to find purchase. He was tall, but in my grip, he might as well have been a rag doll. His hands clawed at mine, but my hold only tightened.

"Can't...breathe," he choked out, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Good," I snarled, leaning in close enough for him to feel the heat of my anger. "Maybe you'll think twice about crossing me next time."

The shop had fallen silent except for the distant hum of a car engine somewhere in the back. Neon's legs, sticking out from beneath a cherry red Mustang, stilled as if he sensed the dangerous undercurrent in the air. I watched from the corner of my eye as he slowly rolled out, watching with terror in his gaze.

"Stay out of it," Alex managed to rasp, his eyes darting toward Neon and Javi. The warning in his gaze was clear as day; this was a family matter, and involving themselves would only lead to trouble they couldn't afford.

Neon nodded, understanding the unspoken rule of loyalty and survival within our world. He dusted off his hands and backed away with a grimace, while Javi's expression turned somber, his earlier greeting forgotten.

They knew better than to interfere with the Zhou brothers when tempers flared.

"Alex," I said, my voice low and menacing, "what the hell are you playing at?" My grip eased just enough for him to drag in a ragged breath but not enough for him to break free. "You point a finger at me over some missing girl? You trying to stir shit up?"

His face, already reddening from the lack of air, contorted in frustration. "Nathan, I—" he coughed, struggling against my hold.

"Talk," I demanded, tightening my grip once more to reinforce my seriousness. His antics were threatening everything—my position, my future.

Alex gasped, clawing at my hand. The fear in his eyes told me he knew he'd pushed too far this time. But that didn't stop the defiance that always burned there—a byproduct of living in my shadow, of bearing the weight of being Kenny Zhou's less-favored son.

"Can't...tell..." he wheezed, his pride fighting against his need for oxygen.

"Can't tell me what?" I snarled, feeling the rage boiling in my chest. "Spit it out, Alex."

"Someone...someone said they saw you," he choked out between labored breaths. "Dancing with her. The night she disappeared. But the rumor was secondhand, I don't know who."

His eyes searched mine, pleading for some kind of understanding. I processed his words, the implication that I had something to do with a missing girl. It was a serious accusation, one that could unravel everything if left unchecked. My mind raced, but I kept my face impassive.

In our world, any sign of weakness could be fatal.

And if it came down to me or Abby…well, she would end up dead either way, if my father found out what I'd done.

And if the cops found out? Shit…we were all done for.

"Listen to me very carefully," I said, my voice as cold and hard as the steel of a gun barrel. "If this is some kind of power play, you're even dumber than you look."

"I was just trying to—"

"What?" I muttered. "Bring more attention on our family? Because you know that if I go down, we all go down. You included. What, do you want to be king of the ruins?"

He stared at me, his eyes wide with fear, saying nothing.

"Alex," I continued, leaning in so close I could feel the tremble of his body against mine, "I have no qualms about putting a bullet in my own brother's head if it means protecting the family. Our blood may run deep, but it won't stop me from doing what's necessary. Are we clear?"

The threat hung heavy in the air, and Alex's eyes widened in realization. He knew I meant every word. His Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed hard, nodding as best he could within the confines of my grasp. There was no mistaking the seriousness in my tone, no room for doubt that I would follow through on my warning.

"Crystal," he managed to rasp out.

I released him suddenly, stepping back and watching as he slumped against the wall, gasping for air. His friends remained silent, their faces etched with a mix of concern and relief.

"I want to remind you this is about self-preservation," I murmured coolly, tucking my hands into my pockets to stop them from shaking. "You think it's just about me? What happens when the cops start sniffing around? They won't just find me; they'll unravel everything. The Triad, our dealings...Ma and Ba, Justin and Lily."

His eyes flickered at the mention of our family, as if it had finally sunk in. This wasn't some sibling rivalry. This was about the empire our family had built, the precarious tower of cards that could collapse with one wrong move.

"Everything we've done, everything we are—it's under threat, Alex. And I won't let your stupidity be the thing that brings us down."

Alex straightened up, his resolve hardening as he met my gaze. "I'm not the enemy, Nathan. But fine, I'll back off. For the family."

"Make sure you do." My warning was a low growl, a promise of violence that hung between us unspoken.

Without another word, I turned on my heel and walked away, leaving Alex leaning against the wall, Neon and Javi watching me with wary eyes. As I exited Venom, the cool afternoon air hit me like a splash of water, sobering my rage-fueled high.

It was then that the weight of the situation settled on my shoulders, the possibility that this mess with Alex could spiral out of control. It wasn't just about my survival anymore. Abby's life was tangled up in mine, her fate linked to the decisions I made.

"Shit," I muttered under my breath, thinking about her green eyes and the way she'd looked at me last night, full of desire and something close to affection. My chest tightened at the thought of losing that, of losing her.

But I'd known her for a few days…and even if I thought I was falling for her, it would pass.

I needed to decide what I was going to do with her.

And I needed to decide tonight.