1Within seconds, I watched as Ray built up her walls and shoved everything aside as she turned into Rayla Mina Desmond, the savage daughter of Ternin Desmond. It was moments like this that solidified I was never really a Desmond. Ternin and Rayla had this unnatural ability to shut everything down, every feeling, every thought, every personality trait, and bring out the beast of the Syndicate. They became this untamable, unbreakable force that focused solely on what was best for the Syndicate.
I think it was why the other bosses put up with Ternin’s antics, it was why the Desmond family was the head family, and I knew it was why Ternin finally conceded to Rayla handling her own matters. When tragedy struck all those years ago, one house fell and each of the other house’s foundations were rocked, the only house who kept it all together were the Desmonds, Ternin.
When I first came to the house, I would listen to the captains talk about how the other houses were having troubles because the leaders were having a hard time coping with what happened. All lost in their grief and letting little things slip, things that could turn into big things down the road, so Ternin took care of it.
Then I realized this was also a reason I was brought into the Desmond house, why I was to be Rayla’s brother. It was because Ternin was too busy every moment of every day battling uprisings, making in-person appearances for street wars, making sure the Syndicate was still being feared by every supernatural being in the community. He was doing this to stay afloat, to keep everything running, and he knew he was abandoning his daughter to do it and felt guilty.
He knew he couldn’t stop, so he threw a life-size Band-Aid over it until he could count on the other bosses. Until he knew everything would be all right without his monstrous resolve. This was the same resolve that Rayla had. So when Rick came in and said those magic words, it was like a spell had fallen over Rayla, and everything she felt, every scrap of pain, every question in her eyes, and every connection to the bond was turned off, and the only thing taking over was a simmering molten rage waiting to blow.
She slowly got up, not taking any of our hands to help her up as her face darkened, and her eyes became devoid of anything but the need for answers. She pushed through us and moved to the door as she plucked her robe off the hook on the back and slid it on. “How long have they not had contact? Where are their personal guards? Where did they say they were going?”
She moved to walk through the door before she paused, thinking of something before she turned and looked at us. “I would suggest you get dressed and meet me in the office if you want to have a voice on the next steps.” Then she walked away while asking Rick more questions I knew he didn’t know in a voice that said she had no time for anything but this problem.
“What the fuck?” Avery said before all of them turned to me. “I think we need to talk about a few things, buddy.”
While it was irritating that she had more mates than me, and I was struggling with the jealousy I felt toward them, I didn’t have anything against these men. Then my eyes flicked to the demon staring at the door like a puppy who got left by its master, and I realized I didn't have an issue with anyone but him.
I had this heavy, sinking feeling in my gut that he wanted to snatch Rayla up and disappear into the night and leave us without a trace. That would never happen. I would kill him first, mate mark be damned. If he wanted me to accept him, he would need to prove himself, make a drastic move to win over my approval.
Falcon spoke before me. “In the interest of keeping things quick, I am guessing you gave Rayla that ring in order to hide that you are her mate. With her hesitation for biting people, I would guess that it was a lifesaving measure where she bit you and that you had the contacts to get a spell like that done before she found out. Besides it being completely unspeakable to do to your mate, I have to say that it’s impressive.”Then why did it feel like you were condemning me?
“You have been keeping it a secret for any plethora of reasons like, the stigma of being her brother, the wrath of Boss Desmond, or even something that may have had more to do with Rayla herself, but something prevented you from wanting her to know you’re mates. You just didn’t count on her having more than you.”
I nodded at his assessment, a little impressed with his quick grasp on the situation with minimal information. I guess that’s why he was a Winstale, they had always been known for their smarts.
Falcon looked to the door with his brows lowered as concern fluttered across his face. “I’ve never seen her look or act like that.”
I shrugged, feeling slightly smug on the inside as I responded, “She’s a Desmond. They’re called savage beasts, unhinged monsters, the bloodthirsty sadists, for a reason.”
Lex sighed out, his hand over his heart as he made moon eyes at the door. “I’m so fucking in love.”
While Ax glared at him ,and Avery rolled his eyes, Falcon gazed at me expectantly like I needed to elaborate. My petty side wanted to tell them to figure it out on their own, but my practical side, the majority, knew they were the heirs and could help her shoulder this burden. “The Desmonds are a different breed. They can be fun and hilarious, not taking life seriously and get into trouble easily, but they are uncompromisingly loyal. When you are in with them, it’s for life, and the Syndicateistheir life. They will put anything and everything aside if the Syndicate calls for them.”
I glanced around the room to emphasize. “Including five new mates and a bond that I’m sure was very painful. She will sweep all of that aside, focusing only on the problem at hand. She will be short with people, she will be militant. She will also rip hearts out first and ask questions later. Trust me. Rick and I have had to clean up our fair share of her and her father’s messy outbursts.”
My hands felt idle, like I needed something to do with them, so I shoved them in my pockets, whispering this more for me than them, “It’s not that she doesn’t care for you, it’s that her loyalty to the Syndicate is absolute. It’s how she was raised.”
“And not you? Weren’t you raised together?” Ax’s question had me puff out a sad little laugh.
“We may have been raised together, but she was held to a different standard. She was to be the leader of the head family of the Syndicate. Not only that, but being the only woman heir at leadership level came with its own challenges. She had to prove to her father, our men, the city, and the supernatural community that she could stand next to the big dogs and not bat an eye. That she was worth being feared.”
“This was why I told her I was not interested in the Syndicate. Heavy is the crown.” Lex’s annoyingly flippant voice had my arms shaking as I was trying not to hit him. That would not help Rayla.
“Then why are you here?” Ax asked, a cross between annoyed and pissed as he glared at him. I wondered if he felt the same way I did—not impressed with our sixth member.
He giggled like it was the simplest of answers. “Oh, that’s because my rose is my everything.” I noticed the slightly crazy edge his eyes took when he said that phrase, an overwhelming obsession evident. “I’ve been watching her for a very, very long time. Admiring her from the first time I saw her train, and lusted after her the second those pliers ripped that fucker’s fangs out.” His eyes fluttered before they cleared, and he turned to me. “You may not like me, but I do admire your handy work. If you hadn’t gotten rid of all those men, then I would’ve. So, thanks!” He threw me a thumbs-up and a creepy smile while his words circled in my head.
“What the fuck? How do you know about all that?! What do you mean by “watching her”?” I stepped toward him, my muscles coiling to prepare for a fight.
He wasn’t even fazed, just smiling at me. “Since we are now mate buddies, I guess I can tell you. I’ve been using an orb to watch her since we were kids. As for that night”—he looked up, sighing like a fan girl—“I watched her bloom into the bloody, thorny rose she is, but as she left, I noticed you in the background going in his door. Since I couldn’t find any of her ex-lovers, I assumed you took care of them... but you confirmed it just now.” He winked at me, giving me a set of finger guns, and I felt like an idiot.
“Oookkaayyy, creepy, but at least that explains... you.” Avery waved his hand at Lex, and then he straightened up like he remembered something. He made his way over to Lex, and Lex eyed him carefully, like he was ready to strike if need be. Then Avery stuck his hand out in front of him. “Since this is our first meeting... Hi. I’m Avery Glovefox. Whether you plan to take your rightful seat as the Devil clan head or not, you’re mates with my mate, so let’s get along.”
Lex looked at his hand before slowly unfolding his arms and shaking his hand. “Yes, that is all up in the air right now, but you’re right. We should try to get along. For Rayla.” Avery nodded, and then the rest of them followed. Falcon turned to the side, introducing himself and shaking Lex’s hand. Ax hesitated, glaring at Lex before stepping up, puffing out his chest, and shoving out his hand. As soon as their hands connected, Ax tugged on his arm. “If you hurt Rayla, I will rip you apart with my claws and teeth.”
Lex stepped closer, smiling at him sweetly as he tucked a lock of his hair behind his ear, and Ax jerked at the contact while Lex cooed, “And if you hurt Rayla, I’ll make sure you die encased in pain and despair. Putting your corpse on display for all others to know what the punishment looks like for fucking with my rose.” Ax growled, and Lex’s grin widened as he let go of his hand and backed up a step.
Lex and I looked at each other, not stepping closer or shaking hands. Knowing he had been watching Ray, essentially watching me, for a while, made a handshake seem stupid, so I just nodded. That was about as much as he would get from me, and it seemed the feeling was mutual as his stupid grin stayed in place as he stared at me.
