Page 3 of Revenge & Truth

“Then maybe they should stop pissing me off,” Astin grumbled. “I thought those two would kill each other after the first few days. Now they’re like best buds trying to control every part of my life.”

That had me chuckling. “Yeah, I don’t think you can call them putting security protocol in place for you controlling your life, omae.” The endearment slipped out before I could stop myself, but when she didn’t comment on it, I let it be.

“Tomato, tamato… I still can’t drive myself to the fucking corner store if I wanted to,” she said exasperated, waving her hand about in frustration. “Anyway, when is the next time you can see Luca?”

“Tomorrow,” I answered. “I’ll call the prison tonight and let them know we’re coming so there won’t be any trouble. Are you planning on telling anyone we’re doing this, or should I keep it to myself?”

She pondered that for a moment. “Keep it quiet for now… no need to get their balls in a bind over the trip. There’s nothing they can say to prevent me from going, and I think it’s time they got a little reminder about who’s the boss in this house. I don’t need to ask their permission to do things, and if I want to see Luca, then I’m fucking going to. If someone wants to fuck around and find out what messing with me is like, then by all means, give it your best shot.”

I raised an eyebrow at that last statement, seeing her Darkness peeking out as her tone became cool and detached. Since Gunner’s death, that side of Astin seemed to live closer to the surface, making me wonder if it was an improvement or something we needed to deal with once things settled down with Luca. Either way, it was a problem for another day, and I had a meeting to set up with the prison.

Luca was going to be furious when he saw her there with me, but as she said, she doesn’t need mine or anyone else’s permission to do whatever the fuck she wants.

two

“Not a fucking chance,” Ryker snapped.

Leaning back against my desk, I crossed my arms. “Did you want to give that more than five seconds of thought before coming to that conclusion?”

“No need because you’re not going to Ashgate,” Ryker answered, mimicking my crossed arms.

Nodding, I stood and closed the space between us until we were practically nose to nose, but he didn’t back down like I knew he wouldn’t. “Ry…” I whispered as I placed a hand on his chest, “… tell me whose office are we standing in?”

He frowned as he narrowed his copper and green swirled eyes. “We’re in your office.”

“Correct. Now who is the only person who can use this office?” I continued, my voice still soft, making him listen to me carefully.

The muscle in his jaw that started to twitch told me he knew where I was going with this. “Tin-Tin, I don’t give a fuck if you’re the leader of the Caprioni Family or not. I’m the head of security, and I’m not going to let a person I love, and whose safety I’m charged with, walk into a situation where I can’t protect them.”

“Who or what exactly are you protecting me from? Is there something more I need to know about Ashgate Penitentiary you haven’t told me?” I pressed, taking a step back to look at him more carefully. “You’re well aware I can take care of myself, and some prison thug isn’t going to get in my way. Therefore, it leads me to believe there’s something about Ashgate you’ve been keeping to yourself, Ryker.”

With a growl of frustration, Ryker rubbed his forehead before starting to pace. “It’s not so much that I’m keeping anything from you per se. Ashgate is one prison we haven’t been able to get too many people into to allow us to gain some control on the inside. The judge who sends people there is known for being a vocal Caprioni hater. Anyone who ends up there doesn’t last the week before they’re killed in some prison fight. Luca has lasted the longest simply because he’s a scary motherfucker, but that’s why they keep him in isolation. You can’t turn people to our side if you’re not around them.”

“Oookay,” I said, drawing out the word, still not following what had him so wound up.

“For fuck’s sake, man, just tell her the fucking truth already,” Hound grumbled from where he was sprawled in the armchair of my seating area.

I glanced over at the man glaring at my childhood best friend. Today he wore white contacts, giving him a rather eerie look with his black and teal hair, tattoos, and various facial piercings. Hound was unlike anyone I’d ever met before. We’d gotten to know each other online without me knowing what he looked like, so meeting him for the first time was a rather interesting experience.

“Tell me what?” I demanded.

Hound shifted his gaze to me, and whatever he saw on my face had him slowly sitting up straight. “Luna—” he started, but I cut him off with a wave of my hand.

“No,” I snapped. “This ends now. No more keeping things from me. I’m the motherfucking leader of the Caprioni Family, and you’re my lieutenants, or do I have more cleaning up to do in this house?”

Hound shot to his feet, and the next moment he was in front of me, cupping my face firmly in his hands. “Darkness, don’t you dare threaten me like that,” he said with a growl. “Astin means everything to me, and there isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for her, so you can cut that shit out right the fuck now.”

At his words, I realized my alter-ego was indeed riding me hard but seemed to be mollified by Hound’s declaration. Since the day of Gunner’s death and the oath ceremony, whatever had been holding this part of me locked away was now gone, leaving her to run wild. It’s been a constant battle to find a way to balance this part of myself. After a long conversation with my grandfather before he returned home, I came to understand my father had done more harm than good hiding this side of me. Now the challenge of blending what had been suppressed alongside who I’ve become over the years would be ten times harder. Thankfully, he had a therapist who has helped more than one of the Raffa family members after their training.

Closing my eyes, I took a deep breath, assuring Darkness I would be fine and could handle this on my own. Reluctantly, she took a step back but refused to leave on the off chance I was wrong. I couldn’t help but smile at that and let out a chuckle as I placed my hands over Hound’s, letting him know I was okay.

“Astin,” Ryker ventured, his voice close by.

My eyes flicked open to see him by Hound’s shoulder. “I’m good,” I assured them before pulling out of Hound’s hands. “Now, where were we? Ah yes, you were going to tell me what you’ve been holding back.”

Ryker and Hound shared a glance before facing me once more.

“If you walk into that prison, there’s no guarantee you can walk out again,” Ryker answered. “Our fear is they are doing this to draw you out, use the fact you’re in a place covered in cameras and audio surveillance to trap you into incriminating yourself.”