Defining Darkness - K E Osborn Page 0,17

the two women drowned.”

Hatch turns back to face me, his face softening. “So what? What’s the compensation for losing two of his precious packages? What’s the damage?”

“One girl was worth 100, the other 150.”

He grunts. “I’m assuming you mean thousand. So, a quarter of a million combined? You can’t afford that.”

Brew huffs while folding his arms over his chest as I shake my head. “No. I can’t.”

Hatch lets out a mocking scoff. “So that’s what this visit is about. You need money? Why not give the girls back? You put up this front of a heartless monster… prove it.”

I stand, my lip curling as I stare at him. “I’m not giving Eva back.”

He smirks. “Well, well, she has a name. You actually care about her. This isn’t just some fucked-up game for you.”

I let out a frustrated groan as I turn, pacing the room. “I have enough to cover half. I understand if Miami doesn’t want to be dragged into this, Hatch, but I’ve come to you for help personally. If you’re not going to give it, then I’ll find it elsewhere.”

Hatch throws his hands in the air. “And where else you gonna go who’s gonna listen to this and not kick your damn ass? Sit down, dickhead. Let me talk to my accountant. I’ll have him transfer the funds to your account, but… it’s a loan. I need it back, with interest.”

I spin back to face him. I knew he’d come through for me. He always does. Just like if Hatch ever needed anything from Tampa or me, we’d be there for him.

It’s just how it’s always been.

We’ve known each other for fucking ever. We prospected around the same time, so when Miami and Tampa got together, Hatch, Hype, and I were always the ones standing outside the fucking bars in the motherfucking rain, watching the bikes, cleaning the mud off, doing the bitch duty.

We went through a fucking lot together, back then, and even more recently.

We have each other’s backs.

Always.

“Thanks, man. This means a lot.”

Hatch grips my shoulders. “I hope she’s worth it, brother. I don’t know what kind of shit you’re about to bring down on your club, just understand Miami doesn’t want any part of it. I’ll help you with this cash, but you know I hate this trafficking bullshit.”

I dip my chin. “I hear you. Thanks for the cash, brother. I owe you one.”

“You owe me 125K plus interest, but it’s what I’m here for. I got your back. Well, most of the time. Now get out of my clubhouse.”

“Not without a fucking beer first. It took us four hours to get here. Where’s your hospitality, brother?”

“Fine! Let’s go drink,” Hatch offers, and we walk back out into the clubroom.

Though my mind has now shifted back to Eva.

How’s she doing in my bedroom all alone?

First thing I’m doing when I get back is to go check on her.

Maybe because I’m worried, or maybe it’s withdrawal.

Either way, I know she’s bad for me.

Because I’m willing to risk everything for a woman I’ve only just met.

Chapter Eight

EVA

I am so tired.

But I can’t sleep.

I have no concept of time. Is it day or night? I have no idea because there are no windows, no natural source of light to give me any kind of clue.

Nycto’s been gone for hours. After what happened earlier, I have no idea if he’s even coming back.

Then there’s Ivy. My gorgeous, precious sister. Nycto said she was gone. Sold. I honestly don’t know if I’ll ever see her again. The thought is crippling me as I cuddle into a pillow that smells like Nycto.

All leather and sandalwood.

It’s strange because I want Nycto to come back for so many reasons.

The most obvious—so I can talk to him more about Ivy, but also because it’s lonely and boring in here on my own.

But there’s also a part of me which is completely intrigued by him.

He’s hard to read.

So alpha, yet there’s a softness in him. Something he tries to hide, and I don’t know why. I guess I’m going to have to pull him out from behind those walls he builds like some kind of fortress.

That is if he ever comes in here again.

Rolling on my back, I stare at the ceiling, the gray stucco reminding me I’m in some kind of bunker or vault. I don’t know where the hell I am, or why on earth I’m here, but Nycto, for some weird reason, chose me. It’s something I still don’t completely understand.

But when