Defining Darkness - K E Osborn Page 0,87

around like lost little puppy dogs.

Jameson smirks, then tilts his head at me. “You heard the Ol’ Lady. Help the man.”

Nerve rushes forward the same time Hatch and some of the other men who were beating him do. They lift him onto a table as Nerve flashes a tiny flashlight into Nycto’s eyes.

I struggle in Void’s grip pushing him off me. “Eva… Eva, stop!” Void calls out as I break free.

I don’t stop. Instead, I run over to Nycto. My breathing’s so freaking fast it’s hurting my recovering lungs. “Nerve, tell me he’s going to be all right,” I beg.

He keeps shining the light in Nycto’s eyes. Nycto flinches, pulling away like he always does with the light.

I exhale a sigh of relief. He’s still in there. I bring my hand up to his beaten and bloodied face.

He’s a mess.

A tear rolls down my face as I caress his blood-stained cheek. “What did they do to you?”

Nerve presses on Nycto’s ribs. He groans and flinches away. I jump on the spot.

Hatch reaches out caressing my shoulder. “We did what we had to, Eva. Trust me, Nycto knew what was coming or some version of this.”

Shock filters through me upon hearing that news. “He… he never told me.”

“Why would he? It would have scared you. You’re a part of us now, Eva. If a president puts the brotherhood in danger, he has to pay. Nycto knew that when he went in and saved you. He did it with full knowledge there would be repercussions. He knew, and he did it anyway.”

“You’re telling me… when he took me, he knew this day would come. That he would have to suffer to keep Ivy and me safe?”

“Yes, that’s exactly what I’m saying. He risked everything for you. His club. His patch. His life.”

All the air leaves my body, and I sway on the spot. I gave him such a hard time when I first got here. I had no idea that all along, from the very first second he decided to take me, he had risked everything.

He really is my dark prince.

I wipe fresh tears away from my face as I lean down to his ear. “I know you can’t hear me right now, Alec, but I’ve just realized how much I love you.”

He inhales sharply, letting out a groan as his eyes fling open. He pants for breath—they are so shallow.

I grip onto his hand. “I’m here. I’m here, Nycto. I’m not going anywhere.”

His swollen eyes meet mine. “Chiquita?”

Goosebumps prickle over my skin at hearing him call me that right now. “Yeah?”

“I love you, too.” He tries to smirk but can’t.

The clubhouse erupts in a round of cheering as Nycto chuckles on the table. I lean down, pressing my forehead to his just needing to be close to him. I don’t want to kiss him because his lips look too painful for me to touch right now.

“I never thought I’d hear the day Nycto confessed his love for another living thing.” Hatch snickers.

“Here, here,” resides around the room.

“Fuck… you,” Nycto mumbles under his labored breaths.

Hatch pokes Nycto in the ribs. Nycto jerks letting out a moan, and Hatch grins. “It’s good to see you happy, brother.”

Jameson steps forward. “The fallout was shit, but I agree with you, Nycto, it was for a good cause. Seeing you fighting for something, someone you believe in is a refreshing change,” Jameson emphasizes.

Nerve steps forward while shaking his head. “Right now, you’re all finished. Someone, get Prez a fucking icepack or three… I have to get him to his bed to check him over properly,” Nerve grumbles.

Trixie rushes off to the kitchen.

“We’ll stay the night. Some of us have been on the road for fucking hours to get here. Stacey, let’s get these beers started. It’s time we celebrate Nycto’s Ol’ Lady,” Jameson instructs.

Nerve signals to Void as I step back. They both grab Nycto and hoist him up. He lets out a deep guttural groan as they start walking with him toward our room. My stomach rolls in anguish as I follow closely behind.

Trixie rushes up, handing me some ice packs. “Good luck tonight, hon.”

I nod but scurry off after Nycto.

As I walk into the bedroom, Nerve and Void are lying him on the bed. The dull glow of the red lamp makes the blood and bruising on his face seem even more violent if that’s possible. My brows draw together as I stand back and observe Nerve while he tends to him.

“Is he gonna