Chapter Thirty-Three

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“I THOUGHT I HEARD your annoying ass.”

My head wrenched up as I crossed the threshold into the second recovery room. I had shit to do. No time to waste. Yet my exhaustion painted everything in a fugue. My urgency kept firing and then slipping.

I couldn’t afford to waste a second, yet I couldn’t seem to wake up fully.

Cal smirked as my gaze landed on him. His voice croaked and held a weak quality that hinted all his focus was on pain rather than the sarcasm he’d thrown my way.

A smile tugged my lips. “You’re alive then. Figured you were shark meat.” I tutted as I crossed the distance to his bedside. “Pity. They have the taste for humans now. They would’ve enjoyed your tasty hide.”

Standing had been hard work, the first few steps after lying cramped on a small hospital bed had been agonising, and the hole in my leg refused to be ignored anymore, ensuring I had a goddamn limp. No matter how much speed or power I added, I couldn’t get around the fact that most of my thigh muscle was out of service until it healed.

Cal noticed.

He’d always been razor-sharp at spotting vulnerability in the guests who came to my shore, using them to his advantage to keep men in line. It fucked me off that he assessed me with the same stare.

“Can’t kill me off that easily.” He grinned, his pallor pasty and body not its usual vital self.

“Ah, don’t worry.” I smirked. “I’ll come up with other ways.”

Dr Campbell rolled his eyes as Cal snickered and held up his arm. “Glad you’re still breathing, Sinclair.”

I clasped hands with him, squeezing with relief that my friend and second-in-command was still alive and his usual acerbic self. “Likewise, Moor.” I glanced down his body at the tubes disappearing under the sheet covering him, the wheeze as he breathed, the etching of agony around his eyes that hinted his quips wouldn’t last long until he either demanded stronger painkillers or succumbed to sleep to numb it.

“They might get to nibble on you after all, Cal.” I forced a chuckle. “Who knows if you’ll pull through. You look like shit.”

“He’ll pull through,” Campbell muttered. “He’s getting stronger every day. Only woke ten hours ago and has already improved rapidly...thanks to a few of your unapproved drugs, Sinclair.”

I threw him a nod. “Use whatever you need.”

Cal assessed me in the same way. “Know what? Those sharks of yours can have a chew on you. You’re not looking so good yourself.”

I scoffed and broke our grip. “Me? Nothing wrong with me.”

“Of course there isn’t.” He grinned. His attention flicked to Eleanor as she slipped to my side. “So...you found your way back, huh?”

This joviality was wrong.

This was delaying a justified murder of my brother.

“I did.” Eleanor nodded; her gaze direct but guarded. It hadn’t escaped my knowledge that there was no love lost between these two. A competition lurked beneath their interactions. I supposed I should be honoured that the two people closest to me felt some sort of possession over me, but I wouldn’t tolerate it.

Not now Eleanor is a permanent fixture in my life.

However long that might be.

“You told me to keep her if she ever came back.” I crossed my arms. “Might just take your advice.”

Cal’s green gaze shot to mine. “Got yourself a new pet, sir?” He laughed under his breath, wincing as he held the two bullet holes in his torso that Campbell had hopefully fixed.

“Worse.” I smiled. “If we get out of this mess intact, it seems I now have a wife.”

Eleanor sucked in a breath beside me, her cheeks pinking as Cal’s gaze popped wide. “Holy shit.”

Cal stared at Eleanor, his blasé welcome switching to sincerity. “For what it’s worth, I’m sorry for being a little, eh, cold to you. I was wrong. You’re not like the others, and it seems you can be trusted. I told Sinclair not to send you away, by the way. I knew the asshole was in love with you before he did.”

Eleanor rubbed the back of her hand where the IV line had been removed. “I don’t really know what to say to that—”

“Say we can be friends and let it be the end of—”

Pika’s screech shut Cal up as the chaotic caique ricocheted around the room. His feathers gleamed and his infectious joy dusted all of us as Campbell came through the door holding a silver tray, soft gauze, and a tiny patient in the middle.

“Skittles!” Eleanor headed straight toward the female parrot, the canary yellow shirt so big on her stunning frame. Skittles puffed up and screeched loud enough to hurt my ears.

Eleanor’s legs still wobbled a little, her body would be undoubtedly sore from how rough I’d fucked her, doing my damnedest to get her to come before she died in my arms.

I sighed as my chest ached.

She’d been so fucking close to dying.

I could still feel the tremor of her pulse. The unbearable contortion of her body as she drowned beneath pleasure that’d become insurmountable pain.

She’d scared me.

Scared me straight in so many ways.

It was a minutely battle not to hover over her, to listen to her breath and press my hand over her heart to ensure it pumped reliably. It terrified me that we were such a fragile species. Ruin one organ and death followed.

Have I shaved decades off her life because of what I’ve done?

“Fuck, you’ve got it bad.” Cal snickered under his breath.

I was tempted to punch him, but he hissed as the damage to his body dragged him under again. He had enough pain without me adding to it. Instead, I threw him a one finger salute and half-padded, half-limped across the surgery to where Campbell had placed Skittles on a bench beside the sink and antiseptic supplies.

Pika was beside himself, hopping, stomping, purring. He head-butted Skittles until she snapped at him, he pranced around with his wings spread like the savage dictator he was. “Hello. Hi. Lazy.” He rolled over onto his back, his scaly legs kicking air, his happiness unable to be contained.

Eleanor laughed.

Such an innocent sound that had no place in the world we’d found ourselves in. This small oasis of peace wasn’t real. We still had a fight to win, yet her laugh made me believe we had won.

That we could be happy...together.

That I could keep her and know she was safe.

Fuck, I wanted that.

I wanted her safe but I couldn’t shed the creeping, cloying coldness beneath the spare white shirt Campbell had given me. Premonition or preparation...either one warned not to get too entangled just in case this pause in happily ever after was all I’d get.

Campbell stayed at a respectable distance, allowing our hellos. “Her wing will mend. I expect she’ll be able to fly again in six weeks or so. Probably sooner but I’d like to err on the side of caution.”

“That’s good news.” Eleanor smiled, continuing to cuddle the parrot.

Impatience slithered through my veins as I wrapped my arm around Eleanor’s slight waist. It wasn’t that I didn’t appreciate this interlude...I just wasn’t one to trust in seemingly perfect moments because there was no perfect moment.

I need to go kill him.

Now!

Eleanor kissed my cheek as I leaned over her and tickled Skittles under her chin, careful not to knock the small splint keeping her wing splayed and straight.

My heart squeezed at her swift, sweet affection.

Gratefulness filled me that Campbell had rescued the parrot who was such a fundamental part of Eleanor’s enjoyment on my shores. I wasn’t an idiot. She’d fallen in love with me, yes. But she’d also fallen in love with the world I’d conjured, the birds I shared my life with, the palm trees and beaches that were my playground.

Would she still love me if I didn’t own an archipelago?

I couldn’t punch Cal, but I could punch myself.

Did she teach you nothing?

She would love you even if you were destitute and living in a cardboard castle.

“Sully, what’s wrong?” Eleanor whispered, her gaze tracking over my face. “You’re gripping me so tight.”

I relaxed my hold. “I’m fine.” I hadn’t meant to show my straying thoughts. That all this positivity and peace set my teeth on edge because I didn’t trust it. We hadn’t earned it. It was the calm before yet another storm.

I need to go.

No more delays.

Letting her go, I stepped back, removing myself from such a domestic scene. Jess had been tended to and was in the best possible hands. Cal was awake and inching farther from the Grim Reaper’s sickle with each passing hour. Skittles and Pika were reunited. Eleanor was healthy despite the hurts I’d given her.

I’d fulfilled my responsibilities to those who deserved the best of me.

I was free to become the worst of me.

Released from my obligations so I could finally give in to the fury that constantly blazed in my belly. A fury I wouldn’t be able to extinguish until my brother was dead and I’d delivered his demise personally.

Only then would I allow this sweetness to infect me.

Backing away, Cal caught my gaze.

He gritted his teeth but nodded, knowing exactly where I was going.

Campbell shook his head, and Eleanor spun with Pika on her finger, her face glowing with relief which quickly solidified into dread. “Sully...no.” She stepped toward me. “Don’t go back there. Not yet. You’re not strong enough.”

I held up my hand. “Stay here.”

“No. I won’t let you—”

“Stay here, Jinx.” I pointed at the floor. “You will give me that respect. You will stay out of harm’s way so you don’t distract me from what I need to do.”

“But what if—?”

“Stop.” I held up my hand, putting more distance between us. “I’m going. I’ll be back soon.” Spinning around, I clenched my jaw against the need to limp and shoved aside my pain—both physical and emotional.

I grabbed the door handle and stepped over the threshold back into Jealousy’s space where she lay unmoving by the wall.

A noise sounded behind me as Eleanor gave chase.

I slammed the door closed.

I braced myself, wanting to lock it so she had no choice but to obey me, but the soft snick of a gun set my senses into high alert.

Mother. Fucker.

Turning slowly, I glowered as the three guards from Euphoria aimed guns at my chest.

I didn’t care about their threats.

I had a bulletproof vest thanks to Drake’s decree that he needed me alive.

They didn’t say a word as we squared off. The sound of heavy footfalls came just before Drake dragged his weary ass into the surgery and grinned.

Or at least, tried to grin.

His Botoxed face prevented any form of animation, but his exhaustion made him look like a discarded napkin. His cheeks slouched, his pupils dull, his shoulders rolled, and entire body looked like a sack half full.

He’d yanked on black combat gear a size too big for him. He trembled from the exertion of Euphoria and elixir. He looked weak enough to kill with a fucking feather.

I grinned, bending my knees, ready to pounce. Voices echoed behind the closed door where I’d left Eleanor with Cal and Campbell. Eleanor argued. The men kept her obedient. I tuned them out as I said, “I was just coming to find you, brother. How convenient that you came to me instead.”

It wasn’t convenient.

I wanted him far, far away from Eleanor.

But...beggars couldn’t be choosers, just like my brother couldn’t cry when I killed him for daring to come to me in pieces and think he could win.

Clearing his throat, Drake croaked, “Get away from the door. That bitch of yours isn’t escaping so easily.”

I balled my hands, stepping threateningly toward him. “You can choose to die in here or outside in the twilight. Your choice.”

The mercenaries shared a smug smile, their guns still trained on me. “You’re high on delusions, mate.”

Drake sighed. “Shoot the goddess.”

It happened too fast for me to choose.

A gun swung toward Jealousy, incapacitated and entirely vulnerable in bed.

Instinct kicked in.

I charged to stop it.

I left the closed door to Eleanor unprotected and failed to defend Jess as the crack of a bullet split the air, sulphur stunk the space, and a spill of blood stained the white sheet instantly.

She didn’t even wake as he shot her.

“Fuck!” My leg bellowed as I tried to change direction.

Too late.

Two mercenaries bowled through the door, whipping guns up to aim at Cal and Eleanor.

Eleanor froze. Cal jack-knifed up in bed even with tubes and agony. His gaze fell on Jess bleeding in the other room and his face contorted with horror. “Ah, fuck!”

“No!” Eleanor screamed, trying to get past the guns and run to Jealously. “Oh, God.”

For fucking shit, when would this fucking nightmare end?

Drake snickered. “Handcuffed ya, baby brother.” He came toward me, reaching out to pat my shoulder.

I punched him square in the motherfucking jaw.

He collapsed.

The man wedging his gun into Eleanor’s tangled coffee hair yelled, “Hurt him again and I’ll shoot this bitch.”

My fingernails dug into my palms as I fought every savage desire to kill three men. Three men holding my chosen family hostage.

Two humans, two parrots.

At least Campbell stood in front of the caiques, shielding them from my brother’s view.

Drake clambered to his feet, rubbing his jaw and shaking his head. “I’ll grant you that one, Sully. One punch. Do it again and I’ll kill Eleanor Grace without any hesitation.” His eyes flashed. “I’m not playing games anymore, baby brother. I’m as sick of this battle as you are. I’m tired and hungry and want to fucking rest. Be assured my temper is thin, and I will kill her, so be a good boy and listen up.”

I cursed the coldness in his tone. The simplicity of finality.

He’d reached the end of his rope too.

Previously, our interactions had been a taunt, a test. The usual rivalry between siblings that’d mutated into murderous. But now, there was no quips or quarrels just the cold-hearted assurance that he was trigger-happy and impatient.

Still fighting my need to kill him, I snarled, “I will dance on your grave when you’re dead.”

“That’s not very nice.” Wiping blood off his lip, he cleared his throat and muttered, “I came here with an olive branch, would you believe? I actually came to congratulate you, Sullivan, before your anger made me do something I regret.” His attention flickered to Jealousy. “She was such a good lay. Let me tie her in any position, stick any toy inside her. I didn’t want to hurt her. I’d grown rather fond of her.” He whistled under his breath. “But what you’ve created with Euphoria and elixir? Fuck. Me.”

Blood seeped in an ever-widening stain over Jealousy’s stomach. What the fuck had he hit? Her guts? Her womb? Was she dying and wouldn’t even wake before her last breath?

She needs Campbell, immediately.

“You’re a genius, baby brother, and I mean that sincerely. A goddamn prodigy.”

Seething, I searched for a way to stop Jess bleeding out and the much-needed miracle of ensuring Eleanor, Pika, Skittles, and Cal weren’t shot too.

“I don’t want your compliments, Drake. They make my every achievement vile.”

He ran a hand over his face. He looked like death had nibbled him, then spat him out—just as unwanted by the underworld as he was to the living. His fatigue almost promised an armistice but I knew better than to trust such a lie.

A thought wormed into my brain. A thought I wanted to kill straight away as it would delay this feud yet again. But at least it would buy me space for Eleanor and time for Jess. I’d already cancelled my business and removed myself from future dealings anyway. I no longer fought to protect my assets because they had become firm liabilities.

The only thing I wanted to protect was a human...

A complete switch from my previous apathy toward my own kind.

Keeping my voice as civil as I could, I snapped, “What do you want, Drake? You want this to end between us? Fine. Talk frankly and let’s finish this.”

Hurry.

Drake looked behind me, narrowing his gaze at the mercenaries keeping their guns trained on a sobbing Eleanor and a seething Cal.

I refused to look.

I didn’t trust my restraint if I looked. I’d lose it, and do something that might get all of us killed.

Drake puffed up his chest, standing a little taller. “Talk frankly? That will be novel for us.”

“It might usher this bullshit along.” I flicked a glance at Jealousy, her skin growing whiter by the second even though she already resembled a ghost.

“Fine.” He cleared his throat again. “You want to negotiate? Let’s negotiate. Elixir. If you don’t have any more vials on this island, I’m guessing you have more.”

“I do.”

“Where?”

My voice revolted, unwilling to give up my secrets but I forced them out. “Monyet.”

“And what exactly is Monyet?”

“Another island. I have a lab there.”

A lab unbound by FDA rules and bureaucratic tape. If I had a breakthrough in the Java Sea, I didn’t need to worry that it would be stolen by greedy politicians or shut down by corrupt governments.

The lab out there was a country all on its own. Overseen by Peter Beck with regular live streaming and condemned to far less paperwork, breakthroughs on Monyet had far surpassed those of my lab in America.

“And how many vials are ready to go?”

“Sully, don’t!” Eleanor’s yell made me stiffen, but I ignored her.

“Four hundred.”

Drake whistled again. “Does anyone else have the recipe?”

I tapped my temple with a smirk. “Just me. I give it to my scientists piece meal. No one knows the full ingredients.”

He pursed his lips, thoughts racing in his gaze. He took a moment, deliberating for far too long. I grew angsty to help Jess. I grew furious to protect Eleanor. I honestly didn’t know how long I could restrain myself from wrapping my fingers around his throat and strangling the bastard.

Finally, Drake sniffed and held out his hand. “A truce then. Give me the four hundred vials, write down the recipe, give me access to the codes for Euphoria, and sign the deeds for Goddess Isles into my name, and—”

“That isn’t a truce. It’s the exact same request that I denied at the start of this fucking war.”

“Ah, ah, let me finish.” He clucked his tongue like an asshole. “Give me those things. Let’s face it...you don’t need the wealth, Sullivan. Be generous and spread it around. Give me what I ask and...I give you my word I will not kill Eleanor...or you.”

A laugh fell from my mouth. A bark of disbelief. “Yeah, right. You’d been better off telling me baboons can fly than promising not to hurt—”

“Calling me a liar?” His face darkened. “I give you my word, Sullivan.” He waved his hand that still speared between us. “Shake on it, and my men will lower their weapons. You, me, and Eleanor will take a little helicopter ride to wherever this lab island is. If you’re telling the truth about the four hundred vials and you sign over the titles to this sex-fest, I will personally drop you off in Jakarta where you two can go live happily ever after in some mansion elsewhere.”

“Sully...he’s lying.” Eleanor’s suspicion blended with my own.

Actually, it wasn’t suspicion. It was damn right knowledge.

Drake had never conceded or compromised in his entire life.

If we flew with him to Monyet—if I signed those documents—he would kill me.

One hundred motherfucking percent he would murder me before the ink was dry.

He would put a bullet in my skull and then either abuse Eleanor until she begged for death or kill her and leave her to rot beside me.

I narrowed my eyes, studying him.

He licked his lips, his blue gaze doing their best to hide behind sincerity but far too smug.

He thought he could hoodwink me.

He thought he could keep me a pliant prisoner, willingly walking to his guillotine.

And the shitty situation about this was...I didn’t have a fucking choice.

If I said no, he’d shoot Eleanor.

If I refused again, he’d shoot Cal.

If I continued to deny him, he’d rip off Pika’s wings and break apart Skittle’s body. He would revert to the psychotic child who got his kicks from mutilating animals who couldn’t fight back.

Jess is dying.

Hurry the fuck up.

If I accepted his terms, at least I had an opportunity to protect Jess and everyone else behind me.

Monyet was a fifteen-minute helicopter ride.

That would give me time to plot.

Stepping into him, I gritted my teeth from the rancid sensation of touching him and slipped my hand into his.

“Sully, don’t!”

“Be quiet, Jinx.”

Drake grinned like a heartless mongoose as his fingers latched tight, and we shook. “Good choice, Sullivan. Good choice.”

“I didn’t have a choice.” I yanked my hand away. “And we both know the outcome of what I’ve agreed to.”

He smirked, his shields dropping, showing me the fate he had planned. “You always were too smart, baby brother. But smarts will get you killed. I’ve always told you that.”

Snapping his fingers, he rounded up his mercenaries. “Gentlemen, I believe we have a flight to catch. Let’s go.”