Hunted by wraith, p.3
Hunted by Wraith, page 3
But the image wouldn’t come. I wanted her, but I didn’t just want any version of her.
I wanted her. The woman who called me out yet let her breath hitch when I spoke to her. The one who was too fucking sharp for her own good.
I let go of myself with a curse, smacking my head against the cold shower tile.
Not yet.
I finished showering, dried off, and pulled on black boxers before stepping back into the main suite.
Dario was lounging on the couch, flipping through his phone. He glanced up, smirking.
“Keir, you’ve had a hard-on for a while. Want me to take care of you?”
I rolled my eyes. “No, the next time my cocks near anything, it’ll be my princess.”
Dario howled with laughter. Kaz just scowled from where he sat, arms crossed.
A knock sounded at the door. Dario hopped up to answer it, returning with arms full of takeout bags.
“Dinner!” he shouted.
I groaned. “I swear, you think we’re deaf sometimes, eejit.”
Dario grinned. “I love it when you talk dirty to me in Irish, Daddy.”
I smacked him upside the head as I reached the table. “Gobshite. Just ‘cause I’m older doesn’t make me your Daddy.”
At thirty-eight, I was the eldest. Kaz was twenty-eight. Dario? Twenty-three and fucking annoying. I might have been their leader, but the only time I liked hearing “Daddy” from Dario’s mouth was in the bedroom.
And even then, it was a rare occasion when we both were seeking a release.
❧ ❧ ❧
The SUV rolled down the gravel driveway, headlights off. Kaz pulled off to the side half a mile from the house, cutting the engine.
“Alright, we check the tree line first,” I murmured. “Then we move in.”
They nodded. We climbed out, moving silently through the trees, eyes locked on the dark house ahead.
Something felt off.
Too quiet.
We circled the perimeter, checking for movement. Nothing. I motioned for the boys to move in. Low crouch, guns up.
I expected an ambush. We were told this place was a hot spot for those sick fucks.
What I didn’t expect was—
“Holy fuck.”
Dario wasn’t wrong. It was a bloodbath.
Bodies littered the yard. Ten of them.
Some had their throats slit. Others were gutted.
And some? Their necks were twisted at odd angles, snapped clean.
Only one had been shot. His throat was cut, but the bullet wasn’t the kill shot. It had grazed his arm.
Whoever did this had been fast. Precise. Ruthless.
I exhaled sharply, surveying the scene. No mercy. No hesitation.
Kaz let out a low whistle. He looked… impressed.
Dario? He just grinned. “I think I’m in love.”
I said nothing.
Whoever did this meant business.
And I had a feeling we weren’t the only ones hunting this group.
Chapter 6
Selene
As I sit on my bed reading, I try to control the rage building inside me. My body aches — bruised, a cracked rib, half my face swollen and turning purple by the minute. Don’t even get me started on the stitches in my bullet wound, or the graze or two on my body.
Then there’s the twenty-year-old, terrified girl in my guest room.
I was going to end Barbra.
After executing every damn man at that house, I stole a couple of their phones for Lily. Once I managed to get myself and a shaking, traumatized Kathrine a good two miles away from the house, I called in. Lily and Max raced to our location to pick us up. At least Kathrine’s presence saved me from a long conversation.
I toss my book onto the bed and let out a frustrated sigh. Still too worked up to relax.
Climbing out of bed, I throw on my baggiest sweats. I can’t bring myself to put on a sweater, so the tube top Lily left me in will have to do.
My stomach growls as I head downstairs.
When I get to the kitchen, Max is setting down some takeout on the island. He knows me well.
“Hungry?” He opens a container with crispy fries and a greasy, delicious-looking cheeseburger.
“I’m famished. Gravy?” I try to smile, but the scab on my lip stops me as he slides a small container toward me.
“You shouldn’t be out of bed, you know.”
I roll my eyes at him.
“I’ve taken worse beatings in training, Max. I’ll be fine.”
He grunts in displeasure and shakes his head.
“Is Lily still with Kathrine?”
I agreed for Lily to stay with her as Lily is a lot better in emotional situations.
“Yeah, she is. She also got the background check on Barbra. You were right — the one your father has is misinformed.”
I let out a frustrated huff as I scarf down the burger.
“Of course it’s fabricated. Does she happen to have any Russian ties?”
“Yeah,” Max responds, “she’s some whore for the enforcer of the Russian mob out of New Orleans. But how she ended up here is a mystery.”
The fucking whore of an enforcer. It makes sense. The Russians have been trying to make a move in Vegas for years. Father, the Italians, and the Gaelic Reaper MC all decided they didn’t want Russians on their turf. The second they killed the Pakhan and his wife and son, we all made it clear — no Russians here.
“So, this little wench somehow got to Father, poisoned him over time, and got into his head,” I mutter. “But that’s not all they wanted, is it?”
Max shakes his head. My mind starts racing, thoughts flying in a million different directions. Until—
“They want Onyx. We hold the most power here, and the MC and Italians count on us to keep things clean for them. If they had Onyx, they’d have Vegas.”
I laugh to myself. Barbra failed. She got nothing.
“That’s why she had you kidnapped. If you disappeared, she’d get it all.”
I nod at Max before I hear a bubble of laughter.
“Here I thought you put me as the beneficiary of your will and the company. You sneaky bitch!”
This time, I do smile. Fuck the pain.
Lily laughs, and Max stands there, looking between us, eyes wide.
“Always be prepared.” Max says with a laugh.
“Exactly. And now that I’m ‘missing,’ I can go hunting while she tries to leech her way in here. Then I get to watch her lose everything again.”
Lily beams at that.
“You little minx. So, you’re going to be a dog and play dead?”
I scoff. “Not a dog. And I’m not playing dead. I’m playing missing person.”
“Okay, that means we need to move you. I have to be out of my mind trying to track you down.”
I hum my agreement. “Hopefully, you’re a better actor than that wench.”
We all laugh.
“Well, I’ll definitely be better than her. We also need somewhere to put the girl.”
Max and I share a look, then both turn to Lily.
“Lil, I think she’d be best off at the compound you built for your mom and sisters.”
I’m not joking when I say “compound.” That place is locked up tighter than Fort Knox. There’s the main house for her mom and sisters, Lily’s house, and a small cabin.
“I already called Mom,” Lily says. “She agreed. It may be best for Kathrine, especially after I explained a little of their past times.”
“Oh, wonderful. That way maybe she can start healing. Now, any ideas for my location?”
I know we have a couple of safe houses all over Vegas, but they could all be compromised. I definitely can’t stay at a hotel.
“What if we call in a favor with one of the heads?”
“That could work. Use one of their safe houses, especially the Reapers. Barbra thinks they’re just a small-town gang.”
“I’ll give them a call. You girls will need to clear out tonight.”
I nod my agreement as Max walks off to make the call.
“Are you doing, okay?”
I look over at Lily, who’s worrying her lip between her teeth.
“I’m fine, Lil. I promise. Now come help me pack.”
She offers me her arm, and I let her help me up the stairs.
“I’ll pack your bags for you. You shouldn’t be using that shoulder too much yet.”
I smile as she grabs my suitcase and a duffle.
“I’m going to need field clothes. Nothing fancy!” I call out as she struts back into my closet.
“You’ll only be going out at night, right?”
“Of course. You know that’s when I do my best work.”
She comes back out, arms full of black clothing.
“Yes, yes. The Wraith is the shadow of death.”
We burst out laughing, though mine sounds more like a wheeze.
“You’ll also need to transfer my work phone data onto a new one and handle the business while I’m gone.”
Folding everything up and packing it in my suitcase, she wanders to my bookshelf and grabs a few books tucking them into my suitcase as well.
“Ah, yes. Run it for you while I secretly wait for the wench.”
She gives me a wicked smile and a wink.
Chapter 7
Kaz
To say I was impressed was an understatement—thirteen Russians taken down by what looked like a single person.
There was no useful information at the house, no sign of Katherine, nothing except for the damaged doors upstairs. Clearly, they were holding something—or someone.
“Selene made contact,” Keir says, staring at his phone.
“What did she say?” Dario rushes over, eyes wild.
“It just says to call if we’re still in Vegas and require assistance.”
“Then why the hell are you just staring at your phone? Call her!” This kid is like a damn dog—way too excited.
I drop onto the couch, crossing my arms as I watch Keir dial.
“Hello! I’m so glad you called.”
My body tenses. That’s not my moon’s voice.
“You’re not Selene,” Keir growls.
“No, my name is Lily Salone. I’m Selene’s partner at Onyx. She’s unfortunately away on business.”
Blyad’. This woman’s voice is way too chipper.
“So, she left knowing she offered us assistance if we needed it?”
I roll my eyes. Of course, my moon is as slippery as these sukin synov we’ve been chasing.
“Well, no. She’s currently off-grid, working on a job.”
Ah. So my milaya likes to get her hands dirty. My lips twitch at the thought.
“Does that mean, as her partner, you can authorize assistance?”
“Oh, absolutely! I’m mostly in charge of her tech division, but she asked me to take over in her absence.”
Clearly, she has never had to deal with Onyx clients—way too much information.
“Then you’re up to date on why we’re here?”
She laughs. “Yes, I’m well informed. I’ve actually started looking into your situation and have some information I could send over—if you have an encrypted phone.”
Keir rolls his eyes. Dario tries not to laugh.
“Of course. Send the file.”
“Okay. Sending it… and sent. If you need anything else, feel free to call.”
She hangs up.
“Well, that went well. At least our girl didn’t forget about us.” Dario grins.
Keir scoffs. “She’s not our girl. She’s just someone we need on our side.”
Ah, but my moon… I feel like she’ll be Keir’s new obsession in no time.
Keir stands and heads to the kitchen table—his makeshift office.
“I’m going through the file. We head out again tonight.”
A clear dismissal. I get up and head to the door. Might as well hit the gym while he works.
❧ ❧ ❧
When I return, Keir and Dario are gearing up.
“Find something?”
“Just a couple more locations to check out.” Keir hands me his tablet.
I glance at the map—abandoned houses, businesses.
I grunt. That’s a lot more than a couple. But I won’t complain. More fun for me.
“Hopefully, we make it there before our competition,” Dario says, smirking.
“Go get ready, Kaz. We’re heading out soon.”
I grab fresh clothes and head to the bathroom.
Steam fills the room as I turn on the shower and fuck me if I don’t have the urge to spill blood tonight.
It’s been almost a week. The need to cause pain is like an addiction. People call it twisted, but those people have never suffered.
I step under the water, focusing on my breathing—trying to push the memories back.
But one slips through…
“You’ve been a bad boy, Kazimir. Do you want my punishment or Kevin’s?”
My eight-year-old brain was confused. I hadn’t done anything wrong.
But Sophia said I had. She always did when Kevin was away on business.
I hated her punishments. She made me do things I didn’t understand.
I preferred Kevin’s wrath—punches, broken bones, blood.
I shake away the memory before I sink to far into my head.
I scrub my tattooed skin raw—once, twice—until it burns.
It’s never enough.
No matter how hard I scrub, I still feel them on me. The ghosts of their hands, the filth they left behind.
I towel off, get dressed. Tonight, I’ll get my release.
The thought makes my lips twitch—a smile that never quite surfaces.
I step out to find Keir and Dario strapping up—knives, guns, the usual.
“All I’m saying is, we should use knives—see if we’re as skilled as our mystery competitor,” Dario suggests.
Keir scoffs. “You’re fucking crazy if you think I’m walking into a gunfight with just a couple of knives.”
I grunt in agreement, securing my own arsenal.
“The goal is to take one of them alive, so don’t get too out of hand, Kaz.” Keir’s stern tone almost makes me laugh.
“No killing everyone. Got it.”
Dario’s eyes widen. It is always the same reaction when I actually speak.
“Let’s head out,” Keir says. “I want to go home. Let’s take these fuckers down while we finally can.”
Dario and I nod. We have not been home to Boston in years—too busy chasing this group.
Too busy looking for my half-sister.
We reach another abandoned house—this one much larger than the last. The same eerie atmosphere lingers, but this time, some of the lights are on.
My fingers twitch, eager for pain and bloodshed.
“Let’s move,” Keir murmurs, nodding toward the house as we snake our way up to the side door.
“Oh, come on,” Dario whisper-groans.
Keir and I glance over just in time to see him nudge a body with his boot. Another one.
You’ve got to be kidding me.
I swear, if this mystery person keeps interfering, they’ll be the next one I spill the blood of.
“Keep moving,” Keir orders, nodding toward the door.
I enter first, carefully stepping through what appears to be a kitchen. Keir and Dario follow, their footsteps controlled, silent. I listen intently, scanning the sounds of the house.
Then—
Thud.
I freeze. The distinct sound of a body hitting the floor sends a shiver of anticipation through me.
“You fucking bitch!” A man shouts, his heavy Russian accent thick with rage.
I don’t hesitate. My skin tingles with excitement as I move toward the action.
“Here I thought you liked calling me sugarplum.”
My heart stutters.
That voice.
We enter an open area of the house silent and cloaked in the dark, and there she is—standing in the center of the room, surrounded by four Russian men.
Maybe five foot two. Long black hair with blonde streaks at the front. Steel gray eyes.
A man crumpled at her feet.
A sadistic smile on her bruised and bloodied face which makes my cock harden in my pants.
My moon.
Chapter 8
Selene
I got lucky tonight.
The bastard responsible for my kidnapping was right in front of me, staring at me with the same shocked expression I had when I spotted him. But unlike him, I adapted fast. He was coming with me—alive.
I had already taken down most of his men patrolling the area. Now, soaked in blood, I stood face-to-face with him and five others.
Well… four now.
The last one had been dumb enough to charge me, and I slit his throat before he could blink.
“Cat got your tongue, big man?” I taunt, tilting my head, my dagger dripping red. “Or is your life flashing before your eyes?”
The Wraith’s signature sadistic smile hasn’t left my face since this all started, and I’m over the moon with the bloodshed.
His nostrils flare. “You’re going to get what’s coming to you, whether you take me out now or not.” His roar lacks the terror I crave.
Jesus. This guy is a walking cliché. The villains in my books are more terrifying.
Bored of the slow escalation, I lift my gun and pull the trigger.
Right between the eyes.
Not his—his goon’s.
All hell breaks loose.
The remaining two charge me. The first swings for my head—I drop to my knees, slicing my dagger across his shin, feeling the blade bite through muscle and tendon. He screams, stumbling and dropping to the ground, but the second one is faster.
A fist yanks my hair, wrenching my head back before I’m hurled against the wall. My head cracks against it, and I slide down onto my side.
“You know, only women pull hair,” I rasp, grinning up at him. “So, it’s fair to say—you fight like a bitch.”
My manic laughter pulls him closer as I adjust my body position.
Right where I need him.
The moment he steps into range, I strike, sweeping my leg out. My heel connects with his knee, and he collapses with a grunt.
