David l robbins endwor.., p.17
Vicious Society: A Dark Romance (The Obsidian Order Book 2), page 17
My father’s mouth thins with disapproval. “The infirmary isn’t being monitored. At least not right now. If you knew how valuable the McKenzie bastard is, why didn’t you stop him from drinking during the Solstice?”
I exhale, aware of the multitude of implications behind his question. “I understand his survival is critical to your plans, but I had no idea what the Order was doing that night. You could’ve warned me.”
“No, I could not. Gage watches me more closely than he has in the past.”
“Is he onto you?”
My father shakes his head. “No, but we have to tread lightly while protecting the McKenzie boy.”
“I know.”
He studies me for a moment, as if weighing my words or perhaps searching for a hint of insubordination. “Good. Because letting him die when he is so close to becoming a full-fledged member of the Order would be inconvenient for us.”
There’s an edge to his voice, a sharpness that suggests he’s willing to blame me for any misstep. I keep my response measured, aware of the game we’re both playing. “It won’t come to that. I’ve taken steps to ensure he gets through the Trials.”
Edward nods slowly, his gaze never wavering. “Make sure you do, Xavier. Remember, your actions reflect not only on you but on our family. And our family does not tolerate failure.”
The threat is clear, and I resist the urge to react under his scrutiny. “I understand. I won’t fail. So far, it’s been difficult with the Trials being individualized.”
“I won’t accept excuses, son. However, your concern is unnecessary. The last Trial will involve all the recruits at once without keeping them separated. That’s all I can say.”
“I’ll watch over him.”
Edward gives me a final nod, more a dismissal than an approval, and turns to leave. Then, he pauses at the doorway, turning back to face me with a look that cuts sharper than any blade. “Do you realize that the McKenzie heir is indispensable to us?”
“Of course.”
My father continues as if I haven’t spoken, his voice lowering to a near whisper despite the privacy of the infirmary. “The vault requires his genetic DNA to open. Inside, there are secrets, knowledge that the McKenzie family has kept hidden—revolutionary technology that could change the balance of power not just within the Order, but in the world beyond.
“Once he’s accessed the vault, the heir’s usefulness will be at its end.” My father’s eyes bore into mine, leaving no room for doubt or hesitation. “You know what must be done. He cannot live to disclose our actions or the technology’s existence to any of the other leaders.”
The finality in his directive sends a chill through me. Killing Benjamin had always been part of my father’s plan, a necessary end to secure his ambitions and secrets. Yet the reality of such an act, the cold calculation of it, is a harsh reminder of the path that has been chosen for me.
“Why do you think I befriended him and earned his trust over the past three years?” I respond, my voice steady. “I understand the stakes. It will be handled precisely as you’ve planned.”
Edward nods once, a curt, satisfied acknowledgment. “See that it is, Xavier. We cannot afford any loose ends. Our future, the future of the Donovan empire, depends on what lies within that vault.”
With that, he exits the infirmary, leaving me alone with my thoughts in the silence that follows. The heir to the technology empire is a young man whose fate has been irrevocably tied to mine for the last three years.
Making Benjamin McKenzie my darkest secret.
As I step into the brightly lit hallway outside the lab room, the echo of my father’s departing words still resonate.
Edward’s interest in Benjamin has never been about benevolence. It’s strategic, a calculated move in a much larger plan that involves the McKenzie family’s technology centered around satellite communication, as well as a supercomputer that holds infinite possibilities when constructing supply chains.
This would be a monumental leap forward in our capabilities. This isn’t merely about enhancing the Order’s power, it’s about reshaping our entire operation, particularly the illegal arms trafficking that has bolstered my family’s status within the underground world. The advancements could mean smarter, more efficient, and significantly more destructive weaponry, potentially changing the landscape of power.
However, the cost of this power is steep, and it’s measured in human life—specifically, the life of Benjamin McKenzie, the brother of the woman I’m in love with.
The thought of taking Benjamin’s life for the sake of this mission is a jagged pill to swallow. Not only because of what it would do to Delilah, whose heart would surely break, but also because over the years, I have grown to respect him. Benjamin’s courage, his integrity, and his loyalty to those he cares about have not gone unnoticed. He is not just another recruit in the Order.
He’s a man I’ve called a friend for the past three years.
How would Delilah react if she knew the grim reality of the situation?
The knowledge would drive a wedge between us. An insurmountable one.
It would not only shatter her trust but would sever any feelings she has developed for me. The betrayal would be too deep, too personal. The thought of causing her that kind of pain is more daunting than any physical danger I have ever faced.
And yet, duty calls with a voice that’s hard to ignore. The commands of my father are the chains that bind me, demanding loyalty and obedience, often at the expense of personal happiness and moral integrity. This duality of duty versus desire, of orders versus personal ethics, is a constant battle, raging silently within the confines of my own mind, driving me fucking crazy.
To keep Delilah, to win her heart fully and irrevocably, I have to defy my father.
The thought is terrifying.
It would be a rebellion, not just against a man, but against an entire legacy of power and ruthlessness.
The real challenge, however, lies in preserving Benjamin’s life while simultaneously keeping the secrets of the vault from my father. The contents within have the potential to give my father unlimited power, and I can’t let such dangerous technology fall into his hands, the same ones that threaten Benjamin’s life.
Although it’s my hands that would be stained with blood. My father would do the dirty work if necessary, but since the day of my birth, that responsibility shifted to me.
Keeping Benjamin alive long enough to become a full-fledged member of the society is only the beginning of my problems. Once he’s fully inducted into the Order, he’ll be allowed admittance to the catacombs without the threat of death by those that guard it. My timeline between the two events shrinks with every second that passes.
Bringing me closer and closer to destroying Delilah.
Chapter 33
Xavier
I’ve been away from Delilah for too long. After dealing with my father and discussing his plans to ruin her life through me, I need to see my girl. Just the sight of her is enough to soothe me.
I make my way toward Benjamin’s room, my steps quick, mirroring my anticipation. The door comes into view, and I stop when I catch the sounds of muted voices within. The urge to listen is easy to submit to.
“Ben, I care about you deeply. You’re incredibly important to me and have been since the day we met.” Delilah’s voice, usually clear and full of fire, is soft and threaded with pain. “But I don’t love you in that way.”
At hearing my bride’s statement, her conviction strong and her tone firm, validation surges through my body. Satisfaction fills my veins, heating me from the inside until I’m burning with something that’s primal and deeply male. It’s a feeling of triumph, a confirmation that she hasn’t given her heart to another man.
It is mine to claim.
“The way you love X?” Ben asks, his tone hard.
“I don’t love him.”
Delilah’s response is like a punch to the balls. I lean against the wall for support, letting my head fall back as I inhale deeply, pushing past the disappointment.
My little raptor doesn’t understand that her admission makes me want her more. Not only will I win her heart, but I’ll make sure that she falls so deeply, irrevocably in love with me that she becomes obsessed with me.
Like I am with her.
“I know you care for him,” Benjamin says, “but X isn’t just some college frat boy. He’s been in this game for a long time, and his entire life has been about serving the secret society. He might sacrifice anything, or anyone, for the sake of the Order. Remember that.”
If I were anyone else, he’d be right to warn her, to scare her away from me. But what Benjamin doesn’t understand is that I would kill anyone for her without a moment’s hesitation or an ounce of guilt. With her in my arms, I’d sleep like a fucking baby at night, completely dismissive of whatever atrocities I’d committed to protect her.
I will never give her up.
My past is centered around the Order. My father and the society had a direct impact on the man I am today. They forged me into a weapon of their design, not realizing I’d use my skills to defend the woman who holds my heart in her hands.
The one who could ruin me with a single glance or a spoken word.
“And what about you?” Delilah asks, her voice taking on an edge. “You’re also a part of this world. By that logic, you’d do the same thing, right?”
“It’s different. I would never give you up, whether or not you were mine. I believe there’s always a choice.”
Stupid, stupid McKenzie. The Order doesn’t give us choices. It gives us ultimatums.
Kill or be killed.
Victory or defeat.
Rule or be ruled.
“I appreciate your concern, Ben. I really do. But it doesn’t change anything between us. Please understand.”
Delilah’s voice is full of pleading and agony, the sound like a knife to the gut. I can imagine her expression, her beautiful face full of heartache, her bottom lip trembling with the threat of tears. I clench my jaw, fighting the urge to barge into the room and end the conversation. If it wasn’t crucial to let her speak, I’d have interfered long before now.
“I understand,” Benjamin says, his tone cool.
“I’m so sorry. I never meant to lead you on or to hurt you. I value what we have—your friendship and your trust. It means the world to me.”
“I understand, Delilah, and I appreciate your honesty.”
Benjamin’s use of her full name is an attempt to put distance between himself and my girl. As much as I like the idea of their emotional separation, it’s hurting her.
“Let’s just forget I said anything, okay?” he asks.
When Delilah remains silent, I push away from the wall. He better not have made her cry, or I’m going to fucking beat the shit out of him. She did the right thing by not stringing him along by the balls, and I’ll be damned if I let him punish her for it.
I grip the handle and turn it, pushing open the door. The scene that greets me is tense but controlled. Delilah sits on the bed with her head bowed, but she lifts it, her gaze finding mine. Benjamin’s attention zips to me, his features tightening.
Delilah’s eyes are dry, her composure intact. Lucky for him I won’t have to kick his ass while he’s trying to recover.
“McKenzie,” I say. “I see that you’re still alive.”
“X.” He gives me a curt nod. “Yup, I’m still breathing.”
Delilah slides from the bed and turns to face Benjamin. “I’ll see you later, okay?”
His eyes dart from her to me and back again. “Yeah, sure.”
She goes rigid, right before she leans down and throws her arms around him. He hesitates at first, but eventually returns her hug. For the first time, I’m not jealous at this interaction. Because I know it’s her way of saying goodbye, not just to him, but to the possibility of them ever being together.
After they separate, Delilah makes her way over to me. I’m quick to snake my arm around her waist and pull her to my side. She goes willingly, her body melting into mine at the contact. The stress from dealing with my father dissipates, along with the anger toward Benjamin for hurting her.
I’m feeling quite sane, which is a novelty for me.
“Ready?” I whisper into her hair.
Delilah nods and gives Benjamin a wave. After acknowledging him as well, I guide her from the room and into the hallway, shutting the door behind us.
“How much did you overhear?” she asks.
Her forthrightness has me fighting back a smile. “Enough.”
She rolls her eyes. “I’m not surprised. You don’t know what boundaries are.”
“When it comes to you, they’re nonexistent.”
“If you say ‘I told you so’ about Ben, I’m punching you in the dick.”
I raise my hands in mock surrender. “I’m not saying a word, little raptor.”
“Good.” She releases a sigh, her shoulders dropping. “Can we get out of here? I just need a break from all of this.”
“Are you up for grabbing something off campus?”
“Anything, as long as we can get away from the fraternity for a while.”
“I’m on it.”
She looks up at me, a smile on her pretty mouth. “Thank you.”
Her gratitude is welcome but unnecessary. After surviving and recovering from the last Trial, I’m more than ready for a change of scenery. We make our way through the grounds of the university as the sun sets.
“I bet you wish you had that golf cart right about now,” I say.
“If I did, I’d run you over with it.”
I grin. “Violence is the sincerest form of flattery.”
“That’s not how the saying goes.”
“According to me, it does.”
“The world doesn’t operate by your rules, Xavier.”
I wink at her. “Not yet.”
Chapter 34
Delilah
“Where do you want to go now?”
I look up at Xavier and shrug. “Could we walk a little more? I’m not ready to go back to your dorm room just yet.”
He nods. “As long as I’m with you, I don’t care what we’re doing or where we are.”
I duck my head as a blush heats my face. “Thanks.”
After grabbing something to eat, Xavier and I have been wandering the campus grounds, enjoying the night air. The soft lighting from the lampposts casts soft shadows, and the trees whisper above us in a gentle breeze.
It’s peaceful here, away from the dangers and the scrutiny of the Order. My tension from earlier melts away with each step I take. Xavier’s presence beside me is comforting, solid, and it gives me space to think about everything that’s happened today. Especially about how he intervened to save Ben’s life.
That act alone shifts something within me. Xavier, with all his complexities and irrational behavior, chose to protect Ben even when it could have compromised his Trial. And his life.
It’s not just Xavier’s strength or his intelligence that defines him. It’s his capacity for morality, for making tough choices for the sake of others. It’s this blend of danger and decency that makes my chest ache when I look at him.
The change in scenery snaps me out of my reverie. The secluded garden located behind the library is dimly lit, with large bushes and benches hidden in dark corners, creating a private and intimate atmosphere.
Xavier stops, looking around before his gaze settles back on me.
“Why are we here?” I lift a brow. “Are you trying to give me a hint?”
He captures my chin and tilts my head back until all I can see is him. “If my goal was to have sex with you, I wouldn’t hint about it. I’d simply do it.”
I shift my stance, squeezing my thighs together. It’s been too long since we’ve had sex, and I miss it. My injury isn’t completely healed, but I’m perfectly fine to engage in some vigorous activity. Honestly, at this point it’d be worth an injury.
“Then why are we here?” I ask.
“This is for you. Because you deserve a peaceful moment away from the insanity of the Order.” He slides his hand from my chin to follow the curve of my throat and the cleft between my breasts. “Tonight is about you getting what you need. What you want.”
“And if I want you?”
His eyes flash with hunger, and a low rumble vibrates through his chest. I lift my hand and place it over his heart. It beats faster as Xavier leans down and presses his forehead against mine, breathing me in.
I close my eyes and savor the contact. The intimacy. It’s so rare that he’s affectionate and unguarded.
“I want you, too,” he murmurs. “So fucking much. But we can’t do this. Not yet. Your injury isn’t healed, and I’m not risking another one.”
I frown. “It’s a flesh wound, Xavier.”
He grips my waist, and a muscle flickers in his jaw, evidence of his restraint. “Doesn’t matter.”
“I was cleared by the doctor earlier,” I lie.
“You were not.”
Damn. “Yes, I was, before I went to Ben’s room. I ran into the doctor in the hallway.”
He pulls back, his gaze raking over my face. “Really?”
The hopeful note in his voice has me biting back a smile. “Mm-hmm. I’m allowed to engage in ‘strenuous physical activities.’” When Xavier doesn’t immediately make a move to kiss or fuck me, I tilt my head. “Don’t you want to?”
Xavier snorts. “Of course I want to have sex with you.”
“Then what are we waiting for?”
“Some measure of self-control.”
“Xavier—”
“Fuck it.”
He growls, the sound so possessive and animalistic, it shoots straight between my thighs. Then he crashes his mouth to mine, obliterating my thoughts. Igniting my passion.
When I open for him, his tongue darts inside, overpowering mine in a dance of desire. The taste of him is intoxicating, and his scent envelops me until I want to drown in him.
I moan, and he deepens the kiss, one hand gripping the back of my head, holding me tight. He slides his other hand over my ass, gripping it and lifting me onto my tiptoes. He squeezes and grinds his hips into mine. His cock is hard, and it presses against me through the fabric of our clothes, making me squirm.
