The Initiation (Darkness Within Duet 1)

“You’re all a bunch of pussies. What you need to learn is this, be the worst motherfucker around and no one will ever scare you again.”

She chuckled. “I doubt I’ll ever be so bad.”

“That’s why you’ve got us to protect you. You’re our queen, Harper.” Axel winked at her. “When you’re the top of the food chain, you’ve got nothing to worry about.”

She rested her head back against Draven’s chest. Staring into the fire, she watched the flames as they burned.

“You okay?” he asked.

“Right now, I’m not okay. I’m not nearly close to being okay, but I will be.” She wouldn’t let what Ben tried to do hurt her.

She was a fighter, and she wouldn’t let him hurt her.

Tomorrow she’d fight.

For now, she’d curl up in Draven’s arms and let him take away all of her fears.

****

“You wanted to see me,” Draven said, entering his father’s study. He noticed his old man was in fact alone.

Odd, considering he spent most of his life trying to stick his dick into pussy.

“I got a call today from a certain politician. His son is naming mine as having attacked him and half of the football team.”

“So?”

“Care to tell me why I’m throwing money at this asshole to keep your ass out of jail?”

“He attacked what’s mine and he had to pay.”

Alan sat back, fingers pressed together.

Draven waited. He didn’t look away, nor did he back down. He knew it would be pointless to do either.

“The Miller girl, again.”

“She’s ours. We don’t allow anyone or anything to touch her, besides us.”

“You do know she’s nothing more than a whore.”

Draven clenched his hands into fists. He had to stay in constant control, especially around his father. Reacting now would not work, not even for a short time. It’s what he wanted, and Draven wasn’t prepared to act stupidly.

“Are you done?”

“One day, son, you will realize that all women are just a means to an end. Somewhere for you to have a little fun and then dump at the first opportunity. Harper Miller is no better. She’s a whore.”

Draven chuckled. “What exactly did you have against Catherine Miller? What did she do to piss you off?”

“Who the fuck is Catherine Miller?”

Draven glared at his father. “Ian’s ex-wife. Harper’s mother.”

Alan burst out laughing. “Oh, fuck, the one that committed suicide. She did nothing to me. Ian’s important, and I wanted to make sure he stayed in line. Hannah’s a good fuck. Figured an old bastard like that wouldn’t mind some young pussy, even if it’s used a bit.”

“You really don’t care?”

“About what?”

Draven shook his head. “Fuck this shit. You’re a piece of work.”

Now his father looked pissed. “You be careful, boy.”

“I’m just like you, Dad, I’m exactly how you raised me, don’t forget about that.”

“Then don’t forget, son or not, I will end you.”

“Oh, come on,” Draven said. “You and I both know that’s not going to happen. One, you do not want to have to deal with another screaming brat running around. Second, I’m your only heir. The only person that you can pass all this on to, and seeing as Axel’s my best friend and you know I’m the leader, I’m your best shot of even getting on top.”

Axel was no leader. Neither were Buck and Jett. They were followers. None of them could make the big decisions or the ones that could cost lives.

As much as Draven cared about his friends and Harper, he knew he’d be able to make the sacrifices that not many could. To put people in the line of fire that meant risking lives. His father had told him and taught him that you have to lose a few to save the many.

“I’m as safe as your precious cook,” Draven said. “I don’t see you killing her any time soon. You like her. She’s the only one that can deal with you.” He stepped up to the desk, put his hands flat on the surface, and smiled at his old man. “Or should I go and kill her now? She’s a weakness, Dad. A weakness you cannot afford.”

“Enough, Draven.”

“You’ll leave Harper alone, and in return, I’ll leave your precious cook alone. Deal?”

“Get the fuck out of my office.”

Draven smirked. He’d made a deal.

Leaving his home, he found Harper leaning against his car, looking every bit as sexy as he remembered. Not that it was hard to remember really. He’d been balls deep inside her just last night.

She pushed her hair off her face and smiled at him.

The memory of Ben still lingered in her troubled gaze. He walked up beside her, pulling her close.

“Is everything okay?” she asked.

“It’s fine, more than fine. It’s not something you ever need to worry about.”

“When it comes to your dad, I’ll always worry.”

Draven glanced over his shoulder and tensed as he saw his father standing right there at the window of his office, staring at him.