Rogues: Rise of The King

Four

Alexie:

    "She sent them away," Ash chuckled when I got to the bottom of the stairs. 

    Five minutes ago, two beta princes had shown up. I had been in the shower when Ash knocked on my door and in the time it took me to get down here she had sent them away. He pointed at the kitchen. She's leaning against the stove with a cookbook in her hands. Pretending to read it. I can feel the giddy amused feeling she's harboring in the pit of my stomach. Since our talk, she had let me in completely and I can honestly say that she confuses the hell out of me.

    "What happened?" I asked. She lowered the book and gave me that annoying 'I don't know what you're talking about' look. 

    "With?"

    "You sent the princes away," 

    "Oh yeah. I told them to get lost," she said lifting the book up again. 

    "Why?" 

    "Because we're going to see the new property. I want you to see what needs to be done. I'm not going to do everything for you, ya know," 

    "Did you tell them that?" I asked.

    "No," Ash's new friend Tristan laughed. "I believe the exact words she used were..." 

    "Why don't you both go bend your king over and f**k him in the ass," Ash finished. 

    "Sloane," I growled. She put the book on the counter with a smug look on her face. 

    "What? You should have seen their faces. It was awesome,"

    "I need him to teach me how to do this," I sighed. She shook her head. 

    "No, you don't," 

    "Yes, I do," I argued. 

    "No, you don't," she shot back. "What can that b***h teach you that we don't already know? Nothing. He's running a kingdom of Alphas. You're going to run a kingdom of ass holes. Their rules are different from ours. You don't need him just like I don't need her to teach me s**t. They want us to do this then, we're going to do it our way," 

    "What about Daniel?" I asked as a last resort. 

    "We'll get him back soon. I promise. So get your ass moving. You have people to build s**t for you, right? Call them, tell them where to meet us, and we'll see where we'll start from there. The Alpha King can wait," I sighed letting it go. She's partially right. I called Hyde and Heather and told them where to meet us after she handed me a napkin with the address written on it.

    We drove across town as she flipped through what I'm guessing is a magazine. This place is a lot bigger than I thought it would be when I saw the pictures online. It isn't as clean and amazing as it looked in the pictures. A woman met us inside the gate. Sloane shut her magazine and placed it on the seat as she jumped out. 

    I smiled when I saw it was a security weapons magazine. I walked out and walked over to her side. There is nothing around the front of the house but the massive gate. Across the road is a hill that leads up to the wall that separates this road from the highway. It's actually a bit of a challenge to get in here. 

    "Hi, you must be Alexian Victor," the woman extending her hand to me. She's human. Sloane reached for her hand and pushed her back. "The husband," 

    "That's right," I nodded looking at my mate. She looked away sheepishly like there was something important she just had to look at behind her. 

    "Well, I understand you two are newlyweds looking for something permanent and safe. This manor was supposed to be a small gated community but when the original owners saw their masterpiece finished they kept the entire property to themselves. It was built in nineteen ten..." 

    "I've already paid for it. I just want to know what needs to be remodeled so we can start building," Sloane cut her off rudely. 

    "Oh," she sang nodding. "I have the charts here along with the lists of everything that needs to be fixed. It's a long list which is why no one wanted to buy the property with the house on it. Too much to dig out," 

    "Thanks," Sloane mumbled taking it from her. She handed the clipboard to me. I smiled at the poor woman who looks defeated. My mate, a possessive nightmare. I love it.

    "I have a few recommendations I can give you," 

    "We won't need them. I own a construction company. I have people for this," I informed her, looking over the list of all the repairs that needed to be done. 

    "Sir," I looked over at Hyde and a few of his guys. 

    "You did a good job, Cassandra. Thank you for everything. If I need anything else I'll call," Sloane dismissed, giving her the get the hell out of here look. 

    "Thank you. It's always a pleasure," she spat out rudely. The woman is quick and brave. She didn't linger too long and was out of here before Sloane could say anything else to her. I know Sloane held her tongue and claws.

    "You have a way with people, baby," I asserted. She smirked before handing me an envelope. "What's this?" 

    "Those are the blueprints for the basements. I had Brandy draw them up for me this morning. She's going to be in charge of the remodeling," 

    "Brandy? Your beta?" 

    "Yes, Brandy is a very respected architect. Bet you didn't know that," 

    "I didn't," I admitted opening the envelope. 

    "Let's go inside. You're going to love this place," she assured me. 

    "Alex?" Hyde stopped me from following her. She winked at me as she disappeared into the house with Ash and Tristan.

    "What?" I asked looking at him. 

    "You said you didn't want to do this a couple of weeks ago. You know when they took your son?" 

    "I didn't. There is just no way around this," I showed him the mark on my arm. "I know you feel it just like everyone else. It's done. We're not exactly on board with all of it. We're just not going to sit here and do nothing. We're doing this," 

    "I get that man. I really do but this seems a little like it's going to stay this way. Look at this place. This is not just a house. This is a fortress. You know who owned this place before? The former Vampire Queen. You know the one Sloane's mother killed to take the crown. It looks like a whole lot more than just going along with all of this to get the kid back," 

    "What if it is? What if I want this?" I asked looking him in the eye. 

    "What do you mean? Do you? You want to actually be the Rogue King?" 

    "I didn't and I don't want to be. I am the Rogue King. Whether I like it or not. I've been branded. The only way I'm ever going to get out of this now is if I drop dead or someone kills me. You've always been there for me, Hyde. I get what you're saying and if you want out all you have to do is say it," 

    "I don't want out, boy," he growled at me. "I know who you are. I know what you're capable of but this is different. We're not going after anyone. They're all coming after us. All of them. Everyone we've taken from, everyone we've screwed, they're all going to come for us," 

    "And we'll put them in their place just as we always have. We've been doing this s**t since I was able to pull a trigger. We've taken care of each other. The only difference now is that we don't have to ask permission anymore. All of it is ours," 

    "All of it is yours. You're the one with the mark on your arm, kid," 

    "Come on, Hyde. This was never a one-man show," 

    "There was never a Sloane standing between us. Forgive me for saying this, but she's a monster. She'd rather kill us all than share anything with anyone except for you. She left her pack because she didn't want to share it with her brother. I don't know her. I know you. What I've seen and what I've heard it all bothers me. I know it bothers you too," 

    "You don't trust her?" I asked and it hurt me to hear him say that. That's all I really heard.

    "No, I don't. Not regarding this. She's a pack wolf. She was raised as an alpha. We're Rogues, Kid. We don't bite with the same rules," that threw me off a little. She had said the same thing about the Alpha King.

    "She doesn't want to run this as a pack," I said shaking my head. 

    "What?" 

    "That's the reason why she doesn't want me to be around the Alpha King. It wasn't Sloane who said yes," he took a step away from me. "She doesn't want this. The only reason she's working on all of this is because I told her I wanted to do this after being at Court. She's doing this for me," 

    "You said you didn't. That all you wanted was your mate and your kid," 

    "I meant that when I said it. That's all I had wanted but this is an opportunity. Something that isn't going to change either way. I want it now. I'm taking it. It was always easy for me. You know me. I've always just breezed through all of this s**t," 

    "This is a big responsibility, Alex. You're not just running the city. This isn't just a group of guys wanting a piece of what you have. This is the f*****g world. They're not just going to want a piece, Alex. They're going to want you dead. This is going to take raw force. Lots of people are going to die. Tell me you're going to be able to stomach that. Tell me right now and I'll get on board with all of it," 

    "I'm doing this. I've made up my mind," I reassured him confidently. He nodded. 

    "Alright, then let's see what crazy wants us to do," I handed him the clipboard. 

    "I can't believe you thought she was making me do this. I'm no one's b***h," 

    "My man, she has you eating out of the palm of her hand. You're just too blind to see it," I looked around to see this part of the house was empty. 

    "Did you know she has a hit list with a bunch of names on it?" 

    "What?" he asked looking up at me. 

    "I was number two on that list. There were twenty-six names on it and now there's only ten and I am number two," 

    "Wait, she came here to take you out?" I nodded. "Who was number one, your dad?" 

    "No, the b***h in Utah," 

    "What? Hell no. Why the f**k was she number one?" 

    "She said something about proving herself to her dad and being the only child. I am f*****g insulted," we both laughed. 

    "I mean she has a point,"

    "What point?" 

    "Girls are mean. They always need to prove something to someone. I think Sloane lost that memo because she was raised in a house full of guys. But crazy chicks like Heather or your sister. They're crazy not because that's who they are. It's because someone told them they couldn't so they're proving them wrong. They're extra like that. Girls always have to make everything personal," 

    "So do you," we both looked over at the staircase leading upstairs. Sloane is standing there with her hands on her hips glaring at us. There is nothing sexier than that I swear. 

    "No," Hyde denied. 

    "Yes, you do. Remember the other day when that guy tried to run out on you and you chased after him. I went around and caught him. What did you do?" 

    "That doesn't prove anything," 

    "What did you do?" she insisted. 

    "I beat the s**t out of him for making me run," 

    "You beat the s**t out of him because I caught him," she corrected. 

"Whatever, I'm right. Females even created the statement, Niggas Ain't s**t," 

"What about bitches be cray?" she asked snatching the clipboard out of his hand. "There can't be a double standard when you're making accusations like that. Is this about Alexie being number two on my kill list?" 

    "No," we both said at the same. She laughed. 

    "Come on you big, babies. We have a house to fix," 

    "Slo?" we all looked back at the front door to see Brandy standing there. I hadn't seen her in a while. Since Sloane told me my mom had killed Hale. Her mate. 

    "Hey, B. We were just about to get started," my mate smiled waving her over. Brandy smiled but it didn't reach her eyes like her smiles for Sloane usually do. The girl growled when Ash and Tristan rushed down the stairs. 

    "Hey," Ash coaxed ignoring her warning. Sloane growled at him when he reached for the ends of Brandy's hair. He pulled his hand back with a smile. My brother is always doing something stupid.

    "I will send your hand to the Princess in a f*****g box so she can super glue that s**t back on," my mate threatened him angrily. 

    "Noted," Ash smirked stuffing his hands in his pockets. Hyde and Tristan laughed as we went around the house. 

    This had definitely been a vampire fortress. Sloane would stop in certain rooms and tell Brandy to take down the walls to bring some light in. She picked the colors as well as the carpets, the tiles, and even the ceiling textures for every floor except for the top one. Brandy and Hyde became best friends as they started estimating, talking about materials they'll need, and other building s**t. 

    "This floor is going to be ours," Sloane beamed taking my hand. Tristan shoved my brother out with him. 

    "I thought this was all ours," I laughed pulling her to me.

    "I have a list of names of people who are going to be staying with us here. People I trust. They're going to be staying on the second floor. The third is for your people. Hyde, Heather, Liv, and your dad," 

    "Should I be worried about this list?" 

    "I don't think so. It's Bram, Allison, her mate, and a couple of my other friends," 

    "You have friends outside of Sophia?" 

    "Friends I made out here," 

    "You're stalling because they're guys," I challenged. 

    "One of them is a guy, yes," 

    "Is the other friend his mate?"

    "No, his mate was killed in London by one of the acting Dons there. Said Don was number thirteen on my list. It was how I met him," she took a deep breath without meeting my gaze.

    "I know him, don't I?" 

    "His name is Titus Emory," 

I pulled away from her.

    "That's funny. It sounded like you said his name is Titus Emory," she pressed her lips together. "You're friends with Titus Emory?" 

    "Yeah," she confirmed. I growled pulling her into me the anger rising in me. "Calm down. Your reaction is unnecessary," 

    "Unnecessary?" I growled pushing her back until her back hit the wall. 

    "Yes," 

    "Do you know who Titus Emory is?" 

    "Yep," she cheeked. 

    "How close to him are you?" 

    "He saved my life a couple of times. He accompanied us in eight of my kills," 

    "Us?" 

    "My other friend you hate even more," she stated softly. 

    "Who?" 

    "Samsin Cutler," I tried to hold back my growl. I turned away from her. She placed her hand on my shoulder but I had to pull away. 

    "You're friends with Sin Cutler and Titus Emory?" I asked trying to swallow the anger. "And you've invited them to come to stay with us?" 

    "There's another thing," she almost whispered. I turned to look at her hoping this didn't get any worse. 

    "What?" she clapped her hands together and rocked back and forth on her feet. 

    "They are on their way here with Daniel. I had them take him back. You were serious the other night about doing this. So I'm getting serious too. We're doing this our way and the King and Queen of the united asshole federations can suck a d**k," 

    "You stole our son from his family?" I asked. 

    "Yes," 

    "You basically told the people who gave us this power to go f**k themselves?" 

    "Yeah," 

    "And you invited two of the most dangerous Rogues to our house because they're your friends?" 

    "Yep," 

    "I'm going to kill you," I growled. She let out a high pitch squeal and rushed out the door. I felt the shift take over, my wolf ripped through my clothes as I ran after my mate.