Broken Songbird (Vicious Games #2)

42. Chapter 42

S carlett dips away, blending into the crowd, going the opposite direction to the approaching Matteo.

I’m fucking ecstatic and relieved to have him back in my life, but my blood runs hot at the thought that he might take Scarlett away from me.

No, no, she chose me . Wants me. Loves me.

I know she has love for Matteo, but it’s not at the root level we have for each other. At this point, our souls are so entwined that if you were to pull one from the other, both of us would be irrevocably broken.

My lips twitch and the tension in my chest loosens slightly, thinking that Scarlett would consider that thought more ‘poetry’. Maybe I’ll say it to her later so I can see her face screw up in that adorable way it does when I say shit like that. I know she loves it.

Matteo works the room like he wasn’t gone for almost a year as he inches closer to us.

“Did you know?” Heartbreaker asks, the other brothers shifting closer to hear my answer.

“I didn’t,” I say. “Found out at the church.”

“Where has he been?” Flash asks.

I shrug. “I’d like to know that too.”

The club disperses as Matteo comes closer with a wide grin on his face. “You guys clean up well.”

“So do you for being back from the dead,” Heartbreaker comments. I hold back the urge to punch him and his incessant need to shit-stir.

Matteo chuckles at his jibe. “Took so long to get the dirt out of my hair.”

“Where have you been?” Hawk asks, his usual demeanour a little icier than usual.

“Oh, you know, around,” Matteo says casually as he looks around us before scanning the crowd.

My annoyance spikes—he’s looking for Scarlett.

“Did you see where the cute blonde that was here a second ago went? Purple dress, nice ass.”

I feel multiple hands grab the back of my jacket as I jerk forward. I’m going to kill him.

Matteo doesn’t seem to notice the rage blasting out of me as he continues searching the crowd.

“ Scarlett isn’t around here,” Heartbreaker bites out, emphasizing her name.

Matteo sighs and gives us his signature charming smile. “She makes me work for it, let me tell you.”

If he doesn’t fuck right off immediately, I will carve his organs out here in front of everyone.

The lights dim then, and a light tinkling sound from further in the room pulls everyone’s attention to Stacey, the wedding manager, by the back door.

“The happy couple will arrive shortly,” she announces and sweeps her hand out the open door. “If you could follow the candles to the marquee to continue our evening.”

The wedding guests follow her instruction, moving out the door into the gardens beyond.

“I’ll grab a drink with you guys later,” Matteo says offhandedly over his shoulder as he follows the crowd.

“Still a fucking prick,” Heartbreaker comments as I feel all the hands releasing my jacket.

“One more comment about your old lady and I was about to pull a weapon,” Hawk says.

“Let’s get through this evening without an incident,” I say, stepping forward, then turn back to face my brothers. “Plus, if anyone is going to skin Matteo, it’s going to be me.”

Scarlett’s laughter draws my attention from a few tables away, and I look up.

As there isn’t really a wedding party, the table arrangements are a little different from the traditional format. I would know since Del and Scar took over our dining table for two weeks, getting the seating plan perfect.

The tables are set around the perimeter of the marquee with the centre of the room left open as a dancefloor.

Del and Enzo have a table on their own at the top of the space, with their families sitting on the tables directly next to them. Scarlett sits with the Sakuras, Isaac, Clara, William and Bridgette, as well as a couple of other people I don’t know to the left side. Raph, the Dragones, and Marius sit on the right side along with Vivienne, and Matteo, and a few other unknown people.

I was supposed to be sat with Scar, but I told her in the car I’d sit with Savage Wings until she spoke to Matteo, so he doesn’t start any trouble. We’re three tables away from Scarlett’s, and I made Ink swap seats with me so I was facing her. And facing Matteo.

I’ve watched him chat and laugh with the occupants of his table all night while consistently glancing over to Scarlett the whole time.

The only thing stopping me from crossing the room and gouging his eyes out is the fact that Scarlett has completely ignored him the entire evening.

I pick up my phone and look at my messages again.

SCAR

You look like you’re about to commit a crime.

No twitchy hands near knives tonight. And tell Heartbreaker to stop twirling them around.

I miss you. And I love you.

The last one I read again and then close my eyes. I want to hear those words, not read them.

This tiptoeing around Matteo is bullshit. I should just go up to Scarlett and kiss her so everyone, especially Matteo, knows that she’s mine.

I open my eyes and stand to do just that when a hand grips my forearm.

Phantom on my left grips me firmly, his eyes still on his book. “Think about it before you do it.”

“What?”

He looks up at me, pushing his glasses up his nose, the scar on his face looking a little harsher in this low light. “Reconsider.”

I glare at him for a tense moment, then left out a long sigh and sit back down. “How did you know?”

Phantom looks back at his book. I’m not expecting him to answer, but he murmurs, “I’ve been there before.”

That confession piques my interest, but I don’t question him, knowing he wouldn’t answer my prodding. I look back over to Scarlett. She’s resting her head on Benjiro’s shoulder with a soft smile as she listens to someone across the table tell a story that involves a lot of hand movements.

Her eyes drift over to me, and her whole face softens. There it is—the light she exudes in abundance that’s tailored just for me. She’s the sun in my galaxy, allowing me to thrive.

I pick up my phone and message that exact sentiment to her.

She picks up her phone a second later and reads it, her grin wide, then types back.

SCAR

My poet.

When can we get out of here? I need to touch you.

Before she can reply, one of Stacey’s team appears behind Scar, stealing her attention. The person says a couple of words and Scar nods, then stands and follows them.

My eyes involuntarily flick to Matteo; he’s watching her leave. Fury reignites in my blood.

“Yeah, you definitely need something stronger than a drink,” Heartbreaker says across the table.

He stands from his seat and walks around to me, blocking my view of Matteo.

I look up at him. “I’m fine.”

“Bullshit,” he scoffs. “Come on, Vasek, let’s go get you sorted.”

Him using my last name means I’ll be doing what he wants, even if that’s by force. I huff and stand, leaving my jacket draped over my seat where it is, and follow Heartbreaker out of the marquee.

We don’t follow the candle-lit pathway, but veer to the left through the manicured maze of shrubs until we end up out the other side where Ink is leaning up against a gazebo column.

“Who are you hiding from this time?” Heartbreaker asks.

“You,” Ink says immediately, not looking up from his phone. The man has some sort of fixation with something on there.

Heartbreaker chuckles as he reaches into the inner pocket of his suit jacket and produces two joints, and waves them between Ink’s face and his phone. “Interested?”

“No,” Ink grunts.

“You really need to get laid, Ink,” Heartbreaker comments, pulling a lighter from his pants pocket. “You’re always so tense .”

I see Ink roll his eyes, then he focus is back on watching or reading whatever the fuck holds his attention.

Heartbreaker lights up one joint, takes a lungful, then passes it to me. I accept it and do the same, filling my lungs with the pungent smoke, the earthy taste filling my mouth as just the act of smoking settles some of my tension.

“What are you always doing on your phone?” Heartbreaker asks, trying to look at Ink’s screen.

“Why do you care?” Ink asks, eyes still trained on the device.

“Must be a woman,” Heartbreaker surmises, taking another drag of his joint. Ink’s phone starts audibly buzzing and Heartbreaker looks at the screen again. “Or a guy. Who’s Hayes?”

That name pings in my head. I know it, heard it before…

“Hayes…” I muse out loud. “Detective Hayes? Why is he calling you at this time about the bike shop?”

“He wouldn’t be,” Ink says still staring at the phone. It stops buzzing for a second, then starts again.

Ink answers the call, puts the phone up to his ear. “Dad.”

Heartbreaker and I look at each other with raised brows. Ink’s father being a cop? That I didn’t see coming.

Ink’s face turns from suspicious confusion to a haunting expression that promises death. That’s not good.

“We’re on the way,” Ink says, and ends the call.

“All g—” my words are cut off as Ink darts around me and storms toward the marquee.

“I’ve never seen the stone man show that much emotion,” Heartbreaker comments.

“Yeah,” I breathe, turning back to Heartbreaker. “That means trouble.”

A sly grin spreads over Heartbreaker’s face. “More trouble than you wanting to kill Matteo Herrington?”

I scoff and take another long drag of my joint, savouring the smoke before blowing it out. The blissful haze from the drug is setting in, easing my senses and calming my mind. “Might end up in a fistfight, but Scarlett would have my balls if I killed him.”

Heartbreaker frowns. “ Boring . I’m switching to Ink’s drama, then.”

I laugh, shaking my head. “Your road name should have been Troublemaker.”

He grins wider. “Damn straight.”