Page 18 of Retrograde

I snorted and then groaned when he kicked me.

“Is he there right now hearing this?” she hissed.

“They both are,” Onyx admitted and then cleared his throat when she didn’t respond. “You said you warned Vex you weren’t going to hold me back anymore—you said don’t hold back anymore. I didn’t misunderstand that.”

“No, you didn’t, but I thought after we talked.” She cleared her throat this time. “Don’t ask him about the video.”

Both of us looked to Father who flicked off Onyx.

What the fuck was that?

“I can’t not ask now, and you know you would do the same,” Onyx replied.

She sighed. Heavily. “Did you at least beat his ass good?”

“Which one?” he hedged.

Sagan sucked in a harsh breath. “You’re beating Vex too?”

“I can’t lie to you, but I’m not sure if I’m about to be in trouble or not.”

“Not in trouble,” she chuffed,clearlyturned on. “Land some good shots for me?”

“I will fucking end you,” Onyx warned me when I opened my mouth. “And now you know Vex can’t stop me. I haven’t even gotten to the threat yet, so enough. Iwantto do this.”

“Do what?” all three of us asked.

“Can I tell you when I get back, baby girl?” Onyx asked her. “I prefer you get to know me a bit better before you see this side of me.”

“This is why Vex snorted when I said you were chill, right?” she hedged. “You’re really not, and I just don’t know you at all yet either?”

He licked his lips and stared Father down like he wasn’t sure if he was pissed or not. “Let’s just say Myriam isn’t the only one who has no problem going into the darkness for you. I’m just going to make it clear where my loyalty lies now that you said no more holding back.”

She didn’t respond for a few moments again. “Hurry back. I want to see that plank in real life. Maybe see if I can go just as long. And then we can talk about how we should handle this as the team.”

“I’ll finish up here and fly right back. Promise.”

“Thanks, Onyx.”

“Anything for you.”

“Really?” she checked.

“Always.”

“Make it hurt.” She hung up before he could respond.

And he broke all the ribs on my right side before I could blink. Father’s too from the way he reacted.

“Wait, before I continue to beat your fucking asses—what happened with the video that you’re flicking me off and she’s embarrassed?” he asked Father.

“I’m not talking about—”

“It wasn’t a fucking request, Vex,” Onyx seethed and kicked him again.

“You won’t want Kole to hear,” Father coughed.

“He should suffer in his regret,” Onyx mocked.