The Raven King (All for the Game, #2)

by Nora Sakavic

"Andrew did care. That's what went wrong."

"Exy isn't an option here, okay? You can love Exy all you want, but it's never gonna love you back." Neil should let it go, but the challenge was out before he could stop it. "So?" "Oh my God." Nicky looked torn between horror and pity. "Seriously? That might be the saddest thing I've ever heard."

"You can't be just this, Neil. This isn't enough to live for.

"Some of the strongest people I've known are women."

There was only one person in the world strong enough for all of Neil's problems, and she was dead now. Neil wouldn't wish his mess on anyone else.

Andrew, though, nodded in the face of it and told Neil to stay.

"If I am breathing, I can play," Kevin said. "This is my game too."

The Ravens took their image seriously. Neil guessed they had a lot of intensive counseling in their futures.

Kevin's smile was fleeting but fierce. He didn't say anything, but he didn't have to. It was the first sign of approval Neil had gotten from him since they'd met and Neil felt it like an adrenaline boost.

"Maybe you should get your face smashed in a couple more times if it means you can score on it," Matt said. "Not a fan of that strategy," Neil said.

"I'm satisfied," Kevin said.

"Sometimes you're interesting enough to keep around. Other times you're so astoundingly stupid I can barely stand the sight of you."

Neil had seen how much Andrew pressed when the team did weights at the gym. More importantly than that, he'd seen Andrew practically pick Nicky up by his throat and move him when riled.

Andrew rocked onto the balls of his feet and reached for Neil. It was all Neil could do to not tense up when Andrew's hands wrapped around his neck. Andrew didn't hold tight enough to cut off his air but tapped his thumbs against Neil's throat in time to Neil's pulse.

"My first memories are of people dying," Neil said. "I'm not afraid of you." "That's why you're so interesting," Andrew said. "How aggravating."

Matt was studying him with a curious intensity. "Why are you so special?" Matt asked. "I'm not," Neil said, confused. "Andrew doesn't give ground to anybody. Why does he keep saying yes to you?" "He's high," Neil said, twirling a finger near his temple. "He thinks it's funny." Matt eyed him a bit longer, then shook his head

how have you survived this long when you're so violently self-destructive?"

"He's got a really shiny car for a minister," Andrew said. "I'm going to humble it."

"I'm fine."

"I'm fine,"

Guilt was a relatively new emotion for Neil, something the Foxes were teaching him through prolonged exposure to them.

"Better luck next time, Neil," he said. "I warned you once already, didn't I? I don't feel anything." "Anymore," Neil said, barely a whisper.

"I'm fine,"

"I'm fine."

"Neil," Wymack said, "between you and me, I don't think you've ever been fine."

"I'm never lost," Neil said. "And never found," Andrew added with a sage nod.

Andrew tapped two fingers to his bruised temple in salute

"Do you have any idea how much it cost?" Neil asked. "Yes, I want it back." "It wouldn't bother you that it was used as a murder weapon?" "It didn't kill anyone important." "Interesting," Betsy said,

"Then don't trust 'Neil'," Neil said. "Trust me." "Oh, but who are you? Do you have a name?" "If you need one, call me Abram."

Speaking of unpredictable assholes, when did that happen?" "When did what?" Neil asked. Wymack eyed him. "Forget it."

"Andrew. Don't leave me alone with these morons for too long. I'm getting too old to deal with their drama." "Oh, you and me both," Andrew said.

"I don't care if Andrew never speaks to me again. I don't care about Cass or Drake or anyone. What Drake did—no. If I could bring him back from the dead and kill him again I would." "Good," Neil said quietly. "So now you understand why Andrew killed your mother."

"I'm fine,"

It's about family. Not necessarily the one we were born with, but the one we chose. This one," Nicky emphasized, gesturing between them. "The people we trust to be part of our lives. The people we care about."

"I'm fine.

he was smiling too, a cruel look he'd inherited from his father. Neil lowered his cup so Riko could get a better look at it. "I would love to see you try. You think I'm afraid of your knife? I'm the Butcher's son."

"I'm fine."

But Neil Josten was a Fox. Andrew called this home; Nicky called him family. Neil wasn't going to lose any of it. If two weeks with Riko was the price to keep his team safe, Neil would pay it.

"You are one seriously fucked-up individual," Neil said.

Neil, Wymack called him, and more than anything Neil wanted it to be true.

"What does Andrew have to do with this?" "Everything that matters," Neil said.

He was their family. They were his. They were worth every cut and bruise and scream.