Elect (Eagle Elite, #2)

by Rachel Van Dyken

“We make rules and we start our own club. That way, we don’t have to listen to anyone but us.”

“Let’s call ourselves the Elect.”

“Tex and Phoenix. They’ll want to.”

She was lost to me; it wasn’t even the Sicilians that had taken her, but my best friend. A gunshot rang out loud and clear in the night air. I turned back around just in time to see Trace collapse into Chase’s arms.

Guns, violence, people who didn’t know their place in this godforsaken world, but my best friend kissing my girlfriend’s hand? The same girl I’d been in love with my whole life? Yeah, I was going to freaking murder him if he did anything

I needed Trace; she wasn’t just a girl to me, she was my lifeline. I was terrified that if I lost her, I would lose myself—lose everything that keeps me grounded and sane.

“The Nicolosi family is investigating. They arrived two days ago.”

Whether you like it or not, we belong to each other. I’m as much yours as you are mine—I

“Calm myself? You naive piece of shit. The last time they were in Chicago my mom was shot. She died, Tex. So help me God, next time you tell me to calm myself I will shoot you in the foot.”

“Trace, we can’t be seen together right now.” She jerked her hands away from mine and glared. “Oh no you don’t, Nixon Anthony Abandonato!”

“I’m going to apologize in advance, though.” Tracey sniffed as a tear ran down her cheek. “Why are you apologizing?” Her eyes met mine. “Because I’m going to break your heart.”

“Trust me. Trust in us. No matter what I say, no matter what I do—and I’ll do some terrible things—know that I love you. No matter what.”

I love you, Nixon. I choose you and only you. I’m going to break your heart every day I hold his hand instead of yours. It’s going to kill me to laugh at his jokes knowing you’re dying just a little bit inside. And if he kisses me—I’ll kiss him back, Nixon. I’m going to break your heart—because you’ve given me no other option.”

There will always be a happy ending. Always.”

Luca Nicolosi is a world-renowned researcher in the chemistry field. He will be here for the next month visiting family and has agreed to teach my Chemistry 101 class for the duration of the month. I, uh…” Her smile was forced. “As it is, I haven’t taken a vacation in quite some time. It was perfect timing. Truly. Wonderful

I’d just singlehandedly given the love of my life to my best friend—on a silver platter, with a shiny bow attached.

“All it takes is one kiss. One kiss can save you. One kiss can ruin you for life.

“Not the father you’ve always known, Nixon. Your real father.”

After all, if something doesn’t cost you absolutely everything—did you ever truly love it in the first place?

“He lived for those he loved, he died protecting what was most precious to him. And for that, he earns a place in heaven, because when it came down to the very end, he was willing to sacrifice everything for family—for blood. I don’t know how long I’ll be on this earth, but my prayer is that I go out just like that—fighting for the only true thing in our existence.”

“Don’t leave me, please don’t leave me. I can’t—Chase, I can’t do it. Please, please, please!”

So basically my real father was dead. Because both wives had cheated. Both wives had done so to get back at each other.

“You son of a bitch. I swear I’ll kill you if you actually shot into her perfect body.”

“No. I’m an angel of death coming to take you to your maker, you ass. Yes it’s me.”

I truly believed that the greatest sacrifice someone could make in life was putting someone else’s needs before your own wants and desires. Loving someone with such a passion that you’d suffer the rest of your life just so you could see them smile. You’d go to hell and back—if only it meant keeping them safe.

“As much as it pains me to admit it, and as much of a pain in the ass as you’ve been your entire life… you’re the good guy. The one who runs headfirst into battle with your sword raised high above your head. You’re like freaking William Wallace,”

“When I say I love you, I mean I love you so much it hurts to be close to you, it hurts to be away from you.

because my stupid heart has decided for one reason or another that it can’t survive without being next to yours. I don’t know what the hell you’ve done to me, but I’m a disaster. I’m broken for you and I never want to be fixed. And it hurts like hell because when you kiss me, I know you think of him. When I kiss you, all I see is you, all I feel is you.”

Trace, I love you. I love you. I”—my voice cracked—“I am in love with you.”

“Choose me,” I whispered. “Because my heart? My soul? My damn existence? Has already spoken, and it wants you, and only you—forever.”

“First, Chase. I want you to be first. I choose you.”

He knows you aren’t stupid enough to go do it yourself.”

Parentless kids, all of us. Nixon, Trace, Mo, Mil.

Tony had been snuffing out the entire family for over eighteen years.

“Our code of honor has been met. God, take his soul, forgive the sins committed against you, against humanity—receive Phoenix—then and only then, may he die in peace. Amen.”

“Because you destroyed me! Don’t you get it? You ruined me! You wrecked me! There is no going back and it’s all your fault! You and Chase! I’m so pissed I don’t even know what to do! I have nothing! I have no one!”

“Chase.” She pulled away and wiped a tear from her eye. “You have my heart, but Nixon… he owns my soul.”

I’d survive with a broken heart only if it meant mending yours.”