Rolland’s gun fired just as Bryson moved away from him. Seth was already launching himself at Rolland, knife in hand.
In less than three seconds, the Winters men had almost completely turned the tables.
Almost.
Rolland, gun still in hand, turned to point the gun at Kaydon. Gabriel was there and with one swift motion, knocked Rolland unconscious with his pistol, and the room fell into silence.
“Mateus, get some rope and tie him,” Gabriel said, moving to pick up the coin on the floor.
He dipped his head to Adria and left.
With Rolland secured in a chair at the center of the room, the rest of the Sombras da Selva filed out.
Seth had a busted lip from the scuffle, and Bryson and Kaydon breathed heavily across from her, but otherwise looked unharmed.
“Well,” she gestured to Rolland, “you wanted him. Now you have him.”
Kaydon gave her a grin. “You’re not mad?”
Adria thought about it. She was angry with her mother. She was angry with Eric, but these three…
“No,” she said simply, and then added, “I wish you would have clued me in, but I’m not here to change you into something different. We all know what we are signing up for. I just happen to be signing up to be with three hot heads in their twenties.”
Seth’s grin was contagious as he twirled the blade.
“I’ve waited too long for this,” he said, stalking towards Rolland.
Adria’s mind pulled forth the dream of Alexey, tied to a chair in front of her, and she flinched.
Turning, she closed her eyes, and the scene faded from the dream of Alexey to a memory.
For a second, she could almost smell the breakfast cooking. Except there was a burnt smell that singed her nose. Her kitchen wasn’t bathed in a white glow either. In her memory, it was morning, and a hazy smoke filled the kitchen.
Adria suddenly remembered being there. She could smell the smoke from the forgotten breakfast. And hear the cries coming from the pantry. These images weren’t echoes of a dream. They felt real.
“Adria?”
It was Bryson.
She turned. “I’m fine,” she lied.
Her mind was playing tricks on her. She needed some space.
“I want to go for a walk while you three have your fun. Text me when you are done, and I’ll have Xander deal with the mess.”
Bryson seemed like he wanted to argue, but a scream from Rolland drew his attention.
She smiled. “Go on, your brothers have already started, you’re gonna miss all the fun.”
Adria nodded to Sage as she exited the diner.
Eric must’ve called him when he realized she’d gone.
“They need a little time,” she said, walking past.
If Sage was uncomfortable by the implication, he didn’t show it. Instead, he just leaned against the truck, eyes scanning the road, smoking a cigarette.
A scream broke out from the doors behind her, and Adria’s shoulders tensed.
