SAINT
It’s late in the evening, Wren’s already in my bed, half asleep. The execution hours ago really shook her up. As many warnings as I gave her about what this life entails, it took seeing it in stark reality for her to understand.
Still, I don’t think she does. Not completely.
Because the threat is far from over, and Sin’s not the only one of us capable of beating a man to death.
I tucked her safely in place once her adrenaline dissipated.
Her hand reaches for me when I stand from the side of our bed. Her silent plea for me not to leave her—not yet—has me sitting by her side longer than I should.
I have plans and back up plans to make before Knox shows up. There’s nothing for him to find, but that’s the least of my worries. The things Rook mentioned, how he talked about Wren, it twists anxiety in my guts.
When her hand slackens, I brush my palm over her hair, fingers combing through locks and massaging the back of her head. Shemurmurs and tucks her hands under her chin, curling further into my hip.
I want to lay beside her, gather her in my arms, hold her until I’m sure nothing is going to happen to her.
I can’t guarantee that, though. Even if I will doanythingto keep her safe.
She’s asleep, and I have a difficult time walking away from her.
Delaying things isn’t going to help anyone.
When I move upstairs, I find everyone’s acting normal-ish. The bar is quiet with the aftermath of Rook’s betrayal, his punishment, and the incoming show of force Knox and his warrant promises.
I sip a beer at the bar as I watch my men. On autopilot. They’re deliberately not talking about Rook. We all heard what he said about Wren. And he was an example that needed to be made.
The scent of fresh blood and dirt is still heavy in the air, a confirmation of the betrayal. Rook went against orders. Against the rest of his brotherhood. Againstme.
And I need to know if anyone else is planning to hand my wife over to the enemy the first chance they get.
A few won’t meet my eyes, but no one flinches under my examination.
My thoughts swing back to Wren. She shouldn’t have had to see that. To see Sin that way. She should be safe in her palace, pampered and peaceful. Not here…
I’m not strong enough to suggest she go somewhere else again. But, for the first time in over a decade, I wishherewas somewhere else.
Energy is building, and it’s like I can feel Knox and his goons closing in. They aren’t coming because of Rook. They were coming for Wren regardless.
They know she’s my weakness. Claiming her didn’t change their target, it just shifted it to include me and my men, too.
Maybe, I’m a fool for agreeing to it, but Wren is so much more than I expected.
I’m rubbing my chest when the flash of lights appears outside. My men move on autopilot. We’ve been through this rodeo before.
Finishing the last of my beer, I stand and let the rest of my men make their exit before I make mine. Judge appears beside me with his jaw clenched and arms crossed.
“Even if Rook told them something, there’s nothing here they can connect to a crime. They have nothing that will stand up.”
I nod, prepared to be cuffed and dragged away for a few hours. It won’t be the first time, and I doubt it will be the last. Outside, the men who need to be visible are stationed around the yard. The ones who need to stay hidden are inside and tucked away.
I stop in the middle of my men and take in Knox’s car pulling in just outside my property line. Two other cars park diagonally beside him. A red flag.
Four men file out of the cars, standing at their noses with their arms crossed, looking around like they’re prepared to examine every inch of my property.
Knox gets out of his car last, putting on a show. I bet they rehearsed this before they showed up.
He hasn’t drawn his weapon, but his hand finds his hip. He’s close. Prepared.
