Carn scoffs. “I want nothing from this place, but if you harm her, I will take it all just to fuck with you and make sure no one in either town remembers you ever existed. I’ll wipe your fucking legacy from the history books and make it like you and your piece of shit family never existed.” Xaden bares his teeth at my friend.
“You can try,” Xaden fires back. Before he can utter another word his phone begins to vibrate in his pocket. He growls in annoyance but lowers the blade, then yanks his wrist free of my hold and rests the gun on his lap as he pulls his phone out and answers the call. “What?” I ignore his conversation and look at Carnage who is staring at me with disappointment and that shit stings.
“Don’t ever offer yourself up like that again. It makes you look pathetic and weak.” His harsh words have me gasping insurprise. He turns in his seat and gazes out the window, leaving me sitting here with my mouth hanging open. I had no idea he cared so much about me that my death would affect him. Halo is looking over at his twin with a pinched expression on his face, clearly just as perplexed as I am by his reaction.
“How far out are we?” Xaden asks. I shoot the asshole a scornful look, pissed off that he just had a gun pointed at my head then speaks to me like we’re friendly.
When he grips the gun on his lap I roll my eyes and answer. “We have a few hours to go,” I grit out and slouch back in my chair.
“We’ll get there before you. I’ll hold back until the men clear the perimeter then we’re going in. Leave Andrade there to deal with that cocksucker.” He pauses to listen to what the other person has to say. “Gather the goods from that, then we’re free to strike. That cocksucker Kellar is going down, then after the game, his precious bitch of a son is next.” Hearing him speak so casually about murdering my family like he is discussing the weather has my stomach rolling and my chest aching. I know Masen robbed him of his best friends and sister but that doesn’t warrant an all out war.
Does it?
I thought I was prepared and ready for all of this, but I’m doubting myself. Cas’s words are playing on repeat in my mind.
When that time comes can you really look him in the eyes as you pull that trigger?
I sneak a glance at him from the corner of my eye and ponder his words. Could I do it? Could I kill him in cold blood and not bat an eye? Could I rob him of his life and go on with my own and raise this child knowing I murdered their father in cold blood? But, could I also raise a child with this man knowing he slaughtered my family, all because they hurt him?
“I need directions, Tor,” Vatican calls out.
“Keep heading north until we hit the mountains, then take a right.” I feel Xaden’s gaze on me but I choose not to acknowledge him.
“I thought it was in Hollow Hills?” Xaden snaps.
“Where the fuck is this place?” Omen mutters.
I close my eyes and release a pent up sigh. “In the middle of nowhere. There is nothing around. It’s about an hour and half from the closest town. The place in Hollow Hills is a decoy, Steven would never allow his most prized possessions to be in enemy territory.”
“How the fuck do you remember where to go?” Xaden clips out.
I turn and face out the window as I answer him. “If you lived in hell for a year, you would make sure to remember the way back so you never ended up there again.”
I ignore the pressure of his gaze on me. He can think what he likes about me. I know he hates me. He didn’t need to use words for me to see it in his eyes. In order to win this war I need to keep my heart out of it.
I came back here with a plan and I am going to see it through. I owe it not only to myself but to those who lost their lives that night. Four innocents were killed all because two men wanted more than they had. Their greed is what killed KennaDee, Miles, Neave and my dear sweet Emery. Carnage hasn’t told me what the Denver Kings have on my father and Lorenzo, but whatever it is, it must be big if the two of them could put aside their differences and team up.
I know my father sending me to Stormsend University was a political move and a show of faith to Lorenzo that he was willing to give me up to prove himself to his partner.
I had to sit with that knowledge for a while and realize that I was never anything to my father. I was just someone he could manipulate, use, and marry off to further his gain.
Time feels like it’s ticking by so slowly and the entire ride I can feel Xaden staring at me. It’s becoming hard to ignore and I know he loves making me squirm, but I won’t give him the satisfaction of seeing how he gets under my skin.
“Did you know your best friend's brother is in love with you?” His statement shocks me and I swivel around in my seat to face him. His face is a mask of indifference.
“What the hell are you talking about?” I hiss, trying to keep my voice low so the others don’t overhear.
Xaden smirks but it’s vicious and cruel. I know whatever he is going to say next is gonna hurt. “Meekan Di-Leo is coming at me harder than he ever has before. He’s currently at my father’s house right now with a search warrant.” My eyes widen and my mouth parts. Xaden reaches out and grips my chin in his hand and skims his thumb along my bottom lip. My treacherous body betrays me and a shiver rolls down my spine at his gentle caress. “He won’t find anything, Tink.”
“What makes you so sure?”
His smile is malicious and makes him look even more unhinged. “Because I’ve got what he’s looking for right beside me.”
CHAPTER NINETEEN
XADEN
The shocked look on her face was fucking priceless. She can try and deny it all she wants but I know Meekan has a hard on for her and she is just too fucking stupid to see it. The sight of her is making me sick. She hasn’t uttered a word since I told her thatsheis what Meekan wants.
