Page 83 of Wade’s Wrath

“She saved her own life,” Princess corrected. Something changed in Wade's face. It wasn’t fear or judgment. It looked more like a combination of pride, fury, and relief all mixed together.

Butcher moved toward one of the officers. “We have everything you need to prove he’s guilty,” he said, nodding to her father.

Richard's head snapped around. “He’s lying!” he shouted.

Butcher looked at him. “We were just at your warehouse, and we found the women.” Richard paled. For the first time that night, Harlow saw fear on her father's face. Butcher smiled, and it wasn't friendly. “Bad night to be you.”

Richard straightened. “I don't know what you're talking about.”

“You sure?” Butcher asked. He gestured toward the officers, and another man entered in plain clothes with a badge clipped to his belt.

“Richard Kane?” the man said. Her father said nothing, and the detective stepped closer. “You're under arrest.”

Harlow stared at him as Richard looked at her. “This is your fault.” The words should have hurt. Maybe they would tomorrow, but tonight, they didn't.

“No,” she spat. Her father stiffened, and Harlow finally understood—really understood. “You did this.”

The detective pulled Richard's arms behind his back. “You have the right to remain silent⁠—”

Richard fought the cuffs. “You think this is over?”

Butcher laughed. “Pretty fucking sure it is.”

Richard's eyes locked on Harlow. “You destroyed this family.” Harlow looked at Frank lying on the floor. Then at the handcuffs around her father's wrists. And then, she looked at Wade.

“No.” She shook her head at her father. “You did.” The police led Richard away.

Harlow watched him go. She expected grief, and maybe it was coming. Instead, she felt empty.

Wade was finally allowed through, and he crossed the room fast. He stopped directly in front of her and his hands lifted, but then stopped. Even now, even after everything, he waited. Harlow broke and threw herself into his arms. Wade caught her, and his arms wrapped around her so tightly she could barely breathe, but she didn't care.

She buried her face against his neck. “You came back.”

His hand cradled the back of her head. “Told you I'd do everything I could.”

Harlow laughed and cried at the same time. “You're covered in blood.”

“Most of it's not mine,” he said.

She pulled back enough to look at him. “You bikers really need to come up with another answer.” Wade smiled, and his gaze moved toward Frank.

His smile disappeared. “You killed him?”

Harlow swallowed. “He pulled a gun.” Wade looked at her. “I tried to make him stop. I told him to stop, but he grabbed me.”

Wade's eyes dropped to her wrist where bruises were already forming, and his jaw clenched. “Baby,” he breathed.

“I shot him,” she whispered. Her eyes burned. “I killed someone.”

Wade touched her face. “You saved yourself.”

The tears finally fell. “He would've killed me.”

“I know,” he breathed.

“How do you know?” she asked.

“Because I know men like Frank, and they are all the same,” he said.