Page 92 of Wicked Fury

I fix her with a look, one that’s all hard edges and fury. “They think they can mess with you, with us, and just walk away?” My voice is low, a growl rumbling through clenched teeth. “They’ve got another thing coming.”

Her green eyes search mine, seeking the man beneath the beast. I soften, marginally. “You saved my ass today, angel.” A smirk tugs at the corner of my mouth, despite the darkness clawing at its fringes. “You’re gonna make one helluva attorney.”

“Only for you,” she replies, her eyes lighting up, her pain momentarily forgotten.

“Damn straight.” I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding, my chest tight with emotion.

“Thank you, Iris.” The words are a whisper against the chaos of my thoughts. “For believing in me, when everyone was ready to see me burn.”

“Always, Lincoln.” Her fingers graze my tattooed arm, tracing patterns over inked skin, grounding me. “That’s what we do for each other, isn’t it? Fight the world?”

“Fight them?” I lean in close, my lips brushing her earlobe. “No, baby, we’re going to destroy them.” My voice is sin and promise, dark intent laced with a need so fierce it could set the world on fire. “Every last one.”

“Good.” Her hand finds mine, squeezing in silent accord, a pact sealed in shadows and whispers. “Let’s end this.”

Darkness clings to the edges of my vision as I storm out of the house, two of my brothers flanking me like a goddamn mercenary squad. Jeremiah is staying behind with the girls. The air tastes of vengeance, and the hunger for retribution is a living thing in my gut. It’s time to find Nicole, to snuff out the threat she poses once and for all.

“Where to?” Penn asks, his voice calm and steady despite the tension. Not a joke cracked, which I know means he’s fully in this. He’s getting ready.

“Nick’s,” I grunt, my jaw set, my mind a battleground of fury and focus. “He’ll know where she’s slithering around.”

The outskirts of town loom before us, a place where answers fucking better lie.

We pull up to Nick’s run-down house. I’m out of the car before it fully stops, my boots crunching on gravel, every step drawing me closer to the house and causing the anger bubbling under the surface to rise.

“Blackwood,” Nick greets, stepping into the doorway, his voice strained, eyes darting like he’s already looking for an escape. “I ain’t looking for trouble.”

“Then you’re in luck,” I sneer, closing the distance between us with predatory ease. “Trouble found you.” I can see his throat bob as he swallows hard, the fear in him written all over his body.

“Look, man, I don’t know what you heard. After last time?—”

“Cut the bullshit, Nick.” My hand shoots out, gripping his collar, pulling him until we are inches apart, my breath hot against his skin. “Nicole. Where is she?”

“Lincoln, please—” He’s trembling now, the sweat beading on his brow a testament to his panic.

“Wrong answer,” I growl, my grip tightening like a vise. “You deal her the drugs, you’re part of this mess. Now spill, or I swear to God, I’ll make you wish you’d never been born.”

“Okay! Okay!” His words spill out in a rush, his body sagging in my hold. “She came by yesterday—said she needed a place to lay low.”

“Where, Nick?” I press, the beast within licking its lips in anticipation.

“An... an old faculty building on campus. There’s a room no one uses anymore.” His voice is barely above a whisper, but it might as well be a should.

“Good boy.” I release him with a shove that sends him stumbling back into the darkness of his hovel. A smile curls my lips, not of joy, but of darkness. “See, wasn’t so hard, was it?”

“Lincoln, man, you didn’t get that from me,” he calls after me, desperation lacing his plea.

“Your secret’s safe with me, Nicky boy,” I call over my shoulder, my tone dripping with sarcasm that doesn’t reach my cold eyes. “Just like you’ll be, if you stay out of my way.”

“Get him in the car,” I command tersely, and they react instantly. Graham’s large hands clamp down on Nick’s bony shoulders, shoving him toward the open SUV door while Penn keeps watch, his eyes scanning the dark perimeter with predatory focus as he flicks his lighter open and closed.

“Show us where this room is, and maybe you’ll walk away from this,” I bite out, sliding into the driver’s seat as Graham forces Nick into the back. The dealer’s body hits the leather with a thud, and he winces, knowing better than to argue.

“Remember, Nicky,” Graham says, his voice deceptively calm as he leans in close to our captive. “You’re our GPS tonight. You malfunction, you get replaced.”

“Understood,” Nick whispers, his fear palpable as the engine roars to life beneath my hands.

“Let’s roll out,” I say, the darkness within me stirring with anticipation.

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