Page 12 of Wicked Vengeance

“I needed an out. So I offered him the one thing I knew he couldn’t refuse, and I ran. I won’t apologize for looking out for myself. No one else was going to.”

Her heels click around me, fading as she moves farther away, and I hear the sound of a chair scraping against the floor. My mind reels with the information she just dumped in my lap– like it doesn’t matter to her if I know what an absolute piece of shit she is.

She thought she had to worry about King killing her? No. She doesn’t realize the biggest wolf of them all is sitting right in front of her. She just better pray King takes her out of here before my hands are free.

Ava doesn’t say anything else, letting me sit and stew on her revelations.

If what she is saying is true, that means…

King killed my father for power. My mother sacrificed her only child for herself– and got Grams killed in the process. And me– I am the true heir to the Kingsman?

Chapter 9

Alek

“You’re okay, Sunshine,” I hear Maddox tell Em as he carries her down the stairs to the basement. She keeps her head buried in his neck, her arms wrapped tight around him.

My heart's already breaking because I know what’s going to happen soon. I haven’t discussed it with my brothers yet, but I think they know as well as I do that we’ve got to get her someplace safe. She can’t stay with us until we find her mother and King is dead. For now, I shove the thoughts aside and focus on soaking up every second I can with her, reminding myself that it won’t be like when King had her. We will know where she is and that she’s safe from his grasp.

I adjust my grip on the ironing board Dax is strapped to, stepping carefully as Jasper and I carry him down to the med room. The doctor Mrs. Stone knows should be here any second. Dax is coming around, groaning in pain as he is jostled around on the board.

“We’ve got you, D. There’s a doctor on the way,” Jasper tells him. Ella opens the door when we get to the bottom but doesn’t go in. I see her lead Maddox and Em further into the concrete room with Laurelyn in tow.

I don’t know what we’re going to do with the girl, but she can’t stay here either. No one is safe until King is six feet under.

“Snow…” Dax groans, his head lolling to the side with his eyes squeezed shut as we get him off the board and onto the table.

“I’m right here, baby,” Snow says, her voice strangled with emotion at seeing him like this. She laces their fingers together, and he immediately settles with a ragged exhale. Jasper takes his other hand, and Ronan stands stoically at his feet, squeezing his ankle.

I don’t know them very well yet, but from what I can see, their relationship isn’t much different from ours with Raena. Three men who are rough around the edges– completely enchanted by a tiny, spitfire woman. My chest tightens at the reminder that Raena is gone, making my breath catch in my throat. I turn away to give them a semblance of privacy while also needing to collect myself– I can’t fall apart. I just told Maddox the same thing. We can fall apart later.

Royal moves to stand next to me, wrapping his strong fingers around my wrist. The gesture is surprisingly intimate for him. I know he’s struggling– spiraling with his need for control right now, even if no one else can see what’s going on inside his head. I can. He’s blaming himself– trying to bear the burden all alone. But I won’t allow it.

“She’ll be okay, Royal. She’s stronger than you think,” I say, keeping my voice low for only him to hear. He tightens his grip on my wrist, and I feel him shaking.

“She’s strong,” he whispers brokenly, with his eyes closed.

Looking straight ahead, I slide from his hold, taking his hand and intertwining our fingers together, squeezing them. I can feel his eyes now on my face before they slide down to our hands, but I don’t look at him.

This is new for us, but it doesn’t feel weird. It feels natural. And when he tightens his fingers around mine, I know he’s accepting this strange development in our relationship. We’ve always seen each other as brothers, but our love for each other runs deeper than blood can bind. It’s like Raena took her blade and sliced us wide open, stitching us back together in ways we didn’t think were possible.

The door swings open as Ella steps in with her phone in her hand, giving Snow an apologetic smile before walking over to where Royal and I are standing.

“Mom says this ‘doctor’ is pulling up now. They’ll be down in a minute,” she says with a scoff, reading the message on her screen. “I can’t believe she’s been seeing a man and hid it from me. What the actual fuck?”

“Ella, think about it. You said she’s been a mess since your father died. And understandably so. She lost the love of her life. But you lost your father. Of course, she wouldn’t want to rub it in your face if she’s trying to move on. Just keep an open mind. If she’s happy, that's all that matters,” I tell her.

“You’re right. She has been happier the last few weeks. I just wish she would have told me. I don’t like secrets. Thank you, Alek.”

I squeeze her shoulder with my free hand, but before I can respond, Mrs. Stone comes in, leading a middle-aged man carrying a large medical bag into the room. Ella’s reaction looks like a mixture of shock and constipation, making a smile twitch my lips. When the man steps into the light, I can see why. Ella looks back at me as I try not to bust out laughing.

Get it, Mama Stone.

“Stop it, right now. It’s not funny,” Ella whispers, smacking my arm.

“Thank you for coming, Dr…?” Ronan says, stepping up to the man.

“Henly. Henly Sterling. And no thanks needed. Helen said it was an emergency. What are we dealing with?” Dr. Sterling responds, sitting his bag on the table. He shakes his hand before moving beside Jasper and shaking his hand as well.

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