Page 13 of Thorned Vengeance

“Casualties of war,” I reply.

“I’m sorry you lost them,” Matt says. “But I need to know your head is in the game, Kyle. This is my family,” he continues while making a circle in the air with his hand to indicate the rest of his team. “And you’re one of us now. Can I count on you to protect your family?”

“Yes, sir.”

Little did I know that those two simple words would change the course of my life forever. Matt and Paul, now Soul and Malice, became people I didn’t even realize I needed. I’d have given my life for them then, and I’ll take as many lives as necessary to protect them now.

“You coming to the gym or not?”

I stop outside my door and turn to face Knuckles. “Maybe.”

“Look, brother, I know you’ve got a lot on your mind,” he says. “What better way to sort through it than to pound on a few people?”

I arch a brow and respond without thinking. “A purge.”

Knuckles shakes his head and chuckles. “Yeah, well, a purge is always the best way, but short of that…”

“I’ve got a few things to take care of,” I tell him. “I’ll head to Fists after.”

He slaps me on the back and grins. “Awesome. See ya there.”

Knuckles disappears down the hall and into the common area, and I press my hand to the wall to activate the fingerprint scanner, so my door opens. As soon as I’m alone, I strip out of my clothes and head to the shower.

Something tells me it’s going to be a long fucking day.

CHAPTER 6

DELANEY

“I’m sorry. I can’t give you any more information than has already been released.”

I stare at the detective across the counter and give him my best doe-eyes impression.

“Please.” I bat my eyelashes in an attempt at flirting.

“Look, I don’t know what people’s fascination with serial killers is, but I’m telling you, lady, this guy is dangerous.” The officer runs his hand over his face. “This isn’t a fucking game, this is real life. Go home and let us do our job.”

I lean forward. “I’ve let you do your jobs. For five fucking years, I’ve sat around, waiting for you to do your job.”

Detective Jeffers steps back as if I slapped him. “What are you talking about?”

“My sister was one of the Phantom’s victims. That fucking real enough for you?” My chest heaves.

“What was her name?” he asks.

“Oh, now you want to play show and tell?” I sass.

The noisy precinct has gone deafeningly silent at my outburst, but I’m beyond caring. Sure enough, I glance around and notice everyone has stopped and is watching the show.

Great, now I’m gonna be locked up for disorderly conduct.

Detective Jeffers’ eyes soften, and his voice lowers. “I’m sorry for your loss, but I still can’t tell you anything. I wish I could, but it’s an ongoing investigation.”

“Thanks for nothing,” I grumble.

I stomp out of the station and down the steps to my car. My anger is misdirected, and I know that. It isn’t the detective’s fault that he can’t give me any information. I knew it was a long shot, but damn if I wasn’t hoping that for once, just once, something would lead me in the right direction.

“Hey!”

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