Page 257 of Deceit

Prying myself away, I give him a nod before he steps to my other side and allows Blue to stand up to me.

“Make him cry like a bitch, Emmy Lou,” she conveys, not holding the same frisky and teasing tone she always carries. It’s anger and full of disdain. Even a little bit of guilt.

Marty is third up.

Damn, I feel like him and I just rescue his whole life, and now he’s doing it for mine.

His hazel eyes glue to my browns, and he’s so angry he can barely contain it. His face is flushed, not being able to allow it to pass and relax.

“We’re a family,” he says with grit in his tone. “No matter what happens next…we’re a family.”

“I know.”

“Fuck him up, and let’s go get some fresh air.” He kisses my forehead and bro-hugs it out with Bishop before falling in line with the rest of us.

Then Kyson comes in.

The man who has barely spoken to me since I faked my own death. The guy who is like a big brother to me. The kind you can tell shit to, but don’t dare let him on the shady dealings like having a one-night stand because he’ll kill, filet, or tell you hell no.

Then the person you slept with would be put on the endangered species list.

“Little Ems.” His voice is gentle, just like it always is. He towers over me as Bishop does, almost the same height, brothers since kids, the one who still can’t hide his disappointment in me. “We’re all here. You say the word, and we’ll take care of the rest. No judgment, no questions, no speaking of this ever again.”

“Kyson…I—“ He jerks me out of Bishop’s hold and hugs me so tightly I can’t breathe.

However, I’m content here.

“I barely kept it together,” he verifies in my hair. “I felt like I failed you.” I violently shake my head, his nose rubbing my locks. “We want this done for you. Bishop is going to be right behind. No one fucks with family. Kill the fucker, protect your kids, and let’s go home.”

“K.” He gently gives me back to Bishop when a familiar arm wraps around my waist and leans in to whisper in my ear.

“A month from now, you’ll be my wife for real, for real. Rings and every fucking thing. You, Reagan, and Stormi can plan it out. I’ll do whatever you say and want as long as I get to kiss and fuck you goodnight.” He kisses my temple. “This is retribution. Let’s defend our kids. They’re waiting for us.”

With a lot of hesitation, I flick my eyes to Alexander, who is an absolute mess. But his brown eyes bore so much hatred into me that everything I’ve learned in B723 is gone.

There is no courage that runs through my veins, no bravery. I feel battered and broken—just as extreme as him—when I stand at a distance face-to-face with him.

“Our kids,” Bishop whispers. “And I’m going to show you how to do this Bishop style since you’re gonna become one.”

His bow shows up in front of me, and I take it, feeling the slight heaviness of it as Alexander’s grim tone sears through me.

“You’re gonna kill me, Emmy?” he challenges, his dark brown eyes clenching deeper. “What will you tell our kids?”

“What kids?” Marty taunts back for me. “You’re a little boy who deflected his temper on the wrong woman.”

Bishop sets up an arrow, black with red flares at the back, ignoring him and focusing on me.

“They’ll never forgive you,” my ex snaps angrily through his teeth that are crimson with blood. “You’re gonna keep him around to raisemyfucking kids!”

“Lean against me,” Bishop croons, pulling me back harder into his chest. “I got you, baby. He’s trying to sike you out.”

“The dude shit his pants, Ems,” Mills points out. “Who’s really scared here?”

“Why do you think we’re all standing on this side,” Marty adds as Blue chuckles down the line.

“And to stand behind the fiercest female we know,” Kyson voices from behind us.

“Grip the bow firmly, but don’t squeeze too hard,” Bishop directs me. “You don’t want the tension on your right hand.”

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