Page 34 of Queen of Wrath

The rage still bubbled in my chest unchecked, but it was accompanied by another feeling now. Something I hadn't felt in a very long time.

He and his uncle took my entire life from me, and my family! I raged to myself. Just because he showed mercy this one time, doesn't mean he deserves to be seen as anything but a selfish monster!

My shoulder burned, and this time, my whole body was on fire along with it.

I wasn't the foolish girl he’d tricked seventeen years ago anymore. I was a woman who had survived the unimaginable. I was strong… I was righteous rage and revenge personified.

Akil came back into the room just in the nick of time. “Rowan is on her way. In the meantime, do you want to tell me what happened?”

My focus shifted, and relief came over me.

My mouth dropped open, but no words came out. I didn't even know where exactly to begin.

“How about I make us some tea instead?” Akil must have noticed the struggle in my eyes. “I'll give you some time to collect yourself.”

I nodded, relaxing into the chair.

I didn’t have a lot of time to “collect myself,” though, for the next thing I knew, the lavender door burst open, and there was Rowan, standing in the doorway with her leg raised.

Did she seriously just kick Akil’s very fancy door open?

I watched in silent shock as she ran over to me. Her brow was drenched in sweat, and she could barely catch her breath.

“Sweet Solara, Rowan! I do have neighbors, you know? And that door wasn’t cheap!” Akil reprimanded her as he rushed over, closing his now-crooked front door.

She couldn't care any less at that moment. “I was worried when you didn't get home at your usual time. What happened? Did he do something to you?”

“I'm fine, but I'm worried I might have compromised the mission.” I dropped my head as shame came over me. The last thing I wanted to do was disappoint Rowan.

“Don't worry about the mission right now. Your well-being is my number one priority. If something happened to you because I sent you out there, I wouldn't be able to forgive myself.” Rowan’s voice cracked at the end, her eyes slightly glistening over.

My heart ached for her. I felt compelled to reach out, placing my hand on her shoulder. “I’m alright, Rowan. They can't get rid of me that easily.”

I showed her a reassuring smile, but she didn’t even notice. She squeezed her eyes tightly shut, as if she was in actual pain, as she said, “Despite us helping you get your freedom, and you agreeing to work with us to bring about the Ransoms’ downfall, I still knew the risks from the start. And now I'm wondering how the hell I could’ve been so comfortable with putting you in harm’s way like this…as if you haven’t been through enough alre?—”

“You didn't force me to do anything, Rowan,” I interjected, almost angrily, which got her to look at me again. “I decided this for myself. I knew the dangers of being near the Ransoms, probably better than most. I appreciate your concern, but if I get hurt, it's not your fault.”

My words seemed like they’d reached her at least, for her shaking ceased.

“It's just…all of this seems so wrong,” she pressed weakly, her entire frame sagging in defeat.

“What they're doing is wrong. We’re just trying to make things right. I need you to trust that I can do that. I have to… We might have had a slip-up today, but by grace—or some divine force working with us, wanting us to see this mission through to the end—I'm still here. We can still fight!”

She slowly raised her eyes to mine, and gave me a solemn nod. “Strangely enough, I believe you.” Rowan then sucked in a deep breath, holding it as she collected herself. “So, what exactly did you do that would warrant a face looking like it’d seen some punches to it?”

I gave her a knowing smirk before speaking, and her demeanor changed entirely.

“You found it?” she practically whispered conspiratorily, her eyes wide.

“I found it,” I confirmed, and her whole face lit up like fireworks on a dark night. “It was exactly where we thought it would be: in the underbelly of the company. There's just one issue. It's heavily guarded by Diesel’s men, hence the beating.” I pointed to my one swollen blue eye almost proudly.

“How did you get away then?”

“I didn’t,” I said, shame rushing hotly to my face. “I had to be rescued…”

“Was it Jax Ransom?” she surmised correctly way too quickly, the knowing twinkle in her eyes annoying as hell.

“It was, though I don’t know why he would even bother to help me.” The wheels turned in my head, and still, an answer didn’t come to me.

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