Page 60 of Seeds of Sorrow

Demi opened her mouth to speak but shut it quickly, her expression changing from confusion to absolute rage. She spun around to Zellie, throwing a hand out in Peyton’s direction. “Are you fucking kidding me? You devious, wretched little whore!”

The color drained from Zellie’s face as she glanced between Peyton, Demi, and Hadina. The latter had her gun pointed at Demi, but her sights were set on her sister. Peyton could see the cogs working behind Hadina’s eyes, trying to figure out what was happening.

“I don’t know how you managed to fuck this up so badly, but I’m going to make you wish you had never laid eyes on me.” Demi balled her hands into fists, ready to swing for Zellie, but Harris lurched forward and grabbed the woman by the arms. “I’m going to annihilate your whole family! Should I tell your sister exactly who her little plaything is? I’m sure she’d love to know.”

A wave of unease washed over Peyton’s skin. Once again, there were secrets being kept from her and the fact that Demi was involved made her sick. Her hand trembled and she slowly lowered her gun, taking a step forward. “What is she talking about?”

Zellie shook her head and glared at Peyton. “It’s none of your concern.”

“She’s talking about me, you daft bitch! Of course it’s my concern!”

Hadina placed her gun on the table and reached for Peyton’s hand, squeezing her palm slightly. “Answer her question, Zelina.”

Demi fought against Harris’s hold while Zellie contemplated what she was going to do. Both Hadina and Peyton realized a moment too late that Zellie was going to reach for the discarded gun. Hadina pushed Peyton behind her but Zellie aimed at Harris instead. “Let her go.”

Harris barked out a sarcastic laugh. “Are you delusional? You’re in a room full of armed Adis guards and you think you can call the shots? You’re not our boss.”

Zellie’s lips pulled into an ugly smile. She tilted her head and sighed, before pulling the trigger. The bullet hit Harris directly in his shoulder, weakening his grip on Demi, who wriggled free. Zellie grabbed the woman by the arm and shielded her with her body, blocking anyone from being able to take a clear shot.

Peyton shook as Hadina gripped her tighter, almost as though she were scared what would happen if she let her go. She didn’t understand what the hell was happening, other than the fact that Zellie was clearly the evil bitch she’d thought she was since their first meeting, and it appeared that Hadina was equally perplexed.

“Que mierda estas haciendo? This is foolish, even for you,hermana.”

Zellie grimaced. “Es complicado,Hadina.” She started to back up towards the exit, making sure Demi was behind her. “We’re going to walk out of here without anyone coming after us or taking a shot, okay? Because the only way you’re going to get to Demi is by shooting me, and I don’t think any of you want to explain that toPapi.”

Hadina swore under her breath before sighing. “This is a mistake, Zellie, and you’re going to regret it.” Looking over her shoulder at Peyton, Hadina pursed her lips and Peyton nodded slightly, encouraging her. She knew that conceding to Zellie’s terms was the only way both sisters survived. “Everyone, put your weapons down. Let them go.”

Demi grinned over Zellie’s shoulder. “I’ll be seeing you real soon, Hadina.”

Zellie looked at Hadina and Peyton could have sworn she saw regret in the eldest sister’s dark eyes. But with a blink, Zellie’s cold demeanor was back on display and she turned, sprinting from the building behind Demi.

As soon as the door shut, Peyton ran over to Harris and pressed a napkin to his wound, applying pressure to stop the bleeding. He winced and grabbed it from her hand, propping himself up against the edge of a booth.

“Are you okay?” she asked, hearing the way her own voice trembled.

He closed his eyes and nodded, his jaw clenched tight. “I’ll be fine.” He looked up at Hadina, who ran up the moment Demi and Zellie were out of sight. “What the fuck just happened, boss?”

Hadina locked eyes with Peyton and ran a hand through her dark hair. “I have no fucking idea.”

Chapter39

HADINA

The door slammed shutbehind them as they stormed into the house. Harris was grumbling about his shoulder and—while a part of her deep down did care—Hadina wanted to tell him to shut the fuck up and stop being a baby. She probably would have too, if it weren’t for Peyton’s fingers entwined with hers, grounding her.

“Papi? Dónde estás?” Piper popped her head out of the lounge, her bright smile dropping when she saw everyone’s faces. She gasped when she noticed Harris clutching his shoulder. “What the hell happened? Adrian, are you okay?”

“Nothing I can’t handle, Piper,” Harris said, though Hadina could hear the pain in his voice.

Her father was sitting in his favorite armchair, clutching a bottle ofJarritos, the perspiration dripping onto his knee. The sight of Hadina had him out of his chair and clutching his daughter in his arms, concern etched in his face. “Mija, what happened?”

Hadina paced the length of the lounge, gripping her hair by the roots. “She double-crossed us. AGAIN!”

Piper flinched at the bellowing but Hadina couldn’t bring herself to calm down. Time after time, Zelina had let the family down. She’d abused their trust and now had sided with one of the most vile women she’d ever had the displeasure of meeting.

“Peyton, since you’re calmer, can you tell us what happened?” her father asked.

Peyton looked up at him and burst into tears, her whole body shaking with her sobs. Hadina stopped in her tracks and moved to kneel in front of the sofa, where the girl now sat, before clutching Peyton’s face in her palms. “Baby, shhh. You’re okay. Take a deep breath for me.”

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