Page 14 of Branches of Betrayal

Screaming, Peyton brought the blade down on the man in front of her, a dead body already on her other side. It was obvious to Hadina that both males were already dead, but still Peyton thrust her knife into him, again and again. Blood covered every inch of her, coating her blonde hair in sticky red clumps.

Hadina’s body wouldn’t allow her to move. She knew Zellie and Harris were standing by, waiting on her orders, but she didn’t have any orders to make. They had found Peyton and yet…

This was her fault. Hadina had given into temptation and allowed herself to wish for Peyton to be part of her life. Butthiswas her life. Bloodshed, a trail of dead bodies, and fuckingmisery.

Peyton finally slumped, dropping the blade to her side. Her screams died into sobs as she collapsed to her knees, burying her face in her hands. Hearing the sound of her crying broke whatever trance Hadina was in and she rushed forward, ready to take whatever pain she could from Peyton.

“Tentadora…It’s me,mi amor.”

Peyton turned to look at her and Hadina could see her heart physically break in those big blue eyes. “Hadi?”

Without waiting another second, Hadina bundled Peyton in her arms and held the love of her life as she fell to pieces in her embrace. At some point, Hadina’s own tears had begun to fall too, but she didn’t much care what anyone thought about seeing her weakness. If showing tender parts of herself allowed Peyton to feel stronger and comforted, Hadina would let the vultures eat her.

She didn’t know how long passed before Peyton pulled away, looking into her eyes. “You came for me,” she whispered tearfully.

Hadina felt an ache in her heart. “Of course I did.Te seguiría al inframundo, mi amor.I will always come for you.”

“Hadina, we need to go.”

Hearing another voice had Peyton flinching into herself. Hadina watched as her eyes turned from scared to something else entirely the moment she saw Zellie standing in the doorway. Hadina had never seen a look of genuine hatred cross Peyton’s face, but she was almost sure that’s what it was.

“What the fuck are you doing here?!” Peyton yelled, glaring at Zellie.

“Tentadora, it’s okay. She–Zelina helped me find you.”

Peyton turned to Hadina, her face scrunched in horror. “How could you? ShehelpedDemi!”

Hadina shook her head. “No, love. It’s more complicated than you think. I can explain…”

“NO! I don’t want to fucking hear any excuses.”

Before Hadina had even registered what was happening, Peyton lurched forward, sprinting directly at Zellie. A moment too late, she saw the blade in her hand as she lunged, swiping it in an arc. The knife cut a sharp line through Zelina’s cheek, causing her to cry out and jump out of Peyton’s reach.

“This is because of you! If you hadn’t let that psycho go, this wouldn’t have happened!” Peyton screeched, launching herself in Zellie’s direction again.

“Tentadora,stop!”

Hadina jumped to her feet and grabbed Peyton by the waist, holding the woman tight against her as she thrashed. “Fucking let me go, Hadina!”

Harris stepped in front of them, a syringe in his hand. Hadina shook her head and batted his hand away but he grippedPeyton by the shoulder, smiling apologetically. “Sorry, P. I gotta do this.”

“Don’t touch her, Adrian!”

Harris sighed, sticking the plunger into the side of Peyton’s neck. “It needs to be done, boss. She has to calm down in order to heal. And we need to get the fuck out of here before Demi comes back.”

Hadina looked down at Peyton as her body slumped, her eyes drifting closed. She couldn’t help but feel the sting of her own betrayal as Peyton slipped into unconsciousness, knowing that she was the cause of all this pain.

She’d promised to protect Peyton and she had let her down.

Hadina Adis wasn’t a queen; she was a monster and she had broken the only person she had ever truly loved.

Chapter 9

Peyton

Rough handsgrasped at her body, making nausea roll through her in disgusted waves. They touched her as they pleased, taking what they wanted and laughing at her protests. Bruises marred her skin and blood coated every inch of her.

“Stop!” More laughter echoed as she begged for a reprieve, tears streaming down her pretty face.

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